Season brings fresh thrills

Cedar Point and other parks ready for the season

Staff report

Amusement parks in the region are now open for the season, and include some new thrills.

Here is a look at what’s new:

CEDAR POINT

At Cedar Point, in Sandusky, there is a new beachfront waterpark, hotel expansions, new food options and new live shows.

For the season schedule, tickets and other information, go to cedarpoint.com.

The highlight of the 2017 changes is the 18-acre Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, which will open Memorial Day weekend.

Located adjacent to Cedar Point and Hotel Breakers and set along the mile-long Cedar Point Beach, Cedar Point Shores harkens back to the park’s beginnings as a simple beach resort.

The waterpark will debut four new attractions, including Point Plummet – a six-story, aqua-drop body slide. Riders will climb into individual pods as they wait for a countdown. Then, the floor drops from underneath, starting a twisting and turning slide.

On the same structure as Point Plummet, Portside Plunge allows guests to enjoy an inner tube ride alone or with a friend as they first travel in an enclosed tube and are then released into the sun down a few “airtime” hills before reaching the pool below.

Families will enjoy Lakeslide Landing, an area designed for little ones with 12 pint-sized slides, all leading to a zero-depth entry pool.

The drink and dining options inside Cedar Point Shores are also completely new. The Crystal Rock Cafe will serve pizza, chicken wraps, gourmet salads and additional items not found anywhere else at Cedar Point. Schooner’s Bayside Bar and Muffleheads Beach Bar will cater to adults.

Additional improvements at Cedar Point Shores include lush landscaping, more shaded areas, upgraded premium cabanas, a new merchandise store and main entrance, plus updated changing rooms.

Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores is offering Two Day, Any Day tickets that are good at both parks. For example, guests can visit in May, ride roller coasters at Cedar Point and enjoy the grand opening of Cedar Point Shores on the same day, then come back in the fall for HalloWeekends. It’s two days, any way, any day the parks are open for the 2017 season.

The new Express Hotel, located a short drive from the park’s main entrance, has added 69 rooms, many of which are connecting rooms for families. All rooms have undergone a complete renovation.

Here are some other changes at the park:

Melt Bar & Grilled: The Cleveland chain will make its debut near Planet Snoopy.

Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling: Located on the Frontier Trail and named after an inventive character from the park’s former Paddlewheel Excursions ride, Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling will take riders 15 stories above Adventure Island before sending them into a free-fall swing toward Millennium Force and the Frontier Trail at speeds up to 60 mph.

Dining: Root’s shredded chicken, pork and beef sandwiches, along with gourmet macaroni and cheese bowls, are coming to Sky Ride Refreshments, located near the Scrambler. On the Frontier Trail, Famous Dave’s BBQ Shack will arrive with brisket and pulled pork sandwiches, ribs and combo meals. And in FrontierTown, Wagon Wheel Pizza will serve hand-made pizza with traditional toppings of pepperoni, sausage or cheese.

Theater: The biggest musical hits from the silver screen come to life in the Jack Aldrich Theatre in an all-new show called “Lights, Camera, Action!” It will be performed daily (except Mondays) from June 3 through Aug. 20.

KENNYWOOD

Daily operations begin May 25 for the 119th season of Kennywood Park, the nostalgic but modern mecca of thrills in suburban Pittsburgh.

New this year at the Sky Rocket coaster, which launches riders from 0 to 50 miles per hour in three seconds, is a virtual-reality option.

Sky Rocket’s riders will be able to choose between the thrilling ride, which has a nearly 90-degree vertical launch and three inversions, or donning VR headsets to enter a futuristic world programmed to match the sensations produced by the roller coaster.

Kennywood is working with VR Coaster to develop the Sky Rocket’s virtual ride. Four riders per train (which seat 12) can upgrade for a small fee, and experience the ride wearing a VR headset. This is expected to be completed and open to guests at some point this month.

Also new this summer, Kennywood’s 4-D Theater will broadcast a new show: “The LEGO Movie 4-D Experience!” This custom-made short film combines dazzling 3-D computer animation with real-world effects, and will be shown continuously each day. The 4-D Theater is included with admission to Kennywood.

There also are a number of changes to Kennywood’s food and beverages. Small Fry’s, the spinoff of The Potato Patch, is now entirely gluten-free, while Snack-a-Saurus in Kiddieland also will introduce a new, health-conscious yet kid-friendly menu from bean sprouts. Pretzel purveyor Auntie Anne’s moves into the former Pedro’s stand, which has relocated to serve burritos, nachos and other Mexican foods in Lost Kennywood.

For information on Kennywood’s schedule, admission prices, discount opportunities, special events and more, go to Kennywood.com. Ride and Slide passes, which also grant admission to nearby Sandcastle Water Park, are available; go to sandcastlewaterpark.com.

CONNEAUT LAKE PARK

Conneaut Lake Park and Splash City, on Pa. route 618 in Conneaut, Pa., will open for the season May 27-29 with a volleyball tournament. The quaint park’s attractions include the historic Blue Streak roller coaster, mini golf, Kiddieland, amusement rides, the beach and boardwalk, and Splash City. An all-day ride pass is $10, as is an all-day water park pass; both passes can be purchased for $18.

The park includes free parking, with lodging available at the Hotel Conneaut. Go to newconneautlakepark.com and thehotelconneaut.com.

WALDAMEER PARK

The summer 2017 will bring the addition of The Battle of Lake Erie, a new family water complex featuring 103 water attractions plus seven slides and a 400-gallon tipping bucket. Located next to Waldameer Park Water World’s new Kidz Zone, this new area also will include walkways featuring historical locations and references to the Battle of Lake Erie and Erie’s role in the War of 1812. The design also will feature Erie’s tall ship, the U.S. Brig Niagara, atop the 40-foot-high structure.

Other improvements for the 2017 season include more cabana and umbrella rentals, lounge chairs, sand chairs, all-day lockers and The Vault Laser Maze Challenge.

Waldameer is at 200 Peninsula Drive, at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, in Erie, Pa. Go to waldameer.com.