Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread

[cfc]

But will the new boat ride feature the "backside of water"? If not, this would be a glaring omission!

 

All kidding aside, I'm glad to see CP trying something other than a new coaster for it's 150th anniversary.

[DoinItForTheFame]

How can Cedar Point do this to me?!? It is their 150th anniversary.... Don’t they know how important anniversaries are for parks?!? I was fully expecting something *bigger* for their 150th. I mean this is such an important time for them. I was expecting that 150mph launched coaster. This is such a waste of money. I may never visit Cedar Point again because of this massive disappointment.

 

- Okay, not really! I just wanted to sound like one of *those* enthusiasts for a minute!

 

In all seriousness, I love the changes they are making. The update to the dining venues looks great, and of course the boat ride will be awesome! And no doubt it will give some great views of some of the coasters. I look forward to experiencing the new ride, and the changes on my next visit!

[kenban]

I wonder if either of the food service buildings will have actual second floors, the concept art makes it look like they do but it could easily just be a facade. If the second floor is real its most likely offices or park services of some sort.

 

When I was looking at the concept art for the French Quarter Connections, I was thinking that is how I would hide a dark ride addition. Build a big store/restaurant complex which has a second floor and the ride could be built basically out in the open without anyone knowing it is happening.

 

There is not enough room for something like that in this location, at least without tearing down more then just the current food service buildings. But sometime soon, likely in the next few years, the park is going to rebuild the other side of the midway.

[thrillrider]

They mentioned that the island will remain open with a refresh. I'm curious how you are going to access the island now that the boat ride has returned. They have a floating bridge in place now.

 

Also...I'm too lazy to go back and read every page right now, but pinks is history. The mack and cheese place is taking over that spot. Not sure if this has been mentioned yet.

[coasterbill]

Don't they already have a mac and cheese place that's always closed for staffing under the Sky Ride?

[WolfBobs]

But, I would have preferred something like "all rides will be open at all times this year" or "Steel Vengeance will actually be open for early entry this year" etc. .

 

Yes, they will also announce they can control the weather too... Sadly that's not how machines work. They will break.

[ernierocker]

Don't they already have a mac and cheese place that's always closed for staffing under the Sky Ride?

 

They do indeed. Tried it when we were there last Summer.

[coasterbill]

But, I would have preferred something like "all rides will be open at all times this year" or "Steel Vengeance will actually be open for early entry this year" etc. .

 

Yes, they will also announce they can control the weather too... Sadly that's not how machines work. They will break.

 

To be fair, (and this is way more speculation than I'm normally comfortable with) many the Steel Vengeance delayed opening issues seem to be structural issues and not mechanical ones. When the ride has a delayed opening there are almost always workers up on a lift in the same few sections of the structure, usually the turnaround between the barrel rolls that goes under the lift hill. I doubt the issue is mechanical, I don't even think there's anything mechanical up there for them to work on. I feel like they'll fix that issue now that they have months to work on it and that alone would probably reduce a good chunk of it's downtime.

[tndank]

I was half serious, half joking. I wasn't suggesting they control the weather. That didn't cause staggered opening on rides all season and Friday closures during Halloween. Steel Vengeance was more joking, but also like Bill said. Saying they have a new way to better fix and maintain it would be a great announcement. Saying 'we think it'll be open earlier this year to provide more value to your early entry' would be nice. Might sell some passes, too.

 

But really, I wasn't targeting SV. My original point was I had hoped for some ride / staffing updates. It's all good what they showed. Can't wait to visit again.

[operative_me]

I'm seeing a lot of people on other sites really stressing out about the new boat ride and a bridge over it. Omg how are they going to do it? I mean they find ways to build $20 million roller coasters but a bridge? I don't know if they can handle that!

[coasterbill]

^^ Oh yeah, I know. I'm not attacking your post or anything, just trying to spark a discussion.

Edited December 13, 2019 by coasterbill

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Are there sensors in that location? I know Outlaw Run had issues with false positives its first year.

[coasterbill]

That's the only other thing that I thought of but I'm not sure. I do know that the structure sways like crazy right there though which probably has something to do with it.

 

And before the "Coasters are designed to sway, here's an old video of Rattler at Fiesta Texas" people show up... yeah, I know. I'm not implying that the ride is unsafe or has any major problems, I'm just saying that the ride seems to need a lot of maintenance in that area (and maybe others) and that's probably part of the reason that it opens late so often.

 

Again, this is way more speculation than normal from me but the thread is dead and it's the offseason. Cheers.

Edited December 13, 2019 by coasterbill

[southpuddle]

I'm seeing a lot of people on other sites really stressing out about the new boat ride and a bridge over it. Omg how are they going to do it? I mean they find ways to build $20 million roller coasters but a bridge? I don't know if they can handle that!

