OT: Cedar Point questions

[RN01]

Yes, I know this is a Disney board but I always get such good responses from here. We are planning a vacation to Niagara Falls this June and will stop at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio on the way home. How many days should we allow for Cedar Point, one or two? There will be 5 of us: me, DH, DD15, DD11, DD4. Also where is a good place to stay?

 

[jlovesee]

If possible I would give Cedar Point 2 days, it is a very BIG park, and though it advertises that it has 17 roller coasters, it also has many attractions for families. (including 3 childrens areas).

Like with Disney it is beneficial to try to get there as early as possible, I believe the park opens at 10AM (check www.cedarpoint.com), but usually the gates will open about 30 mintutes prior to non-resort guests, the midway will be open usually up to the midway carousel.

Definitly become aquainted with the park before going, if you or your family want to hit the "headliners" Maverick, Top Thrill Dragster, Millinium Force, and Raptor make sure you make those a priority and hit them in the morning 1st thing.

If they are you might want to look into staying at a Cedar Point hotel, Breakers is the best, its not to bad as far as price and is an easy walk to the back entrance of Cedar Point (right by maverick). It has a nice beach on Lake Erie. It could stand some updates but its clean. Keep in mind when looking at price that you dont pay parking at Breakers, as you walk to the park.

Also with Any Cedar Point resort (Breakers, Breakers Express, Sandcastle Suites, Castaway Bay, Lighthouse Point, and Campers Village) you get early entry to Cedar Point. Basically you get into the park 30 mins early to ride the super headliners, Raptor, Millinium Force and Top Thrill Dragster are usually on the list.

Beside the roller coasters some of the best family rides in my mind at Cedar Point, are the Derby Racer (a fast version of the carousel), Skyway and Gemini. Don't overlook Gemini its old but its still lots of fun!

Last on tickets, see if you live near a Cedar Fair park (www.cedarfair.com), it might be worth it to look into their platinum pass which gets you entry and free parking to ANY Cedar Fair park, includin Cedar Point. Its a fairly long list, and also includes Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, Ontario.

BTW, if you are looking for a good hotel by Niagara Falls I HIGHLY recommend the COuntry Inn and Suites on the Canada side, wonderful service, clean hotel, good prices!


Jennifer

 

[pamjb]

We last went out to Cedar Point in June 2006. At that time we had season passes to Dorney Park, and were able to use them free at Cedar Point. We we had 3 days to spend in the parks, but were able to take our time. We were 3 moms traveling with 10 kids (ages 11 to 16). You could probably do it in a day, if you really pushed. We didn't stay onsite. Unfortunatley, I don't remember where we stayed, but it was about 5 minutes from the park gate. It was certainly not fancy, but there was a pool and I had a kitchenette in my room.

If you stay in one of their onsite hotels, there is their version of Extra Magic Hours, you get admission to the park 30 minutes before the general public. I believe the only rides that are open are the coasters.

It is a great coaster park, for those that are so inclined. It is very clean and really wasn't terribly crowded when we went (end of June 2006)
Here is a link to the website www.cedarpoint.com

 

[Hoosier Mom]

We did a vacation to Niagara June 2007. Stayed at Embassy Suites on the Canadian side. It was directly over the falls area. We were on the 26th floor and had an excellent view of both falls. We splurged on a falls view jacuzzi suite. I was glad we did since the weather didn't end up so great. Also there was a small window that could be opened so you can hear the falls. Very romantic. The jacuzzi tub is big enough for 2 people, but is in the bathroom (as opposed to hotels that have the hottub right in the bedroom part). All their rooms are 2 room suites, so there's a living room with an additional tv. Also there was a hot buffet breakfast every morning, or you could stand in the omlette line for a made-to-order breakfast.

There's a shuttle that stops at this hotel that takes you around to about 5 different stops. There's a nice pizza place adjacent to the hotel. I think it was Zappi's Pizza. The food around Niagara is pricey, but Zappi's was affordable and very good.

Also this hotel is located at the incline ride. So we walked all the way down to the falls, then rode the incline back up to the hotel.

