Cedar Point Trip Report: The Good, The Bad and the Broken.

Cedar Point Trip Report

The Good, The Bad and the Broken

Day: Saturday. 

Date: May 11th, 2013

Wow, so much to say about Cedar Point for opening day. Within this post you'll find an unbiased report of Cedar Point and the hotel which we stayed in, the Knights in Sandusky. On this journey you'll find opinions of three different people, Myself and my Husband Kitsune Hazard of Kitsuneverse as well as a good friend Alex who (while not a park pro) has been going to CP since childhood. I've divide things up into sections to allow for quick viewing, so you may find the layout a bit odd!

Hotel Review: Knights Inn, Sandusky, Ohio

Address: 2450 Cleveland Road, West Sandusky, Ohio, 44870
Rate Paid: $67.70

Opinion: Very Good

Image from KnightsInn.com

We arrived around 10:30pm on Friday night after a very long and rainy drive from the Pittsburgh Area. This being a new hotel for us, we had no idea what to really expect from the online reviews (which I really don't trust). The front desk staff was nice and quick with check-in, making small talk about Cedar Point. Not only was this person knowledgeable about the hotel, they knew a lot about Cedar Point and I enjoyed gabbing about to torment of watching new rides being constructed while not being able to ride them!

Fast forward to the room. It was goodly sized with two queen size beds, non-smoking (as that was what was available). While perhaps showing a bit of age (slightly worn carpet, older A/C unit and a few paint scratches around the doorways), we found our room comfortable and as clean as possible. All the goodies inside worked perfectly, so while maybe older this room was surely worth the rate we paid! The rooms really are just as nice as what's seen on their website. Unlike most hotels in the Sandusky area, this one also had the train noise issue but we found it to be muted and distant, causing no interruption in our sleep.  We also where located right next to the Sandusky Airport but noticed ZERO airport noise even during the morning, so I wouldn't worry much about it personally unless it gets far busier in the summer. 

The biggest surprise was the continental breakfast. We didn't expect much more then juice, cereal, donuts and coffee. However, we all got a happy surprise. In their central "Florida Room" we found a wide collection of breakfast yummies including the expected but also finding goodies like Bagels, English Muffins, Sweet Rolls, Pop Tarts, Oatmeal and a variety of juices and coffees. It was a nice surprise and a step above your average "cheap hotel" offerings. Naturally we sampled a little bit of most things and found all of it fresh and tasty, so we saved a bit (and our stomachs being chewed up) by skipping fast-food fare.

Overall, this hotel is an excellent deal in my opinion. I'd happily stay here again on our next trip to Sandusky and Cedar Point. I wouldn't pay more then about $125 for it during the peak season but anything less then that and I believe you've got yourself a good deal!  

Cedar Point Park Review 

Admission Cost: $37.99 (Special online rate)
Opinion: Good but Problematic
Weather: Liquid Crap (Cold/Windy)

Part 1: Arrival

We arrived at Cedar Point about 9:36am to find massive crowds and abysmal weather. The crowds we expected but the weather was a bit of a surprise as the weatherman had predicted 67 degrees and partly cloudy all day until a chance of rain around 8pm, needless to say what we got was completely different. Gloomy overcast skies, windy and a high of 56 (all day) caused us some distress but we survived.

Our frustrations of the day begin as we approached the gate. We called Cedar Point no less then 4 times within 24 hours to check the time of gate opening, each time we where assured this would be at exactly 10am. With the weather we figured half an hour early would be plenty of time for us to get a good spot in line and enjoy the "running of the bulls" which is a CP tradition. Imagine our shock and anger when we finally managed to work our way through the massive Passholder Line to find that by 9:45am the gates where already open to general admission! Apparently the gates opened for general admission much earlier then the park advertised, we began our day by being very displeased. If we'd have known we'd have arrived MUCH earlier in the day!  After collecting our "Opening Day Gatekeeper and Coke Drink Huggie" gift from the park we were off, our beacons set for the last known home of Disaster Transport and Gatekeeper.

Part 2: Rides

Holy LINE, Batman! With the unknown early opening, the line for Gatekeeper was completely ridiculous 4.5-5 hours long by this point. After a quick conference with my cohorts, we decided we'd skip it for now and head deeper into the park. Our logic being that 80% of the people where taken up with this line, we'd go ride everything else THEN attempt to jump into line for Gatekeeper later in the afternoon. 

(To read the FULL Review on Gatekeeper please visit: Gatekeeper Review)

Our first stop of the day was predictably Blue Streak, which we where very pleased to find operating after it's close encounter with a dump truck over the closed season. Always a lovely ride, we got  good bit of amusement out of a school group in front of us who seemed to think this classic woodie was "terrifying". After our enjoyable, if half frozen, ride the coaster bug had bitten and all of us where chomping at the bit for our much needed adrenaline rush!

A quick side trip over to Cedar Downs, which is the last remaining Derby Racer left in the US. Think of a carousel that races, it's a flat ride but worth a stop! So, we stopped, we rode, we still love it even if not the most amazing ride in the park! After this we stopped and picked up the "Souvenir Bottle"for the 2013 season. Now if your not familiar with this, it's a good deal. For $12.99 plus tax you get a drink bottle which comes with free refills for the day of purchase and if your coming back to Cedar Point later in the season refills are only $.99 cents plus tax. Seeing as none of us mind sharing (we're all 90's kids, we're not scared of germs) it was an excellent deal considering the price of a single soda at the park!

Next Stop, Iron Dragon! Oh, Iron Dragon, how I love you and your swinging! Okay, so this isn't the biggest or best ride in the park either but all of us must confess, we love suspended swinging coasters. Not many of them are left and they seem to be disappearing quickly, so ride it and show it some love!  Now, Alex and I got the bright idea of "Let's sit in the front". Have I mentioned we're not too smart sometimes? Because this was NOT our best idea of the day. We enjoyed our ride around the random shouts of "I'm COLD! I can't feet my hands! Holy Shit, COLD!" which echoed around us, I'm fairly sure Kitsune was laughing his ass off behind us as we provided the wind block!  Thus the new rule of the day, No front row! 

