Cedar Fair will open four new roller coasters in 2018

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

From the press release:

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, will introduce an unprecedented array of new rides and attractions for the 2018 operating season, including four ground-breaking roller coasters at Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm, California's Great America and Kings Dominion. In addition to the coasters, Cedar Fair will invest to expand its children's and family attractions, extend its season with special events and introduce modern, high-capacity dining venues at its parks.

Cedar Fair's President and Chief Operating Officer Richard Zimmerman said, "We will bring more enhancements than ever to the guest experience in 2018. Whether the guest is a thrill-seeker, a busy mom or dad, a corporate group or a family on its annual vacation, they'll find something to keep them coming back to the parks again and again. Along with our amazing team, these investments are focused on making our parks THE place to be for FUN by providing memorable experiences and unmatched value for our guests of all ages."

Following are the major attractions that Cedar Fair's parks will introduce in spring 2018:

  • Cedar Point, the Company's flagship park in Ohio, will continue its domination as the Roller Coaster Capital of the World™ with the introduction of Steel Vengeance, the world's first hyper-hybrid roller coaster. At more than 200 feet tall, the new hybrid design combines a steel running track on a massive wooden structure that provides an extremely smooth ride while enabling the coaster's trains to perform maneuvers previously unheard of on a wooden model. Steel Vengeance will shatter 15 roller coaster and amusement park world records, including those for tallest, fastest, steepest and inversion count for a hybrid roller coaster.
  • Knott's Berry Farm will introduce the West Coast's first dive coaster, enhancing its position as a must-visit destination among southern California theme parks. The new beach-themed HangTime dive coaster will suspend riders 15 stories over a disappearing track, provide floating sensations through negative g-stall loops, and feature a colorful lighting scheme that 'chases' the coaster train around the tracks.
  • The Company's ongoing development of California's Great America in Santa Clara will be highlighted by the first-of-its-kind single rail roller coaster, RailBlazer. The coaster will offer riders a 90-degree drop, three inversions, and intense dynamic rotations that are made possible by the single-rail design and inline seating. The opening of RailBlazer will kick off a multi-year transformation of the park into a world-class family entertainment destination unique to its region.
  • Guests at Kings Dominion near Richmond, Virginia will enjoy a new hybrid roller coaster – Twisted Timbers – which will feature a 109-foot barrel-roll drop, three inversions and overbanked turns, and 20 gravity-defying airtime moments at speeds more than 50 miles per hour. Twisted Timbers will position Kings Dominion as a high thrills destination in the central Virginia region.
  • Carowinds, Cedar Fair's world-class amusement park near Charlotte, N.C., plans a major renovation and expansion of its PEANUTS™ themed children's area. The new wilderness-inspired Camp Snoopy section of the park will feature five new rides, plus an 8,000-square-foot climb-and-play area catering to youngsters ranging from toddler through elementary school ages.

Rounding out the Company's investment in new rides is an exciting collection of themed thrill and family attractions. Canada's Wonderland in Toronto will introduce the Lumberjack pendulum thrill ride that loops guests 75 feet high, the Flying Canoes interactive family ride, and an upgraded and expanded children's pool and splash pad in the Splash Works water park. Minnesota's Valleyfair will introduce Delirious, a new thrill ride that sends riders seven stories high in a 360-degree suspension. Delirious anchors the overall enhancement of the park's iconic Route 76 section with the addition of new shade structures, lighting and gathering locations. Finally, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri will introduce a new family ride, the Nordic Chaser.

Also in 2018, a total of six of Cedar Fair's seasonal amusement parks will remain open through November and December when the immersive holiday experience, WinterFest, is added to two more parks. WinterFest features imaginative themed areas, millions of vivid lights, specialty foods, ice skating and falling snow. Guests may engage in interactive events and enjoy original holiday music and shows performed by the classic PEANUTS personalities and special WinterFest characters, while enjoying many of the parks' other rides and attractions.

Cedar Point will also strengthen its appeal as a multi-day family destination, when the historic Hotel Breakers opens its new five-story addition on the mile-long beachfront in May 2018. The 158 new guest rooms will feature premium bedding and amenities, and many will have balconies with views of Lake Erie and the park. An outdoor pool and sun deck adjacent to the beach completes the new facility. Once the addition opens, Hotel Breakers will offer 669 rooms.

