#BloggingatCP
You all should know by now, born and raised a Michigander, I am a frequent visitor of the "Best Amusement Park in the World" (yes the whole world!). Not only do I love visiting the park as frequently as I can but I enjoy chatting it up with the people who work there! I feel as though I have been so fortunate to have the opportunity to be one of the Cedar Point Blog Ambassadors and work with the team they have over there!
Cedar Point is located in Sandusky Ohio which is honestly quite a small town and undeveloped area in my opinion. "With 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point amusement park/resort is home to the largest collection of coasters on the planet and has been voted the 'Best Amusement Park in the World' consistently!" What an accomplishment!
Besides having such a wide variety of amusement areas for both big and small, they also have the Soak City Water Park, Challenge Park with things like a Ripcord and Mini Golf, Fun on the Water where you can Fish or Parasail, and Dinosaurs Alive! I was even pumped to the newest event, Run and Ride where you can run a mile, 5k, or half marathon. Then, with all the normal perks of running in a race, you also get to enjoy entry to the park for some excitement afterwards!
This year I was fortunate enough to attend Cedar Points Blogger Media Day and to bring several of my friends and family. This was a unique visit for us this time around since we were able to go with individuals who hadn't been to the park in over 10 years. We knew going in that we wanted to get them on the most recently added Gate Keeper coaster as well as all of us wanted to experience the Pipe Scream for the first time!
First thing I want to recommend to someone visiting park during any prime Summer Season days...Buy a Fast Lane Pass. Yes, these are ridiculously over priced and honestly one of the many ways the park makes complete bank off of people. However, there is nothing like literally walking up to whichever ride you choose and getting to ride it right away verse waiting two hours in line only to have the experience be over in a short few seconds.
Without, the Fast Lane Pass, you are potentially looking at only getting to ride 5-6 rides from open to close hours tops. Whereas each time we have the pass, we rode several of the coaster 2-3 times in a row even during a busy time like Memorial Day weekend. When buying the Fast Pass, don't question yourself. If there are ten people in your party get ten wrist bands (as they discount the price the more you buy).
Our first trip a while back, we didn't buy together at first and ended up making three separate purchases costing us twice as much. Throughout the park you can find 72 rides including four children’s areas. The Fast Lane Pass covers more than 20 of these rides and attractions. The Fast Lane Plus Pass covers everything the regular pass covers plus the GateKeeper, Maverick and Top Thrill Dragster. The Plus appeals to people like my husband and brother in law because they are obsessed with the Maverick and Top Thrill Dragster. I however could care less about those two so I skip out on the extra cost.
One of my Besties and her husband!
If you decide to make the trip an over night one you can stay at one of four resort hotels - Sandcastle Suites, Hotel Breakers, Breakers Express, and finally Castaway Bay which includes a year-round indoor waterpark. There are also two marinas if you (or a friend) have a boat you'd like to sail up and stay in. Or if you are the roughing it type you can stay at the luxury RV campground with cottages and cabins (so not really roughing it lol).
This time around we were given the opportunity to tour through Dinosaurs Alive! "Dinosaurs Alive features over 40 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, Combining finely detailed hand-crafted animatronics, interactive consoles, a lush setting and educational content that reflect the latest scientific theories, for guests of all ages to actively engage in a unique learning experience."
I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed with this experience even with how cheap it is to add this on to your park admission cost. I was expecting more moving dinosaurs with realistic parts and I saw just the opposite. Several dinosaurs appeared to be "stuck in the ground" so only half their body was showing, few moved and those that did appeared very jerky. I would be willing to pay more if they upped the quality and posibly added even some fog or sound effects to truly make the experience more realistic.
I recommend several things before making your trip to Cedar Point which will not only save you money in a few ways but save you time and keep your experience as packed with fun as possible. Remember, even if you are not the most planned out person and you tend to like to wing it, sometimes having an idea of what you want to do with your day(s) or setting your expectations can help save you a lot of stress in the long run!
One of these things is purchasing one of the Cedar Point cups with lid and straw. I believe they were around $12-15 each BUT not only do you get an easy souvenier cup, you also get free refills on soda or water ALL day long. Because there is a quick stop beverage station or even dozens of restaurants throughout, you can refill anytime you get thirsty and honestly don't have to spend additional time in line to purchase the drinks which will cost you an arm and a leg by the end of the day.
Of course this year, we were most excited to ride the newest family roller coaster at Cedar Point - The Pipe Scream! The Pipe Scream is on a track shaped almost like a boomerang or banana which you rock back and forth while circling in a rocking motion. "Over 302 feet of track, flying 43 feet above the midway at 43 mph!"
I noticed right away this was not one of those rides thats over before it starts being quite a long ride and of course there are no flips or drops where your more nervous rider might freak. I have to say we both watched the ride and then took our go at it, and we were not impressed. I know that it is going to only get harder to break more records and scare riders, so I definitely appreciate the addition of something a bit more family friendly. However, I am a thrill seeker who can never get enough!
At the end of the day I polled everyone in my group like I always do as to what their favorite roller coaster was especially since some had been there last season and others not in the last decade. Overall the reigning champion is Millenium Force with a tie for second between the Gate Keeper and the Maverick! This is actually the same results I've seen the last few trips we've made!
Single Day Junior/Senior - Online: $29.99
Dinosaurs Alive!: Starting at $6 per person (discounted with additional tickets purchased)
Coupons/Deals: On Father’s Day (this Sunday, June 15, 2014 ONLY)-
- All Season Passholders can bring their dad (or a friend) to Cedar Point for just $19.99.
- When you buy one Meal Deal for just $13.99 plus tax, dad enjoys his meal for free (limit one free meal per group).
- Free admission for Dad to Dinosaurs Alive
- Purchase a one-day Cedar Point admission ticket now through Sunday, June 15 and receive a FREE Soak City ticket
Recommendation: As if you couldn't tell from beginning to end what I think of this park!? This is definitely an experience you need to travel to especially if you are not within short driving distances. Be prepared to spend a LOT of money but it will all be worth it in the end even with an empty pocketbook! You CANNOT experience something like this any where else in the world!
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