JT325

^I was probably working that day! Slow days before school lets out .. thank you for sharing that awesome memory! As far as the seatbelts go... in 1992 we would announce "The seatbelts are optional you do not have to wear them." The very next year, 1993, we were no longer allowed to say that.

When I got to the park in July (first time since 1999) I went to Viper first. Station wait with a few peeps on the stairs, no biggie. After the line wasn't budging I found out they were only loading one train as the 2nd had a protein spill. (Where is the 3rd train, btw?) Anyway... every time the protein train would come in, they would look at for a bit and hover around the car that had the spill. They would sometimes spray some Fabuloso in it (or was it all the AXE products I detected around me?), slam the harnesses down and run it through again. After doing this several times, they finally loaded that train. What really caught me was the hovering over the protein seat between runs. They would stand around and stare at it, as if it were something they had never seen before and were absolutely clueless as to what to do about it. And the amount of time this took them, as the operational train would always be stacked. And the number of times they went through this routine. Have a six flags day. Had I known there was a properly functioning single rider line, I would have used it. But that would have been a huge gamble and potential waste of time and walking. It's funny (frustrating) that many six flags parks have the same... how shall we say - quirks.

^Thank you! It was hard work being a Blue Streak guy, but very rewarding. Completely manual operation. However popular the ride is now, it was so much better and popular back then... the changes made to the trains have completely changed the feel of the ride. Many a fan who "grew up" on the ride through the 80s can easily see it's not the same. Of course, they could always retrofit. It was a nearly perfect out and back woodie. Designed so well, it hardly ever needed new track - so smooth! We were expected to do 1,250 an hour, I think they do between 600-700 these days with all the "gear" that has been added. Not to mention air gates, and a ridiculous load/check routine (still light years better than most Six Flags parks, ugh!) I'm passing this stuff on because I have so much and it sits in boxes for years, or decades! I look at it once in a while, then store it away again. Much of it should be archived and displayed somewhere, something I'm not up to at the moment. Years ago, I threw away probably what would amount to a couple more boxes of stuff. Oh well! Live and learn. All those different colors of employee sweatshirts... they were donated so they probably brought someone happiness! I'm keeping only my very favorite items. The original Blue Streak 1992 crew shirt was done by a friend who died much too early and unexpectedly in 2000. He was only 29. The hand made prototype he did and his personal shirt have gone down south to be with his parents. My crew shirt that is part of the auction was offered up to a somewhat important person at the Point, but I never heard back from them. They probably already have one stored away... well, I hope they do!

^OMG I want to go too! It wasn't in my cards this year, either... but I'm planning for it just in case! Registered and requested the days off work! I usually leave Chicago on Thursday and then leave to come home on Monday. I would stay longer if the park were open longer!

Time to say goodbye to part of my CP collection. Lots of good stuff in here... and frankly, some bad stuff too! But I'm sure it will make someone happy. I posted it in the "auction watch" thread but figured I would also post in here where all the rabid CP fans are. Me being one of them. Cedar Point memorabilia on eBay Park maps, brochures, postcards, employee ride night flyers, etc. etc. etc., A few pictures of the goodies:

Hey whatdoyaknow!? It's page 1138... "we are 138..." THX, etc. It's funny they're calling this a coaster; I know, it's nothing new. When I was at the park last week I could have swore I saw one of those huge spring-y signs that said "cleanest theme park in the WORLD!" They have upgraded from "cleanest theme park in the country." Hey, this new loop will make the kids happy, right!? In this spot once sat The Edge (then Power Dive and King Chaos). (edit - damn!!! I missed page 138 by 1! rats!)

That would be an excellent place for a Condor. I love those rides! Maybe they could fill in that Superman plaza a bit? A drinking fountain would be nice... but a ride, yeah, that would be nice too!

X-Flight. I can't stand those ever-tightening vests. I'll only ride it if I'm with someone that wants to, and I even try to find a way out of that. Very uncomfortable for me!

If anyone is interested in "old" La Ronde stuff like promotional pictures, postcards and brochures, I have an auction up on eBay. Not too surprisingly, there is only 1 person "watching" the auction on my end. La Ronde was such a nice park at one time! So much potential there. These great pictures of Super Menage and Le Monstre were sent to me by the park in the 80s. Back when you had to hand write a letter to a park and kindly request information. They sent out really cool stuff like promo folders stuffed with STUFF! Back before the internet and all this awesome instant stuff we have now. LA RONDE EBAY AUCTION Also, anyone remember the 80s movie "Breaking all the rules"? That was the first time I saw a (*gasp!*) Vekoma Boomerang. I thought it was so cool, almost unreal! Remember, this was like 1985... no internet and all that. Who'da thunk the Vekoma Boomerang would one day be considered a lame cookie-cutter ride? I'd be suprised if there are more than 2 of us on here who have seen this movie. It's sorta sentimental for me... strange! Really bad 80s stuff, but the views of the park are great! I wish it would be released on blu-ray, cleaned up of course. This clip reminds me how much I LOVE Schwarzkopf Wildcats!

