Early Entry/CoasterMania -- how packed will park be because of it?

2 questions.

Just wanted to get some feedback to see how packed the park will be the weekend of CoasterMania? I know the actual event is on Friday but how many people stay the weekend? Just wondering if it will impact my Saturday visit.

I'm doing the early entry from the hotel on Saturday. Typically, how long are the waits for the rides when you have early entry? Are there tons of people waiting at hotel entrance near Magnum and then everyone just runs in and goes right to Dragster?

Thanks in advance!

The majority head to Maverick. The line does get long, but they let people in the gate about 15 minutes early, up to where Magnum crosses the midway, at least they did in years past, I haven't been there this year yet. I try and get out to the gate by 8am, but that always doesn't always go as planned :)

It's always a crapshoot if whatever ride you are heading to for early entry is actually ready to go when you get to the entrance!

The park will be extremely busy on 7/12 and 7/13. I would not advise visiting these 2 days

^ why the 12th? its a thursday.

Saturdays during the summer are usually always busy. And CoasterMania may add a few more people than usual to the park. Most of the rides (Particularly the most popular) should still be doable in one day even without early access.

About how many CoasterMania goers are there usually? This is my first time attending CoasterMania. Are there 1000,s of CoasterMania goers? More, less?

It's usually somewhere between 1000 & 2000. You'll have a fun time, it's a blast.

You get to gate at 8am for early entry!? Do you know which rides are open for early entry? Is that what they post in the hotel lobby, the rides that will be open? I feel like I've seen it in years past, just never payed attention because I didn't care about the early entry.

Early Entry rides are: Ocean Motion, Midway Carrousel, Raptor, WindSeeker, Millennium Force, Iron Dragon, Maverick and Planet Snoopy.

I thought early entry was 9 am

It's always 1 hour before the parks scheduled opening time.

But on the schedule it says that the park opens to the public at 10

Yea? Then early entry is at 9. Early entry is only for Platinum Passholders and resort guests. However, if you don't have a platinum pass or are not staying at a resort, you can take part in early entry if you're attending Coastermania.

TTD 120mph said:
Early Entry rides are: Ocean Motion...

Of all the rides to have included in the early entry why Ocean Motion?

TTD, I know. I have a season pass. I was referring to someone who said early entry began at 8am for coaster mania. I was just confused because thats not when early entry normally is.

Ah so then we were both confused. :) I'm assuming the 8am thing was a typo.....but that's just me.

Sorry for confusion -- JW Addington said something about 8a so it threw me off as far as being there an hour before. Okay, so is CoasterMania Friday and Saturday? TTD120 -- CoasterMania people can get in that hour early on Saturday, too? Anyone know about how long the wait will be(with early entry) for Millenium and Maverick? I plan on going in through the Magnum entrance from hotel. Thanks!

SSL488 said:
^ why the 12th? its a thursday.

Because most visit the afternoon before, spend the night, go into the park and head to bed early.

I have always come the afternoon before. Doesnt cost me anymore to do it that way.

^^Coastermania is Friday the 13th only.Anyone attending can get in the park for early entry.....but only on Friday. If you're in the park on Saturday, you have to have a platinum pass or be staying at a resort. And it's impossible to say how long Maverick and Millennium's early entry line will be on any day, but expect anywhere from a 10 to 30+ minute wait.

One day away. I plan on getting here at 7am for the 7:30 ERTs and stay till 1:30 am to end on TTD.