CP Plans Falling Through?

I'm curious if other people have this same problem as me. I used to get to CP about 20 times in a season. While I don't have time to go nearly that much anymore, most of the time I make plans to go, friends seem to bail out at the last minute.

A week or so in advance, I'll throw CP out as a fun Friday night option, and everyone seems excited to go. Then I go through a week of stressful classes and exams, looking forward to that night. I confirm that people are still interested in going a couple nights before, and the response seems to be "yes." Then several hours before we're supposed to leave, I hear what seem to be excuses for not going, "I'm just feeling kind of tired," "I forgot I was supposed to go eat dinner with ____," "I have like no money, or I'd really want to go."

Then, I just feel kind of disappointed and pissed off at the same time. But, of course I say "That's okay, we can go some other time." CP should strictly be about having a nice time, so if someone doesn't feel like going, they shouldn't. I just wish friends would say in advance, "I don't want to go" or "I can't go" instead of the complete opposite.

Then that same night, I'll hang out with some of these people and I'll hear "Hmmm...there's nothing to do." I just want to leave after hearing that.

I've been to CP about twice this season, and there have been about 5 cancelled trips with various people. I really can't figure it out. Are all things going to be like this in life? Are these people secretly scared of the thrill rides? Are the CP plans not definite enough? I'd appreciate your thoughts or wisdom.

I don't ever want to make going to CP a hassle for someone, but it almost seems like it has to be that way. Then once everyone is there, it's a good time.

You can have a good time at Cedar Point, even if you go by yourself. At least that way, you set the agenda and do what you want to do. I've seen groups of people that can't always reach a consensus about what ride to go on and which ride line is too long to wait for. While one or two trips a season with friends are nice, I honestly have a better time going by myself.

I've almost had to bail a few times. Don't take it personally. There are always factors that can convince people not to go. I was planning on going tomorrow, but I might bail, because of a project I am behind on.

-Sam (20 trips and I am only now getting a little tired) 4 Halloweekends in a row! Will I make it for a fifth?

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Avalanche Run - My first Roller Coaster.
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Ffej

Guy... That crap happens everywhere I would bet. I've been dealing with it for 20 years. People in general, just aren't true to their word a lot of times. Basically what it comes down too is that there are way to many ham and eggers out there. They don't know what we know (about CP that is).

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I was super before Superstew was cool!

Seriously, just go by yourself. It's a blast, especially if you meet up with people from the board or something. I got some major riding in back in May when I went alone. I brought friends later in the year, and rode pretty much what they wanted, and didn't mind it a whole lot. You really can have a blast by yourself at Cedar Point.

I agree, just go by yourself. I have done that a few times this year and really enjoyed myself. In fact, I am going tomorrow by myself and am looking forward to it.

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CP2K3: Visits: 38 Dragster: 22 Rollbacks:0

When I worked at the park and would go by myself, I usually met really cool people to ride with.

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Rides 2001
Guest Services 2002
www.veronicaspreciousgifts.com

I've gone by myself many times. Granted, it seems I generally run into people I know anyway, though not as many as I used to.

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

If you go by yourself, you really can have a good time. The only downside I see is that you can't share the day with someone you normally hang out with.

Other than that, it's a great time. You can be totally spontaneous and set your own agenda. Ride what you want to ride, choose where you want to eat and when you want to. Strike up a conversation with people around you in line...chances are you may end up talking to an enthusiast from a few states away, so you can talk of your park/coaster experiences in real life rather than on the Internet.

If you want to have a good time, and everyone else bails, just go without them. One of my pet peeves is when someone says they will do something and doesn't follow through.

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...and the most anticipated event of summer 2003 is...

The Matrix: Reloaded!

Once I had some friends going to Kennywood, and the friend who was all excited and even offered to drive bailed out 15 minutes after we were supposed to leave because she was 'tired.' My other friend and I hopped in my little beetle and took off, and that friend who cancelled never cancelled again. Once she saw that we didn't change our plans because of her, she was more responsible in the future.
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Rides 2001
Guest Services 2002
www.veronicaspreciousgifts.com

I'm tired of the " I'm tired" excuse from people we know. We also have family members who say they want to join us at CP but bail out at the last minute because they don't want to pay the $8.00 parking fee. They can well afford to pay the $8, but get mad at me when I won't let them mooch a ride in my van cuz I have the parking sticker.

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Loyal Mean Streak fan 4ever:)

So get a parking pass on your season pass next year, and tell them they can go if they drive.. Their gas ;)

Ginger...why won't you let them ride with you?

