Top 15 Best Rides and Roller Coasters at Cedar Point
Cedar Point is truly a rollercoaster lover's dream
destination. Cedar Point has gained international notoriety as the park houses
the largest collection of record-breaking roller coasters on the planet.
Featured thrill rides at the park include Top Thrill
Dragster, Millennium Force, and GateKeeper. All of the recent buzz surrounding
Cedar Point makes many park-goers forget that Cedar Point has been open for more than 145 seasons,
first opening its gates in 1870. Located in Sandusky, OH, Cedar Point covers the 364
acres of the Cedar Point Peninsula which protrudes into Lake Erie.
The park boasts more than 150 rides, shows, and attractions and
was voted "Best Amusement
Park in the World" for 16 consecutive years by the readers of Amusement Today. Cedar Point offers guests 72 rides, 17 of which are roller coasters making
Cedar Point truly the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World." It
is the only one in the world that has four roller coasters taller than 61
meters and is the only park in the world that can claim having roller coasters
in all four international height
classifications.
Cedar Point's Giga Coaster Millennium Force
The four major classifications are Kiddie, Hyper, Giga, and Strata. Kiddie is
any coaster smaller than 25 feet. A Hyper Coaster is a coaster with a drop
ranging from 200 feet to 299 feet. A Giga Coaster is one with a drop height
ranging from 300 feet to 399 feet. Lastly, a Strata Coaster refers one with a
height of more than 400 feet. Let's take a closer look at some specific rides at Cedar Point that help to
position the park as having one of the best collections on the planet. As Cedar
Point has been steadily earning a reputation as catering mostly to thrill
seekers due to the vast popularity of its record-breaking roller coasters, Cedar
Fare (Cedar Point management) has attributed a rating system based on the
severity of each ride and attraction that was modeled after alpine ratings.
Representing green circle all the way to double black diamond, each ride has a
numerical rating between 1 and 5.
15) Mine Ride
The Cedar Creek Mine Ride opened in 1969 and is Cedar Point's second oldest
operating coaster. This ride offers an experience that just about anyone will
feel comfortable riding. The height requirement is 48" and
the top speed is 40 mph. The ride is a perfect addition to Frontiertown which is gold rush boom town inspired section of the park
located towards the absolute center of the park. The Cedar Creek Mine Ride gives
guests the sensation that they are passengers aboard a runaway mine train, only
increasing the thrill level as carts shoot in and out of steel track
sections that look as if they were carelessly placed on decrepit train trusses.
The ride's total duration is 2 minutes on the nose. Cedar Point has given this
ride a thrill rating of 4.
The ride is composed of an initial lift hill with a 48 foot drop, a tunnel,
sections that are bridged over watery lagoon sections, and a signature helix
whirlwind at the finish. The ride is better known as the Mine
Ride, and it features mine train carts on a steel railway that twists and turns,
rapidly descending and ascending. This is one of two roller coasters in the theme park that
has two separate lift hills, and was originally manufactured by Arrow Dynamics.
14) Top Thrill Dragster
The Top Thrill Dragster is one of only two Strata Coasters currently in
existence and is every thrill-chaser's fantasy. The height requirement is 52"
and it is one of the shortest thrill rides in the park with a total duration of
only 17 seconds. The coaster was manufactured by Intamin, AG and was designed to
give guests the sensation that they are along for the ride in a top-fuel drag
racing car. The ride even has a starting light tree that it runs through just as
is done at the race track, then once it reaches green passengers are blasted
into the sky. Cedar Point gives Top Thrill Dragster a
thrill rating of 5.
Built in 2003, it was the first full circuit roller coaster to exceed 400
feet in height. The ride rapidly accelerates guests from zero to 120 mph in less
than 4 seconds, making it the fastest coaster in the park. Nothing else compares to this incredible roller coaster in the whole theme
park, especially if speed is what you seek. What the Top Thrill Dragster lacks in
duration, twists and turns, it makes up for in sheer thrill. Only get on board if you’re prepared for a quick, jolty
start and a face-melting, speedy experience!
13) Maverick
The Maverick roller coaster has been operating since May 2007 and was
manufactured by IntaRide, LLC. The height requirement is 52" and the Maverick
cost $21 million to complete. Total ride duration is 2 minutes, 30 seconds and
has a top speed of 70 mph. The Maverick's objective is to give guests thrills
beyond just tall drops and top speed. Riders can look forward to a ride that has
just about as many twists, turns, and airtime as a rodeo. The Maverick also has
a thrill rating of 5.
