The worst ride queue, Steel Vengeance and a greater discussion on metal detection at Cedar Point

Loose articles and cell phones on amusement park rides is a growing issue. To combat this, Cedar Point has implemented mandatory lockers and metal detection on Steel Vengeance and Top Thrill 2. This video focuses on Steel Vengeance metal detection operations, the way it is poorly implemented, and gives suggestions to the park on ways to improve guest satisfaction and operations.

[@nolangrimes736]

Only real issue i have with SV line is the fast lane, you pay that much for the fast lane plus and still have to wait 45 min

[@justinvinyard440]

Even the fast lane line has the worst merge point on Steel Vengeance and Millennium Force. What makes it more worse is that Cedar Point is overselling too many fast lane wristbands and not severely limiting them to be sold out causing fast lines jammed to 30 mins or like a hour wait and its not worth it. I'm not going to Cedar Point until they find improvement for their fast lane. Cedar point must severely limit fast lane so their sold out, must build new stairs, paths to the stations so longer merging for Raptor, Millennium, Magnum, Rougarou or modifying the tunnel line with two lines for normal and fast line to the station on Steel Vengeance. If they make those improvements then people would be waiting lesser in the fast line and instantly walk on to the attractions with no more waiting even marathon a ride. I wouldn't be surprised if Cedar Point gets rid of the PLUS option just like Kings island, Carowinds, Kings Dominion and Dorney Park.

[@nealkelly9757]

Was there 3 weeks ago. Literally watched half empty trains running for 2 hours waiting in line, so frustrating

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

Yes, that is never fun to see and frustrating to deal with. It was disappointing to see another year where they haven't fixed this mess.

[@jonblaich]

I left my wallet and phone in the car in preparation for this policy. And I secured my rental car key fob to a belt loop on my pants using a key ring. While the fob did set off the metal detector, the Cedar Point employee looked at how I secured it and let me go through. Overall, it was a bit of a nerve-wracking experience.

[@madmatt574]

This is really funny. I was just at CP and they sent me a survey. I told them that Steel Vengeance has the worst queue design ever. I too have thought about how it could be redesigned and your suggestion is basically what thought. You also make a good point about the loose article policy. Someone’s lighter fell out of their pocket and almost hit me on Valravn…and they were just going up the lift hill. People lose things on Gatekeeper all the time.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I know right? Even a lighter falling from those heights can be very painful if not a day ending injury. I once had a lighter fall next to me and explode, but this was at BGT and off of Cheetah Hunt.

[@derekwtang]

I worked Steel Vengeance last year. Although I think that the locker situation is better than how it used to be I believe they should try to find a better system for lockers and metal detection by reconfiguring the queue

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

You worked it, That is super cool and I hope you enjoyed and made some lifelong memories. I hope they eventually make the change.

[@scottchancey4466]

Another thing that is asinine at Cedar Point is the access pass. My wife loves the roller coasters and just last weekend we went and she wanted to ride Steel Vengeance. They write your boarding time down and add whatever the current wait time is after that so it was 2 hours. We proceeded to wait and tried to get her on two trains and the ride ops said let's get this block off for extra leg room to get her in .. The ride ops got the key stuck, called maintenance and the train was put out of service for the rest of the day, come to find out that they only have ONE copy of the key which I told the supervisor is just dumb because now she can't get her on ANY of the trains... So I told my wife, I love you and I'll help her on every ride except Steel Vengeance.... I just don't want to get involved in that malarkey mess again so that I don't say anything that will get me ejected from the park. I think that to make the loose article policy fair for everyone, no cellphones should be permitted at Cedar Point period! And the restrooms are so outdated it's not funny. Back in 2019 when Tony Clark hosted the celebration video for everything that was supposed to happen in 2020, I asked about renovations to restrooms and was made fun of. Everyone says oh that's just Tony, well I'm sorry but in my personal experience from meeting him he is not a very nice person.

