Strategy for Out-Of-Towner and Her 8-Year-Old Daughter

Hi everyone,

My daughter and I are planning a trip to Cedar Point next week, and I wanted your thoughts.

I grew up in NE Ohio. So I know strategies for finding short lines... go on a T,W,Th, get there at opening, start in the back of the park, take an early afternoon break and do late afternoon/evening. Look for days with a chance (but not a big chance) of rain.

However, now I live in Western Canada, and my 8-year-old daughter has only ever been to Disney parks and a pathetic local amusement park named Calaway Park. She is now 52.5 inches tall.

We can have only one day at Cedar Point since the grandparents understandably want their granddaughter time. We arrive at grandparents on a Tuesday, so we can go on Wed. Aug 20, Thurs. Aug 21, or Sun, Aug 24, or Mon Aug 25. However, Aug 20 and 25 might not be such good days as they are directly after and before the long trip from/to Calgary.

Anyway, here's the thing. She's a brave girl. She went on Space Mountain when she was 4. I couldn't see her during the ride but afterwards she calmly said "I liked it, but I never want to go on it again." When she was 6, she loved all the Disney coasters (Space Mountain, Himalaya)...but did not like the Tower of Terror. This summer she has been bragging to her friends that she isn't going to Calaway Park because she's going to the roller coaster capital of the world instead! She's very proud and excited.

If I was with a non-newbie, I'd go do MF first, then Maverick second. If I was buying FP, I'd do Maverick first. If I had FP+, we would probably start more gently with Mine Ride, Gemini. Then do Magnum, Mean Streak, Maverick, Millenium, Iron Dragon, going around the back.

I figured since we are coming from so far away, the FP may be worth it. Heck it costs $100/day to get into a Disney park. However, being an Ohio native, I would have been the ones resenting the whole FP system. FP+ seems ridiculously expensive too. I might not need a FP at all on those days. But if I don't get one, will I be tempted to have Millenium be my daughter's first roller coaster ride at CP? Will we spend the day being guided by the line lengths instead of how our day is going? Is the FP still helpful on light days, say reducing a 20 minute wait to 10 minutes?

We moved away right after they installed MF, so there's a lot of rides I haven't been on. I hope she'll be as game as she's acting right now, so we get to try them. However, if I traumatize her on her first trip, it may be hard to come back next year...

Another thing, I worry that people in the regular line will be rude to us using those Fast Passes. I don't want to have to explain to strangers that we live 2000 miles away, that 36 hours of drive time is enough to have to wait to get on a ride... that we only have one day.

Anyway, thoughts? suggestions? I'm so excited... its been so long! Now I know how my dad felt the day he took me on the Big Dipper at Geauga Lake (my first roller coaster)!

Actually the 25th(Mon)would be the day for no/short lines. That week CPs' hours are shorter because they lose all their college help and schools are back in. I'll be going M,T,W,TH because rides will be onto the platforms and pick your seat,that's the way it's been in past years. Sunday 24th could be good if everyone is waiting for Labor Day weekend or HalloWeekends to start. Of 20th or 21st,I'd pick 20th.
Hopefully others will post up !

Not sure if this helps you but we have had season passes for the past 2 years for my 7 (almost 8) year old so he has been to the park several times. He went to Disney this year and loved Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Everest. At CP he likes Iron Dragon, Mine Ride and Gemini. With that said, there are a ton of flat and smaller rides that he really loves and we walk right on most of them (troika, tilt a whirl, bumper cars, flying swings, flying eagles, pipe scream etc.). I think you will find that there are so many rides for her to try for the first time that you won't have to worry about fast passes.

shamrockcb said:
With that said, there are a ton of flat and smaller rides that he really loves and we walk right on most of them (troika, tilt a whirl, bumper cars, flying swings, flying eagles, pipe scream etc.). I think you will find that there are so many rides for her to try for the first time that you won't have to worry about fast passes.

Thank you for your advice. Maybe we should hold off the fast passes and just aim for a good day to go.

Unfortunately we will have to skip all the multiple spinning rides as I get sick on them. She has already been on troika, tilt-a-whirl, monster, bumper cars, antique cars, and flying swings at home at our tiny local amusement park anyway. She gets frustrated with controlling bumper cars, but we can try again. We'll also go on the car rides (cady, turnpike).

Nevertheless, I'm hoping to ride more things unique to Cedar Point to make the trip worthwhile. Cedar Downs is the only really unique level 3 "moderate thrill" ride, and its not too "spinny".

How spinny is Pipe Scream? I'm not sure if I'd get sick on that or not.

I'll really find out how much of a daredevil she is when we go. She's not afraid of speed when she's skiing - she's way faster than even her dad. She's not afraid of height as we hiked the Highline trail at Glacier NP a few weeks ago. Hopefully this is a good indicator for roller coasters.

Thanks so much again!

Dennis Urban said:
Actually the 25th(Mon)would be the day for no/short lines. That week CPs' hours are shorter because they lose all their college help and schools are back in. I'll be going M,T,W,TH because rides will be onto the platforms and pick your seat,that's the way it's been in past years. Sunday 24th could be good if everyone is waiting for Labor Day weekend or HalloWeekends to start. Of 20th or 21st,I'd pick 20th.
Hopefully others will post up !

