Regular breaks during the shift?/ Supper

Hey everyone, I was offered a job as a ride host (I don't know what ride they will put me on) at Cedar Point on Friday but I asked if I could think about it until Monday. I know that Cedar Point employees work 6 days a week and long hours but are there regular shift breaks? And how often are they? I tried googling the answer but all I got were horror stories on how terrible Cedar Point treats their employees but I don't really believe them. (It also says if you get sick, they won't provide a "real" doctor unless you pay $100 up front. Is that true?)

And on a whole new topic, what does everyone do for supper? I heard that employee dining centers aren't open for supper and employees aren't allowed microwaves/any other cooking machines in dorm rooms due to safety hazards. Does everyone go out to eat every night? What do you do if you work til close?

I'm trying to make my decision fairly quickly so for past employees what was your favorite/least favorite part on working at Cedar Point?

It depends on the shift that you'll work. Generally, you get a 15 minute break for every 2 hours that you work. So if you work an O-6 (9:20-6) you'll get a 45 and a 15. We have a clinic and first aid that employees can use for free. If you do have a problem more severe than they can handle, you'll probably have to go to the urgent care, and depending on the insurance you have... yeah.

The cafe is open late. Honestly, I've never had an instance where I couldn't eat because the cafe was closed. In commons, there is a Subway in the rec center and there's also the commons store (you can buy like hot pockets, bagel bites, deep dish pizzas, etc).

My crew last year went out pretty much every night last season. So I mean, it depends on your group of friends and your crew.

The shifts aren't bad, you can get split shifts where you work from open to 1:30 then from 1:30 to 6 you get to do whatever you want. Stay in the park, go to soak city, take a nap, whatever you want. If you work an open to close you get a 45 minute break and then a second break that's 30 minutes long.

At the point doctors, you have to pay a $20 co-pay that comes directly out of your check so you don't have to have the money in your pocket. From what I remember, you only have to pay the $20 on your first visit. If the doctor prescribes you anything, chances are that they have it at the doctors office and it also comes out of your paycheck.

For dinner, there's a subway in commons where you can get an employee discount on any sub that isn't the $5 foot long. In the commons dorms there is a community microwave that you can use. I brought my own microwave last season and no one told me I couldn't have it.

My favorite part about working rides is that I get to see guests 100% happy, even if lines are long, once they get on a ride they are the happiest they could be. Last season I had several guests come up to my crew and tell us that we made their day with how well we handle situations and how much fun it is to be on our ride. There are some guests that may annoy you, but at the same time they just want to have the best day possible. The memories you make will make the job amazing.

My least favorite was that it was over so fast, my crew was my family during the summer. Skyhawk was like my baby, it kills me now knowing its all cold and possibly covered in snow right now ;-;

Thank you guys for the advice. :) I'm fairly confident I will accept the job but I'm the type of person that wants to be 110% sure before I act. I'm a bit nervous because the experience is so new and I'm a bit of an introvert but I enjoy meeting new people.

I'm not sure if I'll take a car to Cedar Point, but is there another way to get to a local grocery store/ stores like Wal-Mart? Or should I bring a car? Is there free parking for employees? I noticed on Cedar Point Operations 2012 facebook page, a lot of people said they would bring cars. Does the majority of employees bring cars?

Some do, some don't. There is a bus that will take you to and from Walmart and a few other places but it isn't 100% reliable. Parking is free,myou get a sticker so you don't have to pay to get into work.

I would want to live in Commons Dorm, is there parking near or next to the dorm that is free as well? How do you get a sticker?

Parking is free at housing as well. There is "princess" parking which is just outside of the 1500's building (Commons Dorms). There is also the EVC lot, which is over the bridge. Even if you have to park over at the EVC lot, it's a 3 - 5 minute walk from the gate. When you process in, the office manager will ask you if you have a car. If you do, you have to fill out a form with the model and make of your car, etc. Then you take that to the toll booth and they will give you a sticker.

My advice is to bring your car. It's a lot more convenient just to get into my car and drive where I need to go, rather than relying on the bus. Plus, you never know when the bus is going to be full.

09 - Breakers Boutique

10 - Emporium

11 - Costume Character for the Peanuts Gang

12 - ???

After you take your training classes, you'll get a paper that you take to the main toll booth and someone will come out and put the sticker on your car. There is parking right outside of commons as well as a larger lot across the street that is connected by a foot bridge that leads you straight to commons

Miss Julia,

As far as the healthcare is concerned, CP does have an employee clinic (staffed with a physician and Nurse Practioner) at least 5 days a week-which is available to employees for a $20 first time fee and $10 for each time thereafter. They can prescribe medications and act in a family MD capacity. The first aid station is staffed for minor injuries and equipped to take people to the local ER if needed. The first aid station can also pick up presriptions as a courtesy to employees who may not be able to get them. As far as the "money up front rumor"-it is a rumor. The only instance in which money is required up front is with the private healthcare provider/Dental services in sandusky, in the instance that one doesnt have insurance (MI medicaid) or is an international employee.

Hope this helps!

Dear SunshineSweetie,

Thank you for the clarification. I was a bit scared when I first read that, but its good to know that is it totally false. :)

-Miss Julia

You really have to take the horror stories lightly. Just because you heard of someone hating their time there, doesn't mean you will either. And I think that shows by how many people come back year after year. I've worked since 2005 and hope to be back this year. Your experience is whatever you make it. Make friends, hang out with them and have fun and you'll love it. If you go into it thinking I'm going to have a bad time, then you probably will. Go in open minded ready for everything, it is a lot of fun and you will meet people who you will be friends with for a long time.You will have days where you just don't want to work, but the first kid you see that is having a great time and laughing, your day will change.

Exactly. For every horror story, you can probably find at least 10 people who loved working there. It's pretty much all about your attitude. If you're more concerned about partying and socializing than you are about your job (which will take up a majority of your life during the summer) then you probably won't be happy.