13 tips to plan the perfect Cedar Point trip

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter.SANDUSKY — Taking kids to an amusement park can be a daunting task, but our family has been making the voyage to Cedar Fair amusement parks all across North America for years.Follow these suggestions, and your day at the park will be remembered for what is was supposed to be: a day of fu!13. Pace yourselves with the kidsAny parent will learn an exhausted kid makes for a rough day. Running your kids' little legs continuously for hours on end will quickly results in tantrums — and maybe even from the parents. Take your time by fitting in a show to break up the day. Cedar Point is a large place with lots to see and do. Find a quiet area of the park, and sit and relax while the kids nap in their stroller.12. Teach kids to recognize Cedar Point employeesAll Cedar Point employees have an identification badge on their chest and usually are decked out in special outfits. Teach the kids what an employee looks like, so that if they get separated from the party, and do not have KidTrack activated, the employee can work to get the child joined up with their party.11. Plan a meeting placeChances are there will be people in your party that want to head toward the Iron Dragon, while others want to skip over to Camp Snoopy. With thousands of guests in the park on any given day, meeting back up can become a task, and relying on cellphones may not always be feasible.On really busy days, it's a good chance you'll have zero phone coverage on the Cedar Point peninsula because everyone is using the network. We have personally been in the park on several occasions where we had no access to phone coverage due to overloading of the system.Therefore, it is important to plan a meeting spot and time to join up with the rest of your party, even if it is to share an elephant ear.10. Plan for the weatherWith Cedar Point being located along the shores of Lake Erie, there is always the potential for a storm to blow in, potentially messing with your plans at Cedar Point. Plan accordingly, and bring an umbrella or rain poncho if the weather forecast looks questionable.While the majority of attractions will be shut down during a weather delay, depending on the length of the storm and severity of the rain, this can also be a great time to take advantage of shorter ride times as the crowds thin out and head indoors.9. Share a meal or twoBeing a captive audience, prices for food at Cedar Point are higher than outside the park. If the cost of a burger and fries meal gives you the hiccups, and a Cedar Point Dining Plan is not in your budget, consider sharing a meal. Splitting a meal not only will help save you money, but less food in your belly means less chance of losing it on the Corkscrew.8. Plan extra time in the parkSometimes a family might save up all year to be able to visit Cedar Point once every couple of years. But, for those with some flexibility, consider spending multiple days in the area and make a full vacation out of your trip. If you must ride all of the roller coasters and rides during the peak summer months, consider going to the park for at least two days. This strategy will allow you to visit half the park one day, and the other half the second day. Or visit Cedar Point one day and Cedar Point Shores the second day. The possibilities are endless.7. Cedar Point for familiesSure Cedar Point caters to the thrill seeker with the best roller coaster lineup on the planet. However, Cedar Point also caters to families, offering a variety of rides and attractions to suit guests of all ages.Let the kids enjoy three themed areas — Kiddie Kingdom, Planet Snoopy, and Camp Snoopy — get your picture taken with Snoopy and the Peanuts characters, and enjoy a relaxing ride on the Lake Erie & Cedar Point Railroad, to name a few. Or enjoy Cedar Point's mile-long beach. Who brought the sand toys?6. Parent SwapParents visiting Cedar Point with kids need not worry about not riding roller coasters because of the Parent Swap program. Visit either guest services at the main gate; Town Hall Museum; or the Resort Entrance Gate, located near Magnum, and request a Parent Swap pass.One parent will wait in the normal line to ride each of the roller coasters on the list, handing the ride operator your pass before loading. Once complete, you will swap with the other parent and watch the kids, allowing the second parent to ride the attraction by going up the Fast Lane line.5. Family Care CentersWorried about bringing little ones to Cedar Point? Do not worry because Cedar Point has parents covered, meeting the demands of newborns to big kids at heart. Cedar Point offers two Family Care Centers in the park: one in Planet Snoopy and the other near the entrance to Maverick in Frontiertown.Guests can use private rooms to breastfeed their child(ren), use changing rooms or just provide that quiet, relaxing environment the kids may need from a day of walking around in the sun.Stopping in to the Family Care Centers is an excellent opportunity to use private restrooms, get complimentary ice-cold cups of water or get the medical attention your family may need.4. Bring plenty of sunscreenThere is nothing worse that walking around in the sun all day, only to realize the next day you not only suffer from exhaustion but a bad sunburn as well.Use some precaution by liberally applying sunscreen throughout the day, especially if there are little kids in your party.3. Wear comfortable clothes and shoesSure you might be visiting Cedar Point with a bunch of your friends or even on a date with a new love. But save the high heels or restrictive clothing for another day.Dress appropriately for the weather, wear comfortable shoes that are already broken in and do not wear clothes with offensive language or gestures. Cedar Point reserves the right to enforce the dress code and refuse admission for guests breaking this rule.2. Sign up for KidTrackAfter a fun day at Cedar Point, the last thing you want to worry about is a missing child. Cedar Point offers a KidTrack program, for in the case of an emergency. Sign up for KidTrack at guest services, located at the main gate, the resort gate or Town Hall. Should your child get separated, a park employee will call the provided cellphone number to reunite your party.Cedar Point does not offer a public address system, so plan accordingly for communicating with your party.1. Stay hydratedNothing will ruin a day of fun at Cedar Point faster than dehydration and a trip to the emergency room. Bring a closed bottle of water with you when entering the park, ask for complimentary cups of water at food stands, or better yet, purchase a Souvenir Cup, getting you free refills all day, and $1 refills the remainder of the season. Or if you plan on multiple visits, purchase an All-Season bottle or All-Season drink pass, getting you free refills all year.Just realize that guests purchasing a souvenir bottle will not be allowed to carry them into the line on several rides. Therefore, you will have to store the bottles with a non-rider, purchase a locker to store them.For these and other great suggestions, refer to 43 Tips for A Successful Trip to Cedar Point.Bringing children to Cedar Point this summer? We have some tips to make the day go as smoothly as possible.