Visiting CP for the first time...

I've always had good luck entering the park when it opens, grabbing a ride on Millennium, right when I get off, I head into the Mantis line which is only 10-15min that early in the morning, grab a front row seat and be done with it.

Then I ride some other small rides untill freeway, and I get them for MF and TTD, if TTD is down I get a Raptor one.

About the garbage can line, thats pretty funny, I work in a concession stand and it's hillarious to watch people line up under a closed register. They get mad when they find out it isn't open. *** Edited 4/22/2005 12:38:26 PM UTC by Geewhzz***

The only rides that are guaranteed to be open when you walk in at 9:00 or even 9:30 are the ones running for Joe Cool. However, many coasters try their best to be open before 10. Magnum opened somewhere between 9:40 and 9:50 last year 9 times out of 10. The tenth time was usually a parking ban day and everyone was there super early, so we were open at like 9:20! :) I always said if people at the Soak City gate were hearing God Bless America instead of our lift, we were behind schedule. Can't speak for the crew this year, but I suspect it will be similar.

This is a lot of information to ponder. I'm torn. Either we'll run (well, walk quickly; neither the huz nor I are particularly in shape and I think we could create an attraction worth queuing up for just by attempting to run) for TTD if it's running, then go to the back, then get MF/Mantis stamps...or we'll hit MF first, then the back!

We raced for Superman at SFGAm last year at opening and it was well worth it. We had conquered the front seat within 30 minutes of getting in line. Then we had allllllll day to ride RB!

Now, for the tough decision: which direction to go on our first evening, when we use our Starlight passes! I suppose we'll hit smaller coasters/flats so we get in the groove and work our way up to the biggies. I agree with the idea of the other rides seeming somehow less awesome if we ride TTD as the very first thing we do in 2005.

Hey, how does Maggie compare to RB?

If you like going to a coffee shop in the morning, there's a neat little place downtown
across the street from an old theatre. Someone here might know the name of it. I drove down there before I went to the park. It was nice laid back spot. It's not far at all.

As far as getting your hand stamped, after getting one, I came back to the line about 15 min. early and the employee let me in line anyway.
Does anyone know if it pays off to come in at the marina gate btw?

I bought my pass online for cp. Do i have to have it processed before entering the park, or can i use my voucher to get on into the park?

You have to get it processed before you enter. I know, it sucks.

Maggie is a great ride. It in not as smooth as RB (it's an old Arrow) but it has great air time and is still one of my favorites.

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stuey said:

Does anyone know if it pays off to come in at the marina gate btw?

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I would like someones input on this question also. Do they typically open this gate on time?

Also, If I decided that I wanted to park in the Soak City lot so I could make a run for TDD and so I could be close to my car after I play Mini Golf late at night, how is the best way to get the parking lot attendants to let me? I would be trying this on opening day, so Soak City would not be open yet. Is SC lot even open on opening day?

I have this strange paranoia that the parking attendants will tell me that I have to park in the front lot if I am not going to the hotels.

I've worked there in the past, but I forget how this all works. I want to be prepared. This would be good to know. *** Edited 4/23/2005 7:34:02 AM UTC by dexter***

As soon as you go through the tollbooth, just put on your left blinker like you own the place. Take a left (there will usually be an attendant waving you to go left), then a quick right onto perimeter road. You need not worry about people telling you not to park back there. People do it every day.

You should probably get there a bit early going through the Soak City gate because most of the resort people go in back there and a decent line can develop. With that gate having much lower capacity than the front gate, if you're at the back of the line, your advantage of being closer to Dragster isn't going to mean much.

I think you already knew this, but if you're using the marina gate, you'll have to park in the main lot up front.

If you use the far left toll booth, then you can just go straight down perimeter road. The toll booth op may tell you to go right, but just go straight and you will be fine.

I wonder what time they open season pass processing on sat. may 7th. Since i am getting joe cool as well i was hoping to get my pass processed by 9?

"...Like you own the place". That puts it into a new perspective. Just do it, is what I think you are saying. We will be arriving there sometime before 9AM.

Yeah, I knew about parking in the normal lot if I plan on entering the Marina gate. I stayed at Cedars Dorms for 6 months (across the street from the Marina gate), and I had to park all the way over by Space Spiral. What a walk.

How do they tell that you are or are not a resort guest? What time does the Soak city gate open? 9:30 or 10? Do they check your hotel key or something?

...Not that I would be dishonest or anything, I am just wondering.

I am a regular at CP, the best advise that I can give you is to go early, I mean right when the park first opens, and go right to the ride that you want to go to. I usually go to MF. Here are a few pointers.
1. After you finish riding the coaster of your choice, try to head towards the back. This will allow you to ride almost everything. For example say you want to ride MF first, following your ride head towards Mantis, Iron Dragon, Power Tower, Corkscrew, Magnum, Gemini, Mine Ride, Mean Streak, and then take the train up front. You have been able to ride all of thoes rides with little wait. This plan will work almost any day of the week. It will even work on a Saturday, provding that you move very quickly. Also it all depends on if all of the rides are running.

2. Usually Raptor has a wait first thing in the mourning, till about noon or one. No matter how crowded it is Raptor will have a wait. However Raptor usually dies down around the evening.

3. Mantis is slow in the mourning and evening.

4. Iron Drangon sometimes will have a wait in the late mourning.

5. Wicked Twister usually is pretty empty.

6. Blue Streak has a wait only in the mourning, once the rush is over, blue streak has no weight, especially early in the year.

7. You are going during a time where the park should be pretty slow.

8. Have Fun

The fisrst time I went I spent 3 days and did EVERYTHING.... I would say expirence the WHOLE park.... I can't wait till I get bacK! June 14!! YEA

Have lost of fun

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dexter said:
How do they tell that you are or are not a resort guest? What time does the Soak city gate open? 9:30 or 10? Do they check your hotel key or something?

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If you are staying in a CP hotel, when you check in, they will give you a card that you show at the gate to get in early. Most days, the gates along with two or three rides (last year was MF and Raptor and if you are lucky, TTD) open for Joe Cool and resort guests at 9:00 and 9:30 for everyone else, with all rides open by 10. All gates open at the same time, right after the National Anthem. Dan Keller introduced this thing where gates would open at different times depending on the time of the season so you should check the website operating calender and click on your specific day for details. Most days it's 9 for Joe Cool/Resorts, 9:30 for everyone else though. I'd like to see them just make it that way every day and forget the nonsense Keller started.

http://www.thepointol.com/strategy.html

A really good website in planning a trip to cedar point!

It also mentions in another part of the website when rides are most busy and least crowded throughout the day.

Thank you all SO much for all this info. My huz is already tired of hearing me go "Whooooo!" up in our office looking at POV videos. :)

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LadyBrett said:
Thank you all SO much for all this info. My huz is already tired of hearing me go "Whooooo!" up in our office looking at POV videos.

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LOL I was doing the when planning my frist trip! Have fun

Thanks for the info, MDOmnis, CP ismyhome, and everyone else. It's nice to be able to talk to regulars to the parks that can offer tips, tricks, and opinions. :)

Woooooooooo! We reserved our hotel package last night! Such a deal...$250 for 3 nights, 2 day passes, 2 starlight passes, 8 breakfast coupons, 2 soak city (can't use 'em though)...at Breakers Express!

I'm so psyched. Now, to get through the next 17 days...*biting nails*