Cedar Point/Kings Island Early June

[Calicoasters]

This will be my first visit to both parks and maybe even the state! We are flying into Columbus late Thursday night (6/4) and staying there every night.

 

We will go to Cedar Point (10 A.M. - 10 P.M.) Friday (6/5) my questions for this park are:

 

Which lines fill up the fastest, take the longest, and what order of those rides would I have the best (possible) success? We will be at the park when it opens and Coasters are our priority. I'm thinking Top Thrill Dragster is first priority?

 

What is the weather like in Ohio (Sandusky) around this time of the year?

 

When do the local schools get out? I'm hoping being this early in June school is still in session. Which leads to my next question...

 

Can I get it all done in 1 day? Am I bitting off more than I can chew? I atleast want to get all of the coasters in. I'd hate to treat Cedar Point like a credit run, but I'm thinking it might be like that depending on crowds. Note, the park is open for 12 hours that day.

 

Hour Changes? - Does the park stay open later if there are still large crowds in the park? I'm hoping I have a chance for overtime if it is busy.

 

Kings Island (Saturday 6/6) is also open for 12 hours. I've read many times that this park is always busy! Is that true?

 

Will Vortex be open? I know it is getting a new paint job, but I don't know how far a long it is, nor do I see a date for reopening. How far along is it?

 

How rough is Son Of Beast? I definitly want to ride it, but if it is GhostRider rough I think I would save it for last. so the question is... Is Son Of Beast GhostRider rough?

 

*Copy. Paste.* Which lines fill up the fastest, take the longest, and what order of those rides would I have the best (possible) success? We will be at the park when it opens and Coasters are our priority. I'm thinking Firehawk should be first priority?

 

This question is for both parks. Where should I eat? Because we are going to be at both parks all day I'd prefer a sitdown restaurant indoors (Like Moose Burger Lodge at SFMM) so I can take a break and keep my energy. What do you recommend?

 

Two days is unfortunately all I have. Am I asking for too much? Should I only be doing one park? Which one? (I'm equally interested in both of them) Cedar Point is open 10 - 11 Saturday. Should I switch the park days around for 1 extra hour?

 

All advice is highly appreciated, so - Bring it!

 

Thank you,

 

Cody

[Homeboy23]

I went to KI last year in July on a Saturday and CP on Sunday and got all the coasters in fine. I was also there from opening until close, but if you plan on other things you might run into trouble. I was able to get in some flats, and even the skateboarding show at CP.

 

At KI: Invertigo, Firehawk and Son of Beast will have the slowest lines. It will be best to get those done first. Invertigo and Son of Beast are in the same area. You might as well knock out Flight Deck while you are there as it should be a walk on in the morning.

 

At CP: I would use everyones advice to start in the back, with Maverick, Millennium Force and Magnum. When I was there Top Thrill and Raptor had the shortest lines in the afternoon. Can't remember exactly when, but I am thinking around 2-4.

 

As for food I am no help as I get whatever I feel like at the time which could be anything. I know at CP they have a restaurant type place near Blue Streak. I think its themed like a sports bar? (I'm not sure)

 

I am actually going back this year at the same time you are, except I am going to KI on Sunday (June 7) and CP on Monday. I will be at Holiday World on Saturday.

[DiSab]

I know at CP they have a restaurant type place near Blue Streak. I think its themed like a sports bar? (I'm not sure)

 

Indeed they do. The All-Sports Bar and Grill (if I remember right). Best food in the park. The Midway Market is a buffet-style place, a good price for what you get.

 

KI's Vortex is open. They simply repainted the rails, so it was up and running for Opening Day. I can't imagine they'll be doing any more that would affect it's running, so you should be good with that.

[RedB]

For CP:

In early June most schools are still in session and crowds should not be too bad.

 

As for when to ride what do not ride Dragster in the morning. They do not run full trains till it warms up. I would agree that you should probably start in the back.

 

It is easy to hit every coaster in the park in one day on weekdays.

 

They don't stay open later if its busy but they keep the lines open for the more popular rides right up to and sometimes 10 min after closing.

Everyone in line rides even if its an hour after closing.

 

Weather in Sandusky is a guessing game. It could be in the 80's, or it could be hoodie weather. It might be both in the same day. Be prepared for everything.

 

For food in the park I would say Game Day Grille (burgers and sandwiches) or Midway market (buffet).

 

Hope this helps.

[Carnage]

Yeah, unless it's really hot the day at CP, avoid Dragster first thing. Early June it could still be cool enough in the morning to prevent it from warming up fast enough.

