New policy on opening the gates?

Yesterday was my 10th visit to the Po!nt. On the previous nine visits, the gates opened exactly at 10:00 A.M. (Actually, 10:01 A.M. or 10:02 A.M. based on U.S. Naval Observatory time.) Yesterday (Tuesday June 5th), however, I arrived at the Marina gate at 9:45 to see NO line--everyone had already been let in. I headed to Millennium Force to what was already a 20 minute line, and a train of guests came around the final turn at 9:50 A.M.!

Anybody know what’s up here? Are they experimenting with new hours or opening times or something?

I tried to stop into park ops near the end of the day to ask, but they had closed up shop.

If this is a new policy, I’m wondering how it will affect Joe Cool days…?

I noticed on June 2 (day after Coastermania) that they opened at 9 also. We stayed at the camper village and I heard the Star Spangle Banner playing at 9 then I heard Maggie's chain lift. What's up with that?

I've seen times as early as 9:15 this season.. and as late as 10:10... who knows.. hehehehe

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MF 2000 - 269 laps

MF 2001 - 68 laps as of (6/4/01)

Dissention in the ranks about when to open the gates? :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I don't know if I'd call it that Dave.. They have recieved teh phone call to open each time I've been there... So it must be someone in the Park Ops...

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MF 2000 - 269 laps

MF 2001 - 68 laps as of (6/4/01)

My guess is they are trying to be unpredictable with the hopes of easing some of the opening rush? Don't know why they would want to do that unless the workers at the gates are complaining.....

Good guess, putergeek. Disney parks always open earlier than advertised, and that seems to really cut down on the opening "rush".

I think it's sad that a park cannot tell guest a definite opening time.
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Live for FUN!

Don't let life fly by.

Well I just got an email response on the issue. I asked what time the gates would be opening on June 15, the next day I am going. Here's what I was informed:

"On June 15, 2001, Cedar Point's toll booth opens at 8:00 am, the ticket booth opens at 9:00 am, the gates open at 9:30 am and rides start at 10:00 am."

Ok, that's pretty much straight to the point, although it is different from the 10 am opening time we had at the beginning of the year. What I want to know is if the 9:30 am is for everyday, or just certain days.

BTW, the gate opening issue is much like TTR. When they started it, they did a poor job of letting people know what was going on. People argued, especially on this site. Next, they "weakened" it so to say by changing the ticket time from 12-8 to 12-4, like they changed 10 to 9:30. Of course in the end, TTR was thrown out. Maybe this is where the 10am opening is going as well...

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Steuks!! *** This post was edited by Majin Heero on 6/8/2001. ***

I called the Po!nt's General Information number today (419-627-2350, menu option "9") and specifically asked what time the RIDES started running every day. A very polite Veronica told me that the rides start every day at 9:30, with two exceptions: they start at 9:00 on Saturday, and 10:00 on Joe Cool days.

I just checked the "official" Web site calendar; it still lists 10:00 every day.

My next planned trip is Monday, June 11th. I'll stop into park ops and see if they have anything else to add. I'll post back here and let you know!!!

Yep.. as Dave (HotHitz) and I were walking from Friday's through Breakers last night.. we saw the sign listing the opening time as 9:30

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MF 2000 - 269 laps

MF 2001 - 68 laps as of (6/4/01)

best betis to be at gates early, and have patience if need then huh?

Alright, let me get this straight...

Sunday-Friday:
-Gates open at 9:30
-Rides open at 9:30
Saturday:
-Gates open at 9:00
-Rides open at 9:00
Joe Cool ERT days:
-Gates open for JCC at 9:00
-Gates open for GP at 10:00
-Rides start at 9 for JCC and 10 for GP

Is this right?

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Steuks!!

O.K., I stopped at Guest Relations today (booth to the right of the main entrance plaza), and here’s the scoop I got:

Sunday-Friday:
-Gates open at 9:30
-Rides start at 10:00

Saturday:
-Gates open at 9:00
-Rides start at 10:00

Joe Cool ERT days:
-Gates open for JCC at 9:00
-Gates open for GP at 10:00
-Rides start at 9:00 for JCC and 10:00 for GP

I asked about days like Tuesday, June 5th, when I was there and personally saw rides running filled with GP at 9:45. They had “no explanation for that.”

The timetable they gave me today coincides with my actual experience of late. But ya’ always gotta wonder if they’re gunna’ open just a little early…!

Thanks for the info...It is a pain to get to The Point early and find that people are already in line for rides.

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http://www.thepointol.com

Yes, the Joe Cool info is right. But, we noticed they let the crowd up to the end of the Skyride building some time before the park opened for the GP. There was a chain for a barrier between the Skyride and the Midway Market, and one on the other side too. Do they usually do this, or was at an unusually crowded day? I don't think they did it while we were there last season.