1st Cedar Point Trip

In addition to my Dollywood trip I just found out yesterday that I will be going to Cedar Point for the first time!!!! I will be there for 3 days, but my friends are flexible with how long we'll be there. We want to try this in June. So my questions are........

1) How long do I need to stay to fully enjoy the park and maybe, I dont know yet, one day of Soak City?

2)How long are most of the waiting times for the rides?

3) What would be a good spending amount of money?

&

4) A good CHEAP hotel? (doesn't matter if it's boarder line roach hotel lol)

Congrats on being able to take your first trip to CP! It'll be a blast no doubt. Here's some real quick answers to your questions.

1. You'll need to be the judge of when you've fully enjoyed the park. Most people probably get their fill in 2-3 days. As far as Soak City goes, I can offer no advice there since I don't do the water parks.

2. Depending on what time in June you go and the weather on that particular day, will determine wait times on the rides. Nobody can give that a good estimate. If the line looks too long, go on another one. There's plenty to choose from.

3. Are you eating in the park or outside the park? Again, this will be determined on how many days you are staying.

4. There are TONS of motels to choose from in Sandusky. The price can range greatly from about 40 bucks a night on up. You pay for what you get though.

Lastly, check out this link http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forum.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=37311

It'll give you some good info and direction on how to plan your trip. Good luck and have fun!

Answers:

1. You need to stay as long as you like depending on how busy the park is and how much money you are willing to spend on a hotel.

2. You can never tell how long the lines are on any given day. But the weekends are guaranteed to be busier. Some given Sundays are not as bad the week after a holiday- but again there is no gauge to tell on which days are less busy than others.

3. A good amount of money to spend depends on how much you want to spend. If you bring your own food and don't eat in the park- you can bring less cash. If you don't drink soda and get the free water etc. etc.

A cheap hotel that I have stayed in when I was in high school is called the Value Inn. And when I say cheap- I don't only mean the money you are going to spend- they don't even have phones in the rooms- but it is as inexpensive as you can get.

This all depends on WHEN in June you are coming. If you show up on weekdays the first or second week of June then you can conceiveably do the whole park in one day since most of the kids are still in school. If it's on a weekend or from the middle of June on you will probably need at least 2 days to hit all of the major rides at least once. I haven't been to Soak City in ten years or more so I can't help you with that part.

Wait times for the rides are hard to predict, but like I said if it's a weekday in early June you could hit many of those rides in 5 minutes. Weekends you can wait anywhere from 1 1/2-2 hours or so for MF or TTD, sometimes even worse.

Food, CP has done some major hacking of their food prices, but McDonalds is still cheaper. Someone else might have a better clue because we usually bring our own in a big cooler and eat in the parking lot. We only purchase fries and cotton candy and maybe an icee or two while we are inside.

The last time we went and stayed at a hotel it was the Hampton Inn down by Route 2, but we went in mid-October when the prices were much lower. The further south you get the prices might get lower but I haven't compared. Check the chain websites for Choice Hotels(Comfort, Quality, La Quinta etc.), Econo Lodge, Hampton, Marriott or check this link: http://www.buckeyenorth.com/Lodging.htm

Most of the area hotels are right there.

Hope this helps you some and have a great trip,

Tom

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LdScotsman said:
weekdays the first or second week of June then you can conceiveably do the whole park in one day since most of the kids are still in school.

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I've been to CP the first week of June the past two years, and while the kids are in school, be prepared for about 40-50 school busses full of kids on field trips. The days can get busy because of this, but the nights offer short lines. Just from my experience, anyway.

I'm not going to be rude at all, but just be helpful. 1) There's a trip planning thread at the top of the page that's pinned. It's great reading and will answer a lot of questions 2) If that doesn't work, the guy who started and runs this site, Jeff Putz, also happens to co-run Pointbuzz, a guide to Cedar Point. That would definitely answer your questions.

Oh really, I didn't know Jeff co-runs Pointbuzz. Well, thanx everyone for your help. I'll try a little bit of everything yall told me.

Sorry to hear about your spending 3 days at Cedar Point. Maybe after the 1st day your friends will get the point, and decide to move on to another park. Heck, Beech Bend is only 5 hours away, and definitely more worth it. You could even go 1 1/2 hours down the road to Holidayworld from there.

To answer one of your questions honestly though.

If you hear any of the park employees tell you that "You came to Cedar Point on a day that they're setting an alltime attendance record", get out of there as quickly as possible.

No lie, I was there on a record attendance setting day, about 6 years ago, and every ride had over a 2 hour wait. Basically, I got 4 rides in a full day, and did nothing but ride the rides. Which means, I waited 8 hours in lines for the price of admission. *** Edited 4/28/2006 11:13:37 PM UTC by Coasterphan***

When Jeff had his own site Guide to the Point, I used that for help and it really worked. I used the order of rides, and with an exception or two (Wildcat brokedown and later reopened), it worked out great.

