Photo TR: A Somewhat-Alternate Look at Cedar Point

[dandaman]

Dateline: two weeks ago. A few friends and I were planning a CP trip for Wednesday the 29th, but plans fell through. Uncle offers to drive the following Monday since I'd already bought a ticket at a $30 discount price, but had to pay the extra $15 minus my $7 coupon to pull even with regular pricing, since the deal was for admission on the 29th only.

 

So, I figured I might as well take my camera if this was gonna be my last trip report hurrah up north before I head off to Florida later this week. A good decision (like Sam Adams?), as the lines were (for perspective) 90 minutes each for Millennium and Maverick. On a Monday. Ugh. Overall I only got 4 rides in 6 hours at the park, but I do like the shots I got so s'all good.

 

Pics are in no particular order.

Also also I upheld my proud tradition of visiting Steak 'n Shake on the way out and making the server do a double-take when I ordered an orange freeze/green mint side-by-side shake. Frozen bliss.

 

Well, anyway, hope you weren't too disappointed with the above. I'm doing an AK/DHS park hopper combo on Sunday, but more than likely due to freshman craziness I won't get around to posting 'till at least a week after. So, until then, I bid you adieu.

Also I'm putting this Maverick picture here instead of with the other one. Why? Because screw it, that's why.

And it wouldn't be a complete crowded day if there wasn't a line to get out of the park. (You may insert your own Cedar Fair joke at your leisure.)

*whistles "Bridge On The River Kwai"*

Oh, what I wouldn't have given...

Sign of quality?

Evidently it's also a goose who will literally HEADBUTT FISH to get a biscuit.

"I'm a goose. I might be Canadian, but I don't know."

Yes, for the first time in the past 5 or so visits, Gemini was racing.

Back outside, we see a decidedly larger model than in the display.

Apparently recreating the Apocalypse used to cost 25 cents back in the 1930's. (Look at its burning, unfeeling EYES.)

Had a lot of old-time games in there too, like this baseball one where the umpire gets to sit down for some reason.

Albert's family tree.

"So, do you measure that thing in metric, or...?

Stupid glare.

Another thing I've somehow failed to notice: the train display! I blame the fire truck for being so big. And the mustachioed fireman for being so cool.

Original plane-on-a-stick?

The best incarnation of Mean Streak is one that can't be ridden.

They had a wall of autographed portraits that I'd never noticed before of entertainers who'd visited in the past, including Louis Armstrong and Duke "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" Ellington.

Many people don't know that there was an Aquatrax already built where Maverick is today. Though it was more of an "Aquatrough". Or "Flume". Or, as Cedar Fair might rename it, "Water Ride".

Not pictured: Magnum XL-200, Best New Sign 2009.

Bill Clinton likes doing it in the rear! (My wit peaked quite a few captions ago.)

Since I can't think of a caption, I'd like to say that today marks a year since the greatest day of my life at Behemoth Bash. So... yeah. Now I'm depressed.

A few cool models in here. If everyone were required to wear a suit and bowler hat to ride, ACErs would still sew on patches and completely negate the "formal businessman" look.

It occurred to me that I'd never been in the Town Hall Museum whilst having a camera yet, so I paid my fare of $0 to the manliest ticket counter guy I've ever seen (must use Shaverite) and went exploring.

Old and busted. New hotness.

Doing Maverick in the back seat < doing Batman in the rear.

Like many people, the stocks really had me in a bind this year.

 

...Oh my Christ, that is the most accidentally terrifying face I have ever made on film. Though it does lend to my "GET OFF MY LAWN YOU DAMN KIDS!" demeanor.

Sign of quality!

Raise your hands... if you're sure!

AHAHAHAHAHA *ahem* I must respectfully decline.

The aftermath of telling fanboys that "something's brewin' for 2010".

Empty rapids love

SHAME

Albert likes to frolic in the meadow.

Sadly this took me 2 train cycles 'cause the wind kept moving the flowers out of focus...

Meet Albert. He's a steam locomotive, therefore he is awesome. He's been shunned by the other engines because he's SBNO. Poor Albert.

PHOTOSHOP! This store is fan-made and fake.

"Poster"

Oh, look, it's that Magnum Force thingy.

What is it about my experience with early B&M's that makes me think they become S&M's with age?

Bicycle seat = oh, the humanity. (And for guys, subsequent lack to produce same.)

Improvement-ish

A lot more macro-flower pics to come, hence why I start with my failure to get the actual flowers focused and instead present you with a big pissed-off more-like-a-bird dragon.

Eh. (That's an ambivalent "eh", not a Canadian "eh".)

"We have mixed feelings about Wildcat. If we knew this was a Schwarzkopf ride we would be all smiles."

