Happy Opening Week!
This post is far later than I wanted it to be. I did NOT anticipate posting Winter Chill Out a couple of days before opening day, but here we are 😬. I was sick for a couple of weeks after Winter Chill Out, then I've been in the process of interviewing for a new job for the last 6 weeks (I got it though!). It's been a whirlwind of a month and a half, but full of new beginnings! I know the announcements in this post the public is now privy to, but I hope you stick around to read about our whole experience with this year's tour.
Tickets were changed from a lottery to first-come-first-serve this year. It started at 10am, and I got 3 error messages trying to enter the queue before getting into the virtual line. It took me about 30 minutes to get into the ticket window, which wasn't too bad. One of the first things I noticed was ticket prices increased from $75 last year to $100 this year. (All the money from this event goes to A Kid Again.) We were also able to pick a tour start time every half hour between 8am-10am. I choose 10am because we did 8am last year, and for someone who isn't a morning person, it was brutal. I was grateful to have the option.
It was held on Saturday, February 22nd. Upon check-in, we received our group assignment with a lanyard, and a complimentary fanny pack and hat before being instructed to meet inside Hugo's. It was definitely appreciated that we were able to wait inside as opposed to outside last year. That February Lake Erie wind goes right through your bones. Starbucks was also open for anyone who needed coffee. Most groups had 20-25 people, but our 10am group was the last one for the event, so we also had anyone who was running late. That lead to our group having about 50 people. Our group was Siren's Curse, which I was very excited about.
We started off with a preview of Siren's Curse inside the Top Thrill 2 garage (TT2 WILL be ready opening day). I wasn't sure what to expect. An animated video presentation? More details? Before starting the tour, we initially were told no photos or videos inside the tour locations. When we arrived at the TT2 garage, they told us we were allowed to do photos and videos. (We later found out they released all the information provided on the tour to the media that day as well.) We were all shocked to walk in and see the front train car for Siren's Curse that lights up and had a soundtrack playing in the seat speakers that will be a feature when riding. The preview soundtrack wasn't the actual one that will be playing on the ride, but the example was an ominous rock-type song that was badass, yet creepy and haunting. What a way to start a tour!
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| Underneath TT2's track |
We then walked over to the Sign & Animation Shops, which is one of my favorites. A lot of the signs around the park are getting a paint refresh and are looking good. I also love seeing all the Halloweekends animatronics and props. Some of them were completely taken apart and not plugged in this year, so that was a bummer. They also have the controls for lights, props, and other effects around the park. We got to play with some of the light effects that they use to light up Millenium Force at night, and that was cool!
Next up was a bathroom break. If you remember Restroom-Gate of Winter Chill Out '24, they did have a solution this year- 4 porta potties. They were set up over by Sky Hawk. I was definitely skeptical that this would be efficient, especially with our 50-member group, but it did go much faster. We were only there for 10 minutes. We did not get a coffee/hot chocolate and snack break at the Farmhouse Kitchen & Grill like we did last year. It was then that we realized why Starbucks was open so early.
On our walk over to the Barnyard, we noticed the Snake River Falls life hill and drop tower were gone. It was still up for all of Halloweekends, so it was a bit of a shock to see it officially gone. However, the loading station was still there. No Cedar Point trip is complete without seeing our fluffy alpaca boy, Churro. I love that they bring some of the animals for the day so we can see them. They were dressed up for the occasion in hats, bows, bow-ties, and/or beads. We were provided with food to be able to feed the sheep and alpacas if we wished. We asked one of the farm workers if there would be Churro Fan Club merch this season, and she said they did do a t shirt last year that sold out quickly. I do remember seeing one last year, but it was a child's size. We need more, Cedar Point!
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| Churro looking like a dapper gentleman |
We also got a good look at the Siren's Curse construction area on our way to the next stop. At the time of Winter Chill Out, they had JUST got the lift hill and drop mechanism installed. (It's almost completely done now, but will not be ready for opening day. They did tell us this at Winter Chill Out as well.) I honestly didn't think anything would be ready for viewing because they had just started ground construction in the month prior. I did notice that the main stage was gone and the Iron Dragon queue is going to be reconfigured. There were many comments amongst our group about how sharp of a turn coming out of the drop it will have to be with how close it is to the main walkway. Can't wait to see it in action!
