PHOTO TR: Cedarpoint opening day 2011

[thrillrider]

We were able to sneak away to cedarpoint this weekend for there opening day(weekend). Not a whole lot has changed this year, other than ocean motion being moved and of course windseeker. They have also added a pinks hot dog restaurant to the food offerings this year. There were also quite a few markings on the cement that were not there last year. Could it be for the 500 foot stand up woody?

 

As far as opening days go, I have to give this one a D-. There were more closed rides than open rides on saturday(and sunday), ocean motion was not near ready yet, there were still bags of mulch sitting in the middle of the midway, and lots of other problems. I understand that it is opening day, and that there are going to be issues with rides, but when 3/4 of all your coasters are down and quite a few flat rides were down as well, that's not a good way to start the year. I have been going to opening day for the last 25 years, and it was never this bad. Wires for food booths were all over the place. I guess they also have a new policy of not posting employees at ride entrances anymore either. They were running a few coasters empty on sunday, but there was nobody around to ask if or when it was going to open. They even had halloweekend maps still up around the park.

 

I hate to write negative things about any park, but it was as bad if not worse of the old six flags.

 

Anyway, onto the pictures.

On the way into the park this summer, you can stop by the not yet completed DQ.

We got there the night before the park opend, so we decided to play some mini golf in challenge park.

It's actually a decent course with lot's of caves.

Plus it has a nice view of magnums lift hill.

They already had the signs out.

My daughter was so excited to hit the 46 inch mark. Only 2 more to go before she can hit most of the coasters.

Look's like mean streak is still without it's 3rd train for the time being.

Maverick.

Millennium force lift hill.

The marina gate.

New banners on the park entrance sign.

There is also a new l.e.d screen at the toll booths. Free parking???

I thought parking was free?

New peanuts theamed bushes at the toll booths.

I felt like clark grizwald......first ones here.

The news media was there, and so was the fog.

New front gate awning.

This is the parks main entrance.

Crowds of people gather to await the park opening. They have marching bands every year, and this year was no exception.

Na na na na, hey hey hey...goodbye.

After a few words from a park spokesman....

The 2011 season was off to a start.

The new pinks restaurant...more on that later.

First things first.

It's iron dragon time.

Station shot.

Over at millennium force, there was already a 2 hour wait. They were only running 2 trains. The 3rd tran was not yet totaly put bact together.

I'll come back later.

The crowds of people waiting to get in.

The kiddyland merry go round got a makeover this winter, and it looks good.

Looks like the gates are open now. Little do these running kids know, is that trika and wicked twister were the only open rides in this area of the park this morning.

This is the front door the disaster transport. The actuale entrance is down on the other side of the building behind space spiral. There is no sign telling people this, so people were wondering around looking for the entrance.

Here is the not so well marked entrance.

Then, we were met with this tiny sign. Did not even notice it was there untill we and a hundred other people were standing there for 20 min.

Up close with giant wheel.

Here is maxair. This was a very common site around the park today.

The kiddie bumper cars recieved some love this off season.

They recieved all new cars and.....

A new control booth.

By this time, disaster finnaly opend up. The domo was moved to the q line this year. The entire ride was dark...no lighting or props what so ever.

Loading platform.

Domo had some new friends this year to hang with.

On the way over to check out ocean motion, I snapped this in front of the new pinks.

They were getting ready for the grand opening.

The old 3 point challenge is still there.

Now a look at ocean motions work site.

We were greeted by this....

As you can see, still lots of work going on.

Workers everywhere.

It looks good in it's new setting.

New ride sign.

Not sure what this is.

I know that some of you were concerned about the boobs, well I am happy to report that they are indeed returning.

Looks like they have put in a sliding platform.

Lame...

There was more bags just sitting on the ground in the middle of the midway.

Skyride weight restriction. 4 People, or one ace member.

This was the scene unfolding at dragster.

Looks like it may have recieved new belts and lap bars.

These markings were near dragsters control booth. There are a lot more markings on the frontier trail.

Corkscrew was one of the few rides actualy open.

2011 special events.

Magnum....closed.

Monster...closed.

Not sure what the issue was with it.

Gemini....vally. Sat there all day.

Mine ride...sat there most of the day.

Lets take a look inside boneville

I was very bummed to find this. This is all that remains of the outhouse. Why did they get rid of the best scene of the ride?

At least they still have the guy humping the wall.....

A look at the paddleboat ride.

