Specific Type: Special Coaster Systems
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In 1978, Cedar Point released a revolutionary new steel coaster, Gemini. When Gemini first opened, it was the tallest roller coaster in the world. It was supposedly extremely intense and terrifying. Although it isn’t the tallest coaster anymore, the ride is still just as exciting and intense as it was when it first opened. The ride features a steel track with a wooden frame, giving the illusion of a wooden coaster. Once aboard Gemini, it is obvious the ride is not a wooden coaster because of the trains' smooth tracking. The track, trains, and supports are still in good condition, and the ride has not lost much of its charm since its opening day.
Gemini is a dual station steel-racing coaster which features many large dips and sweeping turns, which give riders chances to high five or taunt each other as the race. The grand finale of the coaster is a banked helix, which immediately ends with a quick brake run. Although the ride doesn’t look very impressive from afar, the minute you look down the first drop from the top of the 125-foot tall lift hill, you realize that this is not a tame coaster. Gemini features many doses of intense airtime and head choppers along with some laterals during the final helix. Most of Gemini's thrill comes from the ability to communicate with the riders aboard the other train going around the flat turns at each end of the ride. It’s a great ride to go on with family members or friends if you split up between the two trains. When riders get in line for Gemini, the first thing they notice is the retro station which was futuristic at the time of its completion. The line is not usually very long, but on weekends and during the summer, it can get rather lengthy especially when only one train is operating. While waiting in line riders are amazed by the silence of the trains speeding by, Gemini does not have the roar that many modern rides do. Once in the station, riders pick which side they want to ride, and which row. Riders pull their lap bars down, and prepare for dispatch. As the trains depart the station, the taunts begin. Groups of jeering teenagers never fail to entertain the guests aboard Gemini. The trains reach the crest of the hill and the trains zoom down the 55-degree drops! When reaching the bottom of the hill riders are given a dose of heavy positive G's. Much of the ride is extremely smooth up until the final helix's which suffer from a lack of heart lining. Riders are treated with an incredible amount of airtime on bunny hops and many head choppers while crossing under the track. Finally, after about a 2 minute and 20 second long ride, the trains reach their finale helices, which provide riders with intense amounts of laterals. The trains brake quickly and stop at the block segments. While Gemini may not be the most intense or impressive roller coaster at Cedar Point, the ride is a classic and should not be skipped. It’s a great ride for the average coaster-riding family that wants to get a fun thrill. It is one of the most popular coasters on the point and will not fail to give you a bit of a thrill. |
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