The inside angle on the Point

Wednesday, 03 May 2006

By John Benson
jbenson@funcoast.com

When it comes to Cedar Point, there are so many questions that need to be answered. So we cornered Cedar Point Public Relations Manager Bryan Edwards on the phone and found out the answers to the nagging questions we've been wanting to ask for years.

Hopefully this will if not enlighten at least put your mind to ease for your next Cedar Point visit.

Funcoast.com: First things first, rumor has it Demon Drop is on the market? Are you offering any special financing? Would you be willing to throw in a taffy machine or a dolphin?

BE: Demon Drop is for sale right now. We put it up for sale last year. We've yet to get a buyer so we're going to continue to operate it this year but if someone were to come forward and meet the asking price, it's theirs.

FC: The wife and I have been in the market for a new thrill ride (our 1992 Corolla is on its last leg). How much you asking?

BE: Not sure of the asking price. I know it's much less than what we paid for it, which was around $3 or $4 million.

FC: Among all of the promotions regarding the 2006 season, the one that caught our eye is the new reduced senior citizen admission of $10. Any worries that Golden Buckeye Card holders will be taking over?

BE: We used to have a senior ticket many years ago and we discontinued it for a while and brought it back last year. I kid you not, I was out in the park last year and you did see many more senior citizens walking around the park. It's a great atmosphere. It's fun. It's safe. They can come and walk around. And I actually saw quite a few senior citizens riding some rides so they are contributing to our line waits. The young kids will need to stand in line behind these senior citizens.

FC: Naturally, with any job there are always inside jokes. What are some of the more memorable stories involving, let's say, common-sense-challenged Cedar Point visitors?

BE: We had people ask us on the sky ride, which takes you from the front to the middle of the park, if they'd still be in the park when they got off. We had people ask us what ocean that was out there. "Do you know what time the 10 o'clock laser light show is? Is the Magnum sinking?" That's a hot rumor, that Magnum is sinking because it's built along the beach and that we weren't smart enough to build solid foundations for it.

FC: Not that we wouldn't be up for the challenge, but is it possible to ride every single ride at Cedar Point in one day?

BE: Could you ride every ride that you're allowed to ride? It would be tough but you could do it. We have 68 rides and my guess is there are just a few you wouldn't be able to based on size or height (limitations or requirements). But if you came on the right day, typically on weekdays in May when there are very few people here, it could be done.

FC: That leads perfectly into when is the best time to visit the Amazement Park?

BE: If you're going to come during the summer, I'd recommend Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. That way you avoid that three-day weekend crowd. But the absolute busiest time at the park is the first few weeks of August. People are trying to sneak in that last summer vacation before the kids go back to school or college. The slowest would be the last week of August right before Labor Day and then, again, weekdays in May.

FC: So planning a July 4th visit isn't the best idea?

BE: Actually it's pretty much a typical day for us because you get the same amount of people who say, "Oh, it's 4th of July, I've got to go to Cedar Point," as you do getting people who say, "Oh, it's 4th of July, everybody is going to be at Cedar Point." So it kind of balances itself out.

FC: As far as the workers are concerned, which rides are the most popular to work?

BE: That's a tough one. We get a lot of comments from employees that want to work the new ride. It's very neat to say they were the first person to work on a new ride or new coaster but the downside of that is, it's a very popular ride so when the park closes at 10 p.m., those kids who work on less popular rides go home. Our rule here at Cedar Point is as long as you're in line when we close, you'll ride that ride.

FC: Let me get this straight, if I get into line at 9:50 p.m. when the park closes at 10 p.m., I'm riding that ride?

BE: People can get in line at 9:59:59.

FC: That's a long day at Cedar Point, which brings up the question, how much does the average visitor walk in one day?

BE: A lot. To go from the main entrance to the back of the park and return to the front is a little over two miles. And again, that's not diverting off or standing in lines. So I'd say a wild guess would be four to five miles. And that's one of the things we always tell people, "Wear comfortable shoes."

FC: Any secrets on how best to pass away time standing in a two-hour line for a three-minute ride?

BE: In some of our bigger attractions -- Magnum, Millennium Force, Raptor -- we have DJs who actually just play music for those lines. So, about halfway through the ride you can come up to a DJ booth and request a song or the DJ will play (The Village People's) "YMCA" and get the whole crowd involved. They have different contests, too, where you can win a stuffed animal or something. I'd say that or just hanging out with friends and talking are the two best ways to make the time go by faster.

FC: Hello, we're there to escape reality, not talk to our friends (or worse yet, family members). The one place where we can best shoot off some steam is on the roller coasters. But those pesky cameras always catch my friends or wife with a finger in their nose or drool coming down my, I mean, their cheek. I'm guessing you've seen some really weird and wild stuff.

BE: I've seen a wide variety of pictures that you'd be amazed if you saw. Obviously we're a family amusement park so anything profane or obscene we'll take that picture off. We won't let the general public see it or purchase it.

FC: So what you're saying is nudity on roller coasters is not accepted and "Girls Gone Wild" won't be shooting at Cedar Point anytime soon?

BE: Absolutely not. (pause). But I've seen nudity. It happens.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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