Get to the Point!
Written: May 16 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Big Rides, Great Location, and the best funnel cakes and onion rings money can buy!
Cons: Weekends are extremely crowded. Water Park requires an extra fee.
The Bottom Line: Big rides, big shows, kiddie rides, water park, great food, and a beach. So why aren't we there yet. Let's go!
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| danimales's Full Review: Cedar Point |
Ah, Cedar Point, surrounded by water on the shores of Sandusky, OH, only an hour drive west from the Rock n' Roll City of Cleveland, OH. If you ever are visiting Cleveland, or, anywhere in the state of Ohio, a trip to Cedar Point is a must. Boasting a record breaking 16 roller coasters, this park is consistently ranked the best in the world. But not just for rides, but also food, service, and overall park management.
For most people, what separates one park from another is often the quality of roller coasters, and Cedar Point delivers like very few-- if any, can. They boast 4 coasters over 200 ft tall, including the brand new Top Thrill Dragster, Reaching 420 feet tall and 120 MPH. Did I mention the other coaster measured at 310 feet? More on that later. But despite your need for speed, you probably have friends or family that prefer a walk on the tamer side. For them, the shows abound, everything from a diving show, an IMAX theater, to dinner theaters, the show-stopper lover in your family will not be let down. Have kids? Will travel. Plenty of kiddie rides, including two kiddie coasters at the back of the park. Kid Arthur's Court will have more cargo nets than they can climb, and will wear them out. Also, a whole heavily themed section of the park is dedicated to the Peanuts gang. Charlie, Lucy, Snoopy, Woodstock, and all your other favorites are there waiting for the little tikes.
Getting There:
A short drive from Cleveland, Columbus, and Detroit. You could drive and ride in the same day. But, if you've never been before, I would recommend two days at the park to enable you to take your time. This is a very large park. It isn't too far from major highways, so you shouldn't get lost. Go to their website to get more specific directions from your area. Driving up to the park is beautiful. You'll take the causeway on a very narrow strip of rocks with the waters of Lake Erie on both sides, and Seagulls flying by. And off in the distance on the Peninsula an even more beautiful sight: Towering roller coasters and thrill rides. Parking for cars at the park will run $7 or $8, and the parking attendants are very, very helpful. They'll get you to a spot in a hurry.
Admission:
Roughly $45 per ticket, but if you bring a specially marked Pepsi product can you can get up to $10 off, depending on when you go. Children under 48" tall are half price and seniors get in for $30. Kids 2 and under are free.
Entering the Park:
Upon entering the park, everything you need to start your day is within view. Clean bathrooms, a picnic pavilion, lockers, stroller, wagon, and wheelchair rental, and an information kiosk. As you begin your journey down the wide midway, there are fountains, games of skill, and beautiful floral landscaping. Take the SkyCars for a better view of the designs from above. But more so than this, the first thing you will probably notice is a towering mass of twisted green steel. That my friend, is rated as one of the best roller coasters in the world: Raptor.
The Rides: Roller Coasters.
First off, if your not a fan of coasters, you might as well skip this part. But if a white knuckle thrill ride is what you're looking for, read on my friend.
Raptor: This monster debuted in 1994 as the tallest and fastest inverted coaster in the world. And nearly 10 years later, it is still considered one of the top 20. At a top speed of 57 MPH, it's like riding a ski chair lift gone way out of control. 6 inversions in all, including a 100-foot tall loop and a zero-g barrel roll. My advice is to ride in the front seat. Don't be turned off by the extra wait for it, because it will be a ride you will never forget. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. Smooth as glass. Not for the faint of heart, or those who easily get motion sickness.
Blue Streak: A traditional out and back wooden roller coaster, standing at 78 ft, which is one of the smaller rides. This will lift you out of your seat, and is a fun ride that may surprise you.
Disaster Transport: An indoor roller coaster, complete with space theming as you take a "space light to Alaska." They put you on a 12 passenger giant bobsled like car, barreling down a giant half pipe. This ride is fairly tame, and most will enjoy it. Nothing special, but a fun little ride. And it's air conditioned.
Wicked Twister: More than meets the eye. All it is really is a giant U-shape. But don't be fooled. This inverted coaster starts off from a dead stop-- and then WOOSH! Before you know it you're going 70 MPH up a vertical twisting spike reaching 220 feet in the air. Eventually, it runs out of steam, and goes backwards up the rear side of the U, again, spiraling vertically, and then, it does it again. Much more intense than it looks from the ground.
Iron Dragon: An older suspended coaster, in which the cars hang from beneath the track and swing side to side. Mostly sharp turns in and around trees, but overall it is fairly tame. A good family ride.
Mantis: Debuted in the mid 1990s as the tallest and fastest stand up coaster in the world. You board this beast in the Stand-Up position, and traverse the twisted track at speeds near 60 MPH. 4 inversions in all. One heck of a ride.
Millennium Force: Holy fast and furious, Batman! Another record breaker, opened in 2000, standing at 310 feet, reaching speeds of 93 MPH. To put it in perspective, the third hill is 180 ft tall. At the end of all 6,500 feet of track, it is still traveling over 65 MPH, and feels like you're riding on air. Includes 4 overbanked turns, angled at 120 degrees. This is still rated the number one coaster in the world
Wildcat: An old classic, with single 4 passenger cars traversing the twisted track. Not very tall, but the very compact layout makes it feel like you're going faster than you really are. Surprisingly a great ride.
