SANDUSKY – Cedar Point stands as a jewel of an amusement park situated on the edge of Lake Erie, providing spectacular vistas from its roller coasters and evoking an Americana atmosphere with its cuisine, games, and attractions.
But the sprawling destination can be overwhelming for newbies. And even repeat guests admit to discovering a new element each time they visit.
Brooke Cassady, 18, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, said she’s been to the park more times than she can count.
“It feels like a new experience every time we come here,” she said while waiting in line for the Top Thrill 2 roller coaster on Opening Day May 3. “Each time we come … you might see something new.”
Her boyfriend, Edward Cowgiel, 18, also of Fort Wayne, said Cedar Point is “a summertime destination.”
Rain, sun, cold or hot temps, it doesn’t matter. Diehards and other amusement park lovers flock to Cedar Point. Opening Day was no different.
But how can you pack the most into your day anytime you visit? What should you ride? What should you eat? Should you buy a ticket or a season pass? And what’s new this year?
On Opening Day of the 2025 season, I combed through the wet park to compile the top five tips for having an enjoyable time at Cedar Point.
1. It’s all about the roller coasters
Cedar Point bills itself as the roller coaster capital of the world.
It’s not just hype. The list is extensive, but the main draw right now is Top Thrill 2, an eagerly anticipated successor to its notoriously thrilling precursor, the Top Thrill Dragster.
Top Thrill 2 was operational for just 10 days last year because of maintenance and mechanical problems. However, this year it’s all set to go, according to Tony Clark, who is the spokesperson for Cedar Point.
What makes visitors adore it so greatly? They mentioned on Opening Day that it’s all about the thrill of velocity.
Among those willing to wait in the rain for more than an hour were Cowgiel and Cassady.
“It was amazing,” Cassady said of riding Top Thrill 2 last year. “Going backwards and getting to the top speeds” are the best part.
Maintain that maximum velocity,” Cassady said. In comparison to the initial Top Thrill Dragster experience, “you get to travel quicker and for an extended duration.
If long waiting times aren’t your thing, there are many other awesome roller coasters to try. However, get ready for an exciting ride.
The Millennium Force boasts a thrilling 310-foot descent and can hit speeds up to 93 miles per hour. The Maverick includes two inversion elements along with a steep 95-degree drop. Meanwhile, Gemini stands out as a traditional racing coaster, sending pairs of trains speeding alongside each other through various drops and twists. Additionally, the Magnum XL-200 impresses visitors with its airtime moments, reaching a maximum velocity of 72 miles per hour, all while offering breathtaking vistas of the nearby lake.
Then there’s the ride that still manages to scare me with excitement each time I climb aboard—theSteel Vengeance. Wow, this rollercoaster really gets going and makes you feel like you’re briefly detached from reality only to be thrown right back into it. This hybrid coaster feels endless, stretching for almost 6,000 feet of track. It includes steep climbs, loops, thrilling drops, banked turns, and so much more. Hold tight!
However, the park offers more than high-octane rides. Classics include the Bluestreak wooden coaster, dating to 1964 and located near the park’s entrance.
Tame by today’s standards, the Blue Streak is steeped in charm, from the white-and-blue color scheme to the cupola atop a 78-foot hill. It’s a 90-second trip back in time.
“Something that’s a staple to any amusement park is a wooden roller coaster,” Clark said. “People remember that as their first ride. That’s also the first type of coaster that existed, so we keep it in tip-top shape. Our carpenters do a wonderful job maintaining that ride.”
2. Siren’s Curse is coming
Cedar Point consistently aims to outdo itself when it comes to heart-pounding attractions.
This season follows the same pattern. Siren’s Curse is set to debut in early summer, according to Clark. For updates, keep an eye on Cedar Point’s social media channels, including
Facebook
and
Instagram
And it seems like an exhilarating and dizzying experience.
Cedar Point claims that the latest scream-inducing attraction will be the highest, quickest, and most extended tilt coaster in all of North America.
The highlights will feature a towering structure at 160 feet, with a steep ascent into a near-vertical angle of 90 degrees. The ride will encompass an extensive journey along almost 3,000 feet of tracks, culminating in a top speed of 58 miles per hour. Additionally, thrill-seekers can anticipate experiencing 13 instances of weightlessness and undergoing two full rotations for zero-gravity barrel rolls measuring 360 degrees each.
