Please compare US / IOA rides to Cedar Point coasters??

[rockin_rep]

For anyone that has been to both Cedar Point (said to be worlds best amusement park because of 17+ fabulous roller coasters) and US / IOA ~

Can you compare any of the US / IOA rides to Cedar Point coasters? Even if the names are different, there must be similarities in the actual rides, within the structure and design etc.
(For example, is Hulk anything like The Raptor? totally an example, as i'm clueless!)

Themes aside, DH now says he'd rather do CP for bonafide, guranteed thrill rides and stick to WDW for theme parks.

At this point, i'm ambivalent; i too love WDW and wouldn't mind staying there exclusively again this spring.

Comments? Feedback? TIA!

 

[ChrisFL]

Ok, Ive never been to Cedar Point, but if you're looking for that kind of experience at IOA, you won't really find it. IOA only has 3 major coasters, BUT they are some of the best, without being the tallest or the fastest. Hulk has the best 5 seconds of any coaster with the launch and zero-g roll, Dueling Dragons is the only coastrs in the world which comes within inches of each other 3 times during the ride.

Once you go past those, there are still other great thrill rides that you won't find anywhere else, even Disney. Spiderman is far beyond nearly any theme park attraction. Then there's the water rides which are some of the best you'll find anywhere.

U.S. has the Mummy in the thrills department which is an indoor coaster and you won't find anything nearly the same at Cedar Point. U.S. a lot of other unique attractions like Men in Black where you shoot aliens and spin a lot.

If you want tame theme parks then go to Disney, if you want thrilling theme parks which are IMO better themed than Disney and with much more exciting rides, go to US/IOA.

 

[EUROPACL]

I've been to Cedar Point. It was ok. Millenium Force is a lot of Hype and little payoff. Yeah its tall and fast that is it. Hulk kills it. Dueling dragons compares to Raptor which to me is the best coaster at Cedar Point. Only on DD you get two different coasters with two different track layouts and the three near misses. I've been to IOA and USF 8 times and I'm going back this march. I have no desire to go back to CP....so that should tell you something.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

my family loves thrill rides and we've debated a trip to cedar point for years. but the cost of the trip would cover all of our AP's to 'our' parks here. between busch gardens, seaworld, UO, and WDW (I still love space mtn.) we've got a some of the highest rated and most unique coasters and attractions in the world. someday we'll make it up to Ohio. but there's nothing in the world like the front row of the hulk blasting out of the gamma tube.

 

[robvia]

I've been to CP a few times, along with the other parks in the Ohio area.

CP is worth the visit. What I usually do, is fly into Columbus Ohio (CMH), and drive the 2 hours South to Paramounts Kings Island (PKI). After that, I either drive to Pittsburgh to visit Kennywood, or to CP (5 hours to the north).
If you decide on going, stay at the Breakers Express hotel, because you get in early at 9am as a hotel guest. Otherwise, you wait until 09:30am. Early guests get on two coasters before everyone else.

CP is an Amusement park, while USF/IOA is a theme park. There's a major differance between the two. CP is more of a midway style, the rides are not theamed as much. Whereas, when you visit IOA, each ride has an elaborate queue, music playng, and effects. Here, I'll give you an example.

IOA - Dr. Doom - Shot ride with theamed queue, fog, speech before blastoff.
CP - Tower Power - 240 foot shot ride (taller than Dr. Doom), no theme, no fog, no speech.
Both rides are great.

I could compare more, but the post would go on forever. You know, if your husband really wants the thrill thing, and you and the kids don't, then let him fly up alone. I'm serious. I've been to Ohio many times by myself, leaving the wife and kid at home. This reduces the costs. He could fly up for $200 round trip, drive to CP, stay 2 nights at Breakers Express and get a thrill fix.
I did eventually take the wife and kid up there. We went to CP to start the trip, then went on a horseback ride, then to PKI.

 

[SimonV]

That's a pretty accurate summation from what I've seen of CP (two visits in last 2 years). The CP rides are more of the white knuckle variety and really lack any kind of theming, but they ARE high on thrills (I found Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force a real blast, but Magnum XL was a bit disappointing after MF). There is nothing really like Hulk at all, but CP does have a couple of excellent wooden coasters and the Wicked Twister, which is another powerful ride I haven't come across anywhere else. The maxAir ride which debuted last year is one of the most daunting swing-type rides I've seen, but they will have something even worse (or better, depending on your point of view!) this year in Skyhawk. There are 16 coasters of various types in all, so what CP lacks in theming they make up in quantity, and I would have thought Hulk, DD fans would really enjoy it.

 

[rockin_rep]

IOA - Dr. Doom - Shot ride with theamed queue, fog, speech before blastoff.
CP - Tower Power - 240 foot shot ride (taller than Dr. Doom), no theme, no fog, no speech.

I could compare more, but the post would go on forever.

Thanks for the replies! But i guess i wasn't too clear....

We've been to cedar point literally hundreds of times the last 30+ years!! (i could write a book!) We used to live nearby and LOVE it. We'll go again this summer, and hopefully every summer.

PLEASE DO compare more --- that's EXACTLY what i'm looking for!!!!

I knew IOA would have a *similarly DESIGNED* ride to a coaster at Cedar Point..... such as Dr. Doom = Tower Power....and i'd like to know what other thrill rides compare to, or equal CP rides. (without the themes).

Can someone literally compare more of the rides like that?

The question isn't whether we'll return to Cedar Point, we definitely will.

The question is:
If the THRILL rides at US / IOA are *similarly designed* or *equal to* CP rides (despite the unique themes)...DH says we should forget US /IOA and stick with WDW in april...since we'll be at CP a zillion more times.

So, can someone please compare more of the rides?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[metsfan11]

i love cedar point!

i think that if coasters are your thing (as they are mine), cedar point wont compare much to it

the hulk is somewhat in a league of its own because of the launch

dueling dragons is somewhat like raptor but the two coasters make it great

when i first went to IOA i said that its definetly not like cedar point, but if you are looking for the best coaster experience in orlando, definetly head over to US/IOA!

 

[ChrisFL]

Thanks for the replies! But i guess i wasn't too clear....

We've been to cedar point literally hundreds of times the last 30+ years!! (i could write a book!) We used to live nearby and LOVE it. We'll go again this summer, and hopefully every summer.

PLEASE DO compare more --- that's EXACTLY what i'm looking for!!!!

I knew IOA would have a *similarly DESIGNED* ride to a coaster at Cedar Point..... such as Dr. Doom = Tower Power....and i'd like to know what other thrill rides compare to, or equal CP rides. (without the themes).

Can someone literally compare more of the rides like that?

The question isn't whether we'll return to Cedar Point, we definitely will.

The question is:
If the THRILL rides at US / IOA are *similarly designed* or *equal to* CP rides (despite the unique themes)...DH says we should forget US /IOA and stick with WDW in april...since we'll be at CP a zillion more times.

So, can someone please compare more of the rides?

Thanks so much!!!

If Universal/IOA were amusement parks like CP it would be easy to compare them, but they arent, they are a totally different experience. If you want the feeling of going to another place and time, similar to some of the things WDW offers, but in a different way and that offers thrills you can't find anywhere else, you HAVE to go to US/IOA. CP has nothing like Spiderman, the Mummy, MIB, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, etc.....

 

[yaytezIOA]

I havent been to Cedar Point since they had Demon Drop. How long ago was that? But I can tell you the different rides at IOA. And at risk of sounding like a broken record....themeing is the key at IOA and US. Thats the thing that differs them from say CP or Six Flags, or even the Busch parks.
Example: Hulk is just a launched coaster. Thats it. But you add in the video in the queue and the slow launch to start mixed with Dr. Banner "testing" the coaster, and it turns into a stand alone ride. It has the inversions, it has the speed.
Dueling Dragons again another example. The themeing in the queue line alone is what gets this thing for me. WOW. Knights frozen in place, melted into walls. Icicles hanging from the ceiling, Merlin warning you not to go on. Good stuff. But for those of us who havent gone, post some of your fav. CP coasters, what they are and what they are like and we'll see if we cant come up with the IOA equivlent.

 

[F-L-A]

This comparison doesn't make much sense, if I'm understanding you right. If your husband only cares about thrill rides and nothing else, by all means, go to CP. That's not what Universal is about. It's a theme park, like Disney. I just don't see the relevance of trying to compare it's thrill rides to CP's. Instead, you should be deciding whether you want to take time away from Disney to do Universal, as they are the parks that have more in common and are in the same place. CP probably shouldn't even come into this equation, IMO. It sounds like you're under the assumption that Universal is "thrill rides or bust", as it doesn't offer as good of a "theme park" experience as Disney. Many here will tell you that's not the case, and in fact prefer Universal. I'm one of those people.