Thanks so much for the great advice!

If their college help has gone home, who are running the rides? Will that mean they'll be running fewer trains? Will all the rides still be open?

If I decide to give myself a day cushion between my travel days and Cedar Point, which would you choose, Thursday Aug 21 or Sunday Aug 24?

I'm really tempted to go that Monday Aug 25, and just not worry about how we feel for the trip back to Alberta...

One thing to keep in mind about Monday is that since they close earlier you have 2 hours less of park time and you won't get to have much time in the dark. I really love the way the park is lit up these days. It's a really magical atmosphere, different than what it was last time you were there. If you expect your daughter to wear out before the end of the day then it won't really matter though. Just something to consider. When I leave the park during daylight I feel like I've missed something.

OK - I'll be the contrarian.

You are driving 2000 miles in 36 hours for a one day visit to CP? A day that may or may not be repeated in the near future?

Buy FL+ and have "The best day ever".

Not only will you be able to ride every ride in the park, but you will be able to ride the ones she enjoys most, multiple times.

With FL+ you will be able to take the park at your own pace, and enjoy absolutely everything that CP has to offer.

It will not matter which day you go - pick what works best for you - although I would pick a day with maximum hours of operation.

I have never had anyone give me grief about FL nor have I ever seen it when I was in the regular line and not using FL.

Don't underestimate the value of being able to repeat a great ride experience. Having your first amazing ride on MF - you will want to ride it again. If you just waited 1+ hours for the first ride, you are not likely to do that again as there are only so many hours in your short visit to the Point.

Your daughter is only 8 once - make the most of it.

I would suggest that you don't buy Fast Lane until you get to the park. If the line isn't to the merge point for most rides, you wasted your money and that would defeat the purpose of getting it. Check the wait times for the major rides and then make a decision on getting them.

Well we are coming 2000 miles to see grandparents, but we are stealing a day from the grandparents to go to Cedar Point because we have nothing like it within 1000 miles.

I'm sort of thinking "best day ever" too. Just don't want it to be wasted. Is FL+ still beneficial on light days like the ones coming up? If it even saves 10-20 minutes per ride, it'd be worth it... If it saves 1 hour each on 4 rides it'd be worth it, assuming my daughter will ride those rides. She is willing now, but hasn't seen how big and loud the rides are in person.

Are there 8-year-olds who happily go on all the major rides, like MF and Mav and GK? Its not unheard of, right? When I was little, I went on everything as soon as I was tall enough, but rides weren't as big and fast then, and my parents took me every year. I'm going to remind her that she skis as fast as a few of those coasters and down bigger hills (though probably not so steep) and without any seat belts or safety restraints, see how she feels.

You are right, Paisley, I've never seen Cedar Point so pretty at night. I was just checking out the live webcams.

There is no discount or benefit to purchasing FL ahead of time as it will cost the same the day you get there as if you buy it ahead of time today.

A few weeks I took my family to KI, it was the first time my wife and I had been there since about 97ish... I have 2 children, ages 2 and 7 - my son loves riding coasters and will ride anything he is tall enough for (he is 49" tall). We arrived at KI for the 30 minute early entry and went on some kid rides and I was able to go on Diamondback without much wait.

I'd say around 11am the lines started to get about 20-30 minutes long for the big coasters there. While this is a great crowd for our days at CP I know this will be our only KI trip this year, and maybe even the next few years. My wife loves Raptor and really wanted to ride Banshee, but she did not want to wait the 20 minutes for it. I said ok, be right back - I went and bought her and I the FL+ and our son the regular FL. This was around noon and let me tell you it was a great decision to do it. We were able to ride everything we wanted to ride multiple times, and still have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the atmosphere of the park.

Because I knew I had the option of buying the FL if I needed it I was not worried about how big the crowds will be. My advice is to go whatever day is easiest and most convenient for you, and if the crowds are big - buy the FL passes for you and your daughter. You will not regret it.

Have a great trip to the Point, I bet the 2 of you will make some memories she wont forget!

If their college help has gone home, who are running the rides? Will that mean they'll be running fewer trains? Will all the rides still be open?

Not all that work there are college bound,those that have left are replaced by hires(trained and ready). As stated in the recent posts,you don't need to buy fastlane ahead of time.
When ALL rides are running,TTD-MF-Mav have the longer lines,even GateKeeper is quick lines.

Don't forget to give us a trip report !

Obviously I can't speak for your 8yr old, but my Katie was riding everything she was tall enough for at 8yrs old and was disappointed she couldn't ride those she wasn't tall enough for. At 9 she could ride anything in the park and was trilled at them all. She can't decide which she loves the most MF, TTD or Maverick. She always wants to ride them more than once.

I agree - don't by FL+ until you are there, but I would suspect the crowds to be large enough for you to need it - so plan on it.

Don't worry about the staff change-over. All rides will be open and staffed with experienced ride-ops. You will not notice the difference.