 

Exactly how I’ve felt ever since the dinos were on the island and the bridge was put in place for that. People all up in arms about how that sealed the fate of PWE ever retuning. They’ll build a ramp. It’s simple as that

[DavidB]

Yeah, that area moves a lot. I paid close attention to it when I went at the end of the season, and when we were in line beneath that part I was hoping my lady friend wouldnt notice how much it moved. I dont think she would have ridden if she really paid attention to the amount of flex the ride exhibits, particularly in that area.

[WolfBobs]

I'm seeing a lot of people on other sites really stressing out about the new boat ride and a bridge over it. Omg how are they going to do it? I mean they find ways to build $20 million roller coasters but a bridge? I don't know if they can handle that!

 

Exactly how I’ve felt ever since the dinos were on the island and the bridge was put in place for that. People all up in arms about how that sealed the fate of PWE ever retuning. They’ll build a ramp. It’s simple as that

 

Those bridges installed for Dinos were floating bridges, nothing really permanent. We used the same ones at GL (in fact some may have come from GL). They were moved a few times from one side of the lake to the other. That's not really gonna be an issue.

 

Humans have been building bridges for centuries. I'm pretty sure the engineers who contract for CP can figure this out.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

I'm pretty sure the people underneath these bridge rumours are trolls.

[SharkTums]

I'm pretty sure the people underneath these bridge rumours are trolls.

 

[Nrthwnd]

I'm pretty sure the people underneath these bridge rumours are trolls.

 

Under the Aurora Bridge ~ Seattle.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Oh that's cool. There's a place underneath the bridge in Louisville KY called the Troll Pub. It's pretty cool.

 

[prozach626]

"Coasters are designed to sway, here's an old video of Rattler at Fiesta Texas" people

[Haymaker]

"Coasters are designed to sway, here's an old video of Rattler at Fiesta Texas" people

 

I just watched that for the first time... it almost looks fake, but its cool

[MrFurious]

Howdy knowledgeable Cedar Fair individuals!

 

First, I'm a teacher planning our family's first visit to Cedar Point (2 park days), and kings island (1park day). We purchased platinum passes for the trip, and I'm officially at the "time to plan and make reservations" stage. We're out of st. Louis, and I'm hoping to get there as early in the summer as possible (depending on snow days, first week of June??).

 

I don't want to be annoying, so if there's already a post that's easily accessible, I'll look there... but I know that I trust y'all, and there's literally thousands of posts so I don't know where to search.

 

Hoping to plan cedar point on weekdays to minimize the crowds, kings island will have to be whatever day fits around CP's schedule.

 

With platinum, I get the early entry (I think this is the case), so I'm considering NOT staying at Breakers (teacher salary plus family vacation equals pinching of pennies), but MAYBE breakers Express, or another suggested local hotel.

 

No idea where to stay at kings island.

 

Advice on early June crowds? Good hotels? Plan of attack in park (does steel vengeance run during early entry)? My daughter is nine, tall enough for EVERYTHING, and a budding enthusiast. Loves Time traveler, outlaw run, and goliath at great America. Seen the POVs of everything at CP, and is stoked. I'm usually hyper planned on these trips, but for some reason I'm flying a little blind on this one.

 

Sorry to be such a needy lurker, love to read a bunch on these forums, but often have little to contribute. I reached out once regarding getting a platinum pass, and loved/ respected the heck out of that input (and put that advice to good use).

 

Thanks!

[AmyUD06]

You're on the right path with Platinum Passes. I would not target going the first week of June or before, since they may still be experiencing their typical early-season staffing issues.

 

My taste in hotels varies from most...when I'm on a coaster trip, I'm just looking for a place to sleep after the park and don't need anything fancy...just a bed with a room that locks and doesn't reek, so my recommendations will reflect that.

 

When I last visited CP in 2017, I stayed at the Magnuson Hotel East Sandusky, about a 5 minute drive from the park. Some here will tell you its a shithole but I did not have that experience, and when I stayed then the pool was open super-late, allowing you to take a dip to relax your muscles after the park. Everyone raves about Breakers but I just can't justify spending $300+ a night for a hotel when there's decent enough places 5-10 minutes away for under $100 a night.

 

As for Kings Island hotels, I stayed at the Super 8 Mason during my last trip there (October 2019) and in 2017. It's not fancy, but it is cheap and is almost across the street from the park. The pool here was also open super late.

 

Another theory that I employed to some success in my 2008 Ohio Coaster Trip was staying mid-way between the Cedar Point and Kings Island. Yes, you have a ~2 hour drive to and from each day, but it allows you some flexibility to account for the weather, since being so far away the chances of it being pouring in both locations at the same time is extremely slim. I stayed in Marion on that trip, which is an hour 40 minutes from CP and 2 hours 15 minutes from KI. We did two days at CP, split by a day a KI because it was supposed to pour the second day at CP. It does suck driving that far after a day at a park but it gives you options.

