Going to Cedar Point soon...

[Spartan0228]

On the 16th and 17th I will be in Cedar Point. Has anyone been there this time of year? I was wondering how long the lines were. I know the first 4 rides that I'm going to hit, (TTD, Maverick, MF, Raptor) but I'm not sure where to go from there. If anybody could give me some advice that would be great. Thanks!

[haux]

Those are kind of difficult rides to hit in that order. They're all in different areas of the park. Do you know what entrance you're going to use? I'd say your best order is Maverick, TTD, MF and then Raptor. But visit Raptor in the afternoon because the line will have died way down by then.

 

It's hard to say how long the lines are. It's summer, so the park's usually busy anyway. But the economy also might be hurting the place. I haven't been this season, but I visited more than 100 times in 2007 and 2008, so I'm fairly familiar with it.

 

The 16th will probably be your best bet. Sundays at the park are great days to visit. Unless it's a three-day holiday weekend. Then Monday's the best. But you should be fine.

 

I'd suggest starting at the resort entrance by Magnum and TTD. You can take a park shuttle there (there are phones to call them located around the peninsula. Look on a map), or you can park in the Soak City lot. Once the gates open, head to Maverick.

 

When you're at TTD, the queue forks on the ramp leading up to the station. Go to the left. That line moves faster because it isn't as congested.

 

For MF, the line moves pretty fast. Even if three queues are full, you're probably not going to wait more than an hour.

 

What else do you want to know?

[Spartan0228]

First, thanks for all these tips, they really make sense. We're not staying at one of the resorts there, but that that mean that we have to go through the main entrance? I can just imagine how crowed it can be. Also, could you give me more info on the shuttles? Do they cost any money?

[haux]

It's free. There are courtesy phones located around the peninsula. One's at Pet Check, one's at the marina, one's by Rip Cord at Challenge Park, and I think there's one by Sandcastle Suites. Just pick it up, and they'll help you out. There's no schedule for the things, they just run when you call or if there's someone waiting when they're dropping someone off.

 

Or you could just go in the main gate and push through the crowds.

[rcdude]

On the 16th and 17th I will be in Cedar Point. Has anyone been there this time of year? I was wondering how long the lines were.

 

I was there the week after this last year. I don't know if that will make a difference, but I can tell you the line lengths for when I was there.

 

Blue Streak-Walk-on

Cedar Creek Mine Ride-20 minutes

Corkscrew-Walk-on

Disaster Transport-25 minutes

Gemini-15 minutes (one track)

Iron Dragon-15 minutes

Magnum XL-200-15 minutes

Mantis-30 minutes

Maverick-5 minutes during early entry, otherwise looked about an hour

Mean Streak-30 minutes

Millennium Force-10 minutes during early entry, otherwise looked about 30 minutes

Raptor-10 minutes (rode immediately after a breakdown)

Top Thrill Dragster-1 hour and 50 minutes (4 rollbacks and 1 breakdown while in line, should've taken about an hour)

Wicked Twister-10 minutes

Wildcat-35 minutes

Woodstock Express-Looked about 10 minutes (didn't ride)

 

Most of the non-coaster rides were walk-ons or only a two or three cycle wait.

 

I know the first 4 rides that I'm going to hit, (TTD, Maverick, MF, Raptor) but I'm not sure where to go from there.

 

When I went to the park, we had early entry, so we did Maverick and Millennium Force early with short lines. Once the park opened, we did everything in the Top Thrill Dragster Midway (except Magnum) before lunch. After lunch, we went over to the Wicked Twister midway and did the rides there, then proceeded around the park clockwise, finishing with Magnum once we got back there. We were able to do a total of 22 rides in one day.

 

However, you won't be going for early entry, so you'll have lines for Maverick and Millennium Force. I would recommend getting to the Magnum entrance early and heading to Top Thrill Dragster immediately when the park opens. From there, go counterclockwise around the park, stopping at everything except Maverick, which you will return to at the very end of the day. Alternatively, you could run to Millennium Force following Top Thrill Dragster and proceed clockwise, but then you may be caught in the morning rush for the ride. Either way, Raptor is packed in the morning and should be avoided until after 2 or so.

 

Of course, it is your vacation and you should do what you want, but this is what I would do in your situation. You'll have two days, so you should be able to do everything regardless of what order you go in. I only had one day so a good plan was necessary.

[Spartan0228]

Thanks for all the info rcdude. It's really appreciated. The plan to go to Maverick first is starting to look better and better. Another Question, how do you get to the Magnum entrance? Do you go around the park to get to the Soak City parking and walk to the entrance?

[rcdude]

Another Question, how do you get to the Magnum entrance? Do you go around the park to get to the Soak City parking and walk to the entrance?

 

Yes, just park in the Soak City lot and walk through the challenge park. It is alongside the Go-Kart Track and past the Soak City entrance once you walk under Magnum. You won't miss it, especially if there are other people around.

[Spartan0228]

Alright, we'll probally do that, one last (hopefully) question,is the starlight experience worth $30? That seems a little bit much for a bunch of lights.

[Chris Benvenuto]

^ that's free. It's inside the park, I haven't been there yet but I don't think it's upcharge.

 

If it is, that's lame.

[haux]

It's not upcharge. You're thinking of the name of tickets after 5 p.m., which is called Starlight. That's just to get into the park. For the Starlight Experience along Frontier Trail, it's free.

[Spartan0228]

Ah, thanks for explaining. I think I finally have it planned out. I go through the resort entrance, hit Top Thrill Dragster first, then go to Millennium Force, and continue counter-clockwise around the park going to Maverick last, and then going back to get some rides that I liked. Thanks for everyone's help, it's really appreciated.

[haux]

Either path you take, you're going to hit every ride. And because you're going two days, you could take the second day to reride your favorites.

 

Have fun. Be sure to write a trip report.