Cedar Point facts for kids

This page is about the amusement park in Ohio. For other uses, see Cedar Point (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Cedar Point
Attractions

Location	Sandusky, Ohio, U.S.
Coordinates	41°28′48″N 82°40′57″W / 41.48000°N 82.68250°W / 41.48000; -82.68250
Status	Operating
Opened	1870; 155 years ago (1870)
Owner	Six Flags
General manager	Colleen Murphy-Brady
Operating season	May through October
Attendance	3.44 million in 2022
Area	364 acres (0.569 sq mi; 1.47 km²)
Total	71
Roller coasters	18
Water rides	3

Cedar Point is a huge 364-acre (147 ha) amusement park located on a peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio, USA. It sits right on Lake Erie and is owned by Six Flags. The park first opened in 1870, making it one of the oldest amusement parks still running in the United States!

Cedar Point is famous for its amazing roller coasters. It's even called "America's Roller Coast" because it has 18 roller coasters, which is the second-highest number in North America. The park is home to five roller coasters that are over 200 feet (61 m) tall: Magnum XL-200, Millennium Force, Valravn, Steel Vengeance, and Top Thrill 2.

The park is usually open from early May until Labor Day in September. After that, it opens only on weekends through Halloween for a special event called HalloWeekends. Besides rides, Cedar Point has a one-mile-long (1.6 km) beach, a water park called Cedar Point Shores, an indoor water park called Castaway Bay, and two marinas.

Cedar Point has won many awards. It was named "Best Amusement Park in the World" for 16 years in a row by Amusement Today. It's also one of the most visited seasonal amusement parks in North America, with over 3.4 million visitors in 2022. Many of its old buildings are even listed as historic places.

Park History: How it All Began

In the late 1800s, the area around Lake Erie became a popular spot for vacations. People loved the freshwater beaches. The Cedar Point peninsula, named for its many cedar trees, was first known for fishing.

In 1870, a man named Louis Zistel started taking people by boat to the Cedar Point peninsula. He opened a bathhouse and a small beer garden. People paid 25 cents to ride his boat, which was the start of tourism at Cedar Point.

Cedar Point in the 1890s

More people started visiting the beach. In 1882, Benjamin F. Dwelle and Captain William Slackford built more bathhouses and a dance hall. They added picnic tables and a baseball field. In 1888, a large building called the Grand Pavilion opened. It had a theater, concert hall, and bowling alley. This building is still in the park today!

The first amusement ride at Cedar Point was a water toboggan in 1890. It launched riders into Lake Erie. Electricity came to the park in 1891. The first roller coaster, Switchback Railway, opened in 1892. It was 25 feet (7.6 m) tall and went 10 miles per hour (16 km/h).

The Boeckling Era: A Resort Grows

In 1897, George A. Boeckling became the park's new manager. He helped turn Cedar Point from a simple picnic spot into a famous amusement park and resort.

More rides were added, like the Figure-Eight Roller Toboggan in 1902. To fix a mosquito problem, swampy areas were drained in 1904. This created beautiful lagoons that became a popular attraction. In 1905, the historic Hotel Breakers opened. It was one of the biggest hotels in the Midwest with 600 rooms.

Lake view of Hotel Breakers (1905)

By 1912, Cedar Point had several roller coasters, including Leap the Dips. Even with more rides, Boeckling focused on making Cedar Point a great beach resort with shows and entertainment. He added more hotels and restaurants. The wooden roller coaster, Cyclone, opened in 1929. Boeckling passed away in 1931.

New Beginnings and Roller Coaster Fame

After Boeckling, the park faced tough times during the Great Depression and World War II. Not many new rides were built. In 1946, the Midway Carousel, which is still at the park today, was installed. The old Cyclone coaster was removed in 1951.

In 1957, the Cedar Point Causeway was built, making it easier to get to the park. George Roose took over management around 1958. He invested a lot of money to update the park. The Wild Mouse roller coaster and a new monorail opened in 1959.

Blue Streak, built in 1964, is Cedar Point's oldest operating roller coaster.

In 1964, Cedar Point built its oldest roller coaster that is still running, the Blue Streak. It was named after the local high school's sports teams. The Cedar Creek Mine Ride opened in 1969, becoming the second oldest coaster.

In the 1970s, more rides like the Giant Wheel and Corkscrew were added. Corkscrew was special because it was the first coaster to go over the midway and have three inversions (upside-down loops). In 1978, Gemini opened, advertised as the tallest, fastest, and steepest coaster in the world at the time.

Cedar Point started its own company, Cedar Fair, in 1983. This company later bought other amusement parks.

