Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread

[coastermaniac]

For the early entry rides, they'll probably add Windseeker. If they had to replace something, hopefully it'll be Planet Snoopy because honestly how many people use the early entry with kids and actually go to Planet Snoopy? As for paying for a CP hotel vs. a platinum pass and staying off property, getting a platinum pass is way more worth it in the long run. The Cedar Point hotels, in my opinion, are too over-priced. Sure they have a nice view of the park as well as you can just walk outside and pretty much be in the park, it's not worth it I think. If you buy a Platinum Pass, you still get in an hour early, free parking, and you get into every Cedar Fair park. There are plenty of other hotels right near Cedar Point, many of which are pretty cheap. I got one for $42 in late July and it was nothing fancy, just a typical sleeping spot for the night.

[RedB]

Is there a place for passholders to pre-register for Coastermania? Or do we just show up at the gate on June 3rd?

[Astrojack]

Early entry is nice at the beginning of the season since you have about a station wait for each ride. As the season goes on it's not uncommon to see Maverick with a full queue within 20 minutes of ERT or MF with an hour+ wait. Last year I made two trips to CP spending 3 days in the park each trip and had the worst early time experiences all 4 days we did early entry.

 

First trip of the season was beginning of June and we ran to Maverick. We had a one train wait for the front seat and it broke down. Took about a 1/2 hour to get it started again. We jogged to MF and noticed we didn't see it run while we were heading towards it. The line looked to be about about 30-40 min wait. So we decided to hit up Raptor since it's always reliable when I'm at the park and it was a walk on

 

Next day we wanted to hit up MF to try to ride it a few times before the ERT line got to long. The line extended out of the station and we waited for the back. They only had two trains running since the yellow train was still on the transfer track. We were next to ride until they decided to transfer the yellow train on. They tested the train before letting us on the next train. Everyone buckled up then we had to get off since there was some sort of issue. There was about a 45-50 minute delay because when they finally let us back on it was already a few minutes after 10.

 

The next two early access trips were just crowded but atleast all the rides were working on time

 

I understand rides break down or that there can be massive crowds for early entry, but I just wanted to inform people who plan on booking a CP hotel for early access. I heard a lot of resort people complaining that they wasted their money for broken down rides and long waits for 'their' exclusive hour. Just hope it doesn't rain in the morning like the time I booked a Breakers Express room just for the ERT. But the past 4 years I have been buying a Plat pass so a crowded ERT, broken down rides, or rain doesn't bother me any more I just feel sorry for my friend since he has yet to experience an ERT when all rides are walk ons for that whole hour.

[coastermaniac]

^ I agree. Early entry for ERT is worth it in the beginning of the season and at times throughout the end of the summer. But as time progresses more people visit the park for early entry and it really isn't worth it anymore. Early in the season I could ride Millennium Force at least twice and still head to another ride before the park opened and in the middle of the summer, I sometimes found myself still waiting in line at regular park opening time still to ride once.

[PhantomNick]

I used to stay at hotel breakers when they had the packages(with the coupon books), and it was a good deal. We stayed there on opening weekend for 10 years in a row because of the package deal we got. They no longer have the coupon books or any of the deals. The books had 2 one day tickets, 2 starlight tickets, free mini golf or go carts, cp munch money(I think it was $10 worth), ripcord discount, and buy one get one game coupons. I always had a season pass, but gave the tickets to family. They still have the package deal, but it only includes the tickets and it's the same price as it was when you got the coupon book.

 

I remember those packages! They were a really good deal! I had a stretch where I went to CP every year from 2002-2008 (sometimes twice), and every year through 2007 my family/friends and I stayed at Breakers because of the package deal.

 

In 2008, we stayed at Breakers Express, and I thought the hotel was perfectly fine. We went in May, and the price for the room was less than 100 bucks, plus we got the parking and early entry. I thought there was plenty of value there, and the rooms were pretty nice.

 

It's interesting reading the recent comments about early entry, because I've routinely utilized it and never run into large crowds, even in the middle of summer. I've almost always been able to get 2 rides on Millennium plus queue up for another ride before the park opens. We are likely heading back to the Point this year on opening weekend for my brother's bachelor party, so I'll be curious to see how things are then, since we'll likely stay at Breakers Express again.

[FeelTheFORCE]

I used to do that package also! That sucks they don't include the coupon book anymore...it was a really nice add-on touch to that deal! I used to go before math and science week existed, though, and haven't since about 2007 or 2008. I'd like to do the package again sometime, but definitely not during M&S week...that was horrible. The past couple years I have just been driving up for the day once or twice a year, and drive home when the day's over.

[thrillrider]

It may help to check out the reviews of the hotel before booking the room.

 

If you look here....

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g50940-d101745-Reviews-Hotel_Breakers-Sandusky_Ohio.html

 

It may help a little.

[BigDipper 80]

A break from the current discussion to announce the new nighttime show for 2011...

 

Cedar Point Press Release

 

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Marathon Petroleum Company LP (Marathon) will add even more dazzle to Cedar Point when it sponsors a spectacular new nighttime music and light show this summer at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park resort.

 

Called American Portrait, the new attraction will feature exciting music, high-def digitized video, advanced lighting system and an extensive display of colorful pyrotechnics that will illuminate the evening sky.

 

“American Portrait is dedicated to the Spirit of America,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “It will combine patriotic and contemporary music with unique images of American life. The program will be fast-paced, uplifting and will be enjoyed by everyone in the family.”

