My fiance and I would like to make a trip up to Cedar Point this summer because I have never been there, and I've heard it called "roller coaster heaven" several times. I would like ANY travel trips you all can lend me that would help me me plan this trip.

Things I need to know about....

Park Rates
Parking Fees
Hotel Costs and Quality
Non-busiest days to come
Days to avoid
Rides to MAKE SURE we get in...lol
Park Hours for the summer
Any other information you guys would like to offer me.

Thanks
PJ

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"...and please don't rock the Gondulas!"

Good to see you want to make your first trip out to CP, I'll try to help you with what I can. You'll probably get the most help simply from Cedarpoint.com. Frpm personal experience, I can tell you that your best bet for a hotel would be on-point at Hotel Breakers or Sandcastle Suites. That way, you are right there, you can get some sort of package deal, and you get some ERT before the park opens. Good deal, huh.
As for the rides, anything remotely resembling a roller coaster, you should seriously consider riding. Seriously, you MUST ride Raptor, Magnum, MF, Wicked Twister, and of course Top Thrill Dragster. There are many others and I'm sure you'll hear all about them. I'll see what else I can do to help you out.

How many days do you plan on staying?

www.cedarpoint.com could be extremely helpfull in helping you plan your trip. I would check with a few "off-point" hotels though, depending on the time of year CP's hotels can be a bit costly.

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Pick it up!

You have to get on all the big coasters, The hours are like all other parks. Parking is $8.00 if it hasnt changed since 2001.

Thanks for the help guys!!

Our trip is planned for the 24-26. We probably won't go to the park until the 25th and part of the 26th on CP's 2 night special for $66.
We are staying in a Best Western Hotel in Norwalk (about 15 miles from CP) for two nights for a total of $100. And CP is about 4 hours from where we will be leaving from, so at most we will be spending $40 on gas.

Now, to further help our case, any inside suggestions on park structures would be really helpful. Things like a good order to ride things in, or MUST RIDE rides. We will TRY and get all 14 coasters in in both days, but I don't know if it will be possible unless we dont eat. LOL

If anyone is interested in looking for me, I will probably be wearing a big fat six flags kentucky kingdom t-shirt, or if its cold for some reason, I'll have my six flags wind-breaker. LOL

I am REALLY looking forward to this trip, cause I've heard that CP is roller coaster heaven, and I've always wanted to go! Thanks for all your help!!

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"...and please don't rock the Gondulas!"

others already suggested cedarpoint.com, which will answer the Q's about fees.

Days to go: NOW!!! Early May is a great time to visit CP. The last full week in August is the single best week, imo, but early May is also an excellent time.

Days to avoid: Physics day (especially May 20th), ARC day (not sure when that is this year---perhaps an employee will post it in here), and any given saturday.

Eat before entering the park. If you know you'll drink a lot of pop, then buy a TTD souvenir cup (refill benefits).

Have fun!!

Thanks again. I have one more question, after watching the video footage from TTD. How the HELL am I supposed to get my fiance to come anywhere near that ride? LOL

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"...and please don't rock the Gondulas!"

Just blindfold her and tell her it's a kiddie ride i guess. It's not a big deal really. It's over before you realize it.

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Carolina Panthers 2008 NFC South Champions! 12-4
Divisional Playoffs: vs. Arizona
Go Panthers! The only NFL team with a PURRFECT 8-0 home record!!
#1 North Carolina Tarheels: 13-1

Oh, that's simple. Just borrow some handcuffs from some other TN members (names left out to protect the guilty) and you'll be fine. Handcuff him, have your way with him, and get him on TTD all in one shot---what could be better?

What about if my fiance (or is it fiancee?) is a woman. LOL

I'm a dude.

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"...and please don't rock the Gondulas!"

Same rules apply. Blindfold & Handcuffs. Sounds kinda kinky buy hey.

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Carolina Panthers 2008 NFC South Champions! 12-4
Divisional Playoffs: vs. Arizona
Go Panthers! The only NFL team with a PURRFECT 8-0 home record!!
#1 North Carolina Tarheels: 13-1

Hahaha....Oh, that's simple. Just borrow some handcuffs from some other TN members (names left out to protect the guilty) and you'll be fine. Handcuff her, have your way with her, and get her on TTD all in one shot---what could be better?

I made my maiden voyage to CP last year. I went the Friday and Saturday of the last week in August. Highly recommended.

We did the TTD souvenir cup thing that Robert recommended. We spent a grand total of 9 bucks for all the pop two people wanted for two days. Beat that!

The coasters you want to make SURE you hit are MF, TTD, Magnum, Raptor, Gemini, and Blue Streak. I'd say to leave Mean Streak, and mantis as ones you'll ride if you have time. the others- be your own judge. By your user name, I can tell you that ANYONE who has ridden Chang will be highly disappointed with Mantis.

Take the time to walk with the fiance on the beach at sunset. It will increase your chances of geting her to ride TTD!

Have fun- SFKK is not a bad park, but CP is going to be a totally different experience. KK is so landlocked that it is difficult for them to build a long coaster layout. long layouts are pretty much the norm at CP.

Does anyone know of any 'long term' options for CP other than a typical hotel room? We plan on going for a week this year (last year we went for the first time and stayed for 3 days...and now we want more ). We were thinking about maybe renting a condo or something similar for a week (it doesn't have to be on the water or anything...actually the cheaper the better, as long as its not a dump).

I know that the Extended StayAmericas (or something like that ) are fairly cheap, but the closest one is almost an hour away. Any other suggestions? Thanks!