First timer questions

First time at CP for a couple of days next week. We're staying at Hotel Breakers.

1. I know we can get in 1/2 hour early (9:30) - just how early should we show up at the gate? Do people start lining up long before that to get in first?

2. Are most rides open at that early time? I thought we'd quickly head to Millennium Force first - is that a good plan?

3. Any way to get a better map before heading into the park? Unless you're familiar with the rides, in many cases it's hard to tell which is which on the map. (for example, where is MF located?)

4. What's average wait time during the week on the less popular rides (not TTD, MF)?

5. Can you bring any snacks and/or water bottles into the park?

Thanks in advance - great website!

1. People get there earlier but there is not much reason to. You should check the times though - resort guests and Joe Cool are getting in at 9 during this part of the season.

2. Before 10 they are supposed to have Dragster, Millenium and Maxair I believe. Of those, I would choose Millenium as it has a slow moving line, Dragster often doesn't open early, and Maxair never gets a super long line.

3. http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/map/

4. Most of the coasters will be 15 mins or so at most. Mantis and Raptor can get longer as well as Power Tower.

5. Pretty sure the answer is no to #5 although I often stick a granola bar in the old fanny pack.
*** Edited 6/16/2005 12:57:24 PM UTC by DragonRider***

1. I usually get to the park around 8:40-8:45. Pay attention and see what rides are testing. If you don't see Dragster testing, or if there is a sign saying it is closed, go to the Marina entrance and run to Millennium. You should be able to get 3-4 fast rides on it. If Dragster is testing, then go to the Magnum entrance. If they are both testing, you choose which one you want to ride. Don't go to maxair.

2. Yaa
3.see above, but eall the rides are pretty easy to locate.

4.Dragster will be 1 hour- 1 1/2 hour, Millennium probably 1 1/2 - 2 hours, Raptor 3/4 hour, Mantis 3/4-1 hour, all other rides should be pretty short. So I suggest getting a Freeway stamp for Raptor since you will already have rode Millennium in the morning, and also get a freeway for Dragster at 2:00 if it is operating.

5. I don't think you can bring food in, a bottle of water maybe in your pocket.

#1: As early as you reasonably can. I always arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 to get in the park.

#2: Most rides open on time, but I found it best not to go to MF. Go Start in back with say...magnum and work your way toward MF. By then, MF should have freeway stamps. Then eat, ride more rides, then get a TTD freeway. After that (mid afternoon), the front of the park will have died down and you can hit Raport and such.

#3: http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/map/

#4: It varies, Raptor can have up to an hour wait, along with
Mantis. WT, Gemini, MS, Magnum, and such will have 30 minutes or less (probably around 15 min). MF will have up to a 2 hour wait, same with TTD.

#5: I wouldn't recommend it, keep them in your car in a nice cooler, then take a break to go out there and eat. You can get free cups or water through out the park, just ask.

5. It is pretty pointless to bring something, IMO, because you are staying at the Breakers. I come back to the room a couple of times a day to cool down and maybe get something to eat. That is why staying onsite is so convenient.

If you don't have a non-rider it can also be a hassle holding onto anything while riding some of the rides anyway.

Can someone answer me these questions?:

What is Joe Cool?

What does IMO mean?

1. Click here.

2. In My Opinion.

#5 - The standard policy for food/beverages is that you can not bring it into the park. The only exception to this rule at Cedar Fair parks is SEALED bottles of water.

One other tip - you can get cups of water or ice from any of the counter service locations that have fountain drinks. Its free and it will keep you hydrated, which is very important at Cedar Point. *** Edited 6/17/2005 5:01:20 AM UTC by CP_CollegeGuy***

If I go to the park early (since I'm staying at Breakers) will there still be big lines since it will be on a Saturday?

Best advice - use the Magnum (TTD) or Marina (MF) gates to get to the ride you wish to ride first in the morning. If you get there 15 minutes before the gates open you will be on one of the first few trains and able to get to the other early entry ride while the lines are still relatively short and before the gates open to the general public at 9:30.

Also be sure to keep an eye on the freeway booth to see if they are distributing during Joe Cool/Resort Guest early entry. Last Saturday, they distributed a limited number of Freeway stamps right after the park opened to the public.

On a Saturday you are wise to use Freeway to your advantage. Freeway distribution times are posted on the Freeway booth at each ride in the morning, and I believe are also listed in your maps. Distribution for Millennium Force begins at 11:00am most days and continues until all have been distributed for the day.

How much does Joe Cool cost?

15 dollars

JC is only available to season pass holders. So the cost is 15 dollars in addition to your preferred season pass.

If your trips are usually multi-day where you will stay on-point, don't even bother with JC. Just get a pass and use your resort ID to get in early.

JC sometimes has decent restaurant discounts, and it also allows you to get your parking permit on your pass rather than your car.

If we didn't get it comped each year (buying pre-season combo passes), I'd probably only put joe cool on one of our family's passes for the portable parking benefit, and leave it off of the others. The rest of the perks aren't that big of a deal for us.

Dont forget about your $2 off ride photo discount!

Can you buy tickets at the Marina or Magnum gates?

Can you buy tickets at Hotel Breakers?

Main gate, Magnum gate, and all hotels. You get a discount on single day tickets at the hotels, $33.00.

It's currently cheaper to use the CP Coupon on available on their site ($29.99 Funday ticker any day but Saturday).

Which gate is closest to the CP Hotels?

The Magnum/Soak City, Resorts gate