Opening day: little things with little ones

We drove home from Baltimore to Ann Arbor on Opening Day, and seeing as how the park is right there, figured we would stop off for several hours in the late afternoon and have dinner in the park instead of on the turnpike somewhere.

This was with the munchkins, both under 4 feet, so it was a no-coaster day for me except for Woodstock Express, which had at most a one-train wait during the afternoon. I would have gotten on Jr. Gemini too, but my son chickened out at the last minute. ;)

Even though we were there for only a short while, and the biggest thing I rode was the sky ride, it was still a great afternoon, mainly because of the little touches on the part of the employees throughout the day. It started at the entrance turnstyles. The entrance host made a big show of scanning my daughter's pass (it is her first one ever), and gave me a very sincere "enjoy your season, Brian!"

This just set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. The Krazy Kars op walked out onto the middle of the floor and gave a demonstration to make sure all the kids knew where the gas pedal was. Russell, my two year old, got the widest grin on his face when he figured out that he could make the car go anywhere he wanted!

A supervisor in Midway Market (from the Pgh Culinary Institute of America) came by to chat with the kids and see how they were doing. She (the supervisor) was clearly having a ball.

The ride op on the sky ride who helped Erica on for her very first trip. "Daddy, look, there's a roller coaster! Look, a playground! Look!" It was darn cold up there, but I wouldn't have been anywhere else.

And finally, the (many) trips around Peanuts 500 with both kids, who practically couldn't breathe they were laughing so hard. It bodes well for the season, as last year Russell couldn't stand anything with lateral G's. And, if you've never been on the Peanuts 500, you might want to try it at least once; it's a good little whip. Not Kennywood's, but not bad.

A great way to start the season!

Right there is what Cedar Point is all about, if you ask me. Look at the memories those kids will have. I still remember some of my trips when I was very young. Great TR, Brian!!

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Jeff Shumway

~no replacement for displacement, except for that big freakin' turbo hanging on the front...

Of all the TRs this season, this is the one I've enjoyed the most.

I bet your daughter loves having her first season pass. I threatened to buy my son a season pass, even though he's only 9 months old :) As it turns out, the fine people in the season pass center let him sit in on my picture. So, in a way, he has his first season pass ;)

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com
*** This post was edited by Gemini 5/6/2003 12:15:06 PM ***

Things like this make me love CP even more. The friendly employees and the atmosphere. I love taking my 6 and 7 year old nephews to CP and watch them have fun, it's quite the time.

Oh I can't wait to go! Our kids have been studying the park map from last year all winter long and it seems that since our last visit their last September they've been asking... "Can we go to Cedar Point?" "When does Cedar Point open?" They are so excited! Thanks for a great Trip Report Brian!

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Cheri
1 Kid, 2 Kids, 4 Kids, 5... Coasters, Cones, French Fries, & Smiles.
Making Memories... Cedar Point!

That's what I like to hear...a trip report that shows you don't need coasters to have a great time at CP!!

Some of my fondest memories are the ones when my son (now 17) was 5 and we took him to CP for the first time. There is nothing like seeing the wonder and joy on a child's face.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm