9 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Cedar Point Platinum Pass
**Updated for 2018**
Congratulations! You made the leap and bought your family platinum passes for Cedar Point, Kings Island, Knott’s Berry Farm, Carowinds, or any of the other amusement parks in the Cedar Fair family.
At a rough cost of approximately $40 per visit plus $20 parking per vehicle, your break even point on the platinum pass is roughly four (4) visits. Once your family has succumbed to the initial upfront cost for becoming a platinum passholder, it is time to start maximizing the benefits for your family.
1) Make It Worth Your Investment
First, you need to make sure you visit more than 4 times per season to get the most value for your family. Seeing as the park is open May through the end of October/beginning of November (depending on when Halloween falls in the year), you have at least 6 months worth of time period to get to the park. Or visit Knott’s Berry Farm year round or select parks for Winterfest. Easily plan one visit a month, and you have maximized your value potential.
2) Early Access
Platinum pass members get access to Cedar Point 1 hour before the gates open. This means the majority of the year you get into the park at 9:00 AM. Since platinum members get free parking, this means you are getting to the park before the majority of people and getting to park in the front of the lot, saving you steps for later in the day.
In addition, be sure to check with other Cedar Fair parks, as many also allow early access for season passholders.
One hour early entry grants you access to the following rides and roller coasters at Cedar Point: Steel Vengeance, Millennium Force, Maverick, Valravn, GateKeeper, SkyHawk, Ocean Motion, Midway Carousel, Cadillac Cars, Cedar Downs, and the rides of Camp Snoopy. This is a great opportunity to get in your favorite attractions while the lines are short.
Reference 2016-2017 list: Tiki Twirl, Cadillac Cars, Cedar Downs, Dodgem, Valravn, Millennium Force, Maverick, GateKeeper, Midway Carousel and the 11 rides of Kiddie Kingdom.
Reference 2015 list: Lake Erie Eagles, Pipe Scream, GateKeeper, Millennium Force, Raptor, Iron Dragon, Maverick, Midway Carousel, Ocean Motion and the rides of Planet Snoopy.
Your Platinum pass also gets you access to Cedar Point Shores 30 minutes before the general public.
3) Exclusive Ride Time (ERT)
Take advantage of exclusive ride times for platinum members. On select nights throughout the year, Cedar Point will allow platinum passholders only to ride the chosen roller coaster. Ride time begins after the general public has finished riding. Weather or maintenance conditions may result in cancellation of these events.
May 22, 2018: Platinum Ride Night: Steel Vengeance
May 25, 2018: All Passholder Ride Night: Millennium Force & Rougarou
May 26, 2018: All Passholder Ride Night: Top Thrill Dragster & Magnum XL-200
May 27, 2018: All Passholder Ride Night: Steel Vengeance and Maverick
June 12, 2018: Platinum Ride Night: Steel Vengeance
June 26, 2018: Platinum Ride Night: Steel Vengeance
July 10, 2018: Platinum Ride Night: Steel Vengeance
July 24, 2018: Platinum Ride Night: Steel Vengeance
August 7, 2018: Platinum Ride Night: Steel Vengeance
August 21, 2018: Platinum Ride Night: Steel Vengeance
August 31, 2018: All Passholder Ride Night: Top Thrill Dragster & Magnum XL-200
September 1, 2018: All Passholder Ride Night: Raptor & GateKeeper
September 2, 2018: All Passholder Ride Night: Steel Vengeance and Maverick
Reference: 2017 schedule:
May 26, 2017 All Passholder Ride Night: Valravn
May 27, 2017 All Passholder Ride Night: Maverick
June 8, 2017 Platinum Ride Night: GateKeeper
June 22, 2017 Platinum Ride Night: Millennium Force & Rougarou
July 29, 2017 Platinum Ride Night: Top Thrill Dragster & Magnum
August 24, 2017 Platinum Ride Night: Valravn & Raptor
August 31, 2017 Platinum Ride Night: GateKeeper
September 1, 2017 All Passholder Ride Night: Top Thrill Dragster & Magnum
September 2, 2017 All Passholder Ride Night: Millennium Force & Rougarou
September 3. 2017 All Passholder Ride Night: Maverick
October 29. 2017 Registered Passholders: Last Rides
Reference: 2016 list
Saturday, May 21* Valravn
Sunday, May 22* Maverick
Thursday, June 9 GateKeeper
Thursday, June 23 Millennium Force & Rougarou
Thursday, July 7 Top Thrill Dragster & Raptor
Thursday, August 25 Valravn
Friday, September 2* Millennium Force & Rougarou
Saturday, September 3* Top Thrill Dragster & Raptor
Sunday, September 4* Valravn
*Season Passholder Appreciation night. All Regular & Platinum Season Passholders are invited to these exclusive ride times.
