Cedar Point: Day 2. Sunday July 28th. Cedar Point Hell.

I chose Sunday as my final day to visit Cedar Point, and all I have to say is, it was one bad choice, and absolute misery. It started with my trip to the park, taking a different route to the park, other than route 250 from Norwalk. It was supposed to be only a 10 mile drive to bypass, the business district, and come into the Cedar Point causeway from the other side of Castaway Bay. A trip that ended up being 7 miles longer than the signs said.

The road leading into Cedar point was bumper to bumper cars, going all the way back to the McDonalds on the mainland. So I knew it was going to be a very busy day. I passed up the main lot, as some suggested, for a very slow moving drive back to the Soak City lot, where I a least found a shady spot to park my car, and quickly entered the park through the Soak City Entrance.

It was a very breezy and cold morning. Though it was a fairly nice day, though once I was in the park, it was ungodly packed. So, I figured I would go on some rides that I did not ride the day before. And, since I was so close to Magnum, and was unable to ride it on Thursday due to long lines, I decided to hit it first. With a 40 minute wait.

I don't know what it was about Magnum, but, it seems to be a shadow of it's former self. I just didn't find it that exciting. It was fun for sure, but, I just thought that Shivering Timbers at MA was better. The return trip still had some nice air, but, it just seemed more tame then it used to be, with a bit of roughness on some of the hills. Still a decent ride though.

Next I went to Top Thrill dragster, to see that it had an 1 hour and 45 minute wait. Skipped it. I went around and did a ride on Iron Dragon, which was a 40 minute wait, in the very last seat. Nothing special, then I took a ride on the Himalaya. After that I headed over to M-force, which had a 2 hour line. Skipped it, and went to Mantis, which was a 40 minute wait. Mantis was fun, but still has that head banging effect. Also some rough spots.

I decided to go back to Maverick, which had a wait posted a 2 hours and 15 minutes, with a full queue. Skipped it, and went for a ride on the wave swinger. Then went back to Mean Streak, which was just opening for the day, and had a line of people waiting to get in, while it tested. It ended up being a 20 minute wait. It was kind of rough compared to my ride on Thursday, but, not nearly as rough as previous years.

After that I headed over to Gemini, which was not racing today, with a wait posted at 2 hours. WTF!!! hell no. Went back over to Magnum, and the wait was up to 1 hour and 45 minutes. So, I decide to take a walk into Camp Snoop, or whatever it's called. Though about taking a ride on Wood Stock Express, but then voted it down, and went on the tilt-a-whirl instead. I'm not sure, but this seems like a smaller version of a tilt-a-whirl, as it only had 6 cars. Doesn't a regular one have 8? Anyways, it was just to kill time.

I went over to Top Thrill Dragster, and it was apparently closed, but testing, with a line of people waiting at the gate. The gate operator was saying that the wait would be short, but when they opened the gate, 2 sections of the queue were already full of people waiting to ride. The ride was running good for about 20 minutes, and it started raining, so they shut it down again.

Another 20 minutes went by, and it started testing again, as the rain had stopped. At this point the line was hardly moving. Waited another 20 minutes and another light rain started, and they closed it again. I was done with the line, and left the queue.

Then as I walked around the park, I noticed that a lot of the rides were closed. There were no cable cars on the line, and when I got over to Gate keeper and Wind Seeker. Gate Keeper was down, with a 90 minute wait, and Wind Seeker was closed. Thought about riding Max Air, but it had a full queue, and the only coaster in the front of the park that didn't have a huge line was Wicked Twister, but it was also closed temporarily due to the rain. And, it was hardly a sprinkle. A lot of people were extremely pissed, and the crowds were huge. Never saw a line at one of the big coasters that wasn't close to 2 hours, or closed.

So, there wasn't really anything to do. Except walk around, play games, or shop, as a lot of the flats were closed as well. So, I went back to the frontier trail to see about getting my "design your own t-shirt perk." to find a very un enthusiastic employee, who told me that the shirts only come in large, x-large, and 2x Large. So, I asked if I could substitute for something else in the store for the same price, and the immediate answer was no.

So I have a very low opinion of the season pass perks for Cedar Point. The night time ride thing is kind of pointless, as pretty much everyone is already waiting in line to ride the rides when the park closes anyways. And, not offering substitutions for merchandise to make your guests happy, is kind of a downer as far as I am concerned.

So, as the light rain continued, more rides shut down, and it was just a total grumpfest. I figured if the rides ever did re-open, it was just going to end up being a queue nightmare. As someone who waited for Top Thrill dragster told me, that the reason, that the queue never moved after the first rain break down on Top Thrill dragster, is because they were letting all the fast lane people ride first, and holding back the main line. JERKS!!

