I had a father/son trip to Cedar Point, Sunday, and we really managed to have a great time. The weather was especially beautiful, gorgeous, and sunny, and it doesn't even feel like Autumn yet, even though today is the first day. I even had to rub on sunblock!
We first started by watching the end of the 3:30pm parade, which is a really great competition to Mickey Mania parade down in the south. Every float was themed with the people themselves. We caught the parade by the end of the main midway, where there were side exits at both sides.
Then we took pictures of the props of Halloweekends, by the pond, where it said, "Dead Rock Cafe". Then we decided to walk northwest towards the back of the park.
We made our first stop at the Magnum.
Magnum
We rode near the front, and the employees of the Magnum were really fast paced. They kept sending the trains, with 2 second breaks. The lift hill is probably one of the best parts, as it's funny how it just keeps going up and up and up. Someone yelled out, "Is it 2008 yet?" It's also great because it now gives you the chance to look out your side for a fantastic view.
There was sort of a trick track before the bank turns, which almost scared me as if it fell off there for a second.
The girls in front of us raised their hands high on the ride (something I enforce they don't do that back in Geauga), but immediatly lowered them before they've reached the tunnels.
This gave me an evil prank (but I don't think I would do this as it is extremely dangerous) to have a fake bloody arm, but it looks like my real arm. When I would raise my arms, I would raise one arm, and, in my sleeve, raise the bloody arm, and then when we reach the tunnel, I'd let it go, and let it fall to the riders behind me, and scream bloody murder. I would love to see the reactions of the annoying screaming girls behind us.
Ride rating: 8
Employee rating: 9
Queue time: 2 cycles
Trains Running: 2
We continued down the midway to another Arrow coaster, probably the smoothest and quietest Arrow coaster I've ever ridden.
Gemini
This was the only ride in the entire park we actually had to wait in line for. In a way, this was sort of a good thing, because now I can take a look at the design of the station (which I haven't done before). It was definitely retro, and the trains had the same style as of the Magnum. The shpieler made the ride sound like it was the French Revolution. It was sort of entertaining, but not the least bit enthusiastic.
Unfortunately, only one ride was running, and that was the blue side, to the right of us.
Also, well, I can't complain, because I'd be a huge hipocrite, but the crew were sluggish loading and unloading.
I understand that it's a long day, and at the end of the year, but give the mic to someone else if you're not up to it. That's what we do at the Double Loop. But overall, this is probably one of the best coasters in the park.
After the lift hill, the ride becomes eerily silent throughout the entire ride. The first dip was the smoothest and most comfortable dip from all the roller coasters I've ridden. When it returns up, it makes an extremely high angle back up, which was wicked. Then it turns around, and here's where it got good. When it turned around, it took its time around, in a quiet manner. Really well constructed. I wish my Arrow coaster was just like this.
Ride rating: 9
Employee rating: 4
Queue time: 4 cycles
Trains Running: 2
After a blast, we kept going deeper into the park. We first stopped at Undertaker University, a Halloweekend attraction. This haunted house was made well done, and there are notes in the wall that theme with the rooms. That is something you do not want to miss. There are some parts where it goes pitch black, and some parts where the floors are not hard surfaces. Well done, and the ghosts sure seem to ask for tips! Before you leave, make sure you hear the terrible music playing (you may want to raise your feet, as it's rather quiet).
Fear rating: Extremely scary
Employee rating: 10
Queue time: 1 cycle
Skyhawk
After graduating from the university, we stopped at Skyhawk. Employees here were excellent. They were on top of things completely. They double checked everybody. Meaning: One person checked one swing, as the other one did. Then they switched places, and double checked everything. They were very friendly and patient, as well as outgoing and helpful.
One of the employees, Leon, was especially alert when double checking the gates (even though they are magnetic). He deserves praise and kudos for being super-alert out of everyone else. He is probably the most alerted employee of all the attractions I did in Cedar Point.
Unfortunately, when riding Skyhawk, it was a pretty short ride, and didn't last that long. Even though it was a good alternative to maXair, which is down. I still think maXair is better.
Ride rating: 7
Employee rating: 10
Queue time: 3 Cycles
Trains Running: 2
After that, we cooled off by stopping at the museum. We took a look at some of the things there, including the genuine golden tickets Cedar Point earned over the years, as well as the old log ride. After taking pictures, and putting pennies in the horse race slots, we went over to Mean Streak, skipping Maverick, due to the hour long wait. On a day we are only limited to 4 hours in the park, we'd rather skip this.
Mean Streak queue was cobweb city. It's rather annoying. Ride ops here were attentive and keeping a close eye on the guests. Shpiels were great, and very detailed of the ride. The ride was defenitely rough and aggresive, and rather lenghthy for a guy like me, anti-woodie, who wanted to get off now.
Ride rating: 4
Employee rating: 8
Queue time: 1 cycle
Trains Running: 2
After the rough ride, I finally got off, and we saw our pictures, and then we boarded the CP & LE Railroad. It was pretty entertaining, and some parts were startling. I still like the part when we cross over the lake.
The best effect is probably the house on fire. Problem is, the train goes too fast, I'm missing out on everything. If it's showing stuff, it needs to slow down.
