July 4th, 5th, and 6th questions...

I'm finally going to CedarPoint at the start of July and I have a few questions.

First, with our stay at B.E. we get 2-StarLight Passes (after 5pm) and 2 full day passes. (i've already begged to go for 2days and 1/2 but my parents think it will be too much)

I'm going w/ my parents and my mom can't even go on the ferris wheel w/out getting sick so she is going to go into the park w/ me on the StarLight pass for one night. (because "suposedly" I can't handle myself at CP by myself...) and I'm going to ride solo on a few rides while my dad rests up for the next day (after driving 14+ hours).

So-the I'm going to be at CP for a full day..AFTER I go on the StarLight Day.

Which days should I go??
My parents think that we should go on July 4th (after 5pm- since there open till' midnight) and then go the full day July 5th. But I think with it being July 4th I think it is going to be way to crowded and I'll have to wind up waiting in line for 3 hours for MF (again). We will be in area the 4th, 5th, and 6th. My parents also think that July 5th won't be as crowded because evenone will be tired from July 4th-but I think otherwise and say the whole week will be packed...

Also. what rides should I do in what order on the StarLight day?? SO I made a list of rides that I really would like to go on... (for the StarLight) any suggestions on skipping them and wait for the full day?
1. Raptor (all time fav. coaster)
2. Mantis (been closed past times I'v been there. last time riden= 6 years ago)
3. TTD
4. MF
5. SkyHawk

EDIT** If I do go on July 4th. I'd probably stay untill close. and then get up early for July 5. So don't worry about me bein tired. *** Edited 6/4/2006 8:50:14 PM UTC by DrunkinMonkey***

No one can predict what the crowds will be like for sure, although given what days you're talking about, all of them are likely to be packed. I'd definately do the starlight on the 4th since it is open until midnight, and typically, the place starts to clear out as soon as the fireworks are over, so you can find lots of rides with little or no lines for the last hour and a half or so before closing.

I was at Cedar Point last season for starlight on July 6th and a full day the 7th. If you care to read my trip report, here's the link: http://www.pointbuzz.com/cpplace.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=16903

Anyways, yes it probably will be crowded on those dates, but it shouldnt be too horribly bad since its still not a saturday or something like that. I know I fully enjoyed myself last summer, and with a whole day and a half I had more than enough time to ride everything I wanted to multiple times.

If you go July 4th and are going for starlight, and not staying on-site, expect to have hard time finding a parking space, and it taking 1-2 hours to get out off the parking lot and off the Causeway.

If they are "staying on-site" they won't have to worry about parking.

You already know where I'd suggest to stay. :)

MrScott

is there a way for someone to drop us off and not pay for parking.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/cpplace.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=18620

Skimming the first post and not fully reading the rest of them, I know that the one thing I would've posted anyways is still relevant:

July 4th weekend is without a doubt (from multiple sources) the singlemost packed weekend there is. Lines will be unbearable. It will be hot. Parking will be impossible. Hotel reservations will be scarce (but it looks like you've got that covered).

As far as the question about rides, get on what you can at night (where lines will be shorter). Don't ride things in the front of the park -like Raptor- in the morning (for obvious reasons).

Finally, the fireworks show is amazing. Last year it was around 50 minutes long. Just make sure to hit that if you're gonna be there. I recommend the grass outside of Hotel Breakers (it's shot out from the Wicked Twister area) or that beachy area too.

50 minutes? What fireworks show were you watching?

We had our first trip to CP on July 4th and it was CROWDED. We waited between 30 and 45min just to ride Iron Dragon! However, we left after the fireworks, so I would recommend the starlight ticket if you have to come on the 4th. Now as for the 5th, I think that your parents may be right. I have never been to CP on July 5th, but out trip to PKI on July 5th was amazing! By 3pm, EVERYTHING was walk on!

OK, as for the ride order, here is my opinion. Wait for Raptor until morning (the 5th) and ride it during early entry (Raptor early entry lines are non-existent). Also, ask employee(s) what other rides are operating for early entry until you get an answer. Because there are usually more than the two on the poster thing in the lobby. All that to say, if mantis is open for early entry, ride it! It was open early entry for our trip and as I was waiting in line for TTD, I watched trains with like 2 people on them go by! Also, if Millennium is open for early entry, be sure to ride it! I have heard that it has really short lines even up to 11am (However, I got my one and only ride after it had been closed for a week, and the line was 2 1/2 hours at 10:30am!). Do Skyhawk in the last hour that CP is open on the 4th (if you like it, the 5th too). We only waited like 5 minutes for it at the end of the day. If you really want to ride TTD, get in line right before Midnight and wait it out. Otherwise, check about 2pm (July 5th) (I got a half hour wait around this time).

That's my two cents worth. Have a great trip!

Sweet. I talked my parents into letting us go 2 full days!!
Were going July 5th and July 6th.
I'm praying for everyone to be tired from the crazy 4th of July night and the lines to be shorter. I'm getting really really excited latly. Been dream'n about CP. I konw it's sad but I havn't been there since 2003, and I havn't riden Mantis since 2000 and I'm still wondering if it's one of my favorites.

16 DAYS!!!!!!

It is usually crowded after July 4th, but I hope the lines are short and that you have a good time! ;]

Well I'm leaving in about an hour for the family vacation.
C u at the point!

Hope you have a good time.

Hope you have a good time, and try not to get too frazzled over those rude Breakers Express employees. Make sure you set your alarm clock instead of a wake up call (cause you'll never get it), and don't let them try to charge your parents more than what is on your conformation letter. Oh, and also, I hope your room keys work. ;)