Your opinion of the best strategy to use when visiting CP for the first time.

I willl be visiting CP for the first time this summer and will be spending two days there.

What is your idea of the best route/schedule/strategy/mind-set to follow? In what order and when should I ride each ride? What things are important to know for each ride(where to sit etc.)? Please don't tell me what the actual ride is like such as "...then there's a head-chopper...". Don't give away anything. But please tell me all that could help me have the best experience possible.

Think about your first visit to CP and what you wish you had done differently that first day. Thanks in advance.

flippinfool

It's up to you. It's better if you plan out your own trip. Plan which rides you're riding first. Plan when you want to go eat and such. In my opinion, the front seats, and the back seats are the best places to sit on almost any roller coaster.

I like to run to MF first, (although Joe Cool people will already be there) then work around through Frontiertown. Frontiertown is dead that early. there are only a few good rides back there, and it's a looong walk back to the rest of the park, so it's better when your feet aren't overworked. Get to TTD a little bit before 2 (when FreeWay opens up). Everybody is waiting for a FreeWay, yet very few people are getting in line for TTD! After TTD, make your way back to Oceana Midway and Main Midway, because a lot of people have already worked their way into the TTD Midway and Frontier Trail (obviously for TTD and MF). And, if you want to go for lunch outside the park around that time, you're near the parking lot. At that point, I just ride what I haven't already/want to. I like to ride WildCat around 9:30 (it's better at night) and then jump in line for MF. Why? (Obviously, I love MF, but...) While you're in line (the line is open until 10 so they run the line out) you can watch the laser show (not from the best vantage point, but it's not that big of a deal) and wait in line for an awesome coaster! Kills two birds with one stone.

Now for my diclaimer: You are your own person and only you control yourself. This is my basic attack plan, I'm not forcing it on anyone. None of my tips are guaranteed, these are just points of experience. Whatever you do, you're bound to have fun at CP.

EDITS: I changed 1 PM to 2 PM because Freeways will open up at 2 this year for TTD. Also, like everyone said, a strict plan is never a good idea. That's why my plan is mostly general direction. I stand by starting with MF. I believe that's what I did first last time, and it didn't ruin my day, it pumped me up! *** Edited 3/28/2005 5:46:54 PM UTC by MForce310***

The first time I went I went with my cousins, who were experienced. We stayed at Lighthouse Point in a cabin. I would HIGHLY recommend Lighthouse Point to you. The cabin slept 5 comfortably, a master bedroom, 2 foutons in the living area, and a loft that can sleep atleast 1 (bring a sleeping bag for the loft if you do stay in a cabin). Anyways, since we stayed at Lighthouse Point we entered through the park entrance near Magnum. We started at the back of the park and moved forward. Since we were at the park for 2 days, we hit all of the less major (by less major I mean every roller coaster except MF and TTD). Day 2 we got into MF first. It was lightly raining that morning so things were a bit slow. After MF we wanted to ride TTD but it was closed for the day :( so we didn't get a chance to ride. The rest of the day we rode the rides we liked again, I think we rode Magnum 4 times in the 2 days we were there (try it at night, when the train goes out to the pretzel it was amazing). Basically you should use your own judgement on things, common sense will help too. I recommend eating at Coasters, it's a small 50s diner right near Corkscrew's corkscrews. Its a great place to grab a burger a fries, its fast food so if you want to eat on the run, try it.

Bottom line --> have fun.

I never go with a set plan, i like to take it as it comes. If there is anything that i do on a regular basis it is to start with the Magnum and end with the Magnum. First car seat two is my preferance, great air without the pain. Back of the train is great as well, but then i'm an air whore.

The food is alright, at least they make their funnel cakes, corn dogs and fresh cut fries from scratch. The restaurants are also ok, but i never have much patience to wait for full service.

One thing i would highly recommend, if you aren't staying on point walk out either the magnum gate or the marina gate and walk down the beach and through the Breakers. I rather enjoy the lobby, but then it brings back memories. It's still a nice Victorian reminder of the past. I also enjoy the beach during the evening.

With two days you should be able to do and see just about everything weather permitting. And if you're not so worried about seeing every show and riding every ride there's still suff that you can do in the area.

I learned that while you're with other people, a planned trip doesn't really ever work out. I go to the park and go about my day there.

Some tips are:

• Use the Freeway system - it saves you a lot of time when waiting for TTD and MF. (Get there early, the lines are very long, but they go fast.)
• Eat cheap - Food is rarly worth the price.
• Stay away from long lines - Many lines will shorten as the day goes on, plan to go back and ride it then, or get a Freeway stamp.
• Final tip - Try not to stress over what and when you're going to ride the rides, you'll wreak your day.

The best startegy would be:

"Don't listen to anyone and just take in the park as it comes."

If you go in with a strategy then when things don't go according to it you will be disappointed.

Gener, I think you mean the Oceana gate, the marina gate will let you out on the opposite side of the peninsula from Breakers.

As for what to do, tambo's got it just about right, don't try and follow a plan, you'll only be disappointed. Take things as you go when you get there. If you're walking past corkscrew, go ride corkscrew, don't just pass it up just because Raptor is next on the list. Also, try to eat at "off" times. Everyone eats lunch around noon and dinner around 5 or 6. We usually eat right before getting to the park (or when we leave Detroit we'll grab some BK breakfast). Then we'll eat lunch at like 2 or 3 and dinner around 8 or so (if we even do that, I'm usually snacking as we wander the park, so an actual meal is only done around lunch)

Try and stay on point if you can. It is more expensive than off point, but I've found that its pros far outweigh the cons. Namely -- LOCATION. You can't beat being able to walk back to your room to relax a bit or change out of warm weather clothes when the temp drops in the evening.