 

If it's cool out it could be an hour or more before they're loading full trains. And the line moves really slowly when they're only loading 2 rows.

 

Try to get to Dragster mid-day when it's warmed up. And check the weather forcast, if any poor weather is on the way, ride it while it's warm and sunny. It doesn't run well or at all in poor weather.

[Calicoasters]

For CP:

In early June most schools are still in session and crowds should not be too bad.

 

You have no idea how much weight was lifted off my shoulders reading that!

 

How is the food at Midway Market? Because we have eating at the buffet and SFMM and the food was horrible. Everything tasted dry like it's been sitting at the buffet table for days! I think the buffet would be more our style because the more food my girlfriend eats the better her body can tolerate the coasters.

 

I never really pay attention to what goes around Cedar Point, but is Mean Streak going to be open soon?

 

Pretty much I should start with a loop around the back: Millenium Force, Maverick, Mean Streak, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Gemini, Magnum, Corkscrew/Draster.

 

I'm still going to wait for more KI Experts before I come up with some kind of order.

[Carnage]

I remember Midway Market being pretty good. Though I also haven't eaten there in years.

 

As far as I know Mean Streak just got the usual re tracking type maintenance done over the off season. I'm sure it'll be open for the start of the season.

[RedB]

^^Just so you know last year Mean Streak opened an hour after the rest of the park.

[larrygator]

Midway Market food is average. For lunch I generally eat a little later 2PM and head to the Marina right outside the park for Famous Dave's BBQ. I little pricy but I love the food.

[PKI Jizzman]

Will Vortex be open? It's all done.

 

How rough is Son Of Beast? I definitly want to ride it, but if it is GhostRider rough I think I would save it for last. so the question is... Is Son Of Beast GhostRider rough? Ride in the front seat and you'll be fine. It's the best there, too!

 

*Copy. Paste.* Which lines fill up the fastest, take the longest, and what order of those rides would I have the best (possible) success? We will be at the park when it opens and Coasters are our priority. I'm thinking Firehawk should be first priority? On a Saturday....at noon, things will be filling up. But SoB, Beast, Face/Off, FoF, Firehawk, and Diamondback will be by 11. IJST, Firehawk, Face/Off, Top Gun, SoB are the slowest. Beast, too along with Drop Zone and Delirium. Firehawk doesn't open right at the begenning of the day sometimes....due to lazyness or late testing, so you have been warned.

 

This question is for both parks. Where should I eat? Because we are going to be at both parks all day I'd prefer a sitdown restaurant indoors (Like Moose Burger Lodge at SFMM) so I can take a break and keep my energy. What do you recommend? I know the buffet in Rivertown near DB is nice. SKYLINE CHILI AND LAROSAS PIZZA are amazing Cincinnati food, and it's not that bad of prices. Eat there if you can! They have patios near by.

 

Hope that helps some.[/i]

[Calicoasters]

^Looks like I might be getting my buffet on at both parks. I love Famous Dave's (Just there last weekend) and I'm sure I will get some good Ohio food in my belly on Sunday. I don't think I would leave either park to eat just because I'm so worried about not having enough time to ride. On Sunday our plane doesn't leave until after 4 P.M. (Columbus) we were thinking about going to the local zoo or the aquarium, but does anyone have a suggestion. <- I want to stay close to Columbus so I have enough time to return my car and catch my flight home.

 

I wouldn't have thought Top Gun would have low/slow capacity. Ninja is really fast as long as it is using two trains. I just watched a pov of both Iron Dragon and Top Gun. Iron Dragon looks so Boring! Top Gun looks like a really exciting and fast suspended coaster.

[larrygator]

^Famous Dave's is only a one minute walk from the side entrance behind the bumper cars and going at 2PM you can get a table quickly. It's closer to all of the major rides than the retaurants at the Breakers like TGIFridays. Even closer to Millennium Force than the Midway Market.

 

Last time I was at CP my family (three adults/one kid) was in and out of Famous Dave's quicker than the Midway Market buffet. Then again my sister and neice keep going back and forth to get more food.

 

Reagrding zoos I have a friend who is into zoos and he really liked the Columbus Zoo, plus they have a wood coaster at Jungle Jacks right next door.

[tedten]

If you want to ride invertigo ride SOB first and then Invertigo because sometimes invertigo is not dispatched as frequently as it should be right at opening. If you're not worried about invertigo definitely go straight to Firehawk at opening. On opening day we made the mistake of saving it for later and we waited over 90 minutes for Firehawk which was longer than our wait for Diamondback!