By 5 o'clock, I'd had enough of the Cedar Point hell, and just decided to go home. Good thing I did. I was taking a nap break at one of the service stations on the 80/90 and a huge storm was headed east toward the park. Made me wonder if they were just shutting down everything to prepare for that. Looked pretty nasty. It was pouring rain at the service station, and the sky was jet black. Though there was a very awesome rainbow in the sky. But that was the only highlight of the day.

It was just horrible.

Damn. Seriously? What a happy fun trip report.

Timber-Rider said:

Cedar Point...all I have to say is...bad choice...absolute misery...started with my trip to the park...ended up being 7 miles longer...bumper to bumper...I knew it was going to be a very busy day...very slow moving drive back to the Soak City lot...cold morning...ungodly packed...

Magnum...unable to ride it on Thursday due to long lines...40 minute wait...shadow of it's former self...didn't find it that exciting...more tame then it used to be...bit of roughness...

Top Thrill dragster...1 hour and 45 minute wait. Skipped it.

Iron Dragon...40 minute wait...Nothing special...

M-force...2 hour line. Skipped it...

Mantis...40 minute wait...head banging...rough spots.

Maverick...2 hours and 15 minutes...full queue. Skipped it

Mean Streak...line of people waiting...20 minute wait...kind of rough...

Gemini...not racing today...2 hours. WTF!!! hell no

Magnum...1 hour and 45 minutes.

Though about taking a ride on Wood Stock Express...voted it down...tilt-a-whirl instead...smaller version...just to kill time.

Top Thrill Dragster...closed...line of people waiting...2 sections of the queue were already full of people waiting...started raining...shut it down again...testing again...line was hardly moving...another 20 minutes...light rain started...closed it again...I was done...left the queue.

Then...lot of the rides were closed...no cable cars on the line...Gate Keeper was down...90 minute wait...Wind Seeker was closed...Max Air...had a full queue...Wicked Twister...also closed...rain...hardly a sprinkle...people were extremely pissed...crowds were huge...Never saw a line at one of the big coasters that wasn't close to 2 hours, or closed.

wasn't really anything to do...flats were closed as well...very un enthusiastic employee...shirts only come in large, x-large, and 2x Large...substitute for something else...same price...immediate answer was no.

So I have a very low opinion...night time ride thing is kind of pointless...everyone is already waiting in line to ride the rides when the park closes anyways...not offering substitutions for merchandise...kind of a downer...

light rain continued, more rides shut down...total grumpfest*...if the rides ever did re-open...end up being a queue nightmare...the reason, that the queue never moved...because they were letting all the fast lane people ride first...holding back the main line. JERKS!!

I'd had enough of the Cedar Point hell, and just decided to go home....huge storm was headed east...shutting down everything to prepare for that...Looked pretty nasty...pouring rain at the service station, and the sky was jet black...

It was just horrible.

Dear God. If there was EVER a time to drop the coin on a Fast Lane...

Edit: Never mind. I just saw the other thread that mentioned crazy long waits even with Fast Lane. But I'm not sure I'd expect much better on any weekend in July.

*My nomination for your new screen name.

Vater said:

Timber-Rider said:

total grumpfest*

*My nomination for your new screen name.

Dibs!

It's not like we or you didn't see this coming. Multiple times the busyness and then your complaining because of it was predicted. I'm glad you had a fun day on the Thursday, though:

here first sentence

second paragraph here

third paragraph here about past experiences during crowded days

here second and third sentence

Hey Vater. What's the point of buying fast lane when almost all the rides in the park are closed. Out of the few rides that were open, you would not need fast lane in the first place. Those rides just being a handful of flats, kiddie rides, and the antique cars. If it was a coaster, it was closed. None of them were open during the rain, even Blue Streak was closed. And, it was hardly a sprinkle of rain, that came and went, like every 20 minutes.

I'm actually very glad I didn't buy Fast Lane. I wouldn't have wanted to pay $60.00 extra for broken and closed rides. Thursday would have been the better day to buy it, but, I did not have that much money to spend. In fact I spent my entire trip budget, and just had enough money to get a meal at Taco Bell, and had just pocket change left for the trip home, and just enough gas in the car to get home.

Also Tyler, this is the first time in all of my years of going to Cedar Point where almost every ride was closed due to a sprinkle of rain. I have been to Cedar Point in a lot worse weather, and they never closed that many rides before. Even the witches wheel was closed. Also, I was not the only one who was upset with the park. I talked to a lot of people who were very upset. I am just probably the only person who posted it.

