The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Area amusement parks unveil new ways to thrill
Region’s attractions, as usual, unveil new ways to thrill — and soak — you
Cedar Point, Kennywood, Kings Island, Sandcastle and Waldameer Park & Water World now open.
Now that winter is officially over and the cold weather has passed, it’s time — hopefully — to think ahead to spring and summer with family excursions and vacations just around the corner. Part of the planning involves proper budgeting to make an annual one-tank trip to amusement parks in our area.
Here’s a look at what the region’s parks have in store for the summer of 2017:
Cedar Point
One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky
419-627-2350 | www.cedarpoint.com
Gate price is $67 for those 48 inches and taller, $45 for those under 48 inches tall or age 62 and older, and children ages 2 and under are free. (Note: It’s wise to look into discounted tickets before your trip, as the gate prices are the most expensive.)
After unveiling new dive coaster Valravn last year, Cedar Point, which is located on 364 acres along the shores of Lake Erie in Sandusky, put all its efforts in the offseason to construct new beachfront waterpark Cedar Point Shores Waterpark.
“It used to be Soak City,” Cedar Point Communications Director Tony Clark said. “The property is still there, but the changes are pretty dramatic. All of the attractions have gotten new names that kind of tie them closer to the Lake Erie surroundings.
“The environment has been redone so the midways have a little bit more open space and concrete than in the past. (And) there’s more meandering pathways and lush landscaping in areas to stay in the shade.
Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, which requires a separate admission from the amusement park, is located near Hotel Breakers and the mile-long Cedar Point Beach. The 18-acre water venue boasts four new attractions: the six-story aqua-drop body slide Point Plummet; the inner tube ride Portside Plunge; the child-friendly Lakeslide Landing, with 12 pint-sized slides leading to a zero-depth entry pool; and Lemmy’s Lagoon, with water features and geysers.
As far as other Cedar Point additions, new stage show “Lights, Camera, Action!” provides entertainment in the Jack Aldrich Theatre, while a Melt Bar & Grilled restaurant opened up in the park. However, it’s what Clark isn’t talking about that has Cedar Point fans most excited. Specifically, what’s going on with Mean Streak, which isn’t open this year?
“Well, we are making improvements to Frontier Town for a future project,” Clark said. “We will let everyone know exactly what we’re doing when it makes sense, but right now we have to remain mum.”
Kennywood Park
4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 412-461-0500 | kennywood.com The regular FunDay price is $44.99; Senior FunDay (55 and older) $21.99; Junior FunDay (children 46 inches tall and under) $28.99. (Note: It’s wise to look into discounted tickets before your trip, as the gate prices are the most expensive.)
For Kennywood’s 119th season, all of the stars and superheroes are coming to the Pittsburgh-area park.
“One of the things we added this year is ‘The LEGO Movie 4-D Experience,’” Kennywood Public Relations and Social Media Nick Paradise said. “It’s a 15-minute short movie included with park admission in our 4-D theater that is a sequel of sorts to ‘The LEGO Movie.’”
Not only are a number of popular characters — voiced by their Hollywood actors — in the film, but the plot takes place at a mysterious theme park.
“It’s a great show, and something — whether it’s hot or rainy or a change of pace — that’s really entertaining,” Paradise said. “I think ‘The LEGO Movie’ brand is appealing to children, but also to adults.”
Something else modern and fun for visitors this year is the retooling of Kennywood’s Sky Rocket roller coaster, which is known for launching riders from 0 to 50 mph in three seconds. Now thrill-seekers can choose between the actual ride or for an added cost enjoy a virtual reality experience wearing headsets.
“While we put great value on history, tradition and nostalgia here at Kennywood, the ability to innovate and deliver the newest thrills is critical to our continuing success,” says Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas. “Entering the Virtual Reality arena with Sky Rocket is one way we look to stay on the cutting edge.”
Also new to Kennywood in 2017 are healthier food options, including organic and gluten-free choices.
“We look at Kennywood as a traditional historic amusement park where it’s not all about the highintensity, high-speed roller coasters and thrill rides,” Paradise said. “It’s sort of like the old Geauga Lake, where you can come and not have to take out a second mortgage. That’s Kennywood.”
Kings Island
6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason 513-754-5700 | visitkingsisland.com
Online admission is $47.99 for guests ages 3 to 61 and over 48 inches and $39.99 daily for ages 3 and up and under 48 inches or over 62. (Note: It’s wise to look into discounted tickets before your trip, as the gate prices are the most expensive.)
When it comes to wooden rollercoasters, Kings Island, which is located 30 minutes north of Cincinnati, already had one of the best with its classic The Beast. Now the 364-acre venue has upped the ante with the brand-new Mystic Timbers.
“It’s similar to The Beast in that it’s through wooded terrain and hugging low to the ground,” Kings Island Public Relations Area Manager Don Helbig said. “But that’s pretty much where the similarities are going to end.
