 | |
| Location | Sandusky, Ohio, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°28′41.14″N82°40′44.08″W / 41.4780944°N 82.6789111°W /41.4780944; -82.6789111 |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 1870; 155 years ago (1870) |
| Owner | Six Flags |
| General manager | Carrie Boldman |
| Operating season | May through October |
| Attendance |  3.44 million in 2022[1] |
| Area | 364 acres (0.569 sq mi; 1.47 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 71 |
| Roller coasters | 17 |
| Water rides | 3 |
| Website | www |
Cedar Point is a 364-acre (147 ha)amusement park located on aLake Erie peninsula inSandusky, Ohio, United States, owned and operated bySix Flags. It opened in 1870 and is considered the second-oldest operating amusement park in the US behindLake Compounce.[2] Prior to the merger with Six Flags in 2024, Cedar Point served as the "flagship park" of theCedar Fair amusement park chain and hosted the corporate headquarters.[3] Known as "America's Roller Coast",[4] the park features 17roller coasters, which ranks third among amusement parks in North America behind sister parksCanada's Wonderland (18) andSix Flags Magic Mountain (19).
Cedar Point's normal operating season runs from early May untilLabor Day in September, which is followed by weekend-only operation throughHalloween during an annual event known asHalloWeekends.[5] Other amenities and attractions featured within the park include a one-mile-long (1.6 km) beach,[6] an outdoorwater park namedCedar Point Shores, an indoor water park namedCastaway Bay, two marinas, and an outdoor sports complex called Cedar Point Sports Center.
The park has reached numerous milestones over the years, including one in which Cedar Point became the only amusement park in the world with five roller coasters that exceed 200 feet (61 m) in height –Magnum XL-200,Millennium Force,Valravn,Steel Vengeance, andTop Thrill 2 – as well as the only park with roller coasters in all fourheight classifications. Cedar Point also received theGolden Ticket Award for "Best Amusement Park in the World" fromAmusement Today for sixteen consecutive years from 1997 to 2013.[7] Among seasonal amusement parks in North America, Cedar Point consistently ranks as the second-most visited behind only Canada's Wonderland, with an estimated 3.44 million visitors in 2022. In addition, several of its buildings are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.
In the late-19th century, the south shore region of Lake Erie became a popular vacation destination for the emerging middle-class in the United States. The Lake's islands, such asKelleys Island andSouth Bass Island, were gaining a reputation for theirfreshwater bathing resorts.[8] The Cedar Point peninsula, named for its abundance ofcedar trees, was originally known for its fishing. Local fishermen leased land and built living quarters there.[9] Sandusky, which featured an important shipping harbor and two railroads, transformed into a major economic center over the next three decades.[10] Railroad and steamship travel supported an emerging tourism industry, and rapid development of the area began.[11]
In the 1860s during theAmerican Civil War, housing for a battery of four field artillery pieces was constructed at the tip of the peninsula. It was used to defend a prison forConfederate soldiers on nearbyJohnson's Island. Louis Zistel, a German immigrant, built two boats to transport the prisoners. In 1870, he began to ferry locals to the Cedar Point peninsula, which opened as a public bathing beach.[12] Zistel opened a bathhouse on the north shore of the peninsula and the same year built a beer garden with a small dance floor.[8] He charged 25 cents per person to ride from Sandusky to Cedar Point on his boat,Young Reindeer, widely recognized as the beginning of commercial tourism on the Cedar Point peninsula.[12]
In 1878, James West opened a group of bathhouses near the beach.[13] By 1880, a local newspaper had observed that the popularity of the beach was increasing, with picnicking on the grounds becoming a popular pastime.[13] The popularity of the peninsula attracted the attention of Benjamin F. Dwelle and Captain William Slackford, who leased land on the peninsula in 1882 and built eight new bathhouses, a dance hall, and wooden walkways on the beach.[8] The steamboatsR.B. Hayes andLutts provided transport to Biemiller's Cove andCedar Point Light.[12] Building on early success, Dwelle and Slackford continued to expand the offerings for their visitors each year and added picnic tables, cleared acres of brush, and built a baseball diamond.