Moving on we checked the line for Millennium Force and found it at an 1 hour and 45 minutes, Nope! We moved along heading towards Maverick and Mean Streak. We where rather surprised to find a 2 hour line for Maverick. While a good ride, none of us felt it was worth the time so we headed to Mean Streak, or as we call it "Our personal Chiropractor".  We where rather shocked to find it actually HAD a LINE! Granted, not much of one at 20 minutes but still surprising as I don't think any of us have seen such an event. So we jump in and quickly jump on, not in the front seat, we learned our lesson with Iron Dragon! We still froze our hands off as none of us can ride with them properly holding onto something and we got shook all to hell but we loved every damn moment of it. Another classic wooden coaster that lives up to it's name, Mean Streak. 

At this point it's now 11am and the Mine Ride was just opening. Seeing as how it had exactly a five minute wait time, we jumped in line. Seriously, who wouldn't with no line?! Anyway, we spent our massive five minutes of wait time trying to figure out how this tiny coaster got to 40 MPH. The best we can figure it's the helixes which produce the speed, we're still suspicious about this and will have to conduct some testing on our second trip!  This ride is so quiet we proceed to have an entire conversation during the lift hills and during most of the ride, which we found comical (have I mentioned we're a weird bunch yet?). So we ride and once again enjoy ourselves but we're still curious about this speed thing, so we head towards Gemini and Kitsune has a bright idea! He downloads "Ulysse Speedometer" and we decide we're going to test some coaster speeds while we're screwing around! 

A quick stop for a Corn-dog (more to come on the food later) and jump into line for Gemini. Now I admit, this is NOT one of my favorite rides at Cedar Point. Somehow it ALWAYS manages to beat me up in some way/shape/form yet I keep riding it. About 15 minutes later we're next in line when a collective groan goes through the crowd and an employee goes running towards the lift hill. We've found our first idiot of the day! Someone decided to take out a camera and stopped the Blue side, thus causing a delay. So we end up waiting an extra ten minutes because someone can't follow the rules before boarding out "Pain Express" train. Kitsune has his handy little App running and off we go, the entire time I'm wondering why they couldn't have made this ride less pain-inducing or banked the turns a little bit more? Augh! Upon exiting I chew down two advil and we discuses the speed on Gemini, which is apparently 64.7 when cold outside! 

Working our way around, we take a break over in the smoking area of kiddie land. In the process we notice just how creepy and giant this snoopy is. Then us, being us, noticed that it's sitting on top of the bouncy house.. kind of like a toilet.. because we notice things like this. Hey, I never said we where entirely mature either! Needless to say we decided the Snoopy must had have some seriously spicy chili because if the bounce house was the toilet then the kids are.... 

Yeah, Spicy Chili.

So as we're sitting down and relaxing for a few, plotting out next move we hear Top Thrill Dragster launch. This is surprising because it hasn't been running all day due to winds. When we turn around and look, it's full of people! Now we're been in the area a few minutes and din't once hear this thing testing. I can't honestly say if it did or not but we never saw it yet it launched with a full train, this made us seriously question Cedar Point and what the hell they might be thinking. More so when the first loaded launch of the day was a complete rollback, which we found comical as hell.  While laughing at Dragster, we decided our next move which would Mangun XL200 then finally heading over to Gatekeeper.  As we headed towards the Magnum line, it was closed, which was odd but we can roll with it and headed towards Gatekeeper early.

Now, I'm not going to talk about Gatekeeper in this post. Why? Because I've already covered that ride in deep detail in another post. If you'd like to read our adventure and opinion on the newest $30 Million addition to Cedar Point, Please visit: Gatekeeper Ride Review. 

However, while relaxing and discussing Gatekeeper (and how we'd like 3 hours of our lives back) amongst ourselves in the closest smoking area (directly next to Wicked Twister) and with other random folks who stopped by to relax, Alex notices something odd on the ground. Honestly, I'm not paying that much attention until I spot Alex picking something up. Looking over we found a cleanly sheered bolt laying right on the ground.  Well THAT isn't comforting! More so since we're sitting right next to a roller coaster with a semi-crappy history. Now it could have come from the awning but frankly we're still not comforted. So it was at this point we decided not only did we get a FREE souvenir but we'd be skipping Wicked Twister this time around, just in case! 

Now it's begining to get dark and we're heading towards Magnum XL200, which is by far one of my FAVORITE coasters at Cedar Point. Yeah, she's a little rough after all these years but the lady provides you great thrills! Also notice the picture, already on opening day a burned out light bulb. Little did we know that noticing this odd problem would lead into a massive chain reaction of "Broken Rides" for the remainder of our visit.  Magnum was running but as we jump in line we notice, their cycling empty cars. Listening to a few people we found out Magnum had gone down not only the first time when we headed to Gatekeeper but a second time just before we got into the line. This is weird, Magnum almost never goes down in our shared experience and it wasn't nearly as windy as it was earlier. We couldn't figure out what on earth was going on but we quickly got distracted by the fact Magnum is the only ride in the park that plays DECENT MUSIC in the queue line!  We work our way up and get to load, where we proceed to get a good laugh out of the ride crew. They where cracking jokes about getting people to hurry up in storing their personal items and getting on the ride. This is yet another ride which we have our "Lift Hill Conversation" and a chuckle at the kid who's riding beside Alex, he seemed a bit frightened!   We enjoy our ride and decide to purchase the picture because it was funny as hell (Alex apparently isn't good with On-Ride photos). Not wanting to carry both the photo from Gatekeeper and Magnum around, we run out to the car to stow our stuff and decide to grab dinner (Please see the Food Post). However we make a pit stop at the smoking area and notice another problem. Millennium Force is stuck near the top of the lift hill, with people on it. 