Which is more painful: Staring into the sun or riding Corkscrew? If you know the answer, E-MAIL someone who cares.

Gripping the front of the train in sheer (feigned) terror is not an appropriate Starburst enjoyment pose.

Draggin' Iron presented by McDonald's. (OK, well it's my sister's favourite ride, and she hates roller coasters. So I guess it has some redeeming value. Some.)

"Same"

I feel ashamed for posting this and calling the TR "a somewhat-alternate look".

Have you ever thought to yourself, "What would ACEr e-mail spam titles look like?" Well, think no longer. Also, get a hobby.

This is the best billboard ever. "For the REAL Man." "74 cents". "DO NOT FAIL TO BUY ONE TODAY." At first I thought under the "rite" it said "Agents Will Come", as in to your house and punch you repeatedly in the face until you buy this manliest of hygiene tools. It's that awesome.

NOTED!

I hope it's a new set of thighs.

As a coaster sign maker in 2007 and 2008, I've seen the sign for Magnum more times than all of the other coaster signs on my list combined... well over 300 times and I've seen 350+ coaster signs. It sits firmly at the top of my steel coaster sign list. I can't really even explain it. The construction, the font choice, classic color combination, beveling, and my GOD the steel framing. Out of my 300+ sign views, I MIGHT have had three or four unpleasant ones where the sign had bird poop on it and I was unfortunate enough to see it after a dirty rain shower, but 99.9% of my views have been pure bliss. Stand about six feet back (so that you're not directly blocking your peripheral vision) and you'll be fine.

 

--Wes, from the memorable 17-page "discussion"

Happy 20th, ride-I-like-but-kills-my-thighs-and-various-other-body-parts-every-time! (Maybe I like it due to recurring amnesia.)

Millennium Force performs its best "SHOOP DA WOOP" impression.

Welcome to the world's #1 amusement park, according to people whom I imagine have never left the comfort of Ohio.

[Calicoasters]

Wow, 4 rides in 6 hours is pretty bad! You did get some great shots though. I really like the Flower shot with Millennium Forceless in the back. I too thought the Mean Streak model was much more enjoyable than the actual ride

[VivaLaVibora]

There was a sign discussion somewhere?

[dandaman]

Read through all of the pages for full enjoyment, or just skip to all the parts with Wes. (Kind of a general rule for most TPR threads, really.)

 

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50616

[Mr. Starr]

Haha! Looking forward to your WDW TR's!

[coasterer]

"I hope it's a new set of thighs."

 

Hilarious. I really enjoyed the report. You had some great shots, and I found myself laughing quite a number of times. Thanks for the pictures!

[EnglndPatriots6]

I agree with you. I've been to better parks. Great TR tho.

[rctman]

Another blast CP thread I see.. *sigh* You guys take what you are given for granted. Try living in Houston with a low end park SFAW and have it stripped from you and have nothing. I would kill for ANY of the major CP coasters to come down here.(outside of Mean Streak) I absolutely loved my one lifetime trip to CP last June. It's July-August prime season, you will get long lines, at a major theme park. I thought the CP staff did an excellent job of moving the lines when I visited.

[dandaman]

Look, I know I give CP a lot of flack, but truth is, I do love the park. Most of the crews are great at hauling a$$ any day I go, and this was no exception. Wasn't quite expecting to get crowds, no matter if it's summer, to be completely filling the main and Soak City lots and a good portion of the overflow lot on a Monday, but that's the luck of the draw.

 

Heck, maybe it's TPR. Over the past few years I've realized more and more that there are some vastly underrated rides/parks out there, and to see CP constantly rated "best everything" just seems unfair. Combining that with the poor rain/camera policies and general poor quality/unexplainably high prices of food (lookin' at you, $16 Subway footlong), as a repeat visitor, it gets old fast.

[jslim39]

Wow... harsh critics on TPR! Something must be wrong with me because I enjoyed EVERY coaster I have EVER ridden at CP. (Yes, I even didn't mind Mean Streak, feel free to flame me). Obviously the prices sucked, but I love CP.

[dandaman]

...This was gonna be my last trip report hurrah up north before I head off to Florida later this week.

 

Okay, so I lied.

[sfkk339]

I agree with you. I've been to better parks. Great TR tho.

Yeah because you didn't ride anything at Cedar Point.

[EnglndPatriots6]

I agree with you. I've been to better parks. Great TR tho.

Yeah because you didn't ride anything at Cedar Point.

 

I rode like 12 rides before the storm set in and things were shut down, and since it was late we went ahead and beat the crowds back.

 

The park was packed anyway so getting in 12 coasters was pretty decent.

