Off Season Tour - March 16, 2013

I know this isn't like your typical trip report, especially since the park isn't even open, but I thought it would still be interesting to read about, especially those who didn't go on the tour.

My mom and I arrived at the park around 10:30 in the morning, maybe a little after, and were told to pull up in a line next to the people already there and just wait until we allowed to head back to Breakers. We admired the new view of the park with GateKeeper, took some pictures, listened to music, and looked at the states on the liscense plates of cars that drove past. Mostly Ohio and Michigan, with a few Indiana ones. It was just something fun to pass the time.

Around 11, people starting driving down perimeter road. Suddenly once everyone realized what was happening, everyone tried pulling out at once creating a long line a cars and a little bit of waiting until you could pull out, but eventually we got out and followed the line of cars down perimeter road. I took some pictures along the way, since along Perimeter Road there are some cool perspectives of rides, especially looking up at Millennium Force's hill.

Once at Hotel Breakers, we walked around the coaster trains that were sitting in the parking lot (Dragster and Maverick.) Shoot the Rapids cars were also wrapped up there and nearby were cars from Mantis. We went inside, and waited in a line that wrapped around a lot. It actually wasn't as along as I thought it would be. Also, everyone received bags with packets from Lake Erie Islands. We got our tickets scanned, got our cool shirts, and went outside for the tour to begin.

The tour started by walking over to the main midway. It was really eerie with the park so empty and quiet, but was also really cool at the same time. We walked by Raptor and along by Blue Streak until we reached the picnic shelters. There were stacks and stacks of trash cans inside. Further on there were miscellaneous ride parts but most important of all...GateKeeper Trains! Most of them were wrapped up but some of the seats and fiberglass coverings were opened up, providing for cool photo ops. Then at the end of that picnic shelter, we could look out at GateKeeper's turnaround and could look straight into the keyholes. We couldn't actually step outside since it was a hard hat zone, but it was still really cool.

From there we all walked over near the Midway Carousel. We got a good look at the construction going on at the entrance, and Rob Decker answered any questions people had. Then we walked over towards GateKeeper's station area and plaza. Everyone admired the view and took lots of pictures. After a little while and looking at and soaking everything thing, we were shown renderings of GateKeeper's entrance area and plaza, which were shown in the most recent blog on the park's website. From there we headed back toward Breakers. I think we were all cold by this point, but it was worth it by being able to get this close to GateKeeper.

Soon after, we went into the conference room and had a good lunch of soup, sandwiches, and cookies. When everyone was pretty much done eating, the presentation began. After some introductions and general speeches, Tony Clark took over and led the Q&A sessions. He did a great job with it. It was funny, because someone from the way back would have a question so he would go back there, then he would go all the way up front to have someone else answer. Then someone else from the back had a questions and the process started all over again. Tony was really funny and sarcastic about this and did a great job leading this session. Probably my favorite thing I learned during this session was that the A-Frames are coming down from the restrooms at the front of the park. Then Jeff and Walt talked about Give Kids the World and how this event raised $7,000 for it. We watched a news clip about the organization, and my mom and I were happy that our money went to a cause as great as this. There was also a brief presentation about Lake Erie Island, too.

Unfortunately, the tour and luncheon had ended. I didn't want it to end, but I knew how lucky I waws to be able to go and do what I did. It was a great experience and it got me excited for opening day. Thanks again to Jeff, Walt, and Cedar Point for organizing this awesome event.

Great Report! Thanks for sharing!

The best part was the sharing style in which you narrated your story. It really looks like a travelogue which is because of the beauty of your story.

Haha thanks.