While sitting and enjoying our dinner (with beer!) we notice the weather getting more and more gloomy but Cedar Point seems to have a bigger problem at the moment, the fact Gatekeeper has gone down. Looking around we begin to notice the problems for Cedar Point are mounting, Sky Ride has stalled out, Mantis isn't running and Millennium Force is still stuck at the top of the lift hill. At first we wonder if this is due to weather? Nope! It couldn't be weather as Raptor was still running as was Top Thrill Dragster. We found this funny as all hell, Why? Easy! Top Thrill is entirely dependent on the weather, if the winds are too high it simply doesn't run, which leads to that coaster having a LOT of downtime. So Top Thrill is running while 3 coasters, including the newest addition are broken! That's funny as hell. We listen and people are starting to say that Cedar Point is blaming "High Winds" for Gatekeepers closure.  Now we just talked about winds and Dragster, which is running and is 420 feet tall. Gatekeeper is down and only 170 feet tall. Say it with me? BULLSHIT!  Cedar Point has broken their new toy already, on the frist day and it seems like everything else has suffered a serious lack of testing and maintenance over the winter months. 

Broken Coaster Count: 3

So we decide to head over towards Maverick, only to find it's also DOWN. Inquiring with the ride staff, they have no idea when or if the ride will even come back up today. We stop to figure out what to do next and end up chatting with several people, apparently Maverick has been down most of the day only having opened for about three hours in the beginning of the day when we passed by.

Broken Coaster Count: 4

While chatting for around 20 minutes we somehow got lucky, Maverick OPENED! Holy shit! I didn't notice this until Alex grabbed me and began hauling me backwards with a yelled "RUN" with me having no idea what I was running (stumbling) for. We managed to jump in the line quickly while they cycled cars. We raced though the queue line and up the stairs, giggling with glee. We managed a 5 minutes wait, getting on the second dispatch! Maverick is an awesome ride but I refer to it as another "Boob Squasher" due to the harnesses. Seriously, it hurts! Plus Maverick whips you around a decent bit, so if you don't brace your going to exit with a headache! Either way, squished boobs and all we enjoy our ride. As we're pulling into the station the very first drops of rain begin. Damn, we got lucky!

Using the magic of technology and cell phones, we check the radar and see a heavy patch heading right towards us. Quickly we take shelter and hope it will pass, after about 20 minutes this shows no signs of stopping although it has let up to a light sprinkle, the radar isn't looking to promising either. We decide to head over and see if Millennium Force is running yet. On our way we notice that Top Thrill is no longer running and Mantis still hasn't come back up. However, Maverick is chugging away at a now HUGE line. Not really surprised, we find that Millennium Force hasn't yet come back up either, Cedar Points excuse? Weather.  No, BROKEN COASTER! We're rather annoyed at how they are flat out lying to folks at this point. This isn't Disney World, if something is broken you should just tell people "Down for Maintenance" rather then giving them hope that a broken ride will re-open if only the weather will cooperate. Now some rides DID go down for the weather but we know for a fact that M. Force was down LONG before the weather began and had not re-opened at any point in between.  At this point it's around 9:30pm and we decide that with so many rides broken, we'll call it a night.

As we're exiting we take note that Iron Dragon has also gone down as has Raptor. We're not sure if this is really due to the weather or if Cedar Point somehow managed to break these rides also (as Maverick was running a short walk away). By this point we're not inclined to trust Cedar Point's answers very much. We also notice Gatekeeper is not running and by listening to folks chat as we're walking out we learned that Gatekeeper never came back up that evening. So it really was broken, which doesn't seem to bode well for this season.

Overall, we where rather disappointed in Cedar Point's opening day. They where plagued with problems and broken attractions, during the days it's taken me to write up this report we've heard many people saying this is a constant and on going problem this season. Coasters are breaking randomly all over the park, some rides are not opening at all and others are running very limited numbers. This leads me to believe that during the off season Cedar Point did something stupid. They put all their focus and attention on Gatekeeper in the hopes the other rides would simply take care of themselves. They didn't put in proper testing or maintenance time which is now biting them back. We're going back to Cedar Point on June 6th with friends on a Starlight pass. It's our hope that by then that we can give you a much better report, but right now things aren't looking very promising for the 2013 season at Cedar Point.

If you have addition information or if you've been to Cedar Point since then and have noticed rides being down or issues with rides, please comment! We'd like to hear your take on this matter as well as what excuses you may have been told!

Part 3: Food

Cedar Point is no Disney World and the food reflects that. However, during opening day the carnival-esque offerings where even more horrible then normal and the service was abysmal at best. While we understand it was opening day, the staff working food service seemed to have no real concept of customer service nor how to really prepare their offerings.

Lunch

Corn-dogs. Now it's rather hard to screw up a corn-dog but somehow they managed. The hotdog inside was cool to the touch and the crust was still uncooked on the inside. The service was comical in the sense of "are you kidding me?". The girl serving us had no idea how to use the two windows, so we moved to the "pick up" window and found that the people behind us where served before us. This went one twice before we looked at each other and spoke up, at this point we've waited nearly 10 minutes and ended up waiting another 5 for our lackluster food to be given to us. The price for lunch for 2? $10.58

Dinner

Pizza at Hurricane Hannah's.  Now the pizza was much better in quality to the point we thought it was good, it was at least fully cooked and served to us warm. The size was good for the price, $5.99 for pepperoni, and the crust was pleasant seasoned. Even better, this food joint offered beer! Now if you know anything about us crazies here at InSanity lurks Inside, we like to drink. The beer wasn't crap and was shockingly not hugely overpriced. Nearly a pint of beer for around $8 each.

We hope you enjoyed the review of Cedar Point's opening day and sincerely hope you have much better luck with your trip then we did. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and don't reflect the view of Cedar Point. All opinions are unbiased and all the snark is provided as a free service! Please keep watching InSanity lurks Inside for more Trip Reviews coming in the 2013 summer season, including another visit to Cedar Point in June!

Cedar Point's New Gatekeeper- Ride Review

 Cedar Point's Gatekeeper

Ride Review

Trip Date: Opening Day. May 11th, 2013

Time Waited: 2 hours 45 Minutes

Ride Rating: 6 of 10

Opinion: Good but Missing Something

Recommended Wait Time: No longer than 1 hour and no longer then 1 hour 30 minutes if you've never ridden it before.

