Disability

I know that CP has the policy about if you're handicapped (aka in a wheelchair) you get to wait at the front of the line with one other rider until your group comes up in the regular line. My questions (to follow) are based on the fact my husband has MS. He uses a cane and can't either stand or sit too long at one time. When we go, if it's a bad day we'll rent a wheel chair but if it's a good day he'd prefer to only use his cane but of course that doesn't garner "respect" for the disabled as much as he would get if in a wheel chair. MS sufferers can often appear normal and the next day relapse and mobility goes out the window. It can even change during the day due to ambient temperatures (warmer or hot being the worst).

This having been said: If it's only two in your group and you don't have anyone to wait on, do you get to ride right away? And two, is there equal line treatment in the disability department as far as waiting goes?

In all the time I've been going to CP I've never had to think about this (fortunately) but this was a winter time diagnosis so it's all new to us. Kindly feedback is appreciated.

Everyone waits the same amount of time, theoretically, no matter whether you're using the park's Special Access policy or not. The difference is where you're waiting. While most guests are waiting their time in line, guests utilizing the Special Access program wait their time elsewhere, such as a park bench, or riding a smaller ride that does not utilize the Special Access program.

So, to answer your question, no, just because you only have two people in your group doesn't mean you'll get right on. You will still wait the length of time as everyone else in line, you just won't be doing it in line.

How do they calculate the estimated waiting time if you are waiting somewhere else? As I said, this is a learning curve for us.

When you arrive at the park, you will first need to visit either Park Operations or the Town Hall Museum. They will issue you a Special Access book that lists the main attractions in the park that utilize the program (mostly the coasters, and major thrill rides). You will then take this book to the entrance of the ride you wish to ride. They will right down a boarding time, based on the wait time of the line at that time, and authenticate the time. You will then go about your way until your wait time has expired, and it's time for you to board. During this time, you can wait for other attractions that don't utilize the program, have something to eat, relax on the midway, etc. Once your boarding time is available, you will return to the ride, usually the exit, and then be permitted to ride.

One very important thing to remember is that you may only have one boarding time at a time. Having multiple boarding times may invalidate all of your boarding times, as it is improper use of the system. You must get your boarding time, wait your time, and ride the attraction before you can go about getting another boarding time.

Here's Cedar Point's description of the program.

Now this makes sense. I think it's a rather fair system. Thanks for taking the time to walk me through it.