I've got tons of questions, first time to Cedar Point

Hi All. I'm new to these boards and will be our first visit to Cedar Point this coming August (mid month). I'm in my 50s and the group is composed of 3 young adults (25-30), 3 older adults (all in their 50s) and 2 children (10 & 6). The young adults and I love roller coasters, 2 of the older adults do not. My first question is if you are staying for 3 days which are the roller coasters not to be missed and what strategy would you use to circumvent the park? I'm a big fan of guide books but I haven't looked into any for Cedar Point, any suggestions? With a group this size I believe that we go prepared and that way we can split up in the park and go for the major attractions first. We are leaning toward staying at Castway Bay but that is still up in the air since I hear that Lighthouse might be better suited. TIA!

1 - None of them. Hit them all (using the 6 year old to get on Jr. Gemini) and enjoy them all. I'm guessing that the plan is to do this trip before school starts back up, right?

If you can, do this trip the 22nd - 24th of August. The crowds will be lessened, and that will help despite the shorter hours on Wednesday and Thursday. If not, stick to Tuesday through Thursday.

I'm not much help on the "what order to do things" because I go during those slow times where I have almost free reign to do stuff in whatever order I want.

The waterpark will also still be open, so that will provide some extra options to the non-coaster riders, as well as all the shows that are available during the summer.

Hitting every coaster.

Major coasters: Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, Gemini, Magnum XL-200, Mantis, Meanstreak, Raptor, Wicked Twister, and of course, Maverick.

If you are going in August, my advice would be to arrive on Saturday, take advantage of Castaway Bay on Saturday, and start hitting the park on Sunday. DO NOT GO THE PARK ON A SATURDAY IN JULY OR AUGUST.

If you're staying for three days, buy a season pass, and get the Joe Cool add on for $15. You'll get your money's worth.

Here's generally how I would spend my day. On Sunday, wake up early and get to the park about a half hour to 45 minutes before it opens (remember, Joe Cool/resort guests get in at 9:00 am, so get there around 8:15-8:30). The reason I say to get there early is so you don't have to fight off crowds in front of you in line at the entrance. Park in the main parking lot, and then walk to the marina entrance. When the park opens, run to Millennium Force first. Millennium generally has the longest line so it's best to ride it when there is none :). When you get off, if the line is still under a half hour, ride it again.

After that I would head back and check the wait time for Maverick. It's hard to guess about how long it will be, but I'd say you'd want to budget about an hour to an hour and a half. After that, hit up the back of the park and then work your way down the Main Midway.

If you go on a good day, you'll be able to hit all the major coasters in one day, usually with multiple ridings. Just make sure you keep a map with you at all times, so you don't end up riding Maverick, then Raptor, then Gemini. Work your way around the park and hit the rides as you go.

Since you'll be going for 3 days, you'll be able to hit more than just the major coasters. Personally, rides like Power Tower or Paddlewheel Excursions are always on my to-do list at the park.

Basically, 3 days will be plenty for hitting the entire park. Hope this helped! Any other questions?

If you're going to be there 3 days, I don't think you need to worry too much about a strategic plan in order to hit everything, even in mid-August (which will be busy). You'll have no problem doing everything you want, and then some.

With that said, a plan is a smart idea to help make the most of your time. Without one, you'll still be able to do a lot in 3 days, but with one, you'll have a better time. I'm sure you'll find lots of tips here, but let me start with my favorite: start early. You can do a lot before 11 a.m. if you start when the park opens.

With a group that size, I suspect you'll be doing some things together and some apart. Start the day by picking a meeting time and place and then connect for a show or a meal. Head out again with the idea of meeting up again later. That way you won't spend your entire vacation as separate groups.

Don't forget Snoopy on Ice!!
Especially if it's real hot outside! :)

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 1163 :)

^Wow, you guys are quick. There were no replies when I started this.

Three days is a long time for Cedar Point. You should be able to get in any show, restaurant, ride you want. Mid August usually has moderate size crowds.

CP has a very large variety of rides. Spliting up your group will allow everyone to do as they please, but like I said, with three days, it shouldn't be a problem to get everything in as a group.

