Cedar Point for Families
Best Days to Go, What to Wear and Eat, and Saving Money in the Park
The number one amusement park in the world seems geared for big kids and adults. But it is possible to have an enjoyable visit to Cedar Point with small children too.
Cedar Point is an awesome place to visit but it can be overwhelming when traveling with children. A little behind the scenes know-how and advanced planning can help make for a memorable trip.
When to go:
- Crowds are smallest on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.
What to Wear:
- Clothing: Lake Erie weather can change quickly and varies during the season. Mid-July can yield a cool day and October can be extremely warm. Be prepared. Dress for what's predicted, but bring along a change of clothes for weather extremes. Cedar Point suggests cotton as the most practical fabric. It's cool and dries quickly after getting wet.
- Footwear: Comfortable shoes, preferably broken-in tennis shoes or anything that will stand up to a lot of walking on concrete.
- Sunscreen is essential, even on cloudy days and available at gift shops, however not as economical as packing your own.
Safety:
- Cedar Point has a service to quickly reunite separated children and their parents or chaperones. KidTrack wristbands are available at Guest Services at the Main Gate, the ticket booths at all other entrance gates, Soak City entrances, Park Operations and Town Hall.
- Your cell phone number is written on a wristband for your child. (Cedar Point instructs you to explain the reason for the wristband to your children. Make sure they understand to go to the nearest uniformed employee if they become separated from you).
- If you and your child become separated, the Cedar Point employee who finds your child will activate the KidTrack system. The number you provided will be called and you will be told where your child is being safely kept until you are reunited.
- ALWAYS leave your cell phone ON in case you need to be located through the KidTrack system.
Tips:
- As soon as you enter the park, point out an employee dressed in a uniform. Tell your children to find someone dressed in that uniform should they become lost.
- Lost Persons/Message Centers are located in Kiddy Kingdom and the Town Hall Museum.
- First Aid Stations are located in Kiddy Kingdom and Frontiertown.
Ready to Ride:
Measure once at the start of the day so you are prepared for individual ride height requirements. Children can be "officially" measured and receive a wristband at Park Operations and Town Hall.
Tips:
- Be sure to where regular shoes. Employees are trained to watch for shoes that contribute excessively to a child's height
Parents can ride big rides too:
Cedar Point has "Parent Swap" for families with small children and no provisions for child care.
Tip:
- To participate in Parent Swap, you must obtain a Boarding Pass at Guest Services (at the main gate), Park Operations, Town Hall (in Frontiertown) or the Resort Gate (near Magnum XL-200) in advance. You can't wait until you are at the ride.
Kid-Friendly Food
Park Food:
Children's meals are available in Kiddy Kingdom, Camp Snoopy, along the main midway and in Frontiertown and at the park's full-service restaurants. Natural fruit juices and milk are also available throughout the park.
Tips:
- Avoid eating at noon and 5:00 p.m. when restaurants are busiest. Ride the most popular rides during those times, because ride lines get shorter.
- Bottles can be warmed at the First Aid Stations and at any of the park's sit-down restaurants.
- FREE ice water is obtainable at all food stands throughout the park,
Bring your own:
- Public picnic pavilions are located outside the park near the Main Entrance. Coolers and personal picnic items can be left in the public shelter areas or in vehicles.
- With the exception of special diet needed items, outside food and beverages are not allowed in the park.
- You can grill; some grills are available in the picnic shelters. If you bring your own, don’t place them on picnic tables. (According to Cedar Point's website, NO Propane grills allowed)
Tips:
- Picnic shelter areas are available on a first-come first-served.
- Take a disposable table cloth AND sanitary hand cleaner/wipes and paper towels.
- Individual bottles of un-opened water CAN be taken into the park.
Traveling to Cedar Point with a baby? Read these handy tips, including where to find strollers and lockers, first.
