Coaster Waits

I'm going up to CP July 7 , 8 , 9 and was wondering how long I should expect (time wise) for major attractions.

-Such as-

-Millennium Force
-Top Thrill Dragster
-Magnum
-Mantis
-Raptor
-Gemini
-Disaster Transport
-Mean Streak (maby)
____________________________________
Would it be wise to ride these in the morning if so what ones get crowed fast?

P.S. I'm am new to Point Buzz.

In the morning skip Raptor, MF and TTD and get on the rest. This is because Raptor's wait drops in the afternoon and MF and TTD stay the same all day pretty much.

Expect things to be a little bit on the longer side as you are entering peak season at that time. I'd plan for atleast an hour or so on MF, Raptor, TTD, and Mantis; 30-45 mins, at times, on Magnum, Gemini, Mean Streak, and Disaster Transport.

[Disclaimer: These wait times are in no way gaurenteed. Times will vary based on the time of the day, day of the week, and weather conditions.]

CP4eva'04 said:
MF and TTD stay the same all day pretty much.

I couldn't disagree with you more. Get to MF first. Between 10 - 11 you could probably get 2 - 4 rides in if it's is running smoothly. Granted I stay as a guest so I get in at 9:00, (which mean squat since the coasters are filled with the water dummys at that time and guests can't get on until around 9:30), but I digress. I got on MF 5 times between 9:30 and 11 and yes I was on a train that was the first ride of the day.

As for TTD, bite the bullet and get on it when it's running. Also if the wait time says 1 hour, assume it's 30 minutes unless you're going to wait the extra 1/2 hour for the front car. Also, hang around TTD at the end of the day. Last year, I got 3 TTD ride in the last 20 minutes that the park was open. Granted, the only reason I got ride #3 in was because I was a single rider who got off a train and was able to grab an empty seat of the last train of the day :).

Some waits of course, like for Gemini or Mean Streak may not be more than 15 minutes. They can stretch to 1/2 hour though. I'd say you could be waiting up to an hour and a half for Millennium Force, and Dragster. Raptor's line should drop down substantually in the early evening or late afternoon. You could probably wait to ride Dragster whenever. I'd say (knock on wood) it is operating smoothly enough now you don't have to jump on it first time you pass it. A night ride on that is great with the lighting. *** Edited 6/24/2006 12:15:20 AM UTC by Top Thrill 182***

BTW....DBCP your pictures are awesome. Love to check them out from time to time.

Nice job ;)
*** Edited 6/24/2006 12:17:12 AM UTC by cedarpointdude021170***

I'm staying at Breakers Express and I think you get in early and ride MF and Raptor or something like that.

Stay on Point and you will have better luck with early rides. Lighthouse Point comes to mind. ;)

MrScott

If you stay as a guest at any CP Resort, you get in early and can ride Millennium Force, Raptor, maxAir, and Skyhawk.

Correct me if i'm wrong.

I correct no one, unless I am POSITIVE. But there is NO gaurentee that all of those rides will be available for resort guests on any one day. Some, yes. All, no.

MrScott

TOPGUN1993 said:
I'm staying at Breakers Express and I think you get in early and ride MF and Raptor or something like that.

9:00 resort entry rides are Raptor, MaxAir, Millennium Force, and Skyhawk. Try to be at the front gate by 8:45. After you're let in the park, walk down the midway to the resort guest entrance near Raptor. Raptor and MaxAir are right there for you. I usually powerwalk to Millennium Force, but because there are on-peninsula guests who use the marina entrance the line will have already started to form.

And MrScott, you might be closer since you stay at LHP, but TOPGUN1993 will have more money to spend since Breakers Express is half the price per night;)

cedarpointdude021170 said:

CP4eva'04 said:
MF and TTD stay the same all day pretty much.

I couldn't disagree with you more.

Notice the pretty much. Never said the whole day.

