Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
Truly the greatest amusement park in the World (click here to see their web site). This park has everything you could ever want, and lots of it! Their staff also knows what they are doing (BG can't always say that). They know how to load and unload fast and still make sure everyone is having a great time.
A side note about the summer of 2001: My friends Michael and Nathan and I drove to Georgia, Michigan and Ohio (Michael and I also went to Williamsburg, VA) in the summer of 2001. During that trip we drove nearly 4,000 miles and rode 17 coasters (Michael and I added another 4 in VA). During this trip we spent a day at Six Flags over Georgia, two days at Cedar Point--two days of non-stop fun and then Michael and I spent a day at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. What a great time!
While I still think the front seat of Montu is the greatest coaster thrill in the world, Millennium Force is a very close second (and Michael and Nathan think it is number one). I have to admit, that first drop is like nothing I've ever experienced before or since!
Millennium Force (Rating: 9.8)
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This coaster comes in a close second in my rating. A lot of people rate it as number one in the world. There are good reasons for people to feel that way, as it is truly an amazing coaster. The reason I rate it a little lower than the front seat of Montu is because of the overall ride. There is no question that the first drop of Millennium Force (MF) is incredible. That drop beats every part of Montu. The problem is that the drop is really all MF has. The rest of the coaster is marginal at best. It is not inverted, there are no loops or cork-screws. Just up and down. It is fast! Boy is it fast. And that first drop is great. But the overall ride of Montu is still just a little bit better. It is a close call, but my vote still goes to Montu. Statistics
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| My totally subjective rating: | 9.8 |
| Type: | Steel |
| Status | Operating since 5/13/2000 |
| Builder | Intamin AG |
| Categories: | normal |
| Length (feet): | 6595' |
| Height (feet): | 310' |
| Drop (feet): | 300' |
| Inversions: | 0 |
| Speed (mph): | 93 |
| Angle of descent (degrees) | 80 (feels like 90) |
| Duration (m:ss): | 2:45 |
| G-Force (g): | unknown |
| Capacity (riders per hour): | 1600 |
Other Information: |
This is currently the tallest continuous circuit rollercoaster in the US. After the drop you are taken through a 280º banked turn and then go through a metal tunnel. You then go through several "bunny" hills. The speed remains very fast through the whole ride. |
Top Thrill Dragster (Rating: 8.6)
This coaster is similar to Knott's Berry Farm's Xcelerator, but even better. If you click on the picture of me and Michael you can see that our faces are even pulling back from the excelleration. It was pretty amazing. And at the top you feel totally weightless.
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Statistics
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| My totally subjective rating: | 8.6 |
| Type: | Steel |
| Status | Operating since 5/4/2003 |
| Builder | Ingenieur Büro Stengel GmbH |
| Lift/Launch System: | Hydraulic Launch |
| Length (feet): | 2800' |
| Height (feet): | 420' |
| Drop (feet): | 400 " |
| Inversions: | 0 |
| Speed (mph): | 120 |
| Angle of descent (degrees) | 90 |
| Max Acceleration: | 0-120 mph in 4 seconds |
| Duration (m:ss): | short ... something like 10 seconds? |
| G-Force (g): | unknown (it was a lot) |
| Capacity (riders per hour): | 1500 |
| Elements: | 90° Vertical Spiral 420' tall Top Hat − Outside 270° Vertical Spiral |
Other Information: |
Hydraulic launch system Magnetic braking system Tiered seating on the coaster’s cars for better viewing (similar to stadium seating) 270-degree spiral on descent |
Wicked Twister (Rating: 8.0)
This was one of the newest coaster when Michael and I went to Cedar Point in 2004 (Dragster is newer). It was a lot of fun.
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Statistics
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| My totally subjective rating: | 8.0 |
| Type: | Steel - Inverted |
| Status | Operating since 5/2/2002 |
| Builder | Intamin AG / Twisted Impulse Coaster |
| Categories: | LIM (see note), Shuttle |
| Length (feet): | N/A |
| Height (feet): | 215' |
| Drop (feet): | 206' |
| Inversions: | 0 |
| Speed (mph): | 72 |
| Angle of descent (degrees) | 90 |
| Duration (m:ss): | 0:40 |
| G-Force (g): | unknown |
| Capacity (riders per hour): | 1,210 |
Other Information: |
Single train with 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 32 riders. |
Magnum XL 200 (Rating: 8.2)
This doesn't look like much of a coaster, but it was a very cool!
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Statistics
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| My totally subjective rating: | 8.2 |
| Type: | Steel |
| Status | Operating since 5/6/1989 |
| Builder | Arrow |
| Categories: | normal |
| Length (feet): | 5106' |
| Height (feet): | 205' |
| Drop (feet): | 194' 8" |
| Inversions: | 0 |
| Speed (mph): | 72 |
| Angle of descent (degrees) | 60 |
| Duration (m:ss): | 2:00 |
| G-Force (g): | unknown (it was a lot) |
| Capacity (riders per hour): | 2000 |
Other Information: |
Three tunnels with special effects. The Magnum XL-200 was announced in October 1988 and listed in a 1989 park brochure at only 201 feet tall versus the 205 foot tall statistic seen today. The 201 foot statistic came from the rides blueprints and did not include the height of the footers. |
Other Coasters
I will get all the stats on these coasters and some pictures soon, but I wanted to get this up fast. Hopefully I'll get this page completed in the next week or so. But here are the other coasters we rode at Cedar Point:
The Blue Streak (rates a 5, mostly for nostalgic reasons). This is a 36 year old coaster, so it wasn't so great, but it was a lot of fun.
Cedar Creek Mine Ride (rates a 1). This was Nathan's favorite (j/k). Stats aren't worth mentioning, but I'll probably add them soon.
Corkscrew (rates a 4).
Disaster Transport (rates a 6 because it was totally inside--the coaster itself isn't that great).
Gemini (rates an 7). This is a racing double wooden coaster--well, Nathan an I argued over it being wooden--it has a wooden frame, but a metal tubular track--I think that is cheating.
Iron Dragon (rates a 6).
Mantis (rates a reluctant 7). This was a cool coaster, but it was one of those stand up ones and the "seat" pushes up a little too much for most guys to be comfortable. Nathan and I were in pain during the ride, but for some reason it didn't seem to bother Michael? The track itself was very cool and standing up (other than the pain) was interesting.
Mean Streak (rates a 5). This is a true wooden coaster. If you watch the Simpsons much, this would compare with the tooth chipper. It is a chiropractor's dream.
Raptor (rates a 7). This is a lot like Montu (it is inverted). It isn't as long and doesn't have all the thrills of Montu, but is a very nice coaster. We road the front seat once, as well, and that was cool (other than the bug Nathan got in the mouth).
Wild Cat (rates a 5). Michael was dying to get onto this one. It closed down the first time we got in line for it. It was built in 1970, and it would be cool for kids. Not that great for us though (Michael and Nathan said it was great, but you can only believe about 10% of what they say).