24 HOURS UNTIL DPCP '03! TOMORROW! WHOO-DOGGIES!

**Sniderman** · 04-15-2003, 09:35 AM

Hey gang,

Well, I'm thinking of arranging a little field trip for the memebers here and I need a headcount of those who might be willing to come.

I'm in Ohio, home of Cedar Point - The "Roller Coast." This legendary amusement park has more coasters than anyplace else on earth as well as several world-record breaking rides. The Magnum XL-200 was the first coaster in the world to break the 200 ft. mark. Then the Millennium Force was the first to break the 300 ft. mark. And now, this year, the new Top Thrill Dragster will be the first to break 400 ft, will reach speeds of 120 MPH, and has a drop of - get this - 90 degrees. Straight. Freakin'. Down.

So, I thought sometime in September, it'd be a hoot to have a bunch of us descend on the park for a DP Day Out. There is more than just the thrill rides, of course. Lots to see, do , and play. Oh, and did I mention the Cedar Point Midway Arcade? Home to hundreds of classic video games still in pristine working condition.

So, that's what I'd like to arrange and that's what I'm asking. I want to find out how many folks would be interested in showing up for a day to ride and play. Please do not vote as a "Yes" if realistically you know there's no way you'll be able to make it.

Well, get to voting. I'll announce more concrete details (dates, times, directions, other fun things going on) as the summer progresses.

**Achika** · 04-15-2003, 04:55 PM

*raises hand*

I'm up for a september meeting

**bargora** · 04-15-2003, 05:03 PM

REQUEST APPROVED

**Queen Of The Felines** · 04-15-2003, 06:10 PM

How far away is the drive from Chicago?

Kristine

**bargora** · 04-15-2003, 07:23 PM

For the Queen, I shuffle off to Mapquest...

Lessee. Chicago, IL to Sandusky, OH...

289.4 miles, or 4 hours 47 minutes estimated one way drive time.

**Queen Of The Felines** · 04-15-2003, 08:10 PM

That's it?! Then count me for a YES!!!

Thank you Bargora!

Kristine

**ehall** · 04-16-2003, 09:41 AM

Too far out of my reach. Be sure to take lots of pictures.

**Kid Fenris** · 04-16-2003, 02:35 PM

I'm sure I could make it. I'll be heading up to Cedar Point in two weeks' time, so I should know the route.

And I am intrigued by the mention of this "classic" arcade. Might it have early-90s coin-ops as well as stuff from the Pac-Man era?

**bargora** · 04-16-2003, 02:47 PM

From my recollection visiting there last summer, the arcade is really skewed to 80s, even early 80s stuff. You can play Space Invaders or Red Baron if you like. It seemed like there was a lot of duplication there, cutting down on the variety (and probably easing maintenance).

Oh, yeah. I think there was a Tekken machine there.

There are a few moderns, like those big-ass Star Wars sit-down machines. My cousin and I had a lot of fun with the "MTV Drum Simulator", which I guess is an americanized DrumMania.

**Sniderman** · 04-16-2003, 02:58 PM

Fenris, if you're heading to CP, give us a quick report when you return. The two things I want to know is:

1. Status of the CP Arcade right there on the Midway. You really can't miss it. I think (don't quote me) there's a Snoopy gift shop right next to it - in case you can't find it. Report on condition and number of machines within and approximate era. (Most were mid-late 80s last time I was there). Just do a walkthrough and glance about if you're near it.

2. Second, I want a first hand account of Top Thrill Dragster. Even if you don't climb aboard, I want to know if it's as awesome in person as the clips on-line make it out to be.

You have your orders, soldier.

**Kid Fenris** · 04-16-2003, 03:30 PM

I hope that the arcade's actually open when I head up there. I'm going for "media day," and the last time I attended such an event at an amusement park (King's Island), everything was closed except for the two central attractions.

The second order should be easy to fill, though, since CP is specifically inviting everyone there to ride the Top Thrill.

**Sniderman** · 04-16-2003, 03:47 PM

Media Day?!? Dammit. I was entertainment reporter for the Mansfield News Journal for 7 years, and I NEVER got a media day pass for any of CP's rides. Screw 'em then.

**den68** · 04-17-2003, 11:48 AM

HELL YEAH I'm in!!!! I go to Cedar Point every year usually in September btw. Great idea. The Arcade has a good mix of new and old and yeah that MTV Drum Machine was a blast.

can't wait to ride the Top Thrill Dragster!

the Millennium Force is a rush but the Magnum still rules all.

