What was new when you first visited CP?

I frst went to the park in 1972 when I was 7. The Giant Wheel and the Jumbo Jet were the big new attractions. The Giant Wheel was exciting for me as before I got into coasters, ferris wheels were my big thing. I remember the ride getting a lot of publicity since it was the tallest ferris wheel in North America at the time. It probably was taller than any coaster at that time. I remember the line was very long and went down the midway.
As for the Jumbo Jet I was far too young to ride it but it was quite fast for 1972 standards. My parents went on it and that pretty much did my mom in for coasters.
Other rides I rode included the train, Western Cruise, Sky Wheel, Sky Ride, Scrambler and the Mill Race. The Mill Race was just my second water ride, I had gone on the Gold Rush at Geauga Lake earlier that summer. The GR was also a new ride. I am sure I rode some kiddie rides and I think I rode Cedar Downs as that ride was a favorite ride of my parents.
We also went though Jungle Larry's which was was more wilderness like than after the Corkscrew was built.

I always tell everyone my first visit was in 1972. While still in the womb, I rode the Giant Wheel with my mom, thus starting my obsession :)

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

Power Tower in 1998...

didn't actually ride it til 2002...

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ni melme Legolas....
from zero to INSANE in 1.5 seconds

1989 I was 4 years old. Magnum was new, I was tall enough to ride, I begged my mom to ride (she was scared), and we finally rode. Hands up the whole way too.

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-Chris Woodard
"If you're standing in an uncomfortable position, that means you are in the right position because you are riding Mantis!" - Mantis ride op doing spiels on closing day.

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mzcoaster
1989, like Tim, except I was a mom with an 8 year old, staying with my family in Camper Village. I was terrified of coasters (that was then!), but somehow, the sight of the Magnum trains going up and down for 3 days--and no one "fell out"--coerced me into standing in the line, although I totally planned to just walk through once husband and son were aboard...But then I got to talking with people who had come from Arizona to ride it, and I realized I would be really lame not to try. And am I ever glad I did! We travel all over, just to ride coasters. Cedar Point is so special to our family, and it started in 1989 with Magnum XL200.

1987 The Iron Dragon, but I was only 3 years old. I did do Jr. Gemini though!

1996 was my first time at CP. Raptor was brand new, and I waited 2 hours for it. That's still the longest line I've ever waited in.

As far as I know it was '76 when Corkscrew opened. I was three. My mother was pregnant with my brother and couldn't ride. There are photos of me with my dad on the double wheel somewhere.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED!

2001 - VertiGo was put up.

Unfortunately, I missed riding her by a few short weeks. I even remember seeing the three white 200+ foot long/tall towers lying in the parking lot. Not being an enthusiast at the time, I didn't put much thought into it. :(

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Tommy Penner
"Don't be fooled by the car that I got, I'm still Tommy from the block."
Variable X

Andy D. said:
1996 was my first time at CP. Raptor was brand new, and I waited 2 hours for it. That's still the longest line I've ever waited in.

Raptor opened '94. Mantis opened '96.

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2003 - Ride Operations

I was about to say, cuz my first time was 94, when Raptor was new....lol. I was terrified but I stared at that thing going for forever....lol

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OMG! The Space Spiral is leaning!!" Must be the weight of that new air conditioning system everyone keeps hypothesizing about...

Ralph Wiggum said:
1989 I was 4 years old. Magnum was new, I was tall enough to ride, I begged my mom to ride (she was scared), and we finally rode. Hands up the whole way too.

Uhh, you were 48 inches when you were 4? I was 9 when magnum opened, and that was the 1st year I was tall enough to ride adult coasters.

When I came to the park for the first time in May 1998, Power Tower was the hippest & newest ride...which is really cool.

Interesting to see how an amusement/entertainment park can evolve in a span of just 5 years.

:)

Avalanche Run. I remember being barley tall enough to ride it early in the day then being turned away later. I was there before then but I can't recall when and probalby couldn't ride anything cool.

Soak City in 88, but technically like Walt, I was in the womb but in 87. I still have photos of me riding the Kiddy Land rides somewhere in boxes.

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2002 - Raptor Photo
Force Laps: 434

I know it was the early '70s, because Jumbo Jet was still the big deal. I do remember thinking Blue Streak was the better of the two, though.

It gets a bit hazy after that - I'm afraid the late '70s took it's toll on a few brain cells...

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Without upstops, airtime would have a whole new meaning!
*** This post was edited by Chaindog 1/8/2003 1:13:37 AM ***

My first year was 1983, Demon Drop was new and so was I. I dont remember any of it, but I have pictures of me on the Cadillac Cars and the Sky Ride. But my next visit wouldnt be until 1994 when Raptor was new. That was my first coaster and it is what started my love for them and Cedar Point!

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Screamsters 2001
MF/Screamsters 2002
I like "Cheers" re-runs on Nick@Nite!

My first year visiting CP was in 76' (hence my screen name). I remember the big deal over Corkscrew that year and the Bicentennial celebration. I wasn't able to ride my first coaster until 1978 though when Gemini first opened. I was scared s**tless! I stood in line with my mom and I remember the line "snaking" down the midway. The park seemed much bigger to me compared to now and I miss the nostalgic feel that the park had back then. (Kind of like Kennywood with alot more flat rides back then).

Gemini was new my first visit.

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

1974 and I was 6. I don't know what was new but I was able to ride Blue Streak, just barely tall enough. I do remember my dad having to push me back into the seat during the airtimes. I think it just had the old lap bar then and that didn't quite cut it. I know I wasn't able to ride the Jumbo Jet.