Cedar Point Timeline
1823
First mention of the name "Cedar Point"Â
1831
"Cedar Point" first appears in legal documentsÂ
1836
Alexander Porter sells northwest half of the peninsula
to Theodore Shelton for $55,000. Porter buys back the land after it was
repossessed for $292.80Â
1838
Porter sells the southwest section to Stephen Hills, Jr. and Ebenezzer JessupÂ
1839
Cedar Point lighthouse builtÂ
1849
Porter requires all fishermen using Cedar Point to pay him1/8 of the day's catchÂ
1862
George Arthur Boeckling born (February 2)Â
1865
Rush Sloane purchases Cedar PointÂ
1867
A small railroad is built from the Sandusky Bay across the peninsula to Lake ErieÂ
1870
⢠Considered Cedar Point's first seasonÂ
⢠First use of Cedar Point as a bathing houseÂ
⢠Louis Zistel builds a beer garden, bathhouse, and children's entertainmentÂ
1878
⢠James West opens a group of bathhouses near the beachÂ
1882
⢠Benjamin Dwelle and William Slackford leased Cedar Point and added picnic tables, walkways, and other improvementsÂ
⢠Theodore Moore builds the first dancehallÂ
1888
⢠The Grand Pavilion opensÂ
1889
⢠The Ladies Pavilion opensÂ
1891
⢠First electricity at Cedar PointÂ
1892
⢠The Switchback Railway, Cedar Point's first roller coaster, opensÂ
1897
⢠Cedar Point is sold to the Cedar Point Pleasure Resort & Company, headed by G. A. Boeckling, for $256,000Â
1899
⢠Cedar Point's first hotel, the Bay Shore Hotel, is builtÂ
1900
⢠The Kinodrome opensÂ
1901
⢠The White House hotel opensÂ
⢠The Bay Shore Hotel becomes boarding houseÂ
1902
⢠The Three-Way Figure Eight Roller Toboggan opensÂ
⢠Pony Track opensÂ
1903
⢠1,200-seat Opera House opensÂ
⢠The White House hotel is expandedÂ
⢠Ohio State University's lake laboratory is builtÂ
1904
⢠Cyrstal Rock Castle opensÂ
⢠The Sea Swing opensÂ
⢠Use of the Cedar Point Lighthouse is discontinuedÂ
1905
⢠Hotel Breakers opens (June 12)Â
⢠Dredging of the lagoons beginsÂ
⢠Boardwalk expandedÂ
1906
⢠The Coliseum opensÂ
⢠The Amusement Circle
opens featuring the Circle Swing, Chateau Alphonse, Auto Tour, House of
Mirth, Cascades, Box Ball, Shooting Gallery, A Trip to Rockaway, a
skating rink, and a miniature railway
1907
⢠New dock opens allowing large ships to come directly to Cedar Point without stopping in SanduskyÂ
⢠United States Post Office is openedÂ
⢠Final season for skating rinkÂ
1908
⢠Scenic Railway opensÂ
⢠Mundy's Trained Wild Animal Show opensÂ
⢠Regular steamship service from Detroit and Toledo addedÂ
1909
⢠Inaugural year for the famed steamship G. A. BoecklingÂ
1910
⢠Glenn Curtiss sets world record for the Longest
Over-Water Flight when he flies 63 miles from Euclid Beach near
Cleveland to the Cedar Point beach (August 31)Â
⢠Boeckling acquires controlling interest of Cedar PointÂ
⢠New bathhouse opens as the largest of its kind in the worldÂ
⢠Figure-Eight Roller Toboggan moved, rebuilt, and renamed the RacerÂ
1912
⢠Leap the Dips Scenic Railway opensÂ
1913
⢠Knute Rockne and Gus Dorias perfect the forward pass on the Cedar Point beach
1914
⢠G. A. Boeckling announces that a large AC generator
will be built to extend lighting along the Cedar Point Chaussee (April
30)Â
⢠The first road to Cedar Point, the Chausee, opens (June 13)Â
⢠Cedar Point water tower is builtÂ
1915
⢠White House hotel is renovated and reopens as Cedars HotelÂ
1917
⢠Coming from Cedar Point with a big crowd aboard, the
