Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread

[PAL]

^Raptor's infinitely better than any SLC I've tried. Truth is, there's no such thing as a garbage B&M invert. Some are simply better than others.

[coastermaniac]

But I know Saturdays for Halloweekends are the worst. No day during summer even compares.

 

Then you obviously haven't gone on enough peek summer days; trust me when I say that it can get PACKED in that park between late July and mid-August.

 

As far as Raptor, I ride Raptor during early entry because it is usually a walk-on during that time. Also, I try to catch it on my way out (typically an hour before park closing) because usually there is a short to no wait for it. I NEVER wait for it during the day because it can get such a long line. The reason being that during the morning and afternoon when people are coming into the park they see Raptor (being the first big ride they pass) and they want to ride it so they get in line (hense the long line). By night time like an hour before park closing, people are leaving the park and don't want to ride another big ride like Raptor because they are too tired or something like that (hense the short line).

 

I have everything down to a science for amusement parks.

[dammie16@vt.edu]

^There were at least two nights of Halloweekends last year that had bigger crowds then the busiest nights of summer. One of them put the summer crowds to shame.

 

He does not lie.

[Geauga Dog]

Raptor is one of my favorites in the park, espeically when the mid-course brakes are either off or lightly tapping but it's not my overall favorite invert (Afterburn, Alpengeist and Talon rank higher on my personal list).

 

I usually like to hit Raptor around the dinner hour as the lines are generally smaller at that time with majority of the crowds dispersed towards the back of the park by then.

[PAL]

That first Raptor lap wasn't my first rodeo. That one hour wait was during the dinner hour after crowds had died down at the front of the park. This doesn't take a genius! Whatever's plopped next to the gate is an early crowd magnet, whatever the park.

 

It was the last credit to grab. I wanted to get it, so I could get night rides on Millie and Maverick (at the time TTD was constantly enveloped in fog o' bugs - no thanks).

 

This year we were able to shift our trip one week later in August, to good results. Crowds were lighter, yet the average wait for the biggies was still 45 minutes. Beats 60-90!

[VGplay]

As a bit of an invert fanboy, I really like Raptor. Its a pretty good invert to have at my home park. At the park its one of my favorites but overall it is just solidly middle of the road.

 

1. Afterburn

2. Montu

3. Pyrenees

4. Alpengeist

5. Raptor

6. Talon

7. Great Bear

8. Batman: The Ride

9. Silver Bullet

10. Patriot

[coastermaniac]

^There were at least two nights of Halloweekends last year that had bigger crowds then the busiest nights of summer. One of them put the summer crowds to shame.

 

He does not lie.

 

I'm not saying he lies. He said that they don't even compare, but indeed they do.

[coasternut]

This year we were able to shift our trip one week later in August, to good results. Crowds were lighter, yet the average wait for the biggies was still 45 minutes. Beats 60-90!

 

When did you go in August? I go to Ohio (my old home) for 2 weeks (Sandusky & Cincinnati) in August. It seems busier during early August. I guess that's because the kids are still out of school. Maybe the week before Labor day? What's your experience?

[coasterbill]

year I was sure it would be better. A station wait followed by a front row ride. On any Beemer invert, a recipe for epic. Nope. I passed up the easy re-ride. Did I catch it on a bad day?

 

Possibly but it's a matter of opinion.

 

The first time I rode Raptor I sat near the back. I found it rough and probably the biggest disappointment at Cedar Point. A few years later I went back and decided to give it another change (I LOVE Inverts and couldn't believe it was so bad). After riding it in the front it actually became my favorite invert. I even like it better than Alpengeist (I probably wouldn't have if it weren't for Alpie's brakes) because I enjoy the fast paced nature of the second half of the ride and the awesome view of the water from the first drop. It wasn't bumpy at all except for that last turn and even that wasn't bad.

 

Since then I went to Carowinds and rode Afterburn which gives Raptor a run for it's money but Raptor is probably still my second favorite invert.

[Real]

But I know Saturdays for Halloweekends are the worst. No day during summer even compares.

 

Then you obviously haven't gone on enough peek summer days; trust me when I say that it can get PACKED in that park between late July and mid-August.

 

Whatever peak is, I know I've been there. All major holidays? Check. Weekends? Check. None of them compare to the amount of cars I've seen during Halloweekends.

