Winter Chill Out at Cedar Point, presented by PointBuzz, raises $13k for Give Kids The World Village

So bummed I couldn't be there this year, but I'm thrilled with the results!

Not trying to be a stinker, but why would anyone want to go to a park when all the rides are closed?

I ask this as someone who has worked at Cedar Point, so I already know what the park looks like in the off-season. Is it really THAT interesting?

Or is it just the helping charity aspect that drew people to the event?

I don't think any explanation could satisfy your question.

It looks like the weather was great. Congrats on the amount raised!! That is so awesome!

Couple of years ago I was visiting Walt Disney World. They opened a backstage area to let people not watching the show on the castle to bypass Main Street and get to Tomorrowland. I dawdled. I was fascinated seeing all that. I get why people would want to go to an amusement park off-season.

It's a combination of things. Yes it's definitely a great cause, plus if you haven't had the opportunity to see what goes on there in the off season, it's an interesting, somewhat enlightening experience.

They had that open a couple of weekends ago, taking the service road behind the east side of Main Street. Made getting out crazy faster. That's the one thing I hate about that park, that the only way out is also the night show standing room.

Thinking about it now, The one time I got to walk backstage at Kings Island, a park that I never worked at, was fascinating to me. I couldn't stop looking around. I've seen Cedar Point with no people in it and walked all non-public areas, so I would get no thrill seeing that again. So I guess I understand a little better now.

I did a winter tour at CP once, and I jokingly called it the "behind the bushes tour", as at that particular park there isn't much to see behind the scenes that you can't normally see from somewhere anyway. It was interesting to see some of the flats dismantled and put up for the winter and we got to walk under some coasters. Ride vehicles were stowed in rows along the parking lots. Boneville takes on an entirely new aura when you arent seeing it from the train. It was really cold and icy that day, though, and I finally decided I'd rather tour the park on a warm day when there's something to actually do.

This event, though, is particularly awesome - not only is it fodder for the nerd in us all, but the money raised for GKTW is fantastic. So congratulations to all, I'm glad everyone had a great time, and I would like to have participated. Sadly, I'm in Hawaii right now.

Awwwwww.....

Hawaii is hard.

Why, oh why, oh why oh?
Why did I ever leave Oh-...

Wait, I'm at the beach. I know why.

If you're in Hawaii and you're talking with us, you're doing it wrong.

Awww.. He misses us. Leave him alone.. :)

Maybe he logged in to see if Great Adventure build a hotel yet. Or if MiA got a new coaster. Or if Disney hiked gate prices. Or if FastPass has been ruled unconstitutional.

Raven-Phile said:

Awww.. He misses us. Leave him alone.. :)

Well then he should have offered to bring us along!

Count me among the "not interested." I enjoy learning about rollercoasters and what goes on behind the scenes as much as the next enthusiast, but if it took more than a couple hours, I can't imagine prioritizing it over whatever else I have going on. See "does your wife like roller coasters" thread.

Lord Gonchar said:
If you're in Hawaii and you're talking with us, you're doing it wrong.

No, really, it works out perfectly- I manage to fit it all in. There's a five hour time difference from home and it causes two things. First, when we have dinner at, say, 9 o'clock my body clock tells me it's really 2am. I try not to fall dead asleep face first into my plate. Then I wake up usually somewhere between 4a and 5a because in Ohio it's 10a and I've already overslept by about 2 hours. (Don't tell me I'm not drinking enough, either, because I am.) Anyway, I can't find much to do around here in those wee hours, coffee's not even open, so I take my iPad out to the pool, sit under the stars, read what's going on here at the 'Buzz and think of how much I really, really, miss you guys.

This morning when the sun was coming up I walked along the beach by the water. The whales are in town, and to see them jump out of the water and splash is so totally awesome I can't describe it. This morning I saw a mom and her calf playing out there. Then I came in and watched Blackfish. (no I didn't)

3000 miles to the nearest amusement ride and I'm pretty sure I could do this forever.

So I'm in for a minute, thought I'd check in and say hello, and rub it in a little more. I have a hula lesson at 5 o'clock so I'd better get ready for that. (no, I'm not kidding- remind me to perform for you at BansheeBuzz this year)

Aloha and Mahalo!

Oh, I am SO holding you to that.

I expect a grass skirt too.

With a tail.