Best way to do Cedar Point...

[rockbook2000]

Going there within the next week and the three main rides I want to go on are Millennium Force, TTD, and Maverick. Will probably stay from opening to close. Any recommendations for what order to do everything in? Would hypothetically want to do pretty much all the roller coasters (maybe not a few boring older ones) and some of the cooler, more intense flats.

[coasterfreaksrttd]

from the back to the front

 

maverick first. If you have two days do one side and then the other

[SKULLY]

Probably Raptor and Magnum in addition to the three rides you chose. Also, Gemini is a bit fun and I have heard good things about the Blue Streak.

[CorkscrewFoley]

I've always started front to back. Now when I get to the fork between gemini Midway and Frontier Trail, I lean more for Gemini. But either way you go, there will be some bottlenecking for sure.

[Homeboy23]

Here is kind of a hint, although it may just be me. The times I have been there TTD has its smallest line sometime around 2-4.

 

Now that might just happen everytime I am there as I have been lucky with lines as opposed to hearing how long people wait here at parks I have been to.

[CorkscrewFoley]

Also don't let the lines or queue times discourage you. Cedar Point moves lines in an almost Disney-like fashion.

[rockbook2000]

Also don't let the lines or queue times discourage you. Cedar Point moves lines in an almost Disney-like fashion.

OK cool. Same thing happens at SFGadv.

 

Thanks

[Hercules]

^ Same thing happens at Great Adventure? Really!? Wow. I haven't heard that....... ever.

[Jerrykoala2112]

I went straight to Millenium Force, then to Maverick, then Magnum, then Dragtster, then Wicked Twister, and then I went on everything else because i wasn't worried about going on big coasters. On one day, I got everything done, and I went on a Saturday.

 

^I agree. When I went to SFGADV, the ops were really lazy on every coaster...

[John Peck]

When you drive up the causeway and get to the toll booths, stay to the left (you'll see a larger booth), pay at that one and you can take the road all around the outer side of Cedar Point and that will take you to a parking lot behind Gemini or the Soak City parking lot, and you can park there and enter the gate right next to Magnum.

 

Might as well hit Magnum first as there wont be anyone in line this early and either go left to TTD and around to Force, or go right and take on Maverick and then take the train around to Millennium. Either way, you have a lot of walking to do and there will be a lot of other great rides along the way.

[KGA29]

No matter which of the 3 you hit first, by the time you come around to ride the second and third, you will have to wait a decent amount of time. I went in late July a couple years ago, and all 3 had max waits of about 75-90 min. TTD was more 60-75 later in the day though. But I did really like how the lines moved very quickly (as someone pointed out earlier).

[coastermoosh]

Any recommendations for what order to do everything in?

 

Enter park. Ride. Eat when hungry. Drink when thirsty. Visit bathroom when necessary. Leave.

 

Anything more than that is overplanning.

[CreditCrazy]

 

Anything more than that is overplanning.

 

Then I guess a lot of people are overplanners.

 

I would hit one of the big three at opening and one before closing. I would suggest Maverick and MF, because TTD's line moves extremely fast. Raptor also gets pretty long lines but is least crowded in the middle of the day (like around 5). The rest probably won't be too bad (but I don't know about flats).

[coastermaniac]

"a few boring older ones"?? Blue Streak, being 45 years old (1964), is still a great ride. It's fun and has awesome airtime in the back. As for touring the park, I suggest you start with Millennium Force, head to the back, ride things in the back like Skyhawk and Mean Streak. You can skip Maverick because it's not worth the wait. Then head to Gemini, Magnum, and Dragster. Then head towards the front and ride like maXair and Wicked Twister. I suggest riding Raptor at night (shorter lines because people are leaving and don't want to ride it). I hope this helps somewhat.

[Philrad71]

Sigh - I suppose I could give it a quick whirl...

 

* First off at the gate opening - run, screaming like a giddy little girl for a mile to Maverick and then prepare to wait an hour because they are having issues with the ride/launch.

 

* Say "screw-it" and run back to Millennium for a nice morning run on the best coaster in the park.

 

* Go back towards Maverick and find that it is still down.

 

* Think about riding Mean Streak, but opt for Snake River Falls and Thunder Canyon because Skyhawk's line is too long. It's early, but the line is short. Realize after the water rides that they are fed by Lake Erie water and you walk around the park smelling like a lamprey for the rest of the day. Beware of the bacteria! They close beaches all the time in Buffalo, Western NY, and PA because of pollution!