After Slackford became ill in 1888, Dwelle entered into a more lucrative partnership with Adam Stoll and Louis Adolph, who owned land at Cedar Point, along with investors Charles Baetz and Jacob Kuebeler.[14] The partnership's first venture was constructing a Grand Pavilion, which opened the same year in 1888 and marked the first concerted effort to operate the peninsula as a public resort.[15] It was a two-story theater and concert hall with a bowling alley and photographer's studio. The building was recognized for its unusual architecture and still stands in the park.[14] The first amusement ride at Cedar Point, a water toboggan ride consisting of a ramp that launched riders into Lake Erie, opened in 1890. Electricity was installed at Cedar Point in 1891.[16] The first roller coaster, Switchback Railway, opened the following year. It stood 25 feet (7.6 m) high and had a top speed of 10 miles per hour (16 km/h). The Switchback Railway was designed as two identical tracks side-by-side – one for the ride down and the other for the train to be hauled back to the top by the ride attendant.[8]
Representatives of theLake Erie and Western Railroad purchased the peninsula forUS$256,000 (equivalent to about $9,675,800 in 2024) in 1897 and formed the Cedar Point Pleasure Resort Company.[17][18] The company appointedGeorge A. Boeckling, a businessman from Indiana, as the park's new manager. Under his tenure, the peninsula was transformed from a picnic ground into a nationally recognized amusement park and resort destination.[8][12]
The second roller coaster at Cedar Point, the Figure-Eight Roller Toboggan, debuted in 1902. It was moved several years later and renamed The Racer.[19] Apony track was built near the beach the same year.Mosquitos were an issue, so in 1904, the park hired the Detroit Dredging Company to drain swampy areas on the peninsula, thereby connecting a series oflagoons to form a water passageway that quickly became one of the park's signature attractions. Aside from sightseeing passenger boats, the passageway was used to transport coal to power plants near the center of the peninsula.[8] The historicHotel Breakers opened in 1905 as one of the largest hotels in the Midwest; it had 600 guest rooms and a cafe that could seat 400 guests. A new area of the park called "Amusement Circle" was designed in 1906 to link the pier to the beach. It was located southeast of the Coliseum, a large arena built the same year that featured a grand ballroom and other attractions.[12]
The Dip the Dips Scenic Railway roller coaster opened in 1908, but it was soon overshadowed by the larger Leap the Dips ride that opened in 1912. In 1917, Dip the Dips was razed and replaced by the Leap Frog Scenic Railway. With a growing assortment of rides including three roller coasters, Cedar Point was beginning to grow as an amusement park. However, that wasn't a priority for Boeckling. He marketed the peninsula primarily as a bathing resort complete with shows, exhibits, motion pictures, and other forms of entertainment, but did not place emphasis on the park's rides.[20]
Several additional hotels and restaurants were constructed in the remaining years of Boeckling's tenure, including Hotel Cedars, White House Hotel, Crystal Rock Castle and Crystal Gardens Ballroom.[21] Cedar Point continued to update its ride attractions, replacing the Racer, the Circle Swing, and other rides to make way for a Shoot-the-Chutes water ride, a Tilt-A-Whirl, and fun houses such as Noah's Ark and Bluebeard's Palace.[21] The Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster, opened in 1929. Boeckling, who was still attempting to expand the park,[22] died fromuremia on July 24, 1931.[21]
Edward Smith took over Cedar Point's management after Boeckling's death. As a result of theGreat Depression, little expansion happened through the 1930s. One of the few rides built in during this time was the Tumble Bug. The decaying Leap the Dips coaster was demolished in the mid-1930s. In the late 1930s, the resort was on the brink of being sold to the state of Ohio forUS$3,000,000 (equivalent to about $65,618,100 in 2024). After the 1938 season, the directors had the second floor of the Coliseum modernized in the art deco style with a new stage. In the middle, the giant dance floor remained. Some of the top bands of the time played in the ballroom. As a result, it kept Cedar Point operating through the rest of the Depression.[21] Momma Berardi's Home Made French Fries came to Cedar Point, Momma Berardi's family played an important role in the food industry at Cedar Point. Momma Berardi's fries were sold there from 1942 until 1978, winning four Reader's Choice Awards.[23]
By the end of World War II, Cedar Point was in need of financial help. The wood of the Cyclone roller coaster was rotting, the boardwalk was cracked in many places, and the fishing dock was in need of repair. In 1946, Cedar Point's oldest still-existing ride, the Midway Carousel, was installed. By 1951, the Cyclone coaster was razed because of its poor condition, leaving the resort without a roller coaster. As the Cyclone was being removed, the Laff-in-the-Dark, Rocket Ships, and Loop-A-Plane attractions were installed. Cedar Point Causeway was built in 1957 and is still in use. The president of Cedar Point, Bernie Zeiher, was replaced by George Roose around 1958, and Emile Legros was elected chairman that same year.[16]
In the 1950s, the Pagoda Gift Shop was a post-office and the Crystal Rock Castle was turned into a maintenance shop in the late-1950s. In 1959, the hotels were repainted, new admission gates were installed, and overUS$1,200,000 (equivalent to about $12,943,800 in 2024) was spent to refresh Cedar Point. The park's first roller coaster since the Cyclone, the Wild Mouse, was built. The resort also got a new kind of ride, amonorail, that was the most popular ride in 1959. Breakers Hotel was restored and the neglected cottages were demolished. The Coliseum and Grand Pavilion were both painted and remodeled. The Crystal Rock Castle Maintenance Shop, bathhouses, and the old powerhouse were demolished, and a new $50,000 bathhouse, boiler house, and maintenance shop were built in their place.[16]