2015 Schedule
May 28, 2015- Raptor
June 11, 2015- Top Thrill Dragster
June 25, 2015- GateKeeper
July 9, 2015- Rougarou & Millennium Force
July 23, 2015- Maverick
August 6- Top Thrill Dragster
August 20, 2015- Raptor
4) Free Historic Hike
Your platinum pass gets you access to Dinosaurs Alive, the prehistoric walk through the animatronic world of dinosaurs.
5) Bring-a-Friend
Cedar Point allows you to bring a friend to the park throughout the year for a discounted rate. You can bring a friend for $29.99 (May 25-28, June 17, August 31-September 2, 2018), $19.99 (October 28), or $43 (online); $45 (front gate) per ticket any day of the season.
Platinum passholders can also bring in up to four guests each day for $26 per person to Cedar Point Shores.
6) Reciprocal Access to Sister Parks
You have paid for the cost of a platinum pass. Now take advantage of the biggest benefit, access to all 14 Cedar Fair parks across North America (includes Cedar Point Shores and Knott’s Soak City), plus Gilroy Gardens. Being located near Cedar Point puts you in an ideal part of the country to plan some easy road trips for visiting the other parks.
7) Discounts
Your Cedar Point platinum pass gets you a 10% discount on food throughout the property at most locations. Cedar Point also offers a fresh cut fries deal and BOGO ice cream sundaes that are only available to platinum pass members!
BONUS: Use your Platinum pass at other Cedar Fair parks and receive food discounts ranging from 10-20%.
8) Extra FUN (and value) All Season
Make sure to visit the park during special events throughout the year. Last year, Cedar Point brought in Coca-Cola and Johnsonville Brats on select days/weekends, offering guests a chance to interact with the brands and purchase discounted food offerings not available throughout the year.
In addition, look for Cedar Point Nights to return in 2018. Last years event on the shores of Lake Erie offered family friendly activities on the beach, as well as exclusive discounted meal deals.
9) Splurge on the Shirt You Want
Platinum pass benefits also include a huge selection of discounts both inside the park, and at area places, thanks to their new passholder benefits program. Save on things like photos taken in the park; merchandise, other premium ticketed attractions, and hotel rooms.
Tip: Platinum passholders receive a free upgrade to Fast Lane Plus when purchasing a regular Fast Lane.
Bonus Tip: Visiting one of the other Cedar Fair parks with your platinum pass? Be sure to take advantage of some of these additional great benefits.
– California’s Great America: 9:00 am access to the following attractions: Gold Striker, Patriot, Celebration Swings, Carousel Columbia, Star Tower (May 25); Flight Deck, Rue le Dodge, Flying Eagles, Orbit, Carousel Columbia (June 2)
– Canada’s Wonderland: From 9:00am – 10:00am on Sundays every week beginning April 29 – September 2 (See complete Canada’s Wonderland 2018 schedule)
– Carowinds: 30 minutes of early access to Camp Snoopy, Fury 325 (Saturday, Sunday) and Carolina Harbor through August 11, 2018
– Kings Dominion: 30 minutes of early access to Apple Zapple, Carousel, Racer 75 (Twisted Timbers subject to availability)
– Kings Island: 30 minute advanced entry to Mystic Timbers, Banshee, Bat and select Planet Snoopy Rides (April – June); Mystic Timbers, Diamondback and select Planet Snoopy Rides (July – October); Soak City Waterpark (Daily) Tropical Plunge, Tidal Wave Bay and Pipeline Paradise
– Valleyfair: 30 minutes early access to Soak City. In addition, the following Season Pass Exclusive Ride Times are scheduled: Soak City (June 23, 8-9:00 pm); Wild Thing, Xtreme Swing, Power Tower (June 28, 10-11:00 pm); Soak City (July 7, 8-9:00 pm); Excalibur, Renegade, High Roller (July 26, 10-11:00 pm); Soak City (August 11, 8-9:00 pm); Corkscrew, Power Tower, Xtreme Swing (August 30, 7-8:00 pm).
– Worlds of Fun: 15 minutes early access to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun
– Other parks also offer early entry where available, as well as additional discounts throughout the parks.
Where will you be using your Platinum pass this year?
Be sure to follow the CPFoodBlog on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates on all of the Cedar Fair parks.
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Source: InACents
The comment about friends’ admissions costs for 29.99 on Fridays is erroneous. Cedar Point says that this is not the case.
Monica: Thank you! At the time of publish, it was correct, but we have confirmed and revised the article accordingly.
