Coming Back to the Point from Idaho

I have been to the Point in 1995 when it was just the wife and I., and then in 2007 with my kids of 11, 13 and 16. Now I am coming back with my 14 year old son and wife. I am an old man at 52, but I still love the coasters, and I can't wait to see all the new coasters and changes. The last time I was there, Maverick was brand new and we rode it at least 4 times that day. One of the best coasters I have been on.

Anyhow, I have a few questions...

We are coming the first part of June, on a Wed, Thurs and Friday. Is the temp pretty nice then? Much rain?

Will the park be fully staffed? I worry that many rides will be closed, so is buying a fast pass plus for Friday a good idea so that we can ride several rides in the dark quickly, since the sun will set about 8pm? When I buy the fast pass plus on the app, do you just use the app to get on or do they give you a wrist band? If it is the band, where do I get it?

Lastly, the food question...do you all enjoy the all day meal plan or do you just buy the food each time? Since we are there three days, my goal is to use Wednesday as the day we go to Melt and a couple other nice places to buy things we really want to try and not use the all day plan, but then use the two day all day plan on Thursday and Friday. Reading around, it looks like there are some decent places on the all day plan.

We are staying at Lighthouse Point, so we can enter the park at 9am, and everyone says to hit TTD or Get to the back and ride Steel Vengeance and Maverick first. Since I didn't ride TTD in 2007 because I was too big, I want to ride that ride this time, since I am way thinner.

Anyhow...just looking for some answers, and it looks like you all are the experts, so I figure you are the ones to ask!

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer. :-)

Welcome back! Temperatures should be great that time of year. Normally it's warm enough for the water park, but not blistering hot. Rain shouldn't ruin your trip, but some showers are not uncommon.

By that time of year, nearly all, if not all, of the rides should be operational. If you're going on Wednesday & Thursday, I don't know if you'll need a FastLane + on Friday, unless you really want as many night rides as possible. You should have more than enough to get plenty of rides in the 3 days. But if you do get it, yes, there will be a wristband. There are multiple locations throughout the park where you can redeem your FL+.

Edit: As for staffing, in general you should be fine. You may see some rides not operating at full capacity on the weekdays (for instance, maybe only one side of Gemini on the weekdays, or only 2 towers on Power Tower), but I wouldn't expect rides to be closed for the day.

As for food, I think you have a solid plan. I would consider the all day dining for one or two days, but leave at least one day open to try other options not on the dining plan. Melt really is a great place to unwind. Great food, good beer selection, and it's air conditioned. When on the dining plan, I recommend Crystal Rock Cafe if you're at CP Shores, and Ms. Keat's was pretty solid this past season near Steel Vengeance. But there are plenty of options, and they're adding 2 new venues this season. So you should be able to find some decent food for the duration of your stay.

I definitely recommend doing SV first in the morning, and then Maverick. Those get some of the longer lines in the park once the main crowd arrives. And then walk to TTD, since it normally opens up a little later than the other rides. But if you enjoy another ride more that's open during early entry, you should just ride what you want to ride :) Enjoy your trip!

I haven't looked this year, but last year they had a 2-day all-day dining plan option that was about $10 cheaper than 2 one-day plans. Also, since you're able to eat every 90 minutes, just sharing one plan between my wife and I was more than enough food. It also allows you to try more things. Since you'll be there on weekdays, food lines shouldn't be bad at all so making so many different stops for food won't cost that much time.

I'd also second what everybody else has said about FL+. I doubt you'll need them since you're there on weekdays. You should be safe waiting until you're at the park to make that decision because I doubt they'd sell out for the same reason.

Have a safe trip from Idaho. I'll be there around the same time you will. I live in Indianapolis and that feels way too far away!

I stay at Lighthouse Point. About twice a year. We always camp there. Never stayed in the cottages. Either way the answer is charcoal. Use your grill. We'd have steak, corn on the cob, and potatoes one night. They are small grills though. Lot cheaper than eating in the park. Famous Dave's one night.

I'm 40 and my wife is 50. We exploit the mornings and evenings for riding. Spend a lot of time at our site during the long lines. Nap so your out in the park until close. Don't go out and buy the fastlane until your at the park though. You will want to wait till you're there. Probably won't need it.

Utilize the shuttle. Front to back, or back to front. Beats walking everywhere.

I agree with both answers, however, if you ride Millennium Force at dusk, or any other ride for that matter, keep your mouth closed unless you want muffleheads for dessert! They are bad a dusk, especially in the months of May and June. Other than that, welcome back, and have a blast!

Hello CoasterDood, Dvo covered most info for you. If staying at Lighthouse Point you can enter the park at 9:00 and be closer to the Early Entry rides in Frontier Town. You mentioned a desire to ride TTD. Wherever you are at 9:45am, head over to TTD and get in line for the 10:00am opening and you should walk right on with little wait.

You mentioned the sunset at 8:00pm, that is incorrect. First week of June it should set around 9:00pm and stay light until about 9:20 or so. Ride Millenium Force at that time for a beautiful western view.

You called yourself an old man at age 52! No way, I am 57 and my wife can't stand it when I call myself old. Of course, she also can't stand it when I act like I am 22. Have a fun, safe trip from Idaho.