What is your opinion on the Mantis?

I have yet to ride the Mantis. I never thought that I would beable to handle it. For one, I was a freakin chicken and didn't even attempt to get on an upside down coaster. And two, the idea of standing up while going upside down terrified me even more.

Just recently I have gotten rid of my fear, by riding the Raptor. The whole ride was awesome, and being upside down didn't bother me at all. It was fun!

I am pretty sure that my next trip to CP, I will ride the Mantis. I have conquered almost every other coaster and loved them! Infact I can't believe that I hadn't rode them earlier. I just hope I feel the same about the Mantis.

So I was just wondering if anyone could give me their opinion of the Mantis? Is it simular to the Raptor in the fact that you feel like you are flying? Or if you close your eyes you cannot even tell that you are upside down? Did anyone ever ride, or have people that they know ride the Mantis and never want to ride coasters again? What was your first ride like?

I know that everyone has different opinions on coasters. For some the thrill is excellent. And to others, even the Iron Dragon is scary and not fun. I was just wondering what some of you thought. *** Edited 5/17/2004 1:02:14 PM UTC by Jesz***

Mantis:TCFKAB is an excellent coaster, but I haven't been able to ride it since they added the safety belts. Consequently, if CP is to remove a ride to make room for, say, an amazing new coaster, I think that's the one they should take out. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I need to get on it for sure so I can have my own opinion on it. I need to ride everything there, because I know that I will probably like it.

If CP had to take a coaster out to add in a new one, I would definately say DT. I used to love that coaster, but it seems as if it has lost it's touch. Yet again, it's a perfect starter coaster for many people. It isn't that big, and most of the time you cannot see anything so you can't be that afraid.

Anywho, thanks for you opinion. *** Edited 5/17/2004 1:30:03 PM UTC by Jesz***

The main thing about this ride is that you need to lean forward into the harness so your head doesnt take a severe beating. If you manage to do that, you will have a great ride. I personally enjoy the ride, minus the long lines. The hang time on loop in the back seat is awesome, but i do prefer the front seat because of the visuals. This is very different from Raptor, i love the sudden changes of directions.

I think the Mantis is a pretty good ride. It does not quite have the smoothness as the raptor but maybe that is simply because of the sudden turns....which you have to keep your head ready for. Also, I disagree with RideMan when he said that if C.P wants to build a new amazing coaster, that they will take down the Mantis.....I'm thinkin and many other people agree that if C.P wanted a new coaster, they would get rid of Mean Streak. That ride looks good but it just isnt any fun....with how jerky it is and every since the trim break has been added to the drop, the ride loses a bit of excitement right from the get go. Either way you should definitely ride the Mantis and most likely you will really enjoy it.

Thanks. Next time I am at CP I am going to. I know, the Mean Streak is not a very fun coaster at all. Last time I was there I didn't even ride it, because all it does is makes me feel sick. Maybe that is because it is a wooden coaster? IDK. Gemini is wooden also, but it has steal too.

I have mixed feelings about Mantis. I enjoy the ride, but my legs always hurt after riding it. Also for guys, there's the ever present "package packing" problem.

Also, last week, Mantis had a 1 hour wait due to only running one train. TTD and MF had 15 min waits each. Sorry, but I'll take those two over "Banshee" anyday.

I wish I had ridden Mantis when it was first built. It was probably better at that time.

I thin k the biggest reason for my disappointment with Mantis is that I had ridden a newer B&M standup before I ever rode Mantis. I remember ngetting off of Mantis thinking it felt like a rough draft for Chang.

Bottom line is that I didn't like Mantis, and will probably not ride it again. But- if it looks like fun and a challenge to you- RIDE IT! Then you can form your own opinion.

I love Mantis. Everyone else I know doesn't. The reason being everyone claims that it's too tight or too bumpy. I don't have a problem with Mantis. It's very smooth to me.

Mantis hurts my legs also, and yes make sure to keep your shoulders pushed against the harness to eliminate head banging, that works good for me. If I'm not in to much pain I enjoy Mantis, but my guy friends wont ride it anymore ;)

I do not like this ride. As a coaster it is okay, but the trains, harnesses and restraints keep me from enjoying the ride. I do manage to get on it though, but usually not more than once a season. Head banging, leg pain, crotch smashing and then having to walk bow-legged for the next half hour after I ride doesn't really make a good coaster. I would say though that if you have not ridden it - at least ride it once and then make up your own mind. Everyone is different.

---

RideMan said:
I haven't been able to ride it since they added the safety belts.

---

Safety belts? Do you mean the belted strap from the OTSR's to the crotch killer or have they put actual full belts on this beast lately?

Mantis is a great ride, it packs a strong punch with heavy positive G forces, so it is an intense ride. That, and some hang time in the big loop and quick direction changes, make it fun.

The ride is by far my least favorite coaster at the park. The ride looks cool, but looks are deceving. The ride is smooth but the transitions bang your head back and forth so many times I get a headache after riding it. This coaster isn't CP quality to my POV. Mean Streak to me is a better ride. An enjoyable ride on a big woodie is better than a fight against a major headache.

the only time i really notice a headbang, is going through the corkscrew. Other than that, if you anticipate the next element you really have no problem, well, at least i dont. 2 thumbs up !!! Lean forward into the harness, feet pressed up agains the back of the train, legs slightly bent, but almost striaght. You even catch a pop of airtime exiting the midcourse brake.

Last time I was on Mantis was just Saturday. It was really rough. Almos through every turn. Also my legs hurt at the end because of all the blood rushing to them. Not going on that for awhile.

I've only been to The Po!nt once in my life and I did go on Mantis. I went on it once and maybe I just rode it right and I was lucky but it seemed like it was a pretty smooth ride...I thought the ride was real fun and I didn't get beat up at all. I am going again next month, hopefully it wasn't just beginners luck (lol) and it won't hurt next time neither.

I love Mantis...I wouldn't ride it until I forced myself to last year, and I was glad I did. I highly doubt it'll be torn down soon, I mean, sure, they only run two trains, but the long lines wouldn't be shortened THAT much. Besides, it isn't that rough if you know how to ride it ;)

Thanks. I think that I will ride it and just take your suggestions on how to ride it. Even if I can't stand it, I will never know until I try it.

I don't think Cedar Point would want to get rid of any of their coasters. They'd rather find room somewhere else than tear down a roller coaster. Their claim to fame is having the most roller coasters.