And Back

We stayed at the Breakers Hotel right on the park. They have a package that includes park admission for 1.5 days, $30 of "munch money" and some other perks. This package can be yours for the low price of $30 more than a regular 2 night stay. When you add it all up, it makes the hotel about the same as any other hotel in the area, but you get the benefit of being able to walk to the gate (and an hour early, to boot).

Upon entering the park, run--do not walk--to the Top Thrill Dragster, assuming it's in operation. This ride seems to be one of the most finicky rides I have ever seen. The line is long, and the stature is a little unnerving. That being said, it's worth the wait at least once. The smile lasted on my face for more than 2 rides afterwards. Nothing like being accelerated from 0-120mph in less than 500ft. You do the math.

One of my favorite rides in the park is Raptor. For those that have been to a Six Flags park, it's very similar to the Batman rides. It's an inverted coaster manufactured by Bollinger & Mabillard (they have the square rails--Batman, Superman, Iron Wolf, and Raging Bull at Chicago's Six Flags). The big difference between Raptor and Batman? 37seconds vs 2 minutes and 37 seconds. Oh, it has more inversions, too. I could ride this ride all day long and never get tired of it. As with most of B&M's rides, it's worth the wait for the front, and the corners are my favorites.

The biggest surprise of last night was getting in the "1.5 hour" line for Millenium Force at 9:30p (park closed at 10). Even at 10p they were still letting people into the line. I was a little skeptical that they would close the line down or cut off the ride in the middle of the people that were waiting. This is something that I have grown accustomed to in the Six Flags parks. Thankfully, this was not the case. I think the line moved at a record pace. We were seated in the train in less than an hour, and they were still running trains by the time we were back at the hotel (near 11p).

If you have never ridden this ride, I suggest riding it during the day if you have any apprehension about going up 310 feet and being dropped 300. That being said, the ride takes on a whole new personality at night. It almost beats Top Thrill Dragster. Almost. The view on the way up the lift is INCREDIBLE! Once you get to the top, the rest of the ride is almost completely dark. I don't know if it's an illusion, but the coaster seems to ride faster at night.

In general Cedar Point does a great job at moving the lines through. I think part of the reason is that the longer coasters allow them to have multiple trains going (usually 3, but depends on the ride).

The four we didn't ride? Two are kiddie coasters, one was down for maintenance until last night--and I'm happy we skipped it for Millenium Force--and the last one isn't done being built, but it looks like it'll be really cool...

I could go on for hours, but I'll spare you any more of the details. All in all, it was a great weekend, and I look forward to doing it again soonly. Now that I'm back home, who wants to go to Great America? I still have a coaster itch that needs to be scratched.