Also Vater...I am leaning towards. "Forest Grump." I live in the woods, so it's very fitting. And, yes I agree that I am very grumpy about my Sunday visit, but I was certainly not the only one. Another complaint was from people standing in line to use the bathroom. One guy says. "What's next a restroom queue...and a fast lane entrance to use it?" Another guy says, "don't give them any ideas. It sucks enough already."

I'm almost certain you said you were going 4 days the park. What happened?

In answer to you question Tyler, I actually planned to go to the park Wednesday as well, but, getting to Ohio, and to the campground I stayed at took longer than I thought. By the time I arrived, and got my tent set up at the camp ground, (which was very muddy) and took a shower after dealing with that mess. It was 4 pm. A drive to the park might have got me in the gate by 5 pm, which would not have given me much time to do any rides. Also wanted to conserve gas, in case there were any unexpected delays.

The campground was a lot farther from the park then advertised, and driving through Norwalk also took some time. So, I took a lot of things into consideration. I wanted to do more than 2 days, it just didn't work out that way. I'm glad I didn't go Wednesday, I heard it was packed as well. A couple guys from camp went on Wednesday, and said they stayed long enough for ERT, and did only 5 rides the rest of the time they were there. Though they live local, so they can go any time they want. For me, it's a 6 hour drive.

I chose to stay at the campground on Friday. As a bunch of my friends from Grand Rapids were coming, and a few members of the campground in Michigan showed up as well. So I decided to hang out with them, and was not about to go to Cedar Point on a Friday, and I never go on a Saturday. Good thing too, because Saturday was pretty crappy. Torrential rain and storms all day, until 7, then it was very nice until around midnight, and started raining again. Also Saturday was the big party day at the camp ground, and I did not want to miss it. Was great fun.

I have been at Cedar Point on a Sunday in July before, and the crowds were not nearly as horrible. I'm sure if I had made there for ERT things might have been a little different. But, did not arrive at Cedar Point on Sunday until a little after noon. So, the masses were already in the park, or in route when I arrived. I think if I chose to do this trip again next year, I will go to a June event, and stay for 5 days Friday through Tuesday. Would probably have better luck with crowds.

Timber-Rider, if you do decide to go with the name change, I've also got your new avatar picked out. :)

Even better:

I may be a little grumpy. but I do have a sense of humor. I liked your photo sws, but, I think blasterboy6500 wins. I love it! LOL!!

What's with parks closing down all the rides at the slightest sign of rain lately? I've had terrible problems with Hersheypark practically closing the entire park down just because a dark rain cloud was passing miles from the park. It was visible for about ten minutes, but the park was on lock-down for over an hour.

That was this year's visit. Last year's visit, the park was closed for most of the day, and only half of that saw any kind of precipitation. I got a free ticket to return, and that is why I went back this year, but man, it almost wasn't worth the eight-hour drive for me either time.

There is a trip report here on CB presently about how Dollywood shut down everything because of rain.

I remember riding Millennium Force in the front seat during rain, and the raindrops beat painfully against my face. I also remember riding Wicked Twister in the front seat in a Cat's 'n Dogs style downpour, in which my buddy and I were propelled straight up into a waterfall funneled through the spiral of the track. Both of these rides were two of my most memorable rides at Cedar Point. It sounds like Mr. Insurance guy is not allowing them to run rides in the rain anymore, and I find it very sad.

I also find it very sad that you, Timber-Rider, had a small budget for your park trip and had it messed up because of the busy crowds and weather. I've had some experiences like that before, like one time driving to Dorney Park from my apartment in State College, PA, my truck broke down and I had to spend all my park money fixing the truck so I could get back home. That was the only park trip I could afford that year, and it didn't pan out at all.

Cheer up though, buddy. Things can only get better if you change your attitude. Mr. Grumpy needs a transformation in Mr. Happypants.

^Actually there was never any rain. I never even saw a dark cloud but was told that a lightning strike had been reported in the area.

BGW shut down the entire park on my trip too (even Darkastle) but that was due to a real approaching thunderstorm which hit the park with quite a fury 15 min after the shutdown.

The only thing that I disagreed with is that they shut down tram operations, so in order for me to get to my car in General Parking I had to walk across a completely empty Germany Parking lot with lightning going off in the distance all around me. I ended up doing it because it was clear from radar that if I did not go now, the weather would be far worse for the next 5-6 hours and it was 8pm at night.

