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Cedar Point Trip this June!

Cedar Point: Must do rides and does cedar have a line jump pass?

From Leslie DeGroat
Posted March 31, 2010 at 7:21 AM
Hello theme park enthusiasts! It has been quite some time, but I am back and I FINALLY get to go to Cedar Point, this June!!!! So, here's my questions to you! First, is there a line jumper pass? Such as a Flash Pass, like Six Flags has? Second, what are my Must Do Coasters, in order of importance? Please help me out here! Thanks! =) ~Leslie


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Erin B
Posted March 31, 2010 at 8:27 AM
First of all, I hope you enjoy your trip to CP, Leslie. It's my home park & I really think you'll enjoy yourself.

Unfortunately, CP doesn't offer any sort of pass for their lines. They used to have hand stamps that allowed a shorter wait during certain times of day, but those were discontinued some years ago.

As for must-rides, you may want to try all the coasters. I absolutely HATE Mean Streak, and I don't think Corkscrew & Mantis are worth the pain. Mine Ride can have a deceptively long wait, as can Wild Cat & Disaster Transport. I don't think any of those are anything special & missing out on them wouldn't be anything terrible.
My personal favorite is Magnum. I love, love, LOVE Maggie. Lots of airtime & speed, and there usually isn't an awful wait. You'll of course want to hit the other biggies in the park like Millennium Force, Maverick [another favorite of mine], Top Thrill Dragster, & Raptor [ride Raptor later in the day -- lines are horribly long at open because it's the first coaster you run into].
Also make sure you give Blue Streak & Gemini a ride. They don't look like much [especially Blue Streak] but I really enjoy both of them [more airtime!].

If you want some more tips & advice, you can check out http://thepointol.com/board/ [I hope I'm allowed to post this link]
Browse the travel questions section and you'll see that others have posted lots of advice as to how to approach the rides & getting them all in on one day.

I hope that was helpful!

From Leslie DeGroat
Posted March 31, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Thanks so much! I've heard soooo many positive reviews about maverick and I wasn't even thinking that was a big deal! It's unfortunate that the don't have a line jump, but I'm sure I will make do! Thanks again for your advice! I'm sure I will have a great time! Do you have to put your purse or other items in a locker at the beginning of each ride? And if so, how much are the lockers to rent? Thanks again, ~Leslie

From Erin B
Posted March 31, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Thanks so much! I've heard soooo many positive reviews about maverick and I wasn't even thinking that was a big deal! It's unfortunate that the don't have a line jump, but I'm sure I will make do! Thanks again for your advice! I'm sure I will have a great time! Do you have to put your purse or other items in a locker at the beginning of each ride? And if so, how much are the lockers to rent? Thanks again, ~Leslie

Yeah, Maverick may be small but it packs a lot into the ride. Try to leave some room for your legs with the restraints because it's really easy to get stapled in.

I never take my purse in with me, but you can get a locker. I'm not positive on prices because I never get one, but I'd say they're under $5. Most coasters do offer bins to store your belongings during the ride, but Millennium & Dragster don't because you board & exit at different stations.

From James Rao
Posted April 1, 2010 at 4:32 AM
Erin, isn't there some advantage to using the "back entrance" of the park? Seems like we did that years ago and were able to get in a few coaster rides before anyone was even around. Is that back entrance for everyone, or was it just for us cause were were "on property"? I can't remember...

Also, take note that the best food is just outside of the park - thinking of Famous Dave's BBQ, of course!

And, tho Erin did mention it briefly, don't let Wildcat's size fool you: it is a fun coaster well worth your time. It may be small and simple, but it packs a punch and is one of only three of its type still operating in the US.

From Erin B
Posted April 1, 2010 at 2:03 PM
James, I always use the back/resort/"Magnum" entrance. It's accessible to anyone & you can park in the large Soak City parking lot. I'd definitely suggest using that entrance since there are less people over there and it puts you closer to Magnum & Maverick. Thanks for bringing that up, James. I didn't even think about mentioning that.

