Tips for visiting Cedar Point

Theme Park Insider readers submit, and vote on, their suggestions for getting the most from a visit to Cedar Point.

Click the "Yes" buttons on advice you agree with, and "No" on ones you don't like.

Click the button at the bottom of the page to submit your own tip.

Most Recent Tips

[17 + / 8 -] plan for a rainy day as long as there is no lightning the rides will be open and the park will be half full.

[6 + / 5 -] $25.99 tickets? They have them at AAA in Indiana.

[18 + / 1 -] If you are a Cedar Point veteran stay late and ride after dark. This is most fun on the Dragster, Magnum and Millinium. Also check out the park all lit up from the Power Tower

All Readers' Tips

In descending order of popularity

[1420 + / 110 -] Get to the park early to be sure you can get on your favorite rides before the park gets too crowded.

[652 + / 52 -] Don't skip the park's smaller coasters. A few of them are actually pretty good rides.

[525 + / 49 -] Bring your own water bottles. It will save you time and money!

[404 + / 86 -] Don't use lifts or other tricks to make your kids look taller than they are. Height and safety restrictions are there for a reason.

[207 + / 20 -] Oldie but a goodie - Always work your way backwards through a park instead of stopping at the first attraction you get to. You will beat 60% of the crowds.

[169 + / 13 -] Make sure you visit on a weekday early or late in the summer to avoid hour-plus waits for all the good rides.

[161 + / 8 -] If you get in line for a ride just before park close, they will keep running the ride till the entire line is cleared before closing the ride for the day. Its a Great way to ensure that you get to ride the Maverick, or the Dragster.

[125 + / 9 -] When approaching counter service eateries, review the menu and have your selections in mind before you get to the counter. The folks behind you and the cast member will be eternally grateful.

[102 + / 10 -] If you're going to get an annual pass, add parking to at least one pass (if it isn't included already). It seems expensive at first, but at more than $10 a pop for parking at most parks, it pays off in the end.

[108 + / 27 -] Don't look like some clueless, sun-fried British tourist. Wear sunscreen whenever you visit a theme park.

[99 + / 21 -] Theme park walkways are designed for traffic flow, keep to the right and keep moving. If you want to gawk around, step to the very outside. If you drop something, step to the right and look around before coming to an abrubt halt. Courtesy people.

[82 + / 8 -] I have noticed that if you go on a day less than perfect between Monday and Thursday you don't have to wait in line much if at all.

[81 + / 13 -] Bring individual packets of Crystal Light etc, as all counter services in most parks will give you a glass of ice water free of charge. Make your own ice tea, lemonade etc!

[74 + / 9 -] Smoking in the queue line is illegal. Don't even think about smoking in the queue line or you will be removed from the park. NO REFUNDS!

[92 + / 34 -] Start right away with Maverick , then Milennium Force, Then Magnum at start of day. Short waits with less crowds.

[75 + / 19 -] Stay at one of the Cedar Point hotels. It will allow you to get into the park an hour early to experience a few select rides with little to no wait.

[56 + / 1 -] Never try to make a crying child go on a theme park ride.

[66 + / 12 -] Two things you must do when you go to Cedar Point: Ride the Top Thrill Dragster and the Maverick front row. You won't regret it.

[56 + / 4 -] If you are going to visit a park more than once in a year, look into buying an annual pass. Most include discounts on food, merchandise and parking and some can pay for themselves in as little as two visits.

[63 + / 14 -] Friday nights during Halloweekends, the lines are extremely short . You can ride Dragster, Millennium, and Magnum Force with almost no wait, and the park stays open until midnight! Get a weekend package at Lighthouse Point cottages on the water.

[63 + / 14 -] take a backpack with snacks and water for you and the kids it can save you some serious bucks

[69 + / 23 -] Smoke in the smoking sections! Because it is really annoying for the rest of us!!! Plus, you can get a misdemeanor if you don't!

[47 + / 5 -] Strollers should be parked in areas designated for them, covering every bench seating area is rude to other guests that also need some time out. As a Guest, our courtesy and common sense can make or break someone else's day at the park.

[61 + / 22 -] go to the back of the park and ride maverick then go to top thrill dragster

[44 + / 5 -] Have a large snack about ten o'clock, then don't have a meal until middle of the afternoon. That way you avoid the rush between noon and two o'clock.

[44 + / 7 -] Most rides have bins to put your fanny packs, backpacks, and other items in. If you wear a fanny pack on rides (especially roller coasters) loosen the fanny pack enough so you can pull it up over the lap bar. Also, get a strap for your glasses.

[33 + / 0 -] Use parks' free package check services to store what you buy in the park and keep your hands free while you ride.

[31 + / 3 -] Try to go to cedar point on a weekday during the first couple weeks of june less crowds.

[33 + / 8 -] Go On Rides At Lunch Hours. I Did it Once And The Raptor Was A 5 Minute Rate To Earlier and later that Day, Which was 1 and a Half Hours. Early Lunch, Early Supper!

[30 + / 7 -] be polite to the cast members, most only make minimum wage and for some it is their first job. they may just be learning and if you are irritating to them they may make you wait longer, or charge you more.

[26 + / 3 -] try to get on some of the bigger rides during meal times llike lunch, dinner, ect. mostly at the back of the park

[49 + / 26 -] Don't eat at a sit down place. You will waste valuable time especially if you're only there for the day.

[23 + / 1 -] Drink plenty of fluids on a hot day! The last thing you want is to become dehydrated. Try to stay in the shade as much as possible as well.

