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Cedar Point Opens for the Summer on May 14

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Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, May 6, 2011 — Premium made-to-order gourmet hot dogs and chili dogs will add to the fun and excitement of a Cedar Point summer when the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort opens for the season on Saturday, May 14.

Beginning Saturday, May 14, Cedar Point will be open every day through Labor Day, Sept. 5.

New this summer will be Pink’s, a restaurant that specializes in gourmet hot dogs, chili dogs and onion rings.  A Hollywood legend since 1939, Pink’s will be located near the front of the park, just across from Toft’s Ice Cream Parlor.  It will be the first Pink’s franchise east of Las Vegas.

Later in the month, the park will also introduce WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall towering swing ride that will be located near the Cedar Point Beach.  Seated in open two-passenger cars, riders will be treated to dramatic views of Cedar Point, Lake Erie and the Cedar Point Beach.

“We are very excited to officially kickoff summer in the Midwest,” said John Hildebrandt, Cedar Point’s vice president and general manager.  “It has been a long, cold winter and people are ready to have some fun.  Roller coasters, hot dogs and Snoopy are the perfect solution.”

Opening for its 142nd season, Cedar Point features an extensive entertainment package that includes thrilling rides and roller coasters, live shows and special entertainment for young families.  With 74 rides, including 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more rides and more coasters than any park in the world.

In addition to the rides, guests will be able to watch some of the park’s award-winning live entertainment.  Tropical Heat, Island Beat, presented in the Red Garter Saloon, will feature the hits of Jimmy Buffett and the Miami Sound Machine, while Charlie Brown’s Funtime Frolics will be performed in Camp Snoopy.  Four other shows will open later in the summer.

Other special activities at the park during its Opening Weekend include:

— Beginning Opening Day through Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, guests can enter the Take Home a Thrill contest to win a new XUV 825i John Deere Gator, valued at more than $11,000.  Entry forms can be obtained at Cedar Point’s Guest Services, the Town Hall Museum or by mail.  For more information, please visit cedarpoint.com.

— On Sunday, May 15, the park will also hold an all-you-can-eat Picnic in the Park meal featuring Johnsonville Brats, fried chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, baked rigatoni, cookies, ice cream and assorted Pepsi beverages.  The picnic will be held in the Coral Courtyard from 4-6:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased online at cedarpoint.com or at the park’s admission gates.

Through the end of May, Pick-a-Date tickets for a June visit can be purchased online at cedarpoint.com for only $32.99, a savings of $14 per ticket!

All of Cedar Point’s resort properties will open for the season on Friday, May 13.  Resort guests qualify for Early Entry and can enter the park one hour before it opens to the public and can purchase tickets for only $29, the lowest rate available.

For more information about Opening Weekend at Cedar Point, please visit the park’s website at cedarpoint.com or call the park’s General Information Line at 419.627.2350.

Events, News and Updates, News Stories

Putting for a good cause

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From the Sandusky Register…

SANDUSKY

It’s an event that combines a good time with a good cause.

Call it a hole-in-one for charity.

The Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross has been holding its annual miniature golf tournament for 20 years.

The event, held again Wednesday, always takes place three days before Cedar Point opens for the season.

And for some players, it’s a tradition.

A four-woman team — Elaine Thornton, Freida Stierhoff, Elaine Blackmore and Diane Koch — said Wednesday they’ve played in all 20 tournaments.

The team, which consists of four blonde women, is called Three Blondes Plus One.

It amuses them to confuse people.

Wednesday’s event was expected to raise about $7,000, said Ron Rude, executive director of the Firelands Red Cross.

He said 40 four-person teams competed in the event.

News and Updates, News Stories, Rides, Spinning Rides, Thrill Rides

WindSeeker won’t fly on park’s opening

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From the Sandusky Register…

SANDUSKY

For the second year in a row, a new ride at Cedar Point won’t be ready for opening day.

While last year’s opening of Shoot the Rapids was delayed because of technical problems, this year’s new ride — WindSeeker — is off to a slow start because of northern Ohio’s wicked weather.

WindSeeker will not be running when the park opens on May 14, said Robin Innes, Cedar Point’s spokesman.

The long winter got the park off to a late start, and the recent spate of high winds and rainstorms only exacerbated the situation.

The 30-story WindSeeker will swing 64 riders in a circle more than 300 feet in the air. It reaches a top speed of 30 mph, with the swings flaring out at a 45-degree angle over Lake Erie.

The $5 million ride is manufactured by the Dutch-based Mondial.

