OnPoint! - The Cedar Point Blog

Big Prizes This Weekend

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:41:00 EST

This 4th of July weekend is going to be big. And by big, we mean BIG. Obviously, the fireworks will provide light in the night sky on Friday at 10 p.m. But there's a plethora of other events happening. To see the entire lineup of fun from July 3 through July 6, click here. You should also be on the lookout for the Cedar Point Prize Patrol - they'll be roaming the midways, finding guests at random and giving them tons of prizes. What can you win? Well, for starters, the Johnsonville Ultimate Grill Package, which includes a grill, oven mit, tongs, apron, chef's hat and FREE Johnsonville products for a year! The Prize Patrol will also have coupons good for big discounts and free products to hand out. Here's Maggie, our resident model, showing off the Ultimate Grill Package: You can also win potato chips, courtesy of Shearer's. We'll also have Diet Pepsi Max tote bags and towels. Oh, and we'll throw in a few Weber grills, courtesy of Weber and meijer stores. So, if you're in the park Thursday through Sunday, you'll have a pretty good chance of winning a little something extra. We'll see you this weekend!

A Big Bow Wow

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:09:00 EST

That's right. Get ready to experience Snoopy's Big Bow Wow - On Ice! This all-new ice skating show opens tomorrow. Let's take a peek inside. Here's an overview of the new stage set. It contains light boxes and two large screens on either side of the stage that will show video that goes along with the action on the ice: Here's one of the screens that's showing a Snoopy cartoon: Without giving too much away, here's one last shot of the actual show: We got our sneek peak today and we highly recommend you check it out for yourself!

Welcome To The New Site!

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:42:00 EST

Ahh yes. The big project. Well, this was it. Welcome to the new and improved cedarpoint.com! We've given the site a new look and added a few new features. Some of the new highlights include: - An all-new webcam - Webcams now update every 30 seconds - Bigger photos on our blog - New images at the top of each page - Easy-to-use navigation - New features on the home page that allow quick access to information Those are just a few. Explore the new site and enjoy. Meanwhile, inside the park, we celebrated 30 years of Gemini this morning. Gemini opened on June 17, 1978. It opened much later than anticipated due to the huge blizzard during that winter. Obviously, construction is not easy during times of rough weather. The world's attention was focused on Cedar Point - the amusement park with the tallest (125 feet) and fastest (60 mph) roller coaster on Earth. Our tradition of world-record-breaking coasters would continue with the Magnum XL-200 in 1989, Mean Streak in 1991, Raptor in 1994, Mantis in 1996, Millennium Force in 2000, Wicked Twister in 2002 and Top Thrill Dragster in 2003. We're still the only amusement park in the world with four coasters over 200 feet tall. We also have the most coasters in one location (17). Back in 1978, these employees were there to see Gemini rise above all other coasters, and here they are today, celebrating 30 years: Standing (L-R): John Hildebrandt, Lee Jewitt, John Taylor, Steve Mills, John McClure, Bob Miller, Tom Roberts, Dave Fitzhum, Kurt Sartor, Gary Woodruff, Ed Hoon, Leroy Fischer, Dan Ruff, Bob DuBray Sitting (L-R): Karen Moss, Gayle Tremmel, Jeanne Armstrong, Bev Ontko, Lois Ann Lawrence, Pat Miller, Brenda Lakner, Carol Wechter Not pictured: Dick Kinzel, Jack Falfas, Jean Olemacher, Susie Daniel, Dan McManus, Rich Hahn, Clyde Busam, Steve Gerold, Jack Baus, Peggy Bertsch, Randy Catri, Dave Huff, Tim Rutheford The Gemini crew is celebrating as well! Here they are today, June 17, 2008. Perhaps in 30 years they'll be back? Standing (L-R): Brian, Andrea, Kari, Brad, Greg, Kurt, Brandon, Hector, Dani and Steve. Happy 30th Anniversary, Gemini!

A Big Tuesday

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:26:00 EST

First things first. Last night, we had a storm move through the Sandusky area, and I just so happened to check the webcam and captured this image: Pretty cool, I must say. Never know what you're going to see off in the horizon. Secondly, we're extending our online ticket promotions - the Pay Once, Visit Twice ticket and the Family Four Pack. You can only get these online, and they're your best ticket deal, hands down. Thirdly, do not forget about this tomorrow night: Yup! Platinum Passholders, be sure to join us for Top Thrill Dragster ride night, shortly after park closing for one hour. You must bring your Platinum Pass with you for entry to the event. Fourthly, we'll be celebrating a big birthday tomorrow. No, not my 30th. But, someone else is turning 30... The Gemini. Opened in 1978 as the tallest and fastest coaster in the world, Gemini will celebrate 30 years of ups and downs (hills, that is) on Tuesday, June 17. At the time it opened, its 125-foot-tall lift hill was unbelievable and captured the attention of the world. Kind of interesting, considering we have coasters that are over two and three times that height. Stop by the Gemini on Tuesday to take in some special sights, like an entertaining ride crew, music from 1978, a giant birthday card (that you can sign while you're here) and special signage at the ride. Tuesday's going to be a day full of timeless thrills. Stop by!

Bring A Friend For CHEAP!