The coaster has a capacity of 1,200 people per hour and its biggest drop
measuring 100 feet. The maximum vertical
angle is 95 degrees, and the Maverick pushes guests through a twisted horseshoe
roll. The ride begins with a 400-foot-long speed launch through a pitch black
tunnel.
12) Blue Streak
Blue Streak has its own unique charm given that its the oldest roller coaster in
the entire park. Constructed in 1964 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the
Blue Streak's height requirement is 48" and total ride duration is 1 minute, 45
seconds. Guests can look forward to the old-world charm of a rickety wooden
roller coaster that reaches a top speed of 40 mph. Cedar Point gives the Blue
Streak a thrill rating of 4.
As the coaster ages, maintenance must be continually performed on the track
and wooden trusses to ensure many more years of safe operation. The Blue
Streak's initial lift hill has a height of 78 feet and the ride has a
traditional out and back layout. The Blue Streak in spite of its age, continues
to be a park favorite for many visitors. Guests appreciate an almost nostalgic
riding experience that also includes great although quite brief, views of other
major park attractions.
11) Gemini
The Gemini roller coaster is a racing roller coater meaning that there are two
trains that run side-by-side, along parallel steel tracks, built on a wooden
structure. The Gemini was built in 1978 by Arrow Dynamics and has a 48" height
requirement and a top speed of 60 mph. The ride's total duration is 2 minutes,
20 seconds. Cedar Point's thrill rating for the Gemini is a 5.
Guests race against drops, twists, turns, lots of airtime and fantastic
climaxing corkscrew turns all while racing towards the finish line. The initial
lift hill measures 118 feet and guests plummet downward at a 55-degree angle.
10) Magnum XL-200
The Magnum XL-200 is best known as just the ‘Magnum’ and was manufactured by Arrow
Dynamics in 1989. The Magnum was the world's first hyper coaster as well as the
tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster around. The Magnum gives guests
beautiful views of Lake Erie along a surprisingly bumpy, 2 minute flat ride. Top
speeds aboard the Magnum reach 72 mph and riders must be 48" tall to ride this
icon of the roller coaster universe. The Magnum's thrill rating is 5.
The Magnum XL's first hill is 200 feet tall and because of its proximity to
the northern shoreline, on a clear day you can see all the way to Canada! This
makes the Magnum particularly exciting and well worth the wait which can exceed
2 hours during peak operating points of the season.
Accelerating extremely quickly down the first steep hill the cars reach
maximum velocity, firing the cars over a number of bumps and hills. Three
thrilling tunnels that include abrupt drops that seem to cut it so close to the
roof, decapitation seems possible. It also features its famous ‘pretzel’ turn
that along with a bumpy as well as exhilarating ride, showcases beautifully
scenic views of the shoreline.
9) GateKeeper
Cedar Point's latest attraction rises high above the front gate as if it had
been there all along. Gatekeeper is a full-circuit wing coaster that rapidly
shoots guests through two keyholes, situated on adjacent columns that rise above
Cedar Point's front gate. GateKeeper's addition to Cedar Point's rollercoaster
inventory allowed for 7 more world records to be claimed. GateKeeper is the
longest wing coaster, fastest non-launched wing coaster, has the tallest
inversion on any roller coaster (170 feet), the longest drop on a wing coaster
(164 feet), and the most inversions on a wing coaster (6). GateKeeper also means
that Cedar Point now has the most roller coaster track at one park (56,702 feet)
and the most rides at one park (72). GateKeeper's duration is 2 minutes, 20
seconds and reaches a top speed of 67 mph. Cedar points thrill rates GateKeeper
as a 5.
The winged goliath was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard and has a lift
hill that stands 170 feet above the ground. Riders can look forward to an
unabated flight experience that pushes thrills and adrenaline to new levels as
riders shoot through GateKeeper's two keyholes. Very close proximity to these
modern obstacles only increases the ride's intensity and GateKeeper also gives
riders a great opportunity to look down on the park's entrance. GateKeeper cost
$30 million in total investment to bring to life but the money was well spent as
approximately 1.9 million guest rode it during the 2014 season, and GateKepper
is the most ridden coaster in the park. While visiting Cedar Point make sure to
ride this ride first because it has a curious ability to give visitors a great
perception of how the park's rides are organized. While flying around like
superman, see if you can get a plan together as far as what you
plan to ride and in what order and then see if you can even remember it after
the ride is over.
