I have to correct myself. I look up the rides online, and both the Raptor and the Top Trill Dragster are older than I though they were. The Dragster opened in 2003, and the Raptor in 1994 :smack: (It had been many years since I last visited Cedar Point, and I missed the Raptor last time.) Raptor still draws a big crowd after all these years, however. Partially, that’s because it’s near the entrance, but it’s also a damn good coaster.
I went to Cedar Point a few years ago. I grew up going to Disney, Sea World, Busch Gardens, you know, Theme Parks. I had a difficult time understanding CP because it so wasn’t like the theme parks in Florida, it’s an amusement park.
If you are used to Florida parks, be prepared. It isn’t that it is bad, it is just that everything isn’t as uniform. It isn’t as theme-tastic. There isn’t as much attention to that sort of thing and it was a bit dirtier than the Disney Standard. It didn’t appear to be as well maintained either.
However, after I told myself “this is an amusement park, not a theme park” about 100 times, I chilled out and enjoyed myself. It was like ordering a Coke, but taking that first sip and it isn’t Coke, but you are expecting Coke and you can’t process what exactly it is you are drinking. It’s not that what you are drinking is bad, it just isn’t Coke. Maybe this transition isn’t as bad for folks who aren’t raised at the teat of Disney, but it was pretty bad for me.
I went in the summer, the lines weren’t bad at all (by Disney Standards) it was a sunny, beautiful day, the view was great and I had fun.
I was there last year in August.
It’s my wish that anyone visiting Cedar Point have a great time. It should be a really great place and a lot of fun. It just wasn’t for me.
sigh
It’s funny. The same company that owns Cedar Point also owns Valleyfair here in Minnesota. Valleyfair is always clean and nice, the park personnel are friendly and helpful, and the rides seem to always be well-maintained.
Cedar Point was the opposite in every aspect.
Y’know, I’d probably give most places a second chance and hope for a better experience the next time I visited, but I won’t do that with Cedar Point. Uh uh, no way.
I just want to thank everyone for their awesome input! We leave this Sunday - I’ll post a review when I get back! 
Please do. I’ve always wanted to plan a trip there.
I grew up going to Six Flags in Illinois and spent a lot of time in Florida at the Disney, Universal, Busch Gardens parks but I still am curious about this “best U.S. park for coasters” place.
I know The Dirtbombs have an awesome song about it, but I’ve never been there.
There is an *awesome *Italian resturant in Huron called “Marconis.” Everything I’ve ever ordered there has been absolutely delicious and the fresh-baked bread they bring to the table is divine.
I haven’t been to The Point for about two years now (since the kids can now drive themselves), but every time I’ve gone it’s been clean, not horrendously crowded, and everyone has had a good time. My kids love roller coasters…I begged to be let off the Blue Streak the first time I went, back in 1977. So the rides I favor are Bumper Cars, Derby Downs racing merry-go-round, and the big merry-go-round at the front of the park, which is where the kids meet me after the laser light show. I ride the smaller rides, go to the animal shows, nap on the grass and wander at my own speed. I generally am the only person wandering around alone. I amuse myself by reading everyone’s T-shirts…rarely do you see two identical shirts unless it’s a family or a church group. I get brave and take the overhead tram from one end of the park to the other, and take the train around through the woods. Next time I go I plan on actually getting on the Ferris Wheel this time, and not wimping out at the last second. Since I’ve lost weight, I don’t think I’ll be afraid of the latches not fastening anymore, so I will try some more adventurous rides.
I hope they have a good time…While I think the Point is the best park out there, I’d never go mid summer. The lines will be horrid. There just isn’t a ride in the world (to me) that’s worth an hour or more of standing in the hot summer sun.
Ceder Point is the cleanest park, with the most helpful staff as I ever seen any where. The kids and I have been to about 8 parks through out the country, we all agree that CP is the best.
I haven’t been to CP in over 20 years and don’t expect to go back. Between the hot sun, the multi-hour lines, and outrageous food prices I won’t set foot in there.
I much prefer Michigan’s Adventure park. Not as many rides, but two nice wooden roller coasters, short lines (never more than 1/2 hour) and a very nice water park.
If you are a coaster lover like the OP though, Michigan’s Adventure won’t keep you happy for very long. Cedar Point is way more exciting for people who love coasters. If you just want a few rides and the waterpark though, I agree that Michigan’s Adventure is fine. The main beef I have with Mich Adventure is that they charge kids over 2 full price, even if they aren’t tall enough to go on most of the rides, and I think that’s kind of a rip-off. But you can do the whole park in a day easy, so if you are looking for a multi-day park experience, heavy on rides and coasters, Cedar Point is the way to go.
You can go to CP now and not get the outrageous lines if you stay away from the biggest and newest rides. They just have so many rides and coasters now that you can still ride some really great rides without the huge waits.
That said, if you can go in May or September that is the best time. The park hours are shorter but you will get more rides in because of shorter lines. I remember going for my high school class trip in May and I don’t think we waited over an hour for anything, and most lines were more like 10-20 minutes.