Sparty's Family Week at CP! (LONG)

Ah, 4 days at the Point! However these were days much different than in the past….For the record I was a little ticked about some of the rides such as Force, Raptor, and Magnum on frequent times. Joe Cool was really something I had looked forward too and EVERY morning MF was down for it! But I'll give CP the benefit of the doubt and just know they'll get it right very soon for the rest of the season. This trip however was about hanging with the Family and experiencing parts of the park I did when I was my daughter's age. We did just that. Seeing the park through Julia's eyes was so much fun that power riding this time around was secondary. I honestly think we spent more time in Camp Snoopy or Kiddie Land than we did on and of the big 15 this past week. CP to my daughter is now known as "Horsey".. Let me explain.

MONDAY - the 13th

When we came across the causeway last Monday for the week and she saw the CP skyline the 1st thing she said or yelled was Horsey! Of course she was referring to the Carousel! So on the way to the Campground we stopped by the Season Pass booth to process my Wife in we just had to go in for the carousel for a bit. Yes that's right we spent our 1st night at CP riding the Carousel..HAHA (I did sneak in a closing RAINY ride on MF). It was just so nice to see Julia's eyes so light up with amazement as we got to the park though. All night that's all we heard was the Horsey this and the Horsey that…The rest of the night was setting up our campsite in the sprinkles before the real rain came that Night and Boy did it come.. I thought our camper was gonna fly away in the wind and rain but knock on wood she held up nicely and not one lick of rain got in..Dana and I were up most of the night stressing while little Jules never woke up once thinking about the Horseys for the next day..J

TUESDAY - the 14th

No MF for JC so I got about 5 rides on WT that morning before the herd was let in and the line got a bit heavier. Did have a few GTTPers say hello but sorry I forgot names..I'm terrible like that. The rest of the morning was spent riding the CP & LE with the fam and snapping countless Digi pics of Julia in Kiddie land. Out of the corner of my eye I kept watching the lift hill on MF hoping she would open soon. Low and behold just as we got of the train for the 3rd straight time on the midway side of the track she opened up finally at 12:20ish. I managed to get 3 quick rides in before the rest of the crowd realized Force opened and got about a 1hr line. I was content that finally I got a little taste of Power riding…hehe. Back to the Family outing. We started getting a bit hungry and decided to hit the campsite for some grub. On the way out I noticed a nonexistent line for Maggy so I snuck in a few rides while everyone was getting their fill of Force on the way out of the park to go eat. I noticed what felt like a wheel going as the ride was very rough but other than that I saw nothing but a smooth operation..The crew had it down to a science with all 3 trains running well and no apparent problems like on OD. Dispatch intervals were timed well with the new airgates and all was well in Maggyland , well there was that wheel on black I mentioned. Walked by the former Vertigo and paused for a moment of silence..haha j/k and headed to the campground…Had a good lunch and little nap with the kid.. Yes Sparty Dads need a nap too after chasing her around the park all morning. Hehe. We got back in the park about 4 and closed her down. We spent most of the evening in Camp Snoopy riding either Lolliswings or Woodstock Express. Yes folks Julia got her 1st ride EVER on a roller coaster Daddy bought the pic to prove it.. She was a little unsure of that 1st ride but wanted right back on after and made her daddy smile..Success, I have a kid who loves Coasters…well so far anyways! I'll post some pics later on my site..Keep an eye out. Rest of the night was here and there and had hoped for my 1st ride on Raptor that night but alas She was down so I settled for a Force ride to end the night. We then went into town for dinner before putting the little one down and enjoying a few adult beverages.

WEDNESDAY - the 15th

No MF again for JC

Didn't get into the Park 'til around 5pm because we took our Little one to the Toledo Zoo.. What a nice zoo and great exhibits! I wouldn't want to live in that neck of the woods though..Yuk! Also what was up with that train? The path was the back of buildings and a neighborhood..Horrible civil design there TZ! Anyways we met Dan back at our campsite about 5pm and we went in the park to what would be a GORGEOUS warm night with a manageable crowd. We 1st rode a couple laps on Maggy as my wife and I took turns watching Julia so each could ride along with Dan. After Magnum we headed back through Frontier Town and trail stopping by Camp Snoopy along the way and meeting up with by chance CP Irvine (Anne) and her roommate while heading towards MF. Dan got a nice little gift from Anne..Maybe he'll share the details eh Dan??? Along the way we shared some good conversation and stopped to a few shops here and there. Noticed the Petting Farm Barn was getting its Ohio Bicentennial Painting for the county and then Julia noticed the Goats and sheep and well needless to say we couldn't pull her away. Dan and I headed to MF while Julia and Dana played with the farm animals. We planned on Parent Swap so she was gonna meet us at the exit and be prepared to ride. When Dan and I got there we noticed a longer than normal early season line about 90 min long..Ouch.. Well after I pulled out the immediate boarding passes from last year and WA la we were at the front of the line in just minutes..DON'T FORGET DAN..YOU OWE ME YOURS..HEHE. What can I say here folks but another fun ride on Force despite her early season trials. Done the parent swap still and Dan got to ride again with Dana as Julia and I made a discovery while waiting. The Cart next to the exit of MF is now selling the Pins for the rides. I bought all six they have out for this year up to date..YES! The Patch jacket got hooked up that night. Pins out to date are Gemini, Jr Gemini, WT, MF, Raptor, and Magnum. 3.95 each! After our dual rides on MF in 5 mins or less with a 90 min line haha, we headed over for a couple Raptor rides and to our surprise there was NO line at all we got a few walk ons and gawked at the cracked area for a bit before heading to WT….No luck there as that line was way too long for us spoiled passholders..OTT is right folks.. when you have a SP you just don't like waiting anymore..hehe..We didn't have time to wait to be honest though..Dan wanted to catch last ride on Maggy..Made it over there just in time for a couple rides before we closed her down and Still noticed that wheel..Anyways fun none the less.. We all went back to the campsite and grilled brats and had some more adult beverages before calling it a night and seeing Dan off..GOOD TIMES with good people!

