Photo TR: ThrillCoaster Tours 2016

[BeansproutMidget]

Nice pictures! Makes me want to go back to CP!

 

I've always wanted to do one of these tours, but the money's never been there for me to be able to do one. Oh well. It surprises me your group was advised to avoid the front rows. Millennium and Dragster are practically shoe-ins for the front row.

[ImNotOneOfYou]

Nice pictures! Makes me want to go back to CP!

 

I've always wanted to do one of these tours, but the money's never been there for me to be able to do one. Oh well. It surprises me your group was advised to avoid the front rows. Millennium and Dragster are practically shoe-ins for the front row.

 

The rule is there for us to move on to the next ride as quickly as we can. There was someone who would insist on waiting for the front or back on the first ride on a roller coaster, and that slowed us down a bit. Last year, since there was no one like that, we could do whatever we wanted.

 

I was waiting for the front on Millennium Force as our first ride. By the time I got off, my group left

[TBpony414]

Following and loving your TR. The pics and captions are hilarious!

[ImNotOneOfYou]

The drive continues as we make our way into Pennsylvania

 

That means MORE PICTURES!!!

 

City

Tunnel!

OVERPASS!

BUS!!!

Aaaaaaand a Vekoma Boomerang

Fahrenheit is looking Fahrenfine tonight

I've never waited more than 5 minutes for Lightning Racer

And I've never waited less than 15 minutes for Fahrenheit

Vending machine full of milk!

Great Bear was empty

As was Skyrush

Comet had a very little line. Short enough to allow me to wait for the front

I got on Skyrush twice, including the last train of the night

And the first day of our last park comes to an end

My collection so far

[coasterbill]

Holy sh*t a hotel with bed runners. Evidently Thrill Coaster Tours (whoever they are) spares no expense. That entitled rich kid must have made some pretty hefty demands to get bed runners on a coaster trip for a bunch of 16 year olds. Tell that spoiled rich kid to go trash a Super 8 on his mom's credit card like normal people his age.

 

... entitled little sh*t

[ImNotOneOfYou]

Holy sh*t a hotel with bed runners. Evidently Thrill Coaster Tours (whoever they are) spares no expense. That entitled rich kid must have made some pretty hefty demands to get bed runners on a coaster trip for a bunch of 16 year olds. Tell that spoiled rich kid to go trash a Super 8 on his mom's credit card like normal people his age.

 

... entitled little sh*t

 

 

One of the things that makes it expensive is that thehotels of choice are usually Marriotts, with the exception of Hotel Breakers.

[MrSum1_55]

^^Meriott/Spring Hill Suites are usually the choice of hotels. While these rooms may be expensive, they can comfortably fit three people instead of two. (Each person has their own bed). So total divided cost is probably less than a normal hotel would be.

 

But, how was the group size? In the years I went, I found the ones with the smaller groups sizes to be the most fun. In 2012, we had only eleven kids on tour, and it was awesome. Having a tight-knit group made it so much more fun. But of late, I had heard that enrollment has increased.

[ImNotOneOfYou]

There were ~35 people this year. I went on a tour, I think last year, that had a lot less people and it was fun, but the look on the ride attendant's face when you respond "32" to how many people you have can only be experienced with bigger groups .

 

The smaller groups in the parks didn't change that much, so it had the feeling of a small group tour. The only downside to more people is that the number of entitled rich kids will inevitably rise as well

[ImNotOneOfYou]

I'm sure my lack of reviews from Cedar Point were unsettling because what else do y'all do other than reading my trip reports?

 

Blue Streak: Ride this in a middle row. If you don't I'll just laugh at your complaints. I was in the second to back row, and two other people in my group chose the back. As I was having a good time because Blue Streak is a good roller coaster, I heard "ow ow ow ow ow ow ow" in the wind.

 

Cedar Creek Mine Ride: Wheel seats will also affect your ride on this one. Last year it was my least favorite in the park. This year, I made sure I took a middle row and the ride was fine. That doesn't mean I would ride it again, as it's in a park called Cedar Point.

 

Corkscrew: This ride has different parts that kill you in different seats. The airtime hill is fine in the back but don't plan to like it if you choose the front. The corkscrews aren't that bad in the front but very that bad in the back. Don't ride it. There's Power Tower next door and Top Thrill Dragster a few more steps away.

 

GateKeeper: If you're someone who finds rattling in any coaster I recommend avoiding outside seats, or avoiding this ride entirely. There's a noticeable rattle, but as long as your skull is stronger than egg shells you should be fine. Other than the drop, the ride isn't very intense. If you want intense rides don't waste your time complaining about GateKeeper and ride Raptor or something. I'm not the biggest fan of this ride, but I know how to ride Raptor.

