Photo TR: Toft's & America's Roller Coast

[ElecterikPermanent Tourist]

As an ice cream enthusiast (and card carrying member of ICE), I frequently travel to far off regions of the country to sample different ice cream establishments. I’m always on the lookout for the latest and greatest. But my number one ice cream parlor has, for a long time now, been Toft’s Dairy in Sandusky, Ohio.

What makes Toft’s so special? It’s not just a high percentage of butterfat. It’s also the fact that they’re one of the very few dairies left that still cook their vanilla base rather than cold whipping it.

Toft’s has remained family-owned for over 100 years, with just three parlor locations: Sandusky (adjacent to the dairy itself), Port Clinton, and Fremont. So when news reached me of a new, fourth location--located inside the world’s largest amusement park--I just had to see for myself.

This is my report:

[megamattIndiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Donkey.]

Great trip report.

[Wood Dragon 1988DelGrosso's Sauce + Enterprise = VOMIT!]

Excellent TR. It seems like your complaints about the park are similar to mine (it's a HUGE CONCRETE SLAB with tons of coasters).

Its funny though that Millennium Force is your favorite ride and you think Maverick is overrated. Personally, Maverick is my number 2 steel coaster and I think Millie is ridiculously overrated

[FrancWhat would donkeys be like on the moon?]

I prefer MF over maverick.

Thanks for the report. (Memories from last summer *sigh* )

[MaverickrocksFull Fledged Donkey Enthusiast!]

Wow, awesome report and pictures! I've had Toft's a few times, but never been to one of their parlors other then the one at CP. It's good stuff, and it looks like I should try and get to the one in Sandusky sometime soon.

If you ever come to my hometown of Columbus on a future trip to Ohio, definatly go to this place called Jeni's Ice Cream. A visit there is kinda like a culinary experience itself, since they feature flavors made with ingredients not found in typical ice cream. They have some great stuff, like Wildberry Lavender, Savannah Buttermint, Cherry Lambic sorbet and Lemon with Blueberries to name a few. All of their ice cream is made fresh and naturally as well, with a focus on local ingredients. By far my favorite ice cream.

Anyway, sorry about Maverick. I can see where your coming from, it's really a ride so wild that it can be rough depending on your physical characteristics or the way you ride it.

That's a shame about all the downtime too, and that's pretty common every year during the first week of the season. Things get drastically better after that though.

[King of KaNo Discernible Talent Whatsoever!]

I liked this TR, I totally agree about the slab of concrete and over-enforcement of safety. I don't entirely blame CP though, I think the park probably gets a larger amount of people who come on vacation and turn their minds off than most other parks, and a death there would most likely be national news, so they have a tiny bit of reason for the safety precautions.

It's strange though, Maverick is my favorite steel coaster, partially because I loved the transitions. The horseshoe roll is my favorite element ever, and everything else about the ride (the banking in particular) is so perfectly done IMO.

[tanthonyamHoly crap you have a HUGE donkey!]

A line for Wildcat? Seriously! Yet the line for MF looked really short! Unless you took that early in the day or late in the day.
I also could never understand their seatbelt policy on almost every ride. But don't feel bad, it looks like you fit perfectly on the Giant Wheel! LOL!
Was this on a Saturday? You gotta expect lots of people here, I mean it is America's Rollercoast.

[RCFreakTPR's Favorite Beaner]

Dude those first few shots of the Dairy parlor brought back tons of memeories when I worked at the park during Halloweekends. When those of us still in the dorms but not in school, were bored we would usually head off toward somerandom destination and usually end it with some Toft's.


Also, one of the rides I worked on was indeed Paddlewheel so THANK YOU for showing some of that. I miss speileing and almost dying driving into the rocks. Oh man learning to drive those boasts was a pain! lol they are not on tracks unlike some other parks so it takes talent and skill to drive the boat, spiel and act (well, those of us who were actually any good...)

[ThelegendarymatthewCreator of terrible wallpaper.]

A lot of shots I haven't seen there before.
Nice Photo TR!
I was a bit surprised when I saw that you chose Mean Streak over Maverick. Your the second person I've met (first being Cyclone Man) that didn't enjoy the ride.

-Matthew K.

[ElecterikPermanent Tourist]

A line for Wildcat? Seriously! Yet the line for MF looked really short! Unless you took that early in the day or late in the day.
I also could never understand their seatbelt policy on almost every ride. But don't feel bad, it looks like you fit perfectly on the Giant Wheel! LOL!
Was this on a Saturday? You gotta expect lots of people here, I mean it is America's Rollercoast.

The shot of MF's line was actually during early entry, as we bought Platinum Annual Passes. And, no, not a Saturday. We went in briefly on Sunday night, then all day Monday and Tuesday. I figured the lines would be fairly short during the first week of daily operations, but there were lots and lots of school kids there both days. And, of course, all the downtime made the lines for the things that were working that much worse.

I discovered Toft's while working at the park, also. I was on the opening crew of MF back in 2000. I had never been to the park prior to working there, and just figured that I would love it. Instead, I found the place highly mediocre. I liked my ride, though.