Record-Breaking Rides and Modern Fun

In 1989, Magnum XL-200 opened. It was the first roller coaster in the world to be over 200 feet (61 m) tall and go faster than 70 mph (110 km/h). This ride helped Cedar Point become known as a "big time roller coaster park." Mean Streak, a huge wooden coaster, opened in 1991.

View of the Sky Ride from the main midway (2009)

The outdoor water park, Soak City, opened in 1988. In 1994, Raptor debuted as the tallest, fastest, and longest inverted roller coaster in the world.

In 1997, the park started HalloWeekends, a popular Halloween-themed event with haunted houses. Camp Snoopy opened in 1999 with rides based on the Peanuts characters.

The year 2000 brought Millennium Force, the first giga coaster in the world. It climbed 310 ft (94 m) and reached 93 mph (150 km/h)! In 2003, Top Thrill Dragster (now Top Thrill 2) opened, becoming the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world at 420 ft (130 m) and 120 mph (190 km/h).

Millennium Force, added in 2000, is Cedar Point's signature roller coaster.

More exciting rides followed, like Maverick in 2007 and WindSeeker in 2011, a tall tower that spins riders high above Lake Erie.

In 2013, GateKeeper, a huge wing coaster, opened with a new main entrance for the park. In 2016, Valravn debuted as the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the world.

In 2018, the old Mean Streak wooden coaster was transformed into Steel Vengeance, a hybrid steel and wood coaster that broke many records.

In 2020, the park's 150th-anniversary celebration was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was celebrated in 2021. In 2024, Top Thrill Dragster was updated and reopened as Top Thrill 2. On July 1, 2024, Cedar Point joined the Six Flags family when Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags. In 2025, a new coaster called Siren's Curse opened.

Awesome Rides and Attractions

Cedar Point has many different types of rides for everyone!

Thrill level (out of 5)
1 (low) 2 (mild) 3 (moderate) 4 (high) 5 (aggressive)

Roller Coasters: America's Roller Coast!

As of 2025, Cedar Point has 18 amazing roller coasters.

Coaster	Picture	Opened	Manufacturer	Location	Description	Thrill level
Blue Streak	Blue Streak	1964	Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters	Main Midway	This classic wooden roller coaster is the oldest one still running at Cedar Point.	4
Cedar Creek Mine Ride	Cedar Creek Mine Ride	1969	Arrow Development	Frontier Town	A fun mine train roller coaster with two lift hills. It's the second oldest coaster at Cedar Point.	4
Corkscrew	Corkscrew	1976	Arrow Development	Top Thrill 2 Midway	This steel coaster was the first in the world to have three inversions (loops) and goes right over the park's pathway!	5
GateKeeper	GateKeeper	2013	Bolliger & Mabillard	Boardwalk	A thrilling Wing Coaster that broke records for its height and inversions when it opened.	5
Gemini	Gemini	1978	Arrow Development	Gemini Midway	A unique racing roller coaster with steel tracks on a wooden frame. It was super tall and fast when it first opened.	5
Iron Dragon	Iron Dragon	1987	Arrow Dynamics	Millennium Midway	A cool suspended roller coaster where your feet dangle as you fly through the air.	4
Magnum XL-200	Magnum XL-200	1989	Arrow Dynamics	Gemini Midway	This steel coaster was the first in the world to go over 200 feet (61 m) tall, creating the term "hypercoaster."	5
Maverick	Maverick	2007	Intamin	Frontier Town	A super fast launched roller coaster with multiple launches and a drop that's steeper than straight down!	5
Millennium Force	Millennium Force	2000	Intamin	Millennium Midway	The first "giga coaster" in the world, it climbs 310 ft (94 m) and was once the tallest and fastest coaster.	5
Raptor	Raptor	1994	Bolliger & Mabillard	Main Midway	An inverted roller coaster that was the tallest, fastest, and longest of its kind when it opened.	5
Rougarou	Rougarou	1996	Bolliger & Mabillard	Millennium Midway	This steel coaster used to be called Mantis (a stand-up coaster). In 2015, it became a Floorless Coaster called Rougarou with new trains and colors.	5
Siren's Curse	Siren's Curse	2025	Vekoma	Main Midway	A steel roller coaster that features a unique tilt track.	5
Steel Vengeance	Steel Vengeance	2018	Rocky Mountain Construction	Frontier Town	This amazing hybrid coaster combines a wooden structure with a steel track, making it over 200 feet (61 m) tall!	5
Top Thrill 2	Top Thrill 2	2024	Intamin	Top Thrill 2 Midway	This launched roller coaster was once the tallest and fastest in the world, reaching 420 feet (130 m) and 120 mph (190 km/h)! It was updated in 2024.	5
Valravn	Valravn	2016	Bolliger & Mabillard	Main Midway	A steel Dive Coaster that was the tallest, fastest, and longest of its kind when it opened.	5
Wilderness Run	Wilderness Run	1979	Intamin	Camp Snoopy	A fun kiddie roller coaster that used to be called Jr. Gemini.	2
Wild Mouse	Wild Mouse	2023	Zamperla	Boardwalk	This spinning wild mouse coaster has cars that spin as they go around sharp turns and drops.	4
Woodstock Express	Woodstock Express	1999	Vekoma	Camp Snoopy	A steel Vekoma Junior Coaster located in the Camp Snoopy area.	4