 

If you want to ride Diamondback & the Beast twice you may be cutting it close with all the other rides. The key to every KI visit is to make sure you get a ride on the beast just before close. It's worth missing the fireworks to ride it in as dark conditions as possible. It's an unforgettable experience. They suspend operations of the beast at 9:45 for the fireworks and then they cycle through everyone that's still in line after the fireworks.

[monsterfan99]

With Cedar Point, remember the 5th is the first day of Coaster Mania, so you might see an increase of people there. If you have a Cedar Fair SP, you can get some free stuff and ERT.

[Calicoasters]

My problem with that is that I'm not a member of any coaster club. It might be worth joining ACE to get some of the ERT but I would wait until there are more details about the event posted. It's not like WCB were the majority of the schedule is already posted so you have an idea of how the day will go

 

Seems like my first ride at KI is either going to be Firehawk, Diamondback or the trio (Invertigo, Flight Deck, Son Of Beast) first. I'll just have to decide then. Depends on how big the crowds are at the moment and where they are heading. I'd hate to skip a long line on 1 ride just end up with a bunch of lines later in the day. It's a little unpredictable... Sometimes X2 is a the first ride we ride at SFMM, some times it ends up being the last ride.

 

Larrygator is pushing towards Famous Dave's! I love their food and so does my girlfriend, but if we aren't doing that good in the park by the time where hungry I doubt I will go there.

 

Thanks for all the help! if you have anything else I should know, keep it comming!

 

I looked at Columbus Zoo's website. The park looks pretty impressive from it's park map. Is Jungle Jack's Landing inside the zoo? It is a seperate entry fee? I couldn't find out what I was looking for on their site. I would like to go to the zoo Sunday, but my girlfriend thinks she would rather not. But if I could atleast get the credit (I hate saying that) then I would be happier.

 

Ah ok, I found it! Wow! Columbus Zoo is really cheap! $12 and $6 for an all day ride wrist band... California sucks!

[dandaman]

I just watched a pov of both Iron Dragon and Top Gun. Iron Dragon looks so Boring!

 

A popular nickname is "Draggin' Iron", if it's any indication.

 

Dan "You want a real suspended coaster, try CW's Vortex at night!" Smith

[Yamez]

Edit: Bleh Double posts ftl

[Yamez]

I've been going to Cedar Point since I was a baby in the womb, so hopefully I can attempt to answer some of your questions

 

Which lines fill up the fastest, take the longest, and what order of those rides would I have the best (possible) success? We will be at the park when it opens and Coasters are our priority. I'm thinking Top Thrill Dragster is first priority?

 

Not necessarily. A lot of people flock right for Raptor because its right next to the entrance. Maverick and Millennium Force are good ones to hit early on because of how quickly the lines grow later in the day. Depending on the weather when you go Dragster can be at max capacity and lines will be pretty quick, or it could be slow and you could be looking at 2+ hours.

What is the weather like in Ohio (Sandusky) around this time of the year?

 

Sandusky weather is extremely variable because of its proximity to the lake. The Maverick video that TPR has posted is a great example of what can happen within an hour of being at the park. Weather is crazy up there.

When do the local schools get out? I'm hoping being this early in June school is still in session. Which leads to my next question...

 

Schools are still in on the aforementioned dates.

 

Can I get it all done in 1 day? Am I bitting off more than I can chew? I atleast want to get all of the coasters in. I'd hate to treat Cedar Point like a credit run, but I'm thinking it might be like that depending on crowds. Note, the park is open for 12 hours that day.

 

Yes, you can get it all in on one day. It just takes a little bit of planning on your part. My suggestion is to park around back before the park opens, tell the people at the ticket booth you're going to the Marina or Soak City and they'll wave you by. Park back by Gemini and Magnum, enter through the gates by Challenge Park. From there I'd suggest moving back toward Maverick, then Millennium. At that point you could go check out the lines for Wild Cat and Iron Dragon. If they're not bad go for it, if they are I'd suggest hitting up Dragster, Corkscrew and Magnum. After Dragster and Magnum I'd go hit up Gemini, Cedar Creek Mine Ride and Meanstreak, then hop the train to the front of the park. After that go to Mantis, then walk up the main midway to Raptor and Blue Streak. Once you've gotten the B&M's out of the way go toward maXair and hit up Wicked Twister and Disaster Transport. That should be everything. You can also google "Cedar Point Strategy Guide" and I'm sure you'll get a good bit of hits.

Hour Changes? - Does the park stay open later if there are still large crowds in the park? I'm hoping I have a chance for overtime if it is busy.

