Parents at the Point

Well fellow Pointbuzzers, it was bound to happen one of these years. My wife is pregnant with our first child, who will be arriving in September. For the first time in as long as I can remember, we wont be renewing our season passes, and will undoubtedly miss Mav's opening season.

This is more or less simply a post of reflection, but I find it interesting how in an instant, my thoughts of Cedar Point now focus on the more family-oriented rides. I now officially miss White Water Landing! :)

As hard as it is to let it truly settle in that I am a "dad", I suddenly cannot wait to be able to watch the little guy (or gal) go in circles on the little car rides like I did...take the first ride on Junior Gemini and Woodstock Express.

So you all have a responsibility to ride Mav for me so I can live vicariously through you over the summer!

Of course...I'm also looking forward to using the "Parent swap" line program for Mav in 2008!

I kind of feel that way about my little sister. I just can't wait until she is tall enough to go on the coasters with the rest of my family.

Congrats Kevinj!! All the happiness to you and your soon to be family.:)
I still have a long road to travel till I become a father, but I have my 2 year old nephew to start with.....and one way or another, he WILL become a CP fanboy.;)

Here's to hoping I never reproduce. :)

Congratulations!

There's nothing like sharing a passion you have with your child! You will love introducing your child to the Point! Too bad your next 6 years are stuck in Camp Snoopy! Just kidding! Congrats again!

Congratulations, kevinj! Speaking as a father of a five year old, having a child certainly changes the Cedar Point experience...but definitely in a good way. What I always try to do is have separate days for Ava and I (usually including my wife or my mom, also) and other occasions that are for me, which are all about getting that thrill ride fix. But certainly, Camp Snoopy and the skyride, the train, the Giant Wheel, all those family rides, become the 'marquee' attractions. And each year the mix of rides changes, with some rides dropping off and new rides able to be ridden. But hey, don't necessarily write off this season completely. You can take your wife, and just spend a few hours strolling the park or riding the gentle rides she can enjoy. Welcome to fatherhood!

Congrats, Dad to be!!

MrScott

Oh Kevinj, how wonderful! You will find CP to grow to mean way more as you experience it anew through your childs eyes. Camp Snoopy is great, as is time spent in the playground area. You will find it bittersweet as your child grows from beeping the horns, to riding Woodstock Express, to their first "big ride" (like Disaster Transport) that gives them their first butterflies. CP is more than an amusement park to us. It is precious family time that brings us back together for a couple of days, physically & mentally as we leave behind the pressures & stress of our individual worlds. You could argue that any vacation could do that, but we have found a collective love for CP, & draw closer because of it. There is something for each of us, & still many family things for all to enjoy together. (Except of course the loss of my log ride, but that's another thread!!)

And hey, I went 7 months prego (twice) & still enjoyed just being there. I rode the train, walked through the craft shops in Frontier Town etc., so you should still go this year if you both want.

Congrats! You are entering a wonderful time in your life that nothing compares to! Got names picked out?

Thanks for all your kind posts. I sort of thought it would be locked and dismissed into the depths of Pointbuzz-post obsqurity, but it is interesting to here other parents' experiences and ideas.

Being the CP junkies that we are, my wife and I have indeed toyed with the idea of travelling up to CP sometime in the second trimester (everyone keeps telling us that she will feel really good during those 3 months). Then again, a year off from CP will make the drive up the causeway in '08 all the more amazing. We'll just have to wait and see how everything unfolds.

It sounds like CP has been a nothing short of a great experience for those with little kids.

Yeah and in 2008 when you go you can look at the new 500 footer thats going in!

;) Just incase

^^Probably not until 2010.

Id give it a lil longer than that, and by then it'll probably be a 600 footer. lol

Congratulations kevinj! I concur with Good Grief as far as the family experience and doing CP while pregnant. I have kids too and it is our "happy place". If your wife is in good health there is no reason you can't enjoy a trip to CP. In fact it may even be good for you both. If she's tired, let her relax at the pool or spa and you can meet up with other coaster fans for a few rides and join her later. The only reason we didn't do CP when my kids were in womb was because we were too broke. We still did all the same physical activities that would be experienced at CP minus the rides. Perhaps you should go opening weekend while it is still cool out and she is still relatively early on in her term. Happy Fathering!!

First, I can't believe I was able to find this old thread. After a long summer of waiting, doctor appointments and "diaper hoarding", Kylah finally said hello to the world a few weeks ago.

Now the REALLY good news (just kidding, Kylah)...

30 years of consecutive visits to the Point were about to end.

The season pass streak did indeed end.

Then...the mother-in-law of all people decides that we need a break, and wants to bring her RV up to East Harbor state park so that we can come up to the Point for the first time this season...on closing day!

And there was much rejoicing.

So please, say a little prayer for good weather on closing day. Pretty please? :)

-Kevin J

congrats

Everynight. "Lord, Allow kevinj to enjoy his days at The Point. And let the weather be perfect. Amen." :) Good enough?

congrats and i will ride maverick as many times for you as possible :D

Congrats on the birth of the child! Good weather and good health wishes to your family on your trip to the point.

Happy birthday Kylah! And you bet I'm already praying for good closing day weather.

^Yes. It will be our only visit to the point this season after spending all summer thinking we would have no chance. Yes, we could have gone while my wife was pregnant, but honestly I would have too much guilt being able to ride the coasters while she just watched; so we both made the sacrifice together.

My daughter only has to grow 15 more inches to get on Jr. Gemini! :)