Roller Coaster
Challenge Day 16—A rollercoaster that you know like the back of your hand:
Millennium Force at
Cedar Point, Sandusky Ohio
I could have chosen any Cedar
Park coaster or countless others really, but I'm playing my MF card here. I think my Maverick ride
count finally caught this one last summer, but I'm not sure. I've recorded about
90-100 rides on this at this writing. It’s a fairly simple layout to memorize. Millennium Force is widely regarded as
the world's best steel roller coaster.
On my top 30 ratings in 2012, I rated
it #7. (85/100 points)
Why it deserves this slot: Millennium Force is arguably the world’s most iconic roller coaster. The 310 ft. lift-hill is still North America’s tallest even 11 years after this beast’s auspicious debut in 2000. The ride is famous for its first drop, speed, and smooth experience. Millennium Force is adored by enthusiasts and has finished 1st or 2nd every year in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award steel coaster rankings since 2000: the industry’s standard. It has won the last two titles.
Millennium Force’s first drop is the one by which all others are measured. Quite frankly, they all come up short. The lift-hill is steep and utilizes a cable lift system, which is much smoother and quieter than a chain lift. Trains FLY up this monstrous hill, and riders are left breathless as they find themselves 310 feet above the ground almost immediately after leaving the station.
Upon cresting the top of the first hill, the record-breaking descent begins. As the train rolls down the hill, the drop continues to get steeper and steeper until it is 80 degrees. Riders cannot see the bottom of the drop until they are about half-way down. At the bottom, the train has reaches a blistering 93 mph.
The second hill is a powerful 169 ft. overbank turn which glues riders to their seats. I begin to black out for a split-second here. The train then roars at ground level and through a tunnel at about 90 mph. Next is a 182 ft. airtime hill (which would be the tallest hill on most roller coasters) over the Midway. The back section of the ride is composed of two more overbank turns with two close encounters with the supports. The train then flies over another airtime hill back toward the station. Another turn through a tunnel leads to a nice quick airtime hill right next to the queue line. The track then sets up for the final overbank turn, which is my favorite of the four, and hits the brakes at 60 mph.
Why it’s not rated higher: Millennium Force’s main weakness is its lack of airtime. The three dedicated airtime hills are all mediocre at best. The intensity of the ride drops off severely after the first drop. This is understandable because there’s really not much that can match a 300 ft./ 80 degree drop.
Cedar Point had limited space when they built this and had to use space wherever they could find it. This lack of space for a ride of this magnitude pushed Millennium Force into utilizing only airtime hills and overbank turns. The result is a ride lacking variety and power. The first drop and incredible speed of Millennium Force are strong enough to land it in the top-ten though.
Why it deserves this slot: Millennium Force is arguably the world’s most iconic roller coaster. The 310 ft. lift-hill is still North America’s tallest even 11 years after this beast’s auspicious debut in 2000. The ride is famous for its first drop, speed, and smooth experience. Millennium Force is adored by enthusiasts and has finished 1st or 2nd every year in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award steel coaster rankings since 2000: the industry’s standard. It has won the last two titles.
Millennium Force’s first drop is the one by which all others are measured. Quite frankly, they all come up short. The lift-hill is steep and utilizes a cable lift system, which is much smoother and quieter than a chain lift. Trains FLY up this monstrous hill, and riders are left breathless as they find themselves 310 feet above the ground almost immediately after leaving the station.
Upon cresting the top of the first hill, the record-breaking descent begins. As the train rolls down the hill, the drop continues to get steeper and steeper until it is 80 degrees. Riders cannot see the bottom of the drop until they are about half-way down. At the bottom, the train has reaches a blistering 93 mph.
The second hill is a powerful 169 ft. overbank turn which glues riders to their seats. I begin to black out for a split-second here. The train then roars at ground level and through a tunnel at about 90 mph. Next is a 182 ft. airtime hill (which would be the tallest hill on most roller coasters) over the Midway. The back section of the ride is composed of two more overbank turns with two close encounters with the supports. The train then flies over another airtime hill back toward the station. Another turn through a tunnel leads to a nice quick airtime hill right next to the queue line. The track then sets up for the final overbank turn, which is my favorite of the four, and hits the brakes at 60 mph.
Why it’s not rated higher: Millennium Force’s main weakness is its lack of airtime. The three dedicated airtime hills are all mediocre at best. The intensity of the ride drops off severely after the first drop. This is understandable because there’s really not much that can match a 300 ft./ 80 degree drop.
Cedar Point had limited space when they built this and had to use space wherever they could find it. This lack of space for a ride of this magnitude pushed Millennium Force into utilizing only airtime hills and overbank turns. The result is a ride lacking variety and power. The first drop and incredible speed of Millennium Force are strong enough to land it in the top-ten though.
Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. I will be
exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord himself is God; It is He
who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His
pasture.
Sure, I can walk you
through all of the peaks and twists of this Coaster because I have been
intimately involved with this experience at least 100 times. When I spend time
with someone, I should be getting to know him.
The Psalmist reminds
us to be quiet and get to know God. If I don’t spend time with Him and listen
to His Word, how can I learn about Him and what He has for me? Yes, life is
busy, and I have many obligations to fulfill for my work and my family. But really, what is important? What is of
eternal value? Is it not knowing God, the exalted One on the earth?
The Lord wants us to
have that privilege. Most religions have steps for man to placate or please
their God. Christianity is about a
relationship with Him. He says that we are His people and His sheep. Relax in His
love and provision. And get to know the Shepherd who made you.
