Top 10 Cedar Fair Parks
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ค. 2024
- When it comes to amusement park chains, especially in the US, the first name that comes to mind to almost everyone, would probably be Six Flags. But there is indeed another major amusement park chain, called Cedar Fair! This company currently operates 11 amusement parks in North America, 10 of which I had the opportunity to visit in 2023! And while Cedar Fair and Six Flags are actually in the process of a massive merge, combining the two chains into one mega chain, I wanted to make a little video ranking those 10 parks, while Cedar Fair technically, sort of, still exists. As a roller coaster enthusiast, I will fully admit their roller coaster lineups were the major metric I went by, but I also took many other things into consideration as well. Ultimately, this list is ranked based on which parks I'd most want visit if you told me I could immediately teleport to them as we speak. It's of course completely subjective and personal to me, and is not the "correct" list, and I'd be curious to hear your own lists down in the comments below. Enjoy!!
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Going to CP almost always results in long lines and high blood pressure . The coaster lineup at KI can't compete with CP, but it's closer than you'd expect, and in the end I'm at a park to have fun and escape stress, and it's much easier to do that at KI. Definitely a top five US park for me.
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I’ve learned that I prefer atmosphere and good vibes over a big ride collection at a corporate-feeling park. I’m glad you agree 😊
Factsssss, ideally a park that does both aka, why KI ranked where it did!
I can't disagree, as someone who went to both CP and KI for the first time in many years last year. CP is amazing, and houses multiple Top 10 coasters, but KI is just so much fun. Hardly a bad ride there (I'm still searching for that Banshee rattle everyone talks about) and it's just such an ideal park. The operations are amazing, the atmosphere is great, as you mentioned it's the perfect layout, it's in a great location, it's just awesome.
I actually regret not mentioning KI’s ops in the video, absolute best in the game!
Honestly I feel blessed to have Cedar Point as my home park because I never have to stress about hitting everything in a single trip. If the park's ever busy, I can just walk around and ride the less popular rides knowing I'll be back in a few days anyway. But if you're not from this part of the country and have to make the most of your trip, Cedar Point can be nearly as stressful as the big Orlando parks. I'd even say it can be more stressful than the Universal parks, and on the busiest days can even rival Disney.
Kings Island is such a chill park by comparison, and I always drive the couple extra hours over CP at least once a year. Hotels in the area are pretty cheap and it makes a great extended weekend trip. I also agree that, while CP has the higher peaks, KI has a deeper lineup. Can't wait to get back there this year.
No lies were said!! Spot on takes 👏. Yeah having CP as a home park I can absolutely see having a different opinion than having to travel far away for it
I'm so blessed to live just a 45 minute drive from Kings Island.
Jealous!!!
I was at the ACE Perseverance Conf last summer with my boys and saw you filming from Adventureland when you were walking around with the CS crew. Didn't realize you had started your own channel but glad you did. I enjoy your commentary and humor on the videos you have put out. Anyone that puts a "crapola" reference into their coaster lineup rankings has got a new subscriber. Keep it up!
Whattttt no way!!! That’s amazing ❤️ thank you so much for the kind words!
Great List. I think Airtime thrill also has Kings at One and Cedar at two, which is 100% justified.
I like Knotts a lot. Reminds me of Herschend Park with the sweet and historical Wild West area in the back, as well as an emphasis on foods. Some of them rides like the log ride and men got that fun dark ride vibe. All it needs now to go all-in with that Herschend's vibe is a world-class RMC, a Mack Spinner, over-the-top diabetes breakfast pastries, or a cool role model for the kids to take selfies with like a Crazy Charlie the Arsonist or the Fire in the Hole pants guy.
“Diabetes breakfast pastries” 😂 - yeah if they got the one 🤯 coaster, it could contend with CP and KI for sure
I want to know what King's Island does differently while training its ride operators. I have been to a large number of parks and have yet to see anyone come close to King's Island as far as dispatch times. Not to mention their fast lane takes you to the FRONT of the line.
