Bennett

I've stayed at Embassy Suites in Blue Ash, would fit the bill perfectly for what you are looking for. 15-20 minutes from park, clean, and comfortable.

All mentioned are very, very far from the park...or Wilmington, for that matter. Very confusing as to where you are trying to visit.

Counting yesterday morning, that is two Wednesdays that I have gone, and had to deal with the full monty before entering the park. Yesterday, though, the folks working out front were much more cordial than the first time, where it had all the pop and pizzazz of entering a Russian prison camp in Siberia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frq7_Ip64NU

Apparently, not only did the main fail, but the valve failed on the backup water supply. Once the towers were depleted, it was all over. Turned out to be a great trip for us in the end anyway.

Tina.

Didn't stop...came across Ohio Turnpike.

I did that, all four rides on Maverick. I'm a big, strong guy, but after the first half, it was impossible to control the last half of beating and banging. I did like the ride very much, just hate the restraints.

This. This is why I stay at Hotel Breakers and only Hotel Breakers when I go to Cedar Point. Y'all can keep your cheap motel rooms on the mainland. I want the convenience. I agree, but you're going to catch quite a bit of flak on here for saying that. Hoped I would enjoy it. Just not my cup of tea. I guess I'm too old to enjoy being jostled around. I figured that a tall, fast Arrow, minus the loops would be smoother. Even the bunny hills were rough.

We left the house at 5:45 am Sunday morning, already having made peace with the fact that we would not be checking into Hotel Breakers that afternoon. Found a $50 room at Knights Inn, hoping that the day after Bike Week would find the place cleaned up and in working order. Made it into downtown Pittsburgh around 11am. Got smack dab in the middle of a charity walk across the Roberto Clemente bridge. When in Rome, they say...what a party atmosphere around PNC Park, even at 11 in the morning on a Sunday. Being a native Cincinnati guy, I must say that I was very, very impressed with the downtown Pittsburgh area, and what they have done with the ballpark area. Far better atmosphere than GABP, better sight lines in the stadium, especially from the concourse behind home plate. My daughter wore her AJ Green jersey, and a Reds hat, whilst I sported a Reds t-shirt. Expected the worst, but only got some good natured heckling. Met some great fans. Made it to our seats in right field, heckled Ryan Braun a bunch, watched a boring 1-0 game, made our way back to the car. Easy to get into, and easy to get out of downtown. On our way to Sandusky! Checked into the Knights Inn a little after 7pm. Talked to the nice lady behind the counter for a while, who confirmed that the hotel was dead, they were looking forward to catching their breath after Bike Week, as they were booked solid until that Sunday. This place is not the Ritz, but very clean, very good value for the money. Checked out Monday morning at 6:45, made it to the front gate of CP at 7:02am. Made it to the parking lot of Hotel Breakers at 7:20 am. Front doors opened at 8am, but we figured that beating the throng back to the lot would be a good idea, and boy, did that turn out to be right on the money. Never in my life have I seen a line so long to check into a hotel than what was in that lobby at 8:15 that morning. Felt bad for the people getting their tickets and ERT passes. Having our platinum passes, we figured we would come back at lunch time. Tailgated in the parking lot with coffee, Dr. Pepper, and donuts until 8:45. First ride of the day was Gatekeeper. Front row, right side. A fun ride, not too forceful. Found it to be a far, far better ride from the back, which, as we would find out, would be a running theme at CP. Next, off to Raptor. 20 years old, and, it shows. I would put it as if B&M and Arrow had a baby, and had an inverted coaster that would box your ears, it would be Raptor. Rode it once, will never ride it again. Just beat me up. Neat to see, though, the upgrades from that to Banshee, and what a night and day difference the rides really are. Next off to Millenium Force. Having read "millenium forceless" forever, wanted to find out for myself. Front row ride. Shirts up over the nose, up the hill we went. Up the hill we stopped...then, up and over, though at a far slower speed. Decent ride, though seemed "slow". That was right. Rode immediately again, as they let us thru without walking around, back row this time. One train wait, danced to the "house" music, and, off we went. All I can say it, anyone who calls that ride forceless has not ridden in the back row. I can see why it has been ranked #1 for so many years. Superb. Next, off to Maverick. First half of the ride, was very enjoyable. Second half, after the shot thru the tunnel, beat me to death. My neck STILL hurts...of course, we did ride it a few more times. and, the second half still beats you up pretty good. Better restraints would make that ride really, really fun. TTD was down at 10am, which would be a running theme for two full days. Talked to one of the workers in line Tues night for a good half hour, he was curious how I knew about the Rec Hall riot...lol. Very nice young man. After 4 times trying to ride TTD, and having it break down, sometimes 5 minutes into a wait, sometimes 20 minutes into a wait. Shame the thing is so darn unreliable, as it is a super fun ride. Did a turn on Magnum XL, Gemini, and the Lake Erie Eagles, then, made the walk to the front desk to check in. No wait, were able to get right into our room on the first floor of Bon Air at 11:15 am. Frankly, made the rest of that day easy to breathe. Clean room, perfect for our needs. People compain about the price, as you are paying triple retail. But, tell me. Where else can you stay where you can walk from your room, and in 5 minutes, be at the beach, at the pool, in the hot tub, in the park, on in Soak City? Nowhere. That is what you are paying for, the convenience. Not having to get into the car from 7am Monday until 11am Weds is the way to go. As far as the old favorites go, I enjoyed Gemini very, very much. If only Arrow could have made all their rides so smooth. Magnum XL-200 is not my cup of tea. Only good part is the 200 foot lifthill. Rough as can be. Rode it to say I rode it. Typical rough Arrow ride. Iron Dragon is a cool little ride, The Bat is far better, ID is just in a far better location. Corkscrew, what can I say. A classic. Short, sweet, typical Arrow ride, didn't beat me up as much as I thought it would, but not enough speed to really do that. Cedar Creek Mine is a neat, old ride. Blue Streak is perfect. Like half of our Racer, but better somehow. Wicked Twister was great. Not a fan usually of that type ride, but the pure speed is great, the twists up are incredible. Far better than what I thought it would be. Mean Streak was, truthfully, a far better ride than I thought. Rough, but just the right kind of rough. Walked on that ride for two days straight. Ride gets no love, but I enjoyed it very much. Did two of the three water rides, every time we were dressed and ready to ride, Shoot The Rapids was down. Both enjoyable, one better than Congo Falls, while Whitewater Canyon wins that battle. Last, Mantis. First stand up ride I've ridden since King Cobra. Enjoyable, restraint system is uncomfortable for a 6'6" guy. All in all, was a really neat experience to see all the different rides, some that were precursors to far better ride designs. I must say, though, that Banshee as a whole beats anything that Cedar Point has to offer, with the exception of Millenium Force. Quantity and atmosphere, CP wins the day. Great park to take a two day visit, where you can relax at the hotel/pool for an hour between riding sessions.

