Can you help a newbie to CP?

I haven't been in CP in thirty years, and we're taking our grown children and grandkids there in August. We're staying at the Breakers, and plan to go to both CP and SC. It's already costing us an arm and a leg for admissions and hotel rooms (our treat, unfortunately!), so we'd like to save on food if we can. I read CP's info, but I still have questions about food and drinks at CP. If anybody can help, I'd appreciate it.

1) I'm assuming that diaper bags are allowed, but coolers aren't? So how do we keep milk/formula cool in the hot August sun? And what's the difference between a soft-sided cooler and a diaper bag anyway?

2) We aren't permitted to bring bottled water to the park? Will they search the aforementioned diaper bag and confiscate my Aquafina if I slip a bottle or two in there?

3) Speaking of that, what brand of water do they sell there, you know, just in case I HAPPEN to have the same kind with me? :) And are there water fountains to refill bottles? Can a person buy a cup of ice? I don't eat a lot, but we are water FIENDS, and I'd really like to save here if I could.

4) How expensive is the food and drink really? I've heard horror stories from friends about $3.00 water and $5.00 hot dogs... how bad is it really?

5) Obviously, being at the Breakers we COULD just go to our rooms to grab snacks we keep there, or go to a restaurant there. BUT we won't have refrigerators in our rooms, and we'll be walking enough as it is, so we'll probably eat in the park. So, what are our best (i.e. cheapest) options? And is it all fast-food, unhealthy crap, or are there some healthy options too?

6) Anybody have any other "insider" tips on how to eat and stay hydrated without spending a fortune?

Thanks so much,

Dan

1) I can't help you there.
2) You can slip a bottle or two of Aquafina they won't search you.
3) They sell Aquafina brand bottled water in the park. You can refill a bottle at a drinking fountain. You can also get free cups of ice water from most concession stands.
4) It isn't that bad, especially if you only drink the free water for a beverage. I suggest going to Macaroni's retaurant and order a large pizza for everyone. or go to the Midway Market and stuff yourself with as much food as you want for 11 dollars. Los Gatos tacos are pretty cheap and good too.
5) Midway Market would probably be your best bet if you want more healthy food unless someone else knows of other places? Cedar Point is an amusement park so your going to have to expect that they sell a lot of junk food.
6) That's about it. The free water is the best way to save money.

One of Cedar Point's best kept secrets is the fact that you can walk up to any concession and get free cups of ice water, so you really don't need to buy bottled water. I believe you are allowed however to bring one unopened bottle of per person into the park.
The food can be reasonable in places, and the kids will love the quarter cotton-candy. Often times, I leave the park to go get food, as I need to get out of the park for a bit. The prices just got cut back, but where they really get you is the pop and bottled water.

1) Formula, medicines, and anything "essential" that you need to have kept cool can be left at First Aid.

2) Sealed bottles of water are allowed. Open bottles and anything that isn't water will not be allowed in.

3) Bottled water sold in the park is Aquafina. Water fountains are abundant, and cups of ice water are given out for free at any concession stand.

4) It's about average for that kind of venue, and probably cheaper than sporting venues. 20 oz bottles are $2.50, but you can find reasonable food around the park. Some of the basket deals (hamburger/hot dog/corn dog with fries) can be around $5. Many food prices went down this year, so it's not all that bad. Try the 25 cent cotton candy.

5) Healthy options and variety can be found all over the park. There is also a TGIFridays right in the hotel. Search either this site or CP's website to find out more about some of their healthier foods and where to find them.

6) Lots of free ice waters! :)

I actually had to pay 10 cents for an ice water at the Top Thrill Dragster concession stand. Water fountains are abundant throughout the park though, and usually the water is nice and cold.

If you paid 10 cents for ice water someone was scamming you.

Don't forget Famous Dave's BBQ restaurant. It s at marine.

http://www.famousdaves.com/ Food from that place is always best. *** Edited 7/28/2006 9:34:07 PM UTC by Deafirefly***

Like Ralph said, it's $2.50 for 20 oz bottles from the vending machine. Food prices are not actually bad at all. For example, you can get a hot dog and fries from The Roundup and other food stands for $3.99.

Food prices, like the wait time for rides, tend to be exaggerated by a lot of people. The prices are fair, especially when compared to other entertainment venues.

Like others have said, take advantage of the free ice water.

*** Edited 7/28/2006 9:51:32 PM UTC by Walt***

I would also have to say that Famous Daves has had the best quality, and service. I have always gone around 11:45am for lunch and it has never been that crowded, and if it's not too hot outside its really nice sitting at the outside tables right on the water. Every time we have gone to Fridays the food has been ok but the service has been very slow.