Coaster Specifications

Builder: Bolliger and Mabillard (B&M)

Type: Wing Coaster (Custom)

Height: 170 Feet

Drop: 164 Feet

Speed: 67.2 MPH

Length: 4,164 feet

Inversions: 6

(Info from RCBD.com)

  To say that I was anticipating Cedar Point's newest coaster "Gatekeeper" would be a gross understatement. Since the last day of Disaster Transport and Space Spiral on July 29th 2012, I've been watching this newest addition come to life from the ground up. I've watched it like a hawk hopped up on some random illegal drug, twitching with glee at every new construction photo because this coaster had all the makings of pure coaster awesomeness.  This was not only because it was demolishing a classic Bobsled Coaster for it's new home but because Cedar Point has a reputation for world class coasters which thrill even the most jaded of adrenaline junkies.

  My Cohorts for this journey where Kitsune Hazard of Kitsuneverse and my favorite ride buddy and fellow coaster-fiend Alex. Between the three of us, the trip had all the makings of complete crazy fun, to say the weather didn't cooperate would be a gross understatement. Earlier in the week the promises of 71 degrees and partly cloudily became a pipe dream. We arrived to a gloomy, overcast day that had a rough feel and left us asking "Wait, it is MAY, right?!".  Not to be deterred we at arrived at 9:30am expecting to have a half hour wait till the 10am gate opening (which we checked no less then 4 times in 24 hours via internet and phone calls to Cedar Points information number). Imagine our shock and anger to find lines that snaked through the parking lot with general admission gates ALREADY OPEN!  Yes, Cedar Point opened their gates to general admission well before the reported time. To say we were mad would be the first of many undertones of disappointment that colored our day. 

  Using our combined skills we wove our way though the people who where simply standing around behind others with no idea of what to do or where to go. Pausing for a few moments to watch Gatekeeper as it passed through the keyholes of the park entrance and obviously snapped a few pictures along the way.  We quickly found a gate line and jumped in, within about 10 minutes we handed over our printed tickets, collected our opening day "Gatekeeper and CocaCola Drink Huggie" and were free to ride.  Homing beacons already set, we hauled ass through the gathered (and idly standing) people and broke towards the last known home of Disaster Transport.

  Then we saw the line and what a line it was! Although our shared surprise was quickly fading as we found out by taking to a few folks in this massive line that the gates opened at 9am to everyone rather then 10am and that Platinum Passholders and Hotel guests had entry at 8:30am. The line twisted like an expert game of snake back towards the gate. After a few minutes we started taking bets between the three of us how long this line currently was. Finding a rather bewildered looking employee trying to keep order we inquired about how long this wait would be and the answer was "At least 4 and a half.. maybe five hours? I'm not sure but it's at least an hour and a half once you reach the queue line".  After picking up our jaws from the ground we quickly made a new game plan. We were easily prepared to wait 2-3 hours but 4+ was pushing even our extreme outer limits of people-tolerating.  So we decided to enjoy ourselves then return later.

 Returning around 2:30pm we jumped in a much shorter line. After chatting with a few people, we found out the reason for the greatly diminished line. Gatekeeper had gone down completely for at least 15 minutes, causing most people to leave the line in search of other thrills. Seeing our chance we quickly jumped in line, I mean really, who wouldn't?!  Only moments later a random ride employee informed us we couldn't enter the line with bags or would be turned away at the loading platform, we would have to pay for a locker. Mildly annoyed (as nearly all Cedar Point coasters have bins which you can store your belongings in along side the loading/unloading dock) we hustled over to the new lockers and shelled out the required $4 for four hours. As soon as we jumped into line a train was dispatched, the ride was back in operation. Everyone cheered and we made ready to wait. The following was the most boring and dull 2 hours and 45 minutes of our entire day.  The line was, like all others, massive and deceptive. It twisted and turned, teasing you into believing you slowly got closer then in reality another "rat maze" was waiting just behind it... like unwanted relatives at Christmas. The line for Gatekeeper also featured ZERO entertainment included (except for watching what we termed "National Geographic LIVE" on the beach with those rotten Seagulls) to pass the time. Yes, we were THAT bored.

  Around 2 hours into the line  we around bored stiff  Our collective  IQ's have dropped to the level of a river rock and we've complete exhausted our immediate area of people watching. In need of something to entertain ourselves (as all our belongings including phones and books are locked away) we begin discussing our (eventually) upcoming ride. Together we all notice one huge difference with Gatekeeper.

It's QUIET. Eerily quiet, it makes little or no noise outside of the lift hill. The roar of a coaster is complete gone, we suspect this is because of an older trick that's been practiced before. A coaster company will fill the ride supports with sand to damp down the noise, the result is an unnatural quiet which dramatically decreases your excitement levels.  We can only figure this is because Gatekeeper lives upto it's name, passing directly over the entry gate. It would be rather hard to get directions or ask questions with a coaster roaring above you every 2 minutes or so. We also come to realize that this ride cascades on a massive level. We're unsure if this is due to a completely inexperienced ride crew or if having the 3 trains on the track at once pushes the limits of what this coaster is capable of handling. Deciding to time things, we pull out the single cell phone we held onto and began playing with the stopwatch feature. It took between 2 minutes and 9 minutes to unload, load and disbatch a single train.  While the 2 minute window is about average for a coaster, we found 9 minutes to be beyond the realm of acceptable. We followed this pattern for a while to learn if it was due to handicap guests loading? It wasn't. Leading us to believe this crew isn't nearly as experienced with their ride as they should be to handle large crowds. We believe they will improve quickly with the park open but this doesn't bode well for folks traveling to ride Gatekeeper for several weeks.

  Suddenly around us people begin cheering and going slightly crazy. Perking up, we thought this might be the mysterious rumors circling the park of "Free T-shirts" in line. Surely enough a few management types showed up and began throwing shirts into the crowd. You've have thought these must be made of pure gold the way folks reacted. We all love something for free, more so when it's an opening day park shirt but really, they acted like animals. The line completely stalled out, people pushed, shoved and climbed to try and get their paws on a shirt. Oh, don't get me wrong, we tried also (hey, free shirt!) but not to the lengths others went too. This entertainment didn't last long and we where back to boring again within 15 minutes. At this point the stalled out line moved quickly as people realized major gaps formed while trying for free swag. 

