john10693

I’ve done a trip that worked well that is similar. Take the Bluewater bridge and the 402-401 route and go to Wonderland first. Walk around Wonderland a bit that evening to get a feel. Saturday, fast pass it if you can and enjoy the day (fast pass there on Saturday’s in my experiences are more like kings Island on a Friday for waits and nothing like Cedar Point ever.) Sunday fast pass lines are even better and there is a limited early entry. If you decide to go to Montreal, take the 401 all day there and skip La Ronde to instead just enjoy the city itself. It’ a wonderful city, don’t waste it on the park, you won’t regret that decision. Then head back to the states 0n 91 to Great Escape. Then if you need to do Seabreeze it will be only an hour out of your day for travel and you can do everything in less than two hours max if you want. Darien Lake is a 1:10 minute drive from there. You can easily spend the day at Darien Lake with enough to do and unless Marineland and Niagra Falls is on your bucket list, just screw it and just go to Waldameer for ravine flyer II and a better park IMO. This route only costs 2 border crossings (Unless you go to Marineland and need to see Niagra Falls). From Waldameer Cedar point is about 2 ½ hours.

There are four entrances. Main entrance, boardwalk, marina and hotel/water park entrance. Hotel entrance is closest to TTD, Gemini, Steel Vengeance and Maverick. You may use any entrance. That being said, even with early entry at the hotel entrance, there will be a good line for Steel Vengeance at opening unless you join the running of the bulls at rope drop and can run fast for half a mile. When the water park is open the park does not allow access to the back lot until 1/2 hour after the early entrance posted time (that was the case last year). You can however park in the front lot and walk the board walk past the hotel to the rear entrance for early entry (This is a nice walk along the beach). That takes about 15 minutes so plan accordingly.

There are some great, affordable and safe not so far away hotels in the Sandusky area. To be fair, not so far away to me means within a 15 minute commute. All of these hotels that I recommend I have actually stayed at. Most are on Milan Dr. south of OH-2 and are fantastic, (Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn and Best Western) and if you add 7-9 more minutes and drive down Milan Dr. (past Kalahari resort near the turnpike) there are a few more really clean affordable and safe hotels (the country inn & suites is A+A+ as is that Hampton Inn behind it). The commute is great if you use Bogart road behind the Hampton Inn by OH-2 then left on Galloway road then left onto Perkins,right on Remington Ave. then left on Cleveland Rd. W. to Cedar point Drive. It sounds much much harder than it is and most importantly, bypasses the Milan road commercial strip, which can take forever to drive on due to so many traffic lights. it's the best way. That being said, check to be sure there are no major conferences at Kalahari on the dates you are going as that can be a mess with hotels and travel there. Nearer the park, Express hotel is good for the price, although really no amenities other than early entry if you are not a pass holder (It also feels safe there.). For myself and family, the commute is easily outweighed by a really clean, safe and modern room. I feel that the commute is equal to my daily drive to work and that is more than acceptable. The price range on all of these are similar and are much much less than breakers and on site properties, with much better amenities.

^ Agreed, so many winter fest events in Rochester also. For me a 45 minute drive that I would not do if weather were even a little tricky to drive in. If the weather is fine , being a season pass holder, then maybe once to check it out. Other than that there is more than plenty of winter stuff to do in western NY without having to travel far. If however, they were to say run Ride of Steel, I would probably force myself to go more just to get my coaster fix in.

I would like to know how that's possible?

Yes.

Just a suggestion, marathon maverick until FL+ kicks in, then vengeance 2-3 times, then dragster 2-3 times. After 3pm, fuggitaboutit, go ride the rest of the park.

Bill, It's still Darien Lake and it's still Six Flags. Please don't get sucked into the DL thread vortex of misbelief.

Go carts are simply obsolete with venues like RPM and pole position taking up old mall space everywhere. I personally would (and do) pay 4 times as much for driving those cars at 45 MPH thru a awesome race course (indoors and air conditioned by the way) than pay 8 bucks for a lame a$$ cart ride at any park USA.

Again, sorry.

I'm sorry, your right, forgive me as I've only been on the forums for a year or so now. Still learning. I promise to proceed with ridiculous predictions that will never happen in my entire life, expectations of DL becoming the "new" Cedar Point and totally over the top exaggerations of what is currently happening in the park at the moment. To start, I predict the Galaxy Theater will be torn down and replaced with a Intamin triple launch dark ride running through the pavillions, under ROS, through the waterpark and reaching 80 MPH. This will be done as Six Flags plans to directly compete will Cedar Fair in their own territory. (better I hope?). Oh yeah, Cuda Falls is being replaced with a Aquacoaster in 2020.

I was able to add them on the SF web portal although it is not yet showing any of the benefits. Physical tickets were given for the two bring a friend days.

After the transition to six flags this year, My family and I have noticed the park has been maintained much better than last year at this time. No garbage surrounding and floating in the lakes and operations seem to be more structured overall. Little things like the major rides actually being open when the park opens, all the concessions and games staffed and open all day, visible security and attendants in the parking lots. These things have not been maintained for so long that, as simple as they are, make our visits a little more pleasant. On the 2018 renewals, please be aware that the free bring a friend tickets state "Valid on September 22, 2018 only" and "Valid on October 13, 2018 only". Only good on those days. Oh, the fine print.

Even the Vecoma looks good from there.

What? Then how am I supposed to be disappointed that the ride that's never open isn't open every day.

Two entrances would both have to staffed all day with and I would guess Six Flags considered that. I would suggest one entrance is all that's needed and would be best for the park to manage security in the campground. Maybe a exit only alongside the amphitheater for the convenience of camp goers for after the laser show would work. I would think Six Flags or any management team would most likely go for the simplest most cost effective long term fix for guest security and this is probably the best fit.

You guys are totally getting a giga. Probably an I305 clone. It's like you already knew.

if you are from the US, fast lane plus is only $57 US on tuesday. Well worth it if you want it all in a day.

Yes it is.

La Ronde wins. It should be re-branded Six Flags " Le Ty Le Nol", Predator at DL should be re-named Advil Express or something and all Vekoma SLC'S should have a express warning or advisory about headaches and migraines loudly stated at the entrances.

I don't know, maybe, It helped rougarou in the first half a lot but only a little post mcbr and even though a B&M at the lake would be awesome, I feel apocalypse would not really translate that well going floorless.

Apocalypse ? Darien lake already has the worst wooden coaster on the planet and a clone of the worst suspended coaster ever, why would you want the worst B&M ever?

I take it that you have never been to a Halloweekend Saturday before. I have not seen any thinning crowds after the haunt starts. Even early September. Fast lane it Saturday or do as the wife and I do and see how many bars you can find on Saturday. Sunday September Halloweekends die around 3 P.M. and most rides are walk ons until 8 P.M.

I posted only what I heard and saw. Only this thread could turn that into area 51.

ROS is still down and the train is on its transfer track. I noticed a couple people down by the lift motor in the A.M. yesterday and no one even in the area later in the day. Park was slow even with a concert though, 10- 15 minutes for everything open, grizzly run and pirate still down also.