In the 1960s, the idea of "pay one price" season passes became common.[9] On March 28, 1960, Cedar Point announced plans to transform the park into a "Disneyland" amusement center.[24] Those plans fell through, however.Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad opened in 1963, transporting passengers from the middle of the park to the back. In 1964, Cedar Point built its oldest surviving roller coaster, theBlue Streak. It was named after the local high school's sports teams, theSandusky Blue Streaks.[25] Jungle Larry's Safari Island was a well-known attraction that operated from 1965 until 1994 despite the death of Jungle Larry in 1984.[26] TheCedar Creek Mine Ride opened in 1969; it is currently the second oldest roller coaster at Cedar Point.[27]
In 1970, the Centennial Theatre, named in honor of Cedar Point's 100th anniversary, was built. 1972 brought Giant Wheel and the now-defunctJumbo Jet coaster. During the summer of 1974, Cedar Point reached an agreement withMarriott Corporation to be acquired in a stock-trade, where Roose and Legros would receive Marriott stock in exchange for Cedar Point stock. At the time, Marriott was expanding into the theme park business with locations inIllinois andCalifornia. The agreement was short lived as the deal was called off by Labor Day of that year.[28] Around the same time, Cedar Point acquired property in theIrish Hills of Michigan in an attempt to build a second amusement park. The project was eventually cancelled due to local opposition.[29] In 1975, Robert L. Munger Jr. took over as president of Cedar Point after Roose retired. The record-breakingCorkscrew roller coaster was built in 1976; it was the first roller coaster to span a midway and have three inversions.Gemini opened in 1978 and was advertised as the tallest, fastest and steepest roller coaster in the world.[30] A kiddie coaster, namedJr. Gemini (now known as Wilderness Run), opened the following year across from the Gemini.White Water Landing opened in 1982, replacing the original Shoot the Rapidslog flume. In 1983,Demon Drop was built at the front of the park.Avalanche Run opened in 1985 close to the beach and would later be re-themed as Disaster Transport. That same year, the San Francisco Earthquake Ride was transformed into theBerenstain Bear Country.[31]
While Cedar Point operated independently up until this point, Munger saw the opportunity to expand by acquiringValleyfair amusement park in Minnesota in 1978. Parent companyCedar Fair Limited Partnership, commonly known as Cedar Fair, was later formed in 1983.[32] Its name was derived from both parks – "Cedar" representing Cedar Point and "Fair" representing Valleyfair.[33] The company went public on April 29, 1987.[32]
Robert L. Munger Jr, who also served as president andchief executive officer (CEO) of Cedar Fair, stepped down in 1986 due to health issues and was replaced byRichard "Dick" Kinzel.[34]Thunder Canyon, a river rafting ride manufactured byIntamin, also opened in 1986. In 1987,Iron Dragon, a suspended roller coaster, debuted on the Million Dollar Midway near the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad station. In 1988,Soak City (now known as Cedar Point Shores), Cedar Point's outdoor water park, was constructed near Hotel Breakers. It featured speed slides, more than 10 body and tube slides, a family raft ride, a water playhouse, and two lazy rivers.[21]
Cedar Point added several record-breaking rides from 1989 to 2011 under Kinzel's management.Magnum XL-200 debuted in 1989 as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. It was the first coaster to exceed the 200-foot (61 m) barrier, which led to the coining of the industry termhypercoaster.[21] It was also the first to reach speeds greater than 70 mph (110 km/h).[21] Magnum is often credited as shifting the focus of Cedar Point, as noted by then-park Vice President, John Hildebrandt: "We all were smart enough to know we had something. Big steel made a big difference and with Magnum we started branding ourselves as a big time roller coaster park".[35] To keep the momentum going,Mean Streak opened in 1991 as the northernmost attraction in the park. It broke records for the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, reaching a maximum speed of 65 mph (105 km/h) and a height of 161 feet (49 m).[16][21]
Between major releases, the park continued to service and transform other rides, as well as build additional rides, areas, and amenities. For the 1990 season, Avalanche Run was transformed intoDisaster Transport, adding special effects and fully enclosing the ride.[21] Challenge Park was built between Hotel Breakers and Soak City in 1992. Challenge Park included RipCord, Skyscraper, and two eighteen-hole mini-golf courses.[21]Snake River Falls was constructed in 1993 as a result of Soak City's popularity. The 82-foot-tall (25 m) structure sent riders plunging down a 50-degree angle at 40 mph (64 km/h).[36] At the bottom of the hill, the ride ended with a splash landing that created a large wave, which splashed spectators on an overlooking bridge. It opened as the tallest and fastest water ride in the world.[21]
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In 1994, Cedar Point unveiledRaptor, which opened as the tallest, fastest, and longestinverted roller coaster in the world, and the first ever to feature the signaturecobra roll element.[37] To accommodate the footprint of the new coaster, theMill Race log flume was removed, and the circular Calypso was relocated.[37] In December 1994, the park held its only Christmas in the Park. The Midway Carousel was open, a horse-drawn carriage gave behind-the-scenes tours of the park and the midway held many Christmas festivals, including a Christmas tree.[16]