Other than that, just enjoy yourself.

For the sceduele of riding the rides defientley do the Millennium Force first. It is one of the slowest moving lines in the park. So do Millennium first followed by the rides in Frontier town. (usuallyearly in the day the Frontier town is deserted.) At 11:00 you should get freeways for Raptor and Mantis and then all the other rides except for Top Thrill Dragster should not have long lines so just play them by ear. The Top Thrill Dragster should be one ridden later in the day. The line for that usually doesn't exceed 2 hour nowadays unless you're there on one of those busy days and the line for it it usually alot less than whats they say. I've learned from experience that you should not ride the Dragster early in the day because that is when it has alot of Breakdowns/Rollbacks.

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Cory Marshall

Yes i did mean the Oceana gate. I don't know what i was thinking.

Also another thought, i think it might just be me, but i don't mind the crowds. Unless of course i'm there for some power riding. But in general an empty park is kind of sad. Maybe i'm just wierd, or maybe i'm just used to CP and its ability to hand large volume of guests. But even on the worst day lines move quickly. I guess my point is that i don't bother to try to run to the back of the park to beat the crowds there, i know that wherever i go lines are generaly under control and under 15 minutes (with the obvious exceptions).

TTD420atCp said:
I've learned from experience that you should not ride the Dragster early in the day because that is when it has alot of Breakdowns/Rollbacks.

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Cory Marshall

Who doesnt want a rollbacks? even though I know they waste time.
In my opinion, getting to Dragster early allows for a short wait time(25+min). That way you wouldnt have to wait long (even if there are breakdowns) and you might be lucky enough to get a rollback.

But anyway Flippinfool,

Get to the park early(8:45-9:00 believe me it helps) and hit Dragster and Millennium first, then you can chose on from there.

P.S. If you want a really short wait for Raptor, wait till the middle to end of the day. I got in line around 6:00 and only waited 5 min and rode it 5 times in a row. I only wish the same thing could be said for Mantis.

If you want freeway for Dragster you better get there at about 12:30. I was there over the summer once and the line was at the entrance to Camp Snoopy just for freeway

Magnum first. You will wait no longer than 5 minutes. Wait the extra time for Millenium in the front seat, you will not be disappointed. And ride the raptor late. Around 8 or 9 and you will wait no longer than 20 minutes. Millenium and TTD are gonna be long no matter when you ride them. Thats all the tips i can give you.

Another key to any amusement park is getting there near opening and heading to the very back of the park. It's very tempting to want to hit the rides on the way to the back but start with the back and work your way to the front. This way you're moving through the park opposite the majority of park guests. Of course, you'll screw yourself out of getting in line right away for one of the more popular "long wait" rides, and there aren't too many draws to the back of the park anymore, MS isn't too popular anymore.

Although a first-timer might enjoy going in the front gate, I always advise taking the perimeter road around, parking in the back lot near Magnum and using the Soak City/hotel gate . If you already have your tickets the wait at this gate is minimal. Keep in mind that if you are staying at any of the CP hotels (including Breakers Express) you can enter 1/2 hour early, along with the Joe Cool passholders.

I also advise a first-timer to try (although it's tempting) to not hit all the big rides first. With 16 coasters the thrill level is varied, and I think a ride on Millenium Force right off the bat might spoil the rest of them for you.

We usually do this. From the back gate, book around to MF and get a freeway stamp, if they are passing them out. Then go back around to Magnum (nice short wait in the A.M.) couple of rides there, then continue back to Gemini, Mean Streak, and Mine Ride. A ride on the C.P&L.E.R.R will take you back to the center of the park. You will be amazed at the amount of people you see coming toward you up the midway, but never fear. This will be a good time for Iron Dragon, Power Tower, Corkscrew, and then maybe the Sky Ride to the front of the park.

I like Midway Market for an early lunch before they get too busy. As other posters have previously stated, rides like Raptor and Wicked Twister have shorter lines toward late afternoon/evening. Lord only knows what kind of lines maXair will get. Oh, and don't miss your Millenium Force time. At CP if you are in line at closing time you ride, so plan your night time rides accordingly.

Did I forget TTD? You might try to get it early and out of the way. With down time being what it is, it can be a huge time-waster. Your lucky day is when you just happen to be walking by when the line opens back up. I've seen people foolishly sit along the fence for the better part of the day waiting for them to open again. Good luck there.

I'm glad you have more than one day and hope your trip is planned for weekdays rather than weekend, it will make things so much easier and enjoyable. You really must not miss some of the non-coaster attractions CP has to offer. There is an outstanding carousel collection, a beautiful marina, the Frontier Trail, and the Town Hall museum to name a few.

I hope you have a fabulous time at our favorite amusement park. Let us know.

Thanks for all the tips. It's a given that eveybody has different opinions. I like to consider all options. There are a few things many people do seem to agree on though. Those I will definitely keep in mind. A general feeling I get from all the responses is that whatever happens, I will enjoy my days at cedar point. I won't forget what a priveledge it is to go CP; although I haven't been yet, I sure the mass majority of the population doesn't know what their missing.

Anyway...I will write a very good trip report when I get back.

flippinfool