bert425

I'll pretend I didn't hear that. actually. . JUST for you, bill? I got TBPony on the skyride. . after she admitted to me she'd never been on it! so she, her Mom, Dianne, and I (Nrthwnd had gone back to room) rode the CP Skyride. . LOL

you should clarify that the walks of shame were numerous because on a kiddie coaster, those seat belts are TINY. . and don't stretch. ! glad you made it home safe too, Bill! (after a nightmare hour flight from Cleveland to DC (with an older woman hogging the armrest and DRENCHED in perfume as my seat mate). . I paid the $159 upgrade and sat in 1st class for the 3 1/2 hour flight back to Austin. I knew it would be worth it for the wider seat (and 1st on/1st off boarding, despite some running up the aisle as soon as we pulled into Austin gate). . but had no idea that I also got free cocktails (I had a couple of bloody marys), a warm, scented towel, and a full meal! worth EVERY penny for a flight that long.

HA! already working on it. . but you know I get super detailed. . so will take a few days, tho I'll post each day as I update it. got to get the pics from the phone 1st too! (most of my posts were via my phone, while waiting in airport, or sitting in hotel bar. . but now that I"m home, have "real" computer back)

the morning ERT was absolutely worth getting up early and attending the event for (not to mention the T-shirt, the pin, the lunch (edible. . not *fantastic* food, but edible), and the Boat Ride). we did get behind a couple in the incoming queue that felt the need to 'explain' to us how great the event "used to be". .and spoke at length about how slow Gatekeeper is, and used to be better (shocker, it feels PLENTY fast when you're on it, and I rode it at least 6 times during our visit). But easy enough to just tune out the over-chatty enthusiasts, right? we skipped the Q&A, but only because the park was so dead (and the weather so great) that we just continued riding our way around the park thruout the rest of the day instead of stopping to go to it. It worked out well anyways, since I had a great conversation w/ the "curator" of the museum over in Frontiertown on Monday that gave me some interesting tid-bits I'll put in my trip report). the Evening ERT was plagued with issues on Maverick and TTD, but as I may have mentioned, that didn't matter to us, since we had ridden both during the day, and knew we'd have other opportunites the following days. . . it's a great event. and actually, on the next night (Sat), CP let us stay after close to watch them rehearse (full run thru, but without costumes) the Luminosity show that opens this coming weekend! overall, just a fantastic park, and I'd recommend not only going for CM! but stay the next day too.

I did not run into any problem children either, but I did become a baby on Magnum. In a moment of infinite wisdom I decided to adjust my seat belt right before a drop, what resulted was a thumb that was mangled between the belt and the restraint. Bloodied and sad I walked back to Breakers, ERT the winner, and I, just another victim of it's awesomeness. yah. . your thumb looked like it hurt!. . .but I remember Gordon's name! (so there's that ) we actually ended up over the 3 days at the park, riding Magnum 4 times (maybe 5), using the seat-belt trick.. . and I LOVED it. it was really only rough in the Pretzel turn around (shaky!). . .but any rides in front (or in front half of train) were smooooooth-ish. the one time we rode in back car?. .that was a bit rougher than I prefer, but still not too bad.

Bert's info is interesting -- because I had no idea the shuttles were running that early. No one ever published when the shuttles would start (I probably should have asked) but based on Tony's response to a tweet, I had believed they weren't going to start running until 630 AM. I got to the hotel entrance at about 625 AM, the first shuttle I saw was at 635 AM (it filled up) and then I got on the next shuttle at about 650 AM. It's far from a deal-breaking issue or anything. Just, maybe as plans are revised for next year, having the shuttle plan set/published in advance might make it a little easier for everyone. that's one of the issues that I had with Breakers. . . the employees, while trying, really seemed to be lost (I'll have some examples in my trip report). . but specific to the shuttle: we couldn't find any info on it anywhere, and the employees we asked at check in didn't even know Coastermania! was happening the next day. so we checked before going to bed on Thursday, and the folks at front desk said just come down and tell them we want a shuttle and they will call one for us. So I asked, "Even at 6am?". . and they said yes, so that's what we planned to do. . . but upon showing up at front desk, they just directed us out front and said shuttles had already been called. as noted, 1st shuttle filled up completely with folks who were already out there, but the driver said there was another shuttle right behind (and it did show up less than 1 minute later). sorry y'all hit a snag with it. . during morning ERT, we were able to hit Gatekeeper x2, Valravn x2 (and talk to Josh), Raptor once, and Millennium Force x2 before park even opened for early entry (Rougarou was down). . . and we were taking our time.