  While waiting we begin to notice something else. These people have BAGS! The three of us keep watch on the right side exit and surely enough, people are exiting the ride with purses, backpacks and all other types of carry goods. Now we're mad. Ourselves and those around us were strictly told that we could NOT have a bag in line or we'd be turned away at the loading platform as they didn't have anyplace to store loose articules! LIES! ALL LIES! There ARE places to store your shit on the platform, we believe this is Cedar Point attempting to flush even MORE money out of people by paying for a locker. When you go, DO NOT PAY FOR A LOCKER ON GATEKEEPER! 

  Okay, So we're now rather annoyed and peeved. We also still have another 30 minutes of wait time in front of us (still with ZERO entertainment). Trudging along we keep chatting about the ride and how it's going to be simply amazing, we can't wait and as we begin creeping up the stairs to the loading platform our excitement grows. I believe Alex and myself even bounced around at one point. It's finally our turn and we're confronted with an empty platform. Odd but not unexpected as Cedar Point used this same tactic in 2000 when Millennium Force opened, keeping people in line and the loading/unloading area clear. It explains why the line is slow to move and as long as it is, shrugging it off we gleefully jump into our assigned rows (2nd and 3rd from the back). 

Image from NorthwestSignal.net

  One thing to note: The restraint system and ride cars. Similar to X2 at Magic Mountain it's a combination of both hard and soft restraints. A 'hard' restraint which loosely covers our chest/arm area and a 'soft' restraint which fits very close across your upper body (read: If your female, it squishes your boobs). The seats are raised and tilted back which require (for anyone shorter then 6 foot) handhold leverage and a good jump to get into and out of. I believe I stated getting out of this ride as "Getting out was like trying not to get pregnant by a coaster!" so keep that in mind before your ride on Gatekeeper.

FINALLY, WE RIDE!

  After exiting we agree not to speak of the ride just yet. We collect our personal items from our locker (which we shouldn't have been told to pay for) and conviene ourselves to the nearest smoking area for a drink and a review. 

Overall, no one was impressed. 

  Gatekeeper while proving a fun and very quiet ride, isn't what any of us expected. There isn't really any "thrill" to this newest addition. There was no point on the ride which you experience that momentary "Oh SHIT" moment. Not at the lift hill, nor at the first drop and not even when you pass threw the "Keyholes" of the front gate. The ride is smooth as glass and has that "new coaster" feel but it lacks what we termed as "The Party Piece", the part that makes a good ride incredible.

  That single element which draws you back to the ride, compelling you to wait in hot or cold with long lines for your moments of pure thrill.  Gatekeeper simply doesn't have it.  There is nothing to recommend this coaster when it comes to thrills. It lacks speed, some points seem crawlingly slow to the point you notice the restraint system is massively uncomfortable  It lacks air-time as your so secured to your seat combined with the design, it doesn't provide even that momentary "stomach crawling up your throat" feeling. The drop lacks the promised "Flying at the ground" view we all believed it would have as well as that feeling of "Flying" in general which the coaster train design leads you to believe will happen.

No, it isn't just us either...

  We spoke to random people after our ride (making sure not to discuses it with those who hadn't tried it yet so our opinion wouldn't color their opinion) and everyone who had ridden Gatekeeper on opening day had this exact same opinion. The ride was a letdown.  The consensus of the two dozen or so people we struck up conversations with through our day said the same exact thing which we said "Millennium Force is Better" (one even stated they liked Top Thrill Dragster better).  

  So it's with disappointment I tell you not to get your hopes up about Gatekeeper, it's really not that great. Personally I know your going to want to ride it and experience it for yourself, perhaps you'll find it more thrilling then we (or the people we spoke too) did but I wouldn't plan on it. Honestly, this coaster isn't something I'd wait more then 45 minutes to ride. At the longest maybe an hour if I was with someone who hasen't ridden it before. It's fun but lacking. It's a good ride but has nothing amazing to recommend it. 

  Overall, I do hope you ride it at least once and judge it for yourself. However, I feel with this newest addition that Cedar Point hasn't struck another coaster gold mine like they did with previous attractions. For it's $30 million dollar price tag all I can keep thinking is "I'd rather have Disaster Transport back". 


For the full review of Cedar Point's Opening Day, Please Visit: Opening Day Trip Report- Cedar Point 

Breaking News: Universal Orlando CONFIRMS Harry Potter for 2014

..BREAKING NEWS..
Universal is a bunch of liars!

  This afternoon Universal Orlando Resort finally cracked the seal on what their new expansion will be. I'm sorry to say this but it is Wizarding World of Harry Potter London/Diagon Alley which will open at some point during the 2014 season. 

Screencap of the press release, Read the whole thing for yourself HERE

  They are toting this massive expansion as "The worlds first centrally themed, multi-park experience" since it will now span both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.  They've also confirmed a restaurant (probably Leaky Caldron), a 'marquee' attraction themed around Gringotts Bank and several shops all inspired from the Harry Potter Books and Films. Universal also states more details will be released over time.

Image of London WWoHP

  I'll admit it, I was wrong on this one but I won't apologize for not being a huge fan of the idea. Oh don't get me wrong, it looks cool as hell! As I see it the problems I listed before in multiple posts still exist. Let me review, in short, why I suspect this may have issues.

-Without a single central ticket valid for all parks, this will create chaos with multiple gates inside of each park. Causing just as many 'return riders' as unique riders.

-Massive themeing issues with the "Hogwarts Express" as well as flow problems. Can you imagine waiting 2+ hours for a train ride between parks?

-London is narrow, very narrow. If Universal follows this unique pattern to keep the themeing accurate it's going to make moving around a headache (although I admit, I hope they do keep it to this theme for the 'feel')

  So while I can easily admit it's going to be awesome, I still have some concerns. Personally I'd have liked a unique theme that wasn't Wizarding World to move into Studios. I do love Harry Potter and I love what Universal Orlando has done with this very difficult theme. However, I don't like the idea of it taking over and dominating both parks.