When you have lots of time to have fun around the park, a stratgy isn't really needed. Starting near the back or the ride you're looking forward to the most is the best idea.

CP has many roller coasters, but many of them are tame enough for the casual (non thrill seeker) rider. Magnum, Raptor, Mantis, Power Tower, Millennium Force, Wicked Twister, Top Thrill Dragster, and maXair are really the only ride's that I consider very intense. (Maverick appears to be part of that list, but I can't be the judge of that yet)

As for lodging. Lighthouse Point would work perfect for a group of your size. I recommend bringing some food and spending a couple meals in your cabin. They have a grill (charcoal not supplied) to grill your own hamburgers/hot dogs/etc. Also, the pool area is very nice, Lake Erie is very relaxing, and shuffleboard courts and other activities are available. With a three day stay, a few people might get tired of walking around all day long. Staying on-site allows anyone to easily walk back to the cabin and rest. I really enjoyed my stay at Lighthouse Point a couple years ago.

Castaway Bay is a great option as well. The indoor waterpark is great for kids. I've never been here, but I've heard nothing but great things.

*** Edited 2/27/2007 2:39:48 PM UTC by Gomez***

Cedar Point is a huge park. It's easy to say, "Let's all meet at point x at noon." It doesn't always happen that way. Long lines, distractions, even underestimating how long it takes to get across the park, can screw up get-together plans. (Believe me, I've experienced this first hand.) If your party splits up into sub-parties, make sure everybody has cell phones. Plans have a habit of changing at the Point.

Or, just meet. Believe it or not, I've successfully met my split party numerous times, without *gasp* cell phones.

Scary, but true.

Wow! You guys are great and fast! This is the type of information I wanted. I'm relieved to hear that 3 days will be more than enough time to see the whole park and then some. Where would be a good meeting place to meet up?

Thanks for the link, "Hitting all the Coasters" is there more information like that on this site?
*** Edited 2/27/2007 3:20:04 PM UTC by msr709***
*** Edited 2/27/2007 3:21:13 PM UTC by msr709***

Any highly-visible place would be good, such as Power Tower, Corkscrew's corkscrews(where it crosses the midway), Top Thrill's grandstands, and so on.

MORE stuff.

EDITED to add & fix stuff.

*** Edited 2/27/2007 5:47:50 PM UTC by djDaemon***

msr709 said:
Where would be a good meeting place to meet up?

I would pick Top Thrill Dragster. It is the tallest ride in the park and is visible from most any place in the park. Not to mention, its kind of in the middle. No matter where you are in the park, Top Thill Dragster is just a short walk away. Also, there are bleachers just outside of the ride to sit and wait for the rest of your group if you get there first. :)
*** Edited 2/27/2007 5:31:31 PM UTC by Cedar Pat***

Not really....if you're over by where Millennium crosses Frontier Trail, it's quite a hike. That's what's nice about the corkscrews, its right at the fork, so the only really long walk to get there is from Maverick/Mean Streak.

The only drawback about the corkscrews is that it tends to be a high-traffic area. Although, the same can be said for the Dragster midway.

But that's what makes it an ideal spot, its right in the middle and easy to get to. To find a low traffic area in July and August means going off the beaten path into "obscure" areas of the park. And the corkscrew area is compact enough that it shouldn't be terribly hard to find each other.

Also, there is a fair amount of seating and shade near the corkscrews. Very handy on a hot day.

If you're looking for shade, there's always Jungle Larry's...

...oh, wait - nevermind. :(

a unique thing at CP is Cedar Downs. It's a carusel type called a "derby" of which there are only THREE left in the world. it's cool ride.

For a nice ride around the park, hit the CP&LE RR near MF & Mantis. It takes you around the park and has a station by Maverick and Mean Streak. The trains are narrow gauge, steam powered refurbisked mining trains from around the world.

msr709 said:Where would be a good meeting place to meet up?

I would suggest meeting at Coasters Drive-In. It's right in front of Iron Dragon and right next where Corkscrew spirals over the midway. There are a lot tables to meet there, and it's also got great food, so you can meet there for lunch. Back in the day, whenever I went with a group from school or a youth group, we would always meet at Coasters.