In 1996, Cedar Point openedMantis, then the tallest, steepest, and fastest stand-up roller coaster in the world.[16] Originally, the ride was to be called "Banshee", but it was later changed after negative public reaction.[38] The discarded name would later be reused forBanshee atKings Island in 2014.[39] In 1997, the park introducedHalloWeekends, aHalloween-themed event withhaunted houses and mazes, which typically operates from September through late October.[40]Camp Snoopy debuted in 1999 featuring eightSnoopy-themed attractions, with the exception of aTilt-A-Whirl. The area also features a junior roller coaster built byVekoma,Woodstock Express.[41]
Cedar Point built the firstgiga coaster,Millennium Force, in 2000. When it debuted, it was the tallest and fastest complete-circuit roller coaster in the world, climbing 310 ft (94 m) and reaching a maximum speed of 93 mph (150 km/h).[42] In 2002,Wicked Twister opened as the tallest, fastest, and longest invertedimpulse roller coaster of its kind.[43] In the midst of a highly-competitive industry with other parks, Cedar Point again set new records the following year with the debut ofTop Thrill Dragster, which opened as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world in 2003.[44] It reached a height of 420 ft (130 m) and a maximum speed of 120 mph (190 km/h).[44]Kingda Ka atSix Flags Great Adventure broke both records two years later.[45]
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maXair debuted in 2005 as only the secondHUSSGiant Frisbee ride in the United States.[46] Dan Keller also retired in 2005 as vice president and general manager. He was replaced by John Hildebrandt, who had been vice president and general manager ofDorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom since May 2004.[47]
In 2006,Skyhawk was built next to Snake River Falls; it is currently the tallestScreamin' Swing in the world.[48] In the 2007 season, Cedar Point builtMaverick, which features a 100-foot (30 m) drop at a 95-degree angle and includes alinear synchronous motor (LSM) launch in the middle of the ride reaching speeds of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h).[49] In 2008, Cedar Point introducedPlanet Snoopy, a kids' area constructed on the site of Peanuts Playground; it consists of family and children's rides relocated from Cedar Point's sister parkGeauga Lake after it closed. The area also consisted of a "Kids Only" restaurant called Joe Cool Cafe, which had a small menu for adults.[50]
In 2009,Starlight Experience debuted, a night-time LED light extravaganza with floats themed to the four seasons. The $1,000,000 attraction took place on the Frontier Trail nightly beginning at twilight.[51] In 2010, Cedar Point added a new flume ride on the park's Frontier Trail namedShoot the Rapids, which included two drops and a three-minute journey through a rustic, western-themed environment. It was removed in February 2016 following a history of low ridership and a serious incident in 2013 injuring seven riders.[52][53]WindSeeker, a 301-foot (92 m) tall tower that spins riders along the shoreline of Lake Erie, was introduced in 2011. WindSeeker did not open on time due to construction delays and opened to the public on June 14, 2011.[54]
On June 20, 2011, Cedar Fair announced that Dick Kinzel would retire on January 3, 2012, andMatt Ouimet would become the CEO of the company. Ouimet was employed byThe Walt Disney Company for 17 years, including tenures as president ofDisney Cruise Line and theDisneyland Resort.[55]
In 2012, Cedar Point addedDinosaurs Alive!, a walk-through exhibit featuring approximately 50 life-sizeanimatronic dinosaurs. It was located on Adventure Island and replaced the Paddlewheel Excursions boat cruise ride.[56] Dinosaurs Alive! was replaced with Forbidden Frontier after the 2018 season. A six-lane mat racer slide complex called Dragster H2O was added to Soak City. The slides around Dragster H2O were repainted and the Speed Slides were dismantled to make room for Dragster H2O. Cedar Point also introducedFast Lane, their version of a fast-pass system, and a new nighttime show,Luminosity – Ignite the Night!. Cedar Point also removedWildCat for the 2012 season to make room for Luminosity.[57] This was the first time since 1978 that a roller coaster was removed from Cedar Point.[27]
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On July 13, 2012, Cedar Point announced the removal ofDisaster Transport andSpace Spiral.[58] Exactly a month later, Cedar Point announcedGateKeeper, the longestwing coaster in the world, which opened on May 11, 2013. Along with GateKeeper, a new main entrance plaza was constructed, replacing the entrance that was built in the 1960s. It features two 100-foot (30 m)-tall support columns that the GateKeeper trains go through.[59] Cedar Point invested $60 million in its resort hotels over the next three years, starting in the 2013–2014 offseason.[60] At the end of the 2013 season, John Hildebrandt retired as the park's general manager and was replaced by Jason McClure, the former vice president and general manager of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.[61]
Two new family attractions called Pipe Scream and Lake Erie Eagles were added in 2014, along with a pay-per-ride thrill ride namedSlingShot. Camp Snoopy and the Gemini Midway underwent renovations the same year, and some rides within those areas were relocated and given new themes. In 2015, the stand-up coaster Mantis was transformed into a floorless roller coaster calledRougarou, receiving new trains and a new green and orange paint scheme in the process. Also in 2015,Hotel Breakers received a $25-million renovation. A new roller coaster calledValravn debuted in 2016 as the tallest, fastest, and longestdive coaster in the world.[62] The 223-foot-tall (68 m) ride replaced the 40-year-old Good Time Theater along with an antique car ride known as Turnpike Cars. Calypso was also moved in the process to the beach area near GateKeeper, where it was renamed Tiki Twirl.Raptor andTop Thrill Dragster were repainted as well.[63][64]