During a conference call Thursday morning with financial analysts who follow the company, Cedar Fair CEO and president Dick Kinzel confirmed the ride’s opening will be delayed.

But the delay will likely be a matter of days, not weeks, Kinzel said.

“I think we’re talking, at the latest, Memorial Day,” he said.

Events, News and Updates, News Stories, Rides, Spinning Rides, Thrill Rides

WindSeeker aims for May 13 debut

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From the Sandusky Register…

SANDUSKY

Cedar Point officials racing to complete WindSeeker have a new deadline.

They want to have it ready for a charity event May 13 to benefit the American Red Cross.

The park opens for the season May 14.

Last year’s new ride, Shoot the Rapids, opened several weeks late.

John Hildebrandt, Cedar Point’s general manager, said he’s confident this year’s big new ride will open on time.

Asked earlier this week if WindSeeker will be ready, he laughed, paused a moment, then said, “I’m confident we’ll have the ride on opening day.”

The 301-foot-tall tower to which the ride’s swings will be attached has been completed.

Every year, Cedar Point debuts its new attraction with a charity event to benefit the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

In the past, the Red Cross auctioned the seats. This year, in a change of format, the Red Cross will admit anyone willing to pay the $100 fee to be among the first riders. There will be a $50 fee for people who want to attend the event but aren’t going to ride.

Ron Rude, executive director of the Firelands Red Cross, said the nature of the ride prompted the Red Cross to try a new approach.

Thrill seekers riding a roller coaster or a similar ride are willing to bid to be in the front seats, a roller coaster’s most thrilling location. WindSeeker riders, however, whirl around in swings. There’s no front row.

“We knew there were 64 seats on the new ride. And there isn’t any front seat,” he said. “So we decided rather than have competition for the first couple of seats in the train, like we normally do, we hope that more than 64 people would like to join the party at Pink’s and ride on WindSeeker.”

The price of admission for the event includes hot dogs at Pink’s, the new gourmet hot dog stand at Cedar Point, a preview performance of “Tropical Heat, Island Beat” at the Red Garter Saloon, a commemorative medallion, a certificate of participation, a drawing for special prizes and free parking.

 

Admission, Cedar Fair, Deals, News and Updates, News Stories, Season Passes

Cedar Point’s Season Pass Center to Open Next Week

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Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Although Old Man Winter is not giving up without a fight, summer fun is right around the corner. Two sure indicators of summer’s arrival are the start of baseball season and the opening of Cedar Point’s Season Pass Center, less than three weeks before the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort begins its 142nd season on Saturday, May 14.

Amid much anticipation, Cedar Point kicks off the summer countdown by opening the doors to its Season Pass Center on Wednesday, April 27. The Center will be open to purchase and/or process season passes Wednesdays through Sundays until Friday, May 13. Hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays while extending its hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Beginning Saturday, May 14, the Season Pass Center will be open from 9 a.m. to park closing.

New for this summer, Cedar Point introduces Instant Online Renewal! Current passholders can simply purchase a renewal pass online to insure an updated pass for the 2011 season.  No need for a new picture or pass to be made. Some restrictions apply. Please visit cedarpoint.com for complete details.

For new season passholders, Cedar Point Season Pass and Cedar Fair Platinum 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 amusement or outdoor waterpark.

Returning for its fourth year, the Cedar Fair Platinum Pass is the biggest and best ticket to fun and excitement around. For only $165, the Platinum Pass includes unlimited admission and free parking at all of the amusement and outdoor waterparks owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, including Cedar Point, Soak City waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom, and Kings Island. Plus, each park will offer additional benefits that will vary throughout the year.

Currently, a four-pack Platinum Pass is available online at cedarpoint.com for only $155 per pass, a savings of $40. For a complete listing of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company Parks, please visit cedarfair.com.

Cedar Point Season Passes (for guests ages 3-61, 48 inches and taller in shoes) are $106 and are only valid for admission to Cedar Point. Parking passes for Cedar Point are not available. For additional savings, a two-pack Cedar Point Season Pass can be purchased online for $99.99 each at cedarpoint.com.

Cedar Fair Junior/Senior Platinum Passes (for guests under 48 inches tall in bare feet or age 62 and older at time of redemption) are $92; Cedar Point Junior/Senior Passes are $69. Children age 2 and under are always free.

Cedar Point will open for the 2011 season on Saturday, May 14. For more information on season pass benefits, guests can visit cedarpoint.com or call 419.627.2309.