If you are checking out this website, then there is a good chance you are planning a vacation to Cedar Point. Cedar Point is one of the most popular destinations for roller coaster enthusiasts in the United States and is a perennial winner of Best Amusement Park in the world.
There are 14 adult coasters and 2 coasters for the little guys, and each of them was record-setting at the time of their completion.
The coasters range from the classics such as Blue Streak and Cedar Creek Mine Ride to the record-setting Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. There is something for everyone.
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Cedar Point Weather
Planning a trip to Cedar Point can be a challenge. Traveling to Cedar Point for a one-day trip is like playing the lotto because so much of the park depends on the right weather.
During my days working at Cedar Point, I saw many guests disappointed because the wind was too high or there was rain. The weather at Cedar Point can be tough to gauge because it is positioned right on Lake Erie, where storms can appear suddenly, or the winds can pick up.
When that happens, you can expect most of the roller coasters to shut down. While guests can still enjoy some entertaining shows and some excellent food, that’s not the reason they came to the park.
Cedar Point Hotels
The best way to avoid this is to plan a trip that is longer than a day. Cedar Point is large enough to plan a week-long adventure, especially if you are planning a trip in July or August.
During Cedar Point’s peak season, you will not be able to ride all the roller coasters thrill rides, and experience the attractions in one or even two days because the lines are too long.
The lines for Maverick, Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, Raptor, Gatekeeper, and any water ride on a hot day will exceed an hour and some even 3 hours. Even some of the rides that are usually walk-ons will have 30-minute wait times during peak season.
Staying at a Cedar Point Hotel or Resort will help speed some things along because they allow for early entry into the park. During that first hour, you will be able to ride a couple of rides before the lines reach maximum length. The Cedar Point Hotels and Resorts available for guests to stay at are the following:
Hotel Breakers: Long before Cedar Point was a destination for adrenaline junkies, there was Hotel Breakers. It has been around since the early 20th century and has been recently remodeled. It still has that vintage charm but with a modern swag. This is the ideal place to stay while at Cedar Point. It is located inside the park and provides immediate access to Cedar Point and Soak City.
Castaway Bay: Located outside the park is Castaway Bay. While Hotel Breakers is known for its history, luxury, and great access to Cedar Point Beach, Castaway Bay is a different animal. Castaway Bay is the second largest indoor water park in the area, along with quick access to Quaker Steak and Lube’s famous wings.
Sandcastle Suites: Located inside Cedar Point and close to Soak City is Sandcastle Suites. It is not as historic as Hotel Breakers or as exciting as Castaway Bay, but it provides a great place to relax and unwind after a long day at Cedar Point. It has Cedar Point Beach access and an outdoor pool.
Breakers Express: Located outside the park just before the Cedar Point causeway. The Breakers Express provides early entry into the park and a more affordable option to experience Cedar Point hotels. Due to its location, it gives better access to great food options available in Sandusky, Ohio. The price is about half of what you would pay at Hotel Breakers.
Cedar Point Food
When I was a kid, Cedar Point was known for overpriced and average food, but over the years, that has changed. The food is still overpriced, but at least you are now getting something better than average food.
Cedar Point has made a great effort to improve its dining experience. Here is a list of a few of the popular destinations located at the point.
Famous Dave’s: You probably know of this national chain, but Famous Dave’s is known for its great BBQ. If I had to make a suggestion for the best value for a family at the park, it would be here. You can order the All-American Feast and a bunch of water and get out of there without spending more than 90 bucks. For a family of 4 – 6, that is an accomplishment at Cedar Point.
Toft’s Ice Cream: The only local place remaining at Cedar Point. Toft’s Ice Cream has been around for decades here, and they are known for their unique flavors and large portions.
Pink’s: The best 10-dollar hot dog you will ever eat. Pink’s is a nationally recognized hot dog stand located in California. It has been the setting for some of the most popular food shows on Food Network and won many awards for its excellent frank. There is only one location located past the Mississippi Rover, and it is at Cedar Point.
Coasters and Johnny Rockets: Both are similar in theme and food. They are 50s-style diners with great burgers, shakes, and root beer floats.
Midway Market: To get some bang for your buck, this is a good option. It is an all-you-can-eat buffet with a little bit of everything.
Last Chance Saloon: One of my favorite places to go to grab a beer and a bite to eat. Considering it is Cedar Point, the prices aren’t too bad. Off the beaten path in Frontier Town, it is a place you can find me while the kids wait in line at the Maverick.
Cedar Point Roller Coasters
It is not Cedar Point without the discussion of Roller Coasters. I wanted to provide a quick overview of each coaster so that you have a general idea of what they are if you have never experienced them:
Blue Streak: Classic wooden coaster with a small hill and fun dips. It is the oldest coaster at Cedar Point and probably won’t be taken down anytime soon. Great for a kid's first time on a roller coaster.