As the 2016 season came to a close, Cedar Point announced that Mean Streak would close permanently on September 16, 2016, although park officials declined to confirm that it was being torn down.[65] The park teased subtle hints over the following year that the roller coaster was, in fact, being refurbished.[66] In August 2017, Cedar Point officially confirmed that Mean Streak would reemerge asSteel Vengeance in 2018.[66]
The park was set to celebrate its "150th Anniversary Season" in 2020, introducing a new family boat ride attraction calledSnake River Expedition.[67] However, both the celebration and the new ride's debut were postponed until 2021 as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[68]
In April 2021, Carrie Boldman became vice president and the first female general manager in Cedar Point history, after Jason McClure was promoted to a corporate position at Cedar Fair.[69][70] HalloWeekends returned in 2021 with an expanded operating calendar, which included Halloween Haunt and Tricks and Treats Fall Fest.[71]Wicked Twister closed permanently on September 6, 2021, to make room for future development.[72] An incident at Top Thrill Dragster in August 2021, which resulted in a serious injury to a guest waiting in line, prompted an investigation by theOhio Department of Agriculture.[73] The park closed the ride the following two seasons and announced in 2023 that it would be modified byZamperla to feature a second 420-foot (130 m) tower and two additional launches.[74] In 2024, it briefly reopened asTop Thrill 2, before being closed after a few days of operation for the remainder of the season for extensive repairs.[75][76] On July 1, 2024, Cedar Fair merged withSix Flags,[77] and the combinedSix Flags Entertainment Corporation took over Cedar Point.[78] On September 19, 2024, Cedar Point announcedSiren's Curse, the tallest, fastest and longest tilt coaster in North America, to open in 2025.[79] At the end of the 2024 season, it was announced that Boldman would be stepping down from her role as vice president and general manager.[80]
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Sources:[12][16][21][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][81]
| Thrill level(out of 5)[94] |
|---|
| 1(low) 2(mild) 3(moderate) 4(high) 5(aggressive) |
As of May 2024[update], Cedar Point features 17 roller coasters.[95]
| Coaster | Picture | Opened | Manufacturer | Description | Location | Thrill level[94] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Streak | | 1964 | Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters | A wooden roller coaster that is the oldest operating coaster at Cedar Point. | Main Midway | 4 |
| Cedar Creek Mine Ride | .jpg) | 1969 | Arrow Development | Amine train roller coaster that features two separate lift hills, and is the second-oldest at Cedar Point behind Blue Streak. | Frontier Town | 4 |
| Corkscrew | _01.jpg) | 1976 | Arrow Development | A steel roller coaster spanning the midway that was the first in the world to feature three inversions. | Top Thrill 2 Midway | 5 |
| GateKeeper | .jpg) | 2013 | Bolliger & Mabillard | A steel roller coaster that featured the highest inversion in the world and broke several records amongWing Coaster models when it first opened.[96] | Boardwalk | 5 |
| Gemini |  | 1978 | Arrow Development | Aracing roller coaster with steel track situated on a wooden structure, marketed as the tallest, fastest, and steepest in the world at the time of its opening. | Gemini Midway | 5 |
| Iron Dragon |  | 1987 | Arrow Dynamics | Asuspended roller coaster located in the Millennium Midway section of the park. | Millennium Midway | 4 |
| Magnum XL-200 |  | 1989 | Arrow Dynamics | A steel roller coaster that was the first in the world to surpass 200 feet (61 m) in height, which led to the coining of the termhypercoaster.[16] | Gemini Midway | 5 |
| Maverick |  | 2007 | Intamin | A steellaunched roller coaster that features multiple launches and a beyond-vertical 95-degree drop. | Frontier Town | 5 |
| Millennium Force |  | 2000 | Intamin | A steel roller coaster that was the first in the world to exceed 300 feet (91 m) in height and complete a full circuit, leading to the designationgiga coaster. It briefly held world records for height and speed. | Millennium Midway | 5 |
| Raptor |  | 1994 | Bolliger & Mabillard | Aninverted roller coaster that was the tallest, fastest, and longest of its kind in the world when it first opened. It also introduced thecobra roll inversion to inverted coasters.[37] | Main Midway | 5 |
| Rougarou | .jpg) | 1996 | Bolliger & Mabillard | A steel roller coaster that previously opened as Mantis, which was the tallest, fastest, and longeststand-up roller coaster in the world when it opened. It was converted to aFloorless Coaster model and renamed Rougarou for the 2015 season, featuring new trains, new colors, and a new theme.[97][98] | Millennium Midway | 5 |
| Siren's Curse | 2025 | Vekoma | A steel roller coaster featuring a tilt track. | Main Midway | 5 | |
| Steel Vengeance |  | 2018 | Rocky Mountain Construction | A steel roller coaster that utilizes a wooden structure exceeding 200 feet (61 m) in height, marketed as the first hybrid hypercoaster in the world. | Frontier Town | 5 |
| Top Thrill 2 |  | 2024 | Intamin | Alaunched roller coaster that opened as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, reaching a height of 420 feet (130 m) and a maximum speed of 120 mph (190 km/h). Originally built by Intamin in 2003 and later renovated by Zamperla for the 2024 season.[99] The ride would remain closed for much of the 2024 season for extensive repairs with an anticipated reopening in 2025.[76] | Top Thrill 2 Midway | 5 |
