Right after the Magnum XL 200 set the record for the tallest coaster in the world, the Mean Streak roller coaster smashed the record for the tallest wooden coaster in the world.
It actually set three world records: tallest lift, longest drop, and fastest wooden coaster. The Mean Streak is not for the faint of heart, and be prepared for a beating.
Some really enjoy this ride, while some feel like they just got done getting run over by a semi-truck.
History of The Late Mean Streak
After leaving the station, the train passes through the storage tracks and makes a U-turn to the right before ascending the 161-foot-tall lift hill. After cresting the top of the hill, the train drops 155 feet at a 52-degree angle, reaching a top speed of 65 miles per hour. While dropping, riders go through a set of trim brakes on the first drop.
Riders then go through a 123-foot-tall twisted turnaround followed by a small airtime hill, then another twisted turnaround.
The train then travels over the lift hill and dips down to the right. After that, the train travels through the ride structure and goes down another hill, turning to the left into the mid-course brake run.
The train then dips down to the left into another airtime hill. Riders then go through several small airtime hills and turn in the ride’s structure, followed by the final brake run. One cycle of the ride lasts 3 minutes and 13 seconds.
Conclusion
The Mean Streak still is one of the most popular wooden coasters in the world, and there usually isn’t much of a line. It has been called Cedar Point’s best-kept secret since most of their visitors prefer the large steel coasters and not the rough ride of the Mean Streak.
I remember when I first rode this ride. It was right after I rode the Magnum, and even though the hill did not seem as daunting, the ride itself felt like a runaway train. It is a different experience.
I always ride this coaster when I go to Cedar Point. It may beat the crap out of you, but I am always game for at least one ride.
Update
This article was originally written in 2015 when the Mean Streak was still part of Cedar Point. However, that has changed.
The once great Wooden Coaster located in the back of the park has been replaced by Steel Vengeance, which is the largest hybrid coaster in the world and the winner of the Best New Roller Coaster of the Year.