Thanks for the information! More than what I could find on the cedar point website and app… Do you know if the platinum pass includes parking at kings island?
Yes, Platinum passes can be used to park for free at all of the other Cedar Fair parks.
Platinum passes include parking at all their parks also.
So I want to plan to go next Saturday with some friends if the park opens at 11am we can get in at 10am? and how much extra are my friends tickets if I’m bringing 3 people on a Saturday? I can’t seem to find this information anywhere on the actual cedar point website
Crystal: We assume you are a Platinum season passholder or staying on property. Then yes, you will get in one hour prior to regular park guests.
You can purchase the bring a friend tickets good any day of the season for $39.99.
https://www.cedarpoint.com/ticket-category/Daily-Tickets#BringFriend
If I buy a platinum pass through carowinds, will I still be able to do the special exclusive ride times at cedar point?
Yes, absolutely.
Does the Platinum Pass allow you in the Fast Pass Lines???
Michael: The Platinum Pass does not include Fast Lane; however, it does get you into select parks early before the general public, as well as exclusive ride nights throughout the year.
Are any of the cedar fair parks open year round? If so can we use the cedar point platinum pass for them during cedar point’s off season?
Kathy: Knott’s Berry Farm (California) is the only park open year round.
Can you add fast lane to your platinum pass?
Unfortunately, you can not add a FastLane option to your season pass at this time.
For platinum pass holders, when they bring a friend, is the friend allowed in early as well? And can you bring more than one friend at the discounted rate?
Terri: In the past guests have been allowed into the park early if they are with their Platinum pass holder friend. In 2015, they only allowed one guest per Platinum member.
Im mobility handicapped. What rides would i be restricted from riding i knew mantis was a concern. Also can i take my service pomeranian on train and sky ride?
We recommend you check out the Cedar Point Guests with Disabilities page for answers to your questions.
I have bought 3 platinum passes our first visits will be for 4 days. My 2 grandson would like to bring grandson would like each 2 bring a friend what would be the cost for another 11 and 9 year old?
Unfortunately, at this time, the details of bring-a-friend are unknown.
Can I still use my 2016 platinum pass even though it is not paid for yet completely?
Yes, we’ve already used ours at several parks.
Hello! We’re visiting from Australia in July/August and will be visiting four Cedar Fair Parks (in order – Cedar Point, Kings Island, Dorney Park and Canada’s Wonderland). We’ll be buying Platinum Passes. Is there any financial benefit to ordering them in advance online or can we just buy at the season pass centre at Cedar Point? Thank you!
Thanks for your question. The benefit to ordering now versus at the season pass center is that they could be cheaper now, since they may raise the prices later in the season. Plus if you buy now, you should be able to buy on a monthly payment plan.
Thank you so much for your reply!
My husband and I are separated. I plan to buy a platinum pass for myself and our daughter. When my daughter is with her dad, can I give him my platinum pass to use?
Diana: Your photo is attached to your season pass (i.e. when they scan you in, your photo will come up). Therefore, no, you can not give your pass to other guests to use in your place.
So my question is that if I buy a platinum pass is it a family pass or is it just for me and how many of my family can I put on the pass I have 5 kids and my fiance so a total of 7?
Chris: A pass is required for each person. So you will need 7 platinum passes for your family.
We bought our season passes online & will be going tomorrow (we have a paper ticket at this time) will we need to pay for parking the first time?
Jackie: How did they end up dealing with the parking issue?
I am not Jackie but I live in Sandusky and have a platinum pass. You will have to pay to park (I believe it’s $18) the first time but then when you purchase your platinum passes if you give them your parking receipt they reimburse you. From then on just show your pass at the parking booth and you won’t have to pay to park.
We gave them our paper ticket the first time we visited the park and they let us in to park to get our paperwork processed.
No upload your passes to your phone and you can scan to get into parking they will just use the scan Symbol and they will scan off your phone
No just show them the paper ticket.
We had gold passes for Carowinds. We upgraded to platinum this year. We are heading to Cedar Point and Kings Island in a week. We have our cards from last year. Do we need new cards? If so, do we need to go to Carowinds or can we wait till we go to Cedar Point?
Kai: Since Gold passes are only good at the park purchased and Platinum are good at all Cedar Fair parks, we assume you will need to get new cards from Carowinds prior to your visit. We recommend calling the park to verify.
I have a platinum pass. I am bringing a guest with me. Will my guest be allowed to enter the park early when I do?
Yes, guests with a Platinum passholder get in early too.
I need many Platinum passes for next year June. At the moment it costs 189 USD. Should I wait or buy now?
Prices will go up after the season ends and only get more expensive next year. Always buy sooner rather than later to save money. Plus if you bought now, you could use the extra benefits like free Fast Lane Plus or a free current year visit.
