Cedar Point is all about roller coasters. Described by vice
president and general manager John Hildebrandt as being part of the park’s DNA,
roller coasters are what put Cedar Point on the amusement park map. With 17
coasters, Cedar Point has the most of any park in the world and offers
something for everyone.
There are roller coasters for little kids, right “on up to a
coaster or coasters that will test any coaster fanatic,” Hildebrandt says. But
it’s the “big three” that really draw the crowds: Top Thrill Dragster®,
Millennium Force® and Maverick™.
Top Thrill Dragster®:
Opened in 2003, Hildebrandt describes Top Thrill Dragster® as a unique ride
that must be felt to really be appreciated, because “it really takes off and it
goes straight up,” providing riders with a view of Toledo, Ohio on a clear day from
the top. The incredible rush is over quickly – lasting just 18 to 20 seconds,
but “the thrill of that launch is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced on a
roller coaster,” Hildebrandt says, “and I think that’s why people love it.”
Millennium Force®: Hildebrandt’s
personal favourite roller coaster is Millennium Force®. Opened in 2000, he says
if you can ride only one roller coaster at Cedar Park, this is the one to try.
A quick acceleration up the lift takes riders up on a steep angle, “but you’re
up before you know it,” Hildebrandt says, “and that hill is just breathtaking,”
From there, the coaster goes down and swings into a big, wide curve. Millennium
Force® is a long ride that’s extremely fast and very smooth. “You get nice air
time, you get amazing speed and acceleration down the hills, it’s just the
complete roller coaster.”
Maverick ™: Though
Maverick™ isn’t the biggest or highest coaster at Cedar Point it really holds
its own against the others. As the newest big coaster, this unique ride is very
fast, but low to the ground, spinning, twisting and turning riders along the way.
“It proved that to be a great roller coaster you don’t have to be 310 feet
high,” Hildebrandt says. In fact, Maverick™ is only about 100 feet high, but
the quick transitions, sharp turns, acceleration and unexpected deceleration
through the tunnel makes many riders say this is the best roller coaster Cedar
Point has.
Shoot the Rapids: Roller
coasters aren’t all that Cedar Point does. In the water ride tradition of
Thunder Canyon and Snake River Falls, Shoot the Rapids is new for 2010. The
family flume thrill ride features an 85-foot drop that sends riders flying
through the water at 50 miles an hour while the Appalachian mountain theme
races by.
Other thrill rides at Cedar Point include maXair, “which
thrills everybody,” says Hildebrandt, Power Tower, “which certainly scares me!”
the vice president admits, and Sky Hawk, which is a fast, gigantic swing and
many, many more.
For more information, visit CedarPoint.com.
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