[@Hasse-swe]

My home park is in Sweden. Liseberg. They dont have any detectors at all. None. They have a B&M dive coaster. Valkyria. They have a no bag policy on that one. But i can still bring my phone in que and it MUST be stored in a closed pocket. And it works good. Here in Sweden it is mutch harder to sue Liseberg if you get hit by a phone or anything else. But you can sue the person that lost his phone if it hits someone.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

Valkyria is a snooze from a dynamic standpoint compared to this. It’s not the same

[@Hasse-swe]

@@Bnizzofashizzo I dont compare coasters, just t how they operate them with lockers.

[@rossh688]

Lost phones increased by over 30% when Steel Vengeance opened.

[@Hasse-swe]

@@rossh688 Damn. Strong airtime then :) exactly what i love. That and inversions.

[@hazza5999]

So right, it's the crazy litigious country that Uncle Sam built. Europeans don't have the same culture and, as a result, are treated as adults at theme parks.

[@adammayo4377]

Your video made me realize the biggest reason i am not a huge fan of Steel Vengeance is the queue. Maybe because I'm in a bad mood by the time i get on the ride. I've always liked other RMCs Iron Gwazi and Airieforce One because getting on them is easy and Ibcant wait to get on them. We spent 2 1/2 days at CP and only road Vengeance twice despite having Fast Lane.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

Exactly how I feel. I maybe get on once every 4 times I visit. When Maverick lets you out right in the station with no metal detection, I see no need for this nonsense.

[@detroitjc]

Love how you have the blaster master music in there. Awesome!

[@urbex_coasters]

As someone who took NOTHING into Great Adventure except my car keys (which I had hidden by a cloth mask as to not need to put them in a locker) I could not disagree more with your solution. I outright hated the policy at Great Adventure, and I hate the TT2 policy even more. SteVe's policy is bad but implimenting a TT2/GAd type policy is the last thing we need. I like Hershey's loose article policy.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

Its an understandable opinion, I mean, everywhere else you go; you can take your items on. In a perfect world, there would be free small cubbyhole lockers on the midways, but Cedar Point is too concerned about making money off of those larger lockers to ever implement that kind of solution. I really do feel that some kind of change ought to be made though.

[@PhoenixTTD]

The difference between Steel Vengeance and Top Thrill 2 vs the other large coasters is that loose articles are still dangerous if guests are trying to follow the rules. The metal detectors are more sensitive at Steel Vengeance because they are trying to detect a key or a watch, not just a weapon. A group who might not stay together the entire day can plan to share a locker for 1 or 2 rides, not for all rides all day. A strict no loose article policy should only be used when necessary and should utilize 2 sided lockers like Universal Studios does. They should also look into a safe way to bring articles on these coasters like a specially designed strap or pouch you can buy. If they cannot wand fast enough, then they need more wanders.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I thought about more wanders as well, but when I am at the park and seeing rides that arn't open and snack stands that arn't either, its an issue of where to devote the manpower. I felt a night and day difference with TT2's system of having the detection in front of the entrance to the ride. I fully understand my opinion on this is controversial, but when I know guests have been injured by phones on Maverick, it feels like their rules are just super inconsistent.

[@PhoenixTTD]

@@TheCoasterSerpent you would add wanders to every ride. Just an extra at SV is all that is needed.

[@nathanpayne5358]

This was a excellent and much needed video!

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

Hopefully, they make a change to it someday. Thank you.

[@markvolpe2305]

As far as your new Steel Vengeance diagram goes, the metal detectors should be before you get to the lockers and create another path for those who do not have loose articles so they can just bypass the lockers and go straight to the queue.

[@h1jen1x]

I've seen guests bug out the line employees/ride ops many times over fanny packs.

[@VGDomination]

Works so good at carowinds. You can ride front row of fury 325 10 minutes apart from eachother

[@Justin0807]

I think as long as you have zippered pockets, you should not have to get a locker. I've been getting on rollercoasters for many years now and never lost anything that was secured in a zippered pocket.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I wear zipped pockets too, and same, they have been a wonderful investment. Have known a few people who have had their stuff float out of their pockets on rides. They learned the hard way. Cedar Point could make a killing by putting their brand and coasters on zipped pocket shorts and spreading the word.