I've listed the very last of my "not keeping anymore" stuff. It's nice, but I really needed to say goodbye to some stuff. I've kept only my favorites! Poor La Ronde... you have only 1 single "watcher" on eBay. It used to be such a nice park... has HUGE potential.

Yes! Me too! Even topper track and a good sandblasting. Oh well... Check out this commercial from 1990 (my first year there!). A Cyclone with unpainted track and Mind Bender's yellow train (they had 3: red, yellow and orange if you remember!)

For the average park-goer or casual enthusiast, sure they have a top-notch collection. And then there's the geeks. I know I know "they don't need to cater to us" or some tired line like that. Point understood, accepted and taken. But to some of us, they are missing some key things. For example, they had a classic wooden coaster then added ratchet lap bars, seat dividers and headrests. And although still popular, I can promise you it was a MUCH different ride when it ran as a classic until 1995. Don't take this as a complaint (I know how much people LOVE to jump on others they think might be complaining, and then ... complain about them), it's just one opinion. I still LOVE Cedar Point and their collection. It's such a breath of fresh air to walk into the Point and experience a clean park with top-notch operations. Especially after going to some other big thrill parks.

^There are plenty, but not newly-built ones. They could definitely do it, with their commitment to guest satisfaction (fast-moving line). Also, in the case of this Vekoma or B&M junior coaster (even though it's someones imagination), it's almost more of a middle-coaster rather than kids coasters. It would be like the next step up from Woodstock, filling in the gap before Corkscrew (along with CCMR and Iron Dragon). I think this model would be very popular at CP.

It's definitely fun to have fantasy scenarios and dreaming up new rides, I do it all the time... but where is the pre-lift and transfer track for a 2nd train?

^Those are very nice, I love Montu and Kumba. But *vintage* to me would be Scorpion I don't even have any Scorpion stuff in my current BGT auction. If I did, I most likely would have not included it in the auction. I'm keeping only my very favorite stuff. A good friend of mine who passed a few years ago had lots of old vintage shirts such as Loch Ness and Hersheypark Comet, from the late 70s. His mom eventually cut out the pictures on each shirt and made a couple quilts! I'll have to post a picture if I can find one.

^Terrifying! I've never seen so many adults on a Wacky Worm.

Added a few more auctions. It's crazy how much stuff we can accumulate! And I threw tons of stuff away years ago! A Care Bear and a Schwarzkopf. What more could you ask for?

Going through an old book "Fun Land USA," I found a picture of the "Loop Coaster" (later named Black Widow) running with a 3 car train! I've seen an Arrow shuttle run with 4, 5, and 6 car trains, but never 3! Interesting. Thought I would share.

That's when I usually go! After a stop at the Dairy Queen, of course. Double or triple rides on all my favorites like Eagle and Demon. Whizzer is a 2 or 3 train wait then, small wait... but so good to see it so popular after all these years. A gem in the chain!

^^That would be nice! Moving lights at night, mmmm... How about not-so-bright lights shining out or down from the bottoms of the trains?

I really like those low sections and nearly straight tracks... flat track is underrated!

Count me in as one who LOVE Big Dipper. But I'm a guy who really has a think for true classics. Intensity doesn't always win out.

The higher the hair the closer to God! Or ROCK GODS.

I was at Camden once, in 2011. My friend and I had a great time! Anytime I get to ride a woodie without seat dividers and ratcheting lap bars, it's a good day for me. The "old schoolness" of seeing the track and weighted trim brakes don't bother me one bit. I had more fun there than at MOST Six Flags parks, to be honest. I'll definitely be back. Also.. I love that strange NAD coaster design; ramp hill, followed by a round hill... and stuff just generally "whatever." Colossus at Magic Mountain was originally like that. It gets a feeling of variety and different effects. A very smart design in my book. We get way too much repetition these days. PS - That last row on Big Dipper is not available on purpose, it's been like that for years. That POP of airtime (real airtime, where you leave the seat a good few inches) can be quite strong. It's probably easier for the park to keep that seat closed than to deal with higher height requirements/seatbelts/no singles/whatever for that back seat. Don't get me wrong, I was dying to ride that seat when I was there! The benches pop out relatively easy, that's why they just took it out.

Thanks Robb! Here is a link to my current listings; 30 listed "bunches" so far and a few more to go. A few goodies sprinkled in! (EDIT 8/30: ALL THESE AUCTIONS ARE DONE! ALL OF THIS IS GONE, SORRY GUYS!) Magic Mountain! I *kinda* interned for them for a day.