I've had some bad expierences at the Friday's in Breakers.

Dani1l1953 said:
I haven't been in CP in thirty years, and we're taking our grown children and grandkids there in August. We're staying at the Breakers, and plan to go to both CP and SC. It's already costing us an arm and a leg for admissions and hotel rooms (our treat, unfortunately!), so we'd like to save on food if we can. I read CP's info, but I still have questions about food and drinks at CP. If anybody can help, I'd appreciate it.

1) I'm assuming that diaper bags are allowed, but coolers aren't? So how do we keep milk/formula cool in the hot August sun? And what's the difference between a soft-sided cooler and a diaper bag anyway?

2) We aren't permitted to bring bottled water to the park? Will they search the aforementioned diaper bag and confiscate my Aquafina if I slip a bottle or two in there?

3) Speaking of that, what brand of water do they sell there, you know, just in case I HAPPEN to have the same kind with me? :) And are there water fountains to refill bottles? Can a person buy a cup of ice? I don't eat a lot, but we are water FIENDS, and I'd really like to save here if I could.

4) How expensive is the food and drink really? I've heard horror stories from friends about $3.00 water and $5.00 hot dogs... how bad is it really?

5) Obviously, being at the Breakers we COULD just go to our rooms to grab snacks we keep there, or go to a restaurant there. BUT we won't have refrigerators in our rooms, and we'll be walking enough as it is, so we'll probably eat in the park. So, what are our best (i.e. cheapest) options? And is it all fast-food, unhealthy crap, or are there some healthy options too?

6) Anybody have any other "insider" tips on how to eat and stay hydrated without spending a fortune?

Thanks so much,

Dan

Hi Dani!

I'm a newbie too and my 1st trip back with kids was only 15 years, but the coasters were a whole lot different than what I was used to. Took me an entire season to get back up to par with the rest of the coaster enthusuasts.

We have a younger one that no longer is stroller bound but may get tired and ride it, though I think this is our last stroller year at CP. We bring a back pack cooler with water bottles and pack snacks in the pockets. The stroller also has room for a change of clothes, etc.

Since the graduation from the stroller happened recently we have enjoyed the ice water from the food stands on a number of trips, though the whole I'm hungy now issue still comes up. The family pizza deal is pretty good (19.99?) and my kids like the Chuck Wagon in Frontier Town which is reasonable and hasn't been crowded. I like the salad for dinner and the kids devour the mac n cheese meals. I know CP makes a killing on this but they eat something other than sugar and fried fatty stuff. The chicken baskets at Round Up in FT are big enough for 2 and the hot dog combos are only $5 now, I think.

During our tip in June, we packed a bunch of fruit and cooler freindly veggies to munch on at the room and in the park. I couldn't live a day without them.

I hope you have an awesome time at CP! We love it!!!

Thanks so much for the tips! I really appreciate it :)

If you're looking for good value OUTSIDE the park, there's an ice cream place called "Toft's which supplies most the dairt products for the park, accross town down Route 6. You can get a small cone that's HUGE for about $2.50.

East of Chicago Pizza by Breakers Express is good an inexprnsive too. It's a favorite of the CP staffers.

Just to add a quily tid-bit. Most of the newer rooms at all CP resorts have refrigerators. They are only the dorm size, but they do work.

Dani if you are staying at Breakers, you might as well leave the formula in the fridge in the room and go back to the room when needed. Its only a 2 minute walk from the gate. If you cant spend alot on food I would recommend not eating at Bay Harbor. The food there is good, but the cheapest thing on the menu is 15 dollars. If you want a steak there expect to pay 30 bucks for it. Fridays at Breakers is convienient and the food is decent. Do not go to Dominics. We had the worst food and service I have ever encountered. Everything you buy at the resort restaurants is gonna be a bit expensive, but I loved the atmosphere with everyone having a good time. I was just there last week and stayed at Breakers, and it was my best CP trip yet.

Hope I helped you out. Feel free to ask me any question you have.

I would suggest (along with MrScott) that you switch your reservations to Lighthouse Point. You can avoid buying whole meals in the park and instead just grab snacks and then cook up whatever you want on the charcoal grill when you get back to the cabin.

You didn't say how many people you have going with you, but the cabins sleep 6, and depending on the age of the kids, you could possibly squeeze a few more in. There's one bedroom, two futons and a loft thats just the right size for a bunch of kids in sleeping bags. There is also a microwave, fridge and the aforementioned charcoal grill.