From Nick Markham
Posted April 2, 2010 at 6:50 AM
/No Line Jump Pass, but if you stay on site, you get to go into the park 1 hour before everyone else. And second, here is your order of importance for coasters, but the list would near 100 if I included rides:

1. Top Thrill Dragster
2. Millennium Force
3. Maverick
4. Magnum XL-200
5. Raptor
6. Wicked Twister
7. Gemeni
8. Mantis
9. Mean Streak
10.Steel Dragon
11.Corkscrew
12.Blue Streak
13.Wildcat
14.Disaster Transport
15.Cedar Creek Mine Ride

From Erin B
Posted April 2, 2010 at 2:17 PM
It's Iron Dragon, not Steel Dragon ;) And importance of coasters is really a matter of opinion. I'd personally rank Blue Streak much higher than you. Just throwing that out there :)

From James Koehl
Posted April 2, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Erin, I agree. Blue Streak should be much higher, equal to or above Gemini. Also, don't ignore the rest of CP's great attractions just to ride the coasters. The shows are usually really good, esp. the Xtreme sports show in the former Oceana stadium by the lake. There are lots of other thrill attractions, for example, Maxair, and some quieter places such as Frontier Trail, with its craft shops, glass blowing theatre, blacksmith,etc. If you have not been to Cedar Point before, wear comfortable footwear. It is HUGE! Have a great time, and let us know how your visit went.

From Mike Gallagher
Posted April 3, 2010 at 7:44 AM
Don't miss Cedar Downs, one of only two of its kind in the country. It's my favorite ride in the park, after Millennium Force.

From Leslie DeGroat
Posted April 6, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Hey. How is dragster compared to Kingda Ka? Because Kingda Ka at Great Adventure is... Eh... Sub Par...

From Derek Potter
Posted April 6, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Kingda Ka is a larger clone of Dragster. Same ride.

Don't miss list from a Cedar Point vet in no particular order..including non coasters.

Magnum
Millennium Force
Dragster
Raptor
Maverick
MaxAir
Gemini
Blue Streak
Wicked Twister
Wildcat
Skyhawk
Cedar Downs Racing Derby
Power Tower
Giant Wheel (recommended during sunset if it's a nice day)
Thunder Canyon (if you fancy getting soaked on a hot day)


I've also developed my own list aside from the best ride list. Here are some rides that I would pass up if the line is longer than 20 minutes or a half hour. Most of these won't have much of a line unless you are going on a Saturday or Sunday..something I absolutely do not recommend if you can help it.

Mantis
Corkscrew
Cedar Creek Mine Ride
Disaster Transport (unless it's hot and you want air conditioning)
Mean Streak
Iron Dragon

As for lockers, the policy seems to change a little every year for some rides, but these rides require you to store anything you can't secure in pocket, most others have bins to store. I'm not sure what the locker prices are this year.

Millennium Force
Dragster
Wicked Twister

My advice, go during the week if you can, stay at one of their resorts and get the early entry pass, and start at the back of the park. There is a back entrance if you want to use it. Someone already said it, but I'll say it again. Wear comfortable shoes, it's a big park. Have Fun!

From Anthony O'Neal
Posted April 6, 2010 at 2:45 PM
I went at the beginning of June a couple of years ago, and got several Magnum rides with no wait. Still a great ride! I rode it for the first time when it still pretty new, and I enjoyed it.

I would put that one down as one to hit, for sure. Millenium Force is a favorite, and I like Top Thrill Dragster and Maverick, as well. I agree with people that Blue Streak is underrated. I have a soft spot for Gemini, too. We also got three front row Raptor rides with little to no wait, because we has season passes, and they were letting us in an hour early.

From Leslie DeGroat
Posted April 13, 2010 at 11:34 AM
We plan on staying at hotle breakers? comments? Thanks =)

From Nick Markham
Posted April 13, 2010 at 2:39 PM
First, since you are staying on site, you get into the park 1 hour early! Next, Top Thrill Dragster is a far better ride than Kingda Ka, much more worthy of record breaking than KK.

From James Koehl
Posted April 13, 2010 at 5:13 PM
The Breakers is a really nice hotel, but has been added on to and expanded so much over the years that it can be easy to get lost in. Be sure you remember which elevator you need to get to your room! Take time to explore the old, historic part of the hotel, the lobby and rotunda.