Tales from the Firing Line: The Hitch Escapades

 Ahh yes, here we are yet again. Time for yet another lovely tale from yours truly and my collective time working at theme parks. These are the tales of employee woe, the things that make your eye twitch while maintaining a smile for all to see.

So please, sit back and relax. Keep your hands and legs inside the blog at all times because if you loose a limb, I'm just going to laugh at you!

  Are you asking yourself "Okay Carrie, What the hell is hitch and why are they escapades?"

 Well I've got an answer!

  'Hitch' is the short term for the Clydesdale Hitch you once saw in Seaworld/Busch Gardens parks. Once upon a time they used to go out three times daily during the summer season at Seaworld Orlando and ride through the parks for pictures/horse adoration. However, it wasn't that simple. Employees got pulled from various areas who had the training to work the hitch for these 3 daily runs on top of their normal duties.  These are the tales surrounding my time when I got yanked from my normal area at Sealion and Otter Stadium to work the hitch and all the stupid which it spawned.

  Early afternoon hitch run, myself and another employee (let's call them Timmy) are walking around in front of the lead horses making sure people clear the pathway and keep to the side so the horses and hitch can pass through safely. We arrive at our "parking and photo' spot just outside of Sealion and Otter stadium. All seems normal at this point so I take up my general stance between the first and second horses to make sure that small children and curious parents don't get to close for pictures without the animal handlers permission. 

   Everything is quiet and pretty normal at this point, we've got a 45 minute park in this spot and it's rather shady so it isn't as annoying as it sometimes can be later in the afternoons. Repeat the same thing "please don't touch the horses" and help position people in the "safe" spot for picture next to the horses. No problem, I've got this even if it is a little bit busy today. 

  Now these are live animals. They eat and drink, a lot like us. Also a lot like us, they sometimes have to use the bathroom but unlike us, horses don't care. They'll just go anyplace they damn well please which always results in chuckles from kids and parental eye rolling at such. Not today, Oh no. We've got a special kind of stupid in the crowd this time!

  I hear the tell-tale movement behind me, peering over my should I see this fellow behind me assuming the position. Without missing a beat I take one LARGE step forward and ask everyone near me to step back a bit, people seem slightly confused but comply. This horse just let's loose with a gigantic pee that he must have been holding to 3.5 weeks, it was a never-ending stream. I'm at the safe distance and I promise my work tennis shoes have touched a LOT WORSE things than some horse urine. I really don't care where it is running/puddling on the ground but I warn everyone to be careful until we rinse the area.  The typical chuckles happen and some eye rolling as always but this crowd seems to be okay. From the back comes Timmy with the bucket of water, we ask everyone to please step back. Water gets tossed on the area and I got back to my previous spot. Things seem normal... or so I thought.

  The music picks up which is the 5 minute warning, people have begun to disperse at this point haven gotten their photos and up close looks. Then suddenly, directly in front of me is Angry Mom #1 (AM1) with stroller and behind her is Head-Nodder (HN) with stroller. 

  Angry Mom #1 with Stroller stomps up to me in a huff, running over the toes on my right foot with her 2.5 kid stroller and proceeds to get right into my face.  Joy.

AM1: How dare you! You let that animal... (she can't even SAY pee) in front of my children!

Me: I'm sorry ma'am but he is an animal and when they have to go, they go. 

AM1: (With increasing volume) IN FRONT OF CHILDREN?! THAT'S INDECENT! 

HN: *Nodding Vigorously* 

Me: I'm sorry you feel that way Ma'am but I have no control over this animals bathroom habits. 

(At this point I wave for Animal Care to come over, she starts heading my way)

AM1: MY CHILDREN WILL BE SCARED FOR LIFE BECAUSE THEY SAW THAT.. THAT... (She still won't say pee)

HN: *Keeps nodding and wincing at proper moments*

Angry Mom #1 with stroller keeps going on about how said horse taking a leak has just damaged her children beyond ALL repair, they will never recover! I'm beginning to wonder if these kids are going to spend their life in diapers because of Angry Mom #1's bathroom issues, all while I keep nodding and apologizing at proper points during her rant. At this point Animal Care has come up beside me, I look over and spot my co-worker doing her damnedest not to bust a gut laughing at this woman.   Angry Mom #1 with stroller spots Animal Care (AC) and this is the result.

AM1: Are YOU in charge of this animal?!

AC: Sure am, he's a beauty. I couldn't help but hear your upset about him?

AM1: He ...WENT... in front of my children!

HN: *Nodding again*

AC: Well Ma'am I'm sorry about that but he is an animal. They aren't trained like cats or dogs to only go in certain places, he just goes were he wants. We try to make sure these accidents don't happen in the park but sometimes they do.

AM1: WELL YOU NEED TO TRAIN HIM! LIKE A DOG! CAUSE MY CHILDREN HAVE DAMAGE FROM THIS!

AC: Perhaps you could explain that we all sometimes have to go?
Me: *Muttering* Oh crap, here we go..

AM1: HOW DARE YOU TELL ME HOW TO RAISE MY KIDS! I'M GOING TO SUE! I'M GOING TO OWN THIS PARK!

HN: *Sneers*
AC: *Looks scared*
Me: *Wondering if I have anymore Aspirin Powder's stashed in my locker*

Animal Care just looks at me. I just shrug at this point, someone threatens to sue and 'own this park' at least twice a week in my experience. I've dealt with this a lot in the past but Animal Care rarely has to deal with these kinds of issues, so I jump back in to help out.  Angry Mom #1 with stroller now has a crowd watching her little drama display.

Me: I'm sorry to hear that Ma'am. Would you like us to call a supervisor?

AM1: (Now Screaming) I WANT TO TALK TO THE OWNER! RIGHT NOW! 

Me: I don't know if that's possible but I'll happily call my supervisor for you. Can you wait right here a moment?

AM1: NO! YOUR GOING TO LEAVE! YOU STAY RIGHT HERE!

