Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Cedar Point
We arrived at 9:30am. They were letting everyone through the front gates but then stopping the masses by the Sky Ride entrance (which has been updated). They have a special (and clearly marked) "back route" for Joe Cool Club members and resort guests so they can get in the extra thirty minutes of ride time on Dragster or Millennium Force. I am in the Joe Cool Club and power walked over to Dragster. It was a walk on right into the station but then I waited about 15 minutes to get on the train (they sure take a long time to load and dispatch). A nice first ride for the season. The rest of the day Dragster averaged about 40 minute wait times, but the crowds are much less than in the summer.
I won't bore you with details, so here is a quick rundown: Every coaster ridden except Mantis (short line, but not short enough for me!), Wildcat (never got around to it), Jr. Gemini (kiddy coaster), Woodstock Express (ditto) and Mean Streak (closed because of rain most of the day). Speaking of rain, it started raining at 2:00pm and didn't stop until we left at about 7:00pm.
All the coasters were walk-ons for me (Raptor had over hour long lines posted--and I assume other coasters got worse later in the day--but they opened Raptor after the rain and I got a short line then) with Magnum having no one in line all day. Dragster offers Freeway passes this year and I got one but was rained out when my time came.
Gemini has been reduced to one line now. No longer can you choose between the front or back line. They have also added automatic gates and removed two trains (one from each side) which will increase lines at Cedar Point's most ridden (and highest capacity) attraction.
Finally, in case of rain one of the best places to wait it out is the Cedar Point museum in Frontier Town. It is the big white building with pillars that is part of the same complex as First Aid. It is worth your time to check out on a perfect day and great fun in foul weather.