From Damon Pecot
Posted April 13, 2010 at 7:06 PM
We are going in May- I'm getting pretty PUMPED about it. OK guys, so tell me this, (I'm 35 so that might help). What coasters should I ride in the front(1st) and vice versa -what coasters shoul I ride the back(1st) --Give and take that i might not get a 2nd ride on them.
Thanks,
Damon(N.O.)

From Leslie DeGroat
Posted June 10, 2010 at 3:54 AM
Hello everyone! We leave for cedar point in 9 days! I'm so excited! I've been waiting years to get here! This is my list of coasters and rides to hit in order of importance, let me know what you think. I can't wait to post my opinion on it all when I get back! List: Magnum, mill force, maverick, dragster, wicked twist, mantis, raptor, gemini, blue streak, mean streak, corkscrew, iron dragon, wild cat, mine ride, disater transport, maXair, power tower, cedar downs, shoot rapids (if open - is it yet?), snake river, giant wheel, sky hawk, sky ride. thanks ppl! xo

From Rhys Evans
Posted June 10, 2010 at 7:22 PM
Maybe I should go to the ride-specific page, but put me in the "Pro-Mean Streak" column. Sure, it's a bit rough, but it's supposed to be! After reading lots of recent, negative comments, I was having second thoughts about riding it, but went for it and found it very enjoyable. Mind you, I only rode it once, toward the back. It's possible that other sections or other times of day are different -- that's what makes wooden coasters so cool, IMHO.

And I'm also in the "Blue Streak deserves more respect" club.

From David White
Posted June 12, 2010 at 8:35 PM
Depending on how many days you are spending at the park, that list might be very difficult to accomplish. Cedar Point is a very crowded park.

From Leslie DeGroat
Posted June 25, 2010 at 8:32 AM
Hello roller coaster lovers!!! I just got back from Cedar Point yesterday! We had an amazing time!!! Millenium force! OMG! We rode it 3 times, twice front row, once in the back and Maverick my 2nd fav, my bf's #1 fav, awesome also! We rode that twice, both times front row! The other rides... A little dissapointed in... We rode everything except wild cat and corkscrew, and spent 3 hrs at soak city, we also rode maxair, i got very sick, i wouldnt suggest doing that or skyhawk after lunch, but we did pay extra to go on the sky scraper, now THAT is a rush! We were fortunate to not have any wait longer than 45 minutes for any ride, we had great weather and it wasn't crowed at all, also, very clean park, dragster, 17 second ride? cmon, what a waste, wicked twister was pretty good, raptor and gemini were ok, the other wooden coasters way to painful and rickety, and mantis and iron dragon also a waste, and i was VERY disappointed in magnum, SO painful on my legs, elbows, etc, also so NOT a smooth ride, loud, old, id say demolish it, but id go back if only for mill force and maverick alone... we had a great time anyway. thoughts are welcome! Thanks guys!

From Neil Reece
Posted June 25, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Leslie, was STR open yet? I'm headed up there July 12th & 13th. Also, are there single rider lines for the main coasters?

From Melissa Kosztowny
Posted June 26, 2010 at 7:03 PM
It just opened. And the only single rider line i believe is for maverick. but it is near the end of the line.

Hints for Magnum, Sit in the back, it is much smoother, and on the final three hills, hold on to your lap bar, and it will save your legs, doing this, i think it is the best ride in the park for its short wait. Also MaxAir is a great non roller coaster. Skip Mantis and mine ride.

From James Koehl
Posted June 26, 2010 at 8:14 PM
STR is open according to the website, and they show a video of it running, but for some reason they are not filling the back row of any boat. Watching the people on the boats as they get off, they are completely soaked. Get ready to get wet!

From Erin B
Posted June 28, 2010 at 6:50 AM
It makes me sad to see such Magnum hate. It is such a quality ride if you know how to ride it. And night rides on Maggie are some of the best, especially if you get one without the trims.

As for STR, the ride did officially open, but last I heard it went down at some point on Saturday & did not reopen for the remainder of the weekend.

From Leslie DeGroat
Posted July 6, 2010 at 4:48 PM
STR was not open when I was there unfortunately, but the snake river falls and thunder canyon were awesome, I wish I had had some tips for a better ride on Magnum before I went, because the pain I felt from it would make me never want to ride it again... =(

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