[CoasterDad]

In a couple of weeks, I will embark on vacation, which includes carrying my family to Kings Island and then Cedar Point. We have never visited either park. I was hoping that those of you who have visited these parks might be willing to share some advice on which rides are best and which ones you should ride early to help deal with the lines. We are the type of park guests that arrives and begins their day when the parks open, so keep that in mind. Also, suggest any rides/coasters that could be eliminated if there isn't enough time. We plan on spending one day at KI and two at CP. We don't plan on visiting the associated water parks. I really appreciate anything that you guys can offer. If I work things right, Millenium Force will become our 100th different coaster to ride in the past three years...

[GriffonBoy69]

Well, *cracks knuckles* for both BE PREPARED TO WAIT... there are usually rather long lines.

At cedar point, if you can help it try to get there on a weekday, weekdays are much less crowded than weekends.
The rides you must ride are definitely maverick, Raptor, wicked twister, and millennium force (IMO anyways). If you do need to skip any rides the miss able ones are disaster transport (it usually has wayy too long of a line for what the ride is) and mean streak (its just boring honestly). Another one you may want to skip is mantis, a lot of people find it uncomfortable, although i have never had any problems with it. Lets see, maverick you will probably want to hit first thing in the morning, and if you can, try to enter the park by the back entrance by magnun XL-200. This can cut your wait for maverick considerably.

For kings island, beast is kind of loosing its touch, but its still something you shouldnt miss. Flight deck, or whatever it is called now is rather good for a suspended coaster, vortex isnt half bad, and flight of fear. Firehawk if you really want to ride it (it is essentially a smooth borg with an extra helix.) The missable ones are son of beast, and italian job, err stunt coaster.

As a reminder, these are all based on my opinions, so you may want to weigh these with others opinions, but for the most part i think that people would agree with me.

[CoasterDad]

Thanks, Griffonboy69, for the nice response and suggestions ~ most appreciated. By the way, I was the guy in the RED Carowinds shirt on Memorial Day that wanted the re-ride on Afterburn... As for CP, we are planning to be there on a Tuesday & Wednesday OR Wednesday and Thursday, depending on how cooperative the weather is being at the time. KI will be on a Sunday, but they are open 10-10, so that should provide enough time, again provided the weather is decent. You spoke of parking in the "back" of CP or maybe that means driving up around the north end of the point and parking... that is better? Thanks again for the loads of suggestions!

[deaconnor]

Ok I can't help with what you should hit first because I got to get in an hour early and there were no lines but I can tell you what rides not to miss. Maverick came after I went but you should definately not miss that. Millennium Force is an awesome coaster so don't miss it. Magnum is a great coaster despite it's age. I didn't get to go on Wicked Twister but I hear it's a great coaster so get on that. Raptor is a great coaster but it's not quite as good as Afterburn, in my opinion. I really liked Mean Streak and you should definately go on that. Gemini is better though and if you have to decide between that and Mean Streak, go on Gemini. maXair is a great ride so don't miss that. If you want a family coaster go on Blue Streak. This is my least favorite woodie but others seem to like it. I really like Iron Dragon too so go on that. Corkscrew is fun but I like Carolina Cyclone better. Hope this helps.

[RollerBee]

Millie should be done early(I suggest staying in a CP resort, they get in early(NEED KEYCARD!)) Maverick was added after I went. The only coaster I didn't get on is Jr. Gemini. I also suggest riding their collection of flats.
Comparsion between CP and Carowinds, in my opinion.
Raptor < Afterburn
Mantis > Vortex
Corkscrew < Cyclone
Blue Streak > Thunder Road
Mean Streal < Hurler
Mine Ride < Goldrusher
Wildcat = Ricochet - Equal fun for each.
Power Tower < Drop Tower

[bgwfreak]

Cedar Point - (2007 was my last trip)

Millennium Force is definitely a great coaster IMO, it's #3 on my steel list if anyone cares.

Frankly, Cedar Point is a "bit" of a joke. I like the park for what it is, and it's still in my top 10 list of parks, but they have 5 or 6 coasters that are good, and the rest are mediocre at best.

IMO these are the coasters not to miss: Millenium Force, Raptor (Afterburn is better IMO though), Gemini, Magnum, Wicked Twister and Blue Streak.

The rest are meh. I'd take Vortex over the head-banging mess of Mantis, Mean Streak is a big pretty joke of a coaster, and well the rest are pretty much standard credits at best. And I'm a whore, but not so much that I got the 2 kiddie credits there. But still 15 credits ain't bad without them.

Notice that I left off Maverick on either list. It's not a bad coaster, IMO it's just not that great either. It jerked me around a lot and I don't like coasters like that. But it's still fun.