G. A. Boeckling hits the north end of the pier. Many riders saw visions
of the Titanic. Although there was panic for a few minutes, the boat
was docked and the incident soon forgotten (August 3)Â
1918
⢠Scenic Railway rebuilt and renamed the Leap Frog RailwayÂ
1919
⢠Eden Musee opensÂ
1920
⢠Bon-Air wing of Hotel Breakers opensÂ
⢠The
entrance and a portion of the Cedar Point Chausee, battered by storms
over previous years, are relocated two miles westÂ
1924
⢠The first Kiddieland opensÂ
⢠The Caterpillar opensÂ
⢠Tornado destroys Cedar Point boat dock in downtown SanduskyÂ
1925
⢠Hellen Keller speaks to the Lions Club at Cedar Point (June 30)Â
⢠Noah's Ark opensÂ
1928
⢠Final season for the RacerÂ
1929
⢠The Cyclone opensÂ
Â
1931
⢠G. A. Boeckling passes away at the age of 69 (July 24)Â
1934
⢠Leap Frog is rebuilt and renamed High FrolicsÂ
⢠Tumble Bug opensÂ
1935
⢠Final season for Leap the Dips Scenic RailwayÂ
1939
⢠Second floor of Coliseum renovated into Art Deco ballroomÂ
⢠Final season for High FrolicsÂ
1942
⢠The Berardi family opens their first french fried potato standÂ
1946
⢠Midway Carousel opensÂ
⢠Moon Rocket opensÂ
1950
⢠Cedar Point is leased to Torrence MelroseÂ
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 80th season June 16Â
â¢
First road to the Hotel Breakers main entrance opens. The roadway makes
it possible for guests to drive right up to the hotel where a porter
handled the baggage and a runner parked the car.
⢠Erie County
Fall Festival is held at Cedar Point. The agricultural event featured
exhibits of poultry, livestock, and farm machinery. Various Cedar Point
rides and concessions remained opened for the event. (September
7-10)Â
1951
⢠Final season for the CycloneÂ
⢠Final run for the steamship G. A. Boeckling (September 3)Â
1952
⢠New 10-ride Kiddieland opensÂ
Â
1954
⢠A Sandusky obstetrician, Dr. Dean Sheldon, purchases the
land surrounding the first Cedar Point road that closed in 1920. He
establishes a sanctuary for migratory birdsÂ
Â
1955
⢠Fascination opensÂ
Â
1956
⢠George Roose and Emile Legros purchase Cedar Point with plans to turn the peninsula into a housing developmentÂ
Â
1957
⢠Cedar Point Causeway opens (June 12)Â
Â
1958
⢠Cadillac Cars opensÂ
Â
1959
⢠Wild Mouse opensÂ
⢠Turnpike Cars opensÂ
⢠Cedar Point Marina opensÂ
⢠Monorail opensÂ
⢠Midway enlargedÂ
⢠Final season for Noah's ArkÂ
1960
⢠Cedar Point confirms "Disney" project
⢠$16 million of capital improvements announcedÂ
⢠Midway paving beginsÂ
1961
⢠Cedar Classic Miniature Golf opensÂ
⢠Rotor opensÂ
⢠Sky Wheel opensÂ
⢠Super Satellite Jets (Star Voyager) opensÂ
⢠Final season for Wild MouseÂ
1962
⢠Western Cruise (Paddlewheel Excursions) opensÂ
⢠Sky Ride opensÂ
⢠Scamper opensÂ
Â
1963
⢠Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad opens. 370,000 guests ride the railroad during its first season.Â
⢠Mill Race opens.Â
Â
1964
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 94th season (May 23)Â
⢠Blue Streak opens (May 23)Â
⢠Calypso opens near present day Ice Cream Parlor(May 23)Â
⢠Final season for RotorÂ
Â
1965
⢠Jungle Larry's Safari Island opensÂ
⢠Space Spiral opensÂ
⢠San Francisco Earthquake opensÂ
⢠Calypso relocated to area adjacent to Silver Dollar CafeÂ
⢠Cedar Point surpasses two million in attendance for the first timeÂ
⢠Advertising slogan "New Heights in Fun" is usedÂ
