Cedar Point/ Lake Erie Islands trip?

[emer95]

Any tips or advice for a trip to Cedar Point? My hubby has been wanting to go for years. I keep telling him Disney has ruined me for run of the mill amusement parks, but I'll give it a try. We also want to spend a few days relaxing at Putin Bay (sp?) or one of the other islands.

Where is a good place to stay? Any benefits to staying at the Cedar Point-owned hotel? We plan to go in early July.

Thanks!

 

[dejavugirl]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Cedar Point! I'm originally from Michigan so had been a few times as a child. As an adult and now living in Arizona, my husband and I still go there every few years.

It is a roller coaster enthusiasts park. They've had many of the record breaking roller coasters through the years, highest, fastest, etc.

Cedar Point in my opinion is the best roller coaster park in the country.

As for Lake Erie and the surroundings...I'm sorry I'm not much help. We're usually visiting family in Michigan and head down to Cedar Point for an overnight trip. Though you could definitely spend a few days there, they also have a Water Park right next door.

 

[FireDancer]

Cedar Point is very different then Disney. It is essentially a thrill park. Some of the best roller coasters in the world are there. They are the only reason I go, nothing like a 100 mph 400 foot drop.

Put-In-Bay is a city on Middle Bass Island. It is a very party atmosphere, a lot like being on spring break every night of the year in the summer, especially on the weekends. The worlds longest bar is at the Beer Barrel Saloon and if Pat Daily is playing there (or anywhere on the island) while you are there go see him.

If you are looking for a more laid back atmosphere Middle Bass or Kelly's island may be better choices. It just depends on what you are looking for.

 

[MushyMushy]

I love Put-in-Bay! It is such a great place to go. Not sure what your budget is, but keep in mind that you have to pay for a ferry to get there and you might want to rent a golf cart for the day. There's so much to do!

 

[RachaelA]

Rent a cottage near the jet ferry (boat that takes you to Put In Bay) in Port Clinton for a couple days. I can't see spending more than a day at Put in Bay.

You can rent wave runners on the public beach in Port Clinton. There is African Wildlife Safari which is cool http://www.africansafariwildlifepark.com There is a winery in Port Clinton. A small waterpark. Its a fun town for a weekend. We live there Friday-Sunday every weekend May-September.

Cedar Point is much different then Disney. Be prepared to wait in a lot of long lines.

 

[Captain Swagger]

They call Americas Rollercost and its a name well thought out.

 

[Squirlz]

We stay in the original section of The Breakers and it's not a bad deal. You get in one hour early and it's a very short walk to the entrance. Your $10 parking fee is reimbursed. What does one hour early get you? We rode the Maverick FOUR TIMES in the front seat before the general admission crowd caught up!

Don't eat in the park. It's mostly overpriced crap. We take a short walk to the marina to Famous Dave's BBQ where you can get stuffed with great food for only a few dollars more than a couple of nearly inedible burgers at Coasters. The TGIFridays adjacent to The Breakers is only slightly more expensive than a regular TGIF.

 

[dawson5]

Any tips or advice for a trip to Cedar Point? My hubby has been wanting to go for years. I keep telling him Disney has ruined me for run of the mill amusement parks, but I'll give it a try. We also want to spend a few days relaxing at Putin Bay (sp?) or one of the other islands.

Where is a good place to stay? Any benefits to staying at the Cedar Point-owned hotel? We plan to go in early July.

Thanks!

I think if you order tickets right now, they have some kind of a deal going on. I keep meaning to order, still haven't yet.

It is definitely a different vibe than Disney. It's right on the lake, pack for all weather.

Same with the Islands. My mom's buddy is a jeweler, she has her shop on the island. She used to be in the hotel (it's name is escaping me right now). There are wineries there too. I believe you can camp.

Like Firedancer mentioned, Pat Dailey. He's great. If you are a Shel Silverstein fan, look for Pat. They were good friends and I believe he just recently (last 5 years at least) released an album with songs that they wrote together.

On the budget board there is a few page thread about CP with some good information. I can't tell you about staying there, last I did I was about 10. We have family in Vermilion and stay there whenever we go home for a visit. I can say if you stay there and are looking for a great little Italian restaurant. Look for Marconi's in Huron, it's right across from the Dairy Queen. They have some great food. Just don't speed in Huron.