My daughter was 6 the first time she did Millennium Force, Maverick, Gatekeeper, etc... And loved every minute of it. Now that she's 7 and 54", she rides EVEEYTHING! I'd start with something like Maverick. Its not as "big" as the other coasters so she may not be as intimidated by it.

I will say we've never bought FL at CP because we have passes and are only 4 hours from the park. I went a few years ago with friends, no passes, and on a Saturday. FL was a requirement that day!

^ My nephew is 7 and he's only 49" inches. I'm still hoping he can bust out at least 3 more inches for next season so he can ride almost everything.

As long as you don't go on a weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) you should be fine with rides, especially in the morning/early afternoon. Definitely with to buy FL tip you get there and see the crowds for the day.

If your daughter is good with all the Disney roller coasters, then the next step up in my opinion from Space Mountain would be either, Corkscrew if upside down isn't a huge deal, or Blue Streak. Although a smaller ride I feel Blue Streak is under rated and a lot more intense than people think. After that, maybe move up to Gemini and then Magnum or Maverick. After that she should be good to go on any ride. But thats my opinion, what way I think would work best could be the worst for your daughter. Just see what she wants to do when you get there and have fun!

Sunday's are generally not bad crowd wise. Usually it's only busy if the day after is a holiday.

You know, all this time I was thinking that the Fast Lane passes were only sold at the gate. I don't know why I was thinking that. So anyway, I just googled it and found out you can get them all over within the park. So now, knowing this doesn't mean a lot of extra walking (and that they aren't going to sell out), the wait and see approach makes the most sense.

Blue Streak would be a great first ride, but I would like to start in the back of the park. I think I'll start with Dara's suggestion of Maverick first thing. If she likes it, we'll go for it and try MF. If the line for that is 45m or longer, we'll just get the FP's. If she instead wants to tone it down after Maverick, we'll go to Mine Ride and Gemini next. She did Space Mountain when she was 4, and "Expedition Everest" at Animal Kingdom when she was 6 years old and loved it, so at age 8, I think its a good plan. I like the idea that its not too intimidating looking. We'll have to see how she feels.

I'm still not sure of the day, as interesting weather seems to be moving in, and for example Thursday has between 40 and 90 POP depending on which weather forecast you look at. I guess we'll just decide the day before.

Thanks everyone for your input! I will post a trip report afterwards. First visit to Cedar Point in over 10 years. I can't wait!

Words of advice for Maverick,stiffen your neck muscles and use the grab bars to keep yourself centered. Lot of rapid/quick changes of direction. You'll learn/find out. I love the ride,#3 after TTD & MF.

We have done trips each of the last two years with our then-7 and now-8 yo daughter. Last year she was 50" and this year she hit 52". All children are different, but I would be cautious about going with Maverick anywhere near first. That's a real-deal coaster that may set her back a few years in wanting to ride stuff. My strategy was pretty simple. I had my kid (last year) do Iron Dragon, then Gemini, then Gemini in the front seat, then Magnum, then MF. I chose this progression as these rides are mostly smooth, steel-based tracks that are relatively smooth and slowly increase the heights and g-forces. I told her at every step along the way that she didn't have to ride anything she didn't want to do, but that this would be the order she had to progress through. Interestingly, she only paused about progressing after the Gemini front seat ride. I think the head-chop element might have gotten to her a bit. Anyway, she progressed through this last year as a 7 yo and really had fun. This year she was able to add Gatekeeper, TTD, Power Tower, Maverick and others as she was taller. Last year I told her that if you can ride MF you can ride any coaster on the planet, and she really took that as a goal and a badge of honor. It's still her favorite coaster, even though she loves Maverick, Gatekeeper and says TTD is "just something else."

I'm not sure about your financial situation, but if FL+ can be in the budget, do it. it'll save you 10 or 15 mins on lots of rides and will really add up. an hour or more on others. and why aren't the grandparents coming with you to the park? there's nothing like watching kids get their first roller coaster credentials, and CP is the best place to do it. as far as which day you go, I'd watch the weather once you get into town and just choose the best weather day. no need to risk a weather issue if you only get 1 day.

regardless what you decide, please come back and post with a trip report. there's nothing like seeing/hearing about passing along the love of thrill rides to the next generations.

ride on!
PJ

Hi everyone,

I've posted my trip report in the trip reports section.

We went yesterday. The only disappontment was that Iron Dragon was down. However, I can't complain because THERE WERE NO LINES FOR ANY RIDES ANYWHERE, and the weather was wonderful.

It would have been a complete waste to by fast passes. I felt a bit embarrassed for the few who had them. Better to have the free drink wristbands for those who had bought tickets over the internet.

PJ had asked about grandparents. Unfortunately, they are not healthy enough to walk around the park for 10 hours, anymore. However, 10 years ago, my dad would ride all the rides on a senior ticket and joke about how he was the oldest kid in the line. His favorite coaster was the Millenium, last time he came.

Anyway, thanks for all the tips and suggestions. Hopefully, we'll make it a yearly thing now when we visit the grandparents.

Elizabeth