 

The 15-minute program will be presented nightly beginning Friday, June 3 through Sunday, Aug. 21. American Portrait will be shown on the park’s huge 3,600-square-foot projection screen located on the Iron Dragon Midway. On most nights, American Portrait is scheduled to be shown at 10 p.m.

 

The park’s first nighttime sound and light show, The Summer Spectacular, began in 1995 as part of Cedar Point’s 125th anniversary celebration.

 

“We are proud to join Cedar Point in bringing this patriotic salute to the park,” said Tom Kelley, Marathon’s Senior Vice President Marketing. “The brilliance and high energy of the new American Portrait nighttime show will be the perfect ending to a visit to Cedar Point.”

 

In addition to American Portrait, Cedar Point will also have a new show in the Jack Aldrich Theatre plus live music in two other theaters, an ice skating show featuring the PEANUTS characters, a thrilling stunt show with inline skaters and skateboarders and sing-a-longs with Snoopy and his friends.

 

Marathon is an integrated international energy company engaged in exploration and production; oil sands mining; integrated gas; and refining, marketing and transportation operations. Marathon, which is based in Houston, has principal operations in the United States, Angola, Canada, Equatorial Guinea, Indonesia, Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Libya, Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom. Marathon is the fourth largest United States-based integrated oil company and the nation's fifth largest refiner.

 

For more information, please visit http://www.marathon.com or cedarpoint.com.

 

--from pointpixels.com.

 

 

Doesn't seem like anything particularly fancy or noteworthy, but then again, it wouldn't take much for the new show to be better than Hot Summer Lights.

[coastermaniac]

Doesn't seem like anything particularly fancy or noteworthy, but then again, it wouldn't take much for the new show to be better than Hot Summer Lights.

 

I agree!

[CPmaverick]

I was just looking at the webcam when someone walked over and held a sign up that said "Favorite Fan Feature Returns 3.9.11 cedarpoint.com". The return of the blog possibly?

[aesthyrian]

haha what a job he has

 

So what does everybody think of this years Coastermania?

[FeelTheFORCE]

I was just looking at the webcam when someone walked over and held a sign up that said "Favorite Fan Feature Returns 3.9.11 cedarpoint.com". The return of the blog possibly?

 

I actually wish they start adding new things to the "Extra Point" section before bringing the blog back. I liked the wallpapers, sound files, etc. ...then they just stopped. Essentially their Facebook page is a blog, so I see no need to have two. Besides, didn't one of the bloggers (I forget if it was Tony or Tyler) get a job elsewhere?

[HappyEisentrout]

Yeah Tony, who did most of the work, moved back home to be on TV in Madison. Tyler was more or less just a face. He worked in group sales while Tony was actually in Marketing.

[KI Kidd]

Quick question about "Math and Science Week" at CP. I know for math and science days at KI the crowds usually aren't too bad, is that the case at CP or are these days the park should be avoided?

[osm]

If I have one day in August for my first visit to the Point, when would be the best time to go? I don't care about credit whoring, I just want to get on everything good. I know I should spend more than one day, but it's not feasible. Thanks in advance.

[KI Kidd]

Any day from the 22-25 or the 29-Sept 1. Schools will be back in session and that will help keep the crowds lighter on the weekdays.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Quick question about "Math and Science Week" at CP. I know for math and science days at KI the crowds usually aren't too bad, is that the case at CP or are these days the park should be avoided?

 

Avoid those days, it's not fun at all. Don't get me wrong, it's not comparable to a weekend in July or August at CP, but if you wait a few days and go the next week, you'll practically have the park to yourself.

[JJ728]

In 2010 I was at CP on a Thursday in July and another weekday during the last week of August. July was a typical day: hot (low 90's, OUCH!), humid, cloudy. Lines were around an hour for MF, TTD, and Maverick. Miserable day, but great rides. Weekday in August was completely different. Clear, not as humid, high 70's. Longest lines were obviously TTD, MF, and Maverick, which fluctuated between 30 to 45 minutes. Got a second ride at night for MF with a 20 minute wait. There was no science days at all while I was there.

 

My advice: Weekday in August when Ohio is in school!

[KI Kidd]

^^Thanks, the next week it will be then.

Edited March 9, 2011 by KI Kidd

[FeelTheFORCE]

There was no science days at all while I was there.

 

That's because you went in July/August. Math and Science week is always the first week they are open, when kids are still in school.

[JJ728]

There was no science days at all while I was there.

 

That's because you went in July/August. Math and Science week is always the first week they are open, when kids are still in school.

I thought Ohio is in school during the last week of August?

[FeelTheFORCE]

I thought Ohio is in school during the last week of August?

 

Nope, for the most part they don't go back until September. That's besides the point anyway, a Math and Science week/day is never going to be held then. It's always held towards the end of the school year, not right at the beginning.

[JJ728]

I thought Ohio is in school during the last week of August?

Nope, for the most part they don't go back until September. That's besides the point anyway, a Math and Science week/day is never going to be held then. It's always held towards the end of the school year, not right at the beginning.

I'm sorry, I accidentally misread your post. You said they have science/math days the first week Cedar Point is open, not the first week school was in. How embarrassing on my part... And that totally makes sense that they wouldn't have it the first week they are in school.

[Penguinz0]

Leaving for Cedar Point August 4th for 2 days, How crowded do you think it will be?

[CoasterBoyJosh]

VERY crowded...Prepare to wait