Sunday, April 22, 2007
Not into the thrill rides? There's plenty more at the park.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
The wild, wild west gets a little wilder, scarier and faster this summer at Cedar Point with the unveiling of the Amazement Park's world-record 17th roller coaster Maverick.
"Maverick is kind of a combination of two things -- the higher thrill ride like Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster and the traditional coaster experience," said Cedar Point Public Relations Representative Tony Clark. "This is right down the middle. It's not very high, 105 feet tall, so people won't feel as intimidated, but it still has those thrilling elements that give it that extra kick."
Located in the Frontier Town section of the park, in the area that was formerly home to White Water Landing and in the shadow of Mean Streak, the 21 million dollar, 4,450-foot-long Maverick features three inversions -- one of which is a new element called the Twisted Horseshoe Roll, which is two 360-degree corkscrew rolls back to back. Adding to the excitement is a second launch through a 400-foot-long dark tunnel at speeds of up to 70 mph.
"They also have a 360-degree hard-line roll after that launch through a tunnel and that basically flips you upside down in a straight motion rather than a traditional roller coaster loop," Clark said.
"The design of that element keeps your heart line centered so you don't feel jerked from side to side, and there's no transfer of motion. It keeps your body right where it should be, so it should be a pretty comfortable inversion."
He added, "I don't think this coaster can be compared to anything that is out there right now."
Making things even more interesting is the fact the idea for the Maverick was conceived by Cedar Point officials, who aimed to accommodate not only visitor market research but also the limited space constraint.
On a 364-acre peninsula, Cedar Point's prime locale on the scenic shores of Lake Erie in Sandusky is roughly a two-hour drive from Youngstown and remains the park to attend in the area.
Thrills galore
Adventure-seekers flock to Cedar Point and its nearly 70 rides, including four thrillers that are over 200 ft. tall: Magnum XL-200, Wicked Twister, Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. There are also numerous classic coasters -- sorry to date those readers who remember when these rides were brand-new -- such as the Blue Streak, Corkscrew, Gemini, Raptor and Mantis.
Cedar Point also has plenty to do for the nonthrill seekers, including three antique carousels, an authentic steam locomotive ride, bumper cars and plenty of options for kids (Kiddy Kingdom, Camp Snoopy, Gemini Children's Area and PEANUTS Playground).
These areas feature pint-sized rides and attractions just for the little ones and their parents.
The 2007 Cedar Point season finds "Snoopy's Summer Vacation" ice skating show returning with new family-oriented old West musical "The Misadventures of Molly and Maverick" -- complete with crazy characters entertaining audiences in an old bar with a piano playing in the background while bar fights, can-can girls, singing and dancing ensues -- making its debut.
"The setting is just beautiful," Clark said. "There's other attractions in the area, too, like Kelleys Island and Put-in-Bay, so this is becoming a destination for a lot of families on vacation and something that keeps people coming back is tradition. They come year after year and spend a couple of days with us. It's the premier destination here in the Midwest and there is so much fun for everybody."
TICKETS: General admission prices to Cedar Point are as follows: 41.95 (ages 3-61, 48 inches and taller) and 11.95 for Juniors (ages 3-61, under 48 inches tall) and Seniors (age 62 and older). Cedar Point will open for the season May 12.