When the Magnum ruled the world.

It's hard to believe that next August marks the 20th anniversary of Magnum's announcement. In my opinion the Magnum is the biggest thing to ever hit the park. When it opened in May of 1989 it made the front page of the life section of USA Today. This was almost unheard of at that time. Remember this was a time when CP didn't build a new coaster every 2 or 3 years. And the national attention brought to the park was incredible. The Magnum spawned interest in coasters in general and it seemed like you could turn on the TV and see stories about them. Suddenly coaster shows and videos were all over the place. Nowadays the only time the media pays attention is when something bad happens

The Magnum was the first steel coaster to really challege for top ten status among coaster enthusiasts. The top ten lists were dominated by wood coasters back then. The 1989 Inside Track coaster survey showed the Magnum in at number 9 the only steel coaster to make the top ten.

The Magnum quicky became my number one coaster and soon became my most ridden ride. In many ways it was sad to see other coasters top it though that is the nature of things. I will admit it isn't my favorite coaster anymore but its still a top 5 and will always be a sentimental favorite. Please share your favorite Magnum stories.

While I agree, the way you back it up isn't what made it so special.

Millennium Force has been in the top three since it was built. TTD was featured on the front of page of USA todays section as well. The media coverage has only gotten more extensive due to the internet and just more sources people can go to.

Now the reason Magnum was so important to the park and was such a big deal was the timing and what it meant to the industry. The ride put Cedar Point on the map as more than just a regional amusement park and was the start of what we now know as "America's Roller Coast".

Magnum definitely rocked the industry when it debuted. CP wouldn't be anything like what it is today if it hadn't been built.

It's my favorite coaster, and if it wasn't for Magnum, I wouldn't be the fanatic I am today (although nobody's really sure if that's a good or bad thing).

My favorite Magnum story? A few years back, we managed to snag a front-ride seat during a torrential downpour. As we were leaving the station, they got the call to close it down. Too late for us! When we got off, our skin was actually sore from the pelting rain and our clothes were completely soaked through. But strangely enough, it was one of the best rides I've ever had.

When? Magnum still rules the world.

Exactly what I was thinking^

Wow..it really doesn't feel like it's been 20 years. Magnum is in GREAT shape! It will always be in my top three =)

Magnum is tied with Maverick for my #1 spot.

Magnum is the reason that I love coasters today!

Our neighbors used to take me with them every year to CP, and I was always scared to ride a lot of the coasters. I remember riding the Mine Ride, Jr. Gemini, and Avalanche Run, and those were about the only coasters that I would ride.

Then in 1989, my trips to CP completely changed.
I remember looking at the Magnum and thinking "There is no way in hell I'm going to ride that thing!".
Then our neighbor offered to pay me $5.00 to ride it, cause no one else in our group would do it.
So I thought about it for a bit, and then I took the bait, and from the second the train reached the bottom of the second the hill, my fascination and love for roller coasters began.

Magnum is the coaster that also started my love for big thrills.

At the time, it made me love coasters. But I didn't realize it until after I rode it and then went to ride the other coasters there. I remember waking up in the early morning at breakers and going in to ride it as a walk-on. When I got off, I had the urge to ride all the other coasters. All except Millennium cuz the line was like 3 hours long and it was new.

My 1st ride on Magnum was a blur and this was just a few years ago (I spent 15 years with little ones and the misconception that I was too old to ride). I thought it was gonna kill me. It took about another month for me to ride again and it was a blast and then I was hooked. Later I realized that my 1st ride was in the catapult seat! Now I am hooked on coasters and can't get enough. Maggie is in my top 3 tied with TTD and MF. :)

Magnum this year over took the Yankee Cannonball (my first coaster) as my most ridden on coaster this year (and my first ride was in 99.) It is also 99.9% my last ride at CP everytime I visit (I usually marathon it during the last half hour, unless there is a new coaster that I need to see if its night ride worthy to take over MF's or Magnum's spot.) While its not my top steel coaster, it would be the one I would most want in my backyard (because I would never grow bored with the layout, airtime rules.)

Quite simply CP without Magnum is not CP. Its the first coaster I think of when I think of CP. Its a classic.

Nothing can beat those triangular bunny hops.

The only ride with true "ejector" airtime.

And trimless rides in 1-3...oh man.

What a great ride.

^ Take a trek out to Jackson, New Jersey. Ejector air is given a new meaning with El Toro. Violent, yet smooth. :)

At least Magnum doesn't have ejector airtime without the quotes. :)

My Magnum Story. . .

I have a 1989 video of the long line outside the queue area, while the lovely ladies were cleaning the front of the train before it was sent on a test run...

Excitement was in the air as the empty car traveled up the enormous first hill. As it climbed higher, and higher, everyone just stood and watched.

As the car crested the first hill, silence came to the area, and people on the ground actually screamed as the car dropped down the first hill.

It seemed like forever for the train to return to the bunny hills, and then it came to a screaching halt at the brakes just after the tunnel.

People were in Awe!

I watch that video at least once a year.

It took me about 2 years before I got up the courage to ride it for the first time... And about 10 years later I rode it for the second time... Now I must ride this ride...

That's my Magnum Story... :)

Tim McKinley said:
Remember this was a time when CP didn't build a new coaster every 2 or 3 years.

85 - Avalanche Run
87 - Iron Dragon
89 - Magnum
91 - Mean Streak
94 - Raptor

Looks like they established a streak a few years before. Granted this was quite early in their streak, but it was there.

The Magnum is how I found out about Cedar Point. There was a big article about it in Boys Life magazine. The article, and pictures, just inspired me to want to go. My family made a trip a year or so to Kings Island, and I always loved it, but I could never get my parents to go all the way to Cedar point, so after wanting to go for 13 years, I made my first trip in 2004, and have been back multiple times since. Anybody else remember that boys life issue?

^^Don't stop there John.

1969 - Cedar Creek Mine Ride
1970 - WildCat
1972 - Jumbo Jet
1976 - Corkscrew
1978 - Gemini
1979 - Jr. Gemini

The park has always added coasters every few years. The gap between 79 and 85 included Thunder Canyon, White Water Landing, and Demon Drop. CP has always built new attractions year after year.

I remember when I was younger, and I went up to CP. When I saw that first drop I was thinking "HOLY @&*($# that drop is steep!" If only I knew what the future held..... haha. My first ride on Magnum was definitely fantastic. Still one of the best out there IMO. But the feeling I got after my first MF ride takes the crown.

Dvo said: My first ride on Magnum was definitely fantastic. Still one of the best out there IMO. But the feeling I got after my first MF ride takes the crown.

I felt the same way until I rode the Voyage, but the 3rd hill of the Magnum will still be my first "real" experience of good air time.