Early Entry

Cedar Point needs to add (2) more coasters to help with line waits, period.

The coasters need to be people eaters, meaning go through a lot of people per hour, like Gemini and Magnum.

I'm sorry, 1,200 hundred riders per hour, cough cough, I mean 750 riders per hour on Steel Vengeance is not acceptable.

So how did you come up with the random number of needing 2 coasters? Just curious how your mind works.

Just Coasting said:

Cedar Point needs to add (2) more coasters to help with line waits, period.

The coasters need to be people eaters, meaning go through a lot of people per hour, like Gemini and Magnum.

I'm sorry, 1,200 hundred riders per hour, cough cough, I mean 750 riders per hour on Steel Vengeance is not acceptable.

Magnum if they have all three (3) coasters running at the same time.

Just Coasting said:

Cedar Point needs to add (2) more coasters to help with line waits, period.

Have you ever considered buying a Fast Lane Plus, or going on a weekday in the non-peak season? It turns out, there are multiple ways for you to avoid long lines. Who knows, maybe you could enjoy the much shorter Steel Vengeance line by carefully calculating its real-time capacity, or closely inspecting the wheels with your binoculars.

I actually enjoy reading Just Coasting's random, off base, emotional outbursts.

Just Coasting said:

Cedar Point needs to add (2) more coasters to help with line waits, period.

The wheels wouldn't be on correctly, so more reason to be made whole.

I know Top Thrill starts with partially loaded trains, and fills more as the day goes on. I'm not near Dragster much in the morning, but for the little time I have been there at opening this year, it does seem like they are a bit slower to get to full trains than in past years. In past years, I recall that how much of the train they start with and how fast they load the trains depends on the weather. i.e. start with more rows and load faster on hot days, than cold days. This season, it seems that they always start with 3 rows, and only add more rows after all the trains have cycled with that many rows.

DSShives said:*** They took the yellow train off because of a mechanical problem with the last car. There were ride mechanics working on it quite a bit through Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

Before people start putting out unjustified conspiracy theory's out there, maybe the park has a reason for doing what it does and it doesn't include trying to piss off customers or get every last dollar out of them.

Reminds me of the people who gripe about flight delays and cancellations and get upset with the airline for purposely ruining their day. ... ummm - at least you are still alive and in one piece due to the ridiculous and self-serving policy of the offending company that you stay safe. They've got some nerve, I'll tell you!

birdman said:

Sorry for this side question, but could you explain this a little? If the train loads and unloads in the same place, why does it require more staff for 3 trains vs. 2? Recently on Facebook there was a discussion about Phoenix at Knoebels requiring more staff to run 2 trains, and I had the same question.

For Magnum, it has to do with the speed in which restraints can be checked, guests can be taken care of, etc. With fewer crew members on the platform, the loading process can take longer, and on a ride like Magnum that can result in a setup. If a ride like Raptor, Rougarou, or Steel Vengeance is running three trains and all three trains are stacked, it’s no harm. Since Magnum has one fewer block than many coasters operating with three trains, a train coming into the safeties after the third tunnel that needs to be stopped not only comes to a very abrupt stop, but a manual release of the brakes is then required. Fortunately, this no longer means a crew member running out to the brake run.

For other coasters, it may simply be that it’s not worth running the third train if the capacity is no better than two trains.

As for Phoenix, I don’t know how much that ride still depends on manual controls, but it’s likely the same thing. They don’t want the trains to stack, and if you don’t have enough people on the platform getting the trains out in a timely fashion, there is no sense in running two.

Just Coasting said:

I'm sorry, 1,200 hundred riders per hour, cough cough, I mean 750 riders per hour on Steel Vengeance is not acceptable.

For a guy who bitches about literally everything Cedar Point does and seems to have a miserable time every time you go, you certainly do go a lot.

Cedar Point was recently awarded the best amusement park, if everyone had this gentlemens experience every time; they wouldn't have gotten the award. Most of the time they do things right, but sometimes things go wrong. Just try and make the best of it and don't let complaining about it ruin your trip

I was recently awarded “Best Guy Ever”, but it’s subjective and I’m sure not everyone agrees.

I will second that motion.
You seem like a great guy

RCMAC, glad to hear you won it. You had my vote.

Lash said:
I actually enjoy reading Just Coasting's random, off base, emotional outbursts.

Just Coasting said:

Cedar Point needs to add (2) more coasters to help with line waits, period.

The wheels wouldn't be on correctly, so more reason to be made whole.

I tried to post "well said", but something went wrong. Sorry for the double post.

If you hit early entry the right way, you can ride Steel Vengeance, Maverick, And Millennium Force before 10:00 A.M., then get in line for Dragster. You can be on and off Dragster by 10:15, then onto the rest of the park.

Gatekeeper is great to ride at 4:00 or 5:00, usually a walk on by that time.

That is of course the testing was completed on time, wheels secured correctly to each train and there is no wind or lightning in the area.

That seems like a chore. And we’ve *all* had those unfortunate early entry hours when we spend the entire time running (in my case briskly walking, because... no) from one disabled ride to another. I usually pick one ride that I’ve actually seen operate and stick with that. Or don’t bother at all.

I mean Just Coasting is right, but honestly it depends on how well everything is running and the windspeed and direction. Another thing, can't you just come in through the magnum entrance, go ride Steel Vengeance, Maverick, and Millennium that way?

As for rides that are rather reliable during early entry, Skyhawk and Gatekeeper seem to be up there.

Skyhawk 06, I agree, Just Coasting is spot on with that route. RCMAC, it isn't a chore or hassle at all, just a different approach, but if those particular rides are having operational difficulty, say wheel problems or purposeful sabotage by staff, it does hinder your early entry experience. We have done that route 4 times this year, park at CP Shores, use Magnum gate, go to Steel Vengeance, off by 9:20 or so, over to Maverick maybe 5 minute wait, walk to Millenium Force for no wait. If it is 9:45 or so decide wherher to get in line for Top Thrill or go to Gatekeeper, then MaxAir at 10:00 sharp.

Yeah, no, I get it. I just can’t. (Or won’t)
I’m past the place where I worry about how I can cram everything in and bust it out like that. But your strict schedule does seem like a good plan for those who feel the need to maximize the benefit. I tend to be a FL+ user, especially when visiting the park with a friend or two who are infrequent visitors, so there’s that.