Right?! They must incentivize speed, and hopefully pay accordingly!
ive seen you on numerous channels, idk how i didnt know about this channel before, but im subbed now, and MY HOME PARK #1 BABY LETS GOOOOOOOOO (i literally love all these parks)
❤️❤️❤️ thank you!! Definitely grinding, so that means a lot :)
1 Kings Island
2 Cedar Point
3 Kings Dominion
4 Carowinds
5 Canada's Wonderland
6 Knott's Berry Farm
7 Worlds Of Fun
8 California's Great America
9 Dorney Park (will definitely move up once I ride iron menace)
10 Valleyfair
11 Michigan's Adventure
Dang, other than that 4-7, we almost exactly match!!
Finally, someone who agrees with KI over CP! KI is truly an incredible park and I’m so glad I have it as my home park.
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Broo! I love this ranking! So accurate and couldn’t agree more! Keep up the amazing content!
🙌🙌🙌, thank you!
Hey Bryant! First, I have to say as a Swifty that I LOVE your TTPD references in this vid! Having other fellow roller coaster enthusiast that are also Swifty’s feels great! I’ve been following your channel since near the beginning. Cedar Point is closer to me in distance than KI by one hour, and I still choose to make the extra drive to kings island over CP most days. Don’t get me wrong…I grew up going to Cedar point and it will always be fantastic! But Kings Island just does something special for me with every visit I make. well respected ranking!!! 👍🏼
Were those references?! 😄 - thank you so much though that means a ton!! And glad you agree with my “controversial” decision 😝❤️
just found this channel! This is an awesome video! Love the personality & humor & very unique rankings! Please do this for six flags!
Thank you so much!! Definitely in the works ☺️
Wow I enjoyed how unpredictable this ranking was
I try to tease when I can ☺️
Love this video! You summed up how I feel about Cedar Point and Kings Island! There’s a reason KI is my home park over CP other than living a bit closer to KI. There is just this feel about KI when you walk in. I’m call it my second home 😂
Thank you!! And I’m glad you agree haha, I totally get what you mean though! Just feels a bit more homey and loving, can’t describe it
This is awesome! New subscriber bud! Kings Dominion is my home park, and only 12 mins away!
Thank you VERY much for that!! ❤️ Means a lot :)
My grandparents know the Gardner at valley fair and they give us tickets every time we head up there
Whattt that’s so cool!!
So glad you gave World of Fun some love! Really a great park. HOWEVER I will not stand the Knott’s disrespect Bryant 😂 It’s #1 in my heart but I’ll accept #2 if you’re just a little crazy. It hands down blows out every other Cedar Fair park, and really is much too good for the chain. It should graduate to Herschend!
Also I still dispute CP being coaster capital of the world, still a good coaster or two short of Magic Mountain. But probably one day will take the crown!
Like I said from a pure THEME perspective, Knott’s is top in the chain. But coaster wise, at least for me, it doesn’t come close to KI or CP, and then KD’s Top 2 also are above anything at KBF, while still have a solid atmosphere too.
How am I just seeing this now!
So, with CW as my home park, I actually 100% agree with you. Once they work on customer experience/service and food. And obviously better coasters then we're talking.
I was actually curious to hear your thoughts on that spot! Glad you agree!!
But I would tweak a bit of the rest - CP is number 1 to me
Wonderland is criminally low. It might not have the most solid coaster lineup of the bunch but the atmosphere alone puts it on top of half the parks. Its a very organized, well maintained park with a great layout in my opinion. (Excluding the rowdy teenagers)
Completely agree about the atmosphere! And respect that opinion. For me personally, the lineup is just SO bad, that it’s a big time “well, what do we do now?” feeling after that Top 4. And again, I don’t care for flat rides, so it’s status as one of the best for that didn’t hit for me
Honestly, I enjoyed Nighthawk and put it at #5 in the park. I didn't find it to be exceptionally rough except for the two corkscrew/inline-twists at then end, and those are greatly helped by the fact that the restraints are actually comfortable. However, I rode this first thing in the morning, so it was likely running slower. If it was running full speed after a hot day and I had just waited an hour to grab the credit, I would probably have thought less of it. I would say Nighthawk is one of those coasters that is worth at least one ride every visit, but only if you can ride at park opening. One of my friends even said that it was better than the Superman Ultimate Flight B&M Flyers. I don't necessarily agree with that, but I do like the restraints and the fact that you're laying on you back on the brake run better.
