150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

Review: Cedar Point’s Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark

Our family was invited to spend the night at Castaway Bay, Cedar Point’s Indoor Waterpark, located just outside the causeway to the park. We were provided with our nights stay, waterpark passes, and select meals to accommodate our visit with a group of area bloggers (#BloggingatCP). All opinions are those of our family.

As Ohioans, our state has its fair share of aspects that may not be the most appealing. Our hometown city of Cleveland can not bring home a sports team championship no matter who they bring back from the grave. Pair that with bitter winters, and it is no wonder people flea to the south. However, for the majority of us that are anchored in the north, our Ohio has some great appealing aspects that are far too insignificant to overlook.

Take for example, our state borders on the largest fresh water lake system in the world, with Lake Erie offering us fresh drinking water and access to islands and coastal living without the “Salt Life” or threat of sharks.

The state of Ohio offers tons to do for families along the shores of Lake Erie, and one of the most notable is Cedar Point. Not only is the park packed full of the biggest and fastest roller coasters on the planet, but is also a great family park with many different offerings, regardless of your kids ages.

Related articles on Cedar Point include the following:

9 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Cedar Point Platinum Pass

Eight Attractions We Hope Never Close at Cedar Point

Cedar Point Halloweekends Family Guide

Cedar Point Hotel Breakers Review

Review: Cedar Point Coaster Campout

Cedar Point Family Care Centers

Cedar Point Breakers Express Review

Cedar Point Parent Swap

Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad 50th Anniversary

Cedar Point’s Connection to Disneyland and Ward Kimball

One of the great aspects of Cedar Point, and their parent company of Cedar Fair, is that they are part of a large network of other parks and attractions. With the majority of the parks being closed during the winter months, it becomes all the more attractive to have a park indoors, and since placing a dome over the Cedar Point peninsula is still technically “in the works,” having a waterpark indoors is the perfect way to enjoy the cold weather.

Castaway Bay is open from mid-December thru October each year offering guests a year round chance to take in the waterpark.

Castaway Bay offers a variety of water attractions to suit everyone in your family. Included in your daily ticket is everything from the traditional wave pool, tipping bucket play area, kid pools, water slides, and even a water coaster.

One of our boys favorite spots in the entire waterpark was the wave pool, offering them a chance to bob up and down for hours while their little brother waded through the shallows trying to plug the foothole fountains.

Another first for our family was the water coaster, Rendezvous Run, launching our two person craft from 35 feet in the air, and through a 520 foot track.

The size of Castaway Bay was really ideal for families. Having been to other large big-box waterparks in the area, it often can be overwhelming, and hard to find the rest of your party when going off to enjoy various attractions. The nice thing about Castaway Bay was I could take my two oldest sons off to an area, and easily be able to see my wife and the toddler to find them at any given time.

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

Castaway Bay also offers various dining options within the resort, and we were really impressed with the food. Our family opted to eat at Mango Mike’s for dinner (paid with our own money) and breakfast (comped). After eating the dinner buffet, we made a compliment to our server about just how good all the food was compared to what you might expect at a resort buffet.

The dinner buffet included a nice salad bar with various fixings. The hot buffet included various mixed vegetables, potatoes, steamed tilapia, assorted pasta dishes, and a kids assortment from mini corn dogs, smiley face fries, and chicken finger. There was also a variety of freshly made desserts that were REALLY good.

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

Castaway Bay also features a small little snack shop, Ebb & Eddy’s, which features Starbucks coffee and Toft’s ice cream. Big Daddy’s Snack Shop is located inside the waterpark and sells a variety of snacks.

The resort also uses their partnership with Peanuts and Snoopy throughout the property. Guests can see Snoopy and the various characters strolling around the park. Plus there are family activities throughout the day, including a bedtime storytime with Snoopy.

Castaway Bay also offers a variety of hotel rooms to accompany your stay. We were given a Starfish room, with two double beds. The room was nicely appointed with a mini-fridge and microwave, modern flat screen television, balcony overlooking the lake, and updated bathroom.

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

150130 Cedar Point's Castaway Bay

In conclusion, we really had a fun time at Castaway Bay with our family.

One tip we have noticed, is that if you are staying at any of the Cedar Point hotels, expect an offer to visit Castaway Bay during your stay for a very affordable time. The only reason we had never taken advantage of the offer is because you could only use them during your stay in the hotel, and we rather spend our time in Cedar Point then give up a day in the waterpark.

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Source: InACents

141125 Knott's Merry Farm (2)

2015 Cedar Fair Roundup of Opening Days

Our family is in the midst of trying to plan out visiting as many of the Cedar Fair parks in 2015 as we can. Being situated in Ohio, we sort of are located in an ideal location to make some road trips this summer and utilize our new Platinum passes.

Our family elected to purchase 2015 Platinum Passes to Cedar Point, which gets us free parking and access to all of the other Cedar Fair parks in the chain. We also opted for the All-Season Dining plan, which grants us two meals per person per visit at not only Cedar Point, but again all of the Cedar Fair parks. So we want to try and utilize our Platinum passes as much as possible and visit the other parks.

So now that the parks are starting to release their 2015 operating schedules, we can start marking plans. So lets see what the park schedules look like for the year.

Canada’s Wonderland

Opening Date: May 3, 2015

Special Details: Celebrating their 40th season with souvenir gifts, special guests and an expanded Planet Snoopy Kids area, with three new rides kids and adults can enjoy.

Carowinds

Opening Date: March 28, 2015

Special Details: Try out the new World Record Breaking Fury 325, the tallest and fastest roller coaster on the planet.

Cedar Point

Opening Date: May 9, 2015

Special Details: Come out and experience the debut of Rougarou, the floorless conversion roller coaster, formerly know as Mantis.

Dorney Park

Opening Date: May 1, 2015

Gilroy Gardens

Opening Date: March 29, 2015

Kings Dominion

Opening Date: March 29, 2015

Special Details: Season Pass Member preview day is March 28, 2015

Kings Island

Opening Date: April 18, 2015

Special Details: Be among the first to experience the new Woodstock Gliders and Snoopy’s Space Buggies in the 14-time, award-winning Planet Snoopy kids’ area.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm is the only Cedar Fair park open year round.

This spring guests will be able to enjoy Voyage to the Iron Reef, a new 4D experience.

Valleyfair

Opening Date: May 15, 2015

Worlds of Fun

Opening Date: April 11, 2015

Special Details: Come out to the park on April 10, 2015, and camp outside the park gates the night before the park opens! Camping is free and Opening Day campers pay only $17.99 + tax for admission each. If that wasn’t enough, campers are also the first riders of the year on the PATRIOT roller coaster during an Exclusive Ride Time session on Saturday morning!

Using the park opening dates, we already have several roadtrips mapped out and scheduled, with the remainder we hope to fit in over the remaining year.

How many parks will you be visiting this summer?

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Source: InACents

9 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Cedar Point Platinum Pass (2)

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.

120819 Cedar Point Dinosaur Park Entrance

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