[@ScottyMania313]

Great Video and I agree about the Metal Detectors. I think Senator Fetterman was at the 9:02 mark

[@Cyco-Dude]

...is that music from the NES game Blaster Master? lol...

[@robh5409]

CP needs to return to the station bins and require people to empty their pockets at board of the train. Other parks with RMC coasters, Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, and Kentucky Kingdom all have station bins and it works well on their respective RMC's. Also need people to stop being stupid and trying to film their ride. There is more to life than social media feeds. Or what Cedar Point could do maybe offer a checked item kiosk manned by an employee(s) and the visitor gets a wrist band when they have stuff in the checked item area, like a checked coat area at some events. I think they could easily do this by Steel Vengeance and TT2. At this kiosk they can have the kiosk for purchasing fast lanes etc too.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

The problem I have with station bins is their slowness. Ghostrider at Knotts is probably the most infamous for this, though I understand that is a CCI/GCI. I also consistently have issues with people taking phones out on other RMCs. Iron Gwazi is hell for it, I always have a phone go flying past me on my yearly visit to BGT.

[@AngryGumball]

My first and only visit to CP was just before the strict loose articles policy - had no issues taking my phone in the queue. I did do a "roaming locker" for the day though to drop my goods off before getting in line - would it be more effective just to not deal with the SV-specific lockers and just use my normal locker? Still sounds absolutely terrible, bunch of humans in a cage (with the night time spiders)

[@jakehamons9888]

The solution to the problem is they need to put the bins back on the platform. Also they don’t stop Millennium Force for phones EVER.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

This is news to me actually. If possible, I am interested on where this info comes from? When the park is open, I usually visit on a near weekly basis. I have saw Millie stopped on the lift with the trolley up there so many times. With Blue Streak or Magnum, yeah it happens often but its easy for the ride op to get up there and confiscate the phone. I do disagree about the platform bins, and that is just because they slow down ops on a ride. I think Ghostrider at Knotts is the ride most known for that issue.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

So grateful you’re not in charge.

[@TWHunt]

The part you didn’t mention is how they try to scam a few extra dollars off you by scaring people into paying for a locker before entering the line. If I remember correctly there is no clear statement that free lockers are available in the line queue.

[@rossh688]

If they put the lockers in a better location for SV, it will be much further from the station and you will be without your phone for a longer time. The line works fine enough and FREE enough, the way it is other than metal detectors. Obviously, they can't use the same ones as the front gate unless those could be set to a much higher sensitivity since those allow keys, cellphones and wallets to get through. As far as TT2 goes, another object flying from the ride that nearly killed someone would be worse for the park than listening to people whining about paying for lockers. The only system I see working, easily, for TT2 would be a Yukon Striker system. The location of the track and the exit for TT2 limits, greatly, where free lockers could go and be easily accessible once the ride is over.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

The diagram I showed of the modification to the queue keeps the lockers in the same location, it gets rid of the tunnel and feeds guests directly to the lockers after the current fast lane join. The way TT2 does things, lines move faster. There is no metal detection right before the station to slow down the movement of lines, resulting in rows being dispatched empty while there is over an hour wait in line. I haven't been to Canadas Wonderland, but I could care less about not having my phone in line when things are moving faster and I am at an amusement park to enjoy rides, not social media.

[@flamingscrubs]

I personally have only seen the line under 2 hours once and that was at park open

[@rossh688]

I have been there on many Saturdays over the past couple of years and in the evening, there were very few people in the tunnel.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

When cedar fair execs visited islands of adventure, they should Have paid attention to the park’s locker policy. Honestly

[@rossh688]

And then raised to prices to match Universal's?

[@rezz836]

Great idea, but unfortunately this will never happen. In their eyes it’s working as intended and they are not going to reconstruct a new ride que

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I hate to say that you are probably correct on this. We can dream though.

