The grand opening of Kalahari Resorts' expanded indoor waterpark mixed a variety of opposites Thursday afternoon.

Business suits and swimsuits, Christmas carols and 85 degree weather, stilts walkers and cirque performers all added to the eye feast that was the unveiling of the nation's largest indoor waterpark.

At 173,000 square feet, the waterpark's newest additions include a wave pool with eight ocean-like wave settings, an extreme mat racer slide, another FlowRider surfing attraction, Kalahari's longest tube slide, a basketball pool, a children's play area and indoor/outdoor spas with a swim-up bar, among other things.

Please read the complete article at The Point Online News.

A Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, Dec. 19 -- Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, provides more than thrills for its guests. It also gives food and assistance to those who need it most during the holiday season. Cedar Point recently announced that it will donate nearly $6,800 from its 2007 Loose Change Fund to the Victory Temple Soup Kitchen in Sandusky.

In addition to the monetary donation, Cedar Point has also donated two truckloads of kitchen hardware and food to the Victory Temple Soup Kitchen. In all, the donated goods totaled more than one ton of food and supplies.

"We are extremely appreciative of the donations that Cedar Point has made," said Rev. Lonnie R. Walters, senior pastor of the Victory Temple Church. "These gifts definitely help us get through the year and provide much-needed assistance to the less fortunate people in the area."

During the season, Cedar Point employees collect and turn in any loose change found underneath rides, in the park's fountain or along the midway to the Loose Change Fund. Since 1988, Cedar Point has collected and donated more than $177,000 from the Loose Change Fund to local organizations.

Cedar Point will also make a donation of more than $1,400 to the Northwest Ohio Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Fund of the Burn Care and Reconstructive Center at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.

Aluminum Cans for Burned Children is a special recycling program conducted by northwest Ohio firefighters and area businesses. Money earned from recycling aluminum beverage cans helps purchase non-medical items and services not covered by insurance that are essential to each patient's recovery. The fund is also used to provide burn prevention education programs for children throughout northwest Ohio and helps send recovering burn survivors to a regional summer camp designed especially for burned children between the ages of 6-18.

During the season, aluminum cans were collected from recycling bins placed in employee break areas. Since 1989, Cedar Point has donated more than $28,000 from the recycling program.

On Friday, Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. stock closed at $21.08 a share -- the lowest it's been since Cedar Fair closed at $20.30 in 2002, according to Yahoo! Finance.

Cedar Fair spokeswoman Stacy Frole said reasons behind the low price can be viewed differently by stockholders, and the amount does not include the company's dividend statements.

Please read the complete article at The Point Online News.

There are two things every lifeguard needs to have while working at Great Wolf Lodge. A bathing suit and, more importantly, a whistle. “If you don’t have a whistle, you get yelled at,” said Zach Ray, 17. “It’s the one requirement besides a bathing suit.”

There are several whistle alerts the lifeguards need to know before they can work a pool location.

Please read the complete article at The Point Online News.

A Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Does your wish list for Santa Claus include a tropical vacation, complete with something fun for the entire family? If so, your present has arrived! Just in time for Christmas, Castaway Bay, Cedar Point’s year-round indoor waterpark resort, has been transformed into a holiday oasis with special displays, activities and events planned to help guests celebrate the season.

Highlighting the festivities is “The Parrots Who Stole Christmas,” a live show performed on Friday and Saturday nights through Dec. 22 in the resort’s lobby. (Special presentations are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, Dec. 23-24.) “The Parrots Who Stole Christmas” is the story about the misadventures of two malcontent parrot puppets who scheme to kidnap Mrs. Claus and sabotage her sleigh. With the help of the kids at Castaway Bay and a little Christmas spirit, Mrs. Claus is saved and teaches the parrots the true meaning of Christmas. The show’s finale will leave the audience in awe as it appears to snow inside the lobby!

Castaway Bay will also get special visits from the big guy himself, Santa Claus! Santa will make special appearances in the Castaway Bay lobby on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23. During his visits, kids can tell Santa what they want for Christmas or they can fill out their own wish list and put it in Santa’s Polar Express mailbox.

On Friday and Saturdays, the entire family can join their favorite PEANUTS characters in the resort’s lobby for the tree-lighting ceremony, followed by the singing of Christmas carols. For those who can’t get enough of those Christmas classics, Castaway Bay features Caroling Karaoke each night at 7:05 p.m. through Dec. 25.

In Camp Castaway, kids have the opportunity to compete in a coloring contest. Winners will be determined on Dec. 31 and will be rewarded with a prize by mail. The winners of the coloring contest will also have their entries displayed on the Castaway Bay web site.

Cedar Point Mrs. Clause chats with an unbelieving parrot during a presentation of “The Parrots Who Stole Christmas” at the year-round Castaway Bay indoor waterpark resort in Sandusky, Ohio.

Every night through Christmas, kids can play in a Pass the Present game, where everyone has a chance to win a prize or create their own special Christmas ornament that they can purchase and take home as their special souvenir of their holiday vacation with the family.

Other activities scheduled include cookies and hot chocolate with Snoopy, a Christmas scavenger hunt, gingerbread house-making and much more.

Castaway Bay will be the perfect place for families to ring in the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, children will enjoy creating their own New Year’s party cup and trail mix for the big celebration. A kids’ dance party will be held at Club Castaway from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., complete with a mini-balloon drop at midnight. In the waterpark, special games will be held throughout the day. For late night revelers, the popular local band, The CoCoBeanos, will be performing live at Castaway Bay on New Year’s Eve from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Balloons will fill the air at midnight as The CoCoBeanos rock guests into the New Year.

Featuring 237 hotel rooms and suites, including family-oriented units, a 38,000-square-foot indoor waterpark loaded with water activities for all ages, a day spa, fitness center, state-of-the-art arcade, restaurants and retail shops, Castaway Bay is a tropical getaway that the entire family will enjoy.