 

Crowds at CP mid-week should be manageable no matter when you go. With two full days, you probably won't need any particular plan of attack, but hitting SV early is always recommended. I'd also try to get on Dragster as soon as you can, since it can be finicky. If you can, budget for Fast Lane+, and you'll be guaranteed a great time so long as the weather works in your favor. I'd even skimp on the hotel to budget for it. Remember, with Platinum Passes you can get FL+ for the regular FL price, but only when purchased at the park.

 

Kings Island should also be manageable any day except Saturday. If you can possibly swing it, and you've never been there before, I'd try to add a second day, even partial. Night rides on Beast are mandatory, and Mystic Timbers also gives a decent night ride, and Orion is poised to offer some nice ones as well and with how late it'll be getting dark it'll be impossible to swing all three in one night. If you planned on doing most of what the waterpark has to offer, you'd need a second day for that anyway.

[AndrewA86]

Howdy knowledgeable Cedar Fair individuals!

 

First, I'm a teacher planning our family's first visit to Cedar Point (2 park days), and kings island (1park day). We purchased platinum passes for the trip, and I'm officially at the "time to plan and make reservations" stage. We're out of st. Louis, and I'm hoping to get there as early in the summer as possible (depending on snow days, first week of June??).

 

I don't want to be annoying, so if there's already a post that's easily accessible, I'll look there... but I know that I trust y'all, and there's literally thousands of posts so I don't know where to search.

 

Hoping to plan cedar point on weekdays to minimize the crowds, kings island will have to be whatever day fits around CP's schedule.

 

With platinum, I get the early entry (I think this is the case), so I'm considering NOT staying at Breakers (teacher salary plus family vacation equals pinching of pennies), but MAYBE breakers Express, or another suggested local hotel.

 

No idea where to stay at kings island.

 

Advice on early June crowds? Good hotels? Plan of attack in park (does steel vengeance run during early entry)? My daughter is nine, tall enough for EVERYTHING, and a budding enthusiast. Loves Time traveler, outlaw run, and goliath at great America. Seen the POVs of everything at CP, and is stoked. I'm usually hyper planned on these trips, but for some reason I'm flying a little blind on this one.

 

Sorry to be such a needy lurker, love to read a bunch on these forums, but often have little to contribute. I reached out once regarding getting a platinum pass, and loved/ respected the heck out of that input (and put that advice to good use).

 

Thanks!

 

If I were you I would stay at the Econo Lodge North. It's located right down the street from breakers express. It's a nice place to stay if you're looking for something clean but not fancy.

 

Early June on weekdays is usually very manageable, especially if you have early entry. But with this being the 150th celebration and everyone and their brother having those gold passes I'm thinking the crowds will be a lot busier than usual.

 

But with that said, I visit the park 15-20 times per year and my plan of attack usually gets me on all the major coasters in one day before 5PM without fast lane. I will use early entry and enter through the resort gate located right next to Magnum XL 200. I walk (yes walk, I've never been one of those crazy runners, plus it's against park rules...) to Steel Vengeance, hit that first, then Maverick next. After Maverick I walk down the frontier trail to Millennium Force. Depending on operations I can usually knock those 3 out before early entry is over.

 

Now this is where some will disagree with me, but after Millennium Force I will hit Valravn, then Top Thrill Dragster. Others will argue to hit Top Thrill Dragster first. But since SV was built, Dragster has only been a 15 minute wait or less before 11:30. Sometimes it has been a complete walk on. So I hit Valravn first while that line is still short and then usually have a short wait for Dragster. One day in particular I was able to ride Dragster like 7 times in a row without anything more than a station wait.

 

After Dragster, Corkscrew is right next door, hit that, then Magnum, and Gemini. After Gemini I would hit all the other rides on the Gemini midway and in Frontier Town that you want, like Pipe Scream, the new boat ride, the train, Skyhawk, the water rides, and the Mine Ride.

 

Then walk towards the front of the park down the frontier trail again. Check out the Forbidden Frontier if you want. Or take the train from frontier town to the midway station right by Millennium Force. Then you can ride Rougarou and Iron Dragon. Jump on the sky ride toward the front of the park and hit Raptor then Gatekeeper and Wicked Twister. You would also be right by the Ferris wheel and Windseeker if you have time.

 

That's usually my plan of attack when I want to ride all the major coasters by 5. But I skip Corkscrew, Mine Ride, Pipe scream, Iron Dragon, and water rides. But that would be my plan of attack if I were you.

 

Have fun!

 

EDIT: I didn't see that you are planning on 2 days at Cedar Point. As long as the weather is good and none of the rides are down for any long time you should be fine without a serious plan of attack. I would still start each day the way I planned through Top Thrill Dragster because that gets you on all the best/ major coasters before 11:30 without much of a wait for anything.