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 19:05:00 EST

Head's up! If you're coming to the park on Sunday (Father's Day), and you have any Season Pass - Regular Cedar Point OR Platinum, get ready to save some money. We're inviting you to bring a friend for only $9.95! We don't think you're going to find a better deal on admission to the park. All you have to do is present your Season Pass or Platinum Pass at any ticket booth at the gate, and you'll get a friend in for just $9.95. Only one $9.95 ticket per Season Passholder, only valid on Sunday, June 15. If you haven't purchased a Season Pass or Platinum Pass yet, get one now and head to the park. We'll also be in the park tomorrow, so if you see us, stop and say hi!

DragsterCam Is Back

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:59:00 EST

After taking a vacation, the DragsterCam has now been re-mounted. And, as an added bonus, we were able to make additional adjustments which should make night viewing all the better! Our third camera has been connected, so we're focusing, adjusting and preparing it for launch.

The CoasterManiacs

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:23:00 EST

So, I'm thinking you're probably looking for an update or two. We're working on a very large project that I'm sure you'll enjoy. I can't share too much with you, but just know that it's occupying a lot of our time and many will enjoy the end result. Could I be any more vague? :) This past Friday, we held our annual CoasterMania! event. That's when we invite coaster enthusiasts from around the world to wake up early, ride some great coasters before the park opens, feed them lunch, give out prizes, and then wrap up the day with more coaster riding after the park closes. I enjoyed meeting a few new friends at the luncheon and the evening ride time. I spent most of my time at Maverick. Check out everyone waiting to board: I also met two new friends, Matthew and Patricia from Pontiac, Michigan. Since I was a single rider, they offered to ride with me. Thanks, guys! The coaster fans waiting in Maverick's rear loading area: And in the front loading area: And happy enthusiasts after a great ride: Speaking of meeting new friends, the man in the yellow shirt is "Big Mike." Mike is traveling all over to ride coasters, and up until now, he's been on over 500. Hi, Mike! We host CoasterMania! every year, so if you're not a member of a coaster enthusiast club, do some Googlin' and join. It's great fun, you meet great people and you can't pass up morning and night ride time!

An Extreme Weekend

Mon, 26 May 2008 15:42:00 EST

It's Memorial Day weekend which means it's the unofficial start to summer. To celebrate, two shows have opened. The Misadventures of Molly & Maverick returns to the Palace Theatre in Frontiertown, and the new All Wheels Extreme show is now wowing audiences. All Wheels Extreme features a talented cast of skateboarders, bikers, rollerbladers and gymnasts (and they all do some pretty cool tricks). Here's what the new Extreme Sports Stadium looks like: Gravity, what? Can you take lessons that allow you to do this?: The cast was nice enough to pose with Tony. For a full schedule, click here. Check it out - it's good fun for the whole family. In other news, we've diagnosed our DragsterCam issue (you may have noticed we took it offline). Turns out it decided it didn't want to sit upright in its all-weather case, so we're bringing in reinforcements to keep it horizontal. It will be down for a few days. We're still trying to connect our third camera. Another big update - Skyscraper. Many of you have asked about it, so we're happy to tell you that it is currently undergoing its final safety inspections and could open sometime this week. We don't have an exact date, but we'll let you know when it opens.

The Benefits of Platinum

Thu, 22 May 2008 09:29:00 EST

Last night, we had our first Platinum Passholder Exclusive Ride Night at Maverick. It's an event where we invite those who carry the Platinum to join us for an hour of ride time after the park closes. It's a lot of fun and I think you should come (assuming you have a Platinum Pass. If you need one, click here). As always, safety first. So security is standing by to make sure I don't get out of hand: Our line of anxious riders in Frontiertown. Hi riders! More riders lined up at the entrance. HI! Waiting patiently for an event to start has a benefit. Being the first in line: Once we opened, our Platinum friends climbed the stairs, ready to challenge the Best New Ride in 2007: Nothing beats an evening ride (or six) on Maverick... And of course, I had to sneak in a ride in the front seat with a junior Ride Warrior: We're having three more ride nights this summer. During each, we start shortly after park closing and it lasts for one hour. AND, you can get two-for-one on ride photos during the session. Here's the schedule: - Tuesday, June 17 Top Thrill Dragster - Thursday, July 17 Millennium Force - Sunday, August 24 Magnum XL-200 Hopefully, we'll see you at Top Thrill Dragster!

Let's Play A Game

Sun, 18 May 2008 15:36:00 EST

Can you spot the famous daredevil in this photo?? If you spotted Robbie Knievel in the front seat, you win. Unfortunately, we're fresh out of prizes at the moment. Robbie, son of world-famous stuntman Evel Knievel, stopped by the park on Saturday to take a ride on a few of our own little stunt machines before his big jump next weekend in Cincinnati. A big jump, you ask? Why, yes! We'll get to that in just a second. But first, we HAVE to get him on Top Thrill Dragster! A look of fear right before leaving the station? We think not. He's been through bigger feats than this... Wouldn't you know - he loved it! Robbie will be at our sister park Kings Island on Saturday, May 24 to surpass a famous feat set by his father at Kings Island back in 1975. He'll attempt to clear 24 trucks at Kings Island at 7 p.m. You probably won't want to miss this one. Click here for the full details.