Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread

[rcjp]

^It might depend on a lot of things (like the day and seat where you ride) but, whether I like to admit it or not, it is one of the only three coasters I've ridden which has (in at least one ride) given me a headache. I rode it on opening year in two consecutive days. Most of my rides were silky smooth but some (closer to the back and on the outside seats) were shaky, not really rough, but it had very quick (and not so subtle) vibrations. I've felt vibrations like these on other coasters but never complained because they weren't doing much harm. It definitely wasn't like raptor which I found perfectly smooth in any seat at any time.

I guess sometimes we don't believe certain things we hear because we've never had such an experience. For instance, if I heard one person saying they had a rough ride on hydra I would have my doubts as all of my rides (all in one day, though) weren't minimally rough, shaky or rattly at all. But given that quite a few people seem to have this complain I believe it.

[nannerdw]

I'll try riding Gatekeeper in the middle of the train today, in an inside seat, and early in the day before I get worn down by too many other rides, and see if that makes a difference.

 

Of the wingriders I've ridden, Thunderbird was smooth as glass, Wild Eagle was mostly smooth, with just a few patches of mild shakiness, I really don't remember how smooth X-Fight was (RMC Goliath must blocked it out of my memory) but I think it was about like Wild Eagle, and Gatekeeper vibrated throughout most of the ride.

Edited June 2, 2016 by nannerdw

[rcjp]

^But where did you ride? I had no problems in the outside seats in the front half of the train (although that was a few years ago ao I've no idea how valid it still is)

[nannerdw]

Front left, and back right, both outside seats, both single rider (which I'm thinking might have more to do with the vibration than anything else).

[coasterbill]

For those of you keeping score at home, even someone who's so fragile that they can't bear how rough Gatekeeper (the smoothest coaster in existence) is says my Mean Streak trick works. (Jk but wtf? Lol )

 

#TeamMeanStreak

[nannerdw]

^ Well to be fair, Mean Streak doesn't pin your whole upper body to the seat. If it did, that would be a much different story.

[coasterbill]

True, if you stay against the seat back on Mean Streak you're in for a world of sh*t. Front seat, lean forward people! Lol

[rcjp]

^^I think that also makes a difference. You are so "glued" do your seat on GK that you feel any tiny bit of vibration so it's possible that it wouldn't be a problem if it had a looser kind of restraint. For example, that one bad ride I got on GK felt more uncomfortable that any of my rides on furius baco (which I've ridden may times even in the back outside seats) and that's a rough coaster. I can't imagine how it'd be to ride it with B&M's vest restraints.

 

even someone who's so fragile that they can't bear how rough Gatekeeper (the smoothest coaster in existence)

Really? Maybe it's just me but that one bad ride I talked about earlier really was nasty. Naturally there are many many factors which influence this but the fact that the only two other coasters have given me a headache were wildcat at Hershey and coaster express at Warner (aka the worst coaster ever) says something. I get that, if all of your rides on GK were smooth (which I believe), you find it odd when someone calls it rough or shaky but, based on my trip to the park, raptor was a much smoother ride (and so was every other B&M invert I've ridden for that matter).

[bluestreak]

My experience in my 100+ rides on GK is that it's very smooth if the train is full, but if the train is half empty it's dreadfully rough.

[coneyislandchris]

My experience in my 100+ rides on GK is that it's very smooth if the train is full, but if the train is half empty it's dreadfully rough.

Huh. Very interesting. I must have been lucky then because every time I've ridden it, it's been a full load. Then again, I've not had 100 laps on it, so my sample size is considerably smaller.

 

I apologize if my initial comment came off like a jerk, but my experience on the ride has literally been glass smooth every single time, so it just blows my mind that someone could call it rough. But it's definitely like rcjp said earlier; "I guess sometimes we don't believe certain things we hear because we've never had such an experience." This is why I'm a bit taken aback at stuff like this, or people talking about rattles on other B&M coasters (which out of like the 25 I've ridden, I haven't seen hide nor hair of even once). I honestly don't mean to minimize your viewpoints, it's just that from my end, it's 100% curious and baffling.

[nannerdw]

FWIW, Raptor and Banshee were both amazingly smooth for me, as long as I remembered to lean into the restraint on the transition into Raptor's brake run. Again, new restraints eww, but I found them to be very comparable rides otherwise. I'd put Raptor slightly ahead, but only because I nearly blacked out going into Banshee's second vertical loop, lol.

