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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.

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