Thrill Rides: Get Your Adrenaline Pumping!

Cedar Point has 15 exciting thrill rides.

Ride	Year opened	Manufacturer	Location	Description	Thrill level
Atomic Scrambler	1960	Eli Bridge Company	Boardwalk	A classic Scrambler ride that spins you around in different directions.	3
Calypso	1970	Mack Rides	Boardwalk	This spinning ride moves in two ways, giving you a fun, dizzying experience.	3
Cedar Downs Racing Derby	1967	Prior and Church	Main Midway	A fast, circular ride that looks like a horse race. It's one of only two left in the US!	3
Dodgem	1970	Soli of Italy	Boardwalk	A classic bumper cars attraction where you can bump into your friends.	4
Matterhorn	1972	Mack Rides	Boardwalk	This circular matterhorn ride swings you up and down as it spins.	3
maXair	2005	HUSS Park Attractions	Boardwalk	A giant swinging Giant Frisbee ride that takes you high into the air.	5
Monster	1970	Eyerly Aircraft Company	Gemini Midway	A standard monster ride with spinning arms that lift you up.	3
Ocean Motion	1981	HUSS Park Attractions	Main Midway	A swinging pirate ship ride that reaches a height of 65 feet (20 m).	3
Power Tower	1998	S&S Worldwide	Top Thrill 2 Midway	This unique drop tower has four towers, two that shoot you up and two that drop you down!	5
Skyhawk	2006	S&S Worldwide	Frontier Town	A giant Screamin' Swing ride that swings you high and fast.	5
SlingShot	2014	Funtime	Gemini Midway	This ride launches you 360 feet (110 m) into the air at 62 miles per hour (100 km/h)! It costs extra to ride.	5
Super Himalaya	1970	Mack Rides	Top Thrill 2 Midway	A circular Music Express ride that goes fast around a wavy track.	3
Troika	1976	HUSS Park Attractions	Boardwalk	A Troika ride that lifts you 25 feet (7.6 m) high as it spins.	3
Wave Swinger	1979	Zierer	Frontier Town	A classic wave swinger that lifts you up and swings you around.	3
WindSeeker	2011	Mondial	Boardwalk	A very tall WindSeeker tower swinger that gives you amazing views of Lake Erie.	4

Family Rides: Fun for Everyone!

Cedar Point has 8 family rides and attractions.

Ride	Year opened	Manufacturer	Location	Description	Thrill level
Cadillac Cars	1958	Arrow Development	Main Midway	Drive a cool antique car that looks like a 1910 Cadillac on a track.	3
Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad	1963	Engines: Davenport Locomotive Works H.K. Porter, Inc. Vulcan Iron Works	Millennium Midway and Frontier Town	Take a 15-minute train ride through a western-themed area.	1
Giant Wheel	1972	Anton Schwarzkopf	Boardwalk	A 136 feet (41.5 m) tall Ferris wheel that offers great views of the park.	2
Lake Erie Eagles	2014	Larson International	Gemini Midway	A flying eagles ride where you can control how high your carriage flies.	3
Midway Carousel	1946	Daniel Muller	Main Midway	A beautiful, classic carousel ride. It's the oldest ride at Cedar Point!	1
Pipe Scream	2014	Zamperla	Gemini Midway	A Skater Coaster that slides back and forth on a U-shaped track, reaching 43 feet (13 m) high.	4
Sky Ride	1962	Von Roll	Main Midway	A relaxing gondola lift ride that takes you from the front of the park to the back.	3

Water Ride: Splash and Cool Off!

Cedar Point has one water ride (not counting the water park).

Ride	Opened	Manufacturer	Location	Description	Thrill level
Thunder Canyon	1986	Intamin	Frontier Trail	A fun river rafting adventure with splashes and turns.	4

Children's Rides: Little Adventures!

Cedar Point has three special areas just for younger kids.

Kiddy Kingdom

A 1924 William H. Dentzel Carousel located in Kiddy Kingdom

Kiddy Kingdom opened in 1970 and has 11 rides for little ones.

