Cedar Point (5/30 - 6/1)

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the Point. Random thoughts:

- Platinum Pass perks are nice and we definitely took advantage of many (early entry, discounts on food and drink, buy one get one games)

- Cedar Point's in-park prices sometimes induce sticker shock and always prompt an eyeroll and/or the muttering of "geez!" when paying for something. We dealt with it for the most part. I still figure I'd rather not go through the hassle of trying to beat the system and it really wouldn't be that big of a deal if the quality of the food wasn't so poor. Even average food would lessen the blow significantly. The only time it really got under my skin was the ice cream cones we grabbed - 4 of these were $15.98. Really!?

- On the flip side, the high food prices make souvenir pricing seem reasonable in comparison.

- Still don't get the banging complaints on Maverick. I noticed I tend to lean forward on coasters and apparently this helps, because I simply don't get beat up by those restraints. Maverick is just a lot of fun.

- Shoot the Rapids was drawing a lot of interest, but I never overheard anyone being negative about it not being open. Most were excitedly talking about it. Looks neat to me. We watched employees do a couple of cycles and they were completely drenched. This doesn't look to be a 'you may get wet' ride.

- Saw no issues with Millennium Force and the seatbelts. Not a single walk of shame. Did see one woman try the test seat and then back out of getting in line, but that was it. Been a long time since I've ridden MF and I didn't remember the airtime being so airy. Good stuff.

- I think Magnum still delivers. You suck if you don't.

- Got nailed with some rain late in the day on Memorial day and it lingered. First the park cleared and then the rain started to. We took our chances and stuck it out. We got rewarded with about an hour or so of what was basically park ERT. I was really surprised that the park kept bringing rides back up. Some (Wicked Twister) were opened to guests with just 15 minutes left until close and never ran a full train in that time. I can't say that I would have bothered if I were a park operator.

- Highlight of the after-rain ERT? Having the Turnpike Cars to ourselves and each taking a car and dicking around with them.

- Noticed too many little things not happening. No specific examples as I type this, but too often we felt like the little extra touches that make the rough edges pretty weren't there. Nothing major, just those little things that makes a great day into a spectacular one.

- We didn't even bother riding all of the coasters this time, but probably did more of 'everything else' than ever before during a trip to Cedar Point. Made for a really fun time.

- Was not offered a choice of cheese when getting Cheese On A Stick. Is there no longer a choice? I so, it's a lose for Cheese On A Stick because I always got the pepper jack. Whatever the hell was inside the one I got this time didn't touch it. Total 'meh' moment.

- Slighty off-topic: Chet & Matt's pizza is WAY overrated. It's not bad, it's just nothing special or outstanding as I may have been led to believe.

- Never been a Disaster Transport hater, but it may be time to let it go.

- Haven't been to CP since late 2007 - when did they change the music/sounds on Cedar Downs? Or was it longer ago than that and I embarassingly just noticed it now? I have to vote for nostalgia on this one...although I did annoy the piss out of the family singing that song at them all day.

- The Soak City lot is still the best kept secret at CP.

- Overall a good visit. It's just fun to be at Cedar Point.

- I know I'm forgetting things. I'll add them if I think of any. I got a bunch of photos that will make their way online one way or another.

Lord Gonchar said:

- Haven't been to CP since late 2007 - when did they change the music/sounds on Cedar Downs? Or was it longer ago than that and I embarassingly just noticed it now? I have to vote for nostalgia on this one...although I did annoy the piss out of the family singing that song at them all day.

I want to say it was last year, although it could have been 2008 (the years blur after a while). The new music is okay, although it kind of sounds like the opening music to a generic 11:00 news broadcast from the 1980s. I'm not exactly sure what horse racing music should sound like but the current music doesn't quite seem to be it.

Agreed on both counts. 80's news broadcast is a great description.

We were at CP on Monday. It was more of a Cedar Fail day though. Lots of rides being down through out the day.

Monday as in Memorial Day?

Yea. Maverick was down for a while during ERT. We then went to TTD as it was just before 10:00 AM and as soon as we were about to get into the station it went down for over an hour. CCMR & Mantis were down everytime we walked by. MF closed just before we got to the station for the above mentioned storm. When we tried to get a refund for the locker the attendant was quite rude. All in all a crappy day.

Wow.

If someone asked me, I would've said Monday was one of the funnest days we've had at a park in a while. One of those days where the end came way too soon. We hit none of the issues and except for during the rain, never once saw a ride down - and, like I mentioned, commend CP for getting rides back up long after I'd have given up due to the weather.

We even did the morning ERT on MF and Maverick....and MF again (a couple of times) after the storm with near walk-on conditions. Didn't ride TTD or Mantis this trip (didn't want to) and did CCMR on Monday too.

Just funny how two people at the same park on the same day can come back with such opposite opinions.

Where did you get your CHOAST? Not all the locations have the pepper jack. The other cheese they use is just plain ole american.

Hmmm.

At the back of the park, right by Maverick

Now that you mention it, I think I've usually gotten it at the front corner of the park in the past.

TimChat2 said:

Lord Gonchar said:

- Haven't been to CP since late 2007 - when did they change the music/sounds on Cedar Downs? Or was it longer ago than that and I embarassingly just noticed it now? I have to vote for nostalgia on this one...although I did annoy the piss out of the family singing that song at them all day.

Reminded me of weather channel Local on the 8's music. All it needs is some dude saying "precipitation is indicated by the color code at the top of your screen..."

"Still don't get the banging complaints on Maverick..."

Me either. LOVE me some Maverick.

"Never been a Disaster Transport hater, but it may be time to let it go."

Me either, but I agree. Granted, I'd love them to add Big Dipper and a boardwalk section (Thanks Gator!), but meh.

And I hate you for eating Cheese on a Stick and complaining. At least you can GET cheese on a stick!

I was there Monday too had a great time also. Sure lots of things went down to weather but there is nothing you can do about that, I noticed they did try and get stuff running very quickly every time.

I had some great rides on Magnum, especially the blue train.

I also utilize the lean forward technique on Maverick and had many great rides.

My last visit to CP was in 2007 and it rained around 2:00 pm, and kept raining on and off for a couple hours. Then the most amazing thing happend! The park cleared out (Well, except for Maverick's line) and the sun came out. It was a beautiful sunset and I had a great time at the park. The storm brought in a cool breeze too.

MF was the only ride that we experienced being down due to weather (and I agree that is not under the parks control). The others were unknown or maintenance related.

There's some sort of good info on how a day at the park differs for people based on expectations, choices and the seemingly random nature of life to be had here.

I just need to sort it out and make some kind of point with it. :)

And, by the way, here's some pics of the empoyees riding StR. There's no chance you're staying dry on this one.

The only place I've seen the Pepper Jack is by Disaster Transport.

Speaking of different music. I noticed they were not playing Beach Boys in line for Dragster. It was rock music. It was a nice change.

Yeah, StR looks like a real soaker. Guess this will be a once-a-year (at best) ride for me. Aw, well, life's full of much bigger disappointments.

I think it's going to be a once-a-year ride for everyone this year, seeing as it's not going to open until late August :) ...Too far?

While I'm at it, here's a little bit of video of StR with the employees cycling.

Nothing major. It gives an idea of the water cannons and the final drop and getting wet and stuff.

I agree with you on Chet and Matt's pizza... Its good, but not as amazing as everybody makes it out to be.

The only time I like to go there is for the Sunday morning brunch (all you can eat bacon!) :)

Other times, I much prefer East of Chicago at the end of the causeway. It's closer, cheaper (discount for platinum pass members! Its like two people with drink for $15 or something) and the pizza is delicious.