At this point, Angry Mom #1 with stroller proceeds to yank my upper arm like she probably does her kid. Oh hell no lady, I do not have to put up with your physical bullshit.

Me: Ma'am. I suggest you let go of me. Right now for your own benefit.

AM1: NO! YOUR JUST SOME DUMB KID, I'LL TREAT YOU LIKE ONE!

Me: Ma'am. I'm 19. Let go of me. Now.

NH: *Still sneering and grinning*

AM1: NO! GET THE OWNER!

Oh HELL no.  I proceed to yank my arm out of her grasp (getting a nice long set of scratch marks) Angry Mom #1 with stroller now starts screaming and trying to grab at me. Animal Care is trying to tell the nutcase to back off before she makes the horse nervous. Security has already been called. I'm now loudly telling Angry Mom #1 with stroller to back the hell off or I will be pressing assault charges. She keeps trying to grab me, two employees I normally work with at Sealion and Otter who were sweeping around the area step in to help keep this bat-shit crazy bitch off me. The horses are getting antsy and we're at least 5 minutes over due for return. The drivers are grinning cause they got a show!

Security arrives. Two area Supervisors arrive. One of the employees from Sealion and Otter take's my spot and help get hitch out the gates and back to the stable. In the mean time security has now escorted Angry Mom #1 with stroller and her now scared looking minion Head-Nodder to the back office. Myself and Animal Care have followed along as witnesses, my scratched arm is photographed and we give our incident reports to security. After this it's been at least 20 minutes they've been in the office, Security approach again and asks if I want to press charges, I decline on the condition Angry Mom #1 with stroller and her minion Head-Nodder are given a one year ban from the park.

The security guy grins. This is never a good sign for someone in trouble like Angry Mom #1 with stroller. I'm told she's already mouthed off to the supervisors, called the cops on her cell phone and is claiming mental trauma of a severe sort.. all from the fact a horse had to pee!  Security then relays my request to one of the supervisors and we're both assured Angry Mom #1 with stroller and Head-Nodder are in a lot more trouble then just a banning. We're finally allowed to leave (after I decline first aid, seriously, I've had bigger scratches from wrestling a full trash cart up a hill than what this bitch did).

Later that night I run into one of the supervisors and ask whatever happened with Angry Mom #1 with stroller and Head-Nodder. The story I'm told is rather surprising!

Apparently these two already had a one year ban in effect on the park but they didn't buy their tickets from the park, instead they apparently pick up two from one of the scalper businesses on International Drive. They also had a good bit of stolen merchandise from at least two stores in the park and Head-Nodder fit the description of a woman who shoved a kid out of the way over at Happy Harbor (the large playground area) and caused some kind of injury.  Angry Mom #1 with stroller and Head-Nodder got lead away from the park in handcuffs, plus got themselves a lifetime ban from all Busch parks!

(This story is true and remembered to the best of my ability. Names have been changed to protect the employees and the dumbfucks who got arrested)

Busch Gardens Tampa- The Gwazi Situation

So, What IS the deal with Gwazi?!

The hell if I know, let's find out!

  Basiclly, the Tiger side of the dueling coaster, Gwazi, has been closed since 2012. Some of us really want to know "WHY"?! Which is a perpetual question that bugs me to no end, especially when it comes to why theme parks do strange things. Gwazi is an amazing ride and always was. Now, some folks will tell you that this closure happened because the ride was just 'too rough',  even with the new Millennium Flyer trains.  Say it with me kids, BULLSHIT. It's a wooden coaster, that's kind of what they do. The new trains reportedly didn't help smooth the ride and butchered the main points of Gwazi, air time and speed. I rode Gwazi for years, from the week it opened till my last visit in 2006 on the Philadelphia Toboggan Company trains. It wasn't any rougher then many other wooden coasters I've rode in my years and a good deal smoother then some (Hercules, Mean Streak, Ect). So simply, I'm not buying the 'it's too rough' excuse.

  The officially stated reason is 'Budget Issues' which, if you have half a brain, just screams "BULLSHIT".  Busch Gardens Tampa doesn't have a budget problem, they have a broken coaster and space problem. 

  Let me explain..

  Busch Gardens is located in Temple Terrance, FL (Suburb of Tampa Bay) which is about 9 miles North of the Bay and about 23 miles East of the Gulf of Mexico. Plenty of cool ocean breezes and the lovely salt they carry with them. Salt water is the problem, wood warps easily when went and salt corrodes the hell out of everything. With a wooden coaster like Gwazi so close to so many of these elements, it's probably costing a small fortune in lumber to keep the ride running at any level (maybe this is the 'budget problem'?).  The second problem is termites, they have a field day with any exposed wood in Florida no matter if it's the treated stuff or not. The third problem is sand, the entire state of Florida is nothing but a sand bar on limestone. Sand likes to shift and move around randomly, think of sink holes.  

  All three of these are probably key factors as to the situation with Gwazi. I'm not engineer nor am I a geologist, but I spend enough of my life in Florida to know the problems with any structure. A giant dueling wooden coaster is a rather large structure, after all. 

  Now, before you go off saying it's some kind of a massive flaw with the fact this is a dueling wooden coaster, it's not. Gwazi has a sister coaster,  built in the same style (dueling) with the same elements (Height, Near-Passes, Etc) called Lightning Racer in Hershey Park. Lightning Racer has no massive problems, no "rough ride" and certainly half of it isn't closed.

From CoasterImage.com

  So what does it all really mean? I'm not sure, I have some suspicions of my own but you've got to know the history first. Gwazi was a pet project for Anheuser-Busch Entertainment when it was built, they REALLY wanted a wooden coaster at their Florida park because no one else had one operating outside of the Florida Panhandle at the time. It was a huge deal then, a wooden coaster in Central Florida, MADNESS! When Gwazi was built it had the most fly-by's of any dueling coaster, it is still the largest and fastest double wooden coaster in the Southeast US.. and Busch Gardens had it.

  Now when Blackstone bought out the theme park from InBev (who bought Anheuser-Busch) things began to change. I believe Gwazi is one of those things which will be changing quickly, they no longer want to spend the money to up-keep a pride and pet project. This is my own opinion of what's happening to Gwazi today. 