**den68** · 05-05-2003, 03:55 PM

*bump*

thought I'd dig this one up. it needs to happen, should be a lot of fun.

**Kid Fenris** · 05-05-2003, 11:23 PM

Well, I went to Cedar Point’s “Media Day” last week, and I almost don’t want to talk about it.

To put things in perspective, the drive up to CP from Dayton took three hours. Looking back, it was probably the most enjoyable part of the trip.

Upon arriving at the park, my co-workers and I discovered that, as we had expected, everything was closed except for the Top Thrill Dragster and the Coasters restaurant. After getting some rather nasty burgers and shakes at the eatery, we headed for the Dragster and found ourselves at the end of a line of about 150 people.

So we waited, watching the Dragster car make its way up and down the enourmous arc. Though the ride lasts for about 15 seconds, they sent roughly one twelve-person car over it every twenty minutes. Still we waited, getting sunburns and drawing slowly closer to the front of the line. All the while, other rides in the park were being tested, their empty carts and seats mocking us as we anticipated our turn on the Top Thrill Dragster.

And then it happened. One of the cars didn’t make it over the Dragster’s arc. It barely reached the halfway point of its journey up before it slid back down the track to its starting point. We were actually expecting this, as a sign next to the ride stated something to the effect of “Occasionally, a car will not reach the top of the arc. It will then slowly return to its original position. This is normal.”

Apparently, this wasn’t normal to the people running the ride, as they stopped it and refused to send any cars up. The hours went by, we kept waiting, and eventually it clouded up and started raining. It was then that my boss got sick of the wait and decided to leave. So we left.

And thus I didn’t get to visit the arcade or even ride the dragster. I did, however, get a commemorative coin that identifies me as an “inaugural rider” of the Dragster. This is, of course, a complete lie, because I never rode the damn thing.

Anyway, the Top Thrill Dragster seemed like a blast, judging by the screams of everyone who came down it. But it’s a pretty short ride, and I’ve got to wonder how long you would wait for it on a typical day.

I’d still like to head back up to the park for a DP get-together, but I think I might skip the Dragster.

**digitalpress** · 05-06-2003, 07:46 AM

I've talked to Sniderman about this already, I'm all for it - I just need to convince him to time this with Sean Kelly's annual "Chi-town Classic" so I can do both while I'm out there in the fall.

w00t > Everyone

**Queen Of The Felines** · 05-06-2003, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by digitalpress

I've talked to Sniderman about this already, I'm all for it - I just need to convince him to time this with Sean Kelly's annual "Chi-town Classic" so I can do both while I'm out there in the fall.

w00t > Everyone

If that happens I definitely want to car pool with you!

"Joe, are we there yet?"
"Joe, I have to go to the bathroom."
"Joe, are we there yet?"
"Joe, how much longer until we get there?"
"Joe, get your hand off my thigh."
"Ooo, look at the cows!"
"Joe, are we there yet?"

Yep, sounds like fun.

Kristine

**asharru** · 05-06-2003, 11:02 AM

I'd like to go, but I will have to see about the dates. My girlfriend and I have been talking about finally getting married(dating 5+ years), and we are thinking about September. Cedar Point is only a few hours from here though, and we usually go during that time of the year. I'd love to meet some of you guys.

**ubersaurus** · 07-07-2003, 09:56 PM

I'm confident I could show up, after all, I missed out on a trip this past week, so I ain't missin out on another one ;p

**Oobgarm** · 07-08-2003, 06:49 AM

I am absolutely petrified of roller caosters, but hey, if a group outing's afoot, I'm game. When I used to go to King's Island here in Cincy, I spent all of my time at the arcades. That might be fitting when going to the park with a group of folks from a VIDEO GAMING board.

As long as I know a few weeks in advance, I can make the drive.

**den68** · 07-09-2003, 09:38 AM

last I heard the Top Thrill Dragster may be closed for the year because of all the mechanical problems it's having. I didn't see any info about it on the CP website, maybe they've got it running.

any dates for this trip yet?

**Sniderman** · 07-09-2003, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by den68

any dates for this trip yet?

Nope, as most DP'ers are prepping for CGE in less than 30 days. However, I can tell you that DP at CP 03 *will* be discussed at CGE and a date should be finalized upon my return Aug. 12-13-ish. Best guess as of now, first or second weekend in Sept. Best I can give you as to a hard-date. Stay tuned.