[@garywillis7253]

Yes the queue design as a whole is horrible ...However if people followed the rules,obeyed the many signs stating no loose articles the line would move smoother....Seriously why do peoole ignore the signs and show up with phones,key,bags etc etc..Empty your pockets as instructed..it's not hard

[@peterclarke3166]

Any idea how the policy relates to insulin pumps? Both my son and I have them and need our phones to control them. We are six flags season pass holders and never have any problems keeping them in zipped pockets

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I am not an expert on this, but I have heard of Cedar Point not allowing people with externally attached pumps from riding. I have never heard of them making an exception to allow anyone with a phone on either. I would honestly check with guest services on this. To me, it seems harsh and extremely unaccommodating.

[@susanturnmire2949]

You can get a medical tag on bag and just put your phone on there when you get on ride the attendees hold it for you so you can have it the hole time your in line ask gest services how to get a medical tag

[@Spike-sk7ql]

^ what she said.

[@marionaccarato2798]

This ride was a nightmare while waiting to ride. Considering the breakdowns, lack of lockers, metal detectors.

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

Calling an inconvenience a nightmare is ridiculous

[@Duffster115]

Personally I think there should be no other loose article policy then the typical loose article bins or a free locker just before getting on the ride, for I know loose articles are a huge danger, but a phone is not going to do any damage in a queue line, so why ban it there? Also what’s more simple then putting your stuff that isn’t secured in a bin? No metal detectors needed, no makeing up charge attractions by makeing people pay for a locker that stupidly is required, and no loose article problems, honestly why did parks ever switch away from those older, and way better loose article policy’s

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I see a couple of problems with bins. Firstly, they slow down operations. Having guests immediately board a train and get secured at an extremely busy park like Cedar Point will immensely help with keeping those lines moving. I know Knotts has a terrible reputation with Ghost Rider and how long it takes trains to dispatch. I even see it at Cedar Point on rides like Raptor. People often complain about how that ride brings you to a sudden stop at the end and faster operations with no bins would help with the trains constantly setting up. Secondly, there is an issue with theft of guest items. Once were being asked to put our wallets and car keys in a bin, I immediately don't trust that situation.

[@Duffster115]

@@TheCoasterSerpent there are ways to solve those issues without implementing worse policy’s for the theft one just throw a cover and a lock on it like what have been typically done for coasters with 2 trains, if only one train is running you should be able to see it if someone tries and yell at them or whatever or call security or whatever and get the problem solved. For the slow down on operations, from my experience with Kennywood it’s not that much at all or at least it doesn’t feel like to me that that process takes that much more time to be a big deal, and if it is then put those bins, or even more secure free lockers just before the station, or just before getting on. As long as up you can have your phone and other loose articles for the queue, and you don’t have to pay for something like lockers, it’s ok. I mention the bins most because it’s simile, cheap, easy, and effective, and lastly it’s what I have experience with and it’s way better than throwing everything in a locker that may or may not cost money and waiting hours with nothing, and better hope there isn’t some reason you need contact somebody or somebody needs to contact you, for that’s not happening when you can’t have your phone in a place where having your phone isn’t going to cause any harm

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

@@Duffster115 Kennywood is actually the park where I was with a friend who had his stuff taken after putting it in the box by Thunderbolt. Then the ride ops have to deal with that guest, having to call security and deal with that when guests are waiting in line to ride. At a park like Cedar Point, I really feel the antics of the stupidest 1% come back to bite us all in the butt. I visited last Thursday and in the 5 hours I was there, I saw Magnum stopped twice on the lift and a phone was lying on Raptor's stairwell halfway up the lift. People just don't follow the rules and its a detriment to us all. As for not having a phone while in the line, I can deal with this even as a single rider most of the time attending without a friend. We are all too attached to our phones, and I fully understand that many people have issues going on at home, but people were able to deal with that before cell phones were a thing. Using Raptor again as an example, the ride came out and featured a mid course brake run so that they could run 3 trains, keeping them continuously moving with one on the lift, one finishing the 2nd half, and one loading. The bins stop the ops from efficiently loading trains. The ride regularly gets over an hour wait.

