Bonus Weekend vs HalloWeekends

Last fall I took my wife and son to Cedar Point in September for HalloWeekends. We had a blast despite the cold, rainy weather and the ridiculous Saturday crowd. My son didn't really dig much of the HalloWeekend activities/decor (he was 3 at the time) so here's what I'm wondering...

How does the Bonus Weekend typically compare as far as crowds go? I know that weather tends to be the great equalizer but it made no difference last fall, it was FREEZING COLD with monsoon rains and the park was PACKED on Saturday... Does CP still have the great deals on accommodations and tickets? Is ride availability limited on Friday like it is during HalloWeekends? Typically are the water rides and/or Soak City still open?

I know the hours don't run as late for Bonus Weekend as they do for HalloWeekends, but if the crowds aren't as insane that may be a worthwhile trade... I hadn't been to CP since Maverick opened (we went yearly in the fall prior to that) and I was floored by how busy it was. I'd read trip reports, but I thought it couldn't be much busier than I remembered. I was wrong! So minus the obvious HalloWeekend decor & haunts & activities, how would you compare a Cedar Point experience between regular season, Bonus Weekend, and HalloWeekends? My brother, his wife, and 3 kids age 3-7 might come with us this fall and I want to make it enjoyable for everyone...

Thanks in advance!

If crowd levels are all you're looking at, the bonus weekend is generally less crowded in my experience. Of course, weather and a bunch of other things factor into that. This past fall had exceptionally terrible weather. I believe the stuff that's closed on bonus weekend Friday night is usually the same stuff that's closed on Halloweekends Fridays.

Personally, I say Halloweekends is much better over all, but I'm probably a tad biased.

Ralph, I agree that HalloWeekends is a much better attraction. If it were just my wife and I, we would go for HalloWeekends and use Fast Lane. But like I said, my 3 year old son didn't really dig the Halloween decor (the shape shifting pictures and demons hanging from the balcony in Hotel Beeakers lobby really freaked him out). Someone on Coasterbuzz mentioned they start to roll out some HalloWeekends decorations during Bonus Weekend, but if its a minimum I think it would be ok.

I guess the real deciding factor will be whether Cedar Point Resorts have the same discounted packages for Bonus Weekend as they do for HalloWeekends. Last fall was out first time staying on property, and its the only way to stay with a little one!

Just checked the bonus weekend rates compared to the halloweekends rate. It was about $120 cheaper for 2 nights for the bonus weekend! That was for a 2 queen room in the east/tower section. There are cheaper rates for the older section.

Edit: after taxes it is $147 cheaper than halloweekends! Room only, package available though, same room type i listed above.

Sold! Thanks for the insights! How did you find the rates & dates? The mobile site doesn't have anything yet. I'm guessing the main site a little more up to date?

The main site.

We may use this as the "no kids weekend" this year!