What's new at Cedar Point this year? 2024 guide with Top Thrill 2 ride restrictions, events and more

Opening day

Saturday, May 4: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Tickets are available HERE.

Cedar Point Shores water park opening day

Saturday, May 25: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

CoasterMania!

Friday, June 7

See full details of this event HERE.

Light Up the Point

July 4-5

Celebrate Independence Day at Cedar Point with fireworks on two nights.

"Set to an electric summertime soundtrack with patriotic melodies and today’s hits, the display will overtake the skies above the famous Cedar Point Beach near the front of the park," according to Cedar Point's site.

Boardwalk Nights: NEW IN 2024

July 19 through Aug. 18

"When the sun goes down, the Cedar Point Beach and The Boardwalk area of the park electrify with larger-than-life entertainment, over-the-top food & drink, games for the entire family, music and dancing, lights and sounds that inspire the best summertime dance moves and more," according to Cedar Point.

Cedar Point Shores closing day

Monday, Sept. 2: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

HalloWeekends

Ready for a good scare? HalloWeekends returns on Sept. 12 with select dates through Oct. 27.

What new frights are in store for HalloWeekends 2024 at Cedar Point? While the Halloween season is still months away, we already know of one big change for this year's event as Midnight Syndicate has announced they will not be returning for HalloWeekends 2024.

Closing day

Sunday, Oct. 27... It's your last chance to ride!

Fast fact

Cedar Point says 2024 marks their 155th summer season.

The star attraction for the 2024 season at Cedar Point is the park's new Top Thrill 2 roller coaster, which is an enhanced version of the former Top Thrill Dragster ride featuring three high-speed launches between two 420-foot towers. So what can you expect? Here's everything you need to know...

TOP THRILL 2 RIDE STATS

• Top height: 420 feet
• Top speed: 120 mph
• Ride duration: Two minutes
• First launch (going forward): 74 mph
• Second launch (going backward): 101 mph
• Third launch (going forward): 120 mph

HEIGHT REQUIREMENT

Guests must be at least 52" tall to ride Top Thrill 2.

POV RIDE VIDEO

What's it like to climb aboard Top Thrill 2? Check out the video below...

RELATED: Top Thrill 2 test run at Cedar Point shows water ballast bag flying from ride during solar eclipse event: VERIFY

RIDER RESTRICTIONS: CELL PHONES, LOCKERS AND LOOSE ARTICLES

Top Thrill 2 features a strict loose-article policy in which all guests will be required to empty their pockets before entering the line -- and this includes your cell phone. Here's what Cedar Point is saying:

"Loose articles are not permitted on Top Thrill 2, and all riders will pass through metal detection at the ride’s entrance. This means cell phones, keys, lighters, lipsticks/lip gloss and any other common items you usually put in your pocket are not permitted in line."

What about zippered pockets or pouches? 

"Riders are not permitted to utilize waist packs, zippered pockets or pockets that fasten to store their loose items – they must be left with a non-rider or in a locker," according to Cedar Point. "There are no loose article bins on the station platform."

Free lockers?

Cedar Point says no free lockers will be available at the ride. Here's their statement explaining that decision:

Working with the manufacturer’s recommendations, Top Thrill 2’s rider safety guidelines were revised after initial testing, resulting in our strict policy of loose articles not being permitted past the ride’s entrance.

Due to the later revision, the integration of lockers into the queue, similar to those at Steel Vengeance, was not possible. We encourage riders to leave any loose articles with a non-rider. If you wish to rent a locker, they will be near the entrance for a nominal fee.

These policies are in place for the safety of our Guests and Associates – and safety is our first priority. Thank you for adhering to these rider safety guidelines to ensure a safe and FUN ride.

Footwear restrictions: Flip-flops, sandals and slides

As 3News reported earlier this month, Top Thrill 2's safety restrictions also prohibit guests wearing loose-fitting shoes without a strap or back from getting on the ride.

“Guests who wish to ride Top Thrill 2 will need to have the appropriate footwear before entering the line,” Clark previously told 3News.

That means anybody wearing flip-flops or slides will not be permitted to experience Top Thrill 2.

"Please keep this in mind, as you may not enter the line barefoot nor leave your shoes near the ride’s entrance," according to Cedar Point.

Glasses

For those of you who wear glasses, they are permitted on Top Thrill 2 only if they are secured with a strap.

"You may not hold glasses or any other items while riding," according to the park's rules.

RELATED: Yes, Cedar Point is restricting guests from riding Top Thrill 2 based on their footwear: VERIFY

FULL TOP THRILL 2 RIDER GUIDELINES

Cedar Point has posted the following guidelines on the Top Thrill 2 ride page:

• A high-speed triple launch strