CEDAR POINT ANNOUNCES 2006 DAILY ADMISSION PRICES; NEW RIDE TO SWING INTO FRONTIERTOWN IN 2006

Monday, 31 October 2005

Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, Oct. 31, 2005 – Cedar Point amusement park/resort has announced it has reduced the price of its regular one-day admission ticket and will add a $6 million ride for the 2006 season.

Next summer, the price of a regular one-day admission ticket (valid for guests ages 3-61 who are 48 inches and taller) will be $39.95, a reduction of $5 off a regular one-day admission ticket in 2005 ($44.95).

Plus, the Junior ticket (valid for guests ages 3-61 who are under 48 inches tall), reduced from $24.95 to $9.95 in August, will remain at $9.95 and the Senior ticket (valid for guests ages 62 and older), reintroduced in August, will also stay the same at $9.95. Children age 2 and under are free.

It will be the first time since the park implemented a pay-one-price ticket program in 1970 that the price of a regular one-day admission ticket has decreased.

“New ride, new price, new year. Even though we have just closed the door on the 2005 season, we’ll be ready for 2006,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “We know families are looking for ways to stretch their entertainment dollar. We want to make a visit to Cedar Point more affordable for more families. It is just that simple.”

Prices were also lowered on two other admission tickets. A Starlight admission ticket (available after 5 p.m. when Cedar Point closes at 10 p.m. or later or after 4 p.m. when the park closes earlier than 10 p.m.) has been reduced to $24.95. In 2005, a Starlight ticket was $27. The popular Ride & Slide admission ticket, which includes admission to both Cedar Point and Soak City on two days, has been reduced from $67.95 to $64.95.

“Next season, we’ll be making cotton candy on the midway and selling it for 25 cents a stick,” Hildebrandt added, noting the park will also hold or reduce pricing for a number of food items.

In addition to the reduced ticket prices, the park will also add a world-record-breaking thrill ride – Skyhawk. Located near Snake River Falls in Frontiertown and standing 103 feet above the ground, Skyhawk will be the tallest ride of its kind in the world.

Skyhawk will feature two giant swinging arms, each 84 feet in length, with 20 seats on each arm. Each set of 20 seats will consist of two rows of 10 seats, positioned back to back, that will provide each rider with a “front row” view. Using pneumatic technology similar to that used on Power Tower, riders will be thrilled as they are pushed toward the sky, then experience weightlessness as they reverse direction and rush back toward the ground – just like the drop side of a roller coaster – with no ride structure in their path. At the peak of the arc, riders on Skyhawk will be more than 125 feet in the air and will reach speeds of 60 mph in both directions! The $6 million ride will give nearly 800 rides an hour. Each ride will be approximately two minutes long. (Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Skyhawk.)

“Skyhawk will be the world’s largest swing ride. It’s a simple concept, but it will be an amazing ride experience,” Hildebrandt said. “All of us have ridden swings as kids. Imagine riding a swing that is higher than a 12-story building and goes faster than many roller coasters.”

Guests will have their first opportunity to ride Skyhawk when the historic amusement park/resort opens for its 137th season on May 6, 2006. Construction of Skyhawk began immediately after the park closed for the 2005 season on Sunday, Oct. 30.

Guests will be able to follow the construction progress of Skyhawk at the park’s Web site, www.cedarpoint.com. Exclusive webcams, “OnPoint!” – Cedar Point’s official web log and the FUNtimes newsletter will help keep thrill-seekers up-to-date on the happenings at the park during the winter months.