We then went into the CP Railroad station. I loved that they put old Christmas penguins inside the trains. They had sign displays and videos with information and history around the building, and more conductors working that we could speak to. We were also able to ring the train bell if we wanted, which brought out a lot of people's inner child.
Next was a new stop that I was VERY excited about-the Food & Beverage Warehouse and Pastry Kitchen. This location we were told not to take photos or videos, which made me a little sad, but I was still happy to be able to go inside. They told us about food storage, the number of food delivery trucks they get daily (starting at 6am), and how they get the food out to the restaurants and stands around the park. The warehouse is massive with freezers, fridges, and storage pallets. We then moved on to the pastry kitchen where we met the pastry chef (the FIRST and ONLY Cedar Fair pastry chef at this time), and a manager of food services. The kitchen was large and full of stainless steel appliances and cooking/baking utensils that I see on baking competitions. We learned that in the off-season, it's just the two women working in the kitchen, (they made all the desserts we received at lunch that day), and during the season they hire about 20-25 more kitchen staff. (The only place they don't do desserts for is Sweet Spot.) They announced that the pumpkin mousse parfait from Halloweekends last year was so popular that it is going to be a year-round item. They will also be testing new treats around the park, such as a Black Forest Swiss Roll that I WILL be running to try. Fun fact: The cookies & cream parfait at the Boardwalk is the most popular.
Lunchtime. This year we did get a full 30 minutes, but it felt as quick as in high school. I loved the baked potato bar, and the lemon cavatappi pasta was perfection. The winter salad had cranberries, mixed greens, and sunflower seeds which was a nice change to a basic salad (which was also an option). My mom really liked the chicken drumsticks which weren't dry at all and were seasoned nicely. There were 4 different types of parfaits (black forest, banana cream, strawberry shortcake, and tiramisu), but they were pushing people to take extra, so by the time our group got to lunch, there were only strawberry shortcake and tiramisu. I was able to grab a tiramisu, but my mom wasn't able to get any because they were gone. That was a bit frustrating. I understand not wanting a bunch of leftovers, but at least make sure everyone can get ONE.
We got a special Q & A session and presentation after lunch. We didn't get this last year and I really enjoyed it. Once again, we were asked to not take photos or video. During the presentation, they announced:
1. Famous Dave's is moving to Castaway Bay (Quaker Steak location).
2. Millenium Force is in the process of a two-year paint job.
3. Fat Friar is getting remodeled and will be part indoors. Dining plan option not confirmed.
4. New photo op at the main gate.
5. The waterpark will be getting 2 new slides.
6. The lockers at Top Thrill 2 and Siren's Curse will be FREE.
It was then opened up to text questions for them to answer. They didn't answer everyone's, including mine. I asked if there would be themed food and drinks for Top Thrill 2 and Siren's Curse (after a 6 week plan for TT2 last year that was canceled disappeared after week 1). I suppose we will find out after both rides open this year.
The arcade was up next. They gave us arcade cards for free play and I save and reload them to use during the season. There were more games available vs last year, so we got to play a few things and almost a whole game of duckpin bowling. They also gave us a sneak peek of the Siren's Curse game prizes that will be available around the midway.
We then went over to Linen Services, which is always interesting. We were able to see more machines and workers in action this year. These machines always remind me of the Everlasting Gobstopper machine in Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. They have multiple folding machines and it was cool to see how the sheets or towels are fed into the machine and come out neatly folded. Fitted sheets are folded by hand. A couple of workers happily showed my mom how they fold fitted sheets flat. She has been practicing since, but doesn't feel she does it as well as they do.
Another new stop was landscaping. It was very fun and interesting to see how they plan designs, flower beds, Halloweekends pumpkin designs, etc...using grids. They try to use flowers and produce from local farmers before looking outside the state, which I always appreciate.