Name	Thrill level
4x4's	2
Dune Buggies	1
Helicopters	2
Kiddy Kingdom Carousel	1
Motorcycles	1
Mustangs	1
Police Cars	1
Rock Spin & Turn	2
Roto Whip	2
Sky Fighters	2
Space Age	2

Planet Snoopy

Snoopy's Space Race in the Planet Snoopy section of the park

Planet Snoopy opened in 2008 and features eight rides, many of which came from another park.

Name	Thrill level
Flying Ace Balloon Race	2
Joe Cool's Dodgem School	2
Kite Eating Tree	2
Peanuts Road Rally	1
Snoopy's Deep Sea Divers	2
Snoopy's Space Race	2
Snoopy's Express Railroad	1
Woodstock's Whirlybirds	2

Camp Snoopy

Peanuts 500 in Camp Snoopy

Camp Snoopy opened in 1999 and has seven rides plus two kiddie coasters.

Name	Thrill level
Balloon Race	2
Camp Bus	2
Charlie Brown's Wind Up	2
Linus's Beetle Bugs	2
Peanuts 500	2
Red Baron	2
Wilderness Run	2
Woodstock Express	4
Woodstock's Airmail	2

Cedar Point Coliseum

The Coliseum during HalloWeekends in 2012

Built in 1906, the Coliseum is a historic building. It has a large ballroom upstairs and an arcade downstairs.

Cedar Point Shores Water Park

Cedar Point Shores is Cedar Point's outdoor water park. It opened in 1988 as Soak City and was renamed in 2016. It's right next to Cedar Point and needs a separate ticket to enter.

Fast Lane: Skip the Lines!

Fast Lane is a special pass you can buy to get shorter wait times on popular rides. There are two options: "Fast Lane" for 17 rides, and "Fast Lane Plus" which includes those rides plus Valravn, Maverick, Millennium Force, Top Thrill 2, Siren's Curse, and Steel Vengeance. During HalloWeekends, there's also "Fright Lane" for haunted attractions.

Awards and Rankings

Cedar Point has won many awards! It was named the "Best Amusement Park in the World" for 16 years in a row. It also won awards for its friendly staff, clean park, and great Halloween event, HalloWeekends. The roller coaster Maverick won "Best New Ride of 2007."

Top Roller Coasters

Cedar Point's roller coasters are often ranked among the best. Here are some that were ranked in 2019:

Millennium Force: 2nd best steel coaster
Steel Vengeance: 3rd best steel coaster
Maverick: 13th best steel coaster
Magnum XL-200: 18th best steel coaster
Top Thrill Dragster: 21st best steel coaster
Blue Streak: 38th best wooden coaster

Park Visitors

Cedar Point is very popular! In 1960, over 1 million people visited for the first time. By 1975, it reached 3 million visitors. In 2019, it had 3.73 million visitors. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people visited, but numbers returned to normal in 2021 and 2022.

Resorts: Stay and Play!

Cedar Point Beach (2008)

Cedar Point has six resorts, some right on the park grounds. If you stay at a resort, you get early access to the park before it opens to everyone else!

On-Site Resorts

Hotel Breakers: Built in 1905, this is the oldest resort at Cedar Point and is super close to the park. It has over 650 rooms and lots of fun activities.
Lighthouse Point: This area has cottages and cabins, and features the historic Cedar Point Light, built in 1862.
Camper Village: A campground for recreational vehicles (RVs) with amenities like a store and a pool.
Cedar Point Marina: Located on Sandusky Bay, it's a great spot for boaters with fuel docks and restaurants.

Off-Site Resorts

Castaway Bay: An indoor water park resort with over 38,000 square feet (3,500 m²) of water attractions.
Cedar Point's Express Hotel: This hotel is about one mile (one point six kilometres) from Cedar Point and has over 400 rooms.
Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts: A resort in nearby Huron, Ohio, with restaurants, shops, and a golf course.

Historic Places at Cedar Point

Historical marker erected in 2001

Cedar Point has several old buildings and structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cedar Point Light: This lighthouse was built in 1862 and is the oldest structure on the peninsula.
The Coliseum: Built in 1906, this building is known for its ballroom and arcade.
U.S. Coast Guard Building: Another historic building located along Perimeter Road.

All three of Cedar Point's carousels are also historic!

Midway Carousel: Built in 1912, it's the oldest operating ride at Cedar Point.
Cedar Downs Racing Derby: This unique racing carousel came from another park in 1967. It's one of only two left in the US.
Kiddy Kingdom Carousel: This carousel, built in 1924, opened at Cedar Point in 1968.