Take some warm clothes. When we were there in June, it was a chilly 53 degrees. With the mist and wind off the water, it was freezing. We ended up not taking the Maid of the Mist tour because we didn't want our 2 year old to come down sick.

Also there's a hershey store nearby that advertises Hershey Milkshakes. I think they were about 5 dollars each. I was disappointed as it tasted just like a Wendy's frosty.

Sorry I don't have any info on the amusement park. But I thought I'd chime in about Niagara. Have fun!

 

[Tricia819]

I would give it at least two days so you can spend one day at Soak City, the water park there. We always get there right when the gate opens and stay until after dark, but it makes a LONG drive home when your tired from walking around all day so it's better to stay the night in a hotel and drive home the next morning.

Unfortunately, we don't really go much anymore because we're Pooh-sized people and the rides there are not accomodating for bigger people like they are at Disney.

 

[MichiganMomto4]

We stayed at Sandcastles a few years ago and I would NOT recommend it. It was dirty, smelly, buggy and overpriced. And the sitdown hotel there made Disney's food prices seem cheap.

We are planning on a trip this summer and I think we'll stay at the Breakers Express because we really did like the early entry feature for CP hotel guests. The only thing about Express is that you need to drive to the park. Breakers looks nice but I save those kind of nightly prices for Disney :lol

As far as days. You can do CP in a day if you want to ride everything once. If you want to ride over and over (like we do) I'd definitely do two days. Our last trip we arrived late one night, got up early and did the park all day. Next day we did the park, took a break for a few hours at Soak City, and then went back to the park. It was a very relaxing way to enjoy the short vacation.

 

[sdoll]

I too like Breakers Express. It has been a while since we have stayed the night since we have moved back to Ohio but you used to get discounts on your tickets if you stayed at any of the Cedar Point hotels. There are a ton of places to stay in the area. If you really want to spoil the kids there is Great Wolf and Kalahari. The Sandusky Kalahari is the largest indoor water park in North America. I would love to stay there. Just a FYI driving and parking is not like Disney world it is painless. It cost about 11.00 thats the only painful part. Have fun. My husband is the biggest kid in the world and can't get enough of the place.

 

[YayDisney!]

We haven't stayed at any Cedar Point hotels because we live close enough to drive (45 minutes). However, there is a Great Wolf Lodge and a Kalahari resort in Sandusky that would add a bit of fun to your stay. I personally think that one day at Cedar Point is enough, but maybe that's because we go so often. Just like at WDW, your mornings will be the best shot to get on the most important rides...Maverick, Top Thrill, Millenium Force and Raptor. Your 4 year old will not be able to ride the big things, but the kids area is really nice. They actually just added to the kids offerings last summer, so there is more for them. Cedar Point, although no WDW to me, is actually a really nice place to visit. Have a great time!!

 

[Aristomommy]

We are local to Cedar Point and most people around here do several day trips in the summer. You can go for a day, but should pick 2-3 headliners and then see the smaller stuff or you will feel like you stand in lines all day.

Our best trip was in August, we decided to stay at Castaway Bay (their indoor waterpark resort) for 2 nights and then spent 2 days at Cedar Point. You can get into the park an hour early (really 30 min. early) ahead of the crowds and get in line for one headliner. DH rode Top Thrill Dragster and later in the day the wait time was over 2 hours!!! This one is still busy along with Maverick, Millenium Force and Raptor. We had two short days at the park and then enjoyed the indoor water park.

 

[MinnieLove]

Cedar Point is GREAT!!!! I might be prejudiced, but I am a local. Worked there in high school. We now live about 45 minutes away. The Castaway Bay hotel is great and can be compared with Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge in the area. The Breakers have also been remodeled in the past couple years.

I would spend 2 days if possible in the park. It is quite different than WDW. Many more rides. I am afraid my kids have been spoiled. They do have a grat kids area featuring the Peanuts gang. The roller coasters are second to none.

Cedar Point is owned by Cedar Fair, check out the web site. If you live close to any of the other properties, a season pass might be a great investment.

Much more relaxed environment than Disney to me. Any more questions?

 

[Hoosier Mom]

I have a question for you Ohio residents. Between Cedar Point and Kings Island, which has more for a 3 year old? I've been to Kings Island, but have never visited Cedar Point.

