First Trip to the Point

Hey everyone. To start off, I'm Timmy and I'm 14. I've never been to Cedar Point or ridden on any coasters before. My mom said we might go to Cedar Point this year. There's a few questions I have. First, is Cedar Point a good place to ride my first coaster? Second, which coaster should I start with? I hear Blue Streak or Iron Dragon are good beginner ones... Also, I plan on bringing my phone and/or iPod to take pictures. What should I do with them? I don't want to leave them at the station (if that's the correct terminology), but I also don't want them to fall out of my pocket. Thanks in advance.

Welcome, Timmy. I wouldn't start with Blue Streak as my first, as it's pretty intense for its size. Iron Dragon or CC Mine Ride would be good candidates, in my opinion.

Get yourself some cargo shorts with pockets that close (buttons are OK, but velcro is ideal), and put your phone there. You can also find a neck wallet, which can hold almost any smartphone.

Good grammar, mostly proper punctuation, accurate capitalization, relatively strong sentence structure, general politeness and respect. Basically everything that a modern 14 year old doesn't possess, but I'll bite anyway because these are reasonable questions...

Is Cedar Point a good place to ride my first coaster?
Better than most any park I'd imagine, if only because of the variety.

Which coaster should I start with?
Depends on your goal. If you're scared, you might want to build up from Iron Dragon. If you want to get over the fear quickly, do Millennium. I recommend the latter, because once you're over the fear, that's when the enjoyment happens.

Also, I plan on bringing my phone and/or iPod to take pictures. What should I do with them?
Keep them in your pockets while on the rides. Careful though, some rides (Maverick) put some serious pressure on the front waist pockets and could easily crack a phone if it hits it at the right angle. Fanny packs are quite useful, though some rides may require them to be put in a bin or held by a non-rider.

^I'll be honest, it shocks me every now and then too. I have a few kids on KIC who are WAY more mature than I would expect for their age. I always thought the one kid was an adult till I met him and his parents in line, talk about shocked.

This helps very much! Thank you (Both of you)! I've always respected proper grammar, punctuation, ect. It crawls under my skin when I can barely understand a sentence due to the grammar. Not to mention, my English teacher is very strict.

Welcome Timmy K! It's funny that they said something about your grammar because I was thinking the same thing as I was reading your post.

As a ride host, I will say that I have never heard, or experienced under my watch, somebody's items being stolen from the bins. However, I have had many guests become skeptical about leaving their items in the bin for that very reason. I really do think that is your safest bet unless you want to pay for a locker, in which all items will be secure while riding, but the pain of having to keep going back and forth to the lockers to take pictures is a pain.

Hopefully you stay engaged in conversation here, and would love to see a Trip Report about your first time at the Point.

Scottyf said:
Which coaster should I start with?
Depends on your goal. If you're scared, you might want to build up from Iron Dragon. If you want to get over the fear quickly, do Millennium. I recommend the latter, because once you're over the fear, that's when the enjoyment happens.

I will agree with this as strongly as possible. My first trip to the park at 14 years old (18 now) I was terrified of riding anything taller than Gemini. My brother talked me into getting in line for Millennium with him and my mom, I was hesitant, but I got in line. My mom and brother kept me calm all through the line, and next thing I knew I was at the point of no return. I was next to my brother, my mom with a stranger behind us. I could barely hear my mom telling the guy how scared I was. About 2/3 of the way up the lift, I hear the guy yell "hey buddy! Its all down hill from here!" After that ride on Millennium, I was not afraid of any of the coasters there.

I don't think anybody will ever forget their first roller coaster experience, which is amazing to always hear those kind of stories.

Timmy, I complain about poor grammar and sentence structure on this forum all the time. For a 14-year old boy -- WOW! It is almost perfect.
I hope you get to visit the park and after you do please write a Trip Report. I'd like to read about your first trip to the point and your first coaster ride.
I also recommend starting with a bigger coaster: Gemini, Magnum or Millennium. all coasters are different and have their own thrills.

Scottyf said:
...Which coaster should I start with?
Depends on your goal. If you're scared, you might want to build up from Iron Dragon. If you want to get over the fear quickly, do Millennium. I recommend the latter, because once you're over the fear, that's when the enjoyment happens...

^This right here. If you are adventurous, tackle this first. Maverick would be a great one also, as it isn't very high, but you get alot of everything to enjoy. Line fills up quickly though, but it is worth it.

Thanks everyone! Definitely will make a Trip Report if I make it to The Point (fingers crossed)! I agree with what you all say, about getting the fear out of the way. I'm going to shoot for Millineum Force, but if I change my mind my mom said I should try Gemini as a first coaster. Thanks everyone!

Welcome Timmy, and I hope you get to have your first trip to the Point.

There's nothing like setting your eyes on the skyline in person for the first time.

Timmy, welcome and have fun at Cedar Point if you are able to go. You seem more polite and intelligent than some people here who are much older than you, I hope your mom takes you as a reward for that reason alone.

Iron Dragon and Cedar Creek Mine Ride are excellent first coasters, and you might also consider Woodstock's Express in Camp Snoopy. Not as big as the other two, but a fun, zippy coaster that would also make a perfect first coaster.

I didn't have my first roller coaster ride at Cedar Point, but my first coaster was a corkscrew. It was very similar to Corkscrew at Cedar Point, except the one I went on was a bit taller and had more loops (Viper, Darien Lake). I'm actually surprised no one has mentioned this as a contender.

My first coaster at Cedar Point was Raptor, and then my parents dragged me on Millennium and TTD. I was skeptical at first, but getting the fear out of the way made the trip that much more enjoyable.

My mom has a fear of heights, as well as I do, but she LOVES roller coasters. She went to the Point when Millennium was brand new and she remembers the train getting stuck on the lift hill, at the top. I laugh whenever she tells me that story. I'm getting off track here, so anyway, she loves Millennium, so if she can do it and loves it, I'm sure I can. I think I'm going to go straight onto Millennum if I get to go. Thanks everyone!

You'll have a great time for sure Timmy. Whatever route you go with, I can't wait to hear about you and your families first Dragster ride. Dragster is the coaster I have to thank for becoming an enthusiast. I'm sure you'll have a similar experience after your first trip.

And if you and your family need any encouragement (or recommendations/advice) regarding Dragster, I'm your guy. :)

TTD 120mph said:
. Dragster is the coaster I have to thank for becoming an enthusiast.

And if you and your family need any encouragement (or recommendations/advice) regarding Dragster, I'm you guy. :)

http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/2/26660/2178890-youdontsay.jpg

:P

TTD 120mph said:
You'll have a great time for sure Timmy. Whatever route you go with, I can't wait to hear about you and your families first Dragster ride. Dragster is the coaster I have to thank for becoming an enthusiast. I'm sure you'll have a similar experience after your first trip.

And if you and your family need any encouragement (or recommendations/advice) regarding Dragster, I'm your guy. :)

I've always enjoyed roller coasters, or at least thought I would, but I didn't become an enthusiast until the newly constructed Top Thrill Dragster appeared in a Modern Science magazine (I believe). After seeing that picture, my new goal was to get to Cedar Point and ride the beast! That was the day I became a Coaster Enthusiast as well.

Timmy, you're going to love the Point. Going in with a plan is easier said than done. Once you see Raptor right out front, it's going to be tough to bypass without a ride. Especially for a newbie.

My mom talons me the exact same thing as you, about the plan. She said it's better to go in and just see what has the shortest line lol.

^ Sorry, on my iPod and autocorrect doesn't want to help me today... Told*