Saturday, September 20, 2008

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Six - A Roller Coaster's Hyperactive Cousin

I've always really enjoyed roller coasters/thrill rides [we shall not speak of that which terrifies me, such as ghost mansions and ferris wheels]. In particular, when I was growing up I thought Canada's Wonderland was just the cat's ass. Trips to Wonderland would be planned with meticulous care months in advance [down to who would sit with who and order of rides]. The night before I would be sick with excitement and sleeplessness. These days Wonderland is met with a lot less fanfare. Also, I've been to other amusement parks and I see all too clearly the flaws with Wonderland and their painful, painful rides. To say nothing of the summer I spent working there - that kinda damaged the love [but not killed - it's still a magical place!]. But yes, in almost every way Cedar Point is superior to Wonderland...but now Wonderland is owned by Cedar Fair and the improvements/changes are already obvious.

[here is where I would be putting a picture of the most obvious improvement, Behemoth...but while I remembered the camera I forgot the memory card...ooops...I was too ashamed to tell Joseph this...please, Google "Behemoth roller coaster" to see our new baby...]

Today I rode Behemoth [twice]! It is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada [I realize this isn't saying much as our selection is rather weak] and...Wonderland did indeed get this one right. It runs smooth as butter. Finally! A purely enjoyable roller coaster at Wonderland [okay, with the exception of the double helix @ the end...seriously - who thinks that's a good idea? sample conversation: engineer #1 "looks like a great ride...except it's missing one thing" engineer #2 "yes, the rider won't feel like their head is being crushed for several seconds" engineer #1 "let's add this pointless g-force inducing double helix @ the end instead of anything fun" engineer #2 "hooray!"]. It reminds me a lot of Magnum XL-200 @ Cedar Point, except that Magnum has tunnels with slightly dopey special effects and less hills. I loved the hammerhead turn on Behemoth and all of the airtime generally. The second ride was better than the first as we were in the fly-out seats in the back. Additionally, the seating gives Behemoth the edge over other hypercoasters - it's just a lapbar [and a funky one @ that] - no seatbelts, no over the shoulder restraints of hate. It really gives you a sense of freedom...and yet...because of the unique seating...Behemoth cannot accommodate persons over a certain weight/waistline. So, ironically...Behemoth-sized people can't ride Behemoth.

[besides two rides on behemoth we only went on three other rides. we are getting old. but not too old to stop wonderlanding and stop eating gigantic cookiewiches.]

2 comments:

Colette said...

You know, I've never been to Wonderland. One of these years I'll have to go.

Sydney said...

It's quite good...but always so busy. It doesn't really matter when you go - it's always jammed. We always go in the afternoon and stay until closing - the crowds tend to clear a little by dinner.