It's finally here!

Friday, 28 April 2006

Cedar Point Press Release

CEDAR POINT TO OPEN FOR ITS 137TH SEASON ON SATURDAY, MAY 6; OPENING DAY HIGHLIGHTED BY FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA; NEW SKYHAWK RIDE READY TO THRILL GUESTS; LOWER PRICES TAKE EFFECT

SANDUSKY, Ohio, 2006 – Cedar Point amusement park/resort is busy putting the final touches on its rides and roller coasters as the famed amusement park prepares for Opening Day on Saturday, May 6. To help celebrate Opening Day, a special fireworks display will be presented on Saturday night at approximately 10 p.m. (In case of inclement weather, the fireworks will be postponed until Saturday, May 13.) In addition to the fireworks, The Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band will also perform on Opening Day. Under the direction of Assistant Director Jonathan Waters, the 225-member band will perform near the park’s main gate (8:45 a.m.) and across from the Iron Dragon (1 p.m.).

Highlighting the many new additions to the park this year is Cedar Point’s latest thrill ride, Skyhawk. Located in Frontiertown, between the park’s Cedar Creek Mine Ride roller coaster and Snake River Falls water ride, Skyhawk is the tallest ride of its kind in the world. Skyhawk features two giant swinging arms, each 86 feet in length, with 20 seats on each arm. Each set of 20 seats consists of two rows of 10 seats, positioned back to back, that provide each rider with a “front row” view. Using pneumatic technology, riders will be launched forward and backward, swinging higher and faster each time. At the peak of the arc, riders on Skyhawk will be more than 125 feet in the air and will reach speeds of more than 60 mph in both directions! (Riders must be at least 48 inches tall to ride.)

Overall, Cedar Point has 68 rides, including 16 roller coasters, more roller coasters than any park in the world. Guests looking to save money will also be pleased that Cedar Point has lowered admission prices for the upcoming season.

This summer, an adult one-day admission ticket (valid for guests ages 3-61 who are 48 inches or taller) is only $39.95. That’s a savings of $5 off of the price of an admission price in 2005. Plus, the Junior ticket (valid for guests ages 3-61 who are under 48 inches tall), reduced from $24.95 to $9.95 last summer, will remain at $9.95 and the Senior ticket (valid for guests ages 62 and older), reintroduced last August, will also stay the same at $9.95. Children age 2 and under are free.

In addition to those money-saving announcements, Cedar Point has also rolled back prices on a variety of food items offerings and beverages, including and an amusement park staple, cotton candy. This summer, guests can buy cotton candy for only 25 cents a stick.

“We can’t wait for the 2006 season to get underway,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “We have a new thrill ride, new lower admission prices and we’re even introducing 25-cent cotton candy. Our goal this season is to make Cedar Point a better value than ever and more affordable for our guests.”

Cedar Point will be open daily Saturday, May 6 through Labor Day, Sept. 4. The park will then reopen for Bonus Weekends on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 8-10 and 15-17. Cedar Point’s 10th annual HalloWeekends event will take place on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 22-24, 29-30, Oct. 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22 and 27-29.

For more information about Skyhawk, Cedar Point’s new lower prices, or to purchase tickets online, guests can log on to www.cedarpoint.com or call the park’s general information line at 419.627.2350.