Now keep in mind that I am using the term "secrets" loosely... What event or thing at CP, which is right out in the open for the general public, is often overlooked or overshadowed?
Personally, my "discovery" from last season of Perimeter Road and the Soak City parking lot.
I can believe I spent years cruising around the main lot looking for my vessel, when it could've been parked right next to the action. I always thought that you had to stay at the hotel(s) to park back there. I also love that fact that the lot is hidden on the maps behind the MAGNUM and the waterslides, keeping it secret for a little while longer...
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Now that is Restaurant-Quality Lemonade!
One "secret" that isn't as good anymore was the ferry ride from Sandusky. It was so great to park right at the dock, hop the boat and ride over. A short walk to the Marina Gate, and you're in the park. Leaving was just as cool. No huge throng of prople at the front of the park. Just a few quiet groups of people strolling to the boat landing. It was so great watching that line of tail lights from Sandusky Bay! Of course, the Island Rocket still runs there, but the ambiance isn't the same.
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Timothy A. Bretz
"Remember to pillage before you burn"
It's the little things... the coldest water fountain (near the Disaster Transport exit), going behind the weiner stand (Gulliver's?) to get back in line for Magnum, the walk between hotels on the beach at night, Bubbles, Midway Market... the list goes on.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
"And he says 'I'm goin' crazy up there at the lake...'"
Jeff: Not only are you right about the coldest drinking fountain (I think it just barely edges out the one in the Operations Office) but indeed that is Gulliver's Grill that you walk behind to get from Magnum to Magnum. Hence the name of my old essay about bad food service in Sandusky, "Breakfast at Gullivers" which you can read on my web page (http://capital2.capital.edu/admin-staff/dalthoff).
With the shameless plug out of the way...
The word is out about some of the best secrets. Like the fact that the best ride on Magnum may be in seat 1-3, which also happens to be the seat with the shortest line most of the time. Of course, the Point's 'hidden' treasure is the Town Hall Museum, which is always worth a visit. What people don't seem to realize is that most of the old machines in there actually do work! Next time you're in there, spend a couple of nickels or dimes or whatever they take...!
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
--Dave Althoff, Jr
Funny this topic should come up. I was planning on writing an essay regarding this very topic (a.k.a "The Hidden Cedar Point") later this spring once the park opened.
Oh, and the coldest water fountain is the one outside the Boathouse in the marina :)
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Cedar Point Photography
http://www.schmidty.com/cp
I was also going to plug the town hall musuem in frontier town. At least once a year, I have to tour the exhibits- gawk at the models WWL and MS, and look over the historical photos of CP. And of course, a visit wouldn't be complete without a race of the racehorses (Derby, I believe) game.
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Now that is Restaurant-Quality Lemonade!
About parking at the soak city entrance, are there booths to buy tickets and everything there and do you think that is the best place to park to get to MF fast. Also, how do you get around to there when you are driving in?
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*** This post was edited by Teresa T on 3/22/2000. ***
One of my favorite hidden areas is the back of the video arcade. They have a good collection of old video, pre-video, and pinball games. It’s almost like a working museum of arcade games. I don’t spend a lot of time playing the games, but make it a point to play at least a couple of the old games each trip.
To park in the Soak City lot, make a left after the toll booths and follow the road all the way around. They have tickets and everything else back there. If anyone asks, just tell them you're going to Challenge Park.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
"And he says 'I'm goin' crazy up there at the lake...'"
when it comes to the Soak City lot, I would respecfully request that it not become the destination of all who come to enjoy, as it is one of the few spots alloted to employee parking, and it just wouldn't be the same park if the employees couldn't get to work....in all the years I have been there, I have never parked anywhere else during the season.
A secret I think is the exit/reentry booth by Disaster Transport. Its a quick and easy way for people staying at Breakers to go there, plus you get a nice scenic view of the beach
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Brian Z.
Hometown parks: Kennywood, Cedar Point!
51 days until "The Force
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Hotel Breakers.
It was a secret to me until this past year when I first got to stay there. The convenience factor is amazing, and its charm overpowering.
In past years, I would go to the park and that was it. I finally got to explore some other areas of the peninsula this past year, including the beach walk to Sandcastle Suites, Challenge Park, Hotel Breakers, and the beach.
I also enjoy being in the back of the park at the end of the evening, while most people are heading up front.
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Tyler Adams
No doubt it's a little-known entrance off of Route 6.
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Duane Cahill
Currently signature-less. This space for rent.
How can I tell me secrets, they won't be secrets. I pretty much knew everything mentioned. There are a few that I do all the time that haven't been mentioned yet, but thats why we call them secrets. ;)
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daniel j. haverlock
'99 Magnum Count: 801
www.spiritofthepoint.com
WHere is the exit/re-entry gate by Disaster? Do you mean the one next to the Aquatic Stadium? The only other gate by Disaster is an employee entrance behind Transport Refreshments. As for parking in the Magnum lot... I don't recommend it on busy days ( aside from it being a lot for employees as well as guests)... you will have an awefully long wait to get off-point if you plan on staying late into the night. One July 4th ( I was parked in the back that night) I left work at 11:45pm and it took until 1:30 to get as far as the crossing by the Marina Entrance... also, it is not a good entrance gate to get to MF.. you enter the park right by Magnum. Best gate would be Marina gate.
Speaking of parking secrets ...
On busy days when I know I'll be leaving late (i.e. I get there around 5pm on a Saturday), I like to park near the Space Spiral. At closing time most cars head out the main driving lane through the parking lot. I will drive along the beach side and the residential area. Keep going to the end of the lot and a gate should be open to let you go down the Chausee. If it isn't, take a right and you've still beat the traffic. Rarely has it taken a long time to get out of the main lot if I park in the right place.
After reading this, it sounds confusing - but I think you get the idea.
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Cedar Point Virtual Midway
Coming soon ... very soon
http://www.schmidty.com
*** This post was edited by Gemini on 3/23/2000. ***
But be careful parking on the lake side of the lot! One time I had parked up by the Space Spiral, and when it was time to leave, I almost had to run down the parking attendant to leave via the Causeway. She wanted to send me out the Chaussee, which would have been okay if I were on my way to Cleveland. But the Chaussee was backed up solid just like the Causeway for its entire length, and I knew that I wanted to go to a destination to the *west* of the Causeway...the Chaussee would have added about ten miles to the trip and not saved any time at all...
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
I wouldn't worry about the secrets, there are only so many of us. And many of them are known by most of us anyway :)
I always liked taking the Chaussee for a nice scenic drive. Plus i've never been on it when it was backed up (although i'm sure it does from time to time) I even had to almost run over an attendant to let me go down that way.