Wheeeeeeee!

One of the benefits of staying “on Point” is entry into the park an hour earlier than the general public. Thanks to one of my friends from high school, we were armed with all kinds of information about the park (i.e. which rides to hit in what order). We ate breakfast at the Perkins restaurant in the hotel and headed over to the gate for early entry.

After the national anthem was played, the gates were opened, and it was off to the races. At least that’s how it felt with the throngs of people running towards the back of the park. Haha!

Here's the final installment (for this trip) of the Saiki-delic Awesomeness Review...

Maverick

Our first stop! J looked the coaster over and decided that he was willing to give it a try. I, however, sat this one out because if I was going to be ruined for the rest of the day, I was going to do it riding Millennium Force! More on that next.

(M) Ride was smooth, very fast, but the turns were hard = 9; (K) Good corkscrews, very fast = 8; (R) Surprisingly fast, a lot of features to the ride, good length = 8; (J) Fun, twisting, fast = 8

Overall SA Rating:  8.25


Millennium Force

Look at that hill!

With time still left in early entry, we headed over to Millennium Force. There was no way J was going to ride it, with that huge, nearly vertical first drop – so he sat outside with the bags. About 30 minutes later, we were buckled in (eeek, only a seat belt and lap bar!) and headed up the hill. I think I started screaming before we even reached the crest and didn't stop until the ride was over.

I survived and didn't even feel sick!

(R) Biggest drop ever, fast = 10; (K) Big drops = 9; (M) Really fast, smooth, tall, big drops, lots of thrill = 10; (Me) So fast and smooth, the drops were awesome with none of the “stomach in your throat” feeling = 10

Overall SA Rating:  9.75


Top Thrill Dragster

Since I didn't have any issues after Millennium Force, I figured I'd better try Top Thrill Dragster while I still had the nerve! So R, M, and I went over to get in line, while K and J went to ride Iron Dragon (and Cedar Creek Mine Ride and Witches' Wheel. Guess we were in line for awhile, huh?!) Zero to 120 mph in less than 4 seconds, then straight up 420 feet! About a 75 minute wait for a 20 second thrill, but it was worth it!

(Me) Found myself holding my breath during the initial launch, wow! but too short, didn't get sick = 8; (R) Super fast, too short = 9; (M) Really fast, long line, too short = 9

Overall SA Rating:  8.7

Iron Dragon

J and K rode this one while we were in line for TTD. The cars are suspended from the track and swing out while moving, just like Ninja at Magic Mountain.

(J) Ninja is better = 6; (K) Good beginner coaster, no thrills = 6

Overall SA Rating:  6

Cedar Creek Mine Ride
Uncle K was such a good sport and went on more rides with J, while waiting for us.

(K) The lap bar is very painful on the thighs, bumpy = 4; (J) A little rough = 5

Overall SA Rating:  4.5


Witches' Wheel
If it spins, J will ride it!

(J) Just like Orbit at Great America = 10; (K) Made me dizzy = 7

Overall SA Rating:  8.5


Gemini
After Top Thrill Dragster, we caught back up with J and K. The line was short, so M and K rode Gemini, a coaster with twin tracks.

(M) Good dips, fast = 7; (K) Racing coaster, dips, walk on to the ride = 7

Overall SA Rating:  7

As we were making our way towards Mean Streak, we passed by the 3-point shootout game. The boys could not resist the sirens' call! And they out-shot the bigger guys who tried (and failed) just before them -- oh yeah! Woohoo!

This location didn't have any Bulls prizes, but we
swapped at another booth later in the day!

Mean Streak
Only M, K, and R wanted to ride, so J and I found a spot in the shade to sit. Unfortunately, it was downwind of the designated smoking area. Boo.

(R) Hurt my back = 7; (M) Pretty smooth for a wooden coaster = 8; (K) Good throwback wooden coaster = 7

Overall SA Rating:  7.3


Skyhawk

After lunch at Chick-fil-A, the nephews and their cool uncle got into line for Skyhawk, a giant swing on steroids. Their old mom and dad gave their tired feet (and eyes) a short rest!

(M) So scary when you're past horizontal = 7; (K) Came out of my seat, only one side was running - long wait = 7; (J) Fun, but too hot standing in line = 7

Overall SA Rating:  7


Raptor

At this point we split up again. The guys got into line for Raptor, while J and I found an air conditioned ice cream shop.

(K) Lots of twists and turns = 8; (R) Like Batman at Magic Mountain = 8; (M) Smooth, really fast, lots of thrills = 9

Overall SA Rating:  8.3


It was hot and the lines were long, so we went back to the hotel for a break. The boys thought the water in the pool was too icky, so they headed for the beach and Lake Erie instead. Really?!

Our room was on the top (3rd) floor in the closest building on the right.
The windows of the turret are the sitting area of our suite.

Windseeker

After cooling off and resting up, we headed back to the park. With much shorter lines now, the boys and R hopped onto Windseeker. J also rode it again one last time before leaving the park.

(J) Good view, fun = 8; (R) Very high up, not too exciting = 6; (M) Very high, good view = 5

Overall SA Rating:  6.3


MaXair

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

(J) Fun, spinny, sat in a lucky place so that we were never looking straight down at the ground = 8; (M) Very scary when you go past horizontal, spinning and swinging, more fun = 7

Overall SA Rating:  7.5


Blue Streak

Less than two hours until closing time, so M, R, and K were trying to hit the rest of the coasters that they hadn't ridden yet. Blue Streak was close by with no line.

(R) Fast for an older roller coaster = 6; (K) Fast for an 48-year old roller coaster = 6; (M) Really fast for an old coaster, some thrill = 5

Overall SA Rating:  5.7


Magnum XL-200

(K) Good ride, good tunnels = 8; (R) Very good, goes pretty high up, scary tunnels = 8; (M) Nice and easy coaster, came out of my seat a couple times = 8

Overall SA Rating:  8


Corkscrew

And for the last ride of their first Cedar Point experience...

(R) Disappointing = 4; (K) Ride too short, boring = 5; (M) Really short = 4

Overall SA Rating:  4.3


Overall, I'd say that we had a great time during our first-ever visit to Cedar Point. Between the five of us, we rode all of the coasters except for Wicked Twister and Mantis. Millennium Force was, by far, our favorite! And the Saiki-delic Ride Warrior Award goes, hands down, to my brother-in-law! He survived more rides than either R or me! Impressive!