 

[DCSMickeyMan]

Ok, Season Passholder at CP you all, and I've gotta say there are some coasters you can't miss. Again, I can't really compare IOA/US to CP, although I've been to all three recently.

Top Thrill Dragster, if you're willing to wait in the 2-4 hour line for it, is AWESOME!! Ive never ridden anything like it(but i've rode it 3 times )

Millenium Force, if you choose to ride it, you must do it at night, it's 10 times more awesome that way

Raptor, an oldie but goodie. Always the first thing i ride there

the new Maxair, queue always looks long, but it goes quickly and is a good ride.

and the new Skyhawk, which will be new for 2006, and looks very promising

 

[RC Fan]

As far as roller coasters, IOA can't compete with CP. DD and Raptor are both inverted steel coasters made by the same company. DD WAS my favorite until I went on Milennium Force. I have yet to try Top Thrill Dragster, but next time.

Is IOA worth a trip for the coaster fanatic? Absolutely, it is a GREAT park!

 

[rockin_rep]

As far as roller coasters, IOA can't compete with CP. DD and Raptor are both inverted steel coasters made by the same company. DD WAS my favorite until I went on Milennium Force. I have yet to try Top Thrill Dragster, but next time.

Thanks for your very helpful replies EVERYONE.

I'm sure DD and Raptor aren't the only two equivalent coasters made by the same company....

Here's the CP coasters link; http://cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/rides/thrill/rollercoasters.cfm

Recognize any other similarities?

I just don't see the relevance of trying to compare it's thrill rides to CP's. Instead, you should be deciding whether you want to take time away from Disney to do Universal, as they are the parks that have more in common and are in the same place.

That's exactly our quandry ~
DH is all about thrill rides, altho he LOVES WDW! Since we have CP, he thinks we should stick to WDW. I'm all about WDW and ambivalant about thrill rides (altho i DO love RnR coaster). But i do think it would be fun to try the IS/ IOA experience; DH thinks we should stick to WDW and just plan another day at CP this summer.

Thanks again for your replies, any other feedback?

 

[damo]

I think Universal would make you all happy. There are hard core thrill rides (better than Disney) as well as more sedate rides for those who prefer those.

Although CP has great coasters, there isn't a lot of anything else. On vacation, you need to compromise so that everyone has an enjoyable time.

 

[RC Fan]

I'm sure DD and Raptor aren't the only two equivalent coasters made by the same company....

I certainly wasn't trying to say that they were. I guess what I meant was that they are very similar. That leaves only the Hulk as a different coaster experience for your DH.

 

[ChrisFL]

Thanks for your very helpful replies EVERYONE.

I'm sure DD and Raptor aren't the only two equivalent coasters made by the same company....

Here's the CP coasters link; http://cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/rides/thrill/rollercoasters.cfm

Recognize any other similarities?

That's exactly our quandry ~
DH is all about thrill rides, altho he LOVES WDW! Since we have CP, he thinks we should stick to WDW. I'm all about WDW and ambivalant about thrill rides (altho i DO love RnR coaster). But i do think it would be fun to try the IS/ IOA experience; DH thinks we should stick to WDW and just plan another day at CP this summer.

Thanks again for your replies, any other feedback?

IF you like RNR coaster, you'll love the Hulk and the Mummy!!!

 

[yaytezIOA]

Let me see if I got this straight. You go to CP all the time. You love thrills. But yet you go to Disney, and that satisfies you? And now you're debating whether or not to go to IOA or wdw for thrills????
IOA...no...Universal is better...IMO.....than disney for rides, thrills, themeing, food, and overall fun hands down. Sure they dont go all lip synch-ie and cutsie with singing mice, or other movie characters. But they do have a totally immersable world. Once you walk into the port of entry....you wont want to turn back.

 

[F-L-A]

I certainly wasn't trying to say that they were. I guess what I meant was that they are very similar. That leaves only the Hulk as a different coaster experience for your DH.

DD are the only inverted dueling coasters in the world.

 

[rockin_rep]

I certainly wasn't trying to say that they were. I guess what I meant was that they are very similar. That leaves only the Hulk as a different coaster experience for your DH.

Oh i know that! You gave me exactly what i was looking for (thank you!) and i would still like more of the same type of comparison.

For example, is The River Adventure similar to what CP calls *water rides* ~ Snake River Falls and Thunder Canyon? (not exactly thrill rides, but similar)

Again, thanks all, for your replies.