For reservations, special package offers and hotel information, guests can call 419.627.2106 or visit www.castawaybay.com.

Cedar Point released the schedule for Cedar Point and Soak City for the 2008 season. Opening Day for Cedar Point this year is Saturday, May 10. For the first time in park history, Cedar Point will remain open into the month of November. There will be eight HalloWeekends, which is also more than ever. Closing Day will be on Sunday, November 2008.

Please view the 2008 Calendar at CedarPoint.com.

Also be sure to check out The Point Online's 2008 Crowd Expectation Guide.

Sandusky Register
By Janet Nguyen
December 5, 2007

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown is urging Cedar Fair officials to preserve a piece of roller coaster history.

Last month Brown, D-Ohio, addressed a letter to Cedar Fair chairman, president and chief executive officer Dick Kinzel asking the company to develop a plan for Geauga Lake's historic wooden roller coaster, The Big Dipper. In the letter Brown said he hopes company officials will keep the ride at its current location or have it moved to another site where it can continue to operate.

Please read the complete article at The Point Online News.

Coaster enthusiasts hope Cedar Fair officials will preserve Geauga Lake's historic ride, the Big Dipper, while embracing a mixed-use development that would include retail stores and restaurants.

Richard Munch, historian for the American Coaster Enthusiasts group, said the organization is searching for a local developer interested in keeping the nostalgic wooden coaster and building a mixed-use project around it.

Please read the complete article at The Point Online News.

If you have reached this blog by Google, thank you for clicking. This specific blog is no longer published by The Point Online. For the latest news, please click the link below, or click "TPOL Blog" in the bottom left corner of the logo at the top of the page.

http://www.thepointol.com/blog/index.php/all

Main Site - http://www.thepointol.com
Photos - http://www.pointpics.com
Forums - http://www.cpforums.com

Thank You!

-The Point Online Team

I know this is a little late, but I have added the IAAPA 2004 photos to Point Pics. Previously the photos were solely on a page on The Point Online, but now they are easier to access along with the rest of our photos.

http://pointpics.com/categories.php?cat_id=455

Also of interest in the photos is the prototype from the new Harry Potter Ride at Universals Islands of Adventure. Back in 2004 this was the second big year for the Kuka Robotic Arm. The photo features the arm mounted on a roller coaster track, allowing for unlimited configurations and ride designs.

http://pointpics.com/details.php?image_id=6413

-Mike

A Cedar Fair Press Release

SANDUSKY, OHIO, November 5, 2007 – Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a publicly traded leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, has announced plans for a record high $88 million in exciting new family attractions, roller coasters, thrill rides and general improvements for the 2008 season at its parks across the United States and in Canada.

Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer, reported that the 2008 improvement program will be highlighted by Behemoth, a $21 million record-breaking roller coaster at Canada’s Wonderland, Toronto. “Behemoth will smash all Canadian roller coaster records as Canada’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster. At 230 feet tall, Behemoth will forever change the skyline at Canada’s Wonderland and will become one of the great roller coasters that Cedar Fair is known for.”

Riders on Behemoth will board never-before-seen open-air trains that feature unobstructed views of the coaster’s 5,300 feet of steel tubular track. Featuring an 85-degree first drop, banked twists, turns and massive hills that will give riders extreme “airtime,” Behemoth will be the largest investment in the history of Canada’s Wonderland.

In addition to Behemoth, four other exciting roller coasters will make their marks across the United States in 2008 within the Cedar Fair family of parks.

Rising 161 feet above the landscape and commanding the sky at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia will be Dominator, the park’s 14th roller coaster. Riders will experience a sense of freedom and excitement as their feet dangle freely below on “floorless” coaster trains that travel just inches above the steel track. At 4,210 feet, Dominator will be the longest floorless roller coaster in the world and will feature five inversions, including the tallest roller coaster vertical loop ever built.

At Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, guests will “be possessed” by VooDoo, an inverted steel scream machine that launches riders both forward and backward underneath a 185-foot-tall, U-shaped steel track. VooDoo riders will twist 360 degrees as they ascend one end of the massive structure while rising at a 90-degree angle in reverse at the opposite end.

“First Class” thrills will truly be delivered to guests at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California with the debut of Pony Express. Riders will saddle up on one of two, 12-passenger trains, riding “horseback” as they are launched forward at the beginning of the ride. Featuring low-to-the-ground maneuvers, hairpin turns and steep banks, Pony Express will be ready to thrill riders in the Ghost Town section of the park.

The Thunderhawk roller coaster will swoop down at Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan and will be the largest capital expenditure in the park’s history. Riders will be suspended from a steel track as they climb a 105-foot-tall lift hill and drop 86 feet to the ground at a top speed of 50 mph. Thunderhawk’s swooping turns, heart-pounding inversions and the nothing-below-your-chair-but-air trains will thrill guests all summer long.

Family attractions and a new thrill ride will debut at three of Cedar Fair’s parks.

The Company’s flagship park, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, will debut several attractions geared toward family-friendly fun. A brand-new children’s area, featuring seven rides and a family lounge with quiet areas for feeding, resting and changing, will replace the former Peanuts Playground.

Also, the Sandcastle Suites hotel, located on the tip of the Cedar Point Peninsula, will undergo a complete interior renovation.

The surf will be up at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina with an expansion of Boomerang Bay, a 20-acre waterpark adjacent to the rides and coasters of Carowinds. The highlight of the addition will be Bondi Beach, a 600,000-gallon wave action pool that simulates fun on the high seas.

Finally, at California’s Great America in Santa Clara, California, guests will flip for a new thrill ride that will give a whole new meaning to “head-over-heels.” Riders will be seated stadium-style in two rows of 20 riders each on a gondola that rotates 360 degrees. The gondola will lift off the ground as it’s flipped, turned and tumbled during its ride cycle.