[rcjp]

as long as I remembered to lean into the restraint on the transition into Raptor's brake run.

I don't know why but I love that part. I feel like it it puts and end to the ride really well (and quite violently). I find it amazing how such an "old" ride stays so smooth. The same goes to BTR at great adventure: the last time I rode it it was 20 years old and there was not one tiny bit of roughness or shakiness at all (which is especially impressive when you take into account how intense and fast it's traditions are). I believe it's rides like this that make people go mad when a new B&M has a rattle.

[coasterbill]

Score one for the Raptor snap! I agree, it's a fantastic ending.

[coasternut]

Heading to Sandusky for Coastermania tomorrow. I can't wait for Valravn! I love Griffin and Shekra at the Bush parks. I'm ready to ride...

[Password121]

Score one for the Raptor snap! I agree, it's a fantastic ending.

+1 on this. Raptor for me has always had that 90's industrial vibe, and that goes for the engineering behind the ride too. Not everything has to be all graceful and completely balanced in terms of forces/jerk. And that's what makes Raptor great, it epitomizes classic B&M.

[Philrad71]

My sister and husband just got there around 2:00 (they're staying at Lighthouse Point) and they will be doing the park tomorrow and Saturday. I didn't realize that Coastermania was tomorrow so I wonder if it will be overly crowded with enthusiasts given that the event is sold out? Anyone know how many tickets are typically sold?

 

Maybe I might have to text her and tell them that they might need to spring for FL+. I already told them that with warm temps around 80 all weekend that the park would most likely be packed on Saturday and to enjoy the lighter crowds on Friday. Now it's very possible that the park could be packed both days!

[Nrthwnd]

^ I'm pretty sure the total ticket number is much less so than it used to be, from what I've read.

Now, the event is geared towards coaster club members...such as Club TPR. And not so much

the general public.

 

Correct me on this, if I'm wrong, thanks. Here's what I posted earlier, in the "Is it worth it?" Thread...

 

I just checked the site, and it's definitely sign-up only, as a "club member" with what they've listed, including Club TPR.

So it looks like they are limiting their numbers, from past years. And it's definitely not "open" like it used to be.

 

Which is great. It's a learning process. 2017, here I come...

[Philrad71]

^ Thanks Bill...sounds like a more restricted event with only so many tickets for enthusiasts (club members) only, which is good.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

^ Thanks Bill...sounds like a more restricted event with only so many tickets for enthusiasts (club members) only, which is good.

That is correct. They sold 1000 tickets total for the event, and it sold out quickly. I watched the website daily. And a big thanks to David for posting here when tickets went on sale.

[Texascoaster89]

Random question, I've already tried calling the park customer service and they closed for the day.

 

I'm waiting on my flight in Texas to come to Coastermania tomorrow. It's likely going to be canceled and I had pre-purchased fast lane plus for use at the park tomorrow. If I'm not able to make it, does anyone know if Cedar Point will reimburse it for not getting to make it to the park? I'm sure it might be on the fast lane ticket itself, but I'm scrambling at an airport. Thanks for any help!

[Nrthwnd]

^ Thanks Bill...sounds like a more restricted event with only so many tickets for enthusiasts (club members) only, which is good.

That is correct. They sold 1000 tickets total for the event, and it sold out quickly. I watched the website daily. And a big thanks to David for posting here when tickets went on sale.

 

Please, please, PLEASE let David post this all again....next year.

[nannerdw]

The lines were really short today. Most rides were a total walk-on, and Valravn took about 20 minutes in the mid afternoon.

 

I re-rode Gatekeeper in row 7 left, inside seat, and it was very smooth. Then I rode it in row 8 right, outside seat, and had a pretty rough ride again

 

I also rode Mean Streak in the back for comparison to the front. I noticed no difference in roughness. The experience was mostly the same, except for a slight, almost airtime moment down one of the drops in the back seat. Still not a "horrible" ride by any means.

 

Lots of Mean Streak's footers had orange spots spray painted on them. This can only mean one thing... CP must be getting a bunch of new RV campsites next year!

[ZeroGravity55]

^ Screamscape posted something about that. Some of the markings blatantly say RMC on them...

 

CP has never been the type to mess with enthusiasts

[Cj1990]

With CoasterMania tomorrow, do we think crowds will be heavy?

[coasterbill]

Yes