what were you doing 20 years ago today?

I had just turned 21 and was probably in a bar somewhere trying to be a rock star.

I was 4 1/2 and riding Magnum! Well, not on opening day, but sometime during that first season. :)

My entire family and I were there on opening day. Our big Christmas present in '88 were season passes for the following year.

I even have a pic of us in front of the character sign on opening day. I couldn't ride then since was very short for my age (I was 6) and wouldn't be tall enough to ride until 3 years later.

I'll never forget that summer.

~Rob

I was a senior in high school. While I didn't make it opening day we did go a few weeks later. The first time I ride Magnum the top of half of the ride was shrouded in fog. Made for a memorable first ride because we had no idea how tall it was.

I was 31 and working in El Segundo, CA at the Hughes Space and Communications Co. designing and building satellites. I didn't make it to CP that year, but I seem to recall my wife and daughter did. They told me about Magnum, and I was bummed that I wasn't there.

I was 6 years old then. I didn't ride opening day, but I rode a few months later during the season. Waiting 3 hours! My longest wait ever for a ride.

Loopy said:
I did however enjoy Magnum that summer and was completely terrified. Who am I kidding, I still get scared. ;)

And the day that stops, is the day I stop riding.

I was 8, and still 2 years away from my first visit to the park.

20 years ago I was working to get non-defunct Geauga Lake park open for the season.

I was six at the time, and utterly terrified of Roller Coasters. My brother would constantly pressure me to ride the Magnum, but I thought for sure I would die of some horrible cause if I dare ride that coaster. I would always stand by the entrance, freak out, and then head back to Blue Streak (the only coaster I would ride).

It wouldn't be until I was 12 that I would finally face my fear of coasters. The only reason I even considered it is because my brother offered me 10 dollars (that's alot for a 12 year old) if I would ride Magnum, and buy the picture to prove it. I rode Mean Streak first, since I thought it would be similar to Blue Streak (naive, I know). I actually really liked it, so I knew I was ready for Magnum. I will never forget how terrified I was as the train left the station. I swore it took 5 minutes to get to the top of the lift. Once we crested the hill, it was sheer terror as we dropped down the first drop, however the terror was quickly replaced with joy. By the time I got to the on-ride photo, not only was I smiling, but my hands were actually up.

It was that moment in my life that started my fasciantion/interest in roller coasters.... and yes, I did get the 10 dollars from my brother, and yes, I still have that on-ride photo.

I was in college and remember watching a news segment with Big Chuck and Little John riding Magnum. I taped it and must have watched it back 5 times in total amazement as to how large this coaster was. At the time, it was the most amazing structure I had ever seen at an amusement park. I was so nervous when I road it the first time in June that year.

I was standing in the 2+ hour line fighting a terrible hang-over. I remember it was drizzling slightly and about 50 degrees.

I made the mistake of trying to eat 2 of the quarter lb. hot dogs from the food stand while in line, and almost yacked a couple of times.

I don't remember too much about the ride that day. :)

Anyone have any pictures from Magnum's opening day or the whole 1989 season, or any local news videos? That would be pretty cool to see. :)

We're going to have a special Magnum tribute at some point this summer that will include media from 1989.

I was a thought in my parent's minds.

i was 12,in 6th grade,probably getting ready for final exams, and living in the northwest indiana/chicago area,so all i knew was sf great america (oh, and kings island). i wouldnt visit the point for the first time until just after my 8th grade year finished (i moved to northeast indiana in the fall of '90).

HeyIsntThatRob? said:

I was very short for my age.

Has that changed? ;)

Depends on which direction. ;)

~Rob

I was 17 years old and I was as thin as a twig, I weighed 175 pounds. I rode Magnum for the first and only time, that ride was unforgettable. I screamed so loud that some guy behind me said "Hey, I think they heard you all the way to Cleaveland". I also managed to get whiplash a bit from Raptor, I haven't ridden it up until 2 years ago, needless to say that doesn't happen anymore.

I was 4 years from being born.

Your mom is to fat to ride TTD. said:
I was 4 years from being born.

You and me both buddy! :)

But hey, Magnum was one of my first "big" rollercoasters when I turned 13.