To complement the new thrill ride, California’s Great America will also debut a new ice-skating show, featuring talented skaters, intricate skating maneuvers and music that will have the audience moving.

“We strongly believe that we have an excellent overall entertainment package lined up at all of our parks for the 2008 season,” said Kinzel. “We are committed to enhancing the guest experience with new shows, thrill rides and family attractions that everyone can enjoy.”

Kinzel concluded by noting the company will host a conference call with analysts to discuss the Company’s third quarter results tomorrow, November 6, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This call will be web cast live in “listen only” mode via the Cedar Fair web site (www.cedarfair.com). It will also be available for replay starting at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, November 6, 2007, until 11:59 p.m. ET, Tuesday, November 20, 2007. In order to access the replay of the earnings call, please dial 1-877-519-4471 followed by the access code 9333116.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: “FUN”) is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Partnership, which owns and operates eleven amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also owns and operates Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure located in Las Vegas, and operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California under a management contract. Cedar Fair’s flagship park, Cedar Point, has been voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” for ten consecutive years in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper.

It's that time of year again! Mitch Hawker has started polling for the "Internet's Best Roller Coaster Poll". This poll is by far the most accurate roller coaster poll available right now. Unlike Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards, the Best Roller Coaster Poll compares coasters only by users who have ridden both. Here is an example.

Imagine there are 10 people taking place in the poll.

7 people ride Maverick and Dragster.
3 people ride Maverick, Dragster, and Magnum.

Out of the 7 people, Maverick is favored by all 7. However, out of the three, Magnum is favored. Since three people have ridden BOTH Magnum and Maverick, Magnum is determined to be the better roller coaster out of the two, even though Maverick received more votes. This is because the two rides are compared against each other.

The Amusement Today poll would show Maverick as the winner, since it received more votes. However, the Best Roller Coaster would show Magnum as the winner.

Right now only votes for wood coasters are being taken. At first the ballot looks confusing and complicated. However it is not that difficult and there are multiple guides to help. Here is a like to Best Roller Coaster Poll.

If you struggle with it, I first recommend using Theme Park Review's guide to the poll.

Tourism and Sandusky are like fish and chips. They just go together. That's why the Lake Erie Shores & Islands Welcome Center is asking school systems to rethink traditional school-year calendars.

"Tourism is valuable in our area," executive director Joan Van Offeren said. "We're asking schools to consider starting the school year after Labor Day."

Please read the complete article from the Sandusky Register at The Point Online News.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. is preparing a thrill ride of sorts for real estate developers who might like to get their hands on its Geauga Lake property, where the landmark Big Dipper and other rides will operate no more.

Cedar Fair plans to seek sealed bids for nearly 540 acres of the sprawling amusement park site in southwest Geauga County and northwest Portage County, said Cliff West, a senior vice president and managing director of real estate broker Colliers Ostendorf-Morris in Cleveland.

Please read the complete article at CrainsCleveland.com (Subscription Required).

Although the announcement Sept. 21 that Cedar Fair was closing Geauga Lake's 40 dry rides has filled Webblogs with protests from irate amusement park fans, the overall economic impact on Geauga County and Bainbridge Township may be minimal, according to county Auditor Tracy Jemison.

Geauga Lake's 690 acres straddle Geauga and Portage counties, specifically Bainbridge Township and Aurora.

All the park's rides and attractions, except Wildwater Kingdom's wave pool and one parking lot, are in Bainbridge Township, according to park General Manager Bill Spehn.

Please read the complete article on Geauga Lake at News-Herald.com.

For the third consecutive year, Ghostly Manor is ranked a top 10 favorite walk-through attraction by members of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts group.

The group ranked Ghostly Manor, 3319 Milan Road, its No. 7 favorite walk-through attraction.

Rick Davis, the director and co-founder of DAFE, said the nonprofit organization annually surveys its nearly 300 worldwide members on various topics, including their favorite dark attractions around the world.

Please read the complete article at The Point Online News.

Occasionally in my house, we have natural-sounding conversations that are overtly On the Record.

This is because one of the people who lives in my house (me) has professional motives for capturing Natural Sounding Dialogue from Random Persons (my spouse).

And so it went the other day. I've been thinking about the sudden announcement that the century-old Geauga Lake is closing, and how none of us got the chance to say goodbye. Cedar Fair Entertainment, the amusement park's owner, delivered the news after the park had closed for the season, meaning no one will get a chance to take one last wistful look at, say, the Dippin' Dots stand.

Please read the article at Ohio.com.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. is sending Geauga Lake’s Thunderhawk roller coaster to Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park in Muskegon, Mich.

Company officials said that once the Thunderhawk is assembled, it will be the first suspended looping roller coaster in the state.

Please read the complete article from the Sandusky Register at The Point Online News.

I did it. I finally became a Six Flags (NYSE: SIX) investor earlier this month. It was really just a matter of time. I'm passionate about amusement parks. I also happen to own small chunks of Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) and Disney (NYSE: DIS).

What attracted me to a stock that's trading for less than a fast-food value meal? It's not the silly notion that the company is going to post blowout results for its telltale third quarter in a few weeks. I've already conceded that the industry went through a disappointing summer season.

Please read the complete article at Fool.com.

It makes sense on paper: Regional park operator Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) is tearing down most of its struggling Geauga Lake amusement park on the outskirts of Cleveland. The gated attraction will transform into a smaller, stand-alone waterpark for the 2008 season.

The park has been a mess since Cedar Fair acquired it from Six Flags (NYSE: SIX) three years ago. Its star attraction was its 30-acre waterpark; narrowing its focus to that watery oasis will free up hundreds of acres that Cedar Fair can cash out to developers or build out on its own.

