Fun. It’s a simple word really, just three little letters strung together. Yet, that simple word can make or break a roller coaster and its experience. We coaster enthusiasts travel the globe wanting to ride the biggest and best, the fastest and wildest, the unique and the quirky. But deep down, at our core, what we really want is a ride that is FUN. It can take a ride or coaster that is nothing out of this world or ground-breaking and elevate it to one that is memorable, and even more than that, reridable. It’s a shame that sometimes you can go on coasters that, for one reason or another, just aren’t fun. Those are the ones that really make you scratch your head: "I thought fun was the whole idea of these things!" I digress somewhat, but my point is that every once in a while, I come across a coaster that embraces the notion of fun so much that it simply boggles my mind! I’m always having fun when I’m at a park and riding, but these coasters I’m talking about take the fun to another level, and no matter how much I ride them I just can’t get enough. One of the most shining examples of what I’m talking about resides at Cedar Point – Gemini.
It’s actually pretty funny that at a park like Cedar Point, where steel monuments plow skyward around almost every turn, this coaster is almost overlooked and written off by some as unimpressive. But, at 125 feet in the air, this coaster is no slouch! Gemini is an interesting coaster to look at, with its impressive wooden structure that can often sway folks into thinking it is a wooden coaster. However, look closely enough and you will discover steel track running along the course. I like that hybrid look of Gemini, and it has a nice setting along Perimeter Road just before getting to the park’s Frontier area. It kind of reminds me, by its look, of a mine ride on steroids! You can find another Gemini in the sky, as a constellation that is often referred to as "Twin", and true to form this Gemini is a twin as well, as it is a racing steel coaster. Racing coasters in general tend to lend themselves to being rides that are a blast to be on, and Gemini is certainly no exception. Amazingly enough, no matter how packed this park gets, I have never waited more than about 15 minutes to climb aboard. That is a glowing testament to the ride’s wonderful crew, which is enthusiastic and remarkably efficient. This coaster at one time ran an unheard of 6 trains, but the crew has been so good that they dropped down to 4 and the line still moves lightning-quick. The trains are decent and comfy, with a lap bar and a single seat belt that goes over both riders. After a pep talk and some trash talk between the red and blue train operators and riders, it’s time to race!
More often than not, the trains hit the lift hill about even, and begin the 12-story climb, as friends or family in larger groups who have split up are now jawing one another across trains. This just adds to the neat atmosphere that a racing coaster provides. Now at the top, the train plunges down the surprisingly steep first drop, which is awesome and has some powerful ejector airtime! Up to the first turn, I often extend my arm out if the other train is close. Sometimes I get some high fives to add to the playful fun, while other times I get looks of utter confusion, as if I’ve extended out my third limb or something! LOL Anyway, the following drops are more of the same great airtime while taken at some nice speed. Another turnaround leads to another stellar drop with another airtime pop. All throughout the course, the racing aspect just adds to the great times, as you often are checking over your shoulder to see where your "competition" is. A series of bunny hills are fantastic as the coaster goes into the last turn. The speed of Gemini is very good and sustained pretty well, although the turns do slow the train down a bit. Not that that’s a bad thing though, as it yields an opportunity for some more taunting! As this competitive l
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