[coolcalicoaster]

Wow... harsh critics on TPR! Something must be wrong with me because I enjoyed EVERY coaster I have EVER ridden at CP. (Yes, I even didn't mind Mean Streak, feel free to flame me). Obviously the prices sucked, but I love CP.

 

Harsh to certain parks. CP takes a lot of punishment here. I have no idea why? When I moved here from California I had heard about CP but only had the Cali parks to compare it to. After my first trip I was blown away. I almost immediately forgot about SFMM. Not only does CP have great coasters, they have great flats, a nice kiddie area, fun and friendly ops, and usually always a wonderful atmosphere. So much that you don't find at parks such as MM or GADV. Being on the lake is just another bonus. Maybe to many it isn't the best park, but as far a thrill parks, I dont think anything beats it. Now I know the themeing isnt quite as nice as universal or Busch but I go for the rides, not the themeing.

I always get a chuckle out of the CP bashing!

[BeemerBoy]

It occurred to me that I'd never been in the Town Hall Museum

Heck, I didn't even know it existed. Thanks for showing it!

 

$16 Subway Footlong

Hehe. I'd fight that goose for the biscuit before I'd eat at Subway.

[ginzo]

Hehe. I'd fight that goose for the biscuit before I'd eat at Subway.

 

Don't tell that to the Brit Crew!

[sfkk339]

Wow... harsh critics on TPR! Something must be wrong with me because I enjoyed EVERY coaster I have EVER ridden at CP. (Yes, I even didn't mind Mean Streak, feel free to flame me). Obviously the prices sucked, but I love CP.

 

Harsh to certain parks. CP takes a lot of punishment here. I have no idea why? When I moved here from California I had heard about CP but only had the Cali parks to compare it to. After my first trip I was blown away. I almost immediately forgot about SFMM. Not only does CP have great coasters, they have great flats, a nice kiddie area, fun and friendly ops, and usually always a wonderful atmosphere. So much that you don't find at parks such as MM or GADV. Being on the lake is just another bonus. Maybe to many it isn't the best park, but as far a thrill parks, I dont think anything beats it. Now I know the themeing isnt quite as nice as universal or Busch but I go for the rides, not the themeing.

I always get a chuckle out of the CP bashing!

 

Agree....Cedar Point gets a lot of bashing just because it has long lines...I compare Cedar Point to WDW and major resorts like it. You definitely have to go to Cedar Point two days to get the full experince since there is just so much to do. The have no bad rides, Perfect park.

[Pirouettes907]

I LOVED your captions! Now I have images in my head of geese headbutting fish for biscuits.

 

Also, I didn't know about that museum either. Thanks for letting me know it's there!

 

~Megan

[EnglndPatriots6]

The only redemption it will get from me is if its new GCI turns out to be really good

[CorkscrewFoley]

Cedar Point's my home park, and even if I get only a handful of rides in, I still have a great time. Again, I think it's how you make of it.

I think it's still en vogue in the enthusiast community to bash Da Point, but that's how I see it.

[Philrad71]

^ Agreed...you ever notice that a lot of the people that bash the park are people that don't live anywhere near it or base their opinion on one visit?

 

People whine about not enough trees, too many garbage cans, long lines, forceless/rough coasters, lack of flats, no Q-bot, stupid ride names, not enough kid-friendly attractions, etc, etc...bottom line - it is simply ranting because CP is ranked #1 year after year and it doesn't seem fair in their eyes.

 

Rule of thumb - when anything is ranked #1 there are always going to be people that find something to b#tch about and point out faults as to why it shouldn't be #1.

[EnglndPatriots6]

I just dont see how it is #1 when there is like a ton of coasters barely any family rides.

 

If it had a few more flats yea id consider it a #1 park for m its close to a number 2 or 3

[coolcalicoaster]

^CP has a ton of flats, way more than most American parks. Children have plenty to do at the point as well.

Growing up a SFMM fan in Cali, I remember hearing people bashing CP, for much of the same reason the guy above me posted, but when I got to CP I realized most of the criticism was BS.

[EnglndPatriots6]

What flats? Sorry im 16 i dont ride kiddie rides. there was around 12-15 flats and they were all just about old and outdated, stuff ive ridden over a billion times at county fairs.

 

The only newer ones i could name would be, ower tower, maxair, and skyhawk

[ginzo]

People whine about not enough trees, too many garbage cans, long lines, forceless/rough coasters, lack of flats, no Q-bot, stupid ride names, not enough kid-friendly attractions, etc, etc...bottom line - it is simply ranting because CP is ranked #1 year after year and it doesn't seem fair in their eyes.

 

I can think of about 30 parks I'd rather visit than Cedar Point. It's not ranting. It's just my opinion. I don't really care what the US-centric, biased-against-Disney Golden Ticket Awards say.