rockbook2000

So, despite looking up ticket prices for Orlando (which are absolutely ridiculous), I'll suck up the money on "one park" since I really want to plan a trip to Islands of Adventure sometime in 2010 to visit the new Harry Potter attraction. When is the best time to do this if I'm trying to avoid long lines? Obviously it's going to always be somewhat crowded since it's Universal and Orlando, but was thinking maybe some point in the year would be better. My initial thought was a weekday in early-September right around Labor Day

Wow. If this is true, I retract my statement and should edit my post.

I visited Cedar Point for the first time this past Thursday and Friday (8/20-8/21) and thought I’d post a mini review. Me and my friends bought a 2 day pass for $60 since the weather was iffy for Thursday. Actually the forecast was for thunderstorms and rain all day, but we figured we would give it a go. Luckily, it only rained for 20 minutes this day and the rest of the day was perfectly clear. In turn, this meant that practically no one was in the park. Top Thrill was closed pretty much all day unfortunately, but we were able to get on so many other rides during this time. The longest waits were about 30 minutes each for first row on Millennium Force and Maverick. The rest of the rides were literally no more than 10-15 minutes each, most of which were less than 5 minutes or walk-ons (was shocked to walk onto Wicked Twister). Friday had a better forecast, so there were more crowds, but we have already gotten the mass majority of the rides we already wanted done at that point. Top Thrill was open all day so got to ride that a couple of times and finished up some other rides. Crowds were still surpringly sparse, with most lines being 15-30 minutes (Maverick appeared to be most crowded). Overall, spent about 15 total hours at the park over the two days and got everything done I wanted to (including all the roller coasters). Definitely want to go back sometime soon, hopefully with crowds as sparse once again. Notes and ride count below: Random Bullet Point Notes About The Park/Rides (I will compare to SFGAdv sometimes since it’s my home park): -Staff was extremely friendly, had very positive attitudes, and were great about sending trains off as quickly as possible -Love how they have the unloading stations before the loading stations on some popular rides, really speeds up the process -Parking was only $10 compared to the $15 ripoff at Six Flags. While it’s still a lot, it doesn’t totally feel like I’m getting my money sucked out of me for a zero cost profit margin for the park -Food seemed a little bit cheaper than Six Flags, which was nice. Actually spent more on food than usual since I didn’t feel like I was being ripped off. -OUCH on Mean Streak. Someone would literally have to pay me to ride that again. Weird too, because Blue Streak was quite smooth and is the oldest coaster in the park. -Blue Towers (shooting you down) are more fun than red towers (shooting you up) on Power Tower -Wish they still had rides like Demon Drop at other parks. Not sure why Six Flags closed Free Fall. -For flats, MaxAir and Skyhawk were AWESOME RIDE COUNT: Millenium Force – 3 (once front row, once back row) Top Thrill Dragster – 2 (once front row, once back row) Raptop – 2 (once front row) Magnum XL 200 – 2 (once front row) Wicked Twister – 2 Power Tower Blue – 2 Power Tower Red – 2 Demon Drop – 2 Maverick – 1 Blue Streak – 1 (front row) Mean Streak – 1 Mantis – 1 Gemini – 1 Corkscrew – 1 Snake River Falls – 1 MaxAir – 1 Skyhawk – 1 Cedar Creek Mine Ride – 1 Disaster Transport – 1 Iron Dragon – 1 Wildcat – 1 TOTAL = 30

Intense post, Philrad. Thanks!

OK cool. Same thing happens at SFGadv. Thanks

Thanks for the great advice, Medic! I'm only probably going to be there for 4-5 hours since I need to get back on the road, so not sure how much I'm gonna be able to do. Will certainly keep the recommendations in mind.

Thanks for the helpful tips, all. The deep fried brownies sound awesome. Going there alone (part of a road trip), so hopefully won't get too bored.

Going there within the next week and the three main rides I want to go on are Millennium Force, TTD, and Maverick. Will probably stay from opening to close. Any recommendations for what order to do everything in? Would hypothetically want to do pretty much all the roller coasters (maybe not a few boring older ones) and some of the cooler, more intense flats.

Sounds too good to be true. LOL

LOL. Wow! I assume you're the Yoshi dude from the Great Adventure forums. SFGAdv is my home park, so I'm used to spending $12 for a wrap and small drink. This should be a nice break. Heading to Cedar Point the day after, which should be cool. I assume the park won't take too long to do. Do they charge for parking?