Shoot the rapids was actually open.

As you can see, the fog was really getting thick.

New vending machines in the lines this year.

They are doing the text thing now. Six flags has been doing this for a few years now.

Chaos was replaced by a 3 point challenge. We did not see one person playing this the entire weekend.

I think this is new this year. I don't recall ever seeing it before.

Lets check out windseeker, and the new beach gate area.

Ride sign

This was the only activity we saw all weekend long. Looks like they are in a rush to get this thing open....end sarcasm

Seats. They actually look really cumfy.

New brick pavers look great.

New beach entrance.

Matterhorn got some new paint as well.

At this point, it was really getting foggy. You could hardly see dragster.

Out with the old trees, and in with the new in front of magnum.

New employee uniforms. Gotta love the socks.

Umm...yea.

They still had halloweekend maps up in the park.

Mean streak seems to be running much better, but it still is a boring ride.

Station shot.

These are the refillable mugs you get to carry around with you all day.

Closed....

Stopped in to see the show in the red garter. I won't need to see it again.

Troika...closed.

What's this I see? More on this later...

Blue streek is sporting all new PTC rolling stock this year.

WTF??? They have these blow horns in the station aimed right at your head. Everyone had there hands over there ears it was so loud. More to come in a few min...

Edited May 18, 2011 by thrillrider

[thrillrider]

More.....

Cedar downs looked good with it's new paint job.

The speedy mine ride was finnaly running.

Years ago, this used to be the main entrance to the ride.

Noted....

Monster all lit up at night.

At night, the fog lifted, so I was able to get a shot of the tower.

Super fast himalaya.

Millennium force station.

Mantis and dragster.

Sunday morning ert was a waste. Not one of the rides were open.

Oops. Btw, it stayed like that all weekend.

Um yea.....

Closed all day sunday....sigh

We were going to check it out, but it was closed

The markins on the frontier trail were most common between shoot the rapids, and thunder canyons entrance.

More markings, and another closed ride.

This has got to be safe....

Closed.

Yep....closed.

Since all the rides were closed, I was able to check out the gift shop.

Closed....uggg!!!

Lets take a look at pinks.

Menu and prices.

They have indoor and outdoor seating. In the background, that is the founder/ owner of pinks.

It's a counter service type place.

You can watch all the action in the kitchen while you eat.

This is the masterpiece that I ate. Some people were getting slightly aroused by the food here.

With your platinum pass, you can save a whopping 2%

They also had lots of swag for sale.

Ok, we got this long line. Let's just run 1 train. The 3rd train is sitting in mean streaks boneyard.

One train here as well. The 3rd train was also sitting in meanstreaks bone yard.

Lets build a game based on a ship that sank and killed a thousend people. Sounds like fun.

50 cents to play an 80's motorcycle game.

Still closed. Lots of ride pieces laying around.

Disaster transports q line.

On the way out, I snapped a few more shots of ocean motion.

Some interesting finds in the gift shop.

More pictures to come after I get some sleep.

[B.A.B]

I love this trip report,it is an bummer some rides were not even open. Although that coasterland shirt reminded me of the Zombieland moive poster.

[Amy Baby]

Compared to Kings Island's opening day two weeks ago to Cedar Point's Opening day, Kings Island was much better. The only good thing about Cedar Point's opening day was that thrillrider's and my daughter was able to ride two new rides and she was excited about that. I just hope that Cedar Point kicks it into high gear to get things done.

[thrillrider]

yea, the park just did not have it's act together at all. I have been to a LOT of opening days, and I know about the problems that happen on a typical opening day. The problems they were having this weekend, far surpassed any that I have ever seen.

 

I hope they get there act together soon.

[B.A.B]

My friend just got back from Cedar Points opening day and he said that Kings Island opening day was way better then Cedar Points. Oh well Cedar Point may have better days in the summer though.

[slither37]

I have been to opening day for the last several years. From the looks of this trip report, glad I did not go. It is almost as if opening day snuck up on Cedar Point.

[Real]

And our two trip reports basically sum up the whole weekend.

 

We had to have walked by each other a dozen times...haha. I was there from open till 9 on sat and 11 to 5 on sunday. So lame...!

[ANJLOVER14]

I was digging through some old TR's of Hanno's from Cedar Pt. back in 07', and look who I found! these CP freaks must be truly obsessed, great photo ops, or both! he even has the same hat!!

