Posted on 05/09/2013 7:55:31 PM PDT by BenLurkin
When the two-minute, 40-second flight is done, riders will have traveled 4,164 feet, at speeds of up to 67 mph and flipped over six times. It's the longest, fastest winged coaster in the world, with the most inversions and biggest drop.
Early fliers were thrilled with the perspective.
“It's an experience like a bird,” said Susan Shick, of Fairview Park, a Cleveland school teacher and secretary of the American Coaster Enthusiasts. “I just love it.”
Engineers from Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard modeled some of the $30 million coaster's key features after stunt-pilot moves, including an Immelmann roll – an ascending half loop followed by a half roll – named after World War I German pilot Max Immelmann. "When I was a kid, we used to call it looping," said Joe Masek of Independence, a member of the Greater Ohio Coaster Club. The industry now has more elaborate names for the twists and turns: wing over drop, heart-line roll, camelback.
Whatever they're called, they'll toss your stomach into your heart, at least temporarily.
The ride starts with a 164-foot drop that incorporates the first of six inversions, a maneuver that will take your breath away. Subsequent thrills include passing through two giant concrete keyholes that seem almost close enough to reach out and touch.
All this, and super smooth, too.
(Excerpt) Read more at cleveland.com ...
Agree 100%, we love it! The coasters are amazing at Cedar Point. Can’t wait to enjoy this one.
Cedar Point ROCKS! I grew up just up the Ohio Turnpike from CP (near Toledo.) Took my last coaster ride on the Magnum XL-200 when it was new. Would love to try this baby on for size, but medically can’t risk it. Great memories though.
BEST Dang Roller Coaster Park On The Planet!
And just a great park all together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJqhApNBjes
I love the Raptor.
It seems a bit tame I suppose, but I could ride that all day.
Heck I still like the old log ride LOL
Reminds me of the Wild Eagle coaster at Dollywood.. Great coaster..
Cedar Point is about an hour east of me. It’s always nice having one of the world’s greatest amusement parks right next door.
I love the inverted coasters.
They really give you that sensation of flying.
I have very fond memories of Cedar Point as a kid growing up in Ohio. Been decades since I’ve been there and oh how I would love to go back and ride all the new coasters.
The modern coasters are far more fun and easier than the old wooden jobs.
And old faves like the Magnum and Blue Streak have zero lines now.
Cedar Point has it all!
The old wood coasters are great. The Blue Streak and the Gemini are awesome.
New wood coasters beat me up too much. I won’t go back on the Mean Streak.
I agree.
The Old Texas Giant would just beat me to a pulp.
I like the old, out and back coasters, but the steel coasters are so much fun without losing your teeth fillings.
When I was a kid, we would go to a then famous park called Riverview in Chicago, IL. It had wonderful roller coasters, the best wooden one being “The Bobs”. It would knock your insides out, and boy was it fun. A little tidbit about the roller coasters:
“Riverview was most known for The Bobs roller coaster. Other popular coasters were The Comet, The Silver Flash, The Fireball and the Jetstream.”
Those were the good old days. Riverview is long gone now. It existed from 1904-1967. But the memories of it live on.
“If your kids or grandkids like roller coasters, Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio is the place to go.”
I live 30 minutes from Cedar Point, and I cannot go a year without going!!!
Top Thrill Dragster baby! Millennium Force, Magnum, everything there!
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