How busy are Fridays?

I was hoping to arrive at the park early on Friday the 24th. We went on opening day and Sunday, but didn't get to ride as many rides as we hoped. I figured it would be a good day with the kids still in school.

No way to tell -- should be on the lighter side -- but there is no way of knowing how many high school and college field trips there are that day. It will still be a lot less crowded than anything starting two weeks later -- so you should be okay.

For the record, today, a Thursday -- the park was MOBBED with high school fieldtrips -- bus after bus after bus from as far away as Tennessee...but by 3:00, nothing had more than a half hour wait, including Gatekeeper....the busses started to roll out of the parking lot about 6 pm, and it was quiet the last two hours....

That is a far bus ride from Tennessee! Look forward to ride Friday!

I'll be there friday with a friend and her 7-year old....don't have to worry about ANY of the major coasters for us!....Iron Dragon, though, here we come!

The kids on the bus from Tennessee probably stayed at the Breakers. The hotel has terrific deals for school groups.

You did mention that you went on " Sunday " which is a busy and rush day at cedar. So it becomes a tough to enjoy all the rides and coasters on a busy day where gathering become double.

ANY day during this week would be terrible because it's Math & Science Week. Any given day next week should be the lightest it's going to be all year since it's the first week in May that's not M&S Week for the park. Fridays seem like they would be worse than Monday-Thursday, but it should still be better than any given day of this week.

Most people will say when schools are in session, its less crowded at the park. It is not. Two years ago, we went to the park the first weekend in June, and we went in on a Sunday (best day to go, by the way, Sundays in June) and we left Monday morning at 9:30. There were 10 or more school bus already there, and from the time we got on Route 6 through the 250, I-80 intersection, we passed by 20 school buses.

That's because you went to the park on a weekend... It doesn't matter what the status of schools are if you go on a weekend or during M&S Week because schools can go there. If you go on a weekday in May when schools are definitely in session, you're going to have the best possible time with crowds (excluding M&S Week).

The school bus incident was Monday morning. Schools were taking field trips when they were in session.

That sucks. Generally, weekdays in May that are not M&S Week are the best time to go. It'd be great to know how many school buses will be there on a given day, but alas it's not really possible.

There was a similar topic on that other CP forum board last year -- the reality is, CP (like any other amusement park) doesn't WANT you to know if there will be a lot of bus groups there on a given day because it would discourage other visitors if they know in advance...

Alas, I agree: would love to know when the those teen-packed busloads arrive -- but its not to be.

Friday the 24th is the start of Memorial Day weekend. I'd predict there won't be a lot of school trips that day. The weekend, however, will be busy.
Remember, nobody here has a crystal ball.

You don't know that for sure.

Never can know for sure, but usually kids will go more after school lets out, so the park gets busier in the evening.

I was there Thurs-Sun this past weekend. Thursday was light after the buses left. Fri was pretty crowded vs my expectations. Saturday was the busiest I have seen the park outside of HW Saturdays. Crazy for a may Saturday.

Some of those teenagers for M&S week needed a massive tranquilizer dose or Ritalin, or something. The behavior was awful.

Is anyone at the park today? I will be there the next two days and can't judge based on the dragster webcam how full the park is... Need to see if I will need to get up early and ride in the AM before it really gets crowded or if we can take our time getting there. I'm thinking the nice weather means it's busier then normal for a weekday in May. Any reports?

I agree with MaverickLaunch about the teens from Friday. They were rude, cutting lines and just plain annoying.

Gatekeeper's wait was under 20 minutes which made it worth the time. ERT took a while to get moving, but overall was really fun.

I know there is a choral festival this Friday the 24th. My choir will be performing in it at the Jack Aldrich Theater. There are only 6 other choirs that will be there according to my director schedule so it shouldn't be too bad music group wise. Hopefully with it being Memorial Day weekend other schools will shy away from field trips on that day.

I also saw lots of choir shirts Saturday.