First Trip to the Point

I would agree with going on Iron Dragon, or Gemini as your first ride, although my first ride was Blue Streak. Also, I am 15.

I just realized, no one brought up Gatekeeper. How does it rate in the big scheme of things? Is it a good beginner coaster? Also, if it's not a good beginner one, is it really fun? One more question, which side is better, left or right? Thanks in advance :)

Also, thanks Alex. It's nice to hear feedback from a peer :)

Regarding which side, it's really personal preference, I think. But take a virtual ride and see for yourself:
left side
right side

Enjoy!

Thanks for the links! The videos were really cool. I think I'm going to try and go on both sides if I get the chance. Thanks again!

Assuming that the anxiety of the climb is one of the biggest things of a coaster, Gatekeeper is not nearly as intimidating as Millennium or Magnum, because not only are you strapped down and surrounded by a lot of metal and people, you're basically reclining as you ride up the hill.

M & M are unique in the park because you're in a much smaller car, on a much thinner superstructure, with your torso completely free as you make your way up the long, tall hill.

Others, either have a lot of bulk around you (Mean Streak, Gemini), shoot you up the hill so fast you don't have time to freak out (Dragster, Maverick), or just aren't relatively all that high (Mine Ride, Corkscrew).

I would have to say that Gatekeeper does make a great first coaster in many respects. It's got the sexiness of a big coaster with thrilling elements, but at the same time it's a very enjoyable smooth ride that if anything, leaves you wanting more. I think they struck a great balance of thrill and rideability with Gatekeeper.

^^ You're right it is very smooth, and it's nice because of its location right on the beach. I also agree that it could be a good first ride even though I would not have gone on as a first. Oh and just wondering, does anyone think Gatekeeper will have a really long line this year, or the 2 new rides?

I think Gatekeeper will probably have a fairly long line until the next new coaster is opened. I also agree that it's a good first ride, but maybe a first that goes upside down, not first overall.

I never really chimed in, Timmy, but I have always been an advocate of starting small and working your way up. Here's why.

You don't necessarily seem to have a fear of roller-coasters, just pondering how to approach them. If you didn't know already, our little gem of a park here has some of the best coasters around in their individual categories, but what really makes the park stand out is the variety. There are only a handful of parks on the planet that boast a lineup comparable to CP.

That said, if you start really big with the likes of Millennium Force, you may be doing yourself a disservice without even realizing it. What I mean is, after MF, something like Mine Ride may seem like..."well...that was dull"...but if you ride Mine Ride first, it just might be an entirely different experience.

After a long off-season, I love riding something small that I "conquered" years ago first because all of the sudden there's a little extra fun added to the experience of having not been on a coaster in awhile.

To each their own, and I hope my rambling made sense, but this is why I would advocate for working your way up, starting with Mine Ride, then Iron Dragon, and then onward and upward over the course of the day. Not because you couldn't do a larger ride first, but because it will allow you to truly enjoy the smaller less thrilling rides in a unique way. I would say that for someone like yourself who has never been there at all, this could even be more fun. I once went with a friend who wanted to do a "historical tour"...we literally rode every ride in order from when it was added to the park (he had never been there before). Now THAT was a unique way to experience Cedar Point.

Just imagine the adrenaline rush when you finally work your way up to Dragster using this method. :) Intense fun, Timmy.

-Kevin

If you are only going for one day, you could also buy fast lane which allows you to bypass some lines. I buy one usually whenever I go, and think it's worth it but some people don't agree. Just a thought.

https://www.cedarpoint.com/things-to-do/fast-lane

Thanks! I get why starting small would be better. Also, I'll have to talk to my mom about fast lane, but I don't know if we would be able to spend that much. Not mention, we don't know if we're able to go for sure... I hope we can!

Oh, also, I wear glasses and I would rather see while I'm there. Would an athletic strap be useful? I know it might not hold the glasses to my face, but it should catch my glasses if they fall off my face, right? Thanks in advance.

Definitely wear an athletic strap, they work perfectly. I usually wear contacts and sunglasses and I've never had a problem

Awesome! Do you know where I could get the straps? Thanks :)

I don't have glasses, but you could probably buy them at any store (Walmart, Meijer etc..) they might also sell them in the park but I would not recommend that because everything is very expensive.

If I remember right, they're only like $2 in the park.

Also, if you guys do end up making the choice to go, try to throw around the idea of going on a Sunday in May. May is a great time to go to the park since the crowds aren't too terrible.

We should be able to go anytime during the season, thanks to me being homeschooled, and I can do my work the day before, so I have the next day open. :) Thanks, everyone.

In that case, go during the week. You'll pretty much have the park to yourself.

I am going May 18-20, I'm hoping it won't be too busy and we got a great Season Pass holder deal on the Hotel room.