Cedar Point: Roller Coaster Heaven

With the newest addition of The Maverick, Cedar Point now boasts an amazing 17 roller coasters, more than any other location in the world. With the distinct exception of the Disaster Transport, all of the roller coasters are amazing and always worth the wait. I will say this; however, if you are under 52” tall, or if you are not a DEDICATED roller coaster enthusiast, Cedar Point may not be for you. I’m not saying that kids can’t have fun, I know I did as a kid, but considering the distance and expense that this trip entails, you will be wasting money better spent at your local Six-Flags.

Cedar Point was originally opened in 1870, making it the country’s second oldest amusement park. When it first opened, Cedar Point was an island with natural park and beach front areas open for family fun. Rides began being a feature of Cedar Point in the late 1800s with its first roller coaster added in 1892. The oldest operating ride in the park is the Midway Carousel which was installed in 1945 though it was originally built in 1912. In the mid-sixties, Cedar Point added the Blue Streak, the oldest and still-operational roller coaster in the park. Since 1964, Cedar Point has added 16 other roller coasters, many of which have held or broken records for tallest, fastest or longest, at one time or another. Additionally, Cedar Point boasts 51 non-roller coaster rides.

Although the awards for “best rides” varies from list to list, one thing is for certain. Cedar Point will never be a disappointment for roller coaster enthusiasts. Most of Cedar Point’s roller coasters have been on the top ten list at one point in their lifetime and Cedar Point has held the record for tallest/fastest roller coaster three different times with the Magnum XL-200, Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. Cedar Point has been at the top of the industry for decades, trying new technologies and innovative designs. The park offers a huge variety of roller coaster types including steel and wood, stand-up, hanging, and magnetically propelled, as well as a plethora of different null-g hills, turns and rolls.

While I wouldn’t recommend going to Cedar Point if you don’t love roller coasters that push the limit, the park offers a wide range of intensities for the fainter of heart. Don’t judge the book by its cover, though. Size doesn’t always matter! The Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Iron Dragon, Disaster Transport and Mantis are of variable sizes but can all be considered tame. Alternately the Blue Streak, despite its size and age, has thrills that you will feel from the bottom of your belly.