Cedar Point trip Sat. /15

[markr]

Took a CP trip Saturday 9/15. It was the first Holloweekend.

After a nice hardy breakfast at Castaway Bay ( great breakfast bar. ) I got to the park 10:40 AM. After they opened the gates for early ride time for Maxx Pass/Jool Cool/ Resorts, I decided to head to M Force first. I was originally going to go to Raptor first but admission for the early ride guests was further down the midway instead of at the Raptor entrance, so I went to M Force first since I was already about halfway down the midway. When got to M Force it hadn't opened yet, so after about 10 minutes decided to hit Maverick. My hopes, however, were dashed when as I was walking down Frontier Trail, people coming in the opposite direction yelled that the ride was down. Therefore I got back in line for M Force. They finally opened the entrance for M Force at about 11:30a. However, when I was almost at the entrance to the station, I saw a train stop toward the top. It was by that time about 9:50AM and not one ride yet. It wasn't looking to be a very encouraging day. At 11:55 AM when the train was still stuck, I decided to take my chances and head to Dragster before the rest of the crowds headed inside.

Got in line for Dragster a little after 12 Noon. It was just a 35 minute wait and was running in full swing.

Next went to Power Tower, both shot up and shot down, walk-on for each.

Then over to Magnum, again a walk-on.

Next to Gemini, another walk-on. Rode the Blue Train, which got a head start, thus winning the race. However, because of the head start, I was dissappointed that I never got to high-five the riders in the other train.

By this time, I was hungry, so I got a burger and fries in Frontiertown. As far as amusement park food I don't think any park can beat CP's burgers.

By the time I finished lunch, it was approaching about 2P so decided to check out Maverick. However it was still shut down, so I hit Mean Streak which was just about a 10 minute wait. After my horrible experience on SOB after it reopened back in July, Mean Streak is a piece of cake to me now.

Next I checked out Skyhawk but they were only operating one side and there was a bit of a line, so I decided to take the train back to M Force.

I always got a kick out of that train going through Boneville, especially the skeleton sitting in the outhouse. How illogical!!! KI needs to spruce up their train with some serious theming.

By the time I got to M Force it was a little after 3P and the line was filled all the way through the second to last group of queues past the soda machines. At first the line was moving really quickly but after about 10 minutes I noticed that no trains were passing. I then noticed that the ride was shut down due to mechanical reasons, so I decided to head over to Raptor.

Got in line for Raptor at 3:30p, all the queues were completely full but was 1 1/4 hours wait. Nothing like Raptor's capacity. I had to laugh while I was in line when a young woman right behind me called someone on her cel phone stating that she had been in line for 2 hours. Obviously she had been in line as long as me. I checked my cel phone clock and it had only been a half hour. When we got close to the entrance about a half hour later, I heard her again on her cel phone stating that we had been in line for two hours. I think that is another reason that line waits for amusement parks are so exaggerated. Waits are reported by people who cannot tell time.Ahhhhh!!!!

Next I hit Wicked Twister which was about a 45 minute wait.

Afterward I decided to try M Force again. got in line about 5:45P.M. By this time the line was just at the soda machines. The line moved quickly at 1 1/4 hrs. Didn't wait for the front seat as was afraid would break down again.

Next I had to do front seat on Dragster. Got in line at 7:30p. By this time the line was all the way to the second to last group of queues. Although the sign said 1 hr 45 minute wait, my wait was 1 1/2 hours for the front seat, which wasn't bad. Nothing like Dragster on the front seat the way the wind just folds up your face.

Next I decided to hop the train again to Frontiertown to see if Maverick was open buy it was still shut down. The ride hostess at the entrance said they were still working on the ride, but it was doubtful that the ride would be open that day. I decided to do Skyhawk even though they only had one side open. About 30-45 minute wait but worth it. How I love that ride.

I got back on the train to head for a nite ride on M Force. However by the time I got back to the main midway, I was dog tired, so I decided to to head back to my motel room. Took the Skyride back and left the park at close to 11:30PM.

The park had the usual decorations for Holloweekends- the Ghoul Bus, the cemetary of dead rock stars and country stars, etc. I didn't check out any of the haunted attractions as am only interested in doing the coasters when I drive 4 hours to CP. All and all, CP does a really nice job fixing up the park for Holloween.

All and all, a pretty good day even though I got off to a slow start. Can't wait until my next trip.

[BoddaH1994]

I'm going this Sunday. I've heard Sundays in Sept are dead. Can anyone verify this?

[tigellinus]

How busy was it on your Saturday?? Based on your report it sounds very busy (although not ludacris), but with Maverick down and MF having delays that could have bearing...

I have heard Sundays are a lot less crowded from people on PointBuzz...at this point, I can't decide if I wanna do just Saturday for the full day? Or do part of Saturday and part of Sunday...does anyone know if a one day ticket can be upgraded to the two day while in the park? (the people I'm going with don't have Maxx Passes....losers!!)

[markr]

Saturday was pretty crowded although not as hugely crowded as the peak season of July and August. While there were lines for just about everything, including Magnum and Wicked Twister I still pretty much got to ride everything I wanted except for Maverick. If you go on a Saturday, I suggest if you have a Maxx Pass that you hit Raptor first, then M Force, then Maverick ( if there are no mechanical problems for any of those rides.) After Maverick, hit Mean Streak, then Skyhawk, then just move around the park in a clockwise direction.

During Holloweekends, I find that Sundays are less crowded although you will have lines in the early morning and afternoons. However, by the late afternoon, a lot of people have left to go home from their trips and the lines will be pretty short from about 5PM to closing.

Also, the park is open 6Pm to Midnite Fridays and the lines are usually pretty short then. If you can manage try to do a whole weekend. Hotels are really cheap during the fall season. I suggest you check out Travelocity. I got a room at Econo Lodge right across the street from the CP entrance for just $52.

For those who don't have passes, there are some great Holloweekend package deals available for the resorts. Check online for packages. Plus you get the early ride time.

[Touchdown]

I'm going this Sunday. I've heard Sundays in Sept are dead. Can anyone verify this?

The only time I've been on a Sunday during Halloweekends it was a gorgeous day (high 60s sunny) in 2004. I had a wait for TTD (10 min,) and MF (5 min) everything else was a walk on. It was a glorious day, as was this past Friday, I did 21 rides (including 2 TTD, 2 MF, and all the haunted attractions but UR Dade) in the 6 hours the place was open. So from experience, if you can go on a Fri or Sun during Halloweekends, it is certainly the way to go.

[Browntggrr]

I'm going this Sunday. I've heard Sundays in Sept are dead. Can anyone verify this?

Sundays in September & October are traditionally slow, with the exception of Columbus Day weekend. I would avoid the park that entire weekend unless I was with a travel group.

But still, you never know. The weather forcast has looked good all week, so there could be many people planning on going as well.