8) Mean Streak
The Mean Streak was built in 1991 and was constructed by the Dinn Corporation.
It took 1.7 million board feet of southern yellow pine to build this wooden
monstrosity. The track system is so extensive that it takes maintenance
personnel literally days to walk the tracks and inspect the trusses, as its
performed in sections. Riders will enjoy a thrilling chase through twisting and
turning wooden structures and a total ride duration of 2 minutes, 45 seconds.
Riders must be 48" to ride the Mean Streak. Speeds aboard this wooden beauty top
out at 65 mph. Mean Streak's thrill rating is a 5.
Mean Streak has a 161-foot-tall first hill that preps riders for the more
than 5,400 feet of track that lies ahead of them. The roller coaster has been
re-tracked a number of times, and many sections were totally replaced before
2012, instead of just being refurbished or fixed. The only other wooden coaster
in North American that even comes close to this baby is The Beast at King's
Island which actually has two giant lift hills.
7) Wicked Twister
The Wicked Twister is a second generation steel inverted impulse roller coaster,
and stands as the tallest and fasted inverted roller coaster in the world. It
was opened to the public in 2002 and was constructed by Intamin, AG.
Wicked Twister cost 9 million dollar roller to manufacture, and only has a ride
time that lasts 40 seconds. The upside of a short ride cycle time is that many
more guests can ride it, but only guests who are over 52" tall may ride it.
Guests reach a top speed of 72 mph while aboard Wicked Twister. Wicked Twister's
thrill rating is a 5.
The roller coaster has one of the largest drops in the theme park, at 206
feet, and Wicked Twister is anything but an ordinary coaster. Classified as
double-twisting impulse coaster, guests are rolled around in intense 450 degree spirals positioned at each
end of the ride.
6) Raptor
The
Raptor is the famous inverted roller coaster at Cedar Point where guests get to
"kick the sky". Intense barrel rolls and rapid acceleration along its smooth,
steel tracks gives guests the sensation that they are inside the cockpit of a
fighter jet. Built in 1994 with a price tag of nearly $12 million, Raptor was
certainly worth every penny as it has become an extremely popular park
attraction. The Raptor was manufactured by Bolliger and Mabillard. The raptor
runs through a cobra loop, barrel rolls, and hard G rolls. Top speeds reach 57
mph. The total ride duration is 2 minutes and guest must be 54" to ride the
Raptor. The thrill rating for the Raptor is a 5.
You really do feel like you’re riding the Raptor, and you’ll be turned
upside down a total of six times throughout the ride, before you are returned to
the station. The now famous slogan ‘There goes the
floor and you’re out the door. Enjoy your ride on Raptor!’ is played through the
speakers as you are dragged from your feet and sent speeding round the track. A
large platform propelled by hydraulics drops below, leaving guests without
anything under the feet except exhilarating views of the ground and sky spinning
around them.
5) Mantis/Rougarou
The Mantis roller coaster is a seriously ‘out there’ kind of coaster, and the
only one of its kind in Cedar Point. With this ride, you’ll be standing up! The
coaster is known as the Mantis because there are simply no seats, and all
passengers stand like a mantis as they climb the incredible height of this
Bolliger and Mabillard roller coaster. Current plans call for a revamping of the
Mantis with scheduled updates including a new paint job and new station house.
Due to these renovations the Mantis is currently closed and the new ride will be
called Rougarou.
The ride takes you up a higher 145 feet, and then dives you straight back
down through a 119 foot loop, all while you stand up, strapped into the roller
coaster train.
4) Iron Dragon
The Iron Dragon has been operating since 1987 and cost 4 million dollars at
the time to build. Today, it’s still one of the most popular roller coasters in
the theme park, despite not being one of the tallest or fastest. It has a height
of 76 feet and a maximum speed of 40 mph, but it is the experience of the ride
is what drives its popularity. Total ride duration lasts 2 minutes and the Iron
Dragon was manufactured by Arrow Dynamics. Cedar Point's thrill rating for the
Iron Dragon is a 4.
The lift hill is 76 feet tall and since its built using the suspension style,
it means that the cars are hanging underneath the track. This means that the
train can swing from side to side, unlike a conventional roller coaster.
