Hi everyone. First time here on your boards. Hope to get info I need or maybe you can direct me to where I can -- but be nice. :) OK: the facts first. Husband & myself driving from MA & staying 4 nights at Hotel Breakers towers - 3 days at park/area. He's the coaster fan --my back limits what I can ride -- but I do push my limit. Only live once ya know. Just visit the chiropractor when I get home.
OK, some of my questions for now. First, I saw the whole $3 soda thread. Are you allowed to bring water bottles of your own into the park? How about snacks - like cookies.... (We always do at WDW.) Also, does anyone carry a small backpack at CP -- or will I have to force myself to get by with a fannypack. How much are lockers? If going to SoakCity, then back into CP - do you just throw clothes over your wet suits?
Also, considered Sandcastle Suites, but the walk looked like a pain in the butt. Any comments? Decided on Breakers towers since closer to gate.
Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Are you allowed to bring water bottles of your own into the park? How about snacks - like cookies....Well, if I have bought pop from there and brought it in an out of the gate. As long as its a 20oz Pepsi Product I don't think they could tell where you got it. Technically you can't bring any food into the park.
Also, does anyone carry a small backpack at CP -- Sure you can, you just can't take it on some rides.
How much are lockers? 75 cents or $1 for larger ones
If going to SoakCity, then back into CP - do you just throw clothes over your wet suits? There are locker rooms, so I suggest you change unless you don't mind feeling wet. You have to wear regular cloths in the park though, not bathing suits on coasters.
Also, considered Sandcastle Suites, but the walk looked like a pain in the butt. Any comments? The walk is actually pretty nice along the beach and you can get a shuttle if you want. I stayed in both Sandcastle and Breakers, you can't go wrong either way.
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My CP and coaster pics
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Brent Haley
Gemini Crew '02
Well since I consider myself a CP veteran who has been to WDW a number of times I will try to "prepare" you for your trip.
First thing you will notice is CP is not as spread out as WDW...Soak City is right outside the Park, which is located right next to the Hotel...It may look like a "long" walk but everything is relatively close.
The BIG difference is CP is a RIDE PARK...not a THEME park. The collection of rides offered is second to none. While I have had some great EXPERIENCES on most of the attractions at WDW there are very few rides at WDW that I want to get right back on as soon as I finish riding...However, most of the CP rides give me that RIDE AGAIN feeling.
Another big difference I noticed is the food selection. CP has quite an array of Midway food (more along the lines of Carnival Midway food) All of your favorite items are available up and down the Midway...Be sure to have some of the Frnch Fries...YUM YUM...Anyhow, CP does have a limited number of "sit down" restraunts..For VALUE, Midway Market offers all you can eat buffet and the food is great. There are a few other places inside the park, The Silver Dollar, Macaroni's to name a few. Unlike WDW you don't/can't place a reservation at any of the spots, it is first come first serve and for the most part the waits aren't too bad...SInce you are staying for a number of days I would suggest you try Bay Harbor Inn (located in the Marina area) for a FINE dining...it is an upscale dining spot with steak and fish...Also, I bet you would like The Boathouse, also located in the Marina a nice sit down relax, have an adult beverage spot, with a nice menu.
Well, I'll let someone else add their hints..Hope this helps. I know you will enjoy the trip. Please be sure to post a Trip Report for us to enjoy.
If you are driving and have a car, there are also tons of places to eat reasonably in Sandusky. Since parking is already covered when you stay in a CP resort hotel, it's no big deal to leave and come back. Especially since you can park in the hotel lot.
As for lockers, on opening day I noticed the long term lockers at the front of the park were $3.00. I know they have temp lockers throughout the park, but everytime you open it, you have to pay again. You may find it more cost effective to go back and forth to your hotel room.
The Breakers is a stone's throw away from Soak City which is just outside the Magnum entrance to CP. You'll see when you get there that it wouldn't be a problem to change in your hotel room. Cheaper than paying for a locker in Soak City, unless you want to bring valuables and lock them away while enjoying the waterpark (wallet, etc).
As for no bathing suits on coasters, lots of women wear their suits and throw a pair of shorts or slacks on over. I have when going for a day trip. I saw many girls wearing just bathing suit tops, no t-shirts over them, riding coasters on opening day.
Mean Streak can be hard on the back, even though it's trimmed and running smoother than it ever has. You might have your husband ride first and give you his opinion. As for magnum, it was also running very smoothly on opening day. Same advice, have the hubby ride first.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm already in the mind set that it's NOT wdw; so I won't be disappointed. I know it's not a theme park. We visit the small Six Flags here in MA about once per year -- so I'm comparing it to that. But I'm sure it's better than that. :)
You must have read my mind. I always send hubby on first to test for my back. But my chiropractor is used to seeing me & saying "What did you go on now?!" :) I have an 11" metal rod in my back & it's survived Disney's Rock 'n Roller coaster -- loved it -- so smooth! My first upside down! He thought I should stay off Universal's Hulk & Dueling Dragons. My back has no trouble with Disney's Big Thunder even though it's rough. I know -- it's a baby ride to most of you guys here. :) And it's survived several wooden coasters locally & at Hershey Park. Actually the LONG car rides are what usually do me in.
Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back with more silly questions.
Oh -- and no offense -- I've already geared up that the beach isn't really a beach. Sorry, I grew up on Cape Cod. LOL
The beach isn't really a beach, but that beach side of Breakers is actually pretty darn nice! And if you're speaking about Six Flags New England. Superman is a great ride (I like it better than MF honestly), but the operations at CP are far and away better than at SFNE. CP and Disney always are crowned as capacity kings.
Don't worry about the walking distances to the hotel. Sandcastle is the farthest and its probably only 10 minutes from the Magnum gate. Breakers is literally a stone's throw from the Magnum gate. If you're staying in Breakers and want to ride Wicked Twister first, I suggest walking up the beach to the Oceana gate. Go in past the stadium, make a left and you'll be right there.
Also, don't wait in hot midday lines for Mantis or Power Tower as they always have shorter lines in the evening. Don't wait in a morning line for Raptor either. Late afternoon is a decent time for that one.
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-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew
Yep, it's Six Flags New England. I liked it better when it was just Riverside. Didn't expect much then -- so it was ok. But now with the Six Flags name, it attracts way too many people for the size of the park. Layout stinks. Filthy! But we keep going. Not sure why. Only one around I guess. There is one wooden coaster I like there -- Cyclone ? -- I think. White one right when you walk in - before you go down the stairs to Superman. Simple one - but I like it.
Thanks for the tips everyone. Keep 'em coming. I'm taking all the notes with us to re-read while hubby drives the long 11 hour ride to Ohio.
Let's see, some more CP tips. Ride Blue Streak! It doesn't look like much and it sits behind Raptor so you might miss it, but it is flying this year! Free ice water is available at most food stands, so drink that instead of the overpriced soda (those crazy Ohio people call it pop - I'm from NY! :)). To make the most of your day, ride either MF or WT first (run with the bulls), then head to the back of the park because it will still be dead back there. Then whichever 'long wait' you didn't do first, jump in line right before closing. CP keeps the lines open right until the end so if you're in line when they close it off, you're set. None of that closing early stuff. Of course if there is a major mechanical problem you might be screwed, but at least they don't close lines early. I usually leave the park completely around 2 or 3 in the afternoon during the hottest/most crowded part of the day and go to a restaraunt to eat. Chet and Matts is a nice cheap pizza place on Strub Rd. in Sandusky. There's also all the usuals like Fridays, Applebees, fast food places, etc...
-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew
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