The Big Trip '08: KI, HW/SFKK, KI part 2, CP, CP part 2, KW - Page 2

Thunderhawk · #16 07-31-2008, 07:37 PM

Day 5: Cedar Point Part 2

We arrived at the park around 8:45. We had read online before our trip that Cedar Fair platinum pass holders are allowed to enter the park an hour early, which we planned on taking full advantage of. We parked in the Soak City lot, as we ready that this gives you better access to Maverick first thing in the morning.

There were a ton of people waiting for early access. When they finally let us into the park, we headed straight for Maverick. The line was barely out of the station, which was light years better than the waits people were enduring yesterday. Once in the station, I noticed that all the trains but one began with the letter "B". What gives? I laughed when I realized one had my name on it (though I didn't end up riding in that train). We waited for the last row, as I had heard this row gives the best first drop. By 9:25 we were on Maverick.

This is a very unique ride. The LSM lift was a new experience for me, as was the beyond vertical drop. The drop itself was pretty good, though the beyond vertical sensation isn't as pronounced as one would expect. I think if the drop was longer it would be more noticeable. Anyway, it was a very intense, fast ride. Like all the intamin loopers I've been on with these restraints, I found it important to watch the track to avoid neck chopping. (Head chopping, but at the neck line). The one time I lost the track in the sun (the hill after the launch), I paid for it with a pretty hard chop. The launch itself was very nice. I like how it is in the dark and cool, and all of a sudden you are blasted back out into the sun. Final verdict: this isn't the end-all be-all of coasters, but it is a good addition to the park. I would have liked to have ridden it again, as sometimes more than one ride is necessary for me to form a concrete opinion, but the line was already getting long by the time we had gotten off the ride and the park wasn't even open yet!

We headed over to Millenium Force and got a second row ride after half an hour wait. The second row was good, and the sensation of speed was greater than in the other seats due to the wind in your face.

Next was Wildcat. We did not ride this in 2005, so this was a new credit for us. This ride actually surprised me. I had alot of fun on this ride. Good coaster introduction for kids, but fun enough that adults can enjoy it too.

On our way to Top Thrill Dragster we stopped at Iron Dragon. We rode this again. Tame Arrow suspended coaster. I like this the least of the three I've been on. Give me BBW anyday over this.

The sign for Top Thrill Dragster said 90 minutes. We decided to wait because the park was absolutely packed. Every ride that we could see was filling up. After about 90 minutes, we were second in line for our row when... you guessed it... Top Thrill Dragster broke down. I think it took about 20-30 minutes to fix, and then we finally got on it. The thrill of these giant rockets has started to wear off for me, to be honest. The launch was good. It is smoother than Kingda Ka, but not so much so that the disparity in rankings among enthusiasts seems justified. I like the air time hill on KK better. Is it me or does KK's tower look alot larger than TTD's? I'd rank the two about the same.

Next we went back to Magnum XL200. The wait was probably a good 45 minutes to an hour. This time we sat in 1.3. Great ejector air time again. This ride is fantastic.

We went back to Maverick and checked the line. Out the queue. Forget it.

We had lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Great food. We headed over to the Screamin' Swing next (I forgot CP's name for it). While we were waiting, it started raining. Then the rain turned cold. Very cold. I almost began shivering so we retreated to the train station by Mean Streak to take cover. While there it started hailing. I don't mean freezing rain. I mean hail about the size of a nickel. This went on for about 15 minutes while we and 3000 of our closest friends waited at the train station. All the rides in the park shut down.

When it finally stopped, we hopped the train back to the area near Millenium Force. We looked at Millenium's line and it was longer than it had been the prior day and that morning, so we decided to go to Blue Streak. After riding Blue Streak again, it was around 4 pm. The crowds were still quite heavy, so we decided to call it quits early. Our goal was to ride MaxAir, Millenium, Gemini, and Magnum XL200 again on the way out. I think the long trip started to wear on us. I was tired of crowds. I was tired of waiting.