Â
1966
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 96th season (May 28)Â
⢠Pirate Ride opensÂ
⢠Fun House opensÂ
⢠Live Show Department is formedÂ
⢠Final season for Eden MuseeÂ
⢠Final season for MonorailÂ
Â
1967
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 97th season (May 29)Â
⢠Frontiertown opensÂ
⢠Cedar Downs opens (May 29)Â
⢠Sealand opens (May 29)Â
⢠Hollywood Wax Museum opens (May 29)Â
⢠New version of Rotor opens (May 29)Â
⢠Shoot-the-Rapids opensÂ
Â
1968
⢠Golden Palace Theatre opens (May 25)Â
⢠Frontier Lift opens
⢠Sky Slide opensÂ
⢠Kiddieland Carousel (Kiddy Kingdom Carousel) opensÂ
⢠Calypso relocated to area adjacent to SealandÂ
Â
1969
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 99th season (May 24)Â
⢠Cedar Creek Mine Ride opens (May 24)Â
⢠Antique Cars open (May 24)Â
⢠Final season for Hollywood Wax MuseumÂ
⢠Final season for ScamperÂ
Â
1970
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 100th season. The park
celebrates with 100th year medallions that are given to guests (May
23)Â
⢠Centennial Theatre opens (May 23)Â
⢠WildCat opens (May 23)Â
⢠Tiki Twirl opens (May 23)Â
⢠Bayern Kurve opens (May 23)Â
⢠Dodgem (Dodgem II) opens (May 23)Â
⢠Schwabinchen opens (May 23)Â
⢠Himalaya (Super Himalaya) opens (May 23)Â
⢠Monster opens (May 23)Â
⢠Hofbrau opens (May 23)Â
⢠Million Dollar Midway, now home to the Cedar Point Summer Spectacular, opens (May 23)Â
⢠Redesigned and enlarged Kiddieland opens. Cedar Point calls it "largest in the nation" (May 23)Â
⢠Western Cruise (Paddlewheel Excursions) entrance relocated to near present day location of Iron DragonÂ
⢠CP≤ station relocated to present day locationÂ
⢠A new Calypso opens in the area adjacent to Silver Dollar CafeÂ
⢠First year for "ride-all-day" ticketÂ
⢠Cedar Point boosts it now has the largest ride capacity of any amusement park in the countryÂ
1971
⢠Frontier Trail opensÂ
⢠Camper Village opensÂ
1972
⢠Giant Wheel opensÂ
⢠Jumbo Jet opensÂ
⢠Frontier Carousel opensÂ
Â
1973
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 103rd season (May 19)Â
1974
⢠Tramway opens in parking lotÂ
⢠Bay Harbor Inn building erected, replacing the old Yacht Club buildingÂ
⢠Gazebo removed from main flower bed and the first floral design debuts - it is the CP star logo.Â
1975
⢠Robert Munger, Jr. becomes president of Cedar PointÂ
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 105th season (May 17)Â
⢠Cedar Point Cinema opensÂ
⢠The Chartersphere Dome opens at Jungle Larry's African SafariÂ
Â
1976
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 106th season (May 15)Â
⢠Jungle Larry's African Safari is re-designed and rebuiltÂ
⢠Corkscrew opens as the first roller coaster to feature three inversions (May 15)Â
⢠Troika opens (May 15)Â
⢠J.W. Addington Mill opens (May 15)Â
⢠Cedar Point sets new attendance record of 3,065,000 guests.Â
Â
1977
⢠Witches' Wheel opensÂ
⢠Dodgem I opensÂ
⢠Bay Harbor Inn opensÂ
â¢
Eight people are injured by flying glass at the Marina Steak House when
severe thunderstorms, with winds of up to 70mph, move across the park
(June 19)Â
⢠A tornado strikes the northwest tip of the Cedar
Point peninsula. It moved across Frontiertown and Camper Village and
then out over Lake Erie. Five rides were damaged including
Shoot-the-Rapids, CP≤ Railroad, and the Cedar Creek Mine Ride.