  Then comes the space issues. Busch Gardens Tampa doesn't really have much space left, their in a rather crowded area surrounded on all side by other businesses, highways, homes and such. This doesn't leave much room, if any at all, to expand with new attractions without getting rid of one key element of this park, the animals.

Example of what I mean. Bad Paintbrush by yours truly. Image from Google Earth

 As you can easily see, they really don't have any space. Sure, you could easily shift around parking lots and such but that's not the point here (trust me, I've seen them parking in the ball field and grass when it gets stupid busy, it's not fun). Gwazi takes up a lot of space. Space that Blackstone could put something new and in need of less TLC into.

  That's exactly what the rumors are saying is going to happen. They've been reported from half a dozen places, including ScreamScape, which say that a new 'speed coaster' will be coming sometime in 2014-2015. I can't tell you if this is true or not, but I can say this: I don't like it. Gwazi is unique and fun and wooden coasters are getting more rare by the day as steel is cheaper and easier to build. Having a wooden coaster is almost a badge of honor for most parks and for someplace like Busch Gardens Tampa, it's a huge achievement and a labor of love. To get rid of it because you want to save some extra cash and labor costs? Not cool, Blackstone. Not cool at all.

  In the end, I can't tell you what's really wrong with Gwazi, just my own speculations. Nor can I tell you it's ultimate fate, just the rumors. However, I can tell you this: to loose it wouldn't be an advantage to the park, it'd be a disability and a damn shame.

Buccaneer Bay Water Park to Re-Open Fully this Summer!

Time for some 'Feel Good New' which we all enjoy hearing!

 

Image from SunHerald.com

This summer, after a long recovery and fighting with FEMA, The Buccaneer Bay Water Park in Waveland, Mississippi will finally complete stage three construction this spring. The park was a complete loss after taking a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, since then they've been slowly re-opening in stages as money from FEMA trickled in.  Now, if we could just kick FEMA in the ass a little harder to get people back into homes and clean up the mess, we'd be in good shape again!

Image from BayouBuzz.Com

Buccaneer State Park is happy to announce that the construction will be over and the final area which contains the wave pool, water slide, wadding pool and concussion area will finally open to the public. This good news also helps out the state park which will finally complete construction on support facilities for the campers and those who travel with RV's.  Buccaneer State Park once had the largest number of daily visitors in the state and with the help of the water park, they hope those numbers will return with it's re-opening.

Info From SunHerald.com

It's always good to hear of a small, local water park coming back after such a devastating hit like Hurricane Katrina.

For more information on Buccaneer State Park and Buccaneer Bay Water Park please visit the Mississippi State Parks website or simply click on the link! 

Universal Orlando DENIES Harry Potter Expansion in 2014

Not-so-Breaking News

Here we go again, on one of my favorite 'ranting' topics! The rumored 2014 'London' expansion of Wizarding World of Harry Potter supposedly coming to Universal Studios.

Well we all know Universal Orlando is in the middle of a giant boom due to the wild success of Wizarding World of Harry Potter which opened in 2010. We've seen this with the new Despicable Me attraction which replaced the ailing Jimmy Neutron. We've watched a brand new Transformers: The Ride 3D go up in a matter of mere months to the point it's nearly ready to open shortly for the mad summer rush. The rumored "Springfield Project" expansion which is going up outside of The Simpsons Ride which may or may not feature carnival style flat rides.  However, does that really mean that giant construction project in the previous Amity Island location is the much rumored Wizarding World London expansion? 

Image from the awesome folks at OrlandoParkNews.Com

Alright, we can't deny whatever this project is... it's MASSIVE. It's beyond massive, it's makes my mind twist around in giddy circles like a dog chasing it's tale with the unknown possibilities of "WHAT IS IT?!".  Which, as you should know, drives me completely crazy. 

Now, the LONG KNOWN problem I have with this being Wizarding World Part 2 (WWp2 for short) is the fact that in February of this year Universal Spokesmen have flat out said that a "A Harry Potter Expansion is NOT coming in 2014" nor have they leaked a word to the press of what this huge building project could be. Now this peice doesn't deny it's WWp2 but it doesn't confirm it either. Frankly I'm still fence sitting on this project no matter how much supposed 'intentional leaking' is done through certain other websites. Personally, I still see entirely to many logistical problems around moving WWp2 into a second park and that's it's about the dumbest idea I've heard since Kings Island tore out the loop on Son of Beast and magically expected it to work right... but again, that's just me. I'm sure you've heard my "Separate Parks Harry Potter Problem" rant before so I won't bore you with it again.

Universal Orlando Resort is a master of misdirection and lately have proven to be even more stealthy then Walt Disney World with their internal secrets. Let's be serious, those of us who flow within the Theme Park circuit tend to know what Disney World is doing before Disney signs the contact papers (the exception being Avatar because NONE of us guessed that one or if we did, we thought it was a nightmare). Now I will admit, This thing has (in my opinion) about a 75% chance of being WWp2 (GROAN) because my husband KitsuneHazard and I have done some fishing and came up with one disturbing image.

Left image from OrlandoUnited.Com. Right image CallyLabourCouncillors.org.uk

Yeah. I know. It looks a LOT like Kings Cross Station in London. That alone makes me bump up my normal odds of 50% on this construction being WWp2 up towards a more respective 75%.  I'm not thrilled as I'd much rather see a new, unique 'movie themed attraction' going into this spot but I know Harry Potter is a giant money machine right now for Universal.  Although with the announcement from the Orlando Business Journal it won't be in 2014 at all, so the soonest we could see this still mysterious area open would be 2015 or later.

However, I still stand fully by my complete and utterly motionless fence sitting ways. Until someone from Universal Orlando steps out onto a platform and tells the world "Okay, you got us. It's Wizarding World of Harry Potter London Edition" I'm not moving from this fence post! So take this rather late breaking news as you will just know whatever it is that is being built, it probably won't be opening for the 2014 season if Universal Spokespeople are telling us the truth.