Trip Report from a "Retired" Enthusiast

I have always loved Cedar Point, and I used to visit the park multiple times a season. I would visit several fan websites like this one, and even spent a summer working on Top Thrill Dragster. I used to be a devoted enthusiast, but due to school and family I’ve been less involved in keeping up with the park. Unfortunately I’ve also visited less too: My trip on July 19th was my first in three years. Here are my thoughts on my drought ending trip.

The park is still as beautiful and fun as ever. After going to other amusement parks, it’s easy to forget just how top notch Cedar Point is in so many ways. I was really impressed with how clean the park was. It was also surprising to how few smokers I ran into in the midway and in the queues. I also liked the new look of Ocean Motion, although I was really surprised to see it there. I thought they sold it to build Windseeker. I enjoyed my first Chicka-fil-a chicken sandwich (amazing!) and was impressed they sell a cup of good ice cream for only $2.

The rides were as good as ever. I still love Wicked Twister when sitting in the back third of the train. Magnum, Gemini, Iron Dragon, Power Tower, Blue Streak, Millennium Force and Raptor were all what I remembered them to be. I liked Magnum crew’s message to us in the pretzel turnaround. Maxair is still really cool and is definitely my favorite non-roller coaster ride. I had forgotten they build Shoot the Rapids. Although I didn’t get to ride it, some of my family told me it was nothing exciting. Even though is sounds like I didn’t miss much, I would have liked to ride it simply for the experience.

Even though it was a busy day, I was impressed with how relatively short the lines were. The longest I waited all day was 1 ½ hours for Millennium Force. The Milly crew was the only crew I thought was on the slow side: Both times the wait seemed to drag on as there were long delays between trains being dispatched. It didn’t help my first time in line the yellow train was being worked on. The ride crews were mostly friendly. I did notice a few ride hosts here or there that were really not having fun.

Windseeker was about what I expected it to be; a fun ride but not an extreme thrill. I did get really disoriented when on the ascent I looked towards the top of the tower. It was also really cool looking down on Wicked Twister’s massive towers. I was also surprised how short the line was. It was the second ride I rode, and I only waited one ride cycle.

I have mixed feelings about Maverick. It is no doubt a thrilling ride and the launch out of the tunnel is one of a kind. But both times I rode at some point of the ride I was in pain. Those shoulder harnesses are brutal, and its disappointing whenever a rider has to focus on avoiding pain rather than enjoying the ride. Same goes for Mantis, I didn’t want to ride Mantis, but was talked into it by my group. While it does have thrills, it still causes a lot of pain to my calves.

Dragster is still my favorite ride in the park. Even though I’ve ridden it over 100 times, it is still as thrilling as ever to me. I really love every part of the ride: watching the ride while waiting in line, the nice open station right next to the midway, and all of the spectators watching the launches. It also helps that I only waited 15 minutes for my ride.

Overall I really enjoyed my trip. In a way it has rekindled my love for Cedar Point, even though I know I will only be able to visit once a summer. The most disappointing part of the whole trip: I did not see one mullet.

When you are on Maverick, just lean forwards and keep your head in front of the harnesses. That is what I to and I have no pain at all except for at the end of the rude when the lap bar is pressing down on my thighs.