We went to Maxair and waited about 20 minutes for another ride. Then, it was back to MF. We got in line for about 5 minutes. We moved one switch back and then I decided enough was enough. I was hot, the line was long, my legs hurt from 5 days of activity away from my desk job, and that was it. We got out of line and took the train back over to the Mean Streak area. Gemini's line was too long for me, my patience shot. We decided to skip it and just go to Magnum. We waited a good 45 minutes and got our last ride at CP. Magnificent final ride near the back. I am glad we waited for this last ride. It was memorable and I look forward to coming back and riding Magnum again.

We left the park around 6 and went to Friday's for dinner. There seems to be two things that happen to us when we go to CP for a full day. 1) It rains for part of the day, shutting down almost all the rides. 2) We eat at Friday's that night, leaving the park before it is closed.

I know some of you are thinking "how could they leave the park before it closed when the weather is ok?" Well, we had one more day on this trip, at Kennywood. I'd rather enjoy my time on this trip, even if it meant spending a night in the hotel rather than CP riding rides that are a good 8.5 hour drive from my home area.

Cedar Point was fantastic. I will be back. But not in July.

Next Monday: Kennywood

Carowinds 73-03 · #17 08-03-2008, 10:25 PM

Great CP report. I just loved Maverick. I had no idea it was going to feel that fast but i agree the drop was nothing. Had it been longer it would be great.

I always try and go to CP in the fall. Sometimes the lines are shorter but iff not its about 20 degrees cooler which helps 100%.

Thunderhawk · #18 08-10-2008, 06:44 PM

It's finally time to finish this trip report.

Day 6: Kennywood

Kennywood was the final park we visited on this trip. Although it is only across the state from me, I've never managed to make it out there before. I think it took us 3 or so hours from CP to get to Kennywood.

For some reason we decided to cheap out and use the free parking. Free parking? Really? The only other park I know that does this is Knoebels. If it wasn't for the escalator down the hill, this wouldn't be worth saving $5. I still can't figure out why we got stingy over $5 right at the end of our vacation...

Kennywood and my party got started off on the wrong foot. The person I was with handed the cashier a credit card to buy tickets and he asked if she had ID. She said no and the guy tossed the card back to us. I thought that was really rude. I gave him mine and there was no trouble, but it just struck me as a bad way to "welcome" guests to your park.

Our first stop was Jack Rabbit. After a half hour wait, we managed to get the backseat even though you aren't allowed to wait (which is definetely my pet peeve for this park. Why can't we wait?!) Pretty good ride overall. I like the tunnel, it is creepy in a hard to explain way. After the lift we went down the drop and the double down. Wow, this is ridiculous. I'm sure it has something to do with NO LAPBAR, but I felt like I got an insane amount of air. If the rest of the ride is a 6/10, the double down is a 15/10. That is crazy. Other than El Toro's pre-twister hill this might be the most intense air I've ever felt on a coaster. Absolutely insane.

Next was the Racer. To be honest, I was a little disappointed with Racer. There were small pops of air but overall I felt the coaster was a bit sluggish. This coaster is more photogenic than it is exciting. Excellent front facade, and you can tell Kennywood takes good care of this ride. Pretty smooth. I'd rate this behind Jack Rabbit personally.

Next we did the Auto Race. This was a cool ride for all ages. I slapped hands with my companions when possible during the 'switchbacks'. This ride seemed to be popular and I am glad we spent the time to do this. Very fast moving for a tracked car ride.

Phantom's Revenge was next, which I've heard so much about. We sat near the back. My first thought was "these restraints are really weird." They were actually pretty comfortable given how miserable they look, but I must say it hampered me in getting out of the car after each ride. The ride it self was very, very good (then again, I haven't met a hyper I didn't like). This ride is another great example of how KW uses the terrain to their advantage. The first drop is good, but the long drop down through Thunderbolt is fantastic. One of the top ten drops on any coaster that I've ridden for sure. The ride was smooth except for one camelback that was too ambitious and really threw us into the restraints. Overall, I'd rate this as my fourth favorite hyper coaster (excluding TTD, KK, and MF) behind Magnum, Nitro, and Apollo's Chariot, but ahead of Steel Force. The ride is a bit short for a Hyper, which is why I rated it lower than the others. Still it is a fantastic ride, and although it may not be a top ten for me, it is close.

