pianojohn Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 Just got back from going back to Cleveland, Ohio for my 20th college reunion (John Carroll University), and I managed to add 15 credits along the way! Flew in Wed June 20th, got ny rental car, picked up my 12 year old niece and headed out to Cedar Point! My goals: get season pass processed and ride Maverick. The weather was perfect, crowds were not too bad, and I got my credit. Maverick is fun, but my only complaint would be the head rests. For tall people (I am only 5'10 1/2"), the head rest hits you right in the middle of your head. And it takes some effort to keep your head back so you don't get major neck banging. Rode Millennium Force (great as usual though there is a bit of lateral shaking) and a quick upshot on Power Tower. Back home to get some sleep! Thursday June 21st. 5am. OUCH! Drove to Toronto to get some Canada's Wonderland credits. Now the last and only time I was at this park was in 1982. It was only a year old and gorgeous. Fast forward 25 years and it looks like it has been through the ringer. Faded paint everywhere, outdated signs, still lots of Paramount references, and unfortunately, not up to Cedar Fair standards. After waiting in line for about 20 minutes to go through security, I was told my Cedar Point season pass needed to be shown at Guest Relations for a ticket to the park. Of course, there was no signage to tell me so and no employees directing guest flow. I then waited another 15 minutes at Guest Relations, got my tickets, and then had to get BACK in line to wait another 20 to get in the park. Not a good start to my day. As soon as I got in (about 55 minutes AFTER I arrived), I tried to get some credits. Top Gun? Too long a line. Tomb Raider? Ditto. Italian Job? Not opened yet. Geez..... Finally got on my first coaster: Sky Rider, the TOGO stand up. Nothing out of the ordinary, but still a decent ride. After exiting, I noticed Italian Job open. Luckily the line was not too long, though the ride op was VERY slow and not very efficient. When I got to the front of the line, there were still three seats open. I told her I was a single rider, and she said "Next train." COME ON!!! No wonder the line was moving so slow. Not to mention they were only running three trains. Got my other credits: The Fly, The Bat, Top Gun, Tomb Raider, Silver Streak, and The Vortex. Nothing too great. All very average, and I was disappointed in the lack of customer service. If Cedar Fair had just purchased this park, I could forgive a few things. But they have owned it for almost a year now, and it still looks like garbage. Sorry, just stating my opinion. And Tomb Raider? What a horrible design! Nothing the least bit enjoyable about it! Well, after getting the credits I needed, I drove back to the states and Martin's Fantasy Island. What a GREAT little park! I got there after 5pm, so it was only $10.95 to get in. Very clean, friendly, efficient! Everything Canada's Wonderland was not! The Silver Comet is a great ride. Lots of drop, turns, etc. A great surprise since I was not expecting that much out of it. The Crazy Mouse was your typical spinning coaster. Fun, short, no line! Now the drop tower. Who makes this thing? It started out with a hydraulic shot up, and this launch was more intense than any S&S I had ever been on. After losing a little steam, you are then slowly hoisted to the top, and dropped. I rode it about a dozen times! The park closed and I was off to Buffalo and my hotel. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Friday June 22 Had my free continental breakfast, but then stopped at Tim Horton's for an iced coffee. Tim Horton's (from what I have heard) is a Canadian coffee chain that is also popular up east. And I love my frappucino's! Drove about 30 minutes to Darien Lake! The last time I was there was in 1984 for the ACE Coaster Con at Crystal Beach. The only coaster then was The Viper. I was anxious for my Ride of Steel credit. Upon arriving, there was a HUGE sign out front: "Ride of Steel will be closed today." DAMN! This is the 2nd time I have come to a Six Flags park and ROS was closed (The first time being SFA) Regardless, I still had fun, and the park was very clean and well laid out. The Predator was not bad! I had heard mixed reviews of it, but all in all a decent ride. Did the Boomerang and Mind Eraser, and took a spin on The Viper for old time's sake. These Arrow loopers do NOT age well. It was pretty rough. On the road again, and this time a NEW park: Waldameer. Very cute, clean, reminded me of Idora. The coaster was decent, and the old hand brakes are always a welcome relief from the automated hydraulic ones. The Spinning Dragons was very cool, and this was the first one I had ever been on. I wish parks would install these instead of those spinning Mad Mouses. (Mice?) Back home to Ohio, my college reunion, and back to Cedar Point on Sunday. Thanks for reading. On to the PICS!! Thanks for readin! Steel Dragons Cute as a button! Say what?? Curse you Intamin!! Doing my Nancy Kerrigan "Why? Why??" Guys working on the Ride of Steel lift The Viper. I guess some people like pics of vertical loops. Mind Eraser: a most aptly named ride Trying to do my Tommy impression Hmm...does Sea World know about this?? WAH!!!! At the gate You will be mine! The breakfast of champions. And coaster geeks And the Silver Comet Loved the drop tower! Yes! Awesome little park! Dessert at the all you can eat buffet. I cannot recommend it though as most of the food was not very warm or appetizing. The mountain is pretty though No comment. WoW! What did you think of the ride John? OUCH! Finally inside I got to wait in this line. TWICE!! Arrgghhhh..... Or not.... Yeah! Almost in! Blame Canada! Blame Canada!! All better now! Traffic tie up: They were removing a bridge. I was not amused. On the road again...at 5 am! When in Sandusky, go to Toft's The BEST ice cream, and the biggest sizes ever! I LOVE my new GPS. It got me to Canada and back no problem! Power Tower. My niece is annoyed MF from the queue line Mantis. Do they EVER run more than two trains on this? Lines were too long. The brake run. And the building behind it is where I started my theme park career: The Palace Theatre (but I will always remember her as Lusty Lil's!) Nice theming Loop de loop Ah, yes My MAX Pass! Such a wise investment for someone who lives in FLORIDA! My niece and I at Cedar Point. She was getting annoyed with her uncle taking so many coaster pics. My rental car: A Pontiac G6. Sweet, but it guzzled the gas. Touch down! Looks like Stepford from the air Flying Continental
mcjaco Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 Very nice. My Dad and uncle are both grads of John Carroll. I've been there many times for reunions. It's a nice little campus.
shesaidboom Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 That was you!!! Jer and I were at Canada's Wonderland on the 21st and we saw a guy in a Theme Park Review shirt run past us into the Bat's entrance. We were going to say hi, but you were too fast
kennywood!007 Posted June 26, 2007 Posted June 26, 2007 Very nice photos! You might have been at Darien Lake the same day as someone I know.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now