Cedar Creek Mine Ride: Built a couple of years after the Blue Streak and located in Frontier Town, the Mine Ride is a great scenic ride, but if you are looking for thrills, look somewhere else. A lot of folks like it, but it is my least favorite ride at Cedar Point.
Corkscrew: A classic steel coaster that has a hill and three inversions.
Gemini: Named after the famous constellation, the Gemini has two trains that raise against each other. A fun coaster that is taller than you may think. Always a popular ride.
Iron Dragon: Was built in the 1980s and is one of the first hanging coasters. The Iron Dragon has two hills and is a favorite among kids. A great ride to experience if you are a little afraid of the taller coasters.
Magnum XL 200: The ride that made Cedar Point. I don’t care if you don’t like the Magnum or feel it is outdated. Everyone should ride this ride. Historically, it is the ride that made Cedar Point a national destination. When it was built in 1989, it was the tallest coaster in the world and still remains one of the best coasters in the United States.
Mean Streak: If you like wooden coasters and whiplash, this is the ride for you. I haven’t ridden it since I turned 28 and probably never will again. It lives true to its name as it beats the living hell out of you for about 2 minutes. After this ride, a stop at the Last Chance Saloon is a necessity for me.
The Raptor: After the Magnum shocked the world, the Raptor blew their brains out. It has 4 seats in a row and inverts around 8 times. It is one of the most popular rides at the point.
Millennium Force: Eleven years after the Magnum, the Millennium Force raised the bar for roller coasters. It was the first coaster to top 300 feet and was equipped with a new lift that quickly got guests to the top of the hill and then sent them over. It reaches speeds over 90 MPH but is one of the smoothest rides you will ever experience.
Top Thrill Dragster: After Millennium reached 300, Cedar Point felt the need to reach 400 feet with the Top Thrill Dragster. The ride lasts for about 10 seconds as it shoots you off like a cannon up a 400 hill and then spirals you down for another 400 feet. It reaches speeds of over 100 mph.
Wicked Twister: Over 200 feet and part of the Cedar Point Challenge, this ride can make you sick, but it is still a lot of fun. Basically, the twister shoots you back and forth a few times, causing your stomach to turn into knots. Don’t have a full stomach before this ride.
Maverick: I remember looking at the Maverick being skeptical. The hill was so small, and even with the inverted decline, it did not look the part. Boy, I was wrong. I remember riding this ride with my daughter and just laughing the whole time. By the middle of the ride, I knew that this was my favorite ride. I don’t want to tell you anything about the coaster because there is a surprise in one of the tunnels. Just be sure you don’t pass this ride up during your visit.
Gatekeeper: Replaced Disaster Transport as the tallest winged coaster. Kinda feels like the matrix. Either you love it, or you hate it. Regardless, expect long lines.
Rougourou: I haven’t had a chance to ride this one in its new form quite yet, although I did ride it when it was the Mantis. I’ve heard good things, but I was a bit disappointed when I heard Cedar Point only re-purposed the Mantis with a new floorless train. While I think that it is a good thing, the Mantis always gave me leg cramps. I thought it lacked the innovation I used to always see with Cedar Point.
Soak City and Challenge Park
With a Cedar Point Platinum Pass, you can experience Soak City without any additional charge. However, if you are here for vacation, you probably already know that there is a separate admission charge to get into Soak City.
Soak City is full of fun slides and relaxing ways to soak in the sun. Prepare for it to be crowded on hot days.
Challenge Park requires no additional admission, but each ride is a separate charge. The Ripcord, Go Karts, Skyscraper, and Putt-Putt are all available to play.
The Ripcord and Skyscraper are the most thrilling.
Halloweekends
I remember the first Halloweekends in the 90s. Me and my buddies skipped school in September to go to it. At the time, there was an anted house located in the old Disaster Transport ride. My crazy friend ran through the haunted house, banging on doors and kicking anything he saw.
One door he kicked, and it opened up the break room for the staff. It was funny to see the staff dressed like demons eating some lunch.
One guy looked at us and told us to get out. I don’t know how we were not escorted out of the park, but after that, we toned it down and rode some rides.
Back then, Halloweekends was a great time to go because most of the rides were walk-ons. The decorations were not as extensive, and there weren’t so many rides shut down.
That has now changed.
My daughter tells me that most of the rides still remain walk-ons because almost everyone is in line for the haunted houses.
That may be true, but I know from talking to some of the restaurant owners that their business skyrockets during the last few weekends of the season.
Traffic on Route 250 is backed up, and the hotels are all booked up, and it seems to get busier every season.