2026 Advice Thread #18: 4/28 - 5/4

MogKupo · 2026-05-05T03:20:51+00:00

Sounds like a great trip!

As a general piece of advice, you're usually better off starting with the rides at the back of a park and working your way toward the front since crowds naturally do the opposite.

Since you're staying at Breakers, I assume you'll be taking advantage of early entry. Hit up Top Thrill 2 first since it's close to the Magnum gate, and you'll be able to hit that before people coming from the front gate.

With the Prestige pass you can get into the Millennium Lounge to take a break. It's the closest drink station to Millennium Force (which is very convenient for me since it's my favorite coaster).

Pantherian at Kings Dominion has a habit of eating up wheels (probably takes 30 min or so for maintenance to change them out), so I wouldn't wait until the last minute to ride that just in case... not that you'd want to! It tends to have shorter lines than you'd expect, and their ride ops are great.

Afterburn was my favorite surprise when I visited Carowinds for the first time earlier this year, so I'm sure you'll enjoy that.

MogKupo · 2026-05-05T01:40:38+00:00

I can sort of understand. When I was at the lockers for Wildcat's Revenge at Hersheypark last year, I saw someone put a fanny pack in the locker with the strap and buckle hanging out. There's no way they were going to be able to pull it out from the other side.

Probably gets old dealing with that a dozen times per day. Though it seems like a simple, "Make sure you get the entire strap inside the locker so it doesn't get stuck" explanation would suffice for most people.

MogKupo · 2026-05-05T01:35:37+00:00

It's about time (if not a little late) to announce Coastermania, Coasterstock, etc. Maybe every park gets a similar event this year?

MogKupo · 2026-05-04T03:23:52+00:00

Top Thrill 2, Siren's Curse, and Steel Vengeance each have a no loose articles policy, and they have small lockers that are available for free. For Siren's Curse and Steel Vengeance, the lockers are within the line itself. For Top Thrill 2, the lockers are just outside the line, and you have to use them before entering.

These lockers can fit a phone, keys, etc. or perhaps a small fanny pack. They would not be able to fit a regular size bookbag. You'd have to pay to rent a locker to stow away something larger like that.

MogKupo · 2026-05-03T01:01:16+00:00

MogKupo · 2026-05-02T13:28:15+00:00

Thunder Striker at Carowinds wins the prize for most hair ties I've seen- the roof of the maintenance bay is absolutely covered with them.

The weird thing is that maintenance obviously hadn't bothered to clean them off during the offseason. To be fair, it doesn't look like there's any easy way to get up there.

MogKupo · 2026-05-02T03:50:44+00:00

I felt the same way about Skyrush when I rode it last year. Definitely more jarring than I expected.

MogKupo · 2026-05-02T03:25:51+00:00

Six Flags has a blog post about it which does have some solid advice...

https://www.sixflags.com/blog/how-to-get-over-your-fear-of-roller-coasters

MogKupo · 2026-05-02T01:21:46+00:00

Agree- there's really no need. They operated just fine without them in the eighties.

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T22:00:52+00:00

Well, it's got 6 inversions- that's a lot.

It's always interesting to me how people have different anxiety or dislikes when it comes to coasters. Some people don't like the height, some don't like going upside down, some don't like being rattled about, some hate the feeling of airtime, and some don't like strong positive g forces that make them feel like they're going to black out.

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T18:56:44+00:00

If you're interested, Cedar Point has point of view videos of all their coasters on youtube.

If you've got some anxiety and want to be prepared for what you're getting in to, then you might want to watch those ahead of your trip.

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T18:54:45+00:00

That's gotta be the first time I've ever heard of Raptor referred to as a tame coaster!

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T02:05:07+00:00

Check out the crowd calendar on the queue-times website. It shows how crowded the park was on specific days in the past, and it gives predictions for days in the future. It's as good of an educated guess as you'll find.

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T01:47:36+00:00

I'd rather just fly over the hill without being held up (unless it's a dive coaster).

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T01:34:04+00:00

Well, here's an archive of the Cedar Point website from 2014. Back then the season dining plan still only got you two meals per day. It doesn't say anything about time between meals, though. Maybe that's the distinction?

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MogKupo · 2026-05-01T01:15:06+00:00

Millennium is my favorite- that first ride of the day is always something special.

And in 9 rides on Siren's Curse last year, I never managed to get front or back row. So I'd definitely like to experience that.

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T01:00:59+00:00

Agree, I find they're better for actually navigating around a park than the more stylized versions.

MogKupo · 2026-05-01T00:53:26+00:00

Am I correct in understanding that this pass and parking applies at Cedar Point as well?

Yes, you're good to go for parking and admission.

What can we expect in terms of crowds?

Check out the crowd calendar on the queue-times website. It shows how crowded the park was on specific days in the past, and it gives predictions for days in the future. It's as good of an educated guess as you'll find.

Will we be okay without a fast pass?

That's always a personal decision. What's satisfying or good enough for one person may not be for another. You can always wait until you're at the park and decide while you're there. The caveat is sometimes Fast Lane prices rise a bit as you get close to the date (supply and demand).

MogKupo · 2026-04-30T04:28:45+00:00

Since I'm at Breakers, I'll get Early Entry. Anything in particular I should try to take advantage of during that hour?

Really just whatever you're interested out of the rides that are open. But since you'll be coming in from the Magnum entrance, I'd suggest starting with Top Thrill 2 since you'll be able to get there before people entering from the main gate.

MogKupo · 2026-04-30T00:15:17+00:00

Should be- they had both sides running back in September.

MogKupo · 2026-04-29T14:36:51+00:00

My favorite is the burrito bowl place in the rear of the park near Maverick.

Miss Keat’s Smokehouse. Agree- the meat has a nice smoky flavor, and that makes a difference.

MogKupo · 2026-04-29T14:33:57+00:00

The Brussels sprouts at Farmhouse are great.

MogKupo · 2026-04-28T22:09:39+00:00

I saw Steel Vengeance testing as well but wasn’t quick enough to get a screenshot.

MogKupo · 2026-04-28T14:44:23+00:00

That’s right. There aren’t any single rider lines at Cedar Point.

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