 

I can't say I've ever seen them do that. However the policy for the coasters is they close the lines and then run the coasters until the lines are empty. So as long as you're in line before they close the line you will get your ride.

This question is for both parks. Where should I eat? Because we are going to be at both parks all day I'd prefer a sitdown restaurant indoors (Like Moose Burger Lodge at SFMM) so I can take a break and keep my energy. What do you recommend?

 

For Cedar Point, Famous Daves is right on the Marina and is a quick walk from the park. Another option is TGI Fridays over by Breakers. If you want to stay in the park The Midway Market is alright, Johnny Rockets isn't too bad, and Game Day Grille is pretty good.

Two days is unfortunately all I have. Am I asking for too much? Should I only be doing one park? Which one? (I'm equally interested in both of them) Cedar Point is open 10 - 11 Saturday. Should I switch the park days around for 1 extra hour?

 

I can't say if you should try one or the other, I'm visiting Kings Island for the first time this summer. I will say however that Cedar Point would be more fun and less stressful on you if you spread it out over two days, the park is huge and if you wanted to try some of the flats you might want that second day. Also, weekends are going to be busier than weekdays in early June due to the schools, so keep that in mind.

 

Hope that helps in some way and have fun!

[dandaman]

Also, just outside of the park, Bay Harbor is kinda uppity, but the chicken carbonara is awesome and well worth the relatively high price which you would have spent on an average meal in the park anyway.

 

EDIT: If you really want an advantage with which coasters you hit first/minimal lines: tell the parking attendant you're headed to Soak City, drive around the peninsula and park in that lot. Since all the gates open at the same time (save for the 1-hour-before-opening hotel guests), you can hit most of the rides in the back of the park without seeing a normal-sized crowd for at least a couple of hours. [EDIT II: This is what I get for not reading the above post in its entirety.]

 

Conversely, try doing the front rides at night if the lines are too long throughout the day; case in point, last year I got in four Raptor rides in about a half-hour and found barely a soul waiting for Blue Streak.

[Homeboy23]

(save for the 1-hour-before-opening hotel guests)

 

Doesn't Platinum Passholders get in an hour early too?

[Carnage]

I can't say I've ever seen them do that. However the policy for the coasters is they close the lines and then run the coasters until the lines are empty. So as long as you're in line before they close the line you will get your ride.

 

The only time I've ever seen them do it was during Dragsters opening year. I was waiting in the hopeful Dragster line at the end of the night waiting to see if it was going to open up after a break down. They made an announcement that MF was going to open an extra 30-40 minutes because of the breakdown. I ran over, rode MF 2-3 times, before heading back to my locker at around 10:45. My locker was by Dragster, which had re-opened and still had it's line open. Hopped in line right as they closed the line. The ride then broke down, but they continued working on it to get the three train loads of people on.

 

That was the night I rode Dragster at like 1am.

[Yamez]

Doesn't Platinum Passholders get in an hour early too?

 

Yes, here is what Platinum Passholdes get in 2009:

 

http://ww3.cedarpoint.com/public/admission/season_passes/point_perks.cfm?litemode=no

[Calicoasters]

I just called Knott's Berry Farm and they said I can upgrade my season passes to Cedar Fair Platinum Passes at $35 a pass. So sometime before my trip I will have to make a trip to Knott's. 1 Extra hour helps me feel a little better, hopefully Coastermania doesn't ruin it for me.

[Guest]

SOB is a bit rougher than Ghostrider. It looks worse than it is though.

Make sure to ride the Beast at night in the front row, pure insanity.

 

For CP theres really not much to say other than plan 2 days for it. Im sure youll want all the credits and a bunch of rides on Dragster and Maverick, and that park is full of Intamins that break down a lot.

[Calicoasters]

SOB is a bit rougher than Ghostrider.

 

I knew someone was going to say it soon and break my heart.

 

Hopefully getting into the park 1 hour early will help me knock out 2 of the Intamins.

 

Friday at Cedar Point and Saturday at Kings Island are final... I'm sure I really would like to have two days at both parks, but this is all I can do right now. Hopefully this trip will be a blast so that next year I can convince my girlfriend to take more time off and go to more parks. I brought the idea of going to Columbus Zoo to my girlfriend but she wants to do something else... If we end up doing something lame like going to the mall, I'm sure I will atleast pop into the zoo for the credit of Sea Dragon. Sucks for me, my favorite thing after theme parks are zoos.

 

I forgot to mention this, but it is equally important as any coaster that I get to ride Demon Drop. I cry a single tear every day for Freefall, so I don't want to miss out on Demon Drop.