The Ultimate Rollercoaster Road Trip Guide for Kings Island & Cedar Point

Why This Ohio Road Trip is a MUST-DO

The Best Time to Go: Dodging the Crowds

• Saturdays in the summer: This is peak time. Expect massive crowds & long lines for everything.
• Holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July, & Labor Day weekends are going to be packed.
• Saturdays in October: Halloweekends at Cedar Point is an incredibly popular event & the park can be at its busiest.

The Coaster Lineup: Know Your Titans

Kings Island: A Park of Legends & Night Rides

• The Beast: This is an icon. It's the world's longest wooden roller coaster & it's an entirely different animal at night. It tears through the woods for over four minutes, & in the dark, you have NO idea which way you're going next. It's an absolute must-do.
• Orion: As one of only seven giga coasters in the world, Orion is a speed machine. That 300-foot first drop is breathtaking, & the airtime hills that follow are just pure joy at 91 mph. It's smooth, fast, & a top-tier coaster.
• Diamondback: This is another hypercoaster from B&M, & it's all about airtime. The "splashdown" ending is a cool visual, & the open-air seating makes you feel like you're flying.
• Mystic Timbers: A fantastic wooden coaster from GCI, this ride is relentless from start to finish. It's packed with airtime moments & has a mysterious "shed" at the end that adds to the fun.
• Banshee: The world's longest inverted coaster, Banshee is intense & graceful at the same time. With seven inversions, including a massive loop around the lift hill, it's a disorienting & thrilling experience.
• Flight of Fear: This was the world's first coaster to use a linear induction motor launch, & it's still a blast. It's an indoor "spaghetti bowl" of twists & turns in the dark.

Cedar Point: The Roller Coaster Capital

• Steel Vengeance: Many consider this to be the best roller coaster in the world, & they're not wrong. It's a "hyper-hybrid" (steel track on a wooden structure) that is just insane. The 205-foot, 90-degree drop is just the beginning. The ride is nearly 30 seconds of pure airtime, with twists & turns that feel impossible.
• Millennium Force: The original giga coaster. This ride is a legend. The 310-foot lift hill, the 93 mph speed, & the massive, high-speed turns are incredible. It’s pure speed & G-forces. The view of Lake Erie from the top is UNBEATABLE.
• Maverick: This is an intense, low-to-the-ground launch coaster. It has a beyond-vertical drop (95 degrees!), quick turns, & a second launch in a dark tunnel that will catch you by surprise. It's one of the most aggressive & fun rides in the park.
• Top Thrill 2: The newly reimagined strata coaster is the tallest & fastest coaster in North America. This triple-launch beast is all about speed & height, a true icon of the park.
• Valravn: The world's tallest, fastest, & longest dive coaster when it opened. It dangles you over the edge of a 214-foot, 90-degree drop for what feels like an eternity before letting you go. It's a unique & terrifying thrill.
• Raptor: An awesome inverted coaster that still holds its own. It features six inversions, including a "cobra roll," & it feels way faster than its 57 mph top speed.
• GateKeeper: This "winged" coaster at the front of the park is beautiful & thrilling. You ride on the side of the track, which makes for some crazy near-misses with the keyhole towers at the entrance.

The Ultimate 4-Day Road Trip Itinerary

• Morning: Get to the park at least 30 minutes before it opens. When the gates open, head straight to the back of the park to ride Flight of Fear first. Its capacity is lower, so the line builds up fast. Then, hit up Orion before the crowds get there.
• Afternoon: Work your way through the other big coasters like Diamondback & Banshee. Take a break for lunch. Don't forget about the classic wooden coasters like The Racer & Mystic Timbers.
• Evening: This is when Kings Island truly shines. As it gets dark, make sure you get night rides on The Beast & Diamondback. It’s a completely different & more intense experience. Trust me on this.

• Morning: Use the morning to re-ride your favorites or check out some of the other attractions you missed. If you're into water parks, Soak City is included with your admission & is a great way to cool off.
• Afternoon: Grab lunch, say goodbye to Kings Island, & start the 3-4 hour drive to Sandusky. The drive is pretty straightforward.
• Evening: Check into your hotel near Cedar Point. A great option is Hotel Breakers, which is right on the property & gives you early entry into the park. If you're looking for more budget-friendly options, there are plenty of hotels in Sandusky. This is also a good time to think about parking for the next day. While the park has lots, they can be pricey. A pretty cool alternative is using an app like Prked, which lets you find & book parking in someone's private driveway or garage near the park. It can save you some cash & a bit of a walk.

• Morning (Early Entry is KEY): If you're staying at a Cedar Point hotel or have the right pass, USE the early entry. Head straight to the back of the park to ride Steel Vengeance & Maverick. These are two of the most popular rides, so getting them done early is a HUGE win.
• Afternoon: After hitting the back of the park, make your way to the front to ride the legendary Millennium Force. Be prepared for a wait, but it's worth it. Then, hit up Valravn & Raptor.
• Evening: Cedar Point is beautiful at night with the lights reflecting off the lake. Get a night ride on Millennium Force or Magnum XL-200 for some amazing views.

• Morning: Use this day to ride anything you missed or re-ride your absolute favorites (I'm looking at you, Steel Vengeance). Check out some of the classics like Blue Streak, a wooden coaster from 1964, or Gemini, the racing coaster.
• Afternoon: Before you head home, take a ride on GateKeeper at the front of the park. It's the perfect way to say goodbye. Grab some final park food (the fresh-cut fries are a must) & hit the road.

Tickets, Passes, & Fast Lanes: What's the Best Deal?

• Single-Day Tickets: If you're only going for one day at each park, this is your option. But honestly, for a trip like this, you'll want more time.
• Season Passes: If you think you might visit any other Cedar Fair/Six Flags parks during the year, a Gold Pass or Platinum Pass is a no-brainer. The Platinum Pass gets you into ALL parks in the chain, including Kings Island & Cedar Point, plus free parking. Do the math – if you're spending more than two days at the parks combined, a pass often pays for itself.
• Fast Lane & Fast Lane Plus: This is the big question. Is it worth the extra money? Here's my take:
  • If you're visiting on a weekday in May, early June, or late August, you probably don't need it.
  • If you're visiting on a weekend, a holiday, or only have one day at Cedar Point, I would strongly consider getting Fast Lane Plus. It's expensive, but it can be the difference between riding 5 coasters & riding 15. At Cedar Point, you'll need the "Plus" version to skip the lines on Steel Vengeance, Maverick, & Millennium Force.

Budgeting for Your Coaster Conquest

• Tickets: This will be your biggest expense. Look for deals online & buy in advance. Season passes can be a great value.
• Accommodation: Hotels near the parks can be pricey, especially during peak season. Booking in advance or looking for places a little further away can save you money.
• Food: Park food is expensive. A great tip is to eat a big breakfast before you go into the park & pack some snacks. Most parks have dining plans, which can be a good deal if you plan to eat two meals in the park.
• Gas & Parking: Factor in the drive between the parks & the cost of parking. Again, check out Prked to see if you can find a cheaper parking spot near Cedar Point or Kings Island.

Beyond the Coasters: Don't Miss These!

• At Kings Island: Don't miss the Eiffel Tower, a one-third scale replica that gives you amazing views of the park. Also, Planet Snoopy is a fantastic kids' area if you have little ones in your group.
• At Cedar Point: The Cedar Point Beach is a great place to take a break from the rides & relax by Lake Erie. The park also has some great live shows & entertainment.