Cedar Point: Tops and Tips

I still remember my first roller coaster ride.

I was about 9 or 10 — finally tall enough to get past those red-and-white-striped “you-must-be-this-tall-to-ride” poles that I hadn’t measured up to before. My dad, a coaster enthusiast himself, was thrilled when I finally topped the 48-inch mark. He wanted to introduce me to roller coasters — and he wanted to do it right.

Each summer, my family used to take one or two days and escape to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Possibly the best amusement park in the world (definitely the best if you’re a biased Ohioan like me), Cedar Point has always been able to thrill and excite me. And that summer when I rode my first roller coaster was no different.

For my introduction to coasters, my dad didn’t choose one of the older wooden ones, or any of the family-friendly fare. Instead, he picked the Magnum XL-200 for my roller coaster initiation. At the time, the Magnum was one of the top roller coasters in the world. When it was built in 1989, it was the tallest, fastest coaster on the planet, with a hill topping 200 feet and speeds up to 72 mph. In the mid-90s, it was still pretty daunting.

I remember winding through the metal labyrinth of a line with my dad, watching as the bright orange tracks of the Magnum grew bigger the closer we got. I watched cars climb the 205-foot hill; listened to people screaming with fear and delight as they roared down the other side. I was both terrified and excited.

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My first roller coaster ride got me hooked on the rush of adrenaline that comes along with thrill rides of all sorts. Since that first wild ride, I’ve ridden countless roller coasters, jumped off bridges and cliffs, and sought out adventure sports of all kinds. So, when I went back to Cedar Point recently after a multi-year sabbatical, I was worried that maybe it wouldn’t live up to my remembered expectations. I was afraid that the thrill of cresting a hill or the stomach-flopping feeling of free fall would be gone.

Thankfully, it wasn’t. Cedar Point can still thrill even an adrenaline junkie like me.

Check out the video of my trip, and then keep reading.

Fast Facts

• Cedar Point opened in 1870 as a public bathing beach on Lake Erie. The park’s first roller coaster, the Switchback Railway, was built in 1892. The park’s oldest operating roller coaster, the Blue Streak, opened in 1964.
• Cedar Point has 75 rides total, including 17 roller coasters (more than any other park in the world), 4 of which have hills over 200 feet. Many of the park’s coasters shattered records when they were built.
• The park also boasts 3 family-friendly water rides, along with 30 rides and attractions just for kids.

Top Rides

Ready for a rush? Here are my picks for top rides at Cedar Point. I would say “top coasters,” but one of these actually isn’t a roller coaster (I know, shocker, right?).

5. Tie between Raptor and Magnum XL-200

Raptor

Raptor Cobra Roll

The Raptor opened in 1994, and was, at the time, the tallest (137 feet) and fastest (57 mph) suspended steel roller coaster in the world. Riders flip upside-down six times, experience some pretty wicked G-forces, and even go through a unique twisty inversion known as a “cobra roll.” Oh, and your feet are dangling the whole time. The Raptor’s motto is “Kick the Sky,” and I’ll admit that I did just that as we entered into a vertical loop. Riders should be aware that the Raptor WILL give you a good jostle. But it’s worth it.

Magnum XL-200

My very first coaster will always hold a special place on my list. When the hulking, orange Magnum was built in 1989, it broke all coaster records. It was the first to top the 200-foot mark, with speeds up to 72 mph. The 2-minute ride also includes a “pretzel turn,” and three tunnels. As you ascend the first hill, you can take in a panoramic view of the park and Lake Erie. They say that on a clear day, you can see all the way to Canada.

I was hoping that Magnum would rank higher on my list this year, but, sadly, the coaster is clearly aging. Riding in the front car is even a bumpy ride these days, and the lap bar bruised my thighs going through the tunnels. But it’s still a must-ride.

4. Skyhawk

Built in 2006, Skyhawk is the non-coaster ride that makes my list. On it, two giant arms swing opposite each other (like a gigantic swing set), reaching a height of 125 feet and a speed of 60 mph. A lap bar holds you in, but doesn’t give you much to hang on to. At the apex of the swings (feeling like you’ll surely flip over), you’ll either feel like you’re going to fly out, or fall to the ground, depending on which direction you’re swinging. I found the ride to be a lot scarier than I originally anticipated, which is why it makes my list. It was so fun, I rode it twice.

3. Maverick

“The Old West Was Never This Wild!” That’s the motto of Maverick, Cedar Point’s newest addition to its family of coasters. Built in 2007, Maverick is a themed ride located in the park’s Frontierland section. The coaster doesn’t look like much from the ground, or on paper — its tallest hill is only 105 feet, and its top speed is only 70 mph. But Maverick definitely delivers thrills nonetheless. Its first hill is set at a 95-degree angle — that’s 5 degrees past vertical, meaning you feel like you’re going to nosedive right off the tracks. It includes more twists and turns than I could count, switching back on itself in the first-ever “twisted horseshoe roll.” Halfway through the ride, you come to a screeching stop in a dark tunnel. I thought at first we’d returned to the station, but then some fake blasts sound, and you’re propelled out of the tunnel at 70 mph. So. Much. Fun. (But beware, this one is a bit rough, too.)

2. Millennium Force

Ah, Millennium Force. I remember visiting Cedar Point the year after this steel screamer was built and riding in three times in a row with my little sister. We memorized where the cameras were so we could give a big thumbs up in our picture.