 

 

When you factor out Soak City, its pretty clear. On a Saturday CP in summer its just the normal rides. I've been there with all the major rides hovering between 1-2 hours (excluding the nonsense of opening days for TTD, MF where the lines reached 3-4hrs) and even rides like Corkscrew and Magnum which on regular days barely pull 20-30min. If Magnum isn't 15min I'm surprised.

 

Then when Halloweekend Saturday is all the same rides at 30+min and major rides at 1-2.5hrs and THEN you add in what, 4 haunted houses and all of those have another hour wait - not only are there enough people to have the same waits as mid summer but now you've added 4-6 more attractions that you walk through and its another hour wait for each?

 

Statistically I know you can find a few days a year during summer where "maybe" the main park (again...SC excluded here) has higher numbers. But I think on average Halloweekend Saturdays are by far the busiest in the park. I feel like going there is a waste of an entire day the lines are so outrageous.

 

 

So either its just more packed on those days during the event OR the crews suck badly. Because if I take out Soak City, I'm adding 4 attractions you need to wait for (not to mention a few mazes that aren't part of the normal walk-ways that are occupying people) that are holding enough people to generate a 1+hr line. It just doesn't add up.

 

Not saying there arent days during summer, I just think they are a lot more rare.

[coastermaniac]

He said 'no day during the summer even compares.' As I already mentioned, I didn't say that the park can get AS crowded during the summer. I said that the park get pretty busy during the summer. As crowded as Halloweekends? No, but it can still compare.

[sammmmmy]

On a random note, a very intriguing bit of news from screamscape:

 

B&M - (9/28/11) Screamscape sources tell us that in the next season or two we can expect to see B&M premier an all new launched coaster ride system, as their next new coaster concept. Beyond this, I’m told that B&M would like to launch a 4D coaster concept, likely based on the new Wing Coaster technology, but this ride system is still several years away from becoming a reality. For now B&M have their hands full developing the new Wing Coaster system and getting their Launched coaster line off the ground.

 

 

I could really see cedar point getting one of these concepts sometime soon. I know there are some crazy rumors out there about CP's future attractions but for some reason this just seemed to say 'cedar point' to me. Thoughts?

[harper83087]

^I could see something like this happening. Personally I hope it's the 4D concept as CP has enough launches for me, although B&M's first launch could be a nice "record" to have.

[Schotcher]

TTD and Maverick? That isn't really a record you could brag about, or a record the GP would understand.

[harper83087]

^I said they have enough launches, 4 total, 7 if you want to include all three of WT's during its cycle. I put "record" in quotes for just the reason you stated, it'd be a record amongst us nerds

[Schotcher]

^I said they have enough launches, 4 total, 7 if you want to include all three of WT's during its cycle. I put "record" in quotes for just the reason you stated, it'd be a record amongst us nerds

 

What about Incredible Hulk?

[harper83087]

Hulks launch isn't B&M's design, the crew at Universal developed that system.

[deathbydinn]

or a record the GP would understand.

 

This seems like the kind of thing the GP would go crazy for to me..

 

"Zohmegee I went to this park and all of the coaster shoot you out at 1 zillion miles per hour and theres no boring slow up hill parts but three hundred people already died from flying out there seats buts its still so much fun omg."

[Schotcher]

^ Just ride TTD.

 

And edit: ^^ I know, but are we really going that specific? "First launching coaster made by B&M that was built fully by B&M!"

[harper83087]

^What's the fun if we can't boil things down to every minute detail? haha

[Schotcher]

I'd only allow a B&M launching coaster in the place of Blue Streak or Mean Streak.

[harper83087]

Blue Streak is an awesome classic imo and I love the massive structure of Mean Streak. I hear DT is gone after next season anyway, but I believe Screamscape posted that as well.

[FeelTheFORCE]

I hear DT is gone after next season anyway, but I believe Screamscape posted that as well.

 

That's news to me. Being as CP is so stubborn about their coaster count, and that they will be tied with SFMM again next year, I highly doubt it.

[harper83087]

^I don't really want to see DT go, it's a fun "Weeeee!! That was fun" type ride that never has a line when I want to go for a spin. This is just rumblings I've heard from a few friends who work there.

[Commando]

I would rather have a Intamin prefab or GCI. Considering that the only thing CP really lacks is a good wooden coaster.