Corskscrew: Another old classic, including three inversions. It's a bit bumpy, and very short. Skip it if you have to, but it's still a fun little ride as you hang upside down over the people walking beneath you.
Top Thrill Dragster: Now this is just insane. The same says it all; Dragster-- very fast, very short. New for 2003, this heavily themed ride is making headlines all over the world. It lasts a mere 14 seconds, but they will be the most intense seconds of your life. Picture this, trains, which look like dragsters, pull out of the station and stop. The lights travel down the pole to green, and BANG off you go. 0 to 120 MPH in four seconds. Before you know it, you're traveling 90 degrees up into the sky before it peaks out at 420 feet. No, that's not a typo. It then spirals 270 degrees straight down, before leveling out to the brake run. Wow.
Magnum XL-200: Build in 1989, it was then the highest, fastest, and steepest coaster in the world. Standing at 205 feet tall and reaching 70 MPH, this is still a favorite of many enthusiasts. A little bumpy due to its age, but the most exciting ride on this machine is in the back. Air time, baby. Now 14 years old, it is still ranked in the top 10 in the world.
Gemini: A 125 foot racing coaster, with the blue and red trains racing side by side. Sit in the back, and air time will dominate your ride. Surprisingly, the line for this coaster is usually very short, so get a couple laps in.
Jr. Gemini: A figure 8 roller coaster for the little ones. Adults my ride with their children. Very short, a good first roller coaster for kids
Woodstock Express: A larger kiddie coaster, twisting in and around itself.
Cedar Creek Mine Ride: Borrrrring. Not very high, not very fast. A family ride that won't spook the faint of heart. Skip this one if you have to.
Mean Streak: They call it Mean for a reason, it is. A giant 165 foot wooden oval, which circles itself three times. Opened in the early 1990's, this ride opened to rave reviews for its never ending speed, air time, lateral G-Forces, and one eye-catching structure. Over the years, this ride has suffered major wear and tear, and since a brake has been added on the first hill to slow it down a bit. It's also very very rough, and hasn't been the same since it opened. Bring your asprin.
Water Rides:
Thunder Canyon and Snake River Falls will get you soaked-- and they are fun! If you just want to get splashed, White Water Landing may be more of your speed. Paddle wheel excursions will take you on an old riverboat ride with a captain delivering corny jokes. Eh, it's fun.
Transport rides:
-The sky cars are fun to look down on the beautiful floral arrangements over the midway
-The C.P. Railroad, a coal powered locomotive takes you from the middle of the park to the back. On the ride from the back of the park to the main station, you'll travel through Bonesville, Where skeletons play banjos, fight fires, and work on the railroad. Pretty fun.
Flat Rides:
More rides than you can shake a stick at. Scrambler, Flying Swings, a GIANT ferris wheel; all your favorites are there.
Food:
Very good. Whatever you want, they got it. But it is pricey. Be sure to make a special stop at the ice cream shop on the midway on the way out, TASTY!
Shows:
An IMAX Theater, Sing and Dance Shows, a Diving show, fireworks and laser spectacular, etc. I'm not one that always enjoys shows like these, but I have to admit they are pretty good. I would recommend the IMAX, Lusty Lil's dinner theater, and the fireworks/laser show.
Crowds/Lines
Avoid Saturday and Sunday at all costs. The crowds are absolutely insane on these days. Go on any weekday, tuesday, wednesday, and thursday are the best times to go. Any weekday in which schools are still in session, some rides are only 5-10 minute wait, even major coasters. Otherwise, expect to wait anwhere from 15-60 minutes for major coasters. Most flat rides are 15 minutes or less. On weekends, it varies so much, but a two hour wait or more for a major coaster is not uncommon. If it is crowded, be sure to ride these coasters:
Raptor
Mantis
Wicked Twister
Millennium Force
Top Thrill Dragster
Magnum XL-200
Gemini
Games and Shops:
Games of skill line the midway, and the rest of the park for that matter, with a couple large arcades to boot. They do have some unique shops, especially through Frontier Town, where you can buy a custom made wooden sign, homemade fudge and candles. Plus, all the Cedar Point merchandise you can handle.
Park Management
Most lines are long, but don't always have a long wait. Cedar Point moves people through lines faster than any other park I've ever seen or heard of. Period. The cleanliness of the park is impressive, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They just can't do enough for you. Food Service can be slow, but not bad.
Water Park:
It costs extra, but if you have the time it is worth it. A wave pool, speed slides, lazy river, inner tube slides, and much more. You could spend an entire afternoon here and not get bored. The only down side is it is extra. If you are planning a trip, ask for about a two-day Ride and Slide Pass. This will get you admission to both the Ride Park and Water Park for two consecutive days, for around $65/ticket.
The Bottom Line:
A thrill seekers paradise. For those not looking for thrills, there is still plenty to do, including a very nice and clean beach lining Lake Erie. Even the little kids will appreciate all Cedar Point has to offer.
Recommended? Do bees buzz? Absolutely.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
danimales
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Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 1 member
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