I'm Gettin Ready to Start, What's it Like?

Well, I'm scheduled to start working at CP on May 22 as a ride-op, but I haven't decided if I'm going to do it for sure. I'm just wondering what it's like. How's the job? How are the hours? How are the perks? Can you recommend a specific dorm? Any information about life as a CP employee would be helpful in making my decision. Thanks!

What ride are you going to be working on?

Also, hours are long from the sounds of it (first year for me, too.) I can't recommend a dorm, but I'm probably doing Cedars just so I don't have to worry about finding a ride or taking the shuttle since I'm not bringing a vehicle. I don't care if it is horrible in there, a bed is a bed, I'll be in there to sleep and not much else.

i havent worked rides @ CP before but, you'll work about 40-80 hours a week. sometimes its tough. You'll make great friends that will last a life time. You'll have the time of your life.

Housing wise. Cedars (if your male) Gold (female) arent the greatest but location wise you're just a few minutes walk to where you work. My friends lived in cedars.. its live able some of the rooms there are bigger then the rooms at commons. we had a blast over there. Commons dorms are small with 2 bunkbeds so up to four people to a room. but they have ac, cable and lockers so if you want lock something up you can. The apartments have either 4 or 5 roome (i cant remember) with up to 4 people to a room. bigger rooms but cable and ac are in the living room. You also have a fridge,sink and stovetop.

as said in other posts you wont spend much time in your room... you'll be working, hanging out at commons, playing the the park, going to louies ect.

give it a try... if you dont like it, at least you can say to tried. if not you'll always wonder if you missed the greatest summer of your life ;)

Ahh.. Unless youre on a big ticket ride, and if the hours are like last years, you can expect 40 hours or so a week.

If you dont know where to go, take Cedars at first. Those dorms are right by the park, and you only walk across a street and youre there. You use Cedars for nothing more than sleep, trust me. There are too many things inside the park to stay in your room.

If you are already scheduled to start working, then you already DID decide to work there. Why would you apply without first being sure this is what you want to do? If you decide not to go, please make sure you let the park know, and as soon as possible.

It is definetly hard work, and usually not fun. As a ride operator, you'll be outside in the heat (or rain and cold) and have to deal with a lot of irritating people. It can always get really boring and monotonous. But you can make great friends with your crew, as well as other employees throughout the park, and have a blast. It works for some people and not for others; there is no sure way to tell if you will like it or not. It certainly is an experience like no other. So basically you work hard, and usually long hours, but it balances out with all the fun you can have after your shift.

I haven't gotten the contract yet, and I applied not knowing when they would respond. I had several option on where to work this summer, and I'm still considering different things. I haven't committed to Cedar Point yet, but I probably will.

I'm just starting my first year at CP this summer.. But I've worked as a ride op at other amusement parks for the past four years and it's been the best time I've ever had. If I were you I'd definately come up.

Its long hours, you'll complain.. when summers over... you can't wait to go back.... its like a bad addiction.... you'll meet lots of great people and lots of cranky guests... there are days you feel like you can't go on... go to louies.... get drunk.... another day goes on....

As for dorms... i experience all of them not living in but i've stayed the night in all the dorms... Cedars... is nice if you want to sleep in and your a guy but its not a nice living space and a lot of foreigners which can be good or bad.... Gold is equivilent to cedars for guys.... the apartments are great if you are a people person and like to cook.... dorms are the nicest living space if your picky... bayside is probebly full by now but its nice like a real apartment

If I had to recommend a dorm, get in the apartments. Not being able to cook food is a major hassel to deal with.

unless you don't like to cook or don't know how and they you always have the restaurants or delivery. but working there is very fun and you'll have alot of fun especially the park access 24/7. well if you stay at cedars.

I just have to say one thing....stay away from Commons apartments! After living in Commons dorms 2001 & 2002 and then in Bayside 2003...I felt like I was at the Hilton there....but I absolutely HATED Commons apartments....too many people living in there. Of course I was only working some weekends and wasn't there everyday for the summer....but I hated going into my apt. and seeing it trashed all the time.....it can get sickening if you live with 15 other people and no one cares about cleanliness..... Personal recommendation----Commons dorms 1500 building. They are clean, small but good enough for the summer, they have microwaves so you can use them...but it's not like you will be home enough to actually cook that is unless you work an 8-5 job like I did in Marketing.

commons had cops coming there everynight last year but the rooms are nice just cramped.

Has anyone ever been a ride host for RipCord? I would like to know what it is like. And also, in general. Has anyone gone from sitting on their ass all year for college to Cedar Point and could barely stand the change? I'm hoping I have what it takes but I get emotionally stressed sometimes.