4 Single Adults coming to CP for the first time..any recommendations?

We are going to Cedar Point next week for three days, coming on Monday. Need any/all recommendations as to what 'regulars' can tell us 'first-timers.' Where to stay, party, eat, what we can't miss doing, etc....

So much info to digest all at once while researching prices... I figure what better to do, then ask the 'experts!' Although we would love to stay close to the park, is it actually worth it $$$$$ ???? We plan on getting the 2day ride/slide tixs too. What is the best trip going??

Thanks in advance... let it rip! =)

All the hotels (except for 5 at most) suck in Sandusky. The food is nothing special. My recommendation for accommodations would be the Hampton Inn Milan or the Fairfield Inn & Suites Sandusky. If you wan't to save money, book in advance.

Instead of getting a hotel, I always stay at the Sandusky/Bayshore KOA, they have little cabins that are really affordable.

And at the end of the day, you can grab a case of beer, start a fire, and sit back BSing until you just can't stay up any later.

No anymore, John. The last 2 years I've stayed there, they were complete dicks after 10 PM. We were barely talking the first night of our stay the last time, and they came over and warned us. They told us if they had to come back again, the rest of the weekend, we were gone.

They used to be a lot more relaxed, and for the $250/night they're charging right now, I'd rather spend a little bit more and go for Lighthouse Point.

$250/night?!?!? Gadzooks!

ADDED:
Actually, its only about $70/night during the week.

Closing weekend last year wasn't too bad, but we had a much smaller group. I think there was just 5 of us sitting around.

I agree though, they seem to have gotten pretty insane with their noise policy. I wonder if we just request a spot in a back corner AWAY from everyone else.

And I haven't seen prices for mid-season, but if 250 is right, that's just insane. Of course, if they are selling out, I'm surprised its not more.

On a side note (related to DJ's edit):

I was looking at hotels in Mackinaw City for Labor Day weekend.

Friday night - 89

Saturday night -189

Sunday night -289+

So, what should be under 300 for the weekend, quickly becomes 600 bucks once taxes and fees are added on.

For three days in August, you might consider staying at one of the cedar point resorts. I say this because I know that there is (at least according to billboards) a deal on admission, $29 I think, if you stay with them. Additionally, resort guests, along with platinum passholders, get into the park an hour early to ride several marque coasters. Given that you'll be there three days, and that even weekdays in August can be very crowded, those three extra hours are going to deliver a lot of rides on coasters that are all going to carry long waits later in the day.

For most people, especially passholders, a cheap hotel off-point makes sense, but for your specific situation, this might be worth checking out.

djDaemon said:
$250/night?!?!? Gadzooks!

ADDED:
Actually, its only about $70/night during the week.

Last I tried to book, it was a minimum 2-night stay. My mistake, it's $250 for 2 nights - Josh M tried to book for CFK. I thought he said $250 for 1. Either way, I didn't like the way we were treated the last couple of times I stayed there.

I wouldn't be surprised if they adjust their rates based on events, as I know other properties do so for events like CM.

Even at $125/night, that's a lot, considering what you get there compared to LHP.

You get a fire pit, full kitchen and 2-3 bedrooms. Compared to LHP, $125/night is a steal.

Josh - have you noticed the change in attitude coincided with the change in ownership (to KOA)?

Plus, they throw in complimentary hourly train whistles all night! ;)

I sleep like a rock (even more so after a few beers), so the train has never bothered me.

I'm the opposite, so I suppose that means I sleep like a feather? Perhaps a baby? I dunno... think of something that doesn't sleep through loud noises, and that's how I sleep.

But you're right - aside from the train (which is a problem common to all the lodging properties on Cleveland Rd), it really is a good value.

JuggaLotus said:
Josh - have you noticed the change in attitude coincided with the change in ownership (to KOA)?

Yeah, that or the year right before (they probably had already "switched" then, or at least knew it was coming). I remember 3 or 4 years ago, Jen and I got there early for closing weekend and got to our cabin - which had no heat. I proceeded to the front desk to let them know it had no heat, and was greeted with "you're crazy, the heat works in all of them, we just checked it yesterday. Go back to that cabin and just wait a while, it'll kick on."

So, of course, we go back and it doesn't warm up. The gas is working, because I knew where to check and switch tanks. We fired up the stove to make sure, and it's working OK, so I have the oven on for warmth while I head up to the desk again. This time, same girl says "what do you want me to do? we checked it yesterday, and it works fine."

Long story short, one of the season-long campers came by and checked on it for us, verified it wasn't working, and stood up for me. Took me a couple of hours, and several trips to the front desk to even get them to believe me, let alone get another cabin. That was the year things started going downhill.

If you're looking for a nice adult restaurant to have a good meal, make sure to try the Bay Harbor over at the Marina! Great food a reasonable prices!

I always stay at South Shore Inn for Coastermania.

http://www.southshoreinn.com/

It is located two buildings down from CP's Castaway Bay and TGI Friday's. It is a family run hotel. Last year they completed updating rooms. This includes making muli-room suites. The rates are good and the place is usually busy.

There is on onsite full service bar and a Thai restraunt. They have a daily morning breakfast buffet which is good.

shameless self plug follows...A friend of mine and I did all the computer / networking /wireless internet access / and related support for this hotel.

Howeverm, the only problem with staying at an off-site location is that you do not get the 9am early entry into the park. Even if you don't stay on property, I would still suggest parking in the Soak City parking lot and using the back enterance into the park.

Disney Mike said:
If you're looking for a nice adult restaurant to have a good meal, make sure to try the Bay Harbor over at the Marina! Great food a reasonable prices!

Reasonable prices?

Are you kidding me? We paid nearly $30 for a steak the last time we went there. It's a good meal if your willing to open your wallet up. I find the food at outback steakhouse just as good, but only 1/3 the prices.

I would recommend looking at Breakers Express if you are looking at not spending too much money on a room (as long as it doesn't bother you guys to share beds). The hotel is not too expensive and you get a discount on admission (two day ride and slide is $64 when staying there), also the early entry is a big plus.Splitting the cost of the room between 4 people and the discounted tickets (and if I remember right you also don't have to pay parking either while staying at any CP resort) shouldn't be too heavy on the bank accounts.

If it's a great steak, that's not a bad price. I've never had a steak at Bay Harbor, so I don't know if it qualifies as a great steak. But the top steakhouses in most cities charge at least $30.