Oh yeah. Have similar stories. And to COMPLAIN when most everything had been walk on all day? People ARE entitled babies Know what we did for evening ERT? Knowing we had fp+ on Saturday and having gotten Multiple rides on stuff during day due to short waits --- we did flyers And Wilderness Run. Yep got the credit. Before just heading back to Breakers at midnight

Totally agree. We waited about 10 minutes and realized even when the shuttle arrived that there wouldn't be enough space for all those waiting. Either have buses in the morning or open the WindSeeker gate for entrance. We ended up driving around to the main parking lot, doing ERT, and then driving back to the Breakers. What time did y'all get up? We were up at 5:45 and at front of breakers by 6. First shuttle was full when we got there but 2nd one was right behind it. We were at front gate and lined up 10 minutes before they started letting folks check in So weird to have folks at the same place w different experiences. I had a few issues with Breakers. But the shuttle for coastermania (and over to famous daves on Sunday) wasn't one of them

Great photos. (Peeks outside) still looks very familiar. For another hour or so until we head to airport. I have some comments on your comments. From my perspective as a first time visitor, but will do that when I'm home and on computer instead of phone. LOL Great pics. I'm sure better than some of the ones I took on my iPhone. Heh

I got pics from our room at breakers Will post later this week Oh and ended my last day w back to back rides on MF. (After Ttd broke down while in line and THEN maverick went down while in line. So wnnt to mf to finish the day. LOL

And bill wanted to run back to room to drop off maverick purchase. So can report gatekeeper and valravn are both running as well

And ttd just launched with people

Could have been a blip we saw valravn stuck but since raptor and blue streak were still running (we were in chi kid and petes). So assumed unrelated. Gatekeeper was down BEFORE we went into restaurant and valravn was still moving then TTD we've seen run with people less than a dozen times and when on iron dragon a couple of hours ago we saw the techs working on one of the cars on the return portion of track. After not seeing it run. We're shopping in maverick store. So still down but just started testing. We just watched them send empty car

Only back end of park was affected -- past TTD Valravn & gatekeeper down NOT duh to pf. Maverick. Yes and they are still trying to get up TTD down all day really so not due to failure Most everything back up as of a while ago. Other than longer lines for stub at front of park? NO impact to our enjoyment of the day. Sheesh people. And got to meet password working back row of millennium force. He recognized me and Nrthwnd

We're taking day off today to relax and meet friends from Cleveland (hate we don't get to see you Phil!) Back to park tomorrow. Having a great time despite maverick's frustration-- seriously went down MULTIPLE times when we were litterally two trains away. Several different times. Still have gotten multiple rides in. Oh and EVERY coaster. Even wilderness run. Was ert for adults during cm so bill and I rode. Lol Zo -- you must have been on 10am cruise w us. Too bad we didn't get to say hi But did spend 8 or so hours w tbpony &a her mom Dianne during day of cm. What fabulous people! Also bumped into Aimee and her hubby Gordon at breakers on thurs night and spent last night in bar with them and others until 2am having a blast (she brought out a cheese plate from her room) LOL So trip report in the next week. TONS of photos. We're having a blast. If you didn't say hi to us. Why not!!!!! BBQ & brews was great too. The chocolate beer and the apple pie cider were my favorites Bert

Cedar Point. . in about 12 hours!

yeah. . we should talk about a boat instead!

my friend Don, who we likely will get to see on Sunday, already mentioned to me that the whole week is full of rain forecasts. . .but then admitted that the forecast will probably change 30 times between now and Friday. but he suggested rain gear. . LOL

we don't have park tix, that 1st night. . . so 3 days from now, will be outside looking in. now, Coastermania! Friday morning?. . that's a very different story, thank yew verra much

^ hey, I'm packing a poncho AND swimsuit. . . let it rain if it must!

LOL. .I know Cochrane's song from radio, rather than "Cars" and my age is showing. .but Red Rider, I know from "Lunatic Fringe" (what. . no Loverboy????)

very fun read.. glad y'all had a good time, and got to meet your (well, her) bucket list celeb