The storm hit at 7:45pm and, although the park was open, all rides were
shut down. At Camper Village, 15 cars were damaged or destroyed and, in
Frontiertown, several dozen trees were uprooted. Also in Frontiertown
several buildings were damaged including the Jitney Arcade and the
Emporium. A portion of trees that were scheduled to be removed for the
construction of Gemini were also uprooted. The park opened the next day
with 50 of the 55 rides operated and Frontier Town closed. A total of
15 people were injured (June 30)Â
⢠Directors of Cedar Point,
Inc. approve a record $5,200,000 capital appropriations budget for the
1978 season. Improvements will include completion of a new midway, new
rides and attractions (September 24)Â
⢠Cedar Point announced
that the park's attendance for the 1977 season was 2,868,000, the
second highest in its 108-year history. (November 8)Â
Â
1978
⢠Gemini opens as the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster in the world (June 17)Â
⢠Gemini Midway opens connecting former Corkscrew Midway to FrontiertownÂ
⢠Cedar Point purchases Valleyfair! in Shakopee, MNÂ
â¢
Cedar Point holds first CoasterMania. (June 30) The event ran through
July 2. About 140 people attended event, which was sponsored by park
and the popular culture department of Bowling Green State
University.Â
⢠Cedar Point announces 1979 capital improvement
plan, highlighted by the Wave Swinger, Jr. Gemini and a newer version
of the WildCat (December 8)Â
⢠Final season for Jumbo JetÂ
Â
1979
⢠A two-month strike by three plumbers and 175 skilled
trades employees at Cedar Point ends with a direct agreement between
the amusement park and the plumbers. (January 2)Â
⢠Jr. Gemini opensÂ
⢠Wave Swinger opensÂ
⢠WildCat is replaced by new model and relocated to area near Space SpiralÂ
â¢
The state of Ohio purchases land surrounding the first Cedar Point road
from the estate of Dr. Dean Sheldon and establishes Sheldon's Marsh
State Nature Preserve.Â
⢠"You Must Be This Tall" boy
replaced by individual character signs created by Debbie Klonk, an
employee of the Cedar Point's Planning and Design
department. There were initialy five signs on
display.Â
Â
1980
⢠Oceana opensÂ
⢠Final season for Sky WheelÂ
1981
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 111th season (May 16)Â
⢠Ocean Motion opens (May 16)Â
⢠Kiddieland Carousel (Kiddy Kingdom Carousel) is restoredÂ
⢠Final season for Shoot-the-RapidsÂ
⢠Final season for Fun HouseÂ
1982
⢠White Water Landing opensÂ
⢠Kid Arthur's Court opensÂ
⢠Bavarian Funfest is held. (September 13) The event runs through September 17.Â
⢠Hotel Breakers is placed on the National Register of Historical PlacesÂ
Â
1983
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 113th season (May 15)Â
⢠Demon Drop opens (May 15)Â
⢠Berenstain Bears introducedÂ
⢠Cedar Fair, L. P. is formed. Robert Munger is the first CEOÂ
1984
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 114th season (May 12)Â
⢠Cedar Point celebrates the 100th year of the roller coasterÂ
⢠Final season for Tiki TwirlÂ
⢠Final season for San Francisco EarthquakeÂ
⢠Final season for RotorÂ
⢠Final season for Bayern KurveÂ
1985
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 115th season (May 11)Â
⢠Avalanche Run opens (May 11)Â
⢠Eye Spy Photo (Sneak Peeks) opens (May 11)Â
⢠Avalanche Eatery (Transport Refreshments) opens (May 11)Â
⢠Berenstain Bear Country opens (May 11)Â
⢠Safari Canyon opens at Jungle Larry's African Safari (May 11)Â
⢠WildCat relocated to Million Dollar Midway to accommodate Avalanche RunÂ
⢠Schwabinchen relocated from Million Dollar Midway to area on lake side of Coliseum ArcadeÂ
⢠Matterhorn relocated from near Space Spiral to area near CorkscrewÂ
⢠Super Himalaya relocated from near Space Spiral to location across from GeminiÂ
⢠Final season for Frontier LiftÂ
1986
⢠Thunder Canyon opensÂ
⢠Final season for Star Voyager (Satellite Jets / Super Jets)Â
Â
1987
⢠Cedar Fair, L. P. begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange (April 29)Â
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 117th season (May 9)Â
⢠Iron Dragon opens (May 9)Â
⢠Monster relocated from Million Dollar Midway to area near Gemini to accommodate Iron DragonÂ
â¢
Western Cruise relocated to Gemini Midway from Million Dollar Midway
