Photo TR: Cedar Point - HalloWeekends and other stuff

Wanted to head out to Cedar Point this past Sunday - but hate doing the 3 hour drive there and back in the same day. So decided at the last minute to just go up Saturday and since I figured that it would be crowded (which it was) that I'd take pictures to pass the time.

 

Ended up getting to the park around 3:00 and soon realized that it was also the PointFest concert - so the Soak City lot was mostly blocked off. I headed into the park and put my Platinum dining plan to use first. The forecast was 100% chance of rain when I checked Friday and there were dark clouds when I arrived but a few hours later all cleared up and it was a perfect night. I think it did rain earlier in the day.

 

I was lucky enough to win a TweetUp and won a front of the line pass - which I intended to use on Millennium Force but it was down when I went to use it - so I used it on Dragter instead. That was my only ride of the night. I instead checked out the Valravn area (won a poster in the social media vending machine), watched the parade, checked out the Skeleton Crew show, took a ton of pics and wrapped up about 10:00 for the night...

 

Another reason I called l it a night early was so that I could wake up early and head back over to Battery Park for some sunrise pics - sky wasn't as colorful as last time but ran into all types of birds which was neat. After that I wanted to get some better shots of GateKeeper - so I head over that way outside the park before going in Sunday morning. Sunday was slow the first 2 hours but picked up after that. I left about 1:00 but still got my rides on Millennium Force, Maverick and SkyHawk. Could of rode more but took more pics instead...

 

Part II tomorrow... Here's the second set

The smell of Kettle Corn is in the air - that means one thing - Halloweekends has begun!

Skeletons and tombstones of employees past and present are throughout the park.

This demonic skull was at the entrance to Frontier Town.

They survived the demon!

So the little path around the tunnel was open - which made for a nice view.

Always so many hands up on Millennium Force!

Another Intamin giant lurking in the background.

As you can see the crowds were thick today - as they are most Saturday's of HalloWeekends.

Lots of Valravn love throughout the park.

Hay maze and Max Air!

This guy was hanging out near Kiddy Kingdom.

O H I O

These pumpkin-headed skeletons are all around the main Midway.

What will become of this statue after the marina entrance facelift?

Footers!

Big footers!

Angry pumpkins were hanging near the Dragter entrance.

Corkscrew - back before coasters had to have names of fictitious creatures.

Rougaroo - still some head-banging.

New Pumpkine Blaze displays around the TTD midway.

Still paying homage to their ex-GM.

Seagulls and Raptor - just kinda go together.

The guy in charge of big coasters has a big tombstone.

Then the tuba's arrived.

Their may be a coaster in the reflection somewhere.

Who doesn't love a parade.

Insert tasteless Raptor joke *here*

Tony doing a Periscope broadcast.

Awww.

Stoned Frankenstein?

This guy rocked! (I know, I know)

Artsy time.

Bye.

The newest Peanut.

Juggling and human Starbursts - this parade has it all.

That's what it's called.

See ya' Snoopy.

Clouds moving out and sun moving in.

Ride tombstones. Find your favorite old ride here.

These may need a little grease.

Great lighting - a photographer's best friend.

Kiddie maze at the BlueStreak midway.

Rusty rails.

That B&M pre-drop.

Loop the loop.

Kick the sky.

What's this?

Here's BlueStreak.

Old B&M, New B&M

Something is missing...

That's better - minus the cell phone holding moron.

The park has decorations everywhere.

Sneaking a peak of Millennium Force.

More tiny skeletons.

Yes you can touch it - just no climbing.

It's a big piece of tarnished copper colored steel.

Can't wait for 2016!

Amazing fit and finish.

The buckets were still parked.

Another look back.

Corkscrew through the corkscrew.

A peak from the top of the bleachers.

Yay!

Seems like every time I go to Millennium Force I have to wait for the train.

Sitting is better than standing.

Tiny pumpkin is back.

Weee! or something.

Nice puff of smoke.

Whizzing past the jawless demon skull.

It's really that fast.

Be a man and raise both hands.

There are still trees - mostly in the back of the park.

See trees can co-exist with steel.

This was new for this year.

