What does a ride operator's job entail?

Hello,

I have recently been accepted for a job as a ride operator and have never worked at Cedar Point before. I'm a little confused about the difference between a Ride Operator and a Ride Host. What are the differences? Is a ride operator the person who is on the loudspeakers? Or in the control boxes? Thanks!

My age is showing but it used to be that the terms were interchangeable. Ride host is a term that was "borrowed" from Disney back in the 1960's for the people that were on the ride crews.

Congrats on being hired! I actually asked this during my interview. I was told that Manufacturers and safety training programs use the term operator for clarity but Cedar Fair prefers "host" because it is more welcoming to guests. Other than that, they are the same.

What ride are you on?

I've noticed, particularly early in the season and depending on the ride, the ride host seats guests and checks the restraints, fastens seatbelts on all empty seats, checks and locks the gates, gets on the loudspeaker, operates the controls, while staying alert and maintaining visual contact at all times for safety, and all this mainly because she's the only one on the ride. If you're assigned to a group of rides you'll find yourself doing this on one ride for a while then may be made to switch to another. High capacity is a goal of the operations department, so be ready to move.
Rides like coasters and water rides require a larger crew, so you'll rotate with your fellow crew members working any and all the various posts and positions on the ride. You may work an entrance, FastLane, seat check, or controls. You may be available for early morning testing, regardless of the weather.
Oh, and there's protein spills. And dealing with dummass customers. And sunburn. However,...

I know we're all ride enthusiasts here, but I've always thought working in rides would be one of the best gigs there.

The ride op gigs are probably mostly desired, but honestly likely among the hardest. This is especially true on a bigger ride where capacity is emphasized. When you rotate on the platform it's a lot of running around for sure.

One of these days I need to volunteer/ride pride for a coaster (for GKTW, of course) and see what my Fitbit step count ends up being.

Mac has pretty much outlined what is involved. You'll either love it or hate it. I've seen people quit before their first payday, others that become lifers. It's a different kind of experience than what you normally have "out there".

My first season on WT, a girl on my crew counted 17,000+ steps (clearly on a step counter) from opening to 5 o'clock. And that was during 10 o'clock closings, so she had 5 more hours to go.

Thank You! And I'm not sure exactly what ride yet but my department is Camp Snoopy. Not as much fun as big kids' rides but it'll still be interesting!

Awesome! While its true that the coasters are more in the spotlight, the children's and family rides are essential to Cedar Point. I would even say that they have the potential to be more fun than the coasters if you are good with kids and have the right attitude towards it. You will be rotating through every ride in Camp Snoopy instead of just one like the bigger ride assignments. I've been told that you can request to cross train if you want to try something else for a bit.

I am on Magnum but if the opportunity presents itself, I wouldn't mind learning the ropes of the family and kids rides.

See you this summer!

Yeah, the ride operator employees really work hard all summer and fall in all kinds of weather conditions. The job does seem to have a certain prestige to it among the employees. Me, if I were to work at CP, I'd go for a bartender job. :)

Jeff said:

One of these days I need to volunteer/ride pride for a coaster (for GKTW, of course) and see what my Fitbit step count ends up being.

Jeff - could you expand on this? I didn't know you could volunteer to work at the Point for a charity. I would love to help for GKTW. Also - I don't know what "Ride Pride" is. Maybe a new thread for this?

I think they mostly do it in the fall. It's gotta be on their site somewhere.

https://www.cedarpoint.com/jobs/fund-raising

Ride Prides are fundraiser groups that work in the park on weekends when Cedar Point's staffing is at its worst (HalloWeekends). In past years, Ride Prides could work any non-button pressing positions, with the exception being children's areas, but the rules changed two years ago. Now, Ride Prides can just work crowd control positions such as entrance, fast lane, and crowd.

I am glad that I made pizza at the old Frontier Inn.

Jeff said:

The ride op gigs are probably mostly desired, but honestly likely among the hardest. This is especially true on a bigger ride where capacity is emphasized. When you rotate on the platform it's a lot of running around for sure.

One of these days I need to volunteer/ride pride for a coaster (for GKTW, of course) and see what my Fitbit step count ends up being.

True. Work in Food Operations, it's easier.