[@nicksvlogs2426]

Six flags great adventures only have no loose article police on eltoro kingda ka and the joker

[@xrpizzle]

Background music: Friday the 13th nes game from the 80s.

[@detroitjc]

Its blaster master

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

@@detroitjc its actually both! Glad so many people recognize classic VGM.

[@chadenglish4169]

I went Tues Gemini was open.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

Its more common in spring and fall for it to be closed. Today I went and it was only running the red side.

[@DadEvery_Day]

First off it takes one bonehead to ruin it for everyone which has already happened. 2. CP is liable period. If they weren’t then you would be able to take whatever you want on the ride. 3. CP knows that due to the intensity of the ride anything on a person is LIABLE to fly off! CP tells you this before even entering the line. Plan accordingly!?!?! 🤦🏻‍♂️ o and the metal detectors yea they do what they are supposed to do. Metal belt buckles yup. Piercings visible and none visible yup.

[@amykolterman3744]

Don't go there on the weekends. Weekdays are better for line queues.

[@rodneyp9590]

I hate using lockers and it plays a role in my decisions I make. If the park uses metal detectors I don’t bring my wallet with me so I carry a backpack and get a locker. Then I get mad and leave it in there and don’t spend money all day. Otherwise I just keep my wallet on me. What they need to do is have smartwatches that you can keep your money on and not have to screw around with 12 lockers.

[@MrCrash-hz8xy]

cedar point needs to watch this video!

[@XRROW_]

Nice video. Just some constructive feedback; I'd recommend talking a bit faster/ writing a full script with what you plan to say. It feels like you are dragging a bit.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I was actually using a very impromptu script, kind of going off of it a bit as I spoke. I was thinking more about how clearly I was speaking rather than speed. Still kind of finding my vibe in the youtube space, I will keep this in mind. Thanks.

[@XRROW_]

@TheCoasterSerpent yeah man! I only recommended the script to maybe help speed your delivery up. I thought your ideas and opinions were nicely organized and well thought out.

[@BlaqMambaX]

The last time I went to Cedar Point was in 2019. Steel Vengeance's fast lane took you directly to the station. When did that change? To answer the question about Gemini, I believe it was open that day, unlike Gatekeeper, Raptor, Valravn, Corkscrew, and Top Thrill Dragster. Maverick shut down midday. I owned Blaster Master back in the day.

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

]It sounds like you got to ride in the era where your hand got stamped and you had to put your phone in the zipper pocket. They ultimately did away with this and just banned anything being in your pockets, installed the lockers in the old Fast Lane que, and created this congested mess for us all to deal with.

[@LouieRivera-qw9hr]

Coaster enthusiasts: HOW DARE THEY MAKE US PAY FOR LOCKERS THIS IS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING also coaster enthusiasts: HOW DARE THEY TRY FIX THE ISSUE I JUST COMPLAINED ABOUT ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING the hypocrisy of coaster enthusiasts needs to be studied

[@susanturnmire2949]

Would you rather not have loose article policy and fet hurt from something falling out of someone's pocket

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

Never once did I argue that there shouldn't be a policy, in fact, I advocated for a stricter policy using movable lockers. I argued for better operations by having guests board with nothing on them, resulting in faster moving lines and a policy that isn't different for every ride.

[@jeremyrigney1546]

The fast pass destroyed the line

[@haqqrasheed3115]

Isn't fast lane suppose to to take you directly to the station?

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

@@haqqrasheed3115 This one sure doesn't, it's the worst Fast Lane in the entire Cedar Fair chain.

[@smackthis]

Somehow the metal detector found my chapstick in a zipped pocket….how?

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

Possibly the zipper itself setting off the detector? I dunno but those things go off on everyone.

[@mikel2887]

@@TheCoasterSerpent zippers are completely plastic

[@XRROW_]

Not always ​@@mikel2887