Please read the complete article at Fool.com

New photos have been posted of the Monster Midway Invasion Celebration at Cedar Point's HalloWeekends this year. If you have not seen the parade yet, you definitely need to get to HalloWeekends this year.

http://www.pointpics.com/categories.php?cat_id=454

-Mike

SANDUSKY, OHIO, September 21, 2007 – Cedar Fair Entertainment Company announced today that Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora, Ohio, will become exclusively a water park attraction beginning with the 2008 season.

“After four years of operating Geauga Lake as a combined water park/amusement park attraction, we have concluded that its future should be entirely as a water park,” said Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. “Visiting Geauga Lake is a 119-year-old tradition in northeastern Ohio. That tradition will continue, but in a new and exciting way.”

“Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom has been recognized as one of the finest water parks in the country,” Kinzel said. “Over the past three seasons, we have invested approximately $25 million to create and develop the premiere water park in northeastern Ohio. Since its opening in 2005, Wildwater Kingdom has been the park’s highest rated attribute.”

Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom attractions will include Tidal Wave Bay, a 30,000 square-foot wave pool featuring seven different types of wave patterns; Liquid Lightning, a 60-foot-tall tornado slide; Thunder Falls, Ohio’s tallest water slide complex; an activity pool; an action river; and a multi-story play structure. The park will also provide a catering facility and picnic pavilions for group outings and poolside cabanas will be made available for daily rental.

Water parks are very important to Cedar Fair. In addition to parks where the water park is incorporated into the amusement park, the company owns and operates five separately gated water parks: three in California, one in Ohio (Soak City at Cedar Point) and one in Missouri.

Kinzel added, “Water parks traditionally draw from a closer geographic market than amusement parks, and we believe Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom will continue to be successful in drawing visitors from the greater Cleveland, Youngstown and Akron-Canton areas.”

Geauga Lake’s 2008 operating schedule, admission pricing, group programs and other operating details will be announced at a later date. However, the water park season is traditionally Memorial Day to Labor Day.

As part of the changeover to exclusively water park attractions, a number of the rides at Geauga Lake will be introduced at other Cedar Fair parks.

The property not necessary for the operation of the water park is being reviewed for other uses and development.

Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom, Cedar Fair owns and operates 11 amusement parks, five other water parks, one indoor water park resort, and six hotels. Cedar Fair also owns and operates Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure located in Las Vegas, and operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.

A Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, 2007 – When it comes to providing the best in world-class fun and family entertainment, nobody does it better than Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio. The popular vacation destination has been named “Best Amusement Park in the World” for a record 10th year in a row by Amusement Today’s panel of experts in the newspaper’s annual Golden Ticket Awards.

The Golden Ticket Awards are some of the most prestigious awards in the amusement industry. They are presented annually to the “best of the best” in the amusement industry and are calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today. Surveys were sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world – in balanced geographical regions, asking them to rate the “best” in 24 categories, such as amusement parks, roller coasters, food, waterparks and more. Amusement Today is an Arlington, Texas,-based international publication that covers amusement and waterpark news and trends.

“To be so highly regarded for 10 consecutive years means a great deal to everyone at Cedar Point,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “We are extremely proud of each and every one of these awards and sincerely thank all of our guests for making Cedar Point a part of their summer.”

In addition to receiving the most coveted award for “Best Amusement Park in the World,” Cedar Point also took home top honors for “Best New Ride of 2007” for its 17th roller coaster – Maverick.

Located in Frontiertown, the $21 million Maverick is a coaster unlike any other. Riders aboard Maverick are launched to the top of the 105-foot-tall first hill, before plummeting down to Earth at an incredible 95-degree angle at speeds of up to 57 mph! Multiple twists, turns and inversions are all thrilling components of the Maverick experience. A second launch through a 400-foot-long dark tunnel at speeds exceeding 70 mph and the first-of-kind Twisted Horseshoe Roll add to the excitement of the 4,450-foot-long ride.

Cedar Point placed five of its coasters in the Top 20 “Best Steel Roller Coasters” listing. At No. 2 was the legendary Millennium Force roller coaster. Since Cedar Point introduced this “giga-coaster” in 2000, it has never been ranked lower than second place. The park’s classic Magnum XL-200 came in at the No. 5 position, while Top Thrill Dragster (No. 9), Maverick (No. 13) and Raptor (No. 19) rounded out the list.

Cedar Point was also ranked highly in several other categories. The park’s upcoming HalloWeekends placed No. 5 in the “Best Halloween Event” category, while Cedar Point’s “Hot Summer Lights” show claimed the No. 5 spot in the “Best Outdoor Night Show” category. Castaway Bay, Cedar Point’s year-round indoor waterpark resort, was third in the “Best Indoor Waterpark” category.

“Cedar Point makes such an impression on the visitor,” says Tim Baldwin, Amusement Today's Golden Tickets Communications Coordinator. “First-timers to the park are truly astounded by the magnitude of the park and its record-setting attractions. Cedar Point is the must-get-to park for any enthusiast around the world.”

Cedar Point will be open for one Bonus Weekend on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-9. The park will then celebrate its 11th annual HalloWeekends event on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 14 through Oct. 28.

Cedar Point won Best Amusement Park in the World for the tenth year in a row by Amusement Today and was awarded the esteemed Golden Ticket. Cedar Point also placed well in the other categories as follows:

Best New Ride of 2007: #1 Maverick

Best Outdoor Night Production: #5 Cedar Point

Best Halloween Event: #5 Cedar Point

Top Steel Roller Coasters:
#2 Millennium Force
#5 Magnum
#9 Top Thrill Dragster
#13 Maverick
#19 Raptor

Best Indoor Waterpark: #3 Castaway Bay

For more information, please visit www.AmusementToday.com

For discussion, please visit http://www.cpforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=9408

SANDUSKY, Ohio, May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Round up your friends and get ready for one wild ride this summer! Cedar Point amusement park/resort has announced that Maverick, the park's newest roller coaster, will make its much-anticipated debut on Saturday, May 26.