Thanks to both of you for the info. I'm planning on going Wednesday of this week. How should the crowds/lines probably be? I was debating between this and Hershey, but thought this would be tamer and cheaper (even though I am roller coaster person).

What are the "must" rides there? I assume their major wooden coaster. On top of this, what's the best/cheapest/most efficient way to purchase tickets? Also saw on Food Network they have the best food of any amusement park in the world. Recommendations of what to get? Will probably get 1-2 meals and some type of dessert/treat.

Watching Amusement Park eats on Food Network right now. Just curious to see which parks have the best overall food in your opinions? What about the best funnel cakes?

El Toro is amazing in the back. Never been on the back of Nitro so cannot say. Front seat in both of those are VERY solid too, but you'll have to wait. I was there today and it was pretty crowded. Longest line throughout the day was definitely Bizzaro. Don't be too tricked by the "Wait Time" signs, though, as they're generally not too accurate. I waited for 24 minutes from the 90 minute sign on El Toro, and 46 minutes from the 120 minute sign on Bizzaro. You should be able to get on pretty much all the roller coasters. I was only there for 5 hours today, including 30 minutes for lunch and extra time just walking around checking out the Xploratorium, and did: El Toro Bizzaro Superman Nitro Runaway Train Rolling Thunder Have a blast! I would recommend getting there early and doing out Bizzaro and El Toro first. Not sure if the Flash Pass would be worth it unless you have limited time and want to do every ride in the park, flats included.

I'm planning on driving to Cleveland and eventually Cedar Point in late-August from the NJ/NYC area. I have a couple options and looking for advice: 1) Take the somewhat longer route of I-78/I-76 and stop at Hersheypark. Never been there. 2) Take the shorter route of I-80. Not sure if there are any good parks with decent roller coasters along the way. Anyone have any advice? Are there good places not too far out of the way on the drive besides Hershey or Dorney that would be worthwhile to stop at for roller coasters?

How long does it usually take to get there if you are staying in downtown Paris? e.g. How long would it take from the time I leave my hotel to when I am actually in the park after I have bought my ticket?

I'm heading to Paris at the end of August/early-September and was wondering whether or not you think it would be worth it to go. Will it likely be super crowded like the Orlando parks? How are the rides? Going there with someone who isn't huge into roller coasters, so was thinking Disney provides some rides they can do.

Wow. I haven't been to Bowcraft in a long, long time (was a little kid), but remember it being fun. To the original poster, your best option would to just call each of the parks beforehand and ask their policy. This way you can have a reference when you go to the park and they deny you. I didn't know the pizza was so solid at Bowcraft - it's been a while as I said. Do they have all the typical amusement park food there besides the pizza?

That's good to hear. Maybe I'll get there at opening and then do the waterpark in the afternoon (or vice versa) since the ticket is good for both parks.

Thanks for the advice, all. I'll see what I can do. I've never been there before so I definitely want to check out the rides. Unfortunately, my host has school during September, so that is not a viable option. Will likely try for a weekday in late-August. Just have to get there at opening. What rides should I go on first, when the park is least crowded? Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster I'm guessing....

Despite the fact that I have a season pass to Great Adventure, I'm thinking about going to Dorney Park since I haven't been there in quite some time and looked fun to check out. How are the crowds compared to Six Flags Great Advenutre, though? If I go on a weekday (non-Friday), will I likely be waiting in hour-long lines for every roller coaster or thrill ride? Also, which is a better waterpark - Hurricane Harbor or Wildwater Kingdom?

I was there recently and didn't hear anything. If they plan on being the next Disney though, they're going to need to do something about the ridiculously inflated prices. It's one thing to charge a premium because you're on a resort and on vacation - that I understand. But $20 for a cheeseburger and fries, $14 for a frozen drink, or $330 dollars for a bottle of Ketel One vodka - you've got to be kidding me. Are they going to charge $100 for admission to the theme park? The whole time you're there, all you worry about is how much money you're spending on random stuff.

New to the forums and excited to be here. I'm a big theme park/roller coaster fan, so I look forward to interacting with all of you on here, reading trip reports, etc. I'm planning a trip to Cedar Point sometime this summer and wanted your insight on when would be the best time to go in terms of crowds, lines, and rides open? July or August? Which day of the week (since I assume not a weekend)? Any advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.