Magnum entrance (and parking) question

My friends and I are making our first trip down to Cedar Point without our parental/familia units. We're all set, planning to leave Sunday morning at 7am and ready to rush Dragster the second the gates open to the public.

I have a question or two, though: 1) When first driving into the park, do I/should I say anything to the toll booth ops about parking in the Magnum lot? I heard something along the lines of staying to the left and putting on the left signal... and 2) On a Sunday morning, is the Magnum gate very crowded? (Yeah... asking about crowds...)

Yes, stay to the left and tell them you are going to Soak City. That enterance is usually less busy than the main one.

MrScott

Good idea, but if TTD is down it's a long hike to MF. It's a gamble most are willing to take.

Why go to MF when Magnum is so much closer and a much better ride, not to mention while everyone rushes to MF after noticing TTD is closed you should be able to get 2-3 (maybe more) rides in on Magnum before the lines start getting bad.

John

I have a question, if your going to Hotel Breakers, isn't there a lane you get in before the toll booths? Do you know which lane it is?

-Eagle-

Just stay to the left, use the left most toll booth, and then follow the road to the left that goes around the perimeter.

You'll go past the Gemini/soak city lot and past a guard in his booth to the lot right in front of Breakers (its reserved for hotel guests only)

John

Thanks everyone!

JuggaLotus: Our "contingency plan" (sp?) is to hit Magnum if Dragster is closed. A few summers ago, I remember getting a good 10 laps on Magnum first thing in the morning before the crowds started to grow in the station. Granted, that was before Dragster opened right across the midway, but I imagine we'll be fine anyways.

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MrScott said:
Yes, stay to the left and tell them you are going to Soak City. That enterance is usually less busy than the main one.

MrScott

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Here's a question -- Why tell the guard that you're going to Soak City? Why not just tell him that you want to park nearer to the Magnum entrance?

Why tell them anything? Once you pay for parking, just drive back there.

*** Edited 7/9/2004 5:57:06 PM UTC by Walt***

Point to DB, Point to Walt. To be honest, I never thought of that. Must be this damn alzhiemers... ;)

OK, wait. Now I know why!

THAT CP employee is the first chance to communicate with someone who represents CP, many times after a long drive. "Hello, I am finially HERE", feelings come to mind. Makes sense to me, but it still may be a load of crap.

MrScott

Just trying to help clear up a misconception that you need special permission to go anywhere other than the main parking lot.

Do they even ask where you're going? I don't know, I just wave and drive through.

Although I would strongly advice against doing this during the morning rush, you could - in theory - use any of the tolls booths and just signal that you want to turn left. I've done that myself during the slower afternoon period when the far left lane backs up. Granted, 99% of the time, I'm coming up Cedar Point Rd. anyway.

I always offered, "We're going to LP, HB, SC..." before they had to ask me, so I don't know if they even do.

MrScott

Another parking tip: If the orange cone/stick things are forming something that looks like another lane to the left of the double yellow lines... take it as a hint that it is a lane. I promise, it is.

A few weeks ago Kristin Marie and I passed up about 10 minutes worth of toll booth traffic by using the lane that doesn't look like a lane. I'm sure other CP regulars will tell you the same.

Another tip: If you are staying at the Breakers make sure you have proof that you have a reservation, such as your confirmation letter. The gaurd at the "shack" that separates the HB lot will give you a hard time if you don't have that.

Every time we have gone this year, the Magnum has been a complete walk-on pleasure for the first hour to hour and a half. Pretty much starting at 9:50am and cranking right along. Even once when TTD was down it was no big deal. You wait 1 dispatch, maybe 2. It's been great. When Magnum thickens up, go ride the Gemini for a while. The cool thing about Dragster and the Force is that everyone in line for them isn't in front of you at the Magnum. Another reason to love the Laser Show, too.

I've been parking in the Soak City lot for ages and never been questioned.

So:

The best place to park is in the Magnum/Soak City lot?

We're looking to get on TTD first, so would this plan work:

- One ride on TTD.

- A few rides on Magnum.

?!

Answer = appreciated and welcomed, obviously. ;)

In my opinion, the answer to your question would be "yes".

MrScott

Yup, the Soak City lot is going to be your best bet. After you park, walk toward and under Magnum on the left side of the road. Once you pass the Challenge Park go-karts, you should find the gate. If you have any trouble, just find an employee and ask.