 

Gemini: This ride is . Back in '10 I came here and Gemini became my first roller coaster over 100 feet. I didn't get around much before then. It was my favorite roller coaster until I came back here again in '14 and rode Maverick. Gemini is easily the most underrated roller coaster at the park, possibly in the world. Like Blue Streak and Mine Ride, if you take a wheel seat and complain I'll laugh at your choice of seating. It is so smooth in middle rows. Gemini is a great redemption from what Arrow did in 1976.

 

Iron Dragon: This ride is actually rather enjoyable. I don't want to say anything else because I might get lynched by the Iron Dragon Cult.

 

Magnum XL-200: The ride was great when I would ride in the back. After Car 1 Row 3 fairy came through, it's phenomenal. The airtime increases as the ride goes on. The first hill doesn't have much, and the moment of greatest airtime is one of the last bunny hills.

 

Maverick: #1. It was close for #1, but with the new restraints Maverick is easily my favorite. Intensity from start to finish with a couple of ejector airtime hills thrown in and a launch halfway through it.

 

Mean Streak: If they didn't kick me off when my front seat ride was about to begin I might have a better review of this ride, but it was still above 5/10 in the second to back row. The valley right before the brake run was the only rough part for me, and it wasn't as rough as some other wooden coasters.

 

Millennium Force: There are people that say it's a horrible ride and is way overhyped, and there are people that think it's the best thing since anything good before Millennium Force. I don't know many people in the middle, where I am. This would easily be #1 in a park that doesn't have a Maverick or El Toro. The drop in the back is the best thing since sliced bread or puppies sliced puppies and the airtime hills do have some airtime. Not that much, but it's there, especially on the last hill.

Pipe Scream: A fairly decent roller coaster (;

Raptor: I'm having a hard time deciding whether or not I like Banshee better. On Raptor, there isn't that much after the MCBR except for a killer helix, but everything before the MCBR is super intense. Banshee isn't as intense, but it keeps its speed throughout most of the course. If I ever make it back to Kings Island I'll figure it out.

 

Rougarou: I want to get everyone that says Rougarou is a bad ride and get them on Green Lantern. Compared to Mantis, Rougarou is a great ride. It's a little headbangy in the back, so if you're a complainer, stay away from the back.

 

Top Thrill Dragster: This is the only ride that still scared me after my first few rides. The launch is one of the most intense parts of any ride I've been on. If it just went into the brake run after the launch, that would be fine.

 

Valravn: I'll prove that I'm not a devoted CP fanboy by saying Griffon is better. If the vest restraints turned into normal restraints, my opinion might be different. Like GateKeeper, the park conveniently placed it near Raptor for the people who complain about less forceful B&Ms like they're the only options. If Valravn wasn't in a park with a Raptor, Maverick, Millennium Force, or Top Thrill Dragster, I would be fine riding it multiple times, but since it does happen to be at Cedar Point, I'll stick with the other rides. Since Cedar Point cares about the popular opinion, and Valravn is very popular, it's a success for them.

 

Wicked Twister: This ride is up there with Gemini as an underrated ride. The first launch is intense, and when the ride slows down at the end you get a similar feeling. Like I said before, Maverick, Millennium Force, and Top Thrill Dragster are in the park, so the line for this is slow, but I have never seen it very long.

 

Wilderness Run: A credit is a credit. I have the credit, so I can stay away from it now.

 

Woodstock Express: see Wilderness Run.

[coasterbill]

I might get lynched by the Iron Dragon Cult.

 

I didn't know this was a thing but I want in. Obviously it's the worst Arrow Suspended still in operation by a ridiculous margin, but being the worst Arrow suspended is like being the worst Orange Crush. Sure maybe they're better and stronger at the place up the street but it's still pretty damn good so you really have nothing to complain about.

[ImNotOneOfYou]

I might get lynched by the Iron Dragon Cult.

 

I didn't know this was a thing but I want in. Obviously it's the worst Arrow Suspended still in operation by a ridiculous margin, but being the worst Arrow suspended is like being the worst Orange Crush. Sure maybe they're better and stronger at the place up the street but it's still pretty damn good so you really have nothing to complain about.

 

Joining is simple

 

1. When you make your first steps into any non-Cedar Point park, instantly criticize it for not having an Iron Dragon.

2. After riding any suspended coaster or roller coaster aimed towards families, mention it's mediocrity and inferiority to Iron Dragon.

3. Criticize any roller coaster with 'Iron' or 'Dragon' in it's name for being a wannabe Iron Dragon.

4. If you overhear anyone say 'dragon', no matter the context, look at them and yell 'IRON DRAGON!'

5. Ride Iron Dragon

 

I'm sure I missed something, but if you would be in close proximity to my group at Cedar Point, you'd be amazed

[BeansproutMidget]

I might get lynched by the Iron Dragon Cult.