and renamed Paddlewheel Excursions to accommodate Iron DragonÂ
Â
1988
⢠Off-season fire at Hotel Breakers causes $80,000 damageÂ
⢠Soak City opensÂ
⢠Cedar Point carousel horse featured on U. S. postage stampÂ
Â
1989
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 119th season (May 6)Â
â¢
Magnum XL-200 opens as the world's tallest, fastest, and steepest
roller coaster. It is the first roller coaster in the world to exceed
200 feet in height (May 6)Â
⢠Radisson Harbor Inn opens. It would not be owned by Cedar Point until 1996.Â
⢠Magnum XL-200 officially measured for Guinness Book of World Records (June 2)Â
⢠The first "Big Bash", an annual end-of-the-year party for employees, is held.Â
â¢
Cedar Point announces that Avalanche Run will be renovated, enclosed,
and renamed Disaster Transport for the 1990 seasonÂ
1990
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 120th season (May 5)Â
⢠Disaster Transport opens (May 5)Â
⢠Avalanche Eatery renamed Transport RefreshmentsÂ
⢠Sandcastle Suites opensÂ
⢠Soak City is expanded to include Tadpole Town and Main StreamÂ
⢠Modifications made to Magnum XL-200Â
⢠Final season for the TrabantÂ
1991
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 121th season (May 11)Â
⢠Mean Streak opens as the world's tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster (May 16)Â
⢠Media Day held for Mean Streak (May 22)Â
⢠Breakwater Cafe opensÂ
⢠MagnumMania is held (June 7)Â
⢠Final season for Sky SlideÂ
⢠Final season for Cedar Classic Miniature GolfÂ
⢠Cedar Point announces the price of junior admission will be drastically reduced for the 1992 seasonÂ
1992
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 122nd season (May 9)Â
⢠Macaroni's opens, replacing the Swiss Chalet (May 9)Â
⢠An expanded Berenstain Bear Country opens on the site of the former Sky Slide and Cedar Classic Miniature Gol (May 9)Â
⢠Bear Country Railroad opens (May 9)Â
⢠Challenge Park opens near Magnum XL-200 (May 9)Â
⢠4x4's open in Kiddieland (May 9)Â
⢠CoasterMania '92 is held (June 5)Â
â¢
NBC's Today Show and Cedar Point make history when the "Gadget Guru"
Andy Pargh broadcasts live while riding the Mean Streak. It marks the
first time a live broadcast occurred while riding a roller coaster
(June 26)Â
⢠Cedar Point's parent company Cedar Fair, L.P. announces the acquisition of Dorney Park in Allentown, PA (July 22)Â
⢠Cedar Point announces Snake River Falls, the world's highest and fastest water ride, will debut in 1993 (September 9)Â
â¢
Cedar Point announces it will open a Hardees on the corner the Causeway
and Fifth Street in Sandusky. The fast food restaurant will have a
Cedar Point theme and, at 4,500 square feet, will be the largest
Hardees in the world (December 9)Â
⢠Sandcastle Suites is expandedÂ
⢠Cedar Point changes soft drink providers from Coke to PepsiÂ
⢠Cedar Point celebrates 100 years of roller coasters at the park with commemorative signs at each coasterÂ
⢠Hotel Breakers is placed on the National Register of Historical PlacesÂ
Â
1993
⢠Cedar Point announces that it will expand Kiddieland and
rename it Kiddy Kingdom. The area will have a new bumper boat ride and
a medieval theme (January 20)Â
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 123rd season (May 8)Â
⢠Snake River Falls opens as the world's tallest, fastest, and steepest water ride (May 8)Â
⢠Sir Bumpalot's Boats opens (May 8)Â
⢠Marina Steak House renovated and renamed BoathouseÂ
⢠Kiddieland Carousel renamed Kiddy Kingdom CarouselÂ
â¢
Monster is closed for the first portion of the operating season while
Cedar Point awaits delivery of parts for the ride.Â
⢠The Cedar Point Newsletter, the Internet's first Cedar Point information service, begins distribution (August 26)Â
â¢
Cedar Point announces Raptor. An invitation to the 10:30 AM press
conference calls Raptor the "most exciting and ambitious project ever
... a project that will challenge the boundaries of imagination and
change the Sandusky, Ohio amusement park/resort like nothing before
it." (September 1)Â
⢠Final season for Mill RaceÂ
⢠Final season for Taffy BoxÂ
1994
⢠The Cedar Point Trip FAQ, the Internet's first Cedar Point information guide, is released (April 19)Â
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 124th season (May 7)Â