Ffej...that's the way life is becoming ME ME ME generation. Get used to it! However; also get used to learning how to entertain yourself when others do that to you. Be happy to entertain others, yet if they don't pull through, don't let your smile turn into a frown...keep smiling, it just might be YOUR smile that will make someone's day! This is true even AT Cedar Point...I have seen several people who look grumpy there...and it's the people with smiles on their faces, who are "actin' a fool" who always can get me laughing! ::smile:: It will be ok!!! God bless you!

p.s. My own daughter bailed on me Friday night! She didn't want to go because the guy that bailed on her for homecoming was going to go with the friend she had originally had made plans with to go. Sorry...kinda confusing, I know. That's pretty sad...then my son said he didn't want to go since his sister wasn't going to go. So's...I got to sit home Friday...and Saturday...thank God for Church on Sunday or I would have been home then too! HA So's I decided to take TWO services in!!! ::smile:: I feel good now!

Anyone who wants to meet Friday night...let me know...I'll try not to bail on you! ::laugh::

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Let's play "Find the one-legged seagull"
*** This post was edited by coasterluver 10/20/2003 12:29:38 AM ***

Amen to that Ffej,

My friends are the same way too, I was beginning to wonder if it was just me with these problems. Some things I can understand, for instance, out of all my friends, I am the only one that has a season pass. However, I have never asked them to go early in the day, and pay high admission rates, I always invite them to come at Starlight time.

And there is no way that you can rationalize that being too expensive.....$24.95 = a ticket to the moves for you and the girlfriend, a bag of popcorn, and a drink. or.........enjoy the best amusement park in the world......it's a no brainer.

If your not going to go just say it, but don't make lame excuses. But as Jeff and CP bound say, there is nothing wrong with going alone. Even when they say no, that doesn't stop me. I went 2 times this year alone for the above reason, and had a blast!! Got to meet new people whom I spent most of the evening with after we met, and made new friends. DON'T LET GOING ALONE STOP YOU FROM GOING!!!

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"Welcome back Gemini riders, how was that ride!?!?!" 25 years of excellence!

I'll definitely agree with all the people who said just go by yourself. I go by myself frequently, and I really have an excellent time. I've had great times with friends also, but for a hassle free visit, where you can do what you want, when you want, nothing beats a solo trip. More times than not, there are people to talk to in line, and besides, when you are on a ride, it doesn't really make any difference who you are sitting next to, the ride provides all the entertainment.

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I'd rather be in my boat with a drink on the rocks,
than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.

My problem is that most of friends think they are too old for Cedar Point trips (we are in our early 30’s). They don’t come out and say it, but you get the impression that they think they should be doing something more productive, like cutting the grass or cleaning the garage. Not that these things aren’t important, but you don’t have to spend every day of the week hanging around the house. I’ve basically given up asking them to go because I know what the answer will be. Luckily my dad, sister, and brother-in-law still enjoy the occasional trip and I make plenty of solo trips.

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Bob M.

To answer Coasterluver's question as to why I won't let my cheap family members drive with me: We live 35 minutes apart from each other and it is easier for them to just hop on the turnpike and go to CP. I take the back country roads and they don't like that route. Also, my van holds 7 passengers and if relatives want to come with us, I can't fit 5 more people. Plus they get tired easily of the park and want to go home, whereas we stay til the park closes.
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Loyal Mean Streak fan 4ever:)

Everyone: thanks for your thoughts; it made me feel much better after reading responses and finding that the problem is common.

I guess backing out is just a bad quality that many people have. When people all act excited for a CP trip, they either don't truly feel that, or they simply get in a different mood another day and just don't want to go.

As most here are season pass holders, we realize that CP does not need to be something stressful, expensive, or tiring. For the casual once-per-year visitor in July, I think they envision all trips will be the same.....9am-11pm walking everywhere to ride everything....2 hour waits on everything, spending insane amounts of money, and so on. This could be a reason for someone to suddenly dread CP if they aren't in the mood. But, as we all know, this is not how CP usually is, how it has to be, or how it should be.

People need to just tell you in advance if they are thinking of backing out of a trip though. Everytime a trip has been cancelled, nobody communicates hours before we're supposed to leave, and then when I call to pick them up, the excuses come. With a Halloweekends coupon, a Friday night would have been $12.50, so saying "I don't have the money..." is just stupid.

I know that because people backing out at the last minute bothers me, I try to make sure I never do that. When plans are made with others, I lock them. If I don't want to go or something important comes up, I will tell them ASAP. This is how it should be.

A good solution to the "CP Plans Falling Through" problem is to just go at the scheduled time regardless, even if it means going alone. I have thought about doing this before but always figured it might be awkward once I got there. But as many of you have done this, it doesn't seem to be the case at all. Maybe I'll be brave enough in the future to try a solo trip...
*** This post was edited by Ffej 10/23/2003 1:54:10 AM ***