Last time we went, we hit all the rides too 
Awesome park, great fun!
We too did the early admission and stayed at one of the hotels.
As for your “Dont ride the Mean Streak” you have to NOT hold on, and just let the ride take you for a spin You are SUPPOSED to be free inside of a wooden coaster! Holding on or tensing up, you will get Fucked Up
The mean streak is awesome if you sit all the way in the back. You are held in by just the bar most of the time and its a TON of fun!
I hope to go back this year, but probably wont. Most definitely next year tho… and I’ll try the cottages on the water! Thanks for the tip!