⢠Raptor opens as the world's tallest and fastest inverted roller coaster (May 7)Â
⢠Raptor Photos opensÂ
⢠Midway Carousel relocated to just inside main gate to accommodate RaptorÂ
⢠Calypso relocated next to Blue Streak to accommodate RaptorÂ
⢠Turnpike Cars is reduced in size to accommodate RaptorÂ
⢠Trim brakes are installed on Mean Streak's first dropÂ
⢠A portion of the Hotel Breakers is razed in preparation for a hotel expansionÂ
⢠Final season for Frontier CarouselÂ
⢠Final season for Jungle Larry's African SafariÂ
â¢
"Christmas in the Park" is held for the first and last time. The Midway
Carousel, Park Plaza, and Sweets n' Treats were open for the event. A
horse drawn carriage touring behind the scenes at the park, area
choirs, Christmas music, Santa in a Magnum car, and a Christmas tree on
the midway were also part of the festivities. Hours of operations were:
Monday - Saturday, 11 AM - 8 PM; Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM; Christmas Eve, 11
AM - 3PM; Christmas Day, closed. The event ended December 30 (December
10)Â
1995
⢠Cedar Fair purchases Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, MOÂ
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 125th season (May 13)Â
â¢
Cedar Point celebrates "125 Summers" with a time capsule in Hotel
Breakers, an award from the National Amusement Park Historical
Association and a special logo on flags and merchandise.Â
⢠The Cedar Point Summer Spectacular, a laser, light, and sound show, debuts (May 27)Â
⢠Soak City is expanded. New additions include Zoom Flume, Renegade River, and Choo Choo LagoonÂ
⢠Soak City opens for its 7th season (May 27)Â
⢠Breakers East, a new wing at the Hotel Breakers, opensÂ
⢠Cedar Point announces plans for Banshee (September 8)Â
â¢
Cedar Point confirms their new stand-up roller coaster will not be
called Banshee, due to the connotation of the word 'banshee' (September
13)Â
⢠Cedar Point announces their new stand-up roller coaster will be renamed Mantis (November 17)Â
⢠Cedar Point launches web site at www.cedarpoint.com (November 17)Â
1996
⢠Media Day is held for Mantis (May 9)Â
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 126th season (May 11)Â
⢠Mantis opens as the world's tallest, fastest, and steepest stand-up roller coaster (May 11)Â
⢠Mantis Photos opens (May 11)Â
⢠Striker, one of four dolphins at Oceana, dies (July 22)Â
⢠Coco, one of three remaining dolphins at Oceana, dies (July 29)Â
⢠RipCord opens in Challenge ParkÂ
⢠Final season for Pirate RideÂ
⢠Final season for Chicken PatioÂ
⢠Cedar Point announces plans for a Soak City expansion (August 8)Â
⢠Walt Schmidt launches his first Cedar Point web site when Cedar Point Newsletter moves to the web (December 14)Â
⢠Cedar Point buys 99% share of Radisson Harbor Inn for $2,300,000.Â
Â
1997
⢠Park takes over Hardess on Fifth St, renovates and
renames it Coastes Mid-Way Grill. The menu included five lunch combos
named after Cedar Point roller coastersÂ
⢠Quarterdeck Arcade opensÂ
⢠New boats are installed on Paddlewheel ExcursionsÂ
⢠Midway Market opensÂ
⢠Trim brakes are added to Mantis' first dropÂ
â¢
Soak City expansion includes 500,000 gallon wave pool, action slide
area, activity pool, and Bubbles, an adult swim-up barÂ
⢠Swan Boats openÂ
⢠CoasterMania '97 is held (June 6)Â
⢠Chaos opens (June 7)Â
⢠Plans are announced for Power Tower (August 20)Â
⢠First annual HalloWeekends is held (September 26-28, October 3-5, 10-12)Â
⢠Final season for OceanaÂ
⢠Cedar Point announces 2-year, $16,000,000 expansion to the Hotel BreakersÂ
⢠Cedar Fair purchases Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CAÂ
Â
1998
⢠Misty, one of the two remaining dolphins at Oceana, dies (February 20).
The other dolphin, Breeze, retires at the Dolphin Research CenterÂ
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 128th season (May 10)Â
⢠Power Tower opens as the world's tallest drop ride (May 10)Â
⢠Frog Hopper opens (May 10)Â
⢠Safari Gifts renovated and renamed Power StationÂ
⢠Sir Bumpalot's Boats relocated from Kiddy Kingdom to area in front of GeminiÂ
⢠Waterspouts are seen offshore (June 30)Â
⢠Parking fee is increased to $6.00 (August 1)Â
â¢
Cedar Point announces Camp Snoopy will be built for the 1999 season.
