Questions for CP Employees, Past and Present

Well I just did an interview over the phone and I'm planning on working at Cedar Point this summer as a ride operator. I'm finishing my second year of college and I'm looking foward to something new. I know the pay isn't great, but I'm wondering what the job is like, what it's like to live in the dorms, and just an overall impression of the job from those of you that have worked there. Your comments will help me make my decision, so let me know what you think. Thanks!

Why don't you read up some of these forums. This is packed with employee questions, concerns, and stories:
http://pointbuzz.com/cpplace.aspx?mode=topics&ForumID=3

I am not a member of pointbuzz, so I will add to this thread.

I was a Paddlewheel Captian and a Camp Snoopy opp in 2000. My first season at CP was nice, but I never thought that I would return for a second. I was really happy that it was over. As I left Sandusky, I played Weezer-My name is Johnis. "The workers are going home".

But strange circumstances coerced me to return for a second season. This time I worked mostly at Camp Snoopy, but thankfully had the chance to work a lot of other coasters and rides as well. I got a lot of respect that year because i already knew what I was doing and what was going on. I told myself it would be a lot easier because I already knew what to expect, and I was right.

The second season was better also because I had a good friend to room with instead of strangers.

It's a really tough place to work. You are away from family, and home. Sometime it's too cold; sometimes it's too hot. You work 10-12 or more hours per day, 6 days a week, with no overtime (but, wow, those paychecks are nice, especially if you have hardly any bills).

Just make sure you ask a lot of questions and take the advice of those who have been there before. Go with the flow until you get an idea of what's going on. Remember that a lot of other people are starting their first season there as well. If you make it the whole season, you get that nice bonus check in the mail 6 weeks later.

Check in went smothly both years for me.

I sometimes want to go back. Those were some of the best times in my life, and some of the worst too. It really brings a person into self discovery. You learn a lot about yourself and find out who you really are.

I've said it so many times; Working at Cedar Point turns boys into men, in more ways than one.

Oh, I almost forgot...Be selective and wear a condom ;)

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time to help out, I appreciate it. *** Edited 4/30/2005 5:06:12 AM UTC by Bakeman***

Look at it this way money wise. It costs around $30 a week for housing depending where you live. $50-70 a week for food. And thats if you do the dollar menu at Wendys and McDs almost every day. One thing you can't forget is that Sandusky is vacation land.

I had a great time working for CP but if your not fimilar with dorm life or being out on your own at all then it will be a huge shock to your system. Not only are there a TON of people you've never met but half, if not more, don't speak a word of english normally. I'm not trying to scare anyone away but more like informing you of what it's like.

And finally, when it comes to Sandusky and working there... there's two things to do when your awake. Work and drink.

Coasterman Mike

PS. Wear a rubber dude! ;)

Jeez, guys, just because ya'll threw morals to the wind doesn't mean this kid is going to...;)

What are the prices for food like at the employee lounge?

Or is it more worth it to just go to the grocery store? Because Commons has a kitchen right?

"The Caf" and "Stockade" had decent prices when I was there. A cup for your soda and free refils was $.80. Can of juice or bottle of Aquafina was $1.00. Mac and cheese was $.25. A pizza slice or a cheeseburger was $1.00. I think I spent around 5 or 10 dollars per day for food at work.

My friends and I were in the habit of going out to eat every night after work. I DO NOT DRINK. Steak 'N Shake was our favorite hangout after work (YUMYUM), because it was hard to find a fast food place open and SNS is open 24 hours.

If you are outgoing, you will probably make new friends within a week, and some of those will be friends for the rest of your life.

CP really takes good care of their workers. They have some nice activities for employees to do. I watched "The Matrix" on the lazer screen on night, like a drive-in without cars. I was bused to PKI a few times each year (you need to pay for the trip, but it is cheap), and even got to experience an exciting, no extra charge, bus accident on one of those trips.

They give great employee parties a few time each year. Being served a hot dog by Mr. Kenzel was one of the highest expressions of appreciation I have ever encountered.

God, I really miss working there.

It's not at all odd. A lot of people who work at CP are park enthusiasts, like us. When working there you can only visit CP on your day off so many times before getting sick of it.

They have an employee activity organizer. I am assuming that park employees asked for the bus trips to PKI a while back and they became popular enough for them to keep doing them year after year. PKI does the same for their employees, at least they did back in '99 and 2000.

Also organized for us were - ride nights, where a coaster of ride was open after hours for us to enjoy, sometimes in the dark (with the lights out) - Marshmallow roasts on the beach where they even provided the sticks and marshmallows - A great Soak City party with the entire waterpark open very late past midnight with free food and other fun activities - A great HUGE party near the end of the year, which I would say resembled a company pic-nic. This party has a new theme each year, and includes the entire Fronteertown with almost all food stands and ride open for free, and prizes givin away raffle style.

I know there is a lot more.

That's it! I'm going back there to work right now...Oh wait. I can't. I have too much going on in my world right now. Darn.

That's the part that kills me. If it wasn't so hard to find a place to rent and get a job every 6 months here in PA were I live, I would be a CP lifer for sure. It would be such a hassle to find a place to live and a job Oct.-May, and then work and live at CP May-Oct. Forget full time, year round work at the park; It just doesn't come too easy.

That's why I moved to FL that one year to work at IOA. But man FL is a long way from home.

Did I mention it was the best and worst times of my life?

thanks to all who are making this a great and informative thread, i enjoyed reading it...

-- alan jacyszyn