The roller coasters of Cedar Point.A summer isn’t really a summer without a trip to Cedar Point. It is a tradition that most of us from southeastern Michigan have grown up with. We’re pretty spoiled to have the “Best Amusement Park in the World” with 17 roller coasters on our doorstep.
We rode into Cedar Point last week on the last day of our tour of Toledo. Besides finally getting to ride Top Thrill Dragster, I really wasn’t expecting it to be different than other trips to the amusement park. Boy, was I wrong!
The last time I was at the park was back in 2003 when my now-husband came over for his first trip to Detroit. He’s a roller coaster fanatic and I knew a trip to Cedar Point would win me points and impress the hell out of him. It was the first year of Top Thrill Dragster and between the lines and it breaking down we didn’t get on the 420-foot-tall beast.
This time everything was different. This time I win wife of the year!
Two Cedar Point interns greeted us in front of Hotel Breakers. They explained that they would be our guides for the day. “Do you like roller coasters?” Hell, yeah!
We broke into two small groups. We traveled through the park with our rock star guide Ainsley and Tammy from AnnArborMom.com and her husband and two young kids.
Here’s the amazing part. Here’s the part that I didn’t really want to tell you for fear that you would hate me. We were taken to the front of the line for any rides or coasters that we fancied. Also, we were in the first car for every ride!
We barely noticed the blistery hot heat and humidity as we ran from roller coaster to roller coaster, smiling all the way. I completely forgot that my husband giggles like a schoolgirl on coasters.
As someone who is terrified of heights, his giggles turned into much stronger language on the brand new WindSeeker. Oh yeah, it looks innocent enough. It’s just swings right? You feel your stomach and legs leave you as you travel up the 301-foot-tall swing ride. I heard a lot of, “#$%@ &$%*!” both on the way up and the way down.
After our disappointment in not riding Top Thrill Dragster back in 2003, we had high expectations. It delivered! My eyes may or may not have been closed the entire time.
From my current favorite Millennium Force to my teenage crush Gemini—we hit them all. Maverick, Corkscrew, Mantis, Mean Streak, Raptor, Magnum XL-200, Blue Streak, Wicked Twister, Iron Dragon and Disaster Transport. Whee!
Pink’s Hot Dogs, the legendary Los Angeles hot doggery, is now open in the park. We stopped there for a brief lunch. Of course my husband had to have the Monster Dog. I was overjoyed with my bacon chili cheese dog. Luckily, we didn’t loose our lunch when we jumped back on the coasters.
Back at Hotel Breakers, we learned that Knute Rockne, the famed Notre Dame football coach, worked as a lifeguard on Cedar Point Beach. It’s rumored that this is where he dreamed up footballs’ forward pass.
We had the best day of our summer at Cedar Point—it was the most excellent adventure. We’re hoping to get back to the park one more time before the season ends and get our scare on at HalloWeekends.
The next time my husband nags me about something or we have a squabble I’m going to remind him of his fabulous day at Cedar Point. I win!
Coming soon: more adventures from Toledo!
Disclosure: Destination Toledo and Cedar Point sponsored the media tour of Northwest Ohio. All of my expenses for the trip were provided except for transportation and incidentals. The opinions and words expressed here are my own.
Photos courtesy of Cedar Point.