The Magnum XL-200 was erected in May of 1989. It was the first Roller Coaster to break the 200 foot barrier. Although newer mega-coasters have appeared, and exceed Magnums speed, Magnum still remains number 1. Throughout the years it has thrilled people from around the world including myself. When I first went to Cedar Point in May of 1996 with our high school band, I was amazed at this theme park and how so much was layed out on a little island on Lake Erie. I rode various coasters and worked my way towards the back. Soon the Magnum came into view. I never heard much about it until that day when some of my friends were talking about it. I was walking with my mother when I first caught a glance at the huge lift hill. I never thought that a coaster could descend at such an angle. I was talking to my mother and said, "Wow, I hope the steep side is the lift." I was in for it big when I saw it climbing the chain lift. When I got closer, I thought to myself, "No way am I riding this beast!". So, Mom and I watched as the crazy people boarded the trains, and began on a journey which seemed like a trip of no return. I simply was not able to ride it.

The next year when we returned, I was bound and determined to ride the Magnum. During the summer and winter, I had watched many Roller Coaster programs on The Learning Channel and Discovery. I had been working up my excitement from seeing all the people who love it. Then I was positive I wanted to ride it. My friend Garry and I went on a direct trip to the Magnum as soon as we entered the park. My heart pounded as we neared the queue line. I hesitantly got in line. Garry just had a smile saying that I would love it. I knew I would. I was just nervous. Soon we got to the boarding platform. Soon, it was our turn to have some fun on this monstrous coaster. I boarded second on the left side of the train. There was a "SHH!!!" sound as the brakes released us, and we headed down over the walkway beneath, and around to the chain lift. We were headed on our way up the 205 foot lift hill. Everything got smaller and smaller below us. The chain lift takes a full minute or more to get up, so it left me with more than enough time to anticipate what would happen. As I was looking around as we neared the top, I could see Canada and I was totally fascinated at the awesome site. For a second I had drifted off, loving the scenic view before I realized I was on a mega-coaster. I slowly took a deep breath as we crested over the top. All of a sudden we were facing almost straight down at a 60 degree angle, accelerating to 72 miles an hour. I kept my hands in the air all the way down and didn't scream. It totally took my breath away!! Without realizing what I had gone though, we shot back up the second hill, then banked to the left and shot down. With it seeming as if we were going to plummit into Lake Erie, we shot down through a tunnel and I withdrew my hands, fearing that they would be chopped off. Then we went back up another hill, and hit a set of brakes, slowing us slightly, then down into the pretzel turn-around. We turned clear to the left for about 3 seconds, and I thought I was going to fall out! Garry lost to gravity and fell against me, making it feel dangerous, but I was loving it!! Then we turned to the left, did a half-helix up and around over the way we came, then a half-helix down sending us running parallel with the track we came from. On the return trip, there were camel humps giving me a sensation of waitlessness for about 3 seconds, which everyone loves! There were probably about 8 of them. Two more tunnels were placed at the bottom and top of various humps. We were ready for the picture... "CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK!!!"... We did a weird looking pose as you see on the previous page. I think I look stupid, but I was having a blast!!! The final tunnel came, then right into the brakes, slowing us down. As we came over the walk way beneath, I was screaming at the people below. I was yelling, "Yeah baby!!!! #1 Coaster!!!" I was sooooo pumped.. Adrenaline was rushing through me like crazy. Then finally, we circled around into the station and exited. We went directly to the picture booth. Garry and I laughed at some of the pictures. Some people were ashen faced and looked like they weren't enjoying the ride. However, they were there laughing at their own pictures too. Some people have different expressions to express their feelings I guess. Either way, everyone enjoyed their ride on this gigantic thrill ride. Especially me!!!!

In my opinion, the Magnum is the tallest coaster in the world. If you look at other record breaking coasters such as the Steel Phantom, it reaches over 80 miles an hour by diving into a ravine 220 some feet. All big coasters do this or go underground to get their speed. The Magnum however, does not. In the ratio of the lift hill to the drop, Magnum still remains the tallest, biggest, and most awesome coaster ever made!!!

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