To help commemorate its grand opening, Cedar Point will distribute free Maverick T-shirts to the first 3,000 riders on the coaster on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 26-28.

"We are thrilled that Maverick will be up and running for the holiday weekend," said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. "Our guests have been very understanding and patient with us as we made these changes and now the reward is theirs -- a ride on Maverick!"

The coaster's debut was delayed so that four sections of its steel track could be reconfigured and fabricated. The new sections of track were installed earlier this week.

Prior to the ride's opening, the park will host a ceremony to recognize the winners of the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross First Ride Auction. Participants placed bids to be one of the first riders on the $21 million roller coaster.

With its multiple elements and terrain-hugging layout, Maverick is a coaster like no other at Cedar Point. Maverick will treat its riders to a thrilling journey over more than 4,400 feet of steel track that will twist its way through rocky canyons, over "airtime-filled" hills and around quick but smooth changes in direction. A 105-foot-tall first hill followed by a drop of 100 feet at an incredible 95 degrees, a twisted horseshoe roll which features back-to-back inversions and a second launch through a completely dark tunnel where guests reach speeds of up to 70 mph are sure to thrill.

Recently, IntaRide, the ride's manufacturer, revised the rider height requirement. During pre-opening testing, IntaRide determined that riders must be at least 52 inches tall to ride.

Cedar Point will be open every day through Labor Day, Sept. 3. The park will then reopen for a Bonus Weekend on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-9. Cedar Point's 11th annual HalloWeekends event will take place on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28.

For more information about Maverick and Cedar Point, guests can log on to cedarpoint.com or call the park's general information line at 419.627.2350.

The new track for Maverick at Cedar Point has arrived. Construction crews are on site adding the new track to Maverick. The heartline roll was removed due to excessive stress on the track and trains. The heartline roll will be replaced with a S-curve.

Check out our photos at PointPics.com

Check out our video of the construction area at
YouTube.com

SANDUSKY, Ohio, 2007 – When the weather turns toasty, there’s only one option for cooling off – the Cedar Point of waterparks, Soak City. Soak City will open its gates for the 2007 season on Saturday, May 26. Located adjacent to Cedar Point, Soak City is a gigantic 18-acre waterpark that offers a diverse collection of super-soaking water attractions.

Families can get wet together on Zoom Flume, a 76-foot-tall raft slide that carries its riders along a twisting course with high-banked curves. For a more relaxing experience, guests can float the day away on the Renegade River or Main Stream inner tube rivers. Main Stream takes its guests on a restful journey along the Cedar Point Boardwalk, while Renegade River spices up the trip with churning waves and a waterfall.

Soak City is also home to Splash Zone – a multi-story interactive play area that features more than 100 different water gadgets that spray, squirt and drench guests. A giant bucket dumps 1,000 gallons of water on Splash Zone adventurers every three minutes. Right next door is Breakers Bay, a half-million-gallon wave pool where guests can float on inner tubes over the gigantic waves.

Not far from Breakers Bay are two more Soak City “hot spots.” Eerie Falls features three twisting enclosed slides that culminate in a splash landing, while at Adventure Cove, guests can shoot hoops, plunge down slides or challenge the slippery lily pads.

Children can have their own water-logged fun at Tadpole Town and Choo-Choo Lagoon. These two children’s areas feature pint-sized water slides and gadgets just for the kids. The slides, tunnels and shower towers at Tadpole Town always attract a lot of attention.

Soak City is more than just water attractions. Guests will find shady lounge areas for relaxing or unwinding from a day of fun at Cedar Point. Lockers, showers, rest rooms and changing facilities are available, and food locations and a merchandise shop provide meals and sundries.

For added relaxation, guests can rent their own private cabana. Located next to Breakers Bay, these exclusive cabanas feature four lounge chairs, a dining table with umbrella, four wave pool tubes and a lockable storage drawer. Guests can also order food and beverages, including adult beverages, through a walk-up server or a courtesy phone.

Another popular option is Bubbles Swim-Up Bar. Overlooking the Cedar Point Beach, this adults-only refreshment center features bar stools that are actually in the water.

On the opposite side of the Hotel Breakers, North Coast Parasail and Jet Ski takes watery fun to a higher level. Water-enthusiasts can go parasailing over the lake or ride the waves on jet skis. Each attraction requires a separate fee and admission to Cedar Point is not required. North Coast Parasail and Jet Ski will open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend (weather permitting). For more information, please call North Coast Parasail and Jet Ski at 419.627.2279.

Soak City will be open daily from Saturday, May 26 through Labor Day, Sept. 3. Operating hours will vary throughout the summer. Proper swimwear is required. Admission to Cedar Point is not required.

For more information about Soak City, guests can call 419.627.2350 or log onto soakcity.cedarpoint.com.

SANDUSKY, OH -- (MARKET WIRE) -- May 09, 2007 -- Roller-coaster enthusiasts visiting Cedar Point will soon be able to "Eat Mor Chikin" when the new Chick-fil-A restaurant opens on Saturday, May 12, near the exit of the park's newest attraction -- the Maverick coaster, also debuting on opening day for the park.

As part of the opening day events, the 225-member Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band will be at the grand opening of the Maverick at 10 a.m. on May 12, welcoming riders who will exit the coaster near the new Chick-fil-A, which is located in the Frontiertown section of the park.

"Cedar Point guests will be able to step off the breath-taking new Maverick roller-coaster and find the high-quality food and drinks they expect from Chick-fil-A waiting for them in Frontiertown," said Doug Pugh, franchised Operator of the new Chick-fil-A restaurant. "We know our signature Chick-fil-A sandwich, fresh-squeezed lemonade and other menu items will be a welcome part of the Cedar Point experience."