| Valravn | .jpg) | 2016 | Bolliger & Mabillard | A steel roller coaster that opened as the tallest, fastest, and longestDive Coaster model in the world.[62] | Main Midway | 5 |
| Wilderness Run |  | 1979 | Intamin | A steelkiddie roller coaster previously known as Jr. Gemini and renamed Wilderness Run in 2014.[63] It was the first coaster manufactured by Intamin.[100] | Camp Snoopy | 2 |
| Wild Mouse |  | 2023 | Zamperla | A customspinning wild mouse roller coaster that opened on May 6, 2023.[101] Cars reach a maximum speed of 35 mph (56 km/h),[101] and each individual car seats four passengers.[102] | Boardwalk | 4 |
| Woodstock Express |  | 1999 | Vekoma | A steelJunior Coaster model from Vekoma located within Camp Snoopy. | Camp Snoopy | 4 |
Cedar Point has 15 thrill rides. The newest is SlingShot, which was introduced in 2014.[103]
| Ride | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Location | Thrill level[94] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Scrambler | 1960 | Eli Bridge Company | AScrambler ride that is one of the oldest rides operating at Cedar Point. Formerly named Scrambler until being relocated to the Boardwalk section of the park in 2023. | Boardwalk | 3 |
| Calypso | 1970 | Mack Rides | A spinning ride that spins riders in two degrees of motion. Previously known as Tiki Twirl when it was relocated in 2016. Name reverted to Calypso in 2023 when the Lakeside Midway became the Boardwalk | Boardwalk | 3 |
| Cedar Downs Racing Derby | 1967 | Prior and Church | A high-speed, circular ride resembling acarousel themed to horse racing. It is one of only two remaining installations of its kind still operating in the United States alongside the installation inPlayland (New York).[104] Manufactured in 1920 by Prior and Church, the ride was sold to Cedar Point in 1965. It was originally located at the defunctEuclid Beach Park in east Cleveland, where it was called "Great American Racing Derby", and is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[105][106] | Main Midway | 3 |
| Dodgem | 1970 | Soli of Italy | A classicbumper cars attraction. | Boardwalk | 4 |
| Matterhorn | 1972 | Mack Rides | A circularmatterhorn ride that swings riders as it moves in a clockwise motion while traveling up and down. Relocated to the new Boardwalk area in 2023. | Boardwalk | 3 |
| maXair | 2005 | HUSS Park Attractions | AGiant Frisbee ride, it is one of only two Giant Frisbees made by HUSS in the world. | Boardwalk | 5 |
| Monster | 1970 | Eyerly Aircraft Company | A standardmonster ride. | Gemini Midway | 3 |
| Ocean Motion | 1981 | HUSS Park Attractions | A swingingpirate ship ride that reaches a height of 65 feet (20 m). | Main Midway | 3 |
| Power Tower | 1998 | S&S Worldwide | A combodrop tower ride featuring both aSpace Shot and aTurbo Drop. Power Tower is the only four-towered drop tower ride in the world, devoting two towers to each drop cycle. | Top Thrill 2 Midway | 5 |
| Skyhawk | 2006 | S&S Worldwide | AScreamin' Swing ride. | Frontier Town | 5 |
| SlingShot | 2014 | Funtime | A 236 feet (72 m) tallReverse bungee ride that launches riders up 360 feet (110 m) at speeds up to 62 miles per hour (100 km/h). SlingShot is an additional charge attraction. | Gemini Midway | 5 |
| Super Himalaya | 1970 | Mack Rides | A circularMusic Express ride that travels in a clockwise motion on a track of various elevations. | Top Thrill 2 Midway | 3 |
| Troika | 1976 | HUSS Park Attractions | ATroika ride in which riders reach a height of 25 feet (7.6 m). | Boardwalk | 3 |
| Wave Swinger | 1979 | Zierer | Awave swinger ride featuring hand painted murals. Riders reach a height of 16 feet (4.9 m). | Frontier Town | 3 |
| WindSeeker | 2011 | Mondial | AWindSeekertower swinger ride. It was one of the first of its kind. | Boardwalk | 4 |
Cedar Point has 8 family rides/attractions.
| Ride | Year opened | Manufacturer | Description | Location | Thrill level[94] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac Cars | 1958 | Arrow Development | An antique car track ride with cars designed to look like a 1910Cadillac. | Main Midway | 3 |
| Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad | 1963 | Engines: | A 15-minute, western-themed train excursion encompasses a two-mile (3.2 km) trip.[107] The3 ft (914 mm)narrow gauge[108] train features two stations: one near Iron Dragon and the other near Steel Vengeance. | Millennium Midway and Frontier Town | 1 |
| Giant Wheel | 1972[12] | Anton Schwarzkopf | A 136 feet (41.5 m) tall, observation wheel.[109] | Boardwalk | 2 |
| Lake Erie Eagles | 2014 | Larson International | Aflying eagles ride with eight carriages that each have a paddle, enabling guests to change the movement of their carriage. | Gemini Midway | 3 |
| Midway Carousel | 1946 | Daniel Muller | A classiccarousel ride. One of two known remaining Daniel Muller Carousels,[110] it was built in 1912 and moved to Cedar Point in 1946. It is the oldest operating ride at Cedar Point and is listed on theNRHP.[111] A non operationalWurlitzer #153Band Organ can be seen on the ride. | Main Midway | 1 |
| Pipe Scream | 2014 | Zamperla | ASkater Coaster ride where a single car travels along a 302-foot (92 m) long, U-shaped track, reaching a height of 43 feet (13 m). | Gemini Midway | 4 |
| Sky Ride | 1962 | Von Roll | A standardgondola lift ride. It transports passengers from the front of the park to a station near Corkscrew. The cars used are from the defunctFrontier Lift. | Main Midway | 3 |
Cedar Point has one water ride, excluding attractions located inCedar Point Shores.[112]
| Ride | Opened | Manufacturer | Description | Location | Thrill level[94] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunder Canyon | 1986 | Intamin | Ariver rafting ride. Thunder Canyon normally closes in late August and is transformed into aHalloWeekends attraction called CornStalkers 2.0: Revenge of the Pumpkin Heads. | Frontier Trail | 4 |
Kiddy Kingdom opened in 1970 as Kiddieland but was renamed in 1993.[16] It is located nearGatekeeper and contains 11 rides.
