How Busy is Opening Day?

Never visited the park on opening day but we go often. Have a trip planned for my bday on Monday May 19th, but I can't wait 2 more weeks!!! Debating going this Saturday - opening day. We have season passes, and will purchase Fast Lane Plus opening day IF we go as we drive 300 miles one way, so that'll help, but still. Is it busier than say, Halloweekends? TIA.
Debbie near Grand Rapids, MI

It's impossible to tell what the crowds will be like on any day. It's really up to the weather and, in most cases, just what's new for the year. Aside from last year (with Gatekeeper), I'd say most opening days are moderately to light crowds. But if you plan on getting Fast Lane, I see no reason to worry about crowds. :)

TTD 120mph said:
Aside from last year (with Gatekeeper), I'd say most opening days are moderately to light crowds.

what. the. actual. f&^%.

Opening day is pretty much the WORST day to go (with holidays being the only possible exception). Go Sunday. As long as the weather holds out you won't regret it.

Every year when opening day happens it's the same old crap, people are all over facebook bitching about how awful opening day was with the crowds and the new employees being slow and the 2 hour plus waits, and then I laugh and say it's your fault for being dumb enough to go opening day and expect anything different.

No, Saturday Columbus Day weekend is the worst day to go, by FAR.

Opening day isn't nearly as bad as that.

Scottyf said:
No, Saturday Columbus Day weekend is the worst day to go, by FAR.

Opening day isn't nearly as bad as that.

This, but that was mostly due to it being a perfect weather day. But still, avoid holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and Columbus Day) if possible.

Scottyf said:
No, Saturday Columbus Day weekend is the worst day to go, by FAR.

Opening day isn't nearly as bad as that.

Ok, maybe opening day isn't quite as bad as holidays, but I still stand by my statement that it isn't a good day to go.

CBus day for years has been terrible. In 2011 when I was there I just turned the car off & relaxed in the parking lot for an hour till I decided to get out

That depends on what you consider a good day to go. Not everyone can choose to go in the week. Plus, there's a certain energy about opening day, especially after the insane winter we just had.

Everyone's idea of busy is different. Opening day busy is not even in the ballpark of busy if you compare it to a crazy-busy Halloweekends' Saturday or mid-July peak day.

I've been with people who complain if Millennium's line is more 30 minutes, and others who are in awe if it's only 45 minutes (as a benchmark).

With Sunday being Mothers' Day I wonder if that will affect crowds at all. This mom is dropping very not so subtle hints she wants her special lunch to be out of a cooler in the CP parking lot.

Paisley said:
With Sunday being Mothers' Day I wonder if that will affect crowds at all. This mom is dropping very not so subtle hints she wants her special lunch to be out of a cooler in the CP parking lot.

why not fire up a grill and tailgate for lunch

Well, the mom in our house will be celebrating on a coaster. Our "opening week vacation" starts Sunday evening when we arrive for the week.

Did anyone look at the forecast for Saturday, ugh?!?! At least the crowds won't be like Kings Island was when they opened on Good Friday. The next day was much better crowd-wise.

For the first time ever I have been looking at alternate parks to go to Saturday due to weather. However,Indiana Beach, Kings Island, Waldameer, Kennywood, Conneaut, and Hershey all have 70-90% rain with measurable amounts forecast.

So, I think it is back to CP and ride the train a ton!

jetsplumber said:

Paisley said:
With Sunday being Mothers' Day I wonder if that will affect crowds at all. This mom is dropping very not so subtle hints she wants her special lunch to be out of a cooler in the CP parking lot.

why not fire up a grill and tailgate for lunch

Then we would have to drag the stuff to the picnic area instead of just tailgating out of the station wagon. It just doesn't seem worth the work when I can be just as happy with some sandwiches, maybe a salad, cookies and chips. If we were going with a larger group it would be different.

Sledge4cp said:
Did anyone look at the forecast for Saturday, ugh?!?! At least the crowds won't be like Kings Island was when they opened on Good Friday. The next day was much better crowd-wise.

For the first time ever I have been looking at alternate parks to go to Saturday due to weather. However,Indiana Beach, Kings Island, Waldameer, Kennywood, Conneaut, and Hershey all have 70-90% rain with measurable amounts forecast.

So, I think it is back to CP and ride the train a ton!

figures, im coming for the weekend from NJ. per weather.com its only 30% chance of rain on sat. I never trust the weather report this far out anyways. bso hopefully it changes by opening day

Does anybody know how busy the park is today, and do you think it will be busier next Sunday?

Can you tell us what the weather will be like next Sunday?

Cloudy and 61, and I just remembered it is Passholder Appreciation weekend, so it will probably be busier.

AlexGillman said:
Does anybody know how busy the park is today, and do you think it will be busier next Sunday?

today was pretty much 15 min wait tops for everything. I think I overheard a few people mention maverick was 30min.

jetsplumber said:

AlexGillman said:
Does anybody know how busy the park is today, and do you think it will be busier next Sunday?

today was pretty much 15 min wait tops for everything. I think I overheard a few people mention maverick was 30min.

No it wasn't pretty much 15 min wait tops for everything, not even close.