The new Chick-fil-A will serve the original Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, Chick-fil-A® Nuggets, Chick-fil-A® Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich, Chick-fil-A® Waffle Potato Fries, Chick-fil-A® Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad, hand-spun milk shakes, freshly squeezed Chick-fil-A® Lemonade, and fresh-brewed tea.

The restaurant will be open May 12 through Sept. 3 along with select weekends in the fall for the park's Halloweekend event. Hours of the new restaurant May 12 through May 24 are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Starting May 25, the restaurant will be open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Sunday.

Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the nation's second-largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain (based on sales), with more than 1,307 restaurants in 37 states and Washington, D.C. In 2006, Chick-fil-A produced record sales of $2.275 billion -- a 15.16 percent overall increase and an 8.52 percent same-store sales gain that helped extend the chain's streak of consecutive sales gains to 39 years. Credited with inventing the boneless breast of chicken sandwich and first introducing the chicken nugget concept, Chick-fil-A serves nutritious and freshly prepared food products in mall locations, stand-alone restaurants, drive-thru-only restaurants, Chick-fil-A Dwarf House® and Truett's Grill® full-service restaurants, and through licensed outlets in college campuses, hospitals, airports, businesses and industrial sites. More information about Chick-fil-A is available on the chain's websites, located at www.chick-fil-a.com, www.chick-fil-apressroom.com or www.truettcathy.com.

Sandusky, Ohio – Cedar Point announced today that the opening of Maverick, the park’s 17th roller coaster, will be delayed until early June to make modifications to the coaster’s steel track.

The Media Preview of Maverick scheduled for Thursday, May 10 has been cancelled. The ride will not be in operation on Opening Day.

The decision to delay the opening of Maverick was based on pre-opening tests and consultation with IntaRide, the manufacturer of the ride. Based on these discussions, it has been determined that three sections of steel track following the launch tunnel should be replaced.

“We apologize to all of our guests for this inconvenience,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “This decision was made in the interest of improving the guest experience on the ride and to eliminate excessive stress on the trains.”

The modification process is already underway and the park hopes to open the ride by early June.

Cedar Point will be open daily Saturday, May 12 through Labor Day, Sept. 3. It will reopen for a Bonus Weekend on Sept. 7-9 and seven HalloWeekends from Sept. 14-16 through October 26-28, 2007.

For Discussion, please visit CPForums.com.

There will be a new place to slip and slide next spring.
Brighton Hotel Corporation’s Holiday Inn hotel properties will expand its business into a new Hawaiian-themed indoor waterpark resort.

The business will be renamed Maui Sands Resort and take over the Holiday Inn and the Holiday Inn Express, which are at 5513 Milan Road.

Construction on the water park began in March and renovation to the hotels will begin in early fall, said Maui Sands Resort President Scott Emerson. Hotel operations will close in the fall for the renovations.

Please read the complete article from the Sandusky Register at The Point Online News

There are a lot of ways to measure Cedar Point’s Maverick roller coaster.

Height: 105 feet. First drop angle: 5 degrees past vertical. Price tag: $21 million.

Return on that investment? That’s tougher to gauge, but Cedar Fair officials have high hopes for the Sandusky park’s new coaster and the company’s other two Ohio parks as the 2007 season nears.

Please read the article at CrainsCleveland.com.

SANDUSKY, OHIO, May 3, 2007 -- Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today announced results for the first quarter ended March 25, 2007. The 2007 figures include the results of the Paramount Parks since their acquisition from CBS Corporation on June 30, 2006.

Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer, explained that virtually all of Cedar Fair’s revenues from its seasonal amusement parks, water parks, and other seasonal resort facilities are realized during a 130 to 140-day operating period beginning in early May, with the major portion concentrated in the peak vacation months of July and August. Only Knott’s Berry Farm, Castaway Bay and Star Trek: The Experience are open year-round, with Knott’s Berry Farm operating at its lowest level of attendance in the first quarter of the year. Cedar Fair’s other first quarter revenues have historically been minimal.

Together, the combined operations, including the acquired parks, generated revenues of $30.0 million in the first quarter and a net loss of $55.1 million, or $1.02 per diluted limited partner unit. For the same period last year the company reported a net loss of $26.5 million, or $0.49 per diluted limited partner unit, on revenues of $23.9 million, excluding the newly acquired parks.

Operating results for the first quarter include normal off-season operating, maintenance and administrative expenses at the Partnership’s seasonal amusement and water parks, and daily operations at Knott’s Berry Farm, Castaway Bay and Star Trek: The Experience. On a combined basis, the operating loss for the first quarter increased to $50.9 million from $27.7 million in 2006, reflecting the first quarter pre-season operating costs of the newly acquired parks. Cash operating costs were $76.5 million versus $48.2 million in the prior year, while interest expense totaled $33.4 million, up from $7.2 million a year ago. The increased interest expense primarily reflects higher borrowings required to fund the Paramount Parks acquisition.

Same-Park Comparison (excluding acquisition)

Excluding effects of the acquisition, Cedar Fair’s first-quarter results on a same-park basis improved from the same period a year ago. For the first quarter, same-park net revenues increased 7%, to $25.5 million, due to improved per capita spending and attendance at our Western Region parks in the quarter.

On a same-park basis, the first quarter operating loss was $25.1 million, or 9% lower than the same period last year. Cash operating costs were 2% lower at $47.1 million, reflecting our continued focus on controlling expenses during the off-season. This decrease was somewhat offset by increased operating costs at our Western Region parks due in part to the increase in attendance at those parks.

2007 Operating Season

Commenting on the upcoming season, Kinzel said, “The integration of the newly acquired parks continues to go well. With the new parks, our overall operating season begins much earlier than it has in the past. To date we have six of our eleven seasonal amusement parks open and Dorney Park is prepared to open this weekend.

