Cedar Point to build WindSeeker, a 30-story swing ride for 2011

Cedar Point, the Sandusky, Ohio amusement park, has announced plans for a new ride in 2011, a 30-story tall swing ride called the WindSeeker, and that 2011 season passes are on sale now.

To read my thoughts on camping at Cedar Point, click here for a previous post on my companion blog of the same name at www.rv.net.



New Ride for 2011: The WindSeeker
Cedar Point has announced that it will introduce WindSeeker, a 30-story-tall swing ride for next summer. WindSeeker will tower above everything around its location on the beach, rising almost as high as the Millennium Force roller coaster’s giant first hill.

The new WindSeeker will be a 301-foot-tall tower that will spin riders nearly 30 stories above the Lake Erie shoreline. Seated in two-person swings that will allow their feet to dangle, riders will slowly begin rotating in a circular motion as the swings ascend the tower. At the top, the swings will be reaching speeds between 25-30 mph, flaring out almost 45 degrees from the tower. WindSeeker will be able to accommodate 64 riders (32 swings) at one time.

There is no way on God's green earth that you will ever get me on this ride. I'm sure it's safe. I'm sure it's fun. I'm sure I would wet myself if I went on it.

You see, I don't do big rides. Sure, I've done the Magnum and Millenium Force — once. But I have never done the Top Thrill Dragster. Nor will I. Ever. I will kick and scream and punch and pull hair and spit in your eye before I would let you drag me onto that one.

Now, I do enjoy just about all the other rides at Cedar Point. The Maverick, Mantis and Raptor are my favorite roller coasters. I'll even get on the Wicked Twister and Blue Streak. But anything that goes high or spins fast — forget it. The Rotor, Witches Wheel or any of those spin-around-real-fast-until-you-vomit things? No way.

Shoot. I can't even watch someone on a swing set if they start to swing crooked. My stomach starts getting queasy immediately. Seriously.

My family makes fun of me because I'm a big fat chicken when it comes to these things. That's okay. I'd rather be made fun of than plummet to my death from these anxiety-inducing thrill rides — and that most definitely includes the WindSeeker, and I don't care what some Cedar Point guy has to say.

“Spinning almost 300 feet above Lake Erie and the Cedar Point Beach will be a very exciting ride experience for our guests,” said John Hildebrandt, the vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “Day or night, WindSeeker will provide riders with dramatic views of the park and the Cedar Point Peninsula. It will be an extremely popular addition to Cedar Point.”

WindSeeker will be positioned near the present location of the Ocean Motion swinging boat ride and will extend the park’s midway onto the Cedar Point Beach. At the end of the season, Ocean Motion, built in 1981, will be dismantled. It is currently available for sale.

In comparison to other Cedar Point rides, WindSeeker will climb nearly two stories higher than the cabin on the park’s Space Spiral observation ride and is only a few feet shorter than the first hill on Millennium Force. Another swing ride, the Wave Swinger that opened in Frontiertown in 1979, is 31 feet tall and has a top speed of approximately 9 mph.

The ride is manufactured by Mondial, a 23-year-old Dutch-based company. WindSeeker will cost approximately $5 million to build. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall and will be secured with individual over-the-head lap bars with interlocking seat belt.


2011 Season Passes on sale now
Cedar Point Season Passes and Cedar Fair Platinum Passes for 2011 are now on sale for the lowest prices of the season.

For those who simply need to renew their season pass, Cedar Point Season Passes can be renewed online or at the park during regular operating hours for only $95 ($11 cheaper than the regular price). Also, with the park’s new Instant Renewal program, season passes can be renewed without taking new pictures or filling out forms.

If you don't already have a season pass to renew and want to purchase a new one, a new Cedar Point Season Pass can also be purchased for $99.99 ($6 off the regular price). Plus, anyone who buys a new Cedar Point Season Pass at the park will also receive one free ticket to Cedar Point (only valid on the date of purchase).

Cedar Point Junior and Senior Season Passes ($69) are also available. Cedar Point Season Passes are valid for unlimited admission to Cedar Point and do not include admission to Soak City or free parking. Visit www.cedarpoint.com for all of the details on these money-saving deals!

Bigger savings are also available on Cedar Fair Platinum Passes. For $150, Platinum Passholders can save $15 and will have unlimited admission and can enjoy all the rides and attractions at 12 different amusement parks and six outdoor water parks including: Cedar Point; Soak City; Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom; Kings Island near Cincinnati; and Michigan’s Adventure near Muskegon, Mich. Platinum Pass Instant Renewals are $145 (a savings of $20). Plus, Platinum Passholders will also receive free parking and many other perks all summer long. Junior and Senior Platinum Passes ($92) are also available.

Also, beginning Sept. 17, HalloWeekends, Cedar Point’s family fall festival of fun and frights, will open for the season and will be in operation Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 31, 2010.

For more information about Cedar Point and its season pass program, please visit www.cedarpoint.com or call the park’s General Information Line (419-627-2350) or the Cedar Point Season Pass Center (419-627-2309).