Next was the Thunderbolt. This is my favorite wooden coaster at Kennywood. This is an awesome ride that has it all. Air, laterals, no seatbelts, you name it. The drop into the ravine (post lift and turn around) is just fantastic. This ride is like Phoenix. On paper it looks insignificant, but the actual ride is awesome. This is easily a top ten wooden for me. For such an intense wooden coaster, it is smooth. Although the post-lift cylone-esque section is a bit jarring, it is not painfully so.

We hit the potato patch for some fries next. I like how the largest option on the menu is "fries with bacon and cheddar". Don't mind if I do. Pretty good, but people rave about these too much for what they are.

Next we headed for the S&S swing. We didn't get to ride this at Cedar Point so this was on our priority list. This one was shorter and held less people, but it was still fun. I think this was the only ride on this trip that actually made me slightly afraid to ride. At the peak of each swing, I was leaning hard into that lapbar. It's the same experience I get when riding flying coasters. "How much do I trust these engineers?" Overall, another fantastic flat ride that I wish one of my local parks would get.

We did another round on Phantom and headed for Exterminator. This wait was hell. We waited outside for 30 minutes and then finally went into the building. And then we got to the second waiting room, which I can only describe as "chaotic cacophony". Wow, was it loud.

After what must have totaled a good hour and fifteen minutes we were finally on the ride. Overall I'd rate this ride as a great family ride. The effects themselves were cheap looking, but once the car starts spinning, you can't focus on that and what you do see is very cool. Of the two boxed mice I've been on, this destroys The Dark Knight. One, the effects work better because you can't focus while spinning, and two, it's a spinning mouse. Awesome. Six Flags should have ripped this ride off when making the Dark Knight.

Next we waited for Deadwood Estates. This was really impressive. Easily the best done shooter I've been on. Fantastic. I would have liked to ride again to experience more of the ride, but the line was too long. I think we waited an hour.

We did another round on Thunderbolt. My opinion remains the same. Best ride at Kennywood. Why does this ride have to be so far away? We also rode the turtle, as I had read it was the last of its kind. Neat ride. I find it funny that they have to move the cars back and forth at first to get enough momentum to get it over the first hill.

We stopped at a food shack near Racer and I bought some fried oreos. I've never tried these before. These are a heart attack waiting to happen. The oreo was drenched in grease once I bit through the batter, which I did not expect. I guess I hadn't thought this through. Very tasty.

We did the left side of Racer. I think it's cool how it drops pretty much into a cave before the lift on this side. I liked this ride a little more after this ride.

Kangaroo was next. This is a very cool ride. The jump, or drop, or whatever you want to call it gave me that weightless sensation like I was going down an air time filled first drop. Don't miss this ride when you go to Kennywood. It is very different.

Finally, on the way out we rode Jack Rabbit again. This time we sat in the third row, and can I just say wow? As in "wow, how did we not get thrown clear out of the train?" The double down is out of control. That is insane. I'd still take the Thunderbolt first, but the Jack Rabbit is awesome and unlike most classic wooden coasters, it does not feel as tame as others from its' era. I do find it funny that most of the uphills seem steeper than the downhills. I'd love to go out of the station backward. That drop would be sick.

We left the park around 8:30. Pittsburgh's roads are a nightmare. Overall, a great way to end this trip. I can say for sure I'll be back to Kennywood. This park has great rides and good character (except for the dude selling us tickets...). It should not be missed by a fan of the moderns or the classics.

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The next day we stopped at the Flight 93 memorial in Shanksville. After a week vacation from work, and life, I would like to leave you all with just a thought. If there's something you've always wanted to do, you should do it. There's a million reasons why now isn't the best time. There's no day like today. Don't take the hardships too seriously, they really are insignificant. Whether it be a coaster trip, or visiting another country, or telling someone how you feel, you should do it.

Thanks for reading.

**Leo C** · #19 08-10-2008, 08:03 PM

At least the 5 bucks went towards your Pennsy Turnpike toll.

I was lucky in 2000 to have the whole family stop in Ohio and stay in Lorain, OH so we could do Cedar Point. I don't ever see them doing that for me again so I expect my future CP visits to be solo like the last two.

I missed that Flight 93 memorial by just a short distance when I did that Idlewild/Geauga Lake/Cedar Point - Maverick in one day trip last year. I owe a visit there.