TopGun, the 4 rides mentioned above will all be available for you at 9:00 barring mechanical problems. This is my suggested strategy:

Head first to Millennium Force. Park in the main lot, and take the 10-minute walk to the Marina Entrance. You should be able to get on with little or no wait. You should have time to ride MF 2 or more times by 10:00, then cross the midway to Mantis, which will be a walk-on now, but have a big line later. After Mantis, if you notice people on Dragster, head for that. You may wait up to an hour at this point in the day, but the ride and lines are so unpredictable, it's time to bite the bullet. After Dragster(or if Dragster is down or running empty), head for Magnum, which will have less than 15 minute wait at this point. The key for Dragster is to make sure it's running with people on board, before waiting for it. Otherwise, you could find yourself waiting endlessly...

Following are my suggestions for the other coasters you mentioned.

Raptor- As everyone has said, avoid this early in the day. Get in line after 5pm, and waits should be less than 30 minutes. Don't be intimidated by the line. It moves very fast.

Disaster Transport- If it's hot, this ride will probably have close to an hour wait all day. If you're hot, the wait may be worth it, just to cool down in the air conditioned line. Otherwise, just wait until very late in the day, like 9ish, and lines should be down to 15 min or less. This ride sucks, by the way.

Gemini and Mean Streak- These rides usually have less then 15 minute wait much of the day, and they have very high capacities, so you should be able to hit them whenever you feel like it. Just make sure Gemini has both red and blue trains running, or there could be some problem that will cause a longer wait... and the ride won't be as fun.

Well that's how I'd do it if I were you, anyway. :)

I wish I could predict the future. :)

StLCPfan,

He will spend nearly the same amount (or more) staying at BE, if he has a family. For a family of 4, lunch will set him back at least $40.00. Dinner, probably at least $60.00. Breakfast, another $40.00. By using the provided grill and microwave and coffee maker at Lighthouse Point and bringing an electric skillet for breakfast, you'll eat better food for 1/10th of the in park cost. Oh, and parking is FREE, another $9.00 savings.

Plus you don't have to deal with leaving the park in all of that CP traffic. If it rains, so what? Head back to your cabin/cottage and chill until it stops and then return to a nearly empty park.

MrScott

Listen to Darth Snoopy. He knows what he's talking about. Except for Disaster Transport sucking, of course.

Walt said:
I wish I could predict the future. :)

I knew you were going to say that.

Not everyone wants to cook their own meals while on vacation. And some people might prefer a hotel room to a cabin. It's easy to see that you're in love with Lighthouse Point, but it's not the perfect solution for everyone.

*** Edited 6/24/2006 1:37:31 PM UTC by Walt***

I understand that, Walt. Just trying to Point out alternatives. Especially to new visitors to the site.

There was I guy I used to work with who wouldn't go near Lighthouse Point. He said his wife was too "girly" and that a cabin or cottage was just too much like camping--which she hates. So they stay a Breakers, eat park/Friday's food and spend probably a little more than if they stayed at LHP.

My argument in my post above was that it is not really any cheaper to stay at BE than LHP. It may look that way, but in the end, it's a wash

MrScott
*** Edited 6/24/2006 1:55:39 PM UTC by MrScott***

MrScott said:
StLCPfan,

He will spend nearly the same amount (or more) staying at BE, if he has a family. For a family of 4, lunch will set him back at least $40.00. Dinner, probably at least $60.00. Breakfast, another $40.00. By using the provided grill and microwave and coffee maker at Lighthouse Point and bringing an electric skillet for breakfast, you'll eat better food for 1/10th of the in park cost. Oh, and parking is FREE, another $9.00 savings.

Plus you don't have to deal with leaving the park in all of that CP traffic. If it rains, so what? Head back to your cabin/cottage and chill until it stops and then return to a nearly empty park.

MrScott

i thought you got free parking at BE aswell.

Nope, you have to pay for parking when you stay at BE. I think ALL of the CP hotels should include parking, but that's just me.