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Millennium Force may not be everyones "perfect" coaster, but for me, it is more than worthy of a perfect score. Of the many rides I have had on this wonderous coaster creation, I have not once had one that I would characterize as lacking in thrills, excitement, or fun. The setting is just beautiful, as Millennium towers into the air along the edges of Lake Erie. It looks so stately standing there, and there is nothing quite like having a left side seat and looking out on the way up the lift hill and seeing nothing but water, thanks to the very open seats on the comfortable train. The ride ops here are truly top notch, as they cycle 3 trains efficiently and smoothly. Even longer waits seem to pass by quickly, as the line is always moving. People seem to knock this coaster a lot because it doesnt have "killer" airtime like some other rides out there (i.e. Superman in NE, and the new El Toro in Jersey), but the fact is this coaster was built for something else - SPEED. And boy, does it dish that out in a relentless fashion! But whats more, Millennium Force DOES offer spots of airtime, and I find it hard to believe when some folks go so far as to say that it has no airtime at all. I know of four spots that always have given me airtime - the first drop (with the air being stronger the further back you sit), the two other bigger hills, and the bunny hop along the station/line. Combine that with the blistering speed this puppy has, and I say you have a definite winner. The first drop after the speedy lift hill is just massive and unbelievably great, with break-neck speed and an awesome float off the seat the whole way down! Its my 3rd favorite drop anywhere, behind only El Toros first drop and Phantoms Revenges second drop through Thunderbolt. The next segment leading into the overbank and tunnel is great, and the speed is unreal as it tops out here at 93 mph. The first airtime hill delivers, and is frankly bigger than a lot of coasters first drops! The consecutive overbanks that follow on Millennium Island are executed with sheer precision, and the train keeps up some nice speed as it hits the smaller air hill with even stronger airtime than the previous hill. Another cool tunnel leads to the surprise gem of the ride, that rather unassuming little bunny hop by the station. This thing is taken at such a high speed that the airtime is very strong floater. The train is still humming at well over 70 mph as it glides through the last overbank and hits the brakes. Every ride, when it ends, leaves me grinning like a fool and totally energized! I can find no faults with this coaster. I guess some criticize it because the airtime is all floater, as opposed to some other rides that dish out air of the ejector variety. But I like any airtime, so this hits the mark right on for me. Millennium Force, in summation, is a coaster that is an absolute blast! It is as smooth as silk throughout the ride, and it perfectly blends a winning recipe of killer drops, blazing speed, and formidable airtime along its very nice layout. This is the definition of a must-ride for anyone that visits Cedar Point, and for me this coaster destroys the newer "pony" that was added in 2007 (Im hoping rerides on that will close the gap, but I cannot imagine it overtaking this coaster). Simply put, Millennium is a marvelous coaster experience that will satisfy that appetite for thrills and excitement!
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