Thanks!

 

[oasispaul]

RN01 - I'd recommend 2 days for Cedar Point, especially if you want to ride all the headliners. And as a previous poster mentioned, even though the park is known for it's coasters & thrill rides, there are plenty of other attractions/shows as well. There is NO WAY you can fit everything into one day - especially if there is a decent crowd at the park. And trust me, there are at least a dozen rides that are "must-do's".

HOOSIER MOM - Cedar Point has 2 entire sections (Planet Snoopy & Camp Snoopy) devoted to small children. Rides, shows, Snoopy characters, etc. I have no idea about King's Island.

 

[minniebeth]

I have a question for you Ohio residents. Between Cedar Point and Kings Island, which has more for a 3 year old? I've been to Kings Island, but have never visited Cedar Point.

Thanks!

I think it depends on who else you are travelling with and how far you are travelling. If you are travelling with others who like bigger more thrill rides, than Cedar Point is great. If you have just the 3 yo then I would say Kings Island if it is closer to you. Kings Island is a one day visit where you could easily do 2 or 3 days at Cedar Point and Soak City.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Thank you for the info. It is just our 3 year old with us. Maybe we'll put Cedar Point on hold until he is older. It's a 5 hour drive for us. Kings Island is closer.

 

[summermac]

Another vote for 2 days.
Also go to their site and sign up for the coupon book. There's a coupon for a 2 day admission, I think.

There's usually always one for a BOGO on Starlight admissions too so you could do 1.5 days or even 2.5 days.

LOVE Cedar Point but haven't been there in a few years. Hoping to go this year w/out kids. I really don't think it's a great place for the preschool and even up to about 3rd grade crowd.

 

[wilderness01]

Thank you for the info. It is just our 3 year old with us. Maybe we'll put Cedar Point on hold until he is older. It's a 5 hour drive for us. Kings Island is closer.

I would for sure put CP on hold until he is older. I know they have more kiddie areas, but the only kiddie area that was fun for my little guy was the one with the little roller coaster towards the middle of the park. I really felt that the kiddie areas were truly for kiddie size only. I am not a big person, rather short actually, and I felt like my knees were up to my chest. My almost 3 year old hated it there and cried. A few rides made him happy, but that was about it. I felt like for the little ones it was more of a "carnival" type of atmosphere with its rides.

My older kids LOVED it and said it was the best park for coasters. If it were me, I would wait until he was a lot older and then go enjoy yourself.

We stayed at the Breakers in the main tower and it was nice. My friends stayed in the older section and had to light candles due to the mildew smell.

 

[BLLB]

We live fairly close to Cedar Point and we love to go. One "problem" we had this past summer was that my DS5 could ride lots of rides at WDW if accompanied by an adult, but at Cedar Point there was a height requirement only.

He couldn't understand why he could ride Space Mountain at WDW but not the Wildcat at Cedar Point (as an example). Obviously, not a big deal but it was a surprise to us.

We love Cedar Point, Lake Erie and Soak City. I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[summermac]

See my "problem" with the kiddie areas at CP is that I don't WANT to be there when there's all the roller coasters. LOL!

We take the kids to Kennywood every year (in Pittsburgh) b/c they only have 4 coasters so then we don't get irritated watching our kids ride the frog hopper AGAIN when we could be riding Millenium Force the The Magnum (best coaster EVER!)

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We LOVE CP (but not nearly as much as Disney.)

I grew up a coupe hours away and as a kid we had season passes there. My DH and I had our first date there. 2 years later we spent our honeymoon there at the Breakers. We went there ever year on our annivarsary through our tenth (then money got too tight to keep going.) We miss it. We planned to go this past summer for our 15th annivarsary, but couldn't, so now we are hoping for this summer for our 16th. My younger 2 girls don't remember it so we want to take them to see where our family kind of began...

Anyway, it is so large and busy nd in an effort to not miss anything if you can afford it, I'd say go for 2 days. If we go we will only be going for one but one is better than none! We also went to the Great Wolf there back when it was named Great Bear, we loved it. We'd like to try out the new place there (I'm drawing a blank on the name), but that may be a fun option.

Have fun!!! It's such a fun place...