Built in 1989 and one of the last design creations of Arrow Dynamics' previous chief architect, Ron Toomer, Magnum XL-200 was a record breaker of a kind all to its own.  As the name suggests, it was the first coaster to surpass the 200-foot mark and the fastest coaster of any time when it debuted in Cedar Point.

Magnum XL-200, third on the list of Amusement Today's 'World's Favorite Coaster' since the arrival of steel giant Millennium Force, is still a proof that good designing, the shoes of Ron Toomer no one can fill, creates a simply awesome coaster.  I have ridden this coaster at least ten times, and every time when I exit the station, I can't help but understand why so many people love this coaster.

Starting from a computer/Sci-Fi themed station, the sleek trains, prototypical of the typical hyper-coaster train from Arrow, like Desperado, begin their journey abruptly as the previous train begins the 195-foot first plunge.  The lift is one of the loudest and longest in existence, but the thin track and single-sided guiderail add to the effect of increasing height.  By the top, you can see a large portion of the lake, as well as the Ripcord Skycoaster in nearby Challenge Park, and the waterslides in Soak City.

After cresting the hill, the train slowly begins to look down, and keeps getting steeper and steeper, 'til everything becomes a blur and you've already reached the bottom of the first hill.  The airtime over the second hill, 40 feet shorter than the first, is enough to plop you out of your seat for a few seconds before it drops you into a curve down into the first tunnel, during which scream effects are played to enhance the darkness and speed.  The train then rockets out of the tunnel through a short camelback and then begins an under-banked (lots of lateral G's) helix that has become known as the 'pretzel loop' to coaster enthusiasts.  Upon exiting the pretzel loop in the opposite direction of entrance, the train enters the second tunnel, same effects, after which a series of high neg-G bunny hops occur in rapid-fire.

Right before the end, the train enters the last of the tunnels before popping into the short, quick brake run (watch your head or it'll end up against the bar in front of you, the only negative point of the coaster) and engaging the long, slow spiral into the final brakes and the non-bank quick turn into the station.  This ride rocks!