Slight hot take there! 🔥 Like I said in the video, I actually haven’t ridden yet (either due to it being closed, or long lines), so a lot of my opinion of it is based on others, which has been mostly negative haha
@coaster365 Yeah, I know it gets a lot of hate. I certainly liked it more than everything outside of the top four.
My CP day was great, I went in 2022 and crave to go back, it was a Wednesday and Thursday in august, they were calling for thunderstorms and rain, and all of that jazz, it drizzled for an hour, and the park was dead, we LUCKED OUT! Cedar Point is my favorite overall park
Totally fair!! That’s FANTASTIC luck, the rain for a little that clears the park out day is THE best 🙌
@@coaster365 got on maverick 16 times that day, it’s a shame every day can’t be like that lmao
Kings Island is… well… the king!
I rank Kings Island the same at number 1. That park feels more chill. You can just take it at your own pace.
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As a dorney park season pass holder. I couldnt happier with the improvements this year. All we need is a holding brake haha
Imagine? 😅 I also heard Steel Force got the Mamba treatment 🙌
@coaster365 yes. Unfortunately trims still hit. But that helix is amazing now
I completely agree with Cedar Point being stressfull. Even though Steel vengeance is my number 1, I still have more fun at KI.
Definitely have Vengeance (and Maverick comes close too) over anything at KI
I’m currently enjoying the all park passport for the first time, and trying to get to as many cedar fair parks as possible! Currently at 7/11, with plans to visit Michigan’s Adventure and Dorney Park this summer. Unfortunately, that’ll still leave Canada’s Wonderland and Kings Dominion, which seem to be 2 of the best!
1. Cedar Point
2. Carowinds
3. Kings Island
4. Knott’s Berry Farm
5. California’s Great America
6. Worlds of Fun
7. Valleyfair
Other than Carowinds, you seem to be in agreement with me!! Yeah you’ll get to all eventually, enjoy MiA and Dorney!!
@@coaster365 thank you! Really enjoy your channel!
Totally agree with your Dorney & Carowinds takes. I've always said that Dorney is like "old reliable". Carowinds definitely takes a HUGE free fall after Copperhead Strike. Nighthawk isn't that bad though, it just has horrendous ops
I actually toyed with putting Dorney OVER Carowinds, but Fury is just too good for that move lol
Although I didn't enjoy Worlds of Fun as much as you did, I only had a couple of hours there, so I was being businesslike. Couldn't agree more about Canada's Wonderland -- that's got to be the most painful cred run on Earth. I think if I go back there again, I'll derive just as much enjoyment from NOT riding Flight Deck and Spine-Buster as I will from riding Leviathan and Behemoth.
That is a 100% FACT 😂😂😂, screw those rides
At last! A video where my home park is not number 11!
In addition to Michigan’s Adventure, I’ve also been to Kings Dominion and Knott’s. I don’t know where to rank them.
Honestly, CP still tops my CF list so far, but I can certainly see your reasoning. I definitely agree that it's not a chill park to visit, and the way it has been run lately seems to be making that a bit worse. The only way to combat that is to make sure you can visit multiple days. 1 or even 2 days isn't gonna cut it, especially if you prefer to experience parks at a leisurely pace (this issue is compounded if you're like me and spend hours taking pictures too.) It's far from perfect, but I can't help but love the place. I will say it has been 6 years since my last visit, so my opinion could change next time I visit my favorite peninsula. I guess we'll see.
10000% a 2 day park, unless you get lucky with a random weekday. Definitely part of the reason it’s #2, also not helped by how huge it is, and taking forever to walk anywhere
Finally a cedar fair park list I agree with
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I definitely prefer Dorney over California's Great America. I would put Canada's Wonderland over that too
For me, the best Cedar Fair park is Cedar Point, followed by Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Knott's Berry Farm, and Valleyfair. I am hoping to visit Michigan's Adventure this summer for the first time.