[28 + / 6 -] Be friendly and courteous, even when others are not. When that grumpy staff member at the front gate checks your bag, smile and say thank you. If someone drops something while walking on the path, pick it up and tell them!

[24 + / 2 -] Take a photo of where you park with your digital camera. Easy to remember.

[18 + / 1 -] If you are a Cedar Point veteran stay late and ride after dark. This is most fun on the Dragster, Magnum and Millinium. Also check out the park all lit up from the Power Tower

[21 + / 4 -] Don't forget to enter the park from the resort entrance. This will allow you to travel faster to Maverick, Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster and Magnum XL-200 (and Gemini as well).

[16 + / 0 -] Freeze water bottles the night before and they will offer cold water for a few hours as they melt.

[16 + / 2 -] Want to avoid the big crowds? Try going when the kids are in school on a weekday if you're able to. Families tend to come on weekend and when the kids are out of school.

[18 + / 5 -] Try ordering items from the kids menu. You will be surprised how full you get and you'll save a lot of money.

[19 + / 6 -] Buy your tickets/book your hotel through AAA ,if you are a member. If you aren't join, you'll save the fee with one trip and you'll have someone to call if you get a flat on the Beeline.

[12 + / 0 -] bring a wet washcloth on hot days in a plastic baggy- good for a quick cool off on the back of your neck and you can keep it cool with a few pieces of ice in the baggy

[15 + / 3 -] If you lost your hat/keys/sunglasses during a ride, it's possible that you'll be able to find it at Lost & Found the next day. Even if you are already back home, call and if they have the item, they will likely courier back to you free of charge.

[17 + / 5 -] If you want to get some great pictures of fireworks, make sure to use a digital camera with its night setting. Keep your hand still and you will have some great pictures!

[24 + / 12 -] Drawstring Bags are a great object to bring to a park. You can put all your stuff in it when going on roller coasters and wear it as a backpack.

[22 + / 11 -] I once worked at this park. My hint - the least crowded time, (i.e. shortest waiting time for rides) is Tuesdays in August.

[23 + / 13 -] Are your kids seat-kickers on airplanes? Take off their shoes. They'll be more comfortable, and not kick. Take off yours for comfort, too. Just, please, wear socks!

[13 + / 3 -] Ask the human resources department at your employer if it sells discount tickets to theme parks. Many do, as well as discount tickets to local theaters, zoos and attractions. Check those prices against the parks' websites and pick the better deal.

[17 + / 8 -] plan for a rainy day as long as there is no lightning the rides will be open and the park will be half full.

[9 + / 0 -] Using a spray bottle to spritz yourself with a water mist will cool you down a lot!!

[20 + / 12 -] Know the difference between a theme and amusement park and adjust your expectations accordingly.

[8 + / 0 -] If you are going with a group/family with older teens walkie-talkies are are good idea to have not everyone wants to do the same thing at the same time

[8 + / 0 -] Wear shoes that are comfrotable and that have proper support. Most parks will have you doing a lot of walking. A lot of folks get really fatigued (or hurt) due to wearing cheap sandals or flipflops. Good shoes make for a good day.

[9 + / 1 -] If you got really bad sunburn, witch hazel is a good soothing treatment to get rid of that annoying pain.

[9 + / 2 -] Don't EVER unbuckle your seatbelt while riding! The ride will stop, and YOU will be thrown out of the park!

[7 + / 0 -] Always try to buy your tickets online! They're usually cheaper and save you the headache you'll get waiting to purchase at the gate.

[8 + / 1 -] Crokies (adjustabel eyeglass holders) are indispensable if you're a roller coaster fan. Get them at a pharmacy or gas station, and make sure they tighten to your head. Great for sunglasses, too.

[10 + / 3 -] Your kids are going to get cranky no doubt about it. Carry crackers for when they get hungry an hour into a line.

[25 + / 19 -] Never close your eyes when riding a roller coaster. That will just make you dizzier, as your eyes help your sense of balance adjust.

[7 + / 1 -] If you're allergic to a certain food and are cautious about what goes into your food make sure to ask the server where or how will the food be cooked...saves you a trip to first aid.

[6 + / 0 -] Make Lunch your biggest meal of the day. Light eating (popcorn, pretzels, etc.) no big deal in the later evening.

[9 + / 3 -] Wear a wallet sized purse with long strap that just fits tickets, digital camera and cash. You can stash it in pocket of cargo jeans or inside your shirt when you go on roller coasters. No need for lockers.

[16 + / 10 -] most parks are less busy meaning shorter lines Monday-Friday

[13 + / 7 -] During Halloweekends if you want to go through CornStalkers, get there at least 30 minutes prior to its opening.

[25 + / 19 -] Never go on a Saturday during hollow-weekends way too busy

[7 + / 2 -] To treat sunburn, apply a heavy amount of aloe vera gel, maximum strength formula. Works wonders.

[5 + / 0 -] dont wear jewlery on the rides they come off during the ride... also dont bring extra things like a bag to the park or anything that you cant bring on the ride they get annoying when you have to put them in lockers or worry about it the entire time.

[9 + / 6 -] DO NOT SPEED whatsoever on the beeline. The speed limit is 10 miles per hour and you WILL be ticketed doing over it

[6 + / 5 -] $25.99 tickets? They have them at AAA in Indiana.

For more attraction, ride and hotel reviews, visit our Cedar Point home page.

Get, and vote on, more tips about a variety of topics, including those not related to theme parks, at TipReel.com.

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