| Name | Thrill level[94] |
|---|---|
| 4x4's | 2 |
| Dune Buggies | 1 |
| Helicopters | 2 |
| Kiddy Kingdom Carousel | 1 |
| Motorcycles | 1 |
| Mustangs | 1 |
| Police Cars | 1 |
| Rock Spin & Turn | 2 |
| Roto Whip | 2 |
| Sky Fighters | 2 |
| Space Age | 2 |
Planet Snoopy is a children's area that opened in 2008. All of its rides were relocated from the defunctGeauga Lake amusement park, with the exception of Joe Cools Dodgem School.[50] It is located nearWindSeeker and contains eight rides.
| Name | Thrill level[94] |
|---|---|
| Flying Ace Balloon Race | 2 |
| Joe Cool's Dodgem School | 2 |
| Kite Eating Tree | 2 |
| Peanuts Road Rally | 1 |
| Snoopy's Deep Sea Divers | 2 |
| Snoopy's Space Race | 2 |
| Snoopy's Express Railroad | 1 |
| Woodstock's Whirlybirds | 2 |
Camp Snoopy opened in 1999 and is located nearGemini. It contains seven rides and two kiddie coasters.
| Name | Thrill level[94] |
|---|---|
| Balloon Race | 2 |
| Camp Bus | 2 |
| Charlie Brown's Wind Up | 2 |
| Linus's Beetle Bugs | 2 |
| Peanuts 500 | 2 |
| Red Baron | 2 |
| Wilderness Run | 2 |
| Woodstock Express | 4 |
| Woodstock's Airmail | 2 |
Constructed in 1906, the coliseum has a ballroom on the top floor with a large arcade in the bottom floor.
Cedar Point's water park opened in 1988 as Soak City[113] and was renamed Cedar Point Shores following an announcement on August 18, 2016.[114] It is adjacent to Cedar Point and requires separate admission.[113]
Fast Lane, introduced at Cedar Point in 2012, is a secondary queue system that offers shorter wait times on the park's most popular rides.[115] In addition to the standard admission charge, visitors can bypass the standard wait line by purchasing a wristband that grants access to the Fast Lane queue. A “limited” number of wristbands are sold each day. The two options available for purchase are "Fast Lane" and "Fast Lane Plus". The standard Fast Lane offers access to 17 attractions, while Fast Lane Plus covers the same rides and adds Valravn, Maverick, Millennium Force, Top Thrill 2, Sirens Curse and Steel Vengeance.[116]
Beginning in the 2014 season, Cedar Point offers a Halloween-themed version of Fast Lane called Fright Lane, available during HalloWeekends. This version provides priority access to haunted attractions within the park.[117]
Cedar Point won theGolden Ticket Award fromAmusement Today for "Best Amusement Park in the World" for 16 consecutive years from 1997 to 2013.[7] The park has also placed in categories for "Friendliest Park Staff" (2002, 2004 – 2006), "Cleanest Park" (2004, 2005), "Best Capacity" (1998–2002), "Best Kid's Area" (2004, 2013), "Best Outdoor Night Production" (2004–2007), "Best Shows" (2004, 2005), "Best Games Area" (2002), "Best Souvenirs" (2002), and "BestHalloween Event" (2005 – 2008, 2013, 2014). The park also won the Golden Ticket Award for "Best New Ride of 2007" with the roller coasterMaverick.[118] Cedar Point has also won severalIAAPA awards, including theApplause Award in 1996.[119]
Cedar Point's roller coasters have consistently ranked high in the Golden Ticket Awards. In the 2013 rankings, GateKeeper debuted at 28th, marking the first time that the park had six steel roller coasters in the top 50. Later, the number changed to five, which are all in the top 25. The following steel and wooden coasters were ranked byAmusement Today in 2019:[120]
In 1960, the park's attendance reached 1 million for the first time. Five years later, the attendance reached 2 million.[16][121] In 1975, attendance reached 3 million for the first time.[121] In 2017, the park was ranked fourteenth overall in North America for attendance and first in the United States among seasonal amusement parks, with an estimated 3.6 million visitors.[122] Cedar Point's attendance peaked in 1994 with 3.6 million visitors,[123] a feat not matched again until 2016, and beaten in 2018/2019.[122][124][125] In 2020, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, there was a greatly reduced number of visitors at the park, from 3.73 million in 2019, down to only 1.02 million in 2020. However, regular attendance numbers would reappear in 2021.