One thing Sandusky is not lacking in is motels/hotels. From the moment you get off the Turnpike, they're everywhere. As far a cheap motel, you may have some trouble there. I stayed at a Rodeway Inn (not the one that everyone rags on), and still payed about $70 a night.

If I had to offer some advice it would be this:

1) Make sure you're in good physical condition before leaving. So in other words, maybe take a couple of walks around the block just so you're used to some extensive walking. The park is MASSIVE.

2) If your skin color is on the lighter shade of things, wear a lot of sunscreen. I saw a lot or rednecks and faces there. I would imagine that would make for a terrible second day. There is a lot of open space to get burned in.

3) I don't think you need anymore money that you would for any other decent-sized themepark, especially now that they've lowered prices, but, just remember that Soak City isn't included in admission.

4) As far as how much time you'll need to enjoy the park, I would at least spend two-days or a day-and-a-half. Based on my experience, you'll need the first day to get all of the coasters out of the way, and then the second 1/2 day to fit in some of the other stuff such as re-rides and Power Tower for example. If you were to do Soak City, I would imagine based on your tolerance for waterparks, that you would need the whole second day.

I would've stayed the whole second day, but after doing Kennywood and Six Flags Ohio the days before, doing all the driving from Baltimore, and running around late at night to get Magnum and Millennium Force rides, I was pooped.

5) Crowds-the most bizzare thing. I'm there in the middle of July and the first day-a Wednesday-it was unbelievably crowded. The following day it was like half of the attendance of the preceeding day, which goes to show you that no one can accurately predict how crowded a park will be on a regular Summer operating day.

I'll throw in my hotel suggestion - Motel 6 (I think the offical city is Milan). Its about 10-15 minutes away from the park and I thought the place was just fine. It seemed like it was brand new (to me at least...and the hallways are inside the building). I paid ~45/night plus tax in September, and the rates are near that in May it looks like (for a weeknight). Of course no phones in the room, but the place was clean as a whistle - so I'm not complaining!

But then again staying at the Breakers Express isnt that much more expensive and you get the added perk of being on site (off point) and getting in early to get rides on Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster.

But the cheapest way to go may be a campground. I have done that more than once in the Cedar Point area. Prices for tent camping start around $15 for 2 people and around $3 for an extra person.

I was able to make my first CP trip on one week's notice last year on June 9-10 (Thurs and Fri). As mentioned above pointbuzz.com was a huge help in planning out the two days in the park. And you will want to go for AT LEAST two days. But you have to budget your park time wisely. We did and even without ERT and some bad storms on Thursday we were able to get on all the coasters, major flats (except MaXair) and even a few hours of slides at Soak City on day 2. BUT we were able to use Freeway last year. That was a big help for MF and TTD. It's not an option this year. We just waited until we got to Sandusky to get a room so we paid about $60/nt at the Econolodge. Probably could've gotten the room for less if I had booked online or at least a little in advance.

A few suggestions / answers.

1. Trip length: 2 ½ - 3 days

2. Lines: The lines are very unpredictable. There are too many variables.

Generally, Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, Mantis and Wicked Twister have longer lines. Don’t be afraid of A long line for Raptor when it’s running all three trains.

3. Money: Obvious Answer: As much as you are willing to spend.

4. Soak City: Unless your A die hard waterpark fan, I doubt that you will spend more than 6 hours there. It’s nothing special.

5. Hotel: Breakers

If you plan the trip for late May or early June, I recommend A package from Breakers or Breakers Express. The rates for Breakers are very reasonable during that period, due to attendance expectations. If you visit during the weekdays after Memorial Day, (May 29th - June 1st) the packages start at $205.00. That rate climbs to $261.00 for June 2nd - June 8th.

I prefer to spend A little extra money for Breakers, for one reason.

The storms seem to come out of nowhere. It’s very nice to have the closest room possible. It also makes eating and drinking from A cooler more convenient.

Let’s add the retail value. (I’m going to round it off)

2 Cedar Point Tickets: $80.00

2 Starlight Tickets: $40.00

$30 CP Munch Money $30.00

4 Tickets to Challenge Golf or Racing $20.00

3 Days of Parking $30.00

2 Soak City Coupons (Buy 1 get one free) NA

10% Discount at specified restaurants NA

Total: $200.00

How much does the 2 Night Hotel stay end up costing?

The Breakers Express package is less expensive, but you don’t get the $30.00 in Much Money or the 4 Challenge Park tickets.