Bad choice not going to CP on Friday. Those are always my favorite nights to go. The locals are off doing Friday night things, and the weekenders are just coming in for their vacations, so I always have good luck with crowds.

I don't really pay attention to how CP runs rides in the rain, but I will tell you that after Magnum's accident in 2007 the rain policy changed drastically. The rest of the year was almost comical. The rides wouldn't run even in a drizzle. I too, remember the days where you could ride in torrential rain as long as there wasn't lightning.

I don't ride as much anymore, but I think you were warned that you picked a bad time to visit the park and to expect crowds. If it were me, I would have used that time to visit the shows at the park as they don't close due to rain.

Sorry the crowds and weather made your trip crappy. If you are looking for a weekend to power ride in the future, the weekend AFTER Labor Day is when you should go.

~Rob

Timber-Rider said:

So I have a very low opinion of the season pass perks for Cedar Point. The night time ride thing is kind of pointless, as pretty much everyone is already waiting in line to ride the rides when the park closes anyways. And, not offering substitutions for merchandise to make your guests happy, is kind of a downer as far as I am concerned.

You mention the "night time ride thing" for pass holders in both of your reviews. Besides a handful of ERT nights throughout the year - this perk doesn't exist.

Also, what was the issue with the t-shirts? They didn't have your size available??

Edit: Sorry, I just saw your rant on the other forum about this.

Hey JOz99.

My point was with night time rides. Even if they did have them on certain days. I'm wondering how they would handle it with crowds like I saw on Thursday. It seems if they waited for the queues of regular riders to clear out. Night time rides would not start until well after Midnight.

At 10:30, Millennium Force had a full queue, and maybe around 10:45, Gate Keeper had a full queue, though the entrances to both rides closed at 1o. So, how long would someone who was going to a night time ride session, have to wait before they could ride? And, when would the cut off point be? That being with thousands of season pass holders staying in the park for that ride time, I wonder if it would even be worth it.

Also, the deal with the t-shirts was that they only offered 3 sizes for the design your own t-shirt deal. Large, extra large, and 2x large. I'm a little guy, and I wear a size small, there mediums are pretty big for me. Because I do have some. It just seems they would offer more than that. Maybe I should have seen if I could get a kids size. But, sadly most of their t-shirts are one size fits all, unless you are female, then you can get pretty much any size you want. Which really sucks, no matter if it is Cedar Point or any where else.

Timber-Rider said:

Hey JOz99.

My point was with night time rides. Even if they did have them on certain days. I'm wondering how they would handle it with crowds like I saw on Thursday. It seems if they waited for the queues of regular riders to clear out. Night time rides would not start until well after Midnight.

At 10:30, Millennium Force had a full queue, and maybe around 10:45, Gate Keeper had a full queue, though the entrances to both rides closed at 1o. So, how long would someone who was going to a night time ride session, have to wait before they could ride? And, when would the cut off point be? That being with thousands of season pass holders staying in the park for that ride time, I wonder if it would even be worth it.

Just have to read the perk details (which I know you didn't do because you didn't know it wasn't every night). Here they are:

"Enjoy Exclusive Ride Time on your favorite park thrill machines! Each session of ERT will open shortly after park closing to Platinum Passholders and will last for one full hour. Please note that at times, the session may not start until up to 45 minutes after park closing. The full hour begins at that time. Weather or maintenance conditions may result in the cancellation of the ERT session. Any substitute attractions are at the park’s discretion. All Platinum Passholders must show their 2013 Platinum Pass at the ride entrance each time they would like to ride."

Thanks Lord Gonchar.

I was just looking at the Cedar Point night time rides list. The only one left is for Gate Keeper on August 23. I would not stay in the park for just one ride. I would bet that the line would not be worth it. Unless they threw in a couple bonus rides, then maybe.

The the last Night ride session was on July 17th, and included Top Thrill Dragster and Magnum. That I would do.

Timber-Rider said:

"A trip that ended up being 7 miles longer than the signs said."

"The road leading into Cedar point was bumper to bumper cars, going all the way back to the McDonalds on the mainland."

"With a 40 minute wait."

"which was a 40 minute wait"

"40 minute wait."

"It ended up being a 20 minute wait."

"bout 20 minutes"

"Another 20 minutes"

"Waited another 20 minutes"

Several hours of waiting for several minutes of fun. What has humanity come to?

LostKause said:

It sounds like Mr. Insurance guy is not allowing them to run rides in the rain anymore, and I find it very sad.

That's the assumption I've made as well, and it is indeed pretty ridiculous. The CYA mentality of the insurance industry is just a touch out of hand.