THURSDAY - the 16th

Woke up and tore down the campsite then I headed quickly over to JC only to discover today there was neither MF nor WT running this lovely morning..I sucked it up and went back with my tail between my legs to the campsite to get the girls….Didn't ride much today except a lap on Mean Streak and a lap on Maggy. Spent the rest of the time in Camp Snoopy before the rain came…

We then headed home gang exhausted but content!

Like I said..A very family oriented trip and NO complaints here.. I had a blast!

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet

I agree with you Sparty. One of my fondest memories is introducing my son to coasters. Of course, he was 7 and after he got his first ride on Maggie, I could never get him back on a "kiddie" coaster again. But the excitement glowing on their faces is well worth giving up some power riding.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

Hey Sparty!

I do not post here too often, but I saw you in line for MF a couple of rows away from us when my wife and I were there Wednesday in the evening. I thought man that guy looks familiar! Ha. I read one of your posts shortly thereafter and checked out your website to confirm that yes it was you and I was right. Next time I'll say hello. My wife loves your ride. She is an MSU grad and I spent a few undergrad years there myself. We are HUGE State fans!

Wednesday wasn't a bad day to be at the Point, except Raptor was down all day. My wife was bummed - that is her favorite ride.

Go Green!

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cyberdman
*** This post was edited by cyberdman 5/17/2002 2:42:11 PM ***

cyberdman..do you mean your wife loves my site? Should have said hello..I love meeting GTTPers...

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet!

If you ever notice a bad wheel on Magnum don't be afraid to mention something to the crew. More than half of the bad wheels last year were probably caught by the crew and we called maintenance to come fix it. Maintenance does come around to inspect throughout the day, but if they're going to have to go down for a bad wheel eventually, we might as well get it early and that way people aren't getting bad rides and giving Magnum a bad name rep! :) I'm not sure if the crew this year is as adept at catching the bad wheels last year. Andy was good at it and by the end of the season I could pick them out too.

-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

Heres that Pic of Julias 1st ever coaster ride with Daddy!

http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/jules1stcoaster.jpg

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet!

And when she's all grown up and there's a big spinning restaurant, giant lamp post, or inverted standup woodie in the former Dodgem location, you can explain that "wall" in the background of that pic and tell her the stories of "Area 51." :)

-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

lol Matt!

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"If we go any faster, she'll blow apart for sure!"

thats the sky Matt..does look like the wall though..you can see MF in the BG

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet!

Yea, I suppose the fact that it is higher than the water tower should have clued me in! Doh! I didn't think the wall would be that visible from Woodstock, but it looked so much like it that I thought that must be it! Nasty looking sky - it matches the color of the wall pretty well!

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-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew
*** This post was edited by MDOmnis 5/18/2002 12:02:14 PM ***

Sparty: I need to know about the pins, are they metal or rubber?

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Natalie
Mine Ride '99
Thunder Canyon '00
Millennium Force '01

It was great to see you again Jeff and you aer 100% right. Taking your kid there and watching them is something I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

I'm sure I'll cross your path a time or two this season. ;)

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June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 Farewell my good friend..
S&S WILL rise again....

there metal Nat....

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet!

Well, Jeffrey your site is alright, but what I was really referring to was your truck. My wife loves your truck. CP and MSU can't go wrong with a match like that. My wife just got a new dark green truck and is thinking about adding a touch of Sparty.

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cyberdman

Thanks cyberdman...she likes that she should check out my seadoo! ;)

http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/seadoo.html

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet!

Sparty, that SeaDoo rocks.  Can I catch a ride sometime?  Plus the CP stickers on it set it apart from the average Doo.:)

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Actually Matt I was considering bringing it to the Point this summer..maybe even for the competition they hold each September over there in the water by WT and DD

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Fear the Mullet!

Nice TR Sparty. How old is your daughter? We are taking our daughter on the 28th for the first time. I can't wait! I know she is going to love it (poor child thinks SFWoA is great..hehe). She's 3 and she also loves coasters already having 9 under her belt.

Julia is 2yrs 2 months and only has 2 to her record.....so far ;)

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http://www.msu.edu/~armbrus9/cp.html
Who's Gonna Razz Dan til He Posts Again!

Jeff our youngest daughter is 2yrs and 9 months. She is a junky. When the CP commercial comes on she puts her hands up and screams. This season had her first coaster ride too.

We stay at a campground about 10 minutes from CP. Have an annual site with a dock on the Huron River. We are putting the boat in this weekend. Lake Erie is a few minutes down the river. Works out pretty nice. If you do take your seadoo let me know...Maybe we can meet up.

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Get with it or die in the process.....