Even though mamba doesnt give that much of a thrill it makes for an impressive skyline. As we got within maybe 10 miles from the park, "OH MY GOD!!! Look at that thing!!!" Mamba creates a whole new, incredibly impressive skyline from a very far off distance. And in spite of what you might think, this area is definitely *not* flat! Instead, it sits on a hill at the highest elevation of the park, so it is visible for miles - someone even said they could see it from downtown Kansas City, Kansas. In any case, its really a site to behold if youre approaching it from the north - its even more dramatic than seeing Desperado for the first time.
Mamba was such a letdown though. After weeks of planning for my trip to WOF, I had gotten really excited for this coaster. I entered the park and headed straight to mamba. I got lost along the way and it took me almost 10 minutes to find mamba. I was upset. While walking around, tons of people could have gotten in line for mamba! I didnt want to have to wait. When I actually found mamba the ride was still a walk on. I took the last car, middle row. I left plenty of room between the lap bar and myself. I should have had a smooth airtime filled ride. We went down a small drop out of the station and went up the very slow lift hill. By the top I was shaking. I knew I would be okay, but a 200 foot drop still scares me! We crested over the top and went down the first hill. I really wanted to yank my lapbar down! We went up the second hill and went back down it. Where was the airtime?!! I didnt experience any airtime at all. My but never left the seat. It began to get boring. We went over the third hill which also provided no airtime and went into the helix. The helix was intense and fun. There was a great head chopper near the end too. A bunch of silver bars get closer and closer to your head. No matter how many times I ride mamba I cant keep my hands up through that part!! After that we hit another turn and then the mcbr. The brake run almost brought our train to a complete stop. There would not be an airtime finished finale. We slowly rolled through the hills. We barely made it up the bunny hops! It was pointless and boring. There was still no airtime. We hit the brake run. Yawn. That was it? A 200 foot tall coaster with no airtime! I was upset. Convinced to like mamba I rode up front instead of the back. Yawn. There was still no airtime. Im very fortunate that I didnt have to wait. If I had waited longer then 15 minutes I would have been ticked off! Mamba could have been a great ride. Cedar fair just ruined what could have been a fantastic ending with the mcbr. Theme park review described it perfectly. They said it was like a mine train with speed. Meh. Ill give mamba a 7 because Im feeling generous. Until they do something about the awful brake run. Itll stay at a 7... *sigh*
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