 

* Dry off your filth-ridden body on the Wave Swinger and Antique Cars. Maybe hit the Chik-Fil-A for some over-priced breasts. If you feel like you're trippin' don't worry about it - just think about Lisa Simpson at Duff Gardens!

 

* Maverick now open - one hour wait. Decide to do it now because you still have a lot of the park to cover.

 

* Admit that you have a headache after Maverick and (if you're over 21), go to the Last Chance Saloon for beer (don't worry, it's after noon).

 

* Look at Mean Streak and say: "Maybe later".

 

* Look at the Mine Ride and say: "Maybe later".

 

* Look at Gemini - ride it and say, "Damn, that ride was awesome except for that last awful helix!"

 

* Ride Magnum and notice the new pretty sign, ride it, then complain afterwards about how it is over-rated for the 1st mega-coaster built in 1980- friggin 9. Hint - bunny hills are really painful in the back.

 

* Notice that the line for Top Thrill Dragster is too long and say: "Maybe later".

 

* Look at Iron Draggin', laugh and then curse yourself later for opting to ride Corkscrew instead because it's an Arrow classic....watch out for the second "dip" hill!

 

* Hit up both sides of Power Tower - you will always wait longer for the drop than the launch. Great views and usually a small line.

 

* Decide if you want to do the old school flats like the Himalaya and the Scrambler.

 

* Do the Snoopy area if you have kids, but make sure to mention that CP needs more stuff for kids.

 

* Look at the old Oceana stadium and say, "I wonder what used to be there? Ahhh, who cares, they could tear it down and put in a GCI woodie in it's place!"

 

* Walk on for Wicked Twister. You think to yourself, "Man, this is a good ride, I wonder why the line is so short?" You do it twice and have a lot of fun.

 

* Walk on Disaster Transport and think to yourself, "Now I know why the line is so short!" A GCI boardwalk woodie would also look good here!"

 

* Ferris wheel - must get camera shots for TPR trip report.

 

* Flat rides - Troika, Max-Air, Demon Drop, and the Space Spiral are all must-do rides. GO ON THEM NOW!

 

* Go over to Raptor and then bitch about how long the line is.

 

* Opt for the French Fries w/cheese at Happy Friar, or Pizza Patio because they are both CP icons - but if you look around, you may still spy the classic - cheese on a stick, with cheese dipping sauce! Psssst...I think it used to be over by Demon Drop!

 

* Check out the line for Blue Streak, ride it and then complain how rough it is. Disclaimer: remember that it is the oldest coaster in the park and it used to really rock - that alone is worth the whiplash!

 

* Game Day Grille under Raptor - more cold beer, if needed.

 

* 45 minute wait for Raptor - take the extra minutes and ride in the front seat. Remember that the 2nd left front seat does not always lock properly!

 

* Calypso, Cedar Downs, Dodge-Em's, Cadillac Cars (or Antique).

 

* Complain about CP's lack of cool flat rides.

 

* Hit up the arcade (the old ballroom) in the middle of the midway. Great selection of old-school video games.

 

* Take Skyride to other end of the midway.

 

* Look at Iron Draggin' and think, "Well, it is an Arrow suspended, what if it is gone in a year or two, what if it is like BBW?" You ride it and say, "that ride totally sucked and I cannot believe that I waited ten minutes to ride it!"

 

* Ride Mantis and then tell TPR how Chang and Riddler are much better B&M stand-up's... even if you've never ridden them.

 

* Wait 30 minutes to ride Wildcat cuz you want the credit.

 

* Look at Millenium Force's line and say "it's too long, let's walk back to Maverick and see if the line is shorter."

 

* Stop at Red Garter Saloon and get beer for the walk.

 

* Look at preddy LED new lights in Frontier Town.

 

* Maverick line too long for a 2nd impression, opt for Mean Streak. Bitch about roughness, but think, "it wasn't too bad, but glad I was on beer!".

 

* Ride Skyhawk and then complain about how stinkin' short the ride cycle was.

 

* Ride Cedar Creek Mine Ride & say: "This thing looks so smooth, yet it is so hard - ouch!"

