Wild Weekend

[Harpo]

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Mine went something like this:

Hopped in the car on Thursday afternoon. I drove to Cedar Point, where, from 6 PM to 11 PM, I rode on Raptor, Blue Streak, Wildcat, Iron Dragon, Mantis, Millennium Force, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Mean Streak, Gemini, Corkscrew, Wicked Twister, Disaster Transport, Magnum XL-200, and Woodstock's Express (in that order).

Then, I hopped back in the car. After spending a night in central Ohio, I managed a drive-by of ProfitMount's Kings Island -- I'll be paying them a visit later this year, but not this weekend. Instead, I drove on to Coney Island in Cincinnati, OH, where I rode the Pepsi Python, and some smaller rides. Next, it was on to Stricker's Grove, where I rode The Cyclone and The Teddy Bear, plus some spin-n-go-pukers. Then, I did a drive-by of LeSewersville Lake (maybe I'll go back to LeSourdesville this year, but I'm not betting on it) while on my way back to Cedar Point. I got back to The Point at around 9 PM, caught the fireworks at 10, and the Cedar Point Summer Spectacular at 11.

Back to the car... and on to Elyria, Ohio for some sleep. On Saturday, I performed yet-another drive-by, this time passing Sux Flags Worlds of Annoyance while on my way to Kennywood in West Mifflin, PA. At Kennywood, I enjoyed Jack Rabbit, Racer, Thunderbolt, Phantom's Revenge, and Exterminator, plus lots of their other rides. Kennywood's a very enjoyable park with some neat rides. Then, it was on to Altoona, PA and Lakemont Park, featuring Mad Mouse, Leap The Dips (World's oldest operating roller coaster), Toboggan, and Skyliner.

Back on the road, with a night in Barkeyville, PA. Sunday brought about two more parks. The day started at Conneaut Lake Park, where I rode Blue Streak and Toboggan, plus some smaller rides. Then, it was on to Erie, PA for Waldameer Park, featuring the Comet and Ravine Flyer 3. Waldameer also has a couple of nice dark rides.

After a brief stop at the Presque Isle lighthouse, it was back on the road. This time, the drive-by's included another pass of Sux Flags Worlds of Annoyance, and, (painful as it was to pass it) Cedar Profit, er, Point.

Total for the weekend: 7 parks, 30 different coasters.
Total for 2003: 32 parks, 119 coasters.
Total since starting to keep track in 2000: 115 parks, 398 coasters

Bring on some more!!!

Harpo you have way to much time and money. Can you throw some of each my way?

[Harpo]

Too much time and money? I'm not so sure about that...

After all, I crammed 7 parks into 3 days. And, of course, I look for every discount I can find! (Admittedly, I avoided asking for a discount at Lakemont Park when they indicated they had a special that day: $4, which included a souvenir cup and free pop. For that price, I rode Mad Mouse once, Leap The Dips twice, Toboggan once, and Skyliner twice.)

But, if you REALLY want some of my money, open a coaster, and I'll pay something to ride it!

[flgirl]

That was a amazing weekend, but how did you avoid the bad weather?

[Harpo]

Well, I didn't entirely avoid it, but I was rather lucky with the weather. While at the parks, it didn't rain a drop. While driving, however, I hit some rather nasty rainfalls -- not a good thing when one's top is down and there's not a convenient place to stop to put it up! But, I just looked at it as a different form of water ride!

[IEATPASTE001]

Well i am glad you had fun! that is awesome to hear. When do you plan on going for another coaster weekend? that way i can save up some $$$ so i might be able to go!

Geez I haven't been on that many rollercoaster rides in my life. By the way I'm going to Cedar Point this weekend and there is no way you could get me on the mellenium force or the new one they opened.

[Harpo]

I don't have any definite plans for an upcoming coaster weekend. However, I plan on keeping an eye on the weather and TTD status. When all conditions look favorable, I may head out for a Friday evening at The Point in order to ride TTD, then I'm thinking of heading to a small park in Indiana called FunSpot for that Saturday. (This time of year, a Saturday at The Point would be nuts!)

I'd also like to manage visits to Kings Island, Canada's Wonderland, and, maybe, Great America this year. (I skipped Great America last year.) However, I'd probably be looking to do those on September weekends, when the crowds would be smaller.