Cedar Point's opening day is May 4

Friday, 25 April 2003

Cedar Point Press Release

If you’re searching for the ultimate thrill, look no more. Cedar Point, voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World,” will wow the world when the historic amusement park/resort debuts Top Thrill Dragster – the tallest and fastest roller coaster on Earth – on its Opening Day of the 2003 season, Sunday, May 4.

With a skyscraping 420-foot-tall hill at a 90-degree incline, blazing speeds of 120 mph over 2,800 feet of track and a twisting drop of 400 feet at a dramatic 90-degree angle, Top Thrill Dragster is redefining thrill- riding the world over as the first coaster ever to break the 400-foot-high barrier. This incredible $25 million “strata-coaster” – termed for its towering height – is also Cedar Point’s 16th roller coaster, which is more than any other place on the planet.

Riders begin their wild ride by launching out of a “starting line” position using a high-tech hydraulic acceleration system. They then rocket up the 420-foot-tall hill where the train rotates 90 degrees at the 230-foot height, crests the peak and then plummets down the 400-foot vertical drop where the train spirals 270 degrees in a free fall starting at the 330-foot level. After twisting for 115 feet, the train completes the coaster’s drop, reaches speeds of 120 mph for the second time and crosses the finish line before returning to the station.

The grand opening of Top Thrill Dragster will feature The Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band, making its fourth appearance at Cedar Point. Under the direction of Assistant Director Jon Waters, the 200-member band will perform at the park’s main gate plaza (8:45 a.m.) and near the Iron Dragon (1 p.m.).

Roller coaster enthusiasts can rejoice in a new season of thrills with the park’s incredible collection of 16 scream machines, including the No. 1-rated steel roller coaster in the world, Millennium Force; the venerable Magnum XL-200; and other fan favorites such as Raptor, Blue Streak, Mantis, Mean Streak, Gemini and the Jr. Gemini for thrill-seekers in training.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, Cedar Point’s array of award-winning live entertainment will premiere on Opening Day with Campground Capers in Camp Snoopy. Seven additional live shows, plus “Snoopy’s Summer Spectacular” laser, light and sound show will be added to the entertainment schedule throughout the season.

Cedar Point has plenty of fun in store for families and kids again in 2003 with rides and attractions suited especially for them. Camp Snoopy charms guests with the popular PEANUTS characters such as Snoopy and Charlie Brown; plus seven family rides, including the centerpiece attraction Woodstock Express, a rollicking 38-foot-high roller coaster, get two thumbs up. Kiddy Kingdom and its pint-sized rides also await Cedar Point’s youngest guests, while the rousing “Snoopy Rocks! On Ice” returns in the Good Time Theatre.

The park’s wide range of resort properties will begin welcoming overnighters daily on Friday, May 9 with Lighthouse Point, the Hotel Breakers, Breakers Express and Camper Village RV campground. Sandcastle Suites Hotel will be open on Friday and Saturday, May 16-17 and will begin daily operation on Friday, May 23. Cedar Point’s Radisson Harbour Inn is open year-round.

Cedar Point kicks off the 2003 season on Sunday, May 4 and begins daily operation on Friday, May 9 through Labor Day, Sept. 1. The park will reopen for Bonus Weekends on Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14 and for HalloWeekends on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26.