 

* Maverick line too long, walk to TTD. Line is one hour. Ride it and feel like you've conquered the frickin' world, but don't wanna tell TPR that you felt tough when you walked out of the exit.

 

* Walked over to Millennium Force and rode the front seat at night and said afterwards: " That kicked ass! One of the best coaster rides EVER!"

 

* Trudge back to the parking lot and/or hotel and pass out with blistered heels, and sunburned skin....totally exhausted.

 

* Do a PTR and be cautious not to let TPR know that you had a great time at CP, or you might be labeled a fan-boy.

 

* Have fun!

[coastermaniac]

First off, Blue Streak is a lot of fun in the first row of the last car (not rough at all). Second, the front of Magnum is where the bunny hills hurt. I can never keep my hands up when I ride in the front because I'm too busy holding on. In the back, I never have to hold on because it is smooth (arms up the entire time).

[coastermoosh]

Then I guess a lot of people are overplanners.

 

Yes, they are. I used to be one too. Then I realized that as I was mirco-planning my day, the order I'd ride everything, where I'd eat, when I'd eat, etc...I was planning the fun and spontaneity right out of it. The moment I stopped trying to zigzig my way around a park and instead just let my day unfold as it may, I realized I was enjoying myself more. Occasionally I'd end up having to wait in a long line. Sometimes I'd miss out on something I wanted to ride. But it the end it didn't matter.

 

You have your "best way" to do Cedar Point. I have mine.

[rockbook2000]

Intense post, Philrad. Thanks!

[slither37]

Great post Philrad!

 

 

Just to add a few things to Philrad's instructions...

 

Somewhere during the day, you will have to fit these in as well...

 

*Complain about the lack of themeing at this and every Cedar Fair park.

 

*Comment about the amount of concrete in the park.

[Homeboy23]

If you are into skateboarding there All Wheels Extreme show is alright, but I would only watch if you're able to get everything else done.

 

Do a Photo TR and be cautious not to let TPR know that you had a great time at CP, or you might be labeled a fan-boy.

 

 

Raptor also gets pretty long lines but is least crowded in the middle of the day (like around 5).

 

This is also true.

[Philrad71]

Just to add a few things to Philrad's instructions...

 

Somewhere during the day, you will have to fit these in as well...

 

*Complain about the lack of themeing at this and every Cedar Fair park.

 

*Comment about the amount of concrete in the park.

 

YES! Thank you for adding these, Slither...I was thinking about the concrete bit and lack of trees. I thought up a few more as well...

 

* Complain about the lack of family coasters/dark rides that aren't named Wildcat, Disaster Transport, Mine Ride, Blue Streak, or Iron Dragon 'cause they all stink.

 

* Check out the new themed lighted area along the Frontier Trail - you can't miss it as it is the only area in the park with trees in which to string the lights up!

 

* Go for a ride on Paddlewheel Excursions and grab a 2nd ride on Lamprey River Falls & Demon Drop because they might not be there in coming years!

 

* Mention that they really need to get another water ride since removing White Water Landing...as long as it doesn't come at the expense of removing any more trees.

 

* Get ticked that Soak City and Challenge Park are added admissions because you ran out of things to do and really wanted to check out that swim-up bar and look at boobs!

 

* And last but certainly not least....get plenty of cracks in about all of the stinkin' garbage cans around the park!

[slither37]

How could I have forgotten the trash cans????

 

Here is one more...

 

*Wonder several times throughout the day how much the park has sunk in the last few hours, especially the area around Magnum.

[coolcalicoaster]

Don't forget their lack of Flats. You know they don't have that many compared to other big parks such as SFMM or SFGADV.

[PriestofSyrinx]

Best way to do Cedar point...

 

Stay at the Breakers.

 

Go the day you get there with the twilight ticket.

 

Hit all of the Big Ones (MF, Mav, TTD)

 

Go to MF at about 1 hour to 45 min to close and see if you can beat my record of 9 straight rides (If you are lucky, you wont have to run around, you will be able to go through the handicap entrance)

 

Go get some sleep or grab a snack at TGI Fridays.

 

Next Day, get in one hour early, and Hit TTD for breakfast (if its cool out then this is the best time for a rollback) then hit Maverick and then do what you please!

 

Thats the best way to do Cedar Point!

[coolcalicoaster]

^Yeah, this guy knows what he is talking about! Listen to him