[the ghost]

Not to steer this TR off course, but people ALWAYS complain about the lines at Disney parks but I have NEVER EVER seen ANYTHING like these lines there... besides openings. Anyway, overall good tr. Unfortunately this doesn't really surprise me as every time I go to Knotts(besides WCB) the ops are moving very slowly and even at WCB the rides pretty much all closed due to rain. It seems to me that on opening day there must be some kind of exception... I mean, thats just insane to close that many rides.

 

^ NICE FIND!!!!

[thrillrider]

The crews were actualy really goood on most rides. It was the fact that so few rides were open, and the open coasters were only running one or two trains at most.

[Hilltopper39]

Opening Day at every park I've ever been to on their opening day is always a hit or miss. Either its gonna be just like this trip report with closed rides and long lines or there will be a really light crowd and everything is a walk on all day (Holiday World). But nice report, I used to love going to Cedar Point in May when it was foggy like this, makes for a really cool atmosphere.

[coasternut]

I'm originally from Cleveland (don't hold that against me), and USED TO love Cedar Point. It WAS the best park anywhere bar none! Management has passed it's prime and so has this park. It's definitely time for a change for improvement..

 

At least I see they finally painted Millennium Force a year after it's 10th anniversary. Good timing Big Dick!!!

[thrillrider]

Millennium force looks great.

 

The big question is what are the survey markings for? Hmmm.......

[Real]

The crews were actualy really goood on most rides. It was the fact that so few rides were open, and the open coasters were only running one or two trains at most.

 

Yea, typically I expect the crews on opening day to be still learning their roles and especially getting faster at their roles but the rides that were open seemed to go ok. It was just geez, it shoudnt take till 2-5pm to get everything working especially when the whole morning was void of rain and wind.

 

But thats what I have a season pass for.

 

 

Good TR here.

[chargersmichael]

Great trip report! That sucks about the rides though. If your going to open your park, your park should be open with rides to ride. Poor people who wasted money for closed rides haha.

[thrillrider]

It's not bad for us season pass holders, but I ran into a couple that came all the way from Florida that was not too happy about the state of things.

[Philrad71]

Yep...still haven't changed my mind about going to Cedar Point (or any other amusement park in this area) during the first couple of weeks in May. So opening day was worse than the past twenty years...the weather in this area has been probably the worst it's been in twenty years!

 

The winter was brutal, the spring was brutal...yet it's the parks fault that opening day sucked? I could easily see why parks in this area would be behind in getting things going this season. Everything is a soaking wet mess and there was hardly a break between all the stupid snow before it just started raining every day. Four days of sun last week is nary enough to get a huge amusement park up and ready to run at full tilt. My ass had to scramble just to try and get my yard mowed before it started raining again!

 

Also saw on the news that Fantasy Island and Darien Lake's openings this past weekend weren't all that great either. Not sure if anyone from around here bothered going to either of those parks as it was total crap weather here all weekend.

 

I looked at the weather report for Sandusky, Cincinnati, Buffalo & Toronto to see if there was anywhere where the weather didn't suck, but NOPE, not a one!

 

We opted for watching Thor in 3-D and going out to dinner in addition to staying indoors and watching movies on Netflix!

[thrillrider]

I have been going to opening day at cp for the past 20 years, and it has never been this bad. They even open a week later this year. Sure it rained out, but you can still do work in the rain. People do it every day.

[Philrad71]

I do remember when CP used to open the first weekend in May many years ago...seems they learned their lesson about weather in this area and settled for the second weekend. Only problem is that the weather usually sucks that weekend too!

 

Wouldn't painting, landscaping and overall maintenance to ride skeletons and coaster tracks be difficult when it rains almost every day? I am no professional and would be the first to admit ignorance to actual ride maintenance and park procedures, but I would think that safety restrictions could have played at least a minimal role with some of the ride closures and the lack of preparedness for opening weekend. There are some things that have been mentioned in the TR's I have read that I would think would have ticked off management, but some of the glitches may have been somewhat out of control.

 

I know I won't even think about outdoor maintenance, planting flowers & landscaping until the chance of frost is gone & it frickin' dries out so I don't kill myself trying to get chores done! I know I won't get up and clean my gutters on my roof when it is raining and slippery. Granted, they have better tools and are professionals, but still...I think I would have to cut any amusement park in this area some slack after what we have been through this past winter & spring. It has been exceptionally bad this year...more so than normal!!!