Wow! It sounds more akin to NASA or SpaceX astronaut training rather than your typical amusement park attraction.
3. The hallmark dish at Cedar Point is their fresh-cut fries.
We are living in an age where food enthusiasts abound—culinary adventurers can be found not only on television but also on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and even further afield.
Where should one go when hunger strikes?
Happy Friar
Additionally, there’s a place for their signature fresh-cut fries located nearer to the park entrance close to the Raptor roller coaster.
This year, the park has improved the fry experience by enlarging and sheltering the Happy Friar food stall. Now, visitors have the option to relax indoors whether they want to warm up or freshen up, plus the fries are offered in a self-serve format. It’s like having a Chipotle dedicated solely to french fries.
In addition, you can find corn dogs, miniature corndogs, and cheese on a stick.
Service will be faster, too, Clark said.
Walk down the line, pick your toppings and create a fry masterpiece. Garlic parmesan gets rave reviews. Adding cheese and chili is a can’t miss for the taste buds. Some special toppings also might be offered periodically during the summer, Clark noted.
“They’re not frozen,” he said of the fries. “They’re fresh potatoes; they’re cut in the back. They’re served pretty directly out of the fryer.”
Regular attendees at Cedar Point, such as Grant Pleasant, who is 32 years old and from Hudson, mentioned that one of the attractions keeping him coming back to the park is the fries.
“This might be my go-to treat when I’m at the park,” he mentioned. “I’ve been enjoying these fries ever since I was just four years old. The portions are generous, with large-sized fries that are perfectly crisp. Plus, they get seasoned with an ideal sprinkle of salt—just enough without being excessive.”
Pleasant went on to say, ‘Feel free to add any toppings you like,’ he explained. ‘They have options such as chili and cheese… plus ketchup, ranch dressing, and mustard. You can top your fries with anything you desire. Personally, I prefer ketchup and vinegar; this combination has been my go-to choice for three decades.’
Another culinary standout is
BackBeatQue
, where meat is smoked overnight and authentic barbecue fare is served, including brisket, ribs and pulled pork, as well as smoked sausage and rotisserie chicken. Located between the Monster ride and Magnum XL-200 roller coaster, BackBeat also serves sides, including barbecue beans, cornbread muffins and house-made mac and cheese.
4. A season pass offers the most value for your money.
Tickets for Cedar Point begin at $50 for a single day, as stated on the park’s official site.
tickets
Online options are more affordable compared to those at the park. Occasionally, discounts get announced on social media as well.
Nonetheless, opting for season passes is the better choice. The gold passes used to be available at a preseason discount price of approximately $100. Just a few trips to the park would cover that cost when contrasted with buying individual entry tickets.
The Gold Pass currently costs $150 overall, including taxes and fees. It provides complimentary parking along with unrestricted entry to the amusement park until Labor Day, and also grants you access to both Cedar Point Shores Waterpark and HalloWeekends during autumn. The Summer Pass has a price tag of $115 inclusive of all charges, offering free parking and limitless visits to the amusement park up till Labor Day, though it does not extend to admission at the waterpark. Additionally, there’s an option called the Prestige pass available.
Coupons also entitle you to reductions on meals and goods for sale.
To purchase passes and find out more details, visit
www.cedarpoint.com.
5. Avoid the peak times
Any day is a good day to go to Cedar Point.
However, if you have a choice, weekdays usually offer more convenient parking and quicker ride waits compared to weekends.
Cedar Point will have
limited weekday hours
up until the week beginning May 19.
Clark, who speaks for the park, shared some advice.
He mentioned that Saturdays usually see the most traffic. Therefore, if you can manage only weekends, opt for Sundays instead. It’s an excellent time to bring your family along. However, during weekdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to be ideal times to stop by. This is particularly true from May until early June and also throughout August when we operate on weekdays. The crowd will likely be thinner because many return to their regular schedules as schools reopen.
Contact Ed via email at ebalint@gannett.com and find him on Instagram as ed_balint and on TikTok under the handle @edwardbalint
The article initially appeared on The Repository.
Roller coasters, fries, and more: The top 5 ways to enjoy an ideal day at Cedar Point.
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