InACents- what does this mean?
InACents
October 26, 2016
“Prices will go up after the season ends and only get more expensive next year. Always buy sooner rather than later to save money. Plus if you bought now, you could use the extra benefits like free Fast Lane Plus or a free current year visit.”
Season passes include fast lane, if you bought in October?
For the past couple years, the parks have offered a free Fast Lane Plus wristband if you buy season passes in the fall. The caveat is they have to be used before the end of the current season and they typically can not be used on a Saturday.
I only live 50 miles Soutb of Cedae Point and consider it my home away from home. This will B my 50th yearof visiting Cedar Point and i also WILL B attending Kings Island(140miles South of me).
How many can get in on the Platinum pass? Or does each family member need a pass?
Each person needs their own season pass (regardless if it’s a regular, gold, platinum, etc.). However, depending on the park, there are sometimes bring a friend discounts available where the season passholder can bring so many friends at a discounted rate.
I bought platinum passes for CA Great America online for my family. The kids & I will get ours processed there at Spring Break but my husband probably won’t be able to join us. Could he get his pass processed at Knotts Berry Farm when we’re down there in the summer? Does that change anything, like his ability to access Great America’s ScareFest or WinterFest? Sadly, the people answering the phones at both parks last week didn’t seem to know the answer!
You typically need to process your season pass at the park where you originated the purchase. Once you have a Platinum pass, you will be able to visit all of the Cedar Fair parks including their special events unless noted otherwise. Note, all food events are typically included in admission, but food and beverage are an additional cost.
If my daughter gets a platinum pass (she is only 14) and we get just regular season passes, are we allowed to park for free on her pass – assuming she is in the car with us?
Yes.
Does the special discount for platinum holders bringing up to 4 friends on June 18th (father’s day) work also for the water park? Thanks…
Bill: Great question! Platinum passholders can bring a friend all season (up to 4) to Cedar Point Shores for $25 each.
Thank you for all this great information! One question that even Cedar Point doesn’t seem to want to answer. If I buy my 2018 platinum pass now, but I cannot make my first visit to Cedar Point until July 2018, will I lose any benefits for not picking up my pass at the park sooner? With Six Flags passes, you are required to go to the park to redeem your pass voucher before October 31st, or else you lose several benefits, including free parking. I’m wondering if Cedar Point does the same thing.
You will not lose benefits by purchasing now but redeeming your pass till July. You will still get free parking, discounts, admission to all Cedar Fair parks, etc. The advantage of buying now is locking in the cheapest price and getting the free Fast Lane Plus to use in 2017. What you will miss out on is any exclusive ride nights only available to passholders earlier in the season, but you can always do them later in the season.
Thank you so much for your reply! That’s the answer I was hoping for.
Cedar Point lists a ton of benefits for season/platinum ticket holders on their website. Some benefits, like 10% off your ride on slingshot, are only for platinum pass holders and others, like $10 off parasail or jetskis, are available for both platinum and season pass holders. We live closer to Kings Island and my question is, if we buy a platinum pass at kings island, do we get all the benefits (both platinum and season pass) listed on the Cedar Point website? Thanks for your help.
As long as you have a Platinum pass, it does not matter which park you purchased it at. You will receive all the other parks Platinum pass benefits. Have a great time!
I know this has been answered above – in regards to early ride time but just double checking.
We’re a couple travelling from UK hiring CP x 2 days, KI x 1 day, CW x 1 day and KD x 1 day. I think it makes financial sense to get 1 platinum pass now (fall price) and get the other person daily tickets as my pass will cover parking etc. However we both really want to do early ride times at all 4 parks and I’ve not seen it guaranteed anywhere that a guest will also get this perk if with a pass holder.
Can you tell me for certain if this will be the case (we’re not hitting any parks on weekends either to ensure minimal crowds)
Thanks!
Ami
We’re travelling from Canada next summer for a trip to Cedar Point, we’ve arranged accommodation nearby so won’t be staying on site. There are 4 of us going with my daughter hopefully just about big enough to get on all the rides! We’ve a week in the area in mid-July and are thinking of doing CP at least 2 days and the water park on another day. Likely visiting on a Tue to Thu.
I’m trying to work out if it makes sense to buy an early Platinum pass or 2 for some of the benefits like free parking and early entry, but can’t see enough info to start comparing the economics. Can someone let me know how much 2-3 day tickets are, cedar shores tickets, parking, fast lane passes etc. We aren’t considering visiting any other Cedar Fair sites as none are close to us.
Would have a similar question to above, if we were to buy 1 platinum pass can we get early entry for 4 people?