Opening Day 2016

Any concrete date set yet? I thought I remembered somebody stating 5/7/16. The reason I ask is due to online hotel reservations. It allows me to choose 5/6-5/8(Friday & Saturday night) as dates of stay, but not 5/7-5/9(Saturday & Sunday night stay). Online reservations is acting as if park isn't open Monday 5/9/16.

May 7th has been confirmed as opening day.

Good luck with that. I vowed to myself that I would never attend another CP opening day after the debacle that was opening day 2015. It was such a mess that day that I promised myself never to attend. A lot of the marquee rides weren't running and don't even get me started on concessions for that day...wow....I'll be sitting out opening day. I'll go the next weekend.

^ I don't know If I would be that harsh. However, I was mad enough this year to say that 2016, I'm taking a break from Opening Day. Me and Thabto(Brian) will still be there the day after opening day, but Opening day...nope!

I'm not sure much will be different from opening day to the second day of operation. Now if you give it a week for rides, maintenance, and park employees to get into the swing of things, that may be a different story.

We have found that going the 2nd day makes a big difference if nothing else than the crowds are much lower. We gave up on opening day several years ago for that reason.

The difference between opening day and day 2 in 2015 was night and day. There was far less downtime the second day and most everything was near walk-on.

I think with the premier of a world class roller coaster, the park will be more ready this opening day.

I attended 3 CF opening days in 2015 (Point, Carowinds and KD). Each one wasn't the best experience in my opinion. Some friends and I have made it more of a tradition to go the Monday or Tuesday after opening day. Lower crowds, less downtime and overall and better experience.

I've been to two CF opening days. CP in 2008 and Kings Island 2014, when Banshee was new. The Cedar Point one wasn't bad at all. However, the Kings Island one was downright awful. We got off the highway about 8:30, hoping to get early entry for Banshee, and the line for the tolls was backed up to the highway. We didn't even get into the front gate until 9:30. When we got there, they stopped letting people in for early entry, and by the time we got in there was a 5 hour (no, I'm not exaggerating) line for Banshee. The Beast had about a 30 minute wait (shortest wait by far, so we rode it about 6 times), Dimindback was about 2 hours, Firehawk was around 3 hours, Flight of Fear and Backlot were 2, heck, even Vortex had a 1 hour wait. Thank got we got stuck on The Beast and had to be evacuated, because we got 2 front of the line passes (used on Banshee of course.) After that, I don't think I'll go to any opening days in the near future.

I've gone 2nd day for the last two years because it was Mother's Day and I made it clear with very not so subtle hints that mom wants her special lunch to be out of a cooler in the CP parking lot, not a fancy restaraunt.

I've only attended 2 opening days-both 2 CP, 2014 & 2015. 2014 was perfect for our needs in regards to ride times. Food service was lacking both years, but I expected that (pack a cooler!). Maybe sometime in the near future, training can start sooner if possible, do a few serious 'dry runs' maybe. My worst experience had to be Rougarou preview night the day before opening.....DISASTER all the way around. We left Breakers Express @ 5pm hoping to get a decent parking spot, and planned on a tail-gate party until opening. We ended up being 3/4 way deep in lot, no big deal. The true surprise was to see the line of people renewing or buying season passes(to enjoy this special extra night)..it was farther then where we parked. Gate attendants weren't efficient, no employees offering help to those that needed it. Once we actually go inside gates, NONE of the advertised rides were operating, other than Rougarou. I almost felt we were being forced to only ride 'it' or leave. We did get one ride on MagnumXL-and it was awesome(great crew there). My personal guess is CP and its management team didn't plan for the crowds appropriately, or train accordingly. On the flip side for actual 2015 Opening Day, it went good for us-standard wait times and excited guests- all we had hoped for! 2016 opening Day is still up in the air. I'd like to stay @ Hotel Breakers 5/7 thru 5/9- but on-line booking doesn't 'allow' those dates, assuming still setting rates etc...

I'm confused now. This page says that May 7-8th will be a "sneak peak weekend" with the entire park opened and May 9-12 the park will be closed for private events with an "official" opening day on May 13th. I was pretty sure it was confirmed May 7th was opening day. I'm aware I can still go on that weekend, and that the entire park will be opened. That probably explains why you can't make reservations on the 9th, Janeen. It looks like they are doing more of a soft opening, as more of a rehearsal this year before an "official" opening.

Perhaps this will be a way for them to tweak things after two days of operation? While I haven't attended, trip reports indicated opening day was not a very smooth experience the last year or two. Perhaps by calling the first weekend a "sneak peek" it the hope is that guests may have an ounce of goodwill toward the park if things aren't perfect (a very, very, very tall order for some I realize) and may discourage someone from planning a "once in a lifetime" trip on a weekend designated as a sneak peek? Just a thought.

In addition to then having a few days to adjust and make note of what may have been a struggle the first weekend, the closed days the following week may also help with what is likely a staff shortage at that time of year, and they may be able to get some school groups in without having to have a fully functional park open to the public.

I think it is a good idea. It's a win for the guest experience and gives the park a few days to tweak and tinker before gearing up for a long season. And everyone will still get to ride their rolly coasters on the 7th.

Given these new developments, I don't want to hear any griping about them not being ready for a SOFT OPENING. ;)

If that sneak peak weekend is accurate, its a welcome change after the disaster that was this year's opener. The park hasn't had the ability to properly prepare for opening day for the better part of a decade, so by finally admitting it people aren't misled into thinking the park is fully operational when it opens.

I don't think the park admitted anything about not being fully operational. This sentence in the sneak peak description, "The park will be fully operational these two days and opened to all", says the opposite.

I was planning a trip in May. Looking @ the comments tells me to wait until the park's open for a week or so. I don't need to be there for opening day in any event. Mid-week is just fine with me. Hotel rates will be a little more reasonable as well.

They must have edited that page since yesterday because it wasn't there yesterday when I posted that link. I inquired about that weekend and they told me that they will be normal operating days. I know it's just a test run to see how that weekend plays out and then make any necessary adjustments for the official opening day. And it will give staff more hands-on experience. I actually think it's a good idea. I'm still planning on going up May 8th to spend my birthday at the park.

Thabto said:

I'm confused now. This page says that May 7-8th will be a "sneak peak weekend" with the entire park opened and May 9-12 the park will be closed for private events with an "official" opening day on May 13th. I was pretty sure it was confirmed May 7th was opening day. I'm aware I can still go on that weekend, and that the entire park will be opened. That probably explains why you can't make reservations on the 9th, Janeen. It looks like they are doing more of a soft opening, as more of a rehearsal this year before an "official" opening.

From a fan page? I am not sure I would trust a fan site...