Cedar Point Amusement Park: Guide to Fun

Shooting 400 feet into the air at 127 mph before rocketing you back down, the Top Thrill Dragster delivers all the thrills promised. Sitting in the bleachers ready to cheer the riders on, a young boy pretends to drive a car that steadily rolls along a pre-set course while his mother sits beside him taking a break from the enormous park around them. Thrill rides, water rides, rides, attractions and games for the kids, Cedar Point has something for just about everyone. Whether planning a family vacation, a trip for your friends after school lets out or just looking for a fun day trip, I recommend you visit Cedar Point.

Winner of the Golden Ticket award for best theme park on the planet eleven years in a row, Cedar Point makes a great spot to visit. It also boasts four great hotels, two onsite with two others off site which offer good deals such as getting into the park an hour early and packages including park admission. I'm going to touch down a few major attractions, there is far too much for me to go in depth on everything in the park.

Attractions- With plenty to do for both kids and adults, Cedar Point has more than it's fair share of attractions, many world famous record breakers. If you want to take a quick tour of the park then hop on the train, which rides passangers around most of the back of the park, a great way to relax and see what the park has to offer.

Top Thrill Dragster- Over 400 feet, over 100 mph, top thrill dragsters is the top of the food chain in thrill rides, a must see for lovers of roller coasters or of thrill rides in general. This ride sits you in mock drag racing cars before shooting you almost straight up into the air up a steep incline. Next you come down, looking straight down you rush towards the earth, the whole ride lasts less than 20 seconds but even watching it gives you butterflies.

Maverick-Voted best new ride of 2007 by Amusement Today, the Maverick is billed as the world's first 'terra coaster' this ride takes you over 70 mph through rocks, around sharp turns, bends and loops. A note of trivia, this ride was originally supposed to be named 'Banshee' but park officials thought it had too much of a death connotation.

Magnum XL-200- A well known roller coaster that often finds its way to coaster enthusiasts top ten list, the Magnum is over 200 feet tall and moves riders along at 72 mph. Taking riders down three long drops before going back through a series of tunnels, it's easy to see why the Magnum XL is still one of the most popular roller coasters around.

Gemini- At one point this was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, and still boasts some considerable thrills. Two sets of cars 'race' one another on side by side tracks. Standing 125 feet high and going 60 mph, this ride does not have the sheer speed or size of modern roller coasters, but it is still an enjoyable and thrilling ride and no visit to Cedar Point would be complete without one go on the Gemini.

Millennium Force- At 310 feet tall, the Millennium Force is considered a gigacoaster and is the second largest roller coaster at Cedar Point. It has been ranked number one among steel coasters many times since it's debut in 2000 and has never been below number two. Dropping riders at over 90 mph, this ride stands out as one of the favorites of roller coaster afficianados.

Woodstock Express- A roller coaster designed for younger children to ride, at 43 feet and 25 mph, it is a good ride to get young kids on if you want them to enjoy the bigger coasters as they get older.

Juinior Gemini- Another children's coaster, this one is only 19 feet tall and goes only 6mph, but it is a fun ride for little kids and they get to ride twice.

Snake River Falls- One of two water rides inside Cedar Point, this was once the steepest water ride in the world. An added bonus is a bridge overlooking the ride on which onlookers get soaked by the ride coming down it's slope.

Thunder Canyon- A white water rafting inspired ride, Thunder Canyon takes riders down a a twisting, waterfall filled man made canyon. Closes in early September to be made into 'werewolf canyon' for Cedar Point's Halloweekends in October.

In addition to these there are several other major attractions as well as many smaller rides, such as minuture race cars, child size tower drops and much more. Along with the rides, Cedar Point offers a variety of live shows featuring Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. A major new attraction opened in 2008 is Planet Snoopy, a large children's area featuring rides, games and a family center with acess to changing tables, nap and feeding areas. Cedar Point also has a lot to offer as far as shopping, carinval style games and specialty shops. If you're parents of a small child and have trouble deciding whose going to wait in line, take advantage of Cedar Point's parent pass, which allows one parent to wait in line and ride, then lets the other parent bypass the line to ride after.

If you get hungry while touring the park, Cedar Point features many fine resturants, as well of many carnival style snack stands.

Joe Cool Café- Located in Planet Snoopy, Joe Cool Café is a Peanut themed resturant. Perfect for the families that LOVE Snoopy.

Game Day Grill- A sports bar themed resturant.

Johnny Rockets- A resturant that is similar to a 50's style dinner.

Midway Market- A large buffet with a wide selection of worldwide cuisine.

There are also several resturants that are outside the park but within walking distance. These include Famous Daves, TGI Fridays and many more.

If your coming in from out of town and want to stay overnight or longer, Cedar Point offers many fine hotels, so you do not need to go far to find rest.

Breakers- Located within the park, Breakers looks over the beach. This hotel features a few Peanuts themed suites.

Sandcastle Suites- This hotel is at the tip of the peninsula and is wedged between Sandusky Bay and Lake Erie. Most front door to Sandusky Beach.

CastawayBay- My personal favorite hotel, this one is not on site but is within easy driving distance and features an year around indoor water park and all day Peanuts themed activities for kids.

Breakers Express- What Holiday Inn Express is to Holiday Inn, so Breakers Express is to Breakers. Close to the park but off site, Breakers Express offers a less expensive alternative if you have a tight budget. In my opinion, not reccommended for families with small childeren. No fridges or microwaves available.

As well as these hotels, Cedar Point also has Camper Village to park RVs or campers and Lighthouse Point, with cabins and cottages to stay in. Even with the Marinas located on and off the peninsula, there are many options for any traveler wanting to stay and play.

All in all, Cedar Point is a very fun, exciting and family friendly park with something for just about anyone. I have been to many other theme parks and while they offer fun for kids, or fun for adults, none have the same even mix of fun for both. I would gladly recommend Cedar Point, with its 75 rides, to anyone interested in a thrill, a fun family day or just some time to get away and enjoy themselves.