Jantzen73 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Just wanted to share my experience at one of the coolest events around - pun intended - Winter Chill Out hosted by Cedar Point. A 6 hour long, off-season tour of the park! Weather was unseasonably warm (and welcome) with that familiar wind whipping off the lake. This was our 3rd Chill Out and once again the park went above and beyond to provide an amazing, one of a kind experience for enthusiasts. Hats off to the Cedar Point staff that planned, coordinated and volunteered their time for this event. As every penny of the $40k raised went to Give Kids the World. Plus the delicious lunch and cool bag of merchandise was much appreciated. My personal highlights were getting to see Valravn in person (of course) but I was surprised to see active construction going on! My brain is still getting used to Valravn jutting out into the midway - but I think I’ll adjust - especially when everything is complete. Touring the train house was AMAZING! The staff was so friendly and there were so many interesting things to see. Touring the mechanics shop is always a treat - and loved their sense of humor…. Going into the ball room was a huge surprise - I could not believe how gigantic it was up there! And of course Jason McClure and Tony Clark’s presentation was informative and funny. Being in the last group of the day I think they were a little loopy and were really loose and fun! I’ll let my pictures show you all the cool / neat things that you don’t get to see every day. I’m not good at documenting every little detail - there are others here that do a much better job of that. I just gravitate towards things that grab my eye and try to make them look a little different / interesting... Thanks for looking! Waiting to check in at the Season Pass center so checked out Gatekeeper for a few. Hanging out by one of the supports. As the sign says - Tour Start. Raptor looked unbelievable - really striking - though we know the white caps will be back soon. Hey, what's going on over here? Oh yes - the worlds tallest spiral staircase and fresh looking Top Thrill Dragster. Couldn't of done this if I tried. Peeking up through Cedar Downs to a couple of B&M's. There's that Immelmann jutting out into the midway. This area is going to be a-buzz with folks watching riders take that first drop. So fresh and so clean. That Immelmann seems more of a signature to Valravn then the 90 degree first drop. More Immelmann. Who wants to have to walk down the MCBR staircase? I do. Another look at that first drop. Coaster to be continued. About 80% done they told us. Looks like a Rollercoaster Tycoon creation. Last one - see you in early May! The train shop tour was definitely unique. Just incredible machines to see up close. I think this work shop has been here since 1870 - so many tools - old and new. That's a lot of iron and steel. You can tell the price that Cedar Point takes in the care for their trains. Even the office was as you would expect. Those hats have seen some soot. This guy escape from Boneville? One's mans trash is another mans, uh shelf? They don't make them like this anymore. Now that's old school. Trains and coasters - amusement park staples. Remain seated until the train comes to a complete and final stop. I got a kick out of how they huddled and stored the trash cans throughout the park. This a view you'd only want in the off-season. Guess those wheels are fully cured. Banana boat all ready to be put back into service. Red train ready to go. Couple of airtime hills. Trail Tavern all boarded up for the winter. This seemed appropriate. Maybe they can move the water cannons to Valravn to give everyone their splashdown. Is this the future how of Rip Cord or something else? Pond is drained and the barn is empty. I'd like to think those things which will not be named are suffering under all that wrap. I've been in that building exactly one time. Family dryer looking more like a shack of horrors. Rest up Maverick - it's going to be another long season. Everyone was quite alarmed by the state of the off-season look of the swings. Seems like a good place to park this. Mine Ride getting some new wood. Some more Mine Ride. Think this will get the Virtual Reality treatment soon? No carp eating dog food today. Seems like an abandoned town. I pick can number 3. Coasters are just laying everywhere. Are they building a bon fire for Meanstreak? BEST DAY and some carousel horses. I wanted to press that button... so bad. Now he's awake! I think they sell a latex mask of this. Yes, yes indeed. Yes there was a red fat person belt. Snoopy watch Boneville is behind you! The star of the show today. Step right up and go straight down. Another sign in the sign shop. Hello there sunshine. Walking back to one of the mechanics shops. I was surprised to see such a new vehicle - most are from the late 80's. So that's where the Chick-fil-a mailbox went. More fresh wheels! Certified fresh. It is such a cool experience to be able to walk around parts of the shop. I needed bigger pockets... They look so strange just sitting around off the track. At least they didn't write Wash Me. Some more Maverick cars in the LakeSide Pavilion. Maverick glamour shot. Dragster in pieces. Neat to see what's underneath all that fiberglass. I box of fresh Dragster seats! We got a history lesson on Hotel Breakers. It was a little creepy with just natural lighting in the lobby. Kinda had that Shining vibe going. The Giant Wheel lost some weight! Now this was cool - though it was a old and creepy as you would expect. My tour guide hated me - I was always the last to leave. Taking a look out the other side. It has charm and the ugliest paint I've ever seen. And that concludes our tour. It was nice - so head over to Battery Park - just the moon light and misc lighting of the park. Here's a shot of the whole peninsula. Went over in the AM too - though lots of gray skies this morning. It's a lot nicer in the summer time. Bonus shot for the seagull fans. Another look at the new skyline. See you in the spring! The sun finally made it above the cloud cover. Edited February 22, 2016 by Jantzen73 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgroodog Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 These pictures were excellent! Thank you for taking the time to capture the essence of the offseason and providing wonderfully composed photos. Maybe next year I'll get the chance to attend this event! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Really Awesome Shots!!! Wow, those were all great! Thanks for sharing your view of The Tour. Made me want to keep up with what's going on (in the future) for CP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Awesome photos as always...thank you for posting. I really liked the bonus ballroom shots - it's in such better shape than I had ever imagined. I personally think that it would be a cool place to move the museum, wouldn't it? Next year, I think that we are going to plan on doing this tour. I got my dates mixed up as I thought that it was next weekend which is when we'll be in Aruba. Bummed that we could have gone to this and didn't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Password121 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I don't think I've ever seen a picture of yours that I didn't stop myself just to admire for a minute. You've also been the creator of more than a few of my screensavers and wallpapers Thanks for the report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Zo Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Far and away the most interesting trip report of a non-operational park I've ever seen! And as much as I love the gull in front of the Valravn lift, the available light shots inside Hotel Breakers are my favorites. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBpony414 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Chiming in to say that I as well pause at each of your shots. The angles and lighting you highlight are remarkable. Thanks for sharing!! Wish I could take pics half as good as you! Part of the problem is my lenses always get scratched, guess I'm just absent-minded like that. Do you do much photo editing once home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOGdude25 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Great shots as always! Your eye for framing is amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJeXeL Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Great report!! The operators will probably play rock, paper, scissors to see who has the pleasure of walking to the MCBR to do Set-Up testing every morning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Awesome report! Loved the photos, and captions! Especially this caption: Maybe they can move the water cannons to Valravn to give everyone their splashdown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dleo Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Great pictures! Can't wait to see Valravn in person this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boldikus Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 As always, amazing photos. Thank you for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 What does it take to get on one of these tours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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