The new children's area will include a 31-foot family coaster. The new
Hotel Breakers addition is named Breakers Tower (November 13)Â
⢠Final season for Berentstain Bear CountryÂ
⢠Final season for the Oceana AquariumÂ
⢠Final season for Paddlewheel CafeÂ
Â
1999
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 129th season (May 9)Â
⢠Breakers Tower, a 10-story addition to the Hotel Breakers that began in 1997, opensÂ
⢠Cedar Point Grand Prix in Challange Park is replaced by Triple Challenge RaceparkÂ
⢠Oceana Stadium renamed Cedar Point Aquatic Stadium, home to a high-dive showÂ
⢠Coasters opens (May 9)Â
⢠Snoopy Boutique opens (May 9)Â
⢠Peanuts Playground opens (May 9)Â
⢠Bear Country Railroad renamed Peanuts ExpressÂ
⢠TGI Friday's opens on the Cedar Point beachÂ
⢠Camp Snoopy opens (May 9)Â
⢠Charlie Brown's Cookout opens (May 9)Â
⢠Woodstock Express opens (May 9)Â
⢠Camp Bus opens (May 9)Â
⢠Snoopy Bounce opens (May 9)Â
⢠Lolli Swing opens (May 9)Â
⢠Balloon Race opens (May 9)Â
⢠Tilt-a-Whirl opens (May 9)Â
⢠Camp Snoopy Photo opens (May 9)Â
⢠Peanuts 500 opens (May 9)Â
⢠Red Baron opens (May 9)Â
⢠Super Himalaya is moved to accommodate Camp SnoopyÂ
⢠Stadium Games opens (May 9)Â
⢠Edison Learning Company opens (May 9)Â
⢠Two-year renovation of Cedar Point Marina beginsÂ
⢠14th annual Physics Day is held (May 20)Â
⢠CoasterMania '99 is held (June 4)Â
⢠Cedar Point announces construction has started on Breakers Express, which will open for the 2000 season (July 2)Â
⢠Cedar Point announces Millennium Force, a 310-foot giga-coaster will be built for the 2000 season (July 22)Â
⢠Cedar Point holds third annual HalloWeekends event (September 24-26, October 1-3, 8-10)Â
⢠Cedar Fair, L. P. announces the purchase of White Water Canyon in San Diego, CA (October 14)Â
⢠Final season for Kid Arthur's CourtÂ
⢠Final season for Edison Learning CompanyÂ
Â
2000
⢠Media Day is held for Millennium Force (May 11)Â
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 130th season (May 13)Â
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Millennium Force opens as the world's tallest, fastest, and steepest
roller coaster. It is the first roller coaster in the world to exceed
300 feet in height (May 13)Â
⢠Beagle Bay Outfitters opens in former location of Edison Learning Company (May 13)Â
⢠Giant Wheel is relocated to accommodate Millennium ForceÂ
⢠Candy Factory renovated and split into two food stands: C. J.'s Provisions and Toot SweetsÂ
⢠Gemini Gifts is renamed Joe Cool's Corner StoreÂ
⢠Early Petting Farm renovated and moved to accommodate Millennium ForceÂ
⢠Entrance to Mantis is relocated to opposite side of CP≤ tracksÂ
⢠Climbing wall opens next to Dodgem IÂ
⢠Aunt Em's renovated and renamed Coyote Cody's and Dastardly Dan'sÂ
⢠Virtual Midway is launched (May 23)Â
⢠Ticket to Ride, Cedar Point's first attempt at a virtual queue, is introduced on Millennium Force (June 23)Â
⢠Cedar Point holds Millennium Mania for the first time (September 6)Â
⢠Final season for FascinationÂ
Â
2001
⢠Lighthouse Point opensÂ
⢠Johnny Rockets opensÂ
⢠Stuffed Shirt is renamed LotsapaloozaÂ
⢠Cedar Fair, L.P. announces plans to purchase Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon, MI (May 7)Â
⢠CoasterMania '01 is held (June 1)Â
⢠VertiGo opens (August 11)Â
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A lift cable on Millennium Force snaps during morning testing, causing
the ride to be shut down for several days (September 2)Â
⢠Final season for Dodgem IÂ
⢠Construction begins on Wicked Twister (October 15)Â
⢠Stadium Games is razed (October 15)Â
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Cedar Point announces Wicked Twister, a 215-foot impulse roller
coaster, will open for the 2002 season. The park also announced that