Well we have the same Top 4! Just slightly different order
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i’m curious, where do you think CGA would place given what you know about it?
Gun to my head? Probably 7th after Carowinds. Solid 1-2 that I’m excited for but haven’t heard much beyond that
How many water attractions did Carowinds have at one time?
I'm familiar with Rip Roaring Rapids( don't know why they took that out), but from what I can recall, they did have 6-8 at one time?
Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Actually not sure, I’ve only been twice, and my first visit was 2021
I think Carowinds had a log flume ride at one time and a White Water Falls ( chute type water ride) and their Rip Roaring Rapids as you mentioned. I love coasters but my husband likes water rides, and we couldn’t find any when we were at Carowinds. We really missed at least a log flume option. It was SO hot on July 5. Maybe Carowinds will address that. I thought it was a charming park though. 😊
I agree with the top 3 however I would personally put kings dominion at 1 and push cedar point to 3 and kings island to 2
Totally fair!! If Kings Island is more relaxed than Cedar Point than I’d actually agree Kings Dominion is even more so than KI
Ugh, you went there... I agree with your lower ranking of Winds and Wonder. I'd go:
Point, Island, Farm, Dorney, Fun, Winds, America, Dominion/Wonderland, Fair, Adventure? (It's been a while)
Loving the one word park names haha, respect to Dorney!!
You are really close on this top 3. Cedar Point is about coasters and it’s beauty is purely because of either coasters or the lake. The park isn’t as well done otherwise and isn’t as clean as Kings Island or Kings Dominion. Even Carowinds has better theming than Cedar Point. I think KI is slightly above KD it is close. Both have the amazing international street. I think Cedar Point is 3rd on my list of ones I’ve been to so far. To me nothing comes close to the quality of Kings Island and Kings Dominion. You’d think Carowinds could be on that level, but I was there Sunday and it’s not. It’s a fun time and a good park… but it isn’t KD or KI. Cedar Point needs a good family coaster, more theming, and better food to get into the discussion. My fav ride at any of the parks is Project 305. I’d take Twisted Timbers over Mystic Timbers any day. The historic Beast and Racer combined with Diamondback and one of the best arrow mine trains Adventure Express and amazing kids area… KI wins even though it’s my home park. 1. KI 2. KD 3. CP that’s my list. No sympathy for CP for me.
All fair points and well thought out! Can’t say I disagree with much here
For me Cedar Point is nearly perfect, just missing a good wooden coaster and the walkability of the park is a bit much sometimes. Not much they can’t really do about that though.
Kings island still feels like it needs 1 more big time ride to truly be equal with CP in my opinion, like a RMC or a great Launch coaster. Kings Island is far more walkable though. Nothing feels too far away.
All fair! Oh if KI got another elite coaster it CLEARS CP for me officially
KI is absolutely better than CP.
CP might have the coaster lineup but far too much of it feels like a carnival midway, and it’s just a way less enjoyable place to just walk around.
I loved the video but I just can’t get behind Carowinds at number 6. I can understand maybe 4, BUT LOWER THAN WORLDS OF FUN!!!
Thank you!! So here was my logic - Carowinds clearly has the Top 1, but I’d personally take both Prowler and Mamba over anything else at Carowinds. Coupled with WOF being a prettier, more themed park, and Carowinds having a rough lineup after their Top 4, it was kind of an easy call for me. But respect your opinion!
@@coaster365 Yeah i totally see where your coming from with the theming, but the thing with the coasters is you gotta compare both parks number one which is fury and Mamba which fury obviously wins then after that i can see where your coming from with prowler being better that copper head, after burn and maybe intimidator, but I feel like even though after the top 4 all carowinds has is duds they still have a better lineup, but hey lover the vid and i respect your opinion.
