2014 Cedar Point Media Day Trip Report

I got the chance to visit cedarpoint today for the media event. I got to say that they really know how to throw a classy event. When I first arrived, they had a cedarpoint hoodie waiting for me, and that was just the beginning. Next, they had ert on the new lake erie eagles and pipe scream. But that was not all. They also opened up blue streak AND millennium force. I was able to get 12 rides in on millennium force with no waits. And then there was the food. They had chickie and petes, pinks, midway market, coasters, happy frier, coke freestyle machines, the yogurt stand, and lakeside refreshments....all for free!

 

The new area looks amazing, and totaly different than last year. This is a HUGE improvement for the park. Both of the new rides were fun and fit into the area very well. Pipe scream was a blast and i'm sure it's going to be a big hit. The lake erie eagles was a great family ride. The only problem I see with this ride is the slow load times(due to capacity) and the seat belts that can only be released by the ride operator. It also seems to take forever for it to stop at the end of it's cycle. I also noticed that there was no lighting except for some small lights on the ground. I did not see any lights on the ride or shining onto the ride. The monster and the two new rides have retro looking signs that look great. The monster is sporting some new lighting, but in my opinion the color choices do not match up very well. The blacktop is also gone and replaced with cement. Also, gemini has a new entrance.

 

The lighting on the midway looks great as well. It really livens up that area.

 

Onto the pictures....

The line to get into the event

lots of work still going on at hotel breakers

They may want to update this

The new gemini midway

the new monster lighting

I love the new signs

Lots of interviews going on

Control booth

One last look

Next new ride....

One last looksie

Now lets take a look at the new midway

New seating area

New entrance for gemini

Sling shot is rising

Jr gemini.......errr....wilderness runs new color

New cement all the way to frontier town

Fans of Joe cool can relax......it's still there

A look at the new lighting towers

The whole area looks great

And then there was the food

Chickie and petes menu

I went with the cheese steak

Also had a milk shake

Chickie and petes from the outside

And the inside

Fun tv

Had some great rides on millennium force

New belts

Raptor testing

Raptor eggs?

They also had blue streak going for us

Here are a some other new things this year. This new game is located across from millennium forces entrance.

The old train station was converted into a coke station.

New pretzel joint

Red garter show

Hey...TPR is in the house!

Looks like the petting farm got a makeover

A few random ride shots

Dragster testing

Still have last years map out

New lighthouse point cabins waiting to be installed.

There was also some more slingshot tower sections in the soak city parking lot.

Some of the lights on the trail still work

I will leave you with a few shots of the park before opening day and the crowds arrive.

Hope you enjoyed my report. One last look at the new gemini midway for you.

Edited May 10, 2014 by cfc

Also, I am sure this is going to leave a lot of pissed off parents and kids this year.....

Thanks for the pictures. Monster looks great!

Thank you.

 

Not sure I like the color combo of monsters lights though. Guess I will have to see it in the dark before I make up my mind.

Great pics! I was there today also and I got a similar shot of Maverick with the sun setting, you could not pass that picture opportunity up! haha

Thank you.

Everything looks great... but is it bad that I'm most excited about Chickie and Pete's? Those Crabfries are amazing.

^ Indeed they are!

 

Fantastic coverage and photos of the new Gemini midway!! Thanks so much for posting this! I think the whole area looks great, and is a remarkable upgrade over how it looked before. It also looks like it was a ridiculously fun and awesome event put on by the park. I thought about going, but my schedule wouldn't allow it.....seeing this report makes me bummed I couldn't make it. Can't go wrong with some rides on Millennium as a bonus!!

 

The new rides look like a lot of fun too. And I dunno, our one local news station had someone up there early this morning reporting on the new stuff, and since it was still dark you could see all the lights.....I actually thought Monster looked good, at least on TV anyway.

 

Weird about the belt thing on the Lake Erie Eagles. Is this a common thing on the newer flyer installations?

^Yes. Darien Lake's Hornet's Nest has the same type of belt.

 

Nice photos. A dramatic improvement over what was there before. Glad that the Sling Shot is going to be painted instead of left gray like at Kings Island. Channel 5 was there this morning and they had the lights on. Monster's lighting looked very nice.

The new area looks great. Thanks for posting.

Yea, I like the blue as well.

Nice update. The new midway looks fantastic. Do you know why they moved Gemini's entrance?

Thanks for the report, David!

 

The new area looks very nice - love the strings of light bulbs. And while I am glad to see Chickie and Pete's at the front of the park for some CrabFries, I am glad that they kept the Happy Friar on the Gemini Midway because I always get their fresh cut fries with cheese just about every visit.

awesome photos! Cedar Point never lets us down when it comes to adding awesome attractions and throwing a great media day. Wish I could've been there! Sounds like a lot of fun. The gemini midway looks so pretty, I love it. Very modernized, and a much needed revitalization.

I like the look of the Midway Monster looks great, and I like how the colors of Wilderness Run match up with the trees

Thanks for the photos of the new rides.

Nice update. The new midway looks fantastic. Do you know why they moved Gemini's entrance?

 

Not sure, but it may have something to do with the new sling shot. If you remember, years ago they used to have 2 different station entrances. There was a split in the q line an I believe it was still there as of last year but it has not been used in years to my knowledge.

Awesome pics! The new midway looks great! Last year was my first time to Cedar Point and my first thought walking through that section was how out dated it looked. On the opposite side of the park the mid way is heavily covered with tress and has the old time feel that I like. I was hoping this side would get a make over eventually.

After visiting the park this weekend, I found that this is not a new entrance for Gemini. But instead, it's actually a new fast lane entrance and ride exit.

Here are a TON more pictures that I took from opening weekend in the park, including many more new surprises that the park added this year. Look at them here..... http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=67944