Millennium Force is a great example of bigger not always being better. I had a short 20 minute or so wait on a rainy, dreary day in May. I was looking forward to my trip to the Coaster Capital for a number of reasons including riding my 100th new coaster. As I arrived at Cedar Point I was drawn to MF like a magnet. It was to be number 100. The ultra-steep lift was very intimidating even for a seasoned vet like me. Luckily, I was able to draw on the courage of the pre-teens I rode with. The quiet, speedy lift doesnt help to settle your nerves as your steadily pushed high into the air and feel like your basically over the Lake Erie. And then, the BEST and most intense drop Ive ever experienced. I fight the urge to pull my hands down and hold on as plummeted down the longest drop of my life. I figured that if the kid half my age can do it than so could I. Finally, we reached the bottom, and we were being pelted with a light rain. Next were thrown into the huge overbanked turn. It reminded me of the S:ROS (@ SFNE) only much larger. After the overbank MF let me down. The rest of the ride was very fast, relatively smooth, but not all that thrilling. And for me, the hills offered NO airtime. None. Well, the small hill right next to the station offered a little lift, but nothing to write home about. Where S:ROS (again Im referring to the SFNE version) offers a thrilling opening and a near flawless middle and finale, MF doesnt do much with its layout. It didnt bore me by any means, but it definitely didnt wow me either. Also, the theming was lackluster and almost non-existent. But how do you theme something called "Millennium Force"? I guess CP needed a name that meant: big, high tech, & opening at the start of the new millennium. MF is daunting, but by no means a classic. For one of those see that shorter, slower, older red coaster on the other side of the isle. The points here are for the lift, drop, smoothness, setting, and the speed which is unparalleled for a coaster of this length. Final Rating - 9.0 (Excellent)
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