WDW vs. Cedar Point crowds

[beastandbelle]

So we are going to WDW for the first time at the end of August and would really like a better understanding of the crowds. We live in Ohio so have been to Cedar Point many many times and are used to the long waits there. We've waited in 1-2 hour lines easily for some of their coasters and even our kids have waited for extended periods for rides there. Are the waits at WDW as long as everyone says they can be or are they better than at Cedar Point ? Any specific rides that are really really long waits continuously? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[scholastica]

I've done both. I would say the wait times for all attractions won't be hours, but the more popular ones could get up that high. You should look into getting your tickets early so that you can do FastPass+ for the more popular ones. I would say the wait times are shorter at Disney and the queues are better themed and covered so the waiting is less painful. Unlike Cedar Point, many of the rides are continuously loading so more people get on per hour.

Long waits: Test Track, Soarin, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Toy Story Midway Mania, Rock N Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest. Those are the biggies as far as attractions go.

 

[beastandbelle]

Great info! Thank you! We are staying on site and have bought a package so we will definitely be utilizing the fastpass..your list will definitely help me figure out which ones to use them on!

 

[csmith041177]

I have never been to Cedar Point, but I would like to! Incredible line up of coasters!!

 

[wareagle57]

I've never waited for anything in my life longer than Top Thrill Dragster. I don't think I've ever gone to CP without having it break down when I finally get onto the platform. If you plan right, you won't wait for anything as long as Dragster, Millenium, Maverick, or Gatekeeper during the middle of the day. But you will wait a long time for ride that if they were at CP instead of Disney, they would most likely be walk-ons.

 

[AnAmericanInDisney]

Under the new system, any ride you can't use FP+ will have a long wait, unfortunately- not as long as dragster, but as long as any other Cedar Point coaster. It wasn't that way before FP+.

 

[Turn the Page]

OP, do keep in mind that WDW is a much different kind of park than Cedar Point. CP is all about the coasters and WDW has absolutely nothing that compares to the coasters at CP. Tower of Terror is comparable to the Demon Drop it just has incredible an incredible theme. Also, RNR is the "biggest" coaster at WDW. I haven't been on it but I'm told it goes upside down twice though it's so quick you don't even realize it.

Bottom line is if you go in expecting WDW will have the thrill rides that CP has you may end up being disappointed.

 

[Momof2Singers]

Mesaboy2 is the man

You need to see his thread on fastpasses, you can print it out. A wealth of information, tried to copy the link and failed, but it is in this thread
THEME PARKS, ATTRACTIONS AND STRATEGIES,

He lists all the fast pass attractions and rates them according to wait times

Hope you guys have a wonderful time, disboards will help you have a less stressful time with all the helpful info here.

 

[beastandbelle]

Thanks for all the great info everyone. My DH and I have realized that the rides will be nowhere the magnitude of the rides at CP and we're perfectly ok with that..now the dd on the other hand might have a harder time but we've tried to explain the differences as best we can(at least as much as we know about them). We're all so excited to try something new and with Disney theming how can we go wrong!!

 

[daisyx3]

I live 90 minutes from CP and haven't been for 4 years. I got so spoiled with fast passes that when I did go to CP, waiting drove me insane. I would even buy FOL passes but they don't make them available. I loved the coasters, but now that I'm 50 I would skip about half of them.
I haven't used FP plus yet (29 days!!) but there is no way I would ever wait more than an hour for any ride at this stage of my life. At least if you wait at WDW a lot of the lines have interactive lines and good theming. At CP it is just walk to the end of that part of the line, turn, and go through the next part of the line.
Daisyx3

 

[MinnieMSue]

I find waiting in line at DW to be much easier than CP too. I have never waited in multi-hr lines at DW like CP. As others said there are long lines but generally if you hit the park early and do FP + you can somewhat avoid this. Last time I went to CP we bought the fast lane passes

 

[Kellykins1218]

We rarely see wait times at DW that rival those at Cedar Point. Quick Cedar Point hint (we live in Sandusky and go almost every day) try to visit in May before school is out or the week after Labor Day. You'll be able to walk right on most coasters.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I live 90 minutes from CP and haven't been for 4 years. I got so spoiled with fast passes that when I did go to CP, waiting drove me insane. I would even buy FOL passes but they don't make them available

Actually, they do. They're called Fast Lane (Fright Lane during Halloweekends)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I have never been to Cedar Point, but I would like to! Incredible line up of coasters!!

1) Thank You.
2) I have been part of the design-team
. . . for four of the new coasters
. . . for two of the coaster rehabs/improvements

 

[practicallyperfect77]

1) Thank You.
2) I have been part of the design-team
. . . for four of the new coasters
. . . for two of the coaster rehabs/improvements

Thank you Rusty! CP is an 8 hour drive for me but took my older two nephews there last summer. I <3 CP. Except I'm old now and those wooden coasters seem to beat me up so I only go on those once.

 

[beastandbelle]

1) Thank You.
2) I have been part of the design-team
. . . for four of the new coasters
. . . for two of the coaster rehabs/improvements

Amazing! Love love love Cedar Point and almost all the coasters..sorry Mantis . Been to many other amusement parks and CP will always be our favorite because of the quality of those coasters!

 

[ShannonMB]

As a fellow Ohioan, I've been to Cedar Point lots of times. I can't imagine there is a better coaster park on Earth! A*M*A*Z*I*N*G!!

Waiting in 2 hour lines with the sun beating down a'la Cedar Point is not really what it's like a Disney. Make sure you are using your FP+, but even if lines do get crazy long (which they do, especially for the big rides), lots of times they are indoors or at least covered, and very well themed.

Just a warning since you are Cedar Point people - we took DH to Disney for his first time a few years ago, and even though I had warned him over and over that Disney is NOT like Cedar Point, he was constantly asking me "Where are the RIDES?! I'm sick of sitting around in shows and this other wimpy stuff!". DH is now the dog sitter when DD and I go to Disney. Just thought I'd mention that!

Edit: Just went back and read the rest of the thread and I saw you already got your warning about Disney being a different kind of park. Hope you love Disney as much as DD and I do!