TR: CP June 5th.

[IrishBuckeye]

I was at CP Friday for coastermania day 1.

 

A few highlights from my day (sorry, no pics this time):

 

-Arrived around 2PM, got registered for CM and got our free t-shirt. For some reason they only had one booth open for CM arrivals, but nonetheless it was all done in about 5 minutes. It was certainly one of the longest days I ever had at the point, as we left after midnight.

 

-Got to ride Magnum 5 times, including 2 in the CM ERT session. Awesome as usual, with one exception. For 3 of our rides, we sat in the infamous third row "ejector seat". A great ride the first two times, but the third was EXTREMELY PAINFUL, something I had never before experienced in my many rides on Maggie. On the homestretch of the ride with all the hills, it seemed like the ride was going faster than usual through this part. The lapbar might have been pushed in a little too tight as well, as going over each of those hills, my thighs were being crushed into the lapbar, and it was VERY painful. For a few minutes I could barely walk.

 

Other than that all was well, and it was Magnum xl-200 airtime as usual.

 

-Got to see the starlight experience for a first time. It was impressive, and a MAJOR improvement over the lighting in FrontierTown last year, which was basically none. Being a season pass holder in '08, and usually parking in the back lot near soak city/magnum, Walking back to the car at night was kinda strange since Frontiertown wasn't lit at all, and you could barely see anything. Much different story this year. The lights, animations, and decorations are very neat and worth checking out. Big improvement CP.

 

-Got to ride TTD, but not before putting up with some badword. We waited about an hour for it, we got on and I was having trouble getting my seatbelt fastened. I'm certainly not a small guy, but I've never had trouble before with any seatbelts, including the ones on TTD and MF. I think the seatbelts on TTD may have been shortened this year and I was having trouble getting it on. The way I understand it, the workers who assist on the platform with restraints, are supposed to make a best effort to get the seatbelt to fasten before turning someone away. Well, the guy who was supposed to be helping me was an absolute badword. He tried for like 2 seconds and then told me to get off the ride. I asked him to try again, "Get off, It's not gonna work" was his reply. In shock, not knowing what to think, I calmly went off the ride to the exit while my GF rode without me.

 

After she got off the ride, we immediately proceeded to the ride entrance where they have the seat you can sit in and test the seatbelt. It was a bit of a struggle, but we were finally able to get it on and secured properly.

 

I had been turned away from riding, UNNECESSARILY.

 

I had a few words with the entrance clerk, (or whatever you call the employee who sits at the entrance with the height pole). I tried pleading my case with him, but it was hopeless. The guy was hispanic and could barely understand any english. This is another thing that pisses me off about CP.... they hire people who can't speak/understand english and then put them in high-visibility positions. Starting to get really furious, I decided we would speak with someone in guest services. Near the TTD exit, we asked an employee sweeping the park if there was someone we could speak with. She was extremely nice to us, and led us to the ride exit, where someone was finally willing to help us. They let me on, this guy was able to get me secured in a few seconds, and I was able to ride! My GF got to ride a second time!

 

So just a heads up, some people who have ridden before might want to check the seat at the entrance to make sure you can fit this year. I think it even has a disclaimer of some sort in the park map pamphlet they give you, saying that some guests who were able to ride MF and TTD last year may not be able to this year. (its not like anyone reads that stuff anyway). (On another forum, someone said that the belts wern't replaced, but some have shrunk because the fabric on them tends to shrink over time).

 

Moving on.... Coastermania was a pretty good time. They had a social hour with appetizers/Free pop/Cash Bar at the coral courtyard. I overheard a lot of people btching about the food, but I honestly didn't see a problem with it. It all tasted decent, and it clearly stated on the itinerary that it was appetizers only... it wasn't going to be gourmet fare.

 

Unfortunately, I didn't get to attend the presentation, but I did see it via the video Mike posted on youtube (thanks again mike!). Ron Toomer seems like a really neat guy.

 

As for the CM ERT itself, got 2 rides on Maggie and one ride on Maverick. By the time Maverick ERT came, we were exhausted and decided not to wait it out for another ride. i was somewhat disappoined with the new format of only havng one ride open (Maverick) at a time for ERT. It was a 45 minute wait, and IMHO having only one ride open and a wait that long kinda defeats the purpose of ERT. I did chat with a few enthusiasts while in line and I know I wasn't the only person kinda annoyed with the new format.

 

Around 12:15AM, stumbled back to our cars after a long day of coaster riding and fun. In all my many many visits to CP, I don't think I had even been in the park that late at night, or for so many hours in one day. Thanks again CP for hosting us. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to Saturday's festivities, which really would have been the day to go to get more rides in. I do hope CP reconsiders the new format, and has at least two rides open during all ERT periods throughout the event from now on. If so, I will look forward to attending CM in its entirety next year.

 

RIDE COUNTS:

Magnum - 5

Gemini - 3

Blue Streak - 2

One Each For:

Raptor

Top Thrill Dragster (2 for the GF).

Millennium Force

Iron Dragon

Maverick

 

15 total coaster rides.

 

ALSO RODE:

Skyride

CP/LE Railroad

[NINCUB]

Sounds like a great time!

 

I am actually heading to Columbus, OH for vacay and trying to decide to go back to CP to hit up all the credits I missed or go back to KI for the new credit.

 

You and another TPR peep's TRs have really got me excited to go back to CP. 2007 was my first and only visit to CP. It was pretty crowded and I didn't get all the credits or really any re-rides.

 

The only challenge that I have is that my coaster riding/park loving peep will not be able to come with me this time, so I might have to go to the park alone.

 

BUT I will tenatively plan to go on Wednesday 06/17, so if any local TPR peeps might want to join me and be my riding buddy just let me know! :0)