Cedar Point gets floorless roller coaster

When Cedar Point opens for the season Saturday, guests will be greeted with a new floorless roller coaster named after a terrifying werewolf-like creature in French folklore.

Called Rougarou ( roo-guh-roo), the 2minute, 15-second ride has been reconfigured from the track and structure of the former Mantis roller coaster that closed at the Sandusky, Ohio, park last October. This stand-up Mantis roller coaster was the tallest and fastest of its kind in the world when it opened at Cedar Point on May 11, 1996. It provided more than 22 million rides over 18 years.

Rougarou’s floorless trains will take riders to speeds up to 60 mph as their feet dangle inches above the track and the waters below. The ride begins with a climb to the top of the 145-foot first hill, and then will make an 180degree turn to the right and plummet 137 feet at a 52-degree angle to within inches of the water. Riders then will be flipped upside down by a 119-foot-tall vertical loop and later in the ride twisted upside down again by what park officials said is the world’s only inclined loop on a floorless coaster.

Riders will be transported in three 32-passenger trains along the 3,900-foot track.

Cedar Point, known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” has 17 roller coasters, 11 of which are described as “aggressive thrill” rides.

In other changes, the park has renovated its signature resort, the Hotel Breakers, creating a new exterior, entrance portal, remodeled rooms and amenities. The hotel originally opened in 1905. The two-year renovation is part of a $60 million upgrade the park is doing on its four lodging facilities.

Information: www.cedarpoint.com.