Column: Steel Vengeance outdoes Mean Streak

SANDUSKY — Mean Streak transformed into a totally new experience through Steel Vengeance.Being from the area, I grew up going to Cedar Point. We had season passes most of my life. We still go once or twice a year with family and friends. I enjoy riding roller coasters.I only rode Mean Streak one time. I couldn't wait for the ride to be over because it was extremely rough. Mean Streak was the only roller coaster to ever make me feel sick to my stomach.Going into the media-only preview event, I knew I would ride Steel Vengeance whether I wanted to or not. If reporter Andy Ouriel could ride it, so could I.While waiting in line, I couldn't help but think of my experience on Mean Streak. I hoped Steel Vengeance would be a smooth ride.We reached the top of the first hill and I held on to the lap bar as tight as I could knowing there was 90-degree drop. We made it over more hills and into an inversion. I was amazed with how smooth the steel track made everything. It was nothing like Mean Streak. After a little while, I put my hands up, like my coworker, Jilly Burns, who was sitting next to me.Steel Vengeance has a ride duration of two minutes and 30 seconds. The ride felt so much longer than that. It was enjoyable and I didn't want it to end.If you didn't like Mean Streak, give Steel Vengeance a chance. It's a completely different roller coaster.Register photographers Jilly Burns and Erin McLaughlin fasten their seat beats to ride Cedar Point's Steel Vengeance on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.