If you love thrills, chills, and all that fun stuff, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is the place for you. If you’re like me, you cannot get enough of the twists, turns, and the drops that make your stomach come out of your toes, in a fun way, of course. As a (self) certified roller coaster extraordinaire, I have comprised a descriptive list of my favorite coasters at Cedar Point so that you know it’s worth it to wait in those ridiculously long lines. All of the rides at CP have a place in my heart, but here are my top seven.
Just as a disclaimer, when it comes to my top three, even with all of their ups and downs (pun intended), they are all pretty much even.
1. The Millennium Force
When people think of Cedar Point, the first coaster that comes to mind is this spectacular hunk of steel. If the Millennium's ranking as one of the best steel coasters in the world doesn’t convince you, maybe its height of 310 feet, the speed of 93 miles per hour, or its 300-foot drop at 80 degrees right out of the gate, will. This coaster is insane and I’m obsessed.
2. The GateKeeper
So I have always had the dream/aspiration/goal to fly. I think it would be the coolest thing. When you ride the GateKeeper, you truly feel like you are flying. It is a floorless coaster, so your feet dangle, and you take plenty of nose dives that give off a feeling of freedom. You overlook the beautiful Lake Erie, and I can’t help but smile the whole time I’m on this. It’s a classic.
3. The Maverick
I absolutely LOVE the Maverick. After the striking orange coaster drops you at a 90-degree angle, you experience fast twists, turns, corkscrews, loops, and tunnels. It’s got a little bit of everything and it’s super speedy. It also has cool scenery of red rock and water around it, which is a bonus.
4. The Valravn
This is a newer ride to CP, as it came out just last year. Since it's no secret that the drops are one of my favorite elements in a coaster, it should be no surprise that this bad boy makes the list. You coast out to a top of a 214’ drop, and it dangles you there for 30 seconds, and then your stomach spontaneously scrapes the floor.
5. The Raptor
I am partial to this ride because it was the first (big) roller coaster I ever went on. Fun fact: I used to be scared of roller coasters until one of my friends forced me to go on our class trip to Cedar Point and he took me on this. I fell in love and the rest is history. The Raptor flips you left, right, upside down, and all around. It doesn’t have many “extreme” hills, but it’s high speed and twisty-ness makes it special in its own way.
6. The Skyhawk
The first time I ever rode the Skyhawk was after I rode one of the water rides, and It seemed like a good way to dry off. I can attest to it semi-working for drying clothes, but again it is another underrated ride. For this one, your childhood dreams come true. You basically strap into a giant swing that shoots you 12 stories high. You go back and forth 9 times, and each time the ride reaches its peak, you come out of your seat just a little. That definitely gives the ride a little extra somethin’ somethin’.
7. The Wicked Twister
I feel like this ride is completely underrated. Not a lot of people talk about it or mention it when it comes to their favorites, but it is actually pretty terrifying. You shoot up at pretty much a 90-degree angle, twist all the way up the side, and slow down just before you fly off the rails to your doom. So fun.
Roller Coasters are a time-old pastime that many have enjoyed for centuries. I am one of many who goes through thrill-withdrawal after leaving an amusement park. I have even stooped as low as watching POV videos of the coasters on youtube at home. I want to ride every ride as many times as I can, and walking through the gate at the end of the night is heartbreaking. Am I being over dramatic? Probably. Anyways, I hope you enjoy your trips to Cedar Point and I wish I could join you. In the words of the wise workers at CP, “Ride on.”