This was new for 2000.

More giant, jawless skulls.

Between the waterbombs.

After the waterbombs.

That drop, front row is amazing!

Sun is setting back by Maverick.

Airtime in the sunset.

Can you spot both trains?

Sun almost below the horizon.

Leaving some HalloWeekends like clouds.

One more.

Camp Snoopy turns into this after dark.

Scary impaled clowns added to Gemini midway.

They must of had a sale on these skulls.

This was new. Kinda cool.

Gourd dino and Dragster.

Time to stroll to Breakers for some Starbucks.

Hallway photos have been replaced with creepy photos.

In fact the whole lobby has been transformed.

These were all around the railings.

A few from above.

Creepy photo's were even added upstairs.

From the other side.

Here's a peak...

Edited September 22, 2015 by Jantzen73

Con't

Now that is creepy.

Still love the rotunda remodeling.

No Surf Bar this time.

Breakers - looking grand.

The lone outdoor pool.

Down for high winds - ha!

It's his fault.

This turned out better than expected.

I found pacman on the Giant Wheel.

This is over here now.

Troika Troika Troika - was out of control.

Eerie Raptor shot.

The buckets were running now!

It was a perfect fall-like night.

Sideways jack-o-lantern from the SkyRide.

A look from the station.

Led's with designs were all over the main midway.

Even Power Tower gets a special color package this time of year.

Blaze - is that that the old Mantis sign?

So this is what I saw when I arrived at the Skeleton Crew show...

I guess she's elasti-girl.

Ouch.

This guy spun around on his iron hula-hoop.

These guys just hung out and looked creepy.

Ta-da!

She came in for a swing.

She did a great job.

She's OK - I promise.

This act got the best response - too bad she moved so fast I could not get a clear shot of her.

This was the best I could do.

At least she stood still at the end.

I guess this would be the Skeleton Crew.

They were fun.

Thank you and good night.

More nice theming.

Get it?

Just hanging out.

This was new - some little booth with projected faces - I guess they sing or something.

Ok - time to ride - then time for rest.

Edited September 21, 2015 by Jantzen73

Amazing photos.

 

The Skeleton Crew reminds me of a Daft Punk music video, i hope they danced to 'Around the World.'

 

...and I have another new desktop background. Seriously, these photos are amazing. Really captures the details of the park that most people don't see even at the park, let alone in photos. Keep it up!

Another great TR! You take such amazing photos!

Amazing photos!! The Maverick at sunset photos were absolutely breathtaking. I also like how Cedar Point has the piece of Valravn track on display. It just goes to show how proud they are of their new coaster!! Can't wait to be back at the park!! Thanks for sharing the amazing photos!

Your pictures always make me want to take a trip back to Cedar Point, I've never been in the fall and but it looks like they do a pretty nice job with their halloween event.

Thanks for (again) sharing your amazing photos!

 

I love me some Halloweekends and am still holding out hope that I might be able to get there this year. Depends a lot on the weather, my job and my Achilles tendonitis that has been acting up lately.

 

If I don't get to the park this year, it will break like a 10 or 15 year streak for me.

Great pics! Love how you captured Halloweekends

 

Question on the Troika shot: How were you able to capture the "light streaks" while keeping the foreground/background in focus? In my very amateur photo mind, it seems like you would need a longer exposure to get the shot of the ride, but the person in the foreground would need to be motionless for the length of the exposure to get the clarity you got on them... Was this just a case of a high ISO setting and quick shutter speed?

Kind of a "meh" trip report. That park really needs a Boomerang.

 

But seriously, beautiful work, and a great perspective of my home park.

Part II

Taking a closer look a a couple of Intamin giants.

A peak at the front gate from across the bay.

A couple of B&M lift hills.

Love the silhouette of Wicked Twister and the Giant Wheel.

Let's look at them all together.

These guys decided to show up.

Taking in the view.

Loved the little puffs of clouds this morning.

Valravn sighting!

Headed to its new home perhaps...

Then a cyclists scared the geese away.

Things were brightening up.

A coaster enthusiast's dream.

I spooked the seagulls. It was the morning of birds.

They started to reclaim their space.