 

I didn't know this was a thing but I want in. Obviously it's the worst Arrow Suspended still in operation by a ridiculous margin, but being the worst Arrow suspended is like being the worst Orange Crush. Sure maybe they're better and stronger at the place up the street but it's still pretty damn good so you really have nothing to complain about.

 

Joining is simple

 

1. When you make your first steps into any non-Cedar Point park, instantly criticize it for not having an Iron Dragon.

2. After riding any suspended coaster or roller coaster aimed towards families, mention it's mediocrity and inferiority to Iron Dragon.

3. Criticize any roller coaster with 'Iron' or 'Dragon' in it's name for being a wannabe Iron Dragon.

4. If you overhear anyone say 'dragon', no matter the context, look at them and yell 'IRON DRAGON!'

5. Ride Iron Dragon

 

I'm sure I missed something, but if you would be in close proximity to my group at Cedar Point, you'd be amazed

 

That's great .

 

Nice seeing you went over to Hershey, and that someone else loves Maverick just as much as I do. The new restraints really make a difference (at least, to me.)

 

Man, that Great Bear line looked awesome. I've only ever went twice to Hershey and was never able to spend a full day at the park (for other group reasons) We waited quite a while for Great Bear, and I was by myself for Skyrush. Still waiting to get my Comet ride . I'm guessing you'll have more Hershey pics as well? If you do, looking forward!

[ImNotOneOfYou]

I'm guessing you'll have more Hershey pics as well? If you do, looking forward!

 

Yes I do and HERE THEY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

And the final day begins

I think we went right to Laff Trakk but here's Fahrenheit

The wait wasn't too long this time

What could be next?

Wildcat! Oh boy do I have a story for y'all...

So we decided to do Tidal Force

Passing Fahrenheit again

Overpass!

Food! The operations at Moe's were slow

And on Storm Runner guess what we waited for

So I felt like being unnecessary and took a picture of the station fans

Almost there!

I'm not a fan of the way they have the station

Twisty!

Getting our last rides in on Flying Falcon

Our day at the park ends and we divert our course to Chocolate World

I like the old version better

I'm a big fan of Reese's food

And the final drive begins

And look what we passed! "And if you look to your left, you will see a landfill." -Us as we passed

And so it ends. Tune in this July for: ThrillCoaster Tours 2017; California, and August for ThrillCoaster Tours 2017; Get To The Point

[SteelForceless]

Glad you had a good day in Hershey! Can't wait to hear your story on Wildcat.

 

Is it me or do most coasters named Wildcat suck? I can't think of any good ones.

[ImNotOneOfYou]

Glad you had a good day in Hershey! Can't wait to hear your story on Wildcat.

 

Is it me or do most coasters named Wildcat suck? I can't think of any good ones.

 

Schwarzkopf Wildcats are very fun, and there are plenty of parks that weren't creative enough to think of a new name

[ImNotOneOfYou]

Well I have nothing to do so here comes my reviews ft. my experience on Wildcat

 

Comet: Last year i rode in a wheel seat and I almost broke. This year I wasn't in a wheel seat and I had a very enjoyable ride. Don't ride in a wheel seat and you'll have a very enjoyable ride. Comet is aging very well for it's age.

 

Fahrenheit: I could tell that a lot of people were Cedar Point fanboys because they kept saying Maverick was better. Maverick is better, but Fahrenheit is still a very good ride. Hershey decided to Maverick it and now it's restraints are even better

 

Great Bear: I enjoy this invert. If enough people are diverted to the new drop towers and Laff Trakk, I'd gladly marathon it for a day. It's not the best, but how many other inverts can say they have a helix before the first drop?

 

Laff Trakk: I don't like this very much. I rode it twice in my days and it spins very little. I expected more from the world's first and currently only indoor spinning glowcoaster, but I wasn't impressed this year or last year.

 

Lightning Racer: I've never won on this ride. One time it was me against everyone else in my group and they took the lead just before the final bunny hops into the brakes. Other than my losing streak, it's a pretty good ride. The airtime isn't that great, but there's a Skyrush and a Fahrenheit in the park I can go to.

 

Sidewinder: It's a boomerang.

 

Skyrush: Is it Skyrush or SkyRush because I'm fairly positive I've seen both. Other than the capitalization of the R, SkyrRush is . For anyone who thinks the restraints are too painful, I recommend Cocoa Cruiser. The only downside to SkyrRush is how short it is. Hershey could probably have fit in another lap around the water

 

Storm Runner: I've been spelling it Stormrunner all my life . Storm_Runner's launch is very intense, possibly more intense than that of Top Thrill Dragster, just much shorter. The airtime over the top hat and into the zero g roll is similar to that of Fahrenheit . This one also got the touch of the Maverick and now the ride experience is also better

 

Trailblazer: I don't think we got on Trailblazer but I rode it before and it was eh. Many of the members of the Iron Dragon cult see this as acceptable.