We then headed over to Ride Maintenance. I always like seeing the ride trains and cars taken apart and trying to guess what belongs to which ride. Some of them were completely taken apart (seats gone, harnesses gone, nothing but the bottom of the coaster train, etc) that I struggled to tell the difference between Maverick, Steel Vengeance, and Valravn. Workers did a few demonstrations and had videos for us this year, such as taking the wheels off a coaster train and replacing Millennium's control station (she will be upgraded to a touchscreen system this year).
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| Millennium's old ride control system |
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| This is the coaster train that had me stumped |
Next up was the Jack Aldrich Theatre on the midway. Upon entering, they had a sound system set up where they alternated music from the shows. We got to walk onto the stage and see a sneak peek of this year's shows (no details, though). Class of '99 is back this year, which I am very happy about. I waited until the end of summer last year to see it and it's such a fun throwback to the 90s show. Boardwalk Nights will also be coming back this summer (no confirmed dates), but it was so fun last year that I'm excited to see if they'll expand it or make any changes. It's also the 75th anniversary of Peanuts, so I'm curious if we'll be getting specific merchandise or events for that. The costume department brought a variety of costumes from shows and Halloweekends and they were there for any questions we had. I was on cloud 9 because we were given permission to touch the costumes, and I was able to touch Mr. Midnight's costume. It felt like a mixture of satin and velvet or velour. They also had the mechanism/gadget gloves that he wears on his hands that give him the long fingers. I asked how they work and they told me it's a unique and original mechanism that was made specifically for his character. Other parks have since copied the idea, but he was the first one to wear it. Each finger works individually as a unit when he moves his own. The clicking sound it makes is the mechanism itself that technically they can get rid of, but have opted not to. I wholeheartedly agree to never get rid of the clicking. The first year that they introduced his character they did meet and greets, and I have a photo with him and Midnight Syndicate where he's clicking his fingers in my ear. It just adds to the creepy vibe and I love it.
Our last and final stop was the gift shop. We got to see some new merchandise designs that will be available in the park this year, and they look fantastic! I really like many of the new coaster designs on the shirts and hoodies. They will be doing a 2025 button collection and had a board showing all the different designs. They also had a giveaway to enter to win the Snake River Falls sign that you had to pay extra for. While I'd love to start a collection of old ride pieces, that sign was just too massive. The big disappointment was that they designed shirts and hoodies for Winter Chill Out, but by the time we got there, everything was gone. I saw on social media later that day that someone in the 2nd group of the day said everything was picked over and hoodies were already gone by the time they arrived. Based on that, our last group of the day had no hope. It sucked to not to be able to buy an extra momento for being there.
This year definitely went a lot smoother than last year as far as timing and the flow of the event. It felt like we got to see and do a lot this time. I was pleasantly surprised on how much they let us in on. I wasn't expecting to get so much information about park and ride updates and upcoming events. I only fangirled for a minute while talking to the costume designers about Mr. Midnight, so I'm proud of myself 😂. I'm still bummed about the Winter Chill Out specific merchandise. It wasn't a problem last year so was it resellers? Does there need to be a cap on how many people can buy? Were they not prepared for a bigger event? We'll never know. The dessert situation was a let down as well. The pastry chef and manager really hyped them up and we wished we could've tried them. Minor detail, but we were anticipating the Farmhouse coffee stop, so I wish someone would've announced that it wouldn't be happening if we needed coffee before the tour started. Starbucks on the midway was closed by the time our tour was over.
I feel terrible for not catching our tour guide's name. He let us know that he's been working at Cedar Point for 7 years and it was his first time doing the event. He did a wonderful job keeping a group of 50+ people moving and not losing anyone, which is no small feat! The teacher in me was very proud of him for keeping all of us ducks in a row AND for giving time warnings before moving along (a very important detail that most people underestimate). BRAVO for a job well done!
Did you go to Winter Chill Out this year or in previous years? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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