Ride rating: 6
Employee rating: Not rated
Queue time: 0 Cycles
Trains Running: Unknown
Once we were in the middle of the park, we made our way to the Mantis. This was the first time in my life I rode the Mantis, as well as a stand-up coaster. When we arrived, the people waiting in line told us we can go ahead of them, since they're with a group. We were extremely happy now, because there was absolutely nobody in queue, only in the station. This was a major surprise to us, as I got on, put my stuff in the bins, felt a wedgie, and got ready for a ride of inversions.
Ride rating: 8
Employee rating: 8
Queue time: 1 Cycle
Trains Running: 2
After my first experience on the Mantis, we went to Iron Dragon, another Arrow coaster. I'd like to work on Iron Dragon, because this one has pedals, too, on the ride. The girl on the load side was taking lots of initiative. When a guest needed a train unlocked, she pressed the pedal, and not the guy on the pedals side. She deserves a blue flag from me. OHHHH which reminds me I didn't go in to guest relations to fill guest compliments. Oh well. The first part of the ride did go smooth, but then the second part when rough. This is actually the first roller coaster I've ridden in my life. Right here, Iron Dragon. An Arrow. That's why I feel I have connections with the Iron Dragon.
Ride rating: 7
Employee rating: 9
Queue time: 0 cycles
Trains Running: Unknown
After cooling off from the Dragon, we went across the midway to ride Wildcat. I'm amazed how smooth this ride was, and the employees let us through to get an empty seat (Geauga Lake doesn't recommend wasting time filling in empty seats). I love the ending where you make the helix. Super good. I was a little surprised when the ride op at the end of the ride tried to grab the train to slow it down. Back at Geauga Lake, you NEVER touch a moving vehicle.
Ride rating: 7
Employee rating: 7
Queue time: 1 cycle
Trains Running: 4?
Then we wanted to go to the front of the park to ride rides there.
Sky Ride's employees were very fast, and they only paused to drink or wipe off sweat. They answered any questions I had in the famous integrity way, and then when they needed to rotate, they didn't waste time. One ride op yelled, "ROTATE!", and they quickly switched their respective places. For the end of the year, they were still doing good at it.
Ride rating: 5
Employee rating: 10
Queue time: 9 cycles
Trains Running: Unknown
Once at the front of the park, we went in Lair of the Vampire. I think what made this the most scary is when the Supervisors were right behind us the entire time. Not so many pitch black rooms, but there were a lot of wall bangs, stalkers, and nightcrawlers. Well done. In masks, they were lucky if they couldn't smile anymore.
Fear rating: Very scary
Employee rating: 10
Queue time: 1 cycle
Then I wanted to go on Raptor, the coaster I've paid much attention to when I worked at Cedar Point back in August (it's under Park Services office and the employee break area). I've never ridden Raptor before, and by the looks of the queue line, now's my chance. One of the favorite things I like about the Raptor was the fact it made that little rap song as it returns to the station.
The guy with the Shpieler (as I like to call it, forgot the guy's name), made the famous "Drop that floor, and you're out that door". My Double Loop one was "With that clear, you gotta show some pride, because now you're outta here to enjoy your ride!"
The Raptor was extremely smooth compared to Thunderhawk, and I wasn't so much used to the 4-row seats. I forgot that this is Cedar Point. The entire ride was extremely well done except the end, where it tugged you hard and painful for a second. Otherwise really really great.
"This ride is the tallest inverted coaster in the world!!!"
"Wooo!!"
"Back when it was first built."
"Awww..."
"Riders, are you ready?"
"Woooo!!"
"Drop that floor, and you're out that door!!"
"Awww... I mean, wooo!"
Ride rating: 9
Employee rating: 9
Queue time: 1 cycle
Trains Running: 2
Then we wanted to go to Pharaoh's Secret after Raptor, but I wanted to cut through Kiddie Kingdom to meet some old friends, as well as my favorite Rides TL when working in Cedar Point, Kaileen. She wasn't there, and I didn't recognize most of the ride ops. Disappointed, I continued to Pharaoh's Secret. This place wasn't as scary, and there was sort of a wait to get in. It's colorful, but not so Egyptian.
Fear rating: Scary
Employee rating: 8
Queue time: 3 cycles
After that, we went to make our last ride of the night, Millenium Force. This will be the second time in my life riding this, first time this year.
The queue was SUPER quick, and we only waited MAYBE 2-5 minutes in lineTOPS. When we arrived at the station, it was an instant walk on. Completely super. Great way to end the day.
Employees were doing a really great job, except, I wanted to ask one employee a question, but she didn't even hear me. I asked her a second time to get her attention, but nothing. I didn't want to ask her again, and I was already dispatched, so it didn't matter anymore.
The lift hill was steep and quick, but you really don't have time to enjoy the view, unfortunately. If I was the manufacterer, I would've kept the track at the top for a little longer (maybe make a slow 360° before dropping) to enjoy the view. Same with the Dragster (which was temporary down when we got there). Make a longer track at the top to enjoy the view. But anyway, the G-Forces were fantastic, I love how it zooms at the bottom, and then makes another lift hill. Then it goes almost upside down when it goes in circles, with the final grand finale. I still think for a ride that goes that fast should've been longer. It's too good of a ride to end too quick.
Ride rating: 10
Employee rating: 6
Queue time: 3 cycles
Trains Running: 3
After that, we left the park, and had our dinner in the picnic shelters at the front of the park.
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