We were able to check into Hotel Breakers at 11:15am. Probably could have earlier, but figures we'd ride for a couple hours, let the huuuuge crowd at registration dissipate. Worked out great. In spite of some online reviews, this renovated Bon Air room is just fine. Nice view of Magnum and TTD our the window.

They did let us back to the parking lot...

I know, but since there is no one there, was told that we could be at front desk at 8 am, and would be called when rooms were ready. Will likely be earlier.

Never made it yet...were to check into Hotel Breakers this afternoon. Switched to an off site hotel yesterday afternoon, driving up from Pittsburgh as soon as this ball game is over. Will be there for ERT at 9am, have reservations still for Mon-weds at Breakers, though who knows when they'll let us check in.

Seems repairs are done, and park will be open tomorrow.

Any hoo, off to bed. Getting on the road at 5:30am to drive to the Steel City. First time to PNC Park. My daughter will be sporting her AJ Green jersey, whilst I will be decked in Reds gear, for a Pirates/Brewers tilt.

Already cancelled and refunded for Sunday, as they knew resort would not be available. My issue is, the lady at reservations this afternoon should have been straight with me, instead of parroting the company narrative. Now, I have no idea if the park will even be open Mon/tues, or the resorts for that matter. A very ham handed response from Cedar Fair. Is there anyone at reservations to speak to tonight about this matter? Of course not...that speaks volumes.

We shall see. Cedar Fair was sure quick to send multiple e-mails trying to upsell my reservation. I had to call to see what was going on today, didn't get anything from them until after 7pm from an automatic email. I will let you all know how it turns out...we will see what kind of customer service they have. I personally think a couple of all day meal passes would not set them back, and, would satisfy my inconvenience.

They cancelled mine... and I was assured park would be open Sunday, though hotels would not be. Based on that, booked room in Sandusky for Sunday night. Now, I have a non refundable room for a park I can't visit Sunday, and a reservation for Mon/Tues that I may or may not be able to use. Should there be a carrot thrown?

For everyone with reservations on the property, made in good faith, paying triple retail to stay on said property? Making last minute hotel plans, that I cannot cancel for Sun eve? Based on a phone call stating park would likely open on Sunday? When I could have gone to Carowinds instead? To folks who had reservations torpedoed? Yes.

Had better be Fast Lane/All Day Meal passes ready at check in.

Lame...should be working all night to make sure the park can open tomorrow. When this is the only trip families plan for the summer, all measures should be taken. This is the only getaway we had planned, and, now it is half shot to hell. I'll be lucky now to get in the park/check into Breakers at any point Monday. Bennett, wondering why he bothers.

Indeed...it was just funny to hear her repeating verbatim what was on their website.

So, PNC Park in Pittsburgh for baseball tomorrow afternoon, and, instead of having my feet in the sand outside Hotel Breakers on the lake, I'll be at the Knights Inn. Hopefully park will be open tomorrow evening, can't wait for Sunday night rides!

This is a bunch of horsepucky...have reservations for Hotel Breakers tomorrow night-Weds. I wonder when they planned on calling me? Now, I'm kind of screwed as far as getting a place to stay Sun night. All off island CF properties are fully booked now as well. I wonder if anyone did plan to call, or, have me pull a Walley World tomorrow evening. Lady on the phone was not accomodating at all, basically said love it, or shove it, we don't care. Good thing I have friends who pay attention to this stuff, someone on FB hollered at me about this. The only time all year we get to have a little getaway, and, the s#!t hits the fan. BOOOO.