I can’t express how much I value the hour of morning ERT for Hotel Guests. They usually run Millennium Force and Raptor or Mantis. I have heard that Top Thrill Dragster will not be included this year. Also, the stations for their Fastlane system open at around noon.

Resort guests get A modest discount on 2 day tickets. I think the price is in the low to mid 60’s.

Personal Notes:

Recommended Seating Positions:

Millennium Force: Back Row: Good air off the first drop.

Top Thrill Dragster: Front Row: Air time at the peak.

Wicked Twister: Back Row: That is A unique feeling.

Magnum XL 200: Car 1 Row 3: AKA: The ejector seat

Raptor: Front or Back: It’s great in any seat

Mantis: I don’t have A favorite seat on this one.

Mean Streak: Front Row: You won’t need an Advil after it’s over.

Corkscrew: Back Row: Nice little pop of air off the 2nd hill.

Gemini: Back Row: I like them all.

Iron Dragon: Front Seat: The only seat that I’ll take A lap in.

Blue Streak: Back Seat: The front isn’t bad either.

Summary:

2 ½ Days in the park would be great for A first timer. You won’t waist A ½ day if you check in early and get familiar with the property. I’m sure you will have A wonderful time. Cedar Point is A great park. *** Edited 4/29/2006 11:18:57 AM UTC by Blackie***

Aw great thanx! I didnt know the lines were so wierd there. I think that will be the only thing I'm worried about the most. I think I might do 4 days, 3 for the park and 1 for Soak City. Hopefully it won't rain or anything like that, it would be my luck that it rains. I will also check on the Breakers hotel. I saw that on their website and I initially thought expensive but maybe I need to look more into it. I know for sure that I want to get a season pass since I will be going for 3 days, makes sense to me. I more than likely will want to ride all the flat rides and all the coasters, not including kiddie rides obviously lol.

Actually, a little rain can be a good thing if you are staying in a hotel, since you can just go back and wait out the storm (it hardly ever rains all day) while the park clears out a bit. This is really easy if you are staying on point, but works even if you are not since you can just drive back when the rain clears.

Well I just realized yesterday that I can't get a hotel room at the resort because I'm 18. Lol and its ironic that someone makes the same forum topic on my lil issue. But everything is all good. I found me one and now I just need to get my finances straight then I will be on my way to fun..... lol how cheezy.

I am also making my first trip to cedar point this summer, i cant wait, but the only problem is the 8 hr drive im planning on staying at a really cheap motel and going with the 2 day ticket, but we'll see im gonna bring alot of extra money just incase.

heres my two cents:

Bring money that covers what you already have planned out and then some, because your gonna have extra expenses in the park. Also i would take some advice if you dont want to pay for food bring the cooler, really is the best way to go. Milan has a grocery store which is an exit past Rye Beach Road on I-90 and also many other stores if you so desire anything else.

Hotels probably staying off site from the park is cheaper, they have quite a few in the strip outside of the main area on Cleveland Road. Those are close but i dont know prices off hand, sorry i live an hour away.

As far as rides go get to the park early hit some of the bigger rides with less wait, thats what me and my family and friends usually do. Coasters generally with lower wait times are Mean Streak, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Magnum, and Gemini, so save those for a bit later in the day. Iron Dragon also might fall in this category too. If you come in the weekdays of June in the early two weeks, you will see less of wait times. Last year in the first week of June, I waited about a little over an hour for dragster, and milennium was about 30-45 minutes. Mantis was about the same as millennium. If its a weekend i would think to say double those, although dragster was fairly good at cranking em out. MaXair is always about 30-45 minutes same with power tower turbo drop side. The Space Shot side runs about fifteen minutes. Skyhawk will tell with time. Raptor is a good wait in the morning because its inside the gate and the first major coaster, but go later in the day, cause waits go down. Other rides will vary most of the non-major flats are short waits.

Also as far as the water park goes no idea. Challenge park will cost ya a few bucks in the wallet for sure if you decide to spend time there.

My only preferences are as follows.

If you wanna eat try the midway market, it can get crowded, but its good for an all you can eat buffet a bit pricy but it would cost you just a few bucks less to eat somewhere in the park at the stands.

And ride choice seating, if you must wait for the front of dragster, it will cost you 20 extra minutes or more.

Blue Streak second to last seat in the train, my only preference in the whole park and of all the 60+ coasters i have road.

Whatever happens have a good time, and make it a safe trip to and from. *** Edited 5/3/2006 4:58:58 AM UTC by MagnunBarrel***

Devins3..... great! I might see you there. Around what days are you going? I'm going around the beginning of June.

MagnunBarrel..... Thanx a lot for your help most of the stuff I'm hearing from everyone is similar in some way. I'll try to do everything everyone has suggested.