Kings Island - Or, my how the mighty have fallen

My last trip was 2005

Beast - Has been neutered, but would probably beat the crap out of you if it hadn't been. The tunnels are still a lot of fun, why the heck though are the lights on out on the course at night???

Top Deck isn't nearly as good as Big Bad Wolf, but still a lot better than Iron Dragon at CP.

Son of Beast beat the crap out of me with the old trains, I can't imagine G trains making this a better ride.

Vortex - One of my favorite Arrow loopers, but I pretty much despise the genre now because of all the headbanging.

Flight of Fear - Maybe the best coaster in the park.

Tomb Raider - Not worth a long wait. It's VERY short.

Fire Hawk is going to be a lot like Borg..er Nighthawk, but I never got to ride it at Geagua Lake, but I've been on Batwing which is the same layout.

Racer was falling apart last time I was there. But I like the turnaround better on it than TR or Rebel Yell.

Frankly Kings Island isn't that great anymore. Go to Holiday World instead!

I know both parks have tons of credits, but IMO they've both lost a lot of what made them great. Coasters and otherwise. Neither is terrible as I've said, but ya know they just need to step it back up IMO.

*ducks the CP fanboys*

[Jay]

Go to Holiday World instead!

Or Knoebels, Indiana Beach, Busch Gardens, or Dollywood.

CP and "P"KI suck.

hate hate hate
hate hate hate
hate hate hate

[Jonathan]

lol @ the above responses.

I'm not going to get into any of that stuff too much, because you've probably already made plans for the Point and Kings Island, and if you have the Cedar Fair season passes, then that is an obvious factor. I'll just say flat out that I think Kings Island is a pretty poor park, although next year could change that big time. Some people seem to enjoy it, though.

Cedar Point, on the other hand... Sure, it's severely overrated. It's not the greatest park in the world; not even close. But, it's pretty damn cool. And, like it or not, it is sort of the mecca for coaster enthusiasts. You just have to go there and judge it for yourself. Out of 60 or so parks that I have been to, I probably would place it in my 10 favorites. There are some great coasters there, although most as mentioned are mediocre to bad. It's got good atmosphere and an amazing location, and the food isn't that terrible either IIRC. I guess I can't really think of any major suggestions. Be sure to ride Magnum in 1:3 (the third seat of the first car aka the ejector seat). Ride Raptor in the back. Disaster Transport is underrated.

[Edwardo]

Mmmmm...Indiana Beach...Drool.

Kings Island is a nice enough park. I love Beast for what it is (Don't expect airtime, go into it for the speed, laterals, and race thru the woods), and the rest of the coasters are pretty decent.

Cedar Point, while not the best ever.com, is a nice park. I don't understand why people hate on it. I has 17 coasters, and while not all of them are the best evar(.com), the point has a few good coasters. Enthusiasts are whiny because they think a park with 17 coasters should have 17 coasters that blow you away. Personally, Maverick, Magnum, Gemini, and the other Intamins are worth the trip. Raptor is pretty good too.

Oh, and park in the Gemini lot. It's more convenient.

[chargercrazy]

I can't say much for Kings Island because the last (and only) time I was there was 1997 (I think). Before Son Of Beast was built and maybe before The Beast was neutered. I loved Flight of Fear. Vortex was pretty good as was Top Gun errr whatever they are calling it now.

Cedar Point was a pretty good park. I went last year. I would say that in order to try to ride all of the coasters that you should do it over at least two days. You'll probably not be able to ride them all in one day unless you don't have to wait very long for anything.

Things to skip if you have to:
Mean Streak (What a sorry excuse for a coaster, I'd like to see this thing burn)
Top Thrill Dragster (The ride is only like 30 seconds and the best part is the launch)
Iron Dragon (this is a glorified monorail)
Cedar Creek Mine Ride
Disaster Transport (while Jonathan thinks it's underrated, if there is a long line it might be best to skip it)

Don't miss these:
Maverick (I absolutely loved this coaster because it had a bit of everything, but I only got to ride it once and waited over two and a half hours for it because it had technical difficulties -- I liked it better than Millennium Force <gasps>)
Millennium Force (an hour wait for it, but I only rode it once -- I thought it was way overhyped)
Raptor (watch out for those brakes at the end)
Wicked Twister
Magnum XL 200 (nice ejector air, but the trains can be uncomfortable)
Gemini (I was pleasantly surprised by this coaster, it's taller than you think)

Skyhawk (Carowinds needs one of these type flats)
maXair (ride this instead of wasting time on Disaster Transport)
Cedar Downs Racing Derby (carousel that is really cool)

Put your walking shoes on, and don't ride Thunder Canyon unless you feel like jumping in a pool, because you will get that soaked.