“The Beast is more than twice the length, but in terms of the type of ride, you don’t get a lot of air time on it. Mystic Timbers is all about the air-time experience and the little hops and hills and twists and turns that you’re going through. It’s more non-stop action than The Beast.”
The 109-foot-tall Mystic Timbers features 16 airtime moments through wooded terrain along 3,265 feet of track at speeds up to 53 mph.
“This gives us 16 roller coasters,” Helbig said. “Overall, it’s our fourth wooden coaster, and it gives us the most wooden coaster track in one park in the world with 18,804 feet. It kind of puts on the map as the wood coaster capital of the world.”
Kings Island has been busy of late. In addition to Mystic Timbers, last year the park added to its adjacent Soak City Waterpark, which is free with park admission. That included the opening of its multimillion-dollar, seven-story Tropical Plunge waterslide.
Just like the waterpark, Helbig said Mystic Timbers continues the idea of expanding its familyfriendly experience.
“Mystic Timbers offers broader appeal,” Helbig said. “It has the same height requirement that The Beast and The Racer have at 48 inches,” Helbig said. “So more of our guests can enjoy this ride. It brings another ride that’s both fun and thrilling. It works for the thrill seekers and it works for the families.”
Sandcastle Waterpark
1000 Sandcastle Drive, Pittsburgh
412-462-6666 | sandcastlewaterpark.com
Sandcastle offers many discount ticket options online at www.sandcastlewaterpark.com. Admission is $35.99 ($32.99 Monday through Friday), $25.99 for seniors (55 and older) and children under 48 inches (22.99 Monday through Friday), with children 3 and under free (slides not included).
For families attending Pittsburgh’s Kennywood, its sister operation Sandcastle Waterpark just screams staycation. Located along the scenic Monongahela River, the resort-like venue boasts 15 water slides, a wave pool and lazy river.
“Something different this year is our Tad Pool, which is our littlest pool,” said Sandcastle Marketing and Sales Manager Melissa Kelly. “That’s the pool everyone starts out with when they’re toddlers or younger. That’s recently had a major facelift with new kids slides and fun new colors.”
In addition to Tad Pool, the waterpark features children’s area Wet Willie’s, as well as a grassy beach, volleyball area and old-fashioned boardwalk. Fan favorites include the Lazy River, Mon Tsunami Wave Pool, Dragon’s Den and Blue Tubaluba.
“We have everything for someone who just wants to relax all day on our lazy river, someone who wants to swim in the wave pool or a calmer pool,” Kelly said. “We also have different slides ranging from a more relaxing Cliffhangers or a thrilling slide like our Lightning Express, which is our speed slides.
“We’re a really good option for anyone who wants to do a quick day trip, an overnight trip if they’re coupling it with our sister park Kennywood or a staycation. We’re set up like an old-fashioned East Coast boardwalk. We’re not that far away, and we have a lot to offer and a gorgeous view while we’re doing it.”
Waldameer Park & Water World
220 Peninsula Drive, Erie, Pennsylvania. 814-838-3591 | waldameer.com Ride wristbands for Waldameer Park are $29 (over 48 tall)/$20 (under 48 inches). Entrance to Water World is $27 (over 48 inches)/$21 (under 48 inches). Ride wristbands for both parks are $38 (over 48 inches)/$29 (under 48 inches).
For 2017, Waldameer Park & Water World is focusing on keeping cool in the summer heat. Located in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania at the neck of Presque Isle State Park peninsula, the tourist destination is in year three of its multimillion dollar Water World waterpark expansion, which includes the brand-new Battle of Lake Erie play structure.
“This 40-foot, multi-level tower features a 400-gallon tipping bucket, seven slides and over 100 interactive water features that kids and adults can enjoy together,” Waldameer Park & Water World Vice President of Operations Brian W. Gorman said. “Located next to our Kidz Zone and wave pool, the Battle of Lake Erie is themed after the War of 1812.”
Something else new to Waldameer Park is the Vault Laser Maze Challenge. The midway game features a darkened room full of crisscrossing laser beams. Players have to duck and dodge their way through the maze to reach the objective and earn the lowest possible score. Or for younger kids, they can try to break all the laser beams to get the highest score possible.
For thrill-seekers, the venue boasts its popular Ravine Flyer II roller coaster, the spinning Steel Dragon coaster, the classic woodbuilt The Comet coaster, the Flying Swings and the rotating Wendy’s Tea Party. There’s also the kidfriendly Ravine Flyer III.
Gorman said the selling point of the park is its history of providing fun to generations of families.
“The local and regional amusement parks of past decades are rare to find,” Gorman said. “Waldameer continues to keep hold of its historical roots to provide the nostalgia of good-old-fashion fun to its guests that visit the park.”