“Our capital projects have been completed or are scheduled to be completed on time and on budget, our marketing programs are in place, and guest comments have been positive,” continued Kinzel. “While our first quarter is not a meaningful part of our full-year financial performance, we are pleased with the level of public interest in our new rides and attractions thus far.”

The company will host a conference call with analysts today, May 3, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, which will be web cast live in “listen only” mode via the Cedar Fair web site (www.cedarfair.com). It will also be available for replay starting at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 3, 2007, until 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 17, 2007. In order to access the replay of the earnings call, please dial 1-877-519-4471 followed by the access code 8701482.

Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The Partnership owns and operates 12 amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and six hotels. Amusement parks in the company’s Northern Region include three in Ohio: Cedar Point, consistently voted “Best Amusement Park in the World” in Amusement Today polls, Kings Island, and Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom; as well as Canada’s Wonderland, near Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan’s Adventure, MI. In the Southern Region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; and Worlds of Fun, MO. Western parks in California include: Knott’s Berry Farm; Great America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed under contract. Also included in that region is Star Trek: The Experience, a Las Vegas-based interactive adventure.

Some of the statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Partnership believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors, including general economic conditions, competition for consumer leisure time and spending, adverse weather conditions, unanticipated construction delays and other factors could affect attendance at our parks and cause actual results to differ materially from the Partnership’s expectations. In addition, risks and uncertainties concerning the acquisition of the Paramount Parks include, but are not limited to the ability of the Partnership to combine the operations and take advantage of growth, savings and synergy opportunities.

SANDUSKY, Ohio, 2007 – Grab your lasso and spurs and get ready for a wild ride through the Old West. Cedar Point amusement park/resort, home to the largest collection of roller coasters on the planet, is set to debut its latest roller coaster – Maverick – on Opening Day, Saturday, May 12.

This summer, Cedar Point will take guests on a coaster ride unlike any other. The $21 million coaster is 105 feet tall with a 95-degree drop (five degrees steeper than straight down). Maverick is Cedar Point’s 17th roller coaster and one of the largest ride projects in the park’s 137-year history.

Seated in 12-passenger steam-era–style trains, riders are propelled up the first hill using linear synchronous motors. At the top, the three-car trains plunge 100 feet reaching speeds of 57 mph. The ground-hugging course has eight hills and twists and turns between canyon walls, over water and around trees.

Other features of the ride include a first-of-a-kind twisted horseshoe roll that combines two 360-degree corkscrew rolls sandwiched around a 72-degree banked turn, a 400-foot-long tunnel, a third inversion and speeds of 70 mph! Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride.

The ride lasts approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds and covers more than 4,400 feet of red steel tubular track on 5.5 acres. It is the first roller coaster built in Frontiertown since Mean Streak was introduced in 1991.

“This will be a very exciting summer at Cedar Point,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. ”People have been talking about Maverick all winter. Now it is time to ride!”

To help celebrate this special event, The Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band will perform at the park. Under the direction of Assistant Director Jonathan Waters, the 225-member band will play at the main entrance (9 a.m.), the Opening Ceremony for Maverick (10 a.m.) and across from the Iron Dragon (1 p.m.).

Besides Maverick, guests will have plenty to see and do during the summer of 2007. In addition to the park’s 69 rides, two live shows will make their debut on Opening Day. Rock ‘n Country will be performed in the Red Garter Saloon on the Frontier Trail, while Charlie Brown’s Funtime Frolics will be presented in the Camp Snoopy Theatre. Shows in the Palace and Centennial theatres will open in late May and early June.

After conquering Maverick and Cedar Point’s 68 other rides, guests are bound to work up an appetite. This summer, the park will unveil two new restaurants along with a wide variety of food options for guests.

In Frontiertown, guests will be able to enjoy chicken sandwiches and waffle fries at Chick-fil-A. Located in the former Frontier Inn, Chick-fil-A will be open Monday through Saturday and will offer a wide variety of chicken sandwiches, salads, signature lemonade, iced tea and more.

Across from the Red Garter Saloon, guests will be able to sample gourmet Chinese food at Panda Express. From traditional Chinese favorites, including egg rolls and Kung Pao chicken, to fresh new creations, Panda Express offers a delicious menu with something for everyone.

To cool off, guests will be able to enjoy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor on the Main Midway, while the Chuck Wagon Inn in Frontiertown will offer fresh baked pizza, fresh salads and mouth-watering desserts.

In addition to its traditional favorites, Cedar Point will also offer a wide variety of other items such as organic salads, grilled chicken salads, veggie burgers, fresh-made wrap sandwiches and more.

Cedar Point will be open daily Saturday, May 12 through Labor Day, Sept. 3. The park will then reopen for a Bonus Weekend on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-9. Cedar Point’s 11th annual HalloWeekends event will take place on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28.

For more information about Maverick and Cedar Point, guests can log on to www.cedarpoint.com or call the park’s general information line at 419.627.2350.

PointPics.com, The Point Online's Cedar Point photo gallery, has now reached over 6,000 photos! This makes Point Pics one of the largest Cedar Point photo galleries on the Internet! Currently we have more than 1,000 photos of roller coasters, over 800 photos of construction, almost 700 photos of special events, more than 500 photos of rides, and more than 400 photos of shows.

Point Pics provides photos from the biggest coasters down to the smallest food cart.

New images can be found at this link:
http://pointpics.com/search.php?search_new_images=1.

Point Pics - Cedar Point photos

It’s all about making the green.

Cedar Point is hosting the 16th annual American Red Cross Miniature Golf Challenge on May 9, with proceeds going to the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The tournament will take place at Cedar Point’s Challenge Park and be divided into four-person teams that will take on 36 holes.

Please read the complete article at The Point Online News.

Sandusky has started preparations for the Cedar Point season to start on May 12. The water barricades are being added to the US 250 bridge leading to Cedar Point. Several stop lights are also being adjusted to accommodate the added traffic during the summer. Several lights only flashed after Cedar Point closed for the winter.