Passengers are essentially dangled from the carts and taken along an
exhilarating path through artificial lagoons as well as a number of wooded
areas. It really does feel like you’re flying and it certainly feels much
quicker than 40 mph, as guests fly through its banked turns.
3) Corkscrew
This roller coaster, manufactured by
Arrow Dynamics, was the first ever ride in the world to invert its passengers
three times during one run. Guests are thrown through a series of intense,
banking corkscrews over guests walking along Cedar Point's legendary 3-mile long
midway. Total ride duration is 2 minutes flat. Riders must be 48" to ride and
top speeds aboard the corkscrew reach 48 mph. The thrill rating for the
Corkscrew is a 5.
Guests can watch their traveling companions get thrill thrill on, all from
the safety of many of the park's food and beverage services located along the
park's midway. Riders are taken up 85 feet to the ride's lift hill and then
plunged downward at a 30-degree angle towards a series of sharp banks and turns.
The last part of the ride are the corkscrews that made this ride a record
breaker. Best advice for this ride taken from advanced riders is to absolutely
not eat right before boarding! Lateral and vertical G combinations can make even
the most experienced riders sick, especially on very hot summer days at the
park.
2) Power Tower
The power tower is no boring old roller coaster and stands tall above the park
as the only four-towered drop tower ride in the world. Hydraulic cylinders
attached to an aircraft steel cable connected to an internal piston, propel
riders up and down the 240 feet of steel track. The ride pushes guests faster
than free fall speeds, giving a variety of sensations along the lines of
weightlessness.
Power Tower was manufactured by S&S Sports Power, Inc and
has a top speed of 50 mph. The ride opened in 1998 and anyone who has
experienced a Demon Drop type of ride, should check out a free fall ride's
newest upgrade. Riders must be 52" to ride and the thrill rating is a 5.
Riders can choose to either be blasted to the top in a blink of an eye or to
be plunged downward from the top. The drop sequence is particularly cool because
along with an amazing ride, great views of the park that are depended on where
your seat faces. There is a level of fear and anticipation as riders sit,
lightly bobbing up and down at the top until the drop commences. This
contraption will take you and other passengers up and down a number of times
before the ride is finished.
1) Millennium Force
Millennium Force first opened in 2000, replacing the giant wheel ride at the
park. This steel Giga roller coaster reaches an impressive 310 feet in the air,
and has a 122-degree half corkscrew at the top. Millennium Force's price tag was
$25 million dollars to design
and construct and replaced the
Giant Wheel ride. Total ride duration is 2 minutes and guests must be 48" to
ride. This ride claims records like the first ever complete-circuit roller
coaster to top 300 feet and longest drop on a complete-circuit roller coaster.
Also sharpest drop angle, a staggering 80 degrees, is also reserved to the
Millennium Force.
Manufactured by Intamin, AG the top speeds aboard the Millennium Force reach a
staggering 93 mph. The thrill rating for the Millennium Force is a 5.
The Giga Coaster has a capacity of 1,600 passengers every hour, has three
trains and nine cars and can seat up to 36 passengers per train. The queue to
the ride is found right behind the Celebration Plaza station, between the
station for the Millennium Force and the area in which its track makes its final,
intensely banked turns. Guests waiting in line get a front row preview of what
lies ahead of them, and riders go flying by the queue.
Millennium Force has
really increased the demand for Cedar Point's Fast Lane System, which is a paid
program where guests can jump to a much shorter queue for a price. During the
peak parts of the season the Fast Lane System can really be worth your while as
wait times for Millennium Force can be easily more than two hours.
Conclusion
Cedar Point really does have the most impressive collection of extreme rides and
roller coasters, but it also has many family-oriented attractions that everyone
can enjoy together. Attractions we didn't touch on here that need mentioning are Soak City Water
Park, go-karts, mini-golf, and arcades. Don't think for a moment that Cedar
Point could be arguably the best park on the planet without any water
attractions! Cedar Point also has an on-property hotel called the Breakers,
allowing guests to spend days on end experiencing the park with little concern
for the drive home or the wait times for the most popular rides. Cedar Point
also has extensive docking availability, allowing visitors from nearby
Marblehead, Kelly's Island, Put-in-Bay to access the park via watercraft. Whatever it is you’re looking for,
Cedar Point is sure to have plenty of it.
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