I LOVE THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT REFERENCES!!!!!!!!!!! ❤❤❤❤
Is that what those were? 😄
Cedar Point is the roller coaster capital of the world, so.... And even though their rides are spread so far apart, it works off that carnival food!😅
Lmao, don’t hate that point 😂
Hahaha We share the same top 3 for favorite cedar fair parks!
KD is amazing and a much nicer (when not crowded) I street.
Interestingly... My reason to put CP at #2.. is the exact same reason. Some of the best rides.. but Im usually stressed when Im there 😅
i was less stressed to get my bucketlist rides at Orlando parks
Love to hear it!! 🙌
I think they need to start focusing on the smaller parks just like they focus on the major parks, they put to much money on like cedar point. They don’t need any more roller coasters. I’m surprised they have anymore space for anything. They need to take a break from cedar point and Kings island.
Could not agree more!!!
I agree with a lot of these takes. A park needs to have soul to be good and having a bunch of low tier rides really hurts a park for me
Love the take Of KI over CP. Kings Island is a better park. But in no world can I agree that WOF is better than Carowinds but I respect the opinion and love your content!
Appreciate that so much!! ❤️ I decided on WOF over Carowinds similar to how I put Dorney over Canada’s Wonderland. For sure the better top coasters, but soooo much crap after that. Whereas WOF had a better atmosphere, and a better top to bottom collection, while still having a great 1-2
@@coaster365tou coming back for zinger?
You?
@@djsurf2254 I'm sure at some point! Very doubtful for 2024 though
Your flat ride is the screamin swing. No spinning, just a giant swing set. Knott's is #1 for me in terms of fun, because the zero g roll on silver bullet, airtime on hangtime, ghostrider, the chicken dinner, and night rides made my trip the single greatest trip to a park I have ever had. I will also take Kings Island over Cedar Point, unless TT2 ends up being that good.
You are actually completely correct in that screaming swings are my favorite flat!! 😅 Completely understand the Knott’s take, like I said if they got that true 🤯 coaster for me, it could push towards the top
Knott's would be lucky to get another coaster. They have less space than Cedar Point. A 40-seat screamin swing would be perfect, if they even have room for that
@@raymondking2945 aren't they getting that giga?!?!?!? :P
I've been to 10 of the 11 and will be going to the 11th in June (Canada's Wonderland). Here is my ranking:
1. Cedar Point- Clearly the best. 5 coasters in my Top 50. Might be only 3 at the end of the year. Can't match SV, Maverick, and Magnum.
2. Knotts Berry Farm- Food is way better than anything in chain. Theming is way better. GhostRider is elite (Top 30). Operations are slow.
3. Carowinds- Fury is Top 10 for me. Copperhead Strike is a very solid #2. Afterburn one of the better inverts in the US. Yeah a drop off after the big 4, but it is tough to match the big 4 outside of Cedar Point in the chain.
4. Kings Dominion- Elite Top 2 (Both easily in my Top 25). Pretty big drop off after that to the Grizzly and Dominator level, and then another big drop off to the next level.
5. Kings Island- Great operations, BUT they lack elite coasters. Mystic is their best coaster and is around 40 for me. Orion is a good coaster as well. Diamondback has a bad rattle as does the jack hammering Banshee. Both have good lay-outs. Beast is overrated, fun ride but not an elite ride. I think Bat is very good for what it is, but the rest of the coasters don't do much for me. Again, great operations but they need that True Top 25 #1 coaster for them to move up. If they can get an mack extreme spinner or a ground up RMC for the Vortex plot, I could bump them up.
6. California Great America- Outstanding top 3. Operations were a bit of a challenge during my two visits but were outstanding compared to SFDK.
7. Worlds of Fun- Solid collection for a park this size. I thought operations were good as well.
8. ValleyFair- Renegade is borderline Top 50 but after Excalibur it is a pretty big drop off.
9. Dorney Park- Yes they do take great pride in the park, but they have one coaster in my Top 100 (Steel Force), and it isn't in by much. Need a standout roller coaster. Love Demon Drop./
10. Michigan's Adventure- Shivering Timbers is a better #1 than some of the parks ahead of it but park needs something. Good looking park.
