At Cedar Point, Rain can be Your Friend

But only if it comes at the right times because otherwise you won't be riding much (as I learned in June.) I planned yesterday's trip (Tues, Aug 7) about a week in advanced. At that point, there was a chance of rain. I checked the weather Monday night before bed and it said chance of severe storms, mainly before noon. To me, it sounded like good odds. We got on the road at 8am and it rained the whole way there. We got to the park around 10 and it was still raining. We went into Breakers and sat in the lobby waiting for the rain to clear up. Shortly after 11 we looked outside and the rain had stopped so we headed into the park.

We went in through the Magnum entrance and the only big ride we saw running was Power Tower so we headed that way. The line was pretty long so we kept going and rode Matterhorn instead. It was my first time riding it. The verdict is that it's a good ride, better than Super Himilaya. After that we headed to the Wicked Twister midway and rode Wicked Twister, very back, 15 minute wait. It had been a long time since I rode in the very back and I forgot how fun it was. I think I still prefer it in the front though. After WT we went across the midway and rode Chaos for the first time this season. Excellent ride.

After that we headed over to ride Blue Streak but it still hadn't opened so we rode Calypso while we were in the neighbourhood. Another fun ride. We were going to ride Turnpike Cars but decided against it and headed to the Main Midway and rode Dodgem. By this time nearly everything had opened so we had some more options. After Dodgem we rode Power Tower red side and had a great walkon. Next we rode Corkscrew. The line was out of the station onto the stairs. It was the longest I'd ever waited for Corkscrew, about 10 minutes. Good ride.

We continued our way back and rode Magnum next. The line was down the stairs and in two rows of the queue, with a non-packed station but the middle rows of the train were still closed off. We rode in the second row after about a 20 minute wait. It was a great ride, the trims were pretty gentle and and ride was full of air. After MXL we headed back to Gemini which had shut down the red side and was only running blue. We walked up to the station which was moderately full and were surprised to see there was no one in line for the back row so we walked right onto the next train. I'm a sucker for the back seat of Gemini but yesterday she slammed our spines at the bottoms of the hills. Still a fun ride though.

We went back to Frontier Town and were surprised to see that Skyhawk was a walk on in the middle of the afternoon so we went there. As we were buckling in for our ride it went down due to mechanical reasons so we went to Maverick instead. Soon after we got in line it too went down due to mechanical reasons but we waited it out. After an hour wait, we got our ride in the back seat and had one of the best rides I've had on it. Lucky number 7 actually. After that we saw Skyhawk was running so we waited one cycle to ride. I love the ride but it needs to be longer!

After Skyhawk we headed to the train station and took the CP&LE up the the Funway Station. Upon arrival we saw the Millennium only had the first set of queues full so we went to get in line. We waited about 25 minutes and rode in the back seat. Excellent ride. After MF we took a quick ride on Wildcat and then Iron Dragon. Both great walkons. It was about 5:30 and we were hungry so we beat the rush at Coasters. I usually leave the park to eat a meal, but we felt like just staying in the park to eat. It was my first time eating there this year and I must say, their burgers are much better this year. Still crazy expensive, but good.

After dinner we headed up to the front of the park to play some games. I was very happy to use my Joe Cool to get buy one get one game free. I usually spend whatever singles I have left on a few games and after discovered the Joe Cool perk, that money goes a but further. After our games we were going to ride maXair but it went down as we walked up to it so we went to Disaster Transport instead. We waited about 20 minutes and it was one of the better rides I've had on it. maXair was still down so we went and walked onto Blue Streak. It was one of the best rides I've had on it, full of air and felt great. While we were on BS I saw that Raptor's line was looking short so we went there and waited about half an hour for the front seat. It was a great ride. I almost bought the DVD but then I thought about it and figured it would just sit and never be touched, like my Ripcord DVD.

After Raptor I stopped and got some custard and we were going to get in line for Dragster but on our way there a storm blew in and the sky got dark and the wind really picked up so we ran to the car to head home.

What a nice, positive trip report. Sounds like you got a lot of riding in.

You are absolutely right Randi. I was really worried about the rain being a problem but it worked out in our favour. There isn't a negative thing I could say about this trip. Thanks for reading.
*** Edited 8/9/2007 1:47:31 AM UTC by Vince982***

Yes I went on the 7th and Rain was our best friend haha it was fine all afternoon.. actually really nice out until like 8ish when those big storms came in... but otherwise the lines were not that bad for being in the summer season still

Yeah, i was there too. Driving in from Pittsburgh, i was kind of worried because of all the storms we ran into, but it turned out to be an awesome day for riding. When we first got there, we rode chaos in the pouring rain and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had, mainly due to the ride ops and other guests getting into it and having fun. But after the rain cleared up and the sun came out, it was a beautiful day at the point plus few lines. We rarely waited more than a half hour. But it was a shame about the rain coming it at night, but I can't complain! Truely one of the best days at Cedar Point that I've ever had!

I like a good hour long late afternoon thunderstorm, its great for clearing the park out. That happened too me in June of 06 the longest wait in the park was 15-20 for Dragster or Millennium, really cooled it all off too and, we took cover in the main arcade and the lights would flash sometimes when a big bolt of lighting would strike.

Was it June 21-22? I was there, and it rained for hours on end, but it really shortened the lines up. Longest wait was TTD after a half hour of breakdowns.

You guys are right, the rain can be your friend. I went in July and it rained very hard till like 1pm and then it was off and on till around 3. It was annoying at the time cause no rides were open and everytime they were ready to open a ride, it would rain again. But after 3, it didn't rain and the lines were very short for every ride. Maverick's line was like 20 min.

Vince982 said:
We continued our way back and rode Magnum next. The line was down the stairs and in two rows of the queue, with a non-packed station but the middle rows of the train were still closed off. We rode in the second row after about a 20 minute wait.

WTF? Did they not realize they had people waiting in the queues? There are times (mainly first thing in the AM or late at night when closing off a car or two is acceptable, but if they're generating a line of any kind - even a three train wait by doing that, I'd have complained.

A girl walked up to the ride op who was regulating the station and asked her why those rows (it was probably 2 cars worth closed, if not 3) were closed and the op gave her an answer and I tried to hear but was too far away.

If it rains at Cedar Point go to the water park........

If Cedar Point ever upgrades to electronic ride wait boards to tell you about the rides current operating status / wait...it wouldn't be a bad idea to add on a weather forecast on it. "The next three hours will be..."

If it looks like its raining for a while I will hit up the water park, but If I could I would check the weather channel's website to see if this is just a "go eat lunch and watch it go away", or if this merits time in the water park. *** Edited 8/18/2007 4:53:45 PM UTC by factory81***

It's rained during three of my last four visits, and I gotta say it has its advantages. When my brother and I went in May, we got there about 4 right after a thunderstorm. A lot of soaked high school kids were leaving, and the crowds were nonexistent afterwards. Since the storm was over, they got everything running again and we enjoyed short waits.

This past Monday-Tuesday was similar. No crowds because of the rain, but when it breaks they get stuff going quickly.

If you don't mind getting wet, abhor crowds and lines, and are hellbent on having fun, rainy days are the way to go.

Jeremy Sell said:
If you don't mind getting wet, abhor crowds and lines, and are hellbent on having fun, rainy days are the way to go.

Amen to that.

My friend and I went for the day last year. Forecast: scattered severe storms throughout the day. It was worth a shot. Minimal lines, and only one 10-minute storm for the entire day. (The funniest thing was, we were on the covered Paddlewheel Excursions for the entire storm. We just went there since it was one thing we hadn't ever done at the Point. :))

OT: When do the Ohio kids go back to school?