the Cedar Point Cinema will be renovated into an ice skating theatre
and renamed the Good Time Theatre. The new theatre will be home to
"Snoopy Rocks! On Ice" (November 20)Â
Â
2002
⢠A 200-foot section of one of VertiGo's three towers collapses (January 14)Â
⢠Cedar Point announces that VertiGo will be removed (March 6)Â
⢠Media Day is held for Wicked Twister (May 2)Â
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 132nd season (May 5)Â
⢠Wicked Twister opens as the world's tallest and fastest impulse roller coaster (May 5)Â
⢠Caves are removed from White Water LandingÂ
⢠IMAX Refreshments is renamed Good Time RefreshmentsÂ
⢠Lusty Lil's Golden Palace renamed Palace TheatreÂ
⢠Krispy Kreme doughnuts introducedÂ
⢠CoasterMania '02 is held (June 7)Â
⢠Good Time Theatre opens featuring "Snoopy Rocks! On Ice" (June 22)Â
⢠Track for Top Thrill Dragster is spotted on Perimeter Road near Mean Streak (August 21)Â
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Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards announces Cedar Point as "Best
Amusement Park" for 5th consecutive year. The park also took top honors
in "Best Capacity," "Best Games," and "Best Steel Coaster" for
Millennium Force (August 26)Â
⢠Final season for SchwabinchenÂ
⢠Final season for Power StationÂ
⢠Final season for Hats n' SuchÂ
⢠Final season for Corkscrew RefreshmentsÂ
⢠Final season for Quarterdeck ArcadeÂ
2003
⢠Cedar Point announces Top Thrill Dragster (January 9)Â
⢠Top Thrill Dragster media day is held (May 1)Â
⢠Cedar Point opens for their 133rd season (May 4)Â
⢠Top Thrill Dragster opens (May 4)Â
⢠Speed Zone opens, replacing Power Station (May 4)Â
⢠Speed Freaks opens, replacing Hats n' Such (May 4)Â
⢠Grandstand Refreshments opens (May 4)Â
⢠Dragster Photos opens (May 4)Â
⢠Corkscrew lawn reduced to make room for Grandstand Refreshments and new midwayÂ
⢠Chaos relocated to Wicked Twister Midway to accommodate Top Thrill DragsterÂ
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Troika relocated to Wicked Twister Midway to accommodate Top Thrill
Dragster. The ride also receives a new color scheme.Â
⢠WildCat receives new color schemeÂ
⢠The Guessing Game is relocated on the Top Thrill Dragster Midway to accommodate Top Thrill DragsterÂ
⢠Cedar Point celebrates Gemini's 25th anniversary (June 17)Â
⢠Cedar Fair, L.P. announces that the company is considering an indoor waterpark at the Radisson Harbor Inn (July 15)Â
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Cedar Point was affected by a major power outage that struck
simultaneously from New York to Michigan. Power was lost at 4:10 p.m.
and was restored a few hours later. The power outage did force the park
to close early, the first time the park has ever been forced to close
early due to a power outage. (August 14)Â
⢠Cedar Point voted
best amusement park for the sixth consecutive year in Amusement Today's
Golden Ticket Awards. The park also placed four roller coasters among
the top 11 steel coasters: Millennium Force at #2, Magnum XL-200 at #4,
Raptor at #10, and Top Thrill Dragster at #11 and was also voted #1 for
the sixth consecutive year in the "Best Capacity" category. (August
23)Â
⢠Cedar Point announces $10 million 2004 capital
improvement plan which includes the expansion of Lighthouse Point and
the addition of Splash Zone at Soak City (October 15)Â
⢠Cedar Point announces Castaway Bay (November 13)Â
⢠Final season for Swan Boats
⢠Final season for Boathouse
⢠Final season for Silver Dollar Cafe
⢠Final season for Senior Citizens Craft Bazaar
â¢Â Final season for Games of Skill
2004
⢠Cedar Point announces Donut Time, Game Day Grille, and Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que (February 5)
⢠Cedar Point announces maXair (December 1)