 

Current temp is 46 here with rain and drizzle...think I'll wait another week to plant outdoors regardless of the fact that I have my sister and her family coming in from out of town for the first time in six years next weekend. I already told her that the yard is not going to be up to my "normal standards" for this time of the year where I have flowers planted, mulch settled and the lawn completely ready for show. Don't think it's gonna be dry enough to beautify the yard, but you gotta play the cards you're dealt!

[AndCamSS]

aaaaand this is why I am not doing opening weekends anymore and am going this weekend! To be fair the weather was crap last weekend and the weather has pretty much sucked every day this spring except for a select few days. Im sure its not easy to work in constant rain and cold. I feel bad for those like the ones from Florida that go on an opening weekend. A lot of the time its packed and there are a lot of problems, not a good showing for someone who doesn't go all the time. At least for someone like me that lives 330 miles away I will go multiple times a year but if that was my only visit...yeah that would be terrible!

[Geauga Dog]

Nice TR. Too bad things didn't turn out the way you hoped. It sucks that it feels like "Mayvember" (got that from the local news) and that it won't stop raining. The way things are now I would be surprised if summer was hot and dry like last year.

 

I didn't comment on it in Real's TR but I like what they've done with Ocean Motion, which is a huge improvement from when it was by the beach. The sign looks great as well.

 

Did they ever fix the support lighting on Millennium Force? The last time I was there the lights were not as vibrant or almost burned out or have they changed the lighting altogether?

[Real]

The winter was brutal, the spring was brutal...yet it's the parks fault that opening day sucked? I could easily see why parks in this area would be behind in getting things going this season.

 

I live 50minutes from Sandusky, on almost the same latitude...it hasnt been that bad.

 

 

These are Toledo numbers. Depending on numbers, we average up to a half inch more of rain than Sandusky in March and April.

 

March we had just 3inches of precip total. (right on target)

April we got 6 inches - which is second most all time (3 inches more)

 

 

Thing is, rides can test in the rain. Dragster I give a free pass because, well, its down so much it doesnt even matter and it hates the rain. I just dont buy the weather as an excuse for the state of rides. Everything else looked great. Areas around the park were well manicured, things looked good and clean. Saturday the weather was perfect for 90% of the day. They could have started testing the red side of Power Tower I bet but didnt do that till Sunday when the weather was crap. Just lots of questions I have to which well never get answers. I just hope in a few weeks everythings good to go.

 

I have been going to opening day at cp for the past 20 years, and it has never been this bad. They even open a week later this year. Sure it rained out, but you can still do work in the rain. People do it every day.

 

Exactly. Im right behind ya with like 12-15 years of opening days. Ill still go because its a tradition, but I sure hope next year its a lot more ready!

[thrillrider]

Nice TR. Too bad things didn't turn out the way you hoped. It sucks that it feels like "Mayvember" (got that from the local news) and that it won't stop raining. The way things are now I would be surprised if summer was hot and dry like last year.

 

I didn't comment on it in Real's TR but I like what they've done with Ocean Motion, which is a huge improvement from when it was by the beach. The sign looks great as well.

 

Did they ever fix the support lighting on Millennium Force? The last time I was there the lights were not as vibrant or almost burned out or have they changed the lighting altogether?

 

They were working, but they are not as bright as they used to be. I did not see the strove lighting effect eather.

[AndrewRnR]

I think a lot of it doesn't have to do with rain/snow/whatever but the company's trends. Back 10 years ago or so reports of rides testing back in March were a common thing. By mid-April reports would be flooding in from employees who were there running the rides daily. I remember once being in Sandusky in late April and drove by the park and you would have thought it was open - constant cycling on all the rides. Word is that over the years and with different management (or a different CFO...) that has all been about stopped. Now ride crews are lucky to get a day or two of cycling in where years ago it used to be a few weeks.

 

I got no hard facts to back that up just word on the midway but it makes sense - last few years mid-April and things arn't really testing. Heck the surprising thing is the number of rides (especially Millennium, Force) that doesn't have all its trains ready to go! I remember when the new roller coasters would first test in March and all of April. I remember going to Battery Park and watching MF in early April back in 2000. Now the new rides arn't even done by opening day. There has been some brutal winters but you can't tell me they were able to build MF (minus land clearing vertical construction started in Sept/Oct) by March (when it started testing) yet now they can't move a flat ride across the park in the winter? I'm no expert I'm just thinking out loud.