 

WIld Mouse: We didn't get on Wild Mouse either but it's a wild mouse.

 

Wildcat: Okay here we go it's story time. So we get in line for Wildcat and it wasn't that long. I sat down in some seat and it doesn't matter what seat you get I think because they're all wheel seats. I sat in the seat. I buckled my seat belt. Then the restraints come down. Since these restraints are big fans of gravity for some reason, they came down on me. It wasn't down very much, so I pulled it down some more. I pulled a little too fast and accidentally stapled myself. Other than being stapled, my experience wasn't too bad so far.

So the ride begins.

We turned out of the station, just like every other cycle of Wildcat. We went over the hill that serves absolutely no purpose other than coaster enthusiasts saying 'ay it has more airtime than Millennium Force.'

Then we ascend the lift. Let me tell you about the lift.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened on the lift.

Then we drop. Let me tell you about the drop.

The drop wasn't too bad. It was pulling up from the drop.

Well you see

when track curves upwards and trains travel over that track that goes upwards, there's this thing called G force. It's like bonus gravity.

Remember when I said the restraints are big fans of gravity?

these restraints are big fans of gravity for some reason

These restraints decided "Hey you know what would be fun? Going down another ratchet!"

So they went down another ratchet. And here I am, already being stapled, getting super duper mega stapled, and I still have the rest of the ride to go, on one of the few rides at the park with a decent duration.

So the ride comes to an end. We pass one of the most horribly located cameras in the world over a hill that's essentially the same one after the station. On Skyrush, the restraints aren't uncomfortable until you're sitting on the brake run. This was very similar, except I could feel the pain during the ride as well. Now, slowly moving on the brake run, nothing was distracting me from the pain. Luckily, it didn't take too long for us to get in the station.

The restraints unlock and everyone gets up. Everyone except for me. For those of you unfamiliar with restraints, in most cases you need to push down and then pull up. I was pushing. These restraints weren't going down. After 5 seconds of excruciating pain, the person I was riding with assisted me and pushed down on my restraints. This time, whichever god is up there reached down and pulled the restraints up. I was free at last.

 

So yeah this ride isn't my favorite.

[BeansproutMidget]

^ That Wildcat description is great.

 

I don't mind Storm Runner's dual-loading station; in fact, I think it moves the line a bit faster. The problem I can see arise is trying to work your way onto which side or which row. The people can be bunched up trying to figure out which side to go on, which could back up the line.

 

Looking forward to next year's tours (since I probably can't go )

[TBpony414]

Cool tour! I had the same thing happen to me the last time I was on HP's Wildcat and I will swear it off forever because of that. This coming from someone who was there on opening day and waited 3.5 hrs to ride it and used to always ride it. After being quadruple stapled in - never again! I'd rather ride something else that I enjoy more and/or won't get destroyed on haha.

[ImNotOneOfYou]

^ That Wildcat description is great.

 

I don't mind Storm Runner's dual-loading station; in fact, I think it moves the line a bit faster. The problem I can see arise is trying to work your way onto which side or which row. The people can be bunched up trying to figure out which side to go on, which could back up the line.

 

Looking forward to next year's tours (since I probably can't go )

 

Outside of the station, the line moves rather quickly, but inside the station it's basically one train operations on two sides. It isn't that long, but it moves so slowly in the station.

[MrSum1_55]

^I wish Stormrunner would keep its dual station, but also run three trains. That would seem to pick things up quite a bit.

 

However, I would still take Stormrunner's operations over Xcelerator any day. Those combining about how Stormrunner only runs two trains with two stations should wait in Xcelerator's line. Knott's usually only runs one train, so Stormrunner usually has double the capacity of Xcelerator.

 

If you come to California next year, be prepared for a drop in the quality of operations compared to most eastern parks (except SFA).

[ImNotOneOfYou]

I have an apology to make

 

If you remember when I said Woodstock's Express was my 150th roller coaster, I have lied . Due to an error in my coaster count (I missed a wacky worm), Wilderness Run was my 150th roller coaster.

 

How can I continue my life knowing I lied to tens of people

[MrSum1_55]

^A lot of people make that mistake. SuperDooperLooper was by 100th, so I planned on making Shockwave at SFoT my 200th. However, I realized after the fact that I messed up, and Judge Roy Scream was actually my 200th. That made me sad, as I wanted to have two Schwarzkopfs as my hundreds.

 

Though some to think of it, I may have been wrong in calculating my 100 as well, meaning Great Bear may have been my 100, and Afterburn may have been my 150. So if this is true, I will try to make Black Mamba at Phantasialand my 250.

 

It was doing TCT a that allowed me to break 100 when I was 14, and break 150 when I was 15. Again, I have learned to plan solo trips after I aged out, so my first international coaster trip is coming next summer.