What Makes Cedar Point the Best

Something I must have been taking for granted - whenever you are above the ground on any number of rides you can see that you have water on three sides, all those lovely views of the lake and bay.

So it seemed really weird to me when at Kings Island and Busch Gardens Williamsburg and I look around I saw...trees, other buildings, parking lots...it just seemed like there should be vistas of water around the parks.

I have sunset pictures on the water and some moon rise ones as well, and from King's Island I have a beautiful sunset picture - with the parking not in the foreground.

Does that make Cedar Point the best? Heck if I know, but it is a favorite feature of mine!

Cedar point wasn't always the best. In fact of the parks years of existence, the majority of the time the park was not the best. there's a long history of of decisions by certain key individuals that helped the park survive and thrive. Through dedication and development we have the park that we know today. I would like to thank the residents of Ohio, mostly. If not for the local clientele continuing to visit the park, espically the first 75 years, it would not be here today.

I think what Captain Bob said is absolutely true, if you have been going to Cedar Point for many, many years and ride their rides over and over, see the same sunsets and the same views of Lake Erie you get used to that, then when you go visit a different park like Kings Island or Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the first time and you see the trees that surround those places instead of the water like what you see at Cedar Point it feels different and that alone makes a place like Cedar Point unique.

I think the setting is a big part of the "free from responsibility" feeling. I described. There's nothing else around. No freeway, no strip malls, just open water. And someone made a great observation that the approach to Cedar Point from the causeway is hard to match. The first time I went to the park (2001) I was thinking "Where is this 310ft monstrosity? We should be able to see it by now!" But it didn't really come into view until we were on the causeway. I'll never forget that view. It's one of my favorite things to share with first-timers.

As everyone else has said, its a little bit of everything combined. There truly isn't another amusement park quite like cedar point.The look on first timers faces when you hit the causeway and the skyline unfolds....absolutely priceless every time. My cousin's husband started shaking, that was a riot to witness. He didn't quite realize the scale of the place. My grandpa will be going for his first this year, I'm hoping he enjoys himself. It's hard to meaningfully explain the grand appeal of cedar point versus other parks to someone who hasn't been there.

Driving up the causeway still to this day gives me butterflies in my stomach out of pure excitement seeing the coasters stick out in front of the view. I've visited the park at least 40 times since the early 90s. I wish I could've went more often living only 2.5 hours away. I averaged 2 trips per season.

Now I live 15 hours away, hold a season pass to six flags over texas, and still make it to the point once a season . Going to six flags over texas in a week, but much more excited about cedar point in late June.

I'm sure there is a lot of nostalgia involved, but the park has provided iconic and unforgettable experiences for decades. I'm not sure why but raptor never gets old, I remember waiting over 3 hours for it opening day. There are lots of things that are done right at the park and not so much done wrong, and the collection of rides is just unparalleled.

EDIT: Would also like to add, that having a strong community backing in forms of this forum is another great reason that makes cedar point the best. I wish my new home park (Six Flags over Texas) had some sort of community dedicated to it.

The total package is what makes Cedar Point the best. It has everything you need to escape for several days. There is nothing better than taking a mini vacation, getting to Sandcastle Suites (my personal favorite. Though, I admit that I have not stayed in one of the cabins at Lighthouse Point. They're always booked.), Breakers, or Lighthouse Point, getting off the bike, and not starting that sumbitch up again for three or four days. Never having to leave the Point is what makes it so special.

The coasters. That's what got me out to the park in 2004, that's what absolutely blew my mind when driving down the causeway, and that's what keeps me coming back to the park year after year from Minnesota.

TriumphBonneville said:
The total package is what makes Cedar Point the best. It has everything you need to escape for several days. There is nothing better than taking a mini vacation, getting to Sandcastle Suites (my personal favorite. Though, I admit that I have not stayed in one of the cabins at Lighthouse Point. They're always booked.), Breakers, or Lighthouse Point, getting off the bike, and not starting that sumbitch up again for three or four days. Never having to leave the Point is what makes it so special.

I cannot agree more, and I strongly urge anyone that has not stayed on point to do so. Stay Two days at least, you will view the park in a whole new light and enjoy it so much more.

I have only stayed on site once or twice. Can't recall if we stayed on site back in the early 90s. My parents typically would have stayed off site to save money, I recall staying off site multiple times back then and I think there was a Perkins restaurant attached or right next to us. I remember driving down three times during millennium forces' opening season. Makes me feel old now lol. The only time I stayed on site was last year for two nights as I spent a day alone at the park and day two with my parents and son. We couldn't get him on much at 4 years old but tried. My dad rode millennium force, rougarou, gatekeeper and raptor with me though during early entry then he was done. I know I won't be staying on point again unless it's breakers to check it out, as we got tired of fighting hoards of bugs to get in and out.

That was a rather isolated trip though as I normally drive down for the day with a friend or a cousin and head back at night. Maybe one day when the boy is old enough we will make it into a multi day event. I'm sure he'd love to see a show.

This year I'll be in Michigan late June basically through 4th of July and will be driving down for one day the week before the 4th. Yup cedar point has definitely provided many memories over the years, even as I grow older I still look forward to going every year. That being said, new texas giant is a blast and I'll be riding it on Sunday, but I more so look forward to the point in summer.

We really enjoy everything about Cedarpoint, but staying on property makes our trip more amazing. We have not stayed in the cabins or sandcastle suites, but we always stay at the Breakers and the convenience is unbeatable. We usually split the day in half by hitting the park early, beach mid-way and then close the park with luminosity.

Meanstreak84 said:

If you have been going to Cedar Point for many, many years and ride their rides over and over, see the same sunsets and the same views of Lake Erie you get used to that, then when you go visit a different park like Kings Island or Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the first time and you see the trees that surround those places instead of the water like what you see at Cedar Point it feels different and that alone makes a place like Cedar Point unique.

Aren't you the guy who lived in Utah and had never been to Cedar Point before?

SHENANIGANS!

Yes I am, and good catch Theme Park Press you are right I am from Utah and have never been to Cedar Point before, I was just trying to point out how unique a place like Cedar Point can be. I have only seen pictures of it on the internet and have heard stories about it through what my neighbor has told me, he says that you have to experience it for yourself which I hope to do someday.