If you like roller coasters, you will love Cedar Point Park in Sandusky, Ohio. They have not only a large hotel on the property, but also a very nice campground. One of the perks about staying there is that you get to go to the park one hour before the general public.Got there on a Wednesday afternoon and found our site. We had paid for a back in site, but this turned out to be a pull through one. Woke up the next day at 6:30 at Cedar Point. Our trailer had a new coat. The exterior was infested with muffleheads, or midges (nothing to do with Hogwarts or Harry Potter). Muffleheads are a necessary step in the food chain for birds and the fish of Lake Erie. They are pesky, but harmless, almost like mayflies. Their cousins are mosquitoes and horseflies (both biters). Our trailer and truck were covered with them. Every time we entered either vehicle, we had to brush them away. Some did get inside, but died within a couple of days.
The weather forecast called for clouds in the morning and sun in the afternoon. The sun did not peak through until 6:00 PM. Wearing long sleeves and pants was the dress of the day. Too bad many young lasses came dressed for 80 to 90 degrees. They were almost blue because of the chill.
After breakfast we walked to Cedar Point Amusement Park. The first ride we went to was the Millennium 2000 (a fantastic experience). It is the best roller coaster around for speed, height, smoothness, and for general overall effect. Even the incline is quick. No moss grows on this coaster. Maggie declined to participate. Maybe tomorrow?
She did go on the Mantis, which is a standup coaster. Neither one of us liked it. We felt jostled around (a dissatisfying experience). Maggie was interested in trying the Iron Dragon. It is a suspended from the top metal coaster. It feels like you're flying through the air over the trees and a small lake with smoke coming off the surface. She liked it so much that we rode it again later in the day. Then we boarded the Cedar Point and Lake Erie train which encircles part of the park. The engines are actual steam engines, fueled by coal. The ride takes you places you would not see normally. We stopped at the far end of the park, where I rode the Mean Streak, a woody that encircles on itself numerous times. For a woody it is fast, but hold on to your dentures. They might pop out.
We then rode the Mine Train, a nondescript roller coaster, which is built to resemble a woody, but is really metal. It is short, not too challenging, but has jerky twists. Maggie liked this one too.
I then rode the next best coaster in the park: the Magnum XL 200. This ride takes you out to Lake Erie, past Soak City with many steep hills, tunnels and lots of airtime.
Had lunch at the campsite, took short naps and then returned to the Park. We rode Disaster Transport, an indoor coaster, which is pretty cool, because you are in total darkness. We rode other rides, but were unable to get on some because of my size. They discriminate against muscular, overweight people.
Day 2 at Cedar Point. The sun is out and wind has diminished. The American Roller Coaster Enthusiasts Association was there in force. They are an organization of thrill ride lovers who travel to different amusement parks. For .00 each, they receive admission, parking, and lunch. The park also opens up two hours earlier for them and closes three hours later. They are able to go on the rides numerous times without long lines.
Went on the Millennium 2000 again: this time on the rear of the coaster. We walked around the park until 11:30 and then went back to the campground. Had lunch, broke camp (checkout time was noon), and took a nap. We then went to see some of the shows, which we missed on Thursday. Each one was about 25 minutes in length. One was a tribute to Motown sounds. The other was to Rock and Roll. We were glad that we had gone on the rides on Thursday, because the lines were three times as long on Friday. Because we had tickets to Soak City, a water park, we took advantage of them. To reach the top of the water slide, you have to climb at least 50 stairs. The largest slide has one hundred stairs. I took advantage of them, however. They were exciting. There were at least seven different ones. One of them was in total darkness, which was pretty exciting. On another slide, the inner tube turned itself around and I went backwards down the slide. Most of it was enclosed. But I had a major adrenaline rush.