Millennium Force joined the Cedar Point ranks in 2000 (hence its name), and smashed all records at the time with its 310-foot first hill with an 85-degree angle, and top speed of 93 mph. (Cedar Point claims it broke 10 world records when it debuted.) Even though it’s been topped (by another Cedar Point coaster, no less), Millennium is still one of the best rides in the park — perhaps in any park.

A fancy lap bar holds you in, and you’re propelled up the first massive hill. Even though you ascend quickly, the hill is so huge that there’s plenty of time to get the heart racing. You scream down the first hill, and go immediately into an inverted curve, which really takes your breath away. The 2-minute ride sends you barreling around curves, up and down smooth hills, and through dark tunnels. Go ahead, put your arms up and scream your head off. I do.

1. Top Thrill Dragster

I hadn’t been back to Cedar Point since the year after Millennium opened, meaning I wasn’t around in 2003 (or after) to experience the Top Thrill Dragster. This “strata coaster” really pushed the envelope (and smashed records) when it was built, with a single massive hill that tops out at 420 feet and a hydraulic system that launches riders from 0 to 120 mph in less than 4 seconds. The ride is supposed to simulate a ride in a drag racing car (complete with “Christmas tree countdown” lights), except that you go straight up.

I wasn’t sure what to make of Top Thrill at first. There are countless stories of the ride breaking down daily, and the attraction itself warns riders that there IS a chance that the train will not crest the hill, meaning you’ll roll down backwards and have to start over. (This last part, however, I think would be fun!) Plus, the whole ride is only 17 seconds long.

But man, I just didn’t know what I was missing! Top Thrill Dragster is aptly named — it really is a top thrill at Cedar Point. You sit in the starting position while your “engine” revs and the adrenaline starts building. Then you blast off, careen up the hill, do a half twist, and then plummet back down the other side of the hill, completing another twist before you end up back at the station, breathless and wearing a goofy grin. I rode it twice, even bravely throwing up my arms the second time around.

Definitely RIDE THIS. Luckily when I was last there, it was a freak slow summer weekday, and we only waited 15 or 20 minutes in line for Top Thrill Dragster. But even if you have to wait longer, I highly recommend it. It’s totally worth it.

Park Tips

Riding

Go on a weekday. If possible, avoid weekends at the park during the summer months. Once school is out, Cedar Point is packed, especially on the weekends.

Arrive early. If you want to catch the shortest ride wait times and escape the heat of the day, get to the park as early as possible. Gates open at 10 a.m., and people DO arrive earlier so they can dash to their favorite rides as soon as possible.

Stay on-site. If you really want to get a jump on the early crowds, consider staying overnight in the park at one of Cedar Point’s various hotels/resorts. If you’re making a multi-day vacation of it (which is a good idea if you want to hit up Cedar Point and its water parks, Soak City and Castaway Bay), this is a good option. The best part? Not only are you within walking distance to your hotel, but you get early entry into the park. You can ride select rides beginning at 9 a.m.

Have a plan. Don’t do what I did the last time I visited Cedar Point – my boyfriend and I simply rode rides in whatever order we felt like. While this was fun, it meant we traveled from one end of the park to the other many more times than was necessary. Our feet were absolutely killing us after 8 hours, and we left earlier than we had wanted to. To avoid this, get a park map and use it. Ride things in order, or at least ride everything in one specific area of the park before moving on to another. And pace yourself. Take a break from the coasters every once in a while, perhaps throwing in a train or gondola ride (these can also serve as great ways of getting around the park that don’t wear out your sneakers).

Speaking of sneakers, were proper footwear. Flip flops aren’t really the best idea for an amusement park, especially one where some rides leave your feet dangling.

Sunscreen! Bring it. Especially in the summertime. Most of the ride lines will subject you to the elements, whatever they are.

Don’t bring a ton of stuff. Unless you’re visiting with someone who won’t be riding most of the rides, don’t bring huge bags or purses with you if you can help it. You won’t be able to take these on most of the rides. You’ll either have to leave them with a non-rider, pay for a locker, or stuff them into bins before getting onto a ride. This last option offers no guarantee that someone won’t walk off with your brand new Coach purse while you’re on a coaster. My advice: Wear something with big pockets that either zipper or button closed. All you really need is some cash, and maybe your phone. You can always leave a jacket in your car, and go get it later.

Don’t wear earrings. Many of the coasters can be rough, and you don’t want holes poked into the back of your head.

Money

Shop around for tickets. While you can buy a ticket when you arrive at the park for $46, check out other options beforehand. Visit Cedar Point’s website to see if they have any online promotions going on. Buy you ticket from a Meijer or Giant Eagle store at a slightly reduced rate (usually saving you $5-$6). If you’re a AAA member, visit your local location for savings up to $10 per ticket.

Carpool. Share a ride simply for the fact that there’s a $10-per-vehicle parking fee at Cedar Point. Carpool with friends or family and save yourself a few bucks.

Bring your own lunch. If you can, bring a cooler and some snacks along with you and leave them in your car. You’re allowed to leave the park to go to your car and re-enter (just ask for a hand stamp at the exit), so you can always head out for a lunch break. It’ll save you money, especially if you’re visiting with your family.

Share meals and drinks. If you don’t bring your own, be prepared to shell out a pretty penny for food within the park. Kind of like Disney World (or any large attraction for that matter), everything is overpriced since the park can charge whatever it wants. So if you get hungry or thirsty, purchase a large drink or big order of food, and then share it amongst yourselves. It’ll at least save you a few dollars.

Hopefully you find these insights and tips helpful — or at least entertaining.

Will you visit Cedar Point now? Or have you already? Tell me all about it!