I'm thinking of making the pilgrimage to that mecca of the roller coaster world, Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio.  The wife and I will be driving down if we go and I have some questions that the internet is giving me a headache over.

1)  If we go on a weekday in August, can we do the whole park in 1 day.  I'd like to ride all the coasters at least twice and have no idea what wait times are going to be on a weekday.  We are not planning on doing the waterpark (I hate kids pointing at me, laughing and wanting to put Orca back in the ocean ).

2) WHICH HOTEL???  Sorry for the caps but I've read what feels like a million reviews and they are all over the place.  I'm not cheap(I am frugile) and I want value for my money.  Must be clean, neat, quiet, and bug and smoke free.  Distance isn't a huge issue (at least I don't think so since we have our car) or am I wrong??

3) Is there anything else around Cedar Point that is a 'must see' while we are there.  It would be nice to know how long to plan on being down there.  A 5 1/2 hour drive one way is a bit long to find out after that we missed something exciting.

Thanks in advance

stef

You can easily do the park in a day.

As for hotels, well,its probably the most expensive place to stay in the state.  They do have camping if you don't mind the outdoors though, I had more fun camping then I did staying at the hotels there.  Can't really recommend one hotel of another though.

What else to do... hmmm.. hit up ebay and buy a pin in ohio.. they go cheap there for some reason...

I've been to Cedar Point 4 times, but never for less than 2 days.  You'll probably be able to ride the major attractions in 1 day, but not twice.  It will also be a full/rushed day.  It will help if you go one of the last weekdays of August as kids start heading back to school around the 25th-26th and crowds are significantly less.  The trade off is that the park is only open 11am-9pm.

It will also help if stay at one of the on-site resorts.  The rooms are expensive but the cost is offset by discounted admission and free parking - and you can't beat the convenience.  Other hotels in the area can be really, really sketchy.  The cheapest on-site hotel, Breakers Express, runs about $100/night (at the end of August) for Holiday Inn type lodging.  Hotel guests also get into the park 1 hour early - which can be a huge advantage if you're short on time.  Unless you're planning on hitting the road really early, consider a Starlight ticket for the day you arrive ($15 for on-site guests, admission from 5pm-close).  You can jump in a long line right at closing and they'll run the ride until the lines finished.

We've always loved staying in the Lighthouse Point Cottages - but they can be very pricey depending on how many people are staying (they sleep 6).  They come with a mini-fridge, microwave and charcoal grill - so you can avoid eating meals in the park and they're great for a mid-afternoon rest.  No matter where you stay, avoid eating meals in the park - in recent years the food prices have shot through the roof and the quality is very poor, even by amusement park standards.

Finally, definitely wait to ride Millennium Force in the front seat - it's worth the extra 20-30 minute wait!!

And the top thrill dragster.. that mess is the bomb!

My family went last summer for a week... took our time enjoyed it, couple day trips around other mess too...

Honestly to enjoy it... I would say at least 2 days...

Thanks for the replies so far.  Anyone else ??

you need 2 days for sure...

When we went there 7 years ago we stopped by another theme park in the area, Guega Lake? It was awful. All the rides were uncomfortable. There were zero lines but after a few rides we got ill and left.

Cedar Point though is amazing, cannot recommend it enough!

I was there in 2007 it was a blast. Stayed in the park for the 2 of us I think it was around $400 from Friday night to Sunday for the resort and admission to the park. You will need 2 days for sure line ups on that weekend were 1 to 2 hours depending on the ride.

Have fun

Quoted from underachiever

I'm thinking of making the pilgrimage to that mecca of the roller coaster world, Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio.  The wife and I will be driving down if we go and I have some questions that the internet is giving me a headache over.

If you're going to Sandusky, check out the Kalahari water park.  I believe it is a hotel as well, but the water park is well worth spending a day at!

I was there last summer, and had a great time!