The Company is also committed to providing innovative and fun food offerings at all of its parks and is introducing new or upgraded restaurants and catering areas at California's Great America, Carowinds, Dorney Park, Kings Island, and Michigan's Adventure. These facilities will provide a more diverse array of regional specialty foods, cater to increased group business, and accommodate more food-themed special events.

For families with young children, the Company is expanding its successful "Pre-K Pass" program in which children aged 3 to 5 may receive a free season pass. Parents must register their children to be eligible, and activate the free pass by cutoff dates determined by the parks. In 2018, Carowinds, Cedar Point and Dorney Park will join Kings Dominion, Valleyfair and Worlds of Fun in offering the free Pre-K season pass to help younger families visit the parks repeatedly throughout the year.

Read the entire press release from Cedar Fair.

Unfortunately not a lot of coasters will be open for WinterFest (at Least at Carowinds). I was gonna try another trip to N.Carolina but saw their lineup and just can’t justify the trip with only Afterburn running Coaster wise. Ditto for Busch Gardens, only InVadr and Verbolten. I’m just not built for flats anymore. I’m sure the lights will be fantastic though, the pics I’ve seen of BGW last year looked phenomenal, sure Cedar Fair will do it right with their extended Winter happenings too.

Same with us. When we first heard about WinterFest, we wanted to make a weekend trip and check it out. But I can't justify the drive from Orlando for Afterburn and some Christmas lights, especially with all of the cool stuff going on at the Orlando parks. Had the full coaster lineup been available, we would have gone up for a weekend without question. I still think it will be a success, it's just not the event for us.

I wonder if Carowinds and any other Cedar Fair parks not running many coasters had more local competition with a holiday event, if they would try running more coasters. Hershey never ran any coasters for Christmas Candylane for 32 years. Then all of the sudden when Great Adventure announced Holiday in the Park with 7 coasters open (and now 9 out of 13 open), Hershey started to open coasters for the event with 4 coasters in 2015, 5 coasters last year and now 6 this year.

I was surprised that Kings Island isn't going to have Flight of Fear open.

Last edited by YoshiFan,
sws's avatar

** Grabs some popcorn and waits for T-R to start whining **

This is amazing news for Michigan's Adventure fans. T-R should be extremely happy to be blessed with the news of the 'additions' to MA for 2018. What better way to look forward to the inevitable 10% gate increase and the new for 2018 $25 parking fee!

Looking at the list of improvements for 2018,I guess Cedar Fair forgot,again,that they own Dorney Park.

Maybe they ran out of rides to recycle.

slithernoggin's avatar

If only there was a way to make Michigan's Adventure and Dorney Park generate a profit....

Oh, wait, they do.

Ordering popcorn now for T-R's next rant....


Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep.
--Fran Lebowitz

rollergator's avatar

Might be me, but the "generic names" of rides intrigues me. I remember all the discussion about "mega-coaster" vs. "hyper-coaster" - indicating either B&M and/or Arrow vs. Intamin manufacture. Giga and strata came later - stratas were only produced by intamin, but both B&M and Intamin used the "giga" label.

Now, here we are, and other companies are calling their rides "Dive coasters" - which originally seemed to be a B&M label. Not sure whether that's from the manufacturer, or the chain/park(s)...

Also, not sure if I'm more excited about Knott's getting the new ride, or the lighting package that's coming with it...


You still have Zoidberg.... You ALL have Zoidberg! (V) (;,,;) (V)

Bobbie1951's avatar

YoshiFan, curious as to where you're getting the info about Great Adventure. Their website mentions only the same coasters that were open for Holiday In the Park the past 2 years. I take it for granted that El Toro, Kingda Ka and Bizarro will be closed as before. So what am I missing?


Bobbie

In 2015, Harley Quinn Crazy train was closed because of Joker construction and then last year those 2 coasters were added to the lineup. All coasters should be open except the 3 coasters you mentioned and Runaway Mine Train.

Last edited by YoshiFan,

Hmmmmm....

Well I guess so much for that rumor of a Banshee sized inverted coaster going to Canada's Wonderland in 2018! Maybe in 2019 ?!?!?! *fingers crossed* =)


Are you MAN ENOUGH to ride this ride ?

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