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$1,500 lets you jump line at Point

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - A new VIP program at Cedar Point gives new meaning to the term "smooth ride."

For $1,500, guests are eligible for admission for up to six people, VIP parking, a tour guide, no waiting in line at rides, special seating at the park's shows, call-ahead reservations at Cedar Point restaurants and complimentary ride photos. Security detail is extra.

Three Doors Down guitarist Chris Henderson plugs his ears as a Cedar Point patron tells him about the ride he is about to experience on Millennium Force during the band's visit to the park Thursday, July 8, 2004. Lead Singer Brad Arnold is pictured to the right and Herman the German, security, and tour manager Gary Pettus, back right, are pictured in the second row. The band came to the park on their day off between Cincinnati and Cleveland shows. Register file photo/JASON WERLING

"Quite a few people have done it," said Cedar Point spokesman Bryan Edwards of the VIP program. "There have been just general guests, as well as celebrities requesting this."

The park started the VIP program this summer in response to the numerous requests Cedar Point receives each summer about first-class perks.

After this summer, park officials will evaluate the program to see if they want to continue it.

"They only have a day at the park and want to ride as many rides as possible," Edwards said of VIP requesters. "If they are a celebrity, they don't have to stand in line and be mobbed by guests wanting autographs and pictures."

For privacy reasons, Cedar Point isn't releasing the names of who and how many people have bought the VIP package, although did confirm Cleveland Cavaliers' star LeBron James participated this summer.

"Mainly because of his notoriety, we had to implement special considerations for the tour," park spokesman Robin Innes said. "He attracts a huge following so it made it go a little bit easier for him."

James also did not have to pay the fee. Innes said Cedar Point made the decision to waive the fee, and declined further comment.

Famous people visiting Cedar Point isn't new, and the park has provided free escorts in the past, Edwards said.

Television personality Montel Williams, Baywatch star and model Yasmine Bleeth, actor Drew Carey, Monica Lewinsky and a myriad of athletes have all visited the park before.

"King of Pop" Michael Jackson was scheduled to visit a few years ago, but his trip was canceled because of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

"Montel has come to the park before, and he is very nice and very friendly and very down to earth," Edwards said. "When people ask him for autographs, he is very nice, but says he is on vacation with his family."

Edwards said sometimes celebrities will come to the park on their own and stand in line with everyone else. If getting recognized starts to ruin their visit, they are encouraged to contact park officials.

"All of our employees have been very good with the (VIP) program," Edwards said. "People will get star-struck, but we don't ask for photos or autographs. We know they are here for a good time."

Carole Sanderson, president of American Coaster Enthusiasts, has never seen a famous person during her numerous visits to Cedar Point.

"I do know that Drew Carey is a big roller coaster fan and loves Cedar Point," she said. "At one time, Natalie Cole was supposedly a member of our club under a pseudonym."

Bart Swain, spokesman for the Cleveland Indians, said team members love Cedar Point and frequently go to the amusement park.

"They love coming out, especially on their days off, with their family and their teammates," Swain said.

However, in past few years, many of the players stopped coming as much because they have younger children who might not enjoy the park as much, he said.

"Several years ago, guys were getting in right before the park opened to give them a head start," Swain said. "Now, they just go as a regular member of the public."

Edwards said guests don't get upset if a celebrity cuts in front of them in line.

"I think that people get a kick out of saying, someone took my seat and it was so and so," Edwards said. "The guests are always nice and like seeing celebrities. It's a neat story to add to their Cedar Point experience."

"I go there to ride the roller coasters, but it would be cool to see someone famous," said Danielle Newby, a coaster enthusiast from Allen Park, Mich.

Say, wasn't that ... ?

Some of Cedar Point's famous guests:

Montel Williams

Yasmine Bleeth

Drew Carey

Monica Lewinsky

Rob Lowe

LeBron James

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