 

[Tracy Savage]

Have you guys seen the rates for the Jet Express lately? Wow. I know its been awhile since weve been the but Holy cow! They now have a Jet from Cleveland to the islands.
Miller ferry is slower but much cheaper and you can take your car.

 

[RachaelA]

Have you guys seen the rates for the Jet Express lately? Wow. I know its been awhile since weve been the but Holy cow! They now have a Jet from Cleveland to the islands.
Miller ferry is slower but much cheaper and you can take your car.

But what do you need your car for on Put in Bay? There is like no where to park, plus renting a golf cart is a big part of the experience! The prices for the jet ferry have definitely gone up over the years! But if you are planning a once a summer trip its not that bad. I could see if you were going over all the time. We'll probably end up taking the wave runner over to the islands this summer and just bringing clothes.

 

[emer95]

Thank you- great advice! I should have mentioned that we have two daughters, 9 and 11. So Put-in-Bay sounds like it may be a little too wild and crazy for us. Thanks for the suggestion of Kelly's Island or Middle Bass. We're definitely looking for family-friendly.

I used to love thrill rides but as I've gotten older I can't handle them as well. I blame having kids. I think they threw my equilibrium out of whack. My husband and daughters will have to enjoy those 100 mph 400 ft drops while I enjoy a book on a nice bench in the shade.
Aw crap, I'm 35 going on 80.

 

[DrCavin]

Check the height requirements to be sure they can ride before going to CP. I see lots of kids at PIB during the day and leave before the party people arrive.

 

[RachaelA]

Thank you- great advice! I should have mentioned that we have two daughters, 9 and 11. So Put-in-Bay sounds like it may be a little too wild and crazy for us. Thanks for the suggestion of Kelly's Island or Middle Bass. We're definitely looking for family-friendly.

I used to love thrill rides but as I've gotten older I can't handle them as well. I blame having kids. I think they threw my equilibrium out of whack. My husband and daughters will have to enjoy those 100 mph 400 ft drops while I enjoy a book on a nice bench in the shade.
Aw crap, I'm 35 going on 80.

I always went to PIB as a kid. And there is more to do now for kids. Perry's Cave. They also have mini golf, a big maze, a butterfly exhibit all where Perry's Cave is. There is Crystal Cave. Perry's Monument is nice. There is an old car museum. Lots of little shops. An awesome candy store. Riding around the golf cart is a blast as well.

It doesn't get super crazy during the day and the night isn't even that bad. Don't let that sway you from going.

 

[lilmissdisney216]

absolutely LOVE going to Cedar Point. I live in Michigan and its a pretty nice 2.5 hour drive. I went for the first time when I was 8 years old and had a blast!!! it is essentially a thrill park but there is an area for the younger ones (camp snoopy) and I think there's a water park too if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Witherbark]

You will certainly have fun at CP, we did many trips there from school. I find Put-in-Bay to be a little too wild for kids and even my parents did not enjoy a recent over night stay there. Just too much partying. Our family always stayed in a town called Lakeside, near Port Clinton and the ferry to Kelley's Island.

 

[FireDancer]

You will certainly have fun at CP, we did many trips there from school. I find Put-in-Bay to be a little too wild for kids and even my parents did not enjoy a recent over night stay there. Just too much partying. Our family always stayed in a town called Lakeside, near Port Clinton and the ferry to Kelley's Island.

I've been to Lakeside. It was 1989 or 1990 but it was very 50's America at the time and it was a lot of fun. I was 11 or 12 depending on which year it was so it should be good for he OP. Speaking of which, if I were going to the islands with kids your age I would definitely go to Kelly's instead of South Bass. Just my opinion of course.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Put-in-Bay really only gets wild after hours. Meanwhile, during the day there's a lot that kids could do. There's the world's largest geod, Perry's cave, Perry's monument. Kelly's Island is okay, make sure you go to see the glacial grooves. Cedar Point is a completely different experience from Disney, I don't even bother comparing them. You can spend a whole day just trying to ride all the coasters...and failing.