Probably thinking of all those elephant ear crumbs over there.

All in a row.

This big guy giving me the evil eye.

Looked like they were deciding which to crap on first.

To the park! Always arrive nice and early!

Just an amazing morning on the peninsula.

Some interesting sights in the employee lot.

Let's take a look at this beauty.

I guess if you do a kick-ass job you get a close parking spot.

To protect and serve Cedar Point.

A look at that first drop.

Camelback looking large.

MCBR

A view back to the starting point.

Only real coaster nerds would love to walk down these stairs.

First train of the day!

Here she comes.

Over the camelback.

I like this little drop after the MCBR.

Next train - back, outside left is the best sport for this.

Headed towards the front gate.

Coming back - next to the keyholes.

About to go keyholing

Giant pumpkins greet you at the main gate.

Turning around.

Raptor through the fall landscaping.

No tears were shed.

Giant pumpkin over the fountain is new.

This guy was still out cold.

Quite the contrast on this beautiful morning.

The throne is pretty epic.

Great little show - check it out!

Millennium Force rising from the trees.

Peek-a-boo!

Headed up the first airtime hill.

Coming back on the smaller airtime hill.

Some remains of White Water Landing

Launched lift - yes please.

Such an awesome sight - it never gets old.

Skyhawk walk on - sure!

For the Arrow mine train lover - I know you're out there.

Time to check out this beast.

Back down they come.

Crossing the finish.

120MPH water ride?

Dinosaurs Alive is good for something - these views.

Always trains full of smiles and hands up!

T-Rex vs. Millennium Force... who will win?

Carnivorous dino's and Millennium Force - quite the combo.

More hands up and smiles!

Catching some air!

Whee!

Bye Millennium Force!

Looking down on Millennium Force's lift hill!

This gord-o-saurus was hanging out.

Best 17 seconds in the park!

Trying to be creative.

Don't eat the train!

Cool pumpkin-snake.

Someone raided the farmer's market.

Another nice addition for HalloWeekends.

Some CorkScrew love.

The Corkscrew's iconic midway presence.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Jantzen73

Password121, Superbatboy, DoinItForTheFame, Hilltopper39, Philrad71, RaceBoarder, John Peck - Thank you all for the kind words.

 

I love trying to discover new / interesting views in the park - but some are too classic to pass up. Having all the decorations out made for a nice change of pace and led to some fun shots. I really like the second set - the lighting in the morning just lit everything up so beautifully!

 

Glad to share this wonderful park to everyone here!

Question on the Troika shot: How were you able to capture the "light streaks" while keeping the foreground/background in focus? In my very amateur photo mind, it seems like you would need a longer exposure to get the shot of the ride, but the person in the foreground would need to be motionless for the length of the exposure to get the clarity you got on them... Was this just a case of a high ISO setting and quick shutter speed?

 

I used a trash can and my camera bag as a tripod and shot in shutter priority. I played with a bunch of different times during the ride cycle. This one ended up being 1.6 seconds. Auto ISO which was 125. I wish I had the know-how to just calculate this on the first shot - but it is trial and error sometimes - I'm pretty comfortable with these type of shots now and can usually get what I have in my mind now. Just shoot a bunch and look at the settings on the good shots - then start with those settings next time.

 

I was curious and checked - I took 13 shots during the ride cycle with various shutter speeds and the ride at various heights. Most were good - but this one just stood out a little more. The fact that the person was so still in that shot is what made me pick that one! Glad you noticed!

Seriously amazing photos man! I know it takes a LOT of patience to get pics like these, waiting for people to clear, trains to pass etc. so you've got mad respect from me!

The pumpkin snake is pretty cool, indeed.

 

Awesome photos! It really looks like Cedar Point is continuing to improve the overall theming of Halloweekends as observed by your photos.

 

Seriously thinking that I need to try and get out there this Friday night as the weather is looking like it is going to be great!

Amazing photos. The colors are so vivid. Really making me miss Cedar Point!! .... it's going to be a long off season.

Well done some really great pictures. i wish i could get you to take pictures of my car with that as my background. Looking at them makes me pumped for my trip to Cedar point the last weekend of October