Cedar Point

America's Rollercoast

Post Office Box 5006

Sandusky, Ohio 44871-8006

419/627-2350

Cedar Point first opened in 1870 on the banks of Lake Erie. It is particularly known for its roller coaster lineup with more coasters than any other park in North America -- and not just "more" than anyone else, the park also boasts more record-breakers through the years than any other park in the world (Cedar Point knows - "You can't just build them, you have to build them big").

The first coaster to appear at Cedar Point was in 1892: the Switchback Railway. Since that time the park has contained every type of coaster. During the 1950s, the last of the old coasters were dismantled as part of a park revitalization program, essentially clearing the way for the coasters of the day.

This park is still one of the best in the world and currently would seem to be in a rollercoaster "showdown" with Six Flags Magic Mountain (the two parks keep trading records on a seemingly seasonal basis). This is a not-to-miss-park for the rollercoaster enthusiast.

Last visit: 2004/06/20 - 2004/06/22

Pictures...

Rides and other pastimes...

Blue Streak (1964)

Built by the Philadelhpia Toboggan Company (PTC), this is the oldest coaster still in the park. It is a fast, hilly out-and-back coaster. The 2,558 foot track is covered in about a minute and forty five seconds at speeds approaching 40 mph.

Cedar Creek Mine Ride (1969)

One of the first runaway mine train type rides by Arrow Dynamics. The 2540 foot long steel track is covered in two minutes and forty two seconds.

Wildcat (1970)

An Anton Schwarzkopf metal tracked coaster in a figure eight pattern. The 1,837 foot track is covered in one minute and twenty five seconds.

Corkscrew (1976)

Arrow Dynamics gives us the world's first triple-looping coaster. The first drop, at 85 feet, gives a 48 mph top speed for the 2,050 feet of track. Ride time is about two minutes.

Gemini (1978)

Arrow Dynamics gives us a unique combination of wood and steel in this 3,935 foot coaster. This racer was the world's tallest and fastest when it debuted back in 1978. Top speed is 60 mph in its two minute and twenty second ride time.

Jr. Gemini (1979)

A coaster for the Gemini-riders-in-training. It's 19 foot lift gives the coaster a top speed of 6 mph over the 443 feet of track spanning its fifty second ride time.

Iron Dragon (1987)

This Arrow Dynamics suspended coaster takes riders from the tops of trees to the surface of a lagoon. With two lifts, this 2,800 foot mesh of twisted metal screams through its circuit at 35 to 40 mph for about two minutes.

Magnum XL-200 (1989)

Arrow Dynamics gives us the first coaster to tip the two hundred foot barrier. The record-breaking first drop is 205 feet at an angle of 60 degrees - top speed is 72 mph. This is truly the world's first megacoaster (or, as some say, the world's first hypercoaster).

Disaster Transport (1990)

An indoor bobsled, this coaster takes riders through a land of special effects and wizardry.

Mean Streak (1991)

This record breaking woodie is one of the tallest and fastest wooden roller coasters in the world. First drop is 161 feet at an angle of 52 degrees, for a top speed of 65 mph. This 5,427 foot beast gives riders almost three minutes of non-stop thrills.

Raptor (1994)

A Bolliger & Mabillard steel inverted coaster, debuting as the world's tallest and fastest of its kind. The first drop is 119 feet at an angle of 45 degrees and speed of 57 mph. The 3,790 feet of track takes 2 minutes and 16 seconds.

Mantis (1996)

Another Bolliger and Mabillard standup. The tallest, fastest, and steepest standup rollercoaster in the world.

Woodstock Express

This kiddie coaster can often be seen with more adults on it than children, boasting top speeds greater than the Cedar Creek Mine Ride.

Millenium Force (2000)

This coaster is the first to break the 300 foot barrier. This ride is 310 feet tall and boasts a top speed of 93 mph. It held the world's tallest rollercoaster record for an scant few months as was marketed as the world's first gigacoaster.

Top Thrill Dragster (2003)

The first complete-circuit coaster to break the 400 foot barrier. The train leaves the station an makes an impressive 0 to 120 mph acceleration in approximately four seconds... the train turns up a ninety-degree hill (ie. completely vertical) to a 420 tower, only to drop down the next side an accelerate back to 120mph.

Nearby destinations:

Michigan's Adventure (4hrs west) | Geauga Lake (1hr east) | King's Island (south)

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