| 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.30[126] | 3.20[126] | 3.10[126] | 3.07[126] | 3.12[126] | 3.20[127] | 2.94[128] | 3.05[129] | 3.14[130] | 3.22[131] | 3.38[132] | 3.25[133] | 3.51[134] | 3.60[122] | 3.60[135] | 3.68[124] | 3.73[125] | 1.02[136] | 3.33[137] | 3.44[1] |
Cedar Point owns and operates six resorts, several of which are located on park grounds.[138] Guests staying at the resorts are given early access to the park before it opens to the general public, during which time a select number of rides are available such as Steel Vengeance and Millennium Force.[138] Cedar Point invested $60 million over the course of three years renovating many of the resorts, beginning in 2013.[60][139]
Hotel Breakers, built in 1905, is the oldest resort at Cedar Point and the closest one to the park.[140] It has undergone numerous renovations over the years, with the most recent occurring in 2015 that cost Cedar Fair an estimated $50 million.[141] The resort features over 650 rooms and suites, as well as a variety of outdoor amenities including live entertainment and beach activities.[141][142]
Lighthouse Point, located along the west bank of the peninsula, contains 64 cottages and 40 cabins. The centerpiece of Lighthouse Point is theCedar Point Light, which was built in 1862 and is the oldest existing structure on the peninsula.[143]
Camper Village is the only overnight location that provides accommodations forrecreational vehicles (RV). Deluxe sites offer electricity, water, sewer and cable. Amenities include the Camper Village Store, an outdoor pool, a shuffleboard court, and a game room.[144]
The Cedar Point Marina is located on the Sandusky Bay side of the peninsula, directly adjacent to the amusement park. It offers amenities geared toward boaters such as fuel docks and a floating pier. Other amenities include on-site restaurants and stores.[145] Starting in 2016 theJet Express started high-speed ferry service from downtownSandusky to downtownKelleys Island, and downtownPut-in-Bay onSouth Bass Island.[146]
Castaway Bay is an indoor waterpark resort opened by Cedar Fair in November 2004. It houses over 38,000 square feet (3,500 m2) of water attractions, shops, and restaurants, in addition to more than 200 guest rooms and a marina.[145]
Cedar Point's Express Hotel, formerly Breakers Express, is a hotel located one mile (one point six kilometres) from Cedar Point. Opened in 2000, it is the closest off-site hotel to the peninsula and includes over 400 guest rooms.[147][148]
Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts, located in nearbyHuron, Ohio, is a nearby resort purchased by Cedar Fair for $13.5 million in 2019.[149] Amenities include restaurants, shopping, a conference center, and an 18-hole golf course.[150]
Cedar Point features several historic buildings on the peninsula. Many of the buildings and structures on the peninsula are from the late 1800s or early 1900s. The oldest structure on the peninsula is theCedar Point Light. It is a restoredlighthouse that was built in 1862 and was added to theNational Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on July 19, 1984.[151] Located along the main midway is the Coliseum. The Coliseum was built in 1906 with the newly expanded Midway. It has a ballroom known for holding several dances that helped Cedar Point out ofThe Depression. It was added to the NRHP on October 2, 1982.[152] Another building that is listed on the NRHP is the U.S. Coast Guard Building located along Perimeter Road that stretches around the peninsula.[153]
All three of Cedar Point'scarousels are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. TheMidway Carousel, otherwise known as the Daniel C. Muller Carousel, is located at the front of the park. It opened in 1912 and was brought to Cedar Point in 1946. A Sandusky family purchased the ride and operated it at the park. It became the property of Cedar Point in 1963. It is Cedar Point's oldest operating ride and was added to the NRHP on October 20, 1982.[104][111] The second carousel at the park is theCedar Downs Racing Derby, also known as the Great American Racing Derby. It originally opened atEuclid Beach Park in 1921 and was transported to Cedar Point for the 1967 season.[106] It is only one of two racing carousels still operating in the United States,[104] and was added to the NRHP on November 8, 1990.[105] The third carousel is theKiddy Kingdom Carousel, located inKiddy Kingdom. It is also known as William H. Dentzel 1924 Carousel and opened at Cedar Point in 1968. It was added to the NRHP on November 8, 1990.[154]
Cedar Point used to have a fourth carousel known as the Frontier Carousel, orWilliam H. Dentzel 1921 Carousel, located in Frontiertown next to the Wave Swinger. It opened at Cedar Point in 1972 when it was bought from a family inLansing, Michigan. It was listed on the NRHP on November 8, 1990.[155] After the 1994 season, the carousel closed and was moved toDorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, where it now operates under the name Antique Carousel. Its building is currently used for theHalloWeekends attraction, Eternity Infirmary.
Cedar Point's oldest hotel is theHotel Breakers. It opened in 1905 during the "golden age" of resort hotels. It was added to the NRHP on March 9, 1987. After several major alterations, most notably the Breakers Tower in 1998, theNational Park Service removed the Hotel Breakers from the NRHP on August 7, 2001.[156]
Cedar Point has had a cultural influence on American society as evidenced in many forms of media such as books, television, and film. In the 1940 biographical filmKnute Rockne, All American documenting the life of famousNotre Dame football coachKnute Rockne, Cedar Point is featured at a pivotal point in the story. In 1913, Knute works as a lifeguard on a beach at Cedar Point, where he and his college roommateGus Dorais worked on theforward pass. The concept, which was first used in a scrimmage game at Cedar Point, would revolutionize the sport and the film would later be preserved in the Library of CongressNational Film Registry.[157][158] In 2004, an independently produced film,Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind: Infestation From Mars, was shot at several historic locations around Sandusky including Cedar Point. Dick Kinzel, CEO of Cedar Fair at the time, had a brief speaking role in the film.[159]
In the 2006 bookThe Warrior Heir byCinda Williams Chima, the main characters take a field trip to Cedar Point with their high school class.[160][161] In a 2010 episode ofBert the Conqueror on theTravel Channel, Bert takes the "Foursome Fearsome" roller-coaster challenge in which he rides the four fastest and tallest coasters in the park in under an hour.[162][163] A 2012 episode of Travel Channel'sOff Limits takes a look at off-season maintenance at the park and features the host,Don Wildman, working with the maintenance crew on Mean Streak and Millennium Force.[164][165] In 2012, the "Extreme Heights" and "Speed Demons" episodes ofInsane Coaster Wars on the Travel Channel feature Cedar Point coasters Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster, respectively. Commentary for the series was primarily filmed at Cedar Point.[166][167] In 2021 an episode ofDinner: Impossible aired featuring hostRobert Irvine preparing a meal celebrating the park's 150th anniversary.[168]
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