Please read the article at The Point Online News.

SANDUSKY, OHIO, April 23, 2007 -- Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), publicly traded leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today announced the declaration of a regular quarterly cash distribution of 47.5 cents per limited-partner unit, consistent with the company’s increased annualized distribution rate of $1.90 per unit that was announced in March.

The distribution, which is payable May 15, 2007, to holders of record May 3, 2007, represents the company’s 80th consecutive quarterly cash distribution.

Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The partnership owns and operates 12 amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and six hotels. Amusement parks in the company’s northern region include three in Ohio: Cedar Point, consistently voted “Best Amusement Park in the World” in Amusement Today polls; Kings Island; and Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom; as well as Canada’s Wonderland, near Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan’s Adventure, MI. In the southern region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; and Worlds of Fun, MO. Western parks in California include: Knott’s Berry Farm; Great America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed under contract. Also included in that region is Star Trek: The Experience, a Las Vegas-based interactive adventure.

SANDUSKY, Ohio, 2007 – On Wednesday, May 9, Cedar Point amusement park/resort will host the 16th annual American Red Cross Miniature Golf Challenge. Proceeds from this special event will help raise money for the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The tournament will take place at Cedar Point’s Challenge Park and will be a four-person, 36-hole scramble. Registration will begin at 4 p.m. with a shotgun start at 4:30 p.m. Teams of four can enter the challenge for $120 or individuals can enter for $30 each and will be placed on a team. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Deadline for registration is Monday, April 30.

Those who prefer to cheer on their favorite team instead of competing can gain complimentary admission to the event by purchasing three raffle tickets for $5. A raffle will be held for the chance to win a Cedar Point getaway package, valued at $800! The winner will receive an overnight stay in a 10th floor Horizon Suite in Breakers Tower, which includes a Jacuzzi and panoramic views of Lake Erie, on Friday, June 8, along with four one-day admission tickets to Cedar Point. A special hole-in-one contest will also be held.

Businesses and individuals looking for a way to contribute to the fund-raiser can do so by sponsoring one or more of the holes at the event. For a $50 sponsorship fee per hole, the name of the business or individual will be featured on a special sign placed at the tee of their sponsored holes. Businesses can specify what hole they would like to sponsor, or one will be chosen for them.

Sign-up sheets, hole sponsorship information and raffle tickets for the Cedar Point getaway package are available at the American Red Cross office at 300 Central Ave. in Sandusky. For more information about the fund-raiser, please call the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross at 419.626.1641 or toll-free at 1.800.589.2286.

SANDUSKY, Ohio, 2007 – Cedar Point amusement park/resort, home of the new Maverick roller coaster, is making it easy and convenient for guests to purchase and process their Season Passes before the park opens for its 138th season on Saturday, May 12.

The Season Pass Center at Cedar Point will open on Wednesday, April 18 and will operate Wednesdays through Sundays until Friday, May 11. Hours for the center will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The center will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Beginning Saturday, May 12, the Season Pass Center will be open during regular park operating hours.

Season Pass, MAXX Pass and MAXX Plus Pass exchange vouchers must be redeemed for a non-transferable photo ID card before being used for admission to Cedar Point, Soak City waterpark or any other Cedar Fair Entertainment Company park.

Season Parking Pass vouchers can be exchanged for a Parking Pass that is placed directly on the Season Pass. Season Parking Passes can be redeemed during normal Season Pass Center hours. Vehicle parking stickers are not available.

2006 Season Passholders can still mail their renewal form and 2007 exchange vouchers to the park to receive their pass in the mail. Renewal forms can be mailed to: Cedar Point Park Admissions, One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio, 44870-5259. Junior Season Passes and Junior MAXX Plus Passes cannot be renewed through the mail.

Cedar Point Season Passes (for guests ages 3-61, 48 inches and taller) are $109.95; Cedar Fair MAXX Passes (valid for admission to any Cedar Fair amusement park) are $125 and Cedar Fair MAXX Plus Passes (valid for admission to any Cedar Fair amusement park or outdoor waterpark) are $164.95.

Junior Season Passes (for guests ages 3-61, under 48 inches tall in shoes at the time of redemption) are $49.95; Junior MAXX Plus Passes are $79.95; Senior Season Passes (for guests age 62 and older) are $49.95 and Senior MAXX Plus Passes are $79.95. Children age 2 and under are free.

Season Parking Passes are $70 and All-Ohio Season Parking Passes (valid for unlimited parking at Cedar Point, Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom and Kings Island) are $75.

For an additional $15, Season Passholders can join the Joe Cool Club. Joe Cool Club members enjoy special perks such as early park entry, special ride times, early entrance for a great live show and discounts on food and merchandise.

Cedar Point Season Passes are valid for admission to Cedar Point only. Cedar Fair MAXX Passes are valid for admission to Cedar Point, Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom in Aurora, Ohio; Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Mich.; Kings Island in Mason, Ohio; Kings Dominion near Richmond, Va.; Great America in Santa Clara, Calif.; Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto; Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C.; Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif.; Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.; Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pa.; Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minn.; and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Mo. MAXX Passes are not valid at Knott’s Halloween Haunt, Carowinds’ Scarowinds and Fear Fest at Canada’s Wonderland.

In addition to the parks listed above, Cedar Fair MAXX Plus Passes are valid at Soak City in Sandusky, Ohio; Knott’s Soak City in Buena Park, Calif.; Soak City in Palm Springs, Calif.; and Soak City in San Diego, Calif. MAXX Plus Passes are not valid at Knott’s Halloween Haunt, Carowinds’ Scarowinds and Fear Fest at Canada’s Wonderland.

Cedar Point will open for the 2007 season on Saturday, May 12. For more information on Season Pass options, guests can visit cedarpoint.com or call 419.627.2309.