Riding the Raptor

I don't mind the final turn into the waiting brakes.

As for the ride ops, I've been told it's to keep from stacking. Which you've gotta admit is kind of crazy, to have two trains waiting at various brakes to end their ride and one hasn't even left the station yet.

I do often wonder about the bins....it's such a huge deal for people, but what I don't understand is why people bring huge bags with them to the park. Would you say everything in the bags are necessary? I know for me I bring my point and shoot camera bag for my camera (go figure) and phone. The bag stays attached on the inside of my pocket and I'm set. For sunscreen, I apply before I go into the park and during breaks in my car. If there is something else I need, it's usually in my car, unlimited re-entry with a hand stamp is pretty nice.

Shawn Meyer said:
I know this topic goes all the way back to 2004 and I apologize in advance.Anyway though, I have a complaint about Raptor. For one I don't understand why the Raptor crew rushes you to get to your seat. That drives me and other people nuts. By time you try to put your stuff in the bin and deal with the people that just got off, the ride operators are ready to close the restraint. Are they on quota or something? The other complaint I have is I wish there was a more gentle approach to the train coming back into the station. Yesterday I rode Raptor 5 times and had a head ache for an hour just from that last turn. Does anybody else feel the same way about Raptor last turn?

The crew rushes everybody, including the ones getting off of the train too. People take their sweet old time getting their stuff out of the bins just as much as people putting their stuff in the bins. They also can't dispatch a train unless everyone is behind the yellow line in the station so that is a problem with people who take their shoes off for no reason in the first place and think they have to put their shoes on right there after they get off while others are either trying to get their stuff out of the bins or put their stuff in the bins. Hitting interval is very important for Raptor, because they can't keep stacking trains on the brakes, and they need to keep it at capacity, for it is one of the more popular rides at Cedar Point since it's right by the entrance. I wish they had the same amount of people working on all coasters as they did when they first opened. It would definitely help with hitting interval. As for it driving you and other people nuts, being rushed should not affect your visit that drastically. If they didn't rush the people before you and after you, the amount of time you waited in line those 5 times you rode would be A LOT longer!

Never thought of it that way. Thanks dude :)

The last turn is quite rough, I wasn't prepared and got a nice head banging.

And no, I don't ride coasters like a wet noodle, I just don't like to be all tense when riding.

^^ You're absolutely welcome! As being a ride host within the past year on a coaster, I know what it's like to hit interval and it's easier to explain it to others who don't quite understand the concept as much as a ride host would.

Raptor is very very smooth not at all jerky. I remember my first ride I was scared going up the lift hill (my Palms were even sweating). The first loop isn't bad AT ALL. Just go with the flow and youll have a great time.

I like that the Raptor crew keeps things moving. I have never had an issue with getting things to the bins and getting back to my seat because I only bring my phone and keys (and sometimes a point and shoot camera) all of which fit in my pockets. Not sure why so many people carry so many things around the park with them all day but if you do that, you have to deal with resulting issues.

Brake run is intense but I don't mind it. I was surprised to see the ride was essentially a walk up from mid afternoon and beyond on Friday.

Take it from a 2008 Raptor crew member. One of the best things we could do was hit interval. We always would play on the occasion with everyone in the station that "watch the upcoming train never stop" Its very hard to hit interval on Raptor and its a huge accomplishment when hit.

IntaminCMH said:
I don't mind the final turn into the waiting brakes.

As for the ride ops, I've been told it's to keep from stacking. Which you've gotta admit is kind of crazy, to have two trains waiting at various brakes to end their ride and one hasn't even left the station yet.

I do often wonder about the bins....it's such a huge deal for people, but what I don't understand is why people bring huge bags with them to the park. Would you say everything in the bags are necessary? I know for me I bring my point and shoot camera bag for my camera (go figure) and phone. The bag stays attached on the inside of my pocket and I'm set. For sunscreen, I apply before I go into the park and during breaks in my car. If there is something else I need, it's usually in my car, unlimited re-entry with a hand stamp is pretty nice.

If we actually are hitting interval (45 seconds, or by the time the train hits the top of the loop) the next train would just go straight through main/transfer and into the station. I appreciate the fact that B&M uses two set of breaks at the end of our rides so we don't actually set up (use Magnum for example) we just stack. If we actually are hitting interval, which has already been stated to be quite difficult, it's pretty amazing how fast the line moves and watching the train not stop in the transfer breaks is like the best thing ever to the ride ops.

With the bins, personally, I think Raptor should become a no loose article ride. Montu doesn't have bins. Dragon Challenge doesn't have bins. Raptor's platform is too small to deal with that so many people crowded by such a small box.

^ Could not agree more. Hitting interval is like crack to many ride hosts. Myself included when I was an employee.