If I had to guess, Canada's Wonderland is going to be a lower mid tier park for me around the CGA or WOF level.
So similar Top 5, just rearranged, and similar bottom 5, just rearranged 😄. Your points all make sense though based on your preferences!
I love Wonderland it’s actually a park. Vortex was the best roller coaster I’ve ever been on❤❤❤
Vortex is SO good, honestly could see it being my 2nd favorite there depending on the day!
I wonder how many of these parks will still carry the same name in a few years with the merge coming up. Can't wait to see Cedar Point become Six Flags over Ohio🥴
I would be beyond stunned if that’s one of the moves they made. They didn’t do it for Great Escape or Frontier City, so I think those names are safe
@@coaster365 I hope so lol. Hopefully they'll just make it '[insert park name here]: a Six Flags destination' or something like that😅
I will take Kings Island over Cedar Point anyday. Cedar Point is my home park and I go there 2-4 times a decade. However, I consider Kings Island my home park and make sure I visit there at least once a year.
You go to your home park 1 time a year? I go to mines probably like 50-60 times a year
We all have different responsibilities in life 😛. I probably only get to go to my home parks 4-5x a year
I think CP wins just because kings island is a lot more misrivle when busy, and from my experience ki is busy way more often. I love the rides and atmosphere there though. Also I think magnum is elite
That is very different from my experience! But like I said in the video, good to have a variety, and a little bit of luck as well!
@@coaster365 I also think your channel is very high quality and we need to make sure you get more subs
@@coastercube838 🥲🥲🥲 you are too kind!! Comments like these make my day, thank you so much ❤️
❤KI it’s my home park 🎢
Cedar Flags
Nice Taylor Swift references lol
#Carowindsismyhomepark All I do is marathon fury ALL DAY!
nahhcause canadas wonderland over dorney any day, tho dorney still does slap
tho looks like one of your concerns about new elite coaster being built is being answered though, if you see all the signs the park has about the new coaster coming
I’ve definitely seen those rumors!! 👀 That would for sure put it over Dorney. The call I made when debating CW over Dorney was that yes CW has the better top coasters, but soooo much crap. When Dorney I would say has zero crap
This is so interesting because of how much Cedar Fair invested into Canada’s Wonderland I always assumed it was top 3 in the chain but have heard multiple people say its a mediocre park outside of their B&Ms.
Also we shall see for Dorney’s future because they have plans to massively expand the park over the next 10 years with more coasters, theming, and thrill rides but it is contingent on how they do this year with Iron Menace.
@@AFCompany I think its unfairly rated IMO but i do get some of the criticism
someone likes ttpd…
I have no idea what you could possible be talking about 😀
Kings Island destroys Cedar Point because they don't have a bad coaster and it's effortless to have a good day at KI. Cedar Point doesn't even have a single dark ride either, and KI doesn't have mayflies!
Carowinds and especially Wonderland being so low feels like a crime but I can't really argue against their horrible supporting lineup
Suppose I'll do my own ranking.
1. Kings Island
2. Knott's Berry Farm (Boysenberries, dark rides, fried chicken, well themed water rides)
3. Cedar Point (I am paying 100 dollars for lockers)
4. Canada's Wonderland
5. Carowinds
6. Dorney Park
7. Kings Dominion (Please put some coasters on the right side of the park and replace Volcano)
8. Michigan's Adventure
I've never been to Valleyfair, World's of Fun, or CGA. I will hopefully make my next trip a midwest trip to hit those parks once the Mattel park opens in Kansas City.
Not too bad at all! Other than KD being low 😅, and CW being a little high, we’re pretty much in agreement
@@coaster365 Sorry, KD just always seems like dystopian Kings Island to me
Someone lijes to reference TTPD just admit it
………………………….maybe 🙈
From meh to bleh lol
My vocabulary skills are unmatched 😝
Kings Island #1 for sure. But Diamondback is their best coaster.
Ehhhhhhhh, nah 😝, but respect the opinion!