Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio is one of the world's most highly rated amusement parks. With 17 world-class roller coasters, more than 65 additional rides, on-site hotels and other attractions, this park has something for everyone to enjoy.
Cedar Point History
The history of Cedar Point began in 1870 as a public bathing beach. Located on a quiet peninsula jutting into Lake Erie, the park was a lakeside respite for travelers, with more attractions gradually added to turn what was once swampland into a resort destination. In 1892, the park's first roller coaster, the Switchback Railway, was built and in 1905, the luxury Hotel Breakers opened. In 1906, the park began to assume its modern familiarity when the Main Midway opened, and today the 364-acre park holds more than 85 rides suitable for every member of the family.
The park preserves its history well, focusing on blending classic amusement park attractions with modern flair without losing its family appeal. What Cedar Point is most famous for, however, are its world-renowned roller coasters.
Roller Coaster Capital of the World
With 17 scream machines, Cedar Point is undeniably the Roller Coaster Capital of the World. Each coaster has unique characteristics that offer riders a superb thrill, whether they are novice riders or roller coaster fanatics. The following Cedar Point roller coaster list includes the years each opened:
- 1964: Blue Streak: A classic wooden out-and-back coaster with lots of airtime.
- 1969: Cedar Creek Mine Ride: A twisty-turny coaster simulating a runaway mine train.
- 1976: Corkscrew: A picturesque coaster with a vertical loop and double corkscrew over the Midway.
- 1978: Gemini: Twin racing steel coasters in a figure-eight track.
- 1979: Junior Gemini: A kiddie coaster for aspiring Gemini riders.
- 1979: Wildcat: A compact coaster with sharp turns and drops.
- 1985: Disaster Transport: An indoor bobsled track coaster, originally named Avalanche Run before it was enclosed and rethemed in 1990.
- 1987: Iron Dragon: A suspended coaster with swooping curves and a unique double-lift system.
- 1989: Magnum XL-200: The first coaster in the world to break the 200-foot tall height barrier, reaching speeds over 70 miles per hour.
- 1991: Mean Streak: A wooden coaster in the back of the park that winds precariously through its own structure.
- 1994: Raptor: An inverted, ski-lift style coaster with six inversions, including a unique "cobra roll" double inversion element.
- 1996: Mantis: A stand-up coaster with four powerful inversions and a massive twisting finale.
- 1999: Woodstock's Express: A family coaster that's fun for beginners and experienced riders alike.
- 2000: Millennium Force: The first coaster in the world to break the 300-foot height barrier and attain speeds greater than 90 miles per hour.
- 2002: Wicked Twister: A shuttle-style coaster with two spikes that riders repeatedly twist up and down during each ride.
- 2003: Top Thrill Dragster: A powerful launch coaster with a vertical ascent and descent, reaching more than 400 feet in the air at speeds greater than 120 miles per hour.
- 2007: Maverick: The park's newest coaster, a steel sit-down coaster with multiple inversions in the park's Frontier Town area.
Other Park Attractions
Cedar Point amusement park is home to far more than fabulous roller coasters, however. The park also offers stellar attractions, games, and other entertainment for visiting guests.
Rides
In addition to its 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more than 65 rides. Four children's areas are spread throughout the park to give the youngest visitors plenty of fun options, and other rides range from the classic Midway Carousel and the high-speed Cedar Downs carousel to bumper cars, a giant Ferris wheel overlooking the lake and offering superb park views, a themed train ride through "Boneville," a quirky paddleboat cruise to delight young and old, and numerous thrill rides testing riders' endurance for heights, speed, and flips. Water rides are also available to cool off on hot summer nights, and the classic Sky Ride down the Main Midway is a great way to travel from one end of the midway to the other as well as see the park's layout with a bird's eye view.
Shows
There is more to an amusement park than rides, however, and Cedar Point's entertainment department does not disappoint. A number of shows are available in different locations throughout the park, from fun family-friendly presentations to musical reviews in theaters and saloons. The highlight of every night is the laser light show located near the Iron Dragon, when flames, fireworks, and other special effects combine to thrill the eyes and ears. Even the park itself is entertaining - expert landscape designers create stunning flower beds throughout the park, with a riot of color to rival the brightly painted rides and buildings.
Other entertainment options include the Petting Farm, feeding the fish in the park's lagoons, or playing the dozens of games available along every thoroughfare.
Dining
No visit to an amusement park is complete without snacks. Cedar Point offers both fine dining options in the on-site hotels and marina as well as buffets, fresh homestyle French fries, frozen custard, and other classic park treats. Drinking fountains and soda machines are widely available, even inside ride queues for riders' convenience.
Visiting Cedar Point Amusement Park
Cedar Point hosts more than three million guests each year. The park opens in early May and is open daily through early September; in the fall, select rides are available on weekends until the end of October with the park's Halloweekends event. Various types of tickets are available, with multi-day combination passes, evening-only tickets, junior tickets, and both military and senior citizen discounts available.
Contact Information
For more information about Cedar Point amusement park, including detailed operating information, resort reservations, brochure requests, employment details, and special events, visit the park's website at CedarPoint.com or call (419) 627-2350. The park's mailing address is:
Cedar Point Amusement Park
One Cedar Point Dr.
Sandusky, OH 44870-5259
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