Some things change at CP

Saturday, 07 May 2005

Cedar Point opens today with some new food, new signs and new policies.

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point guests this season might want to consider traveling lighter.

New for this year is a policy that forbids holding or wearing loose items, including cell phones, purses and sunglasses, on a majority of the rides, Cedar Point spokesman Bryan Edwards said. Cedar Point opens for the season today.

Edwards said during past seasons the park has allowed guests to hold or put loose items at their feet on the Mine Ride and Magnum XL-200, for example. However, to be consistent with other rides at the park and to be safe, a majority of thrill rides and all of the park's 16 roller coasters will not allow any loose items, he said.

The Sky Ride and the train will still allow loose items. Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force have never allowed loose items.

"We didn't have any problems with this last year, but we always review our safety procedures during the offseason," Edwards said.

Paid lockers to store items are available throughout the park, riders can leave items with non-riders or put loose items into a cargo packet or fanny pack that has a zipper, snap or fabric fastener, Edwards said.

Guests who are wearing sunglasses or prescription eyeglasses can wear them as long as they are fastened to their head with a strap. Bins at the Raptor will be available only for loose fitting shoes.

Also, new for the 2005 season are digital information signs that will be posted in a few weeks at the entrance of the park, near the admission booths.

The digital signs, which will go on top of billboards already in place, will announce events at the park, such as fireworks, and problems with the rides, such as the Top Thrill Dragster being closed because of the weather, Edwards said.

Cedar Point also has several other changes for this season, although many are not as noticeable as the new signs.

Among the changes:

• New cement in Kiddy Kingdom.

• New orange and silver paint for the Magnum XL-200.

• Restroom renovation at the Space Spiral.

• Sky Ride West station refurbished to match the Sky Ride East station.

• New lights and bells at crossings for Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad.

• New roof on the twin section of Hotel Breakers.

• New food options available at Kiddyland Refreshments, including wrap sandwiches and hoagies.

• The Emporium gift shop has become Discount Depot, which will feature discounted merchandise and older souvenirs. Discount Depot is near the Mean Streak.

"Every year we try to bring in new merchandise and souvenirs," Edwards said. "We are running out of room."

• Also new is an airbrush tattoo location at Soak City. Edwards said the tattoos won't rinse off while guests play in the waterpark. Soak City opens for the season May 28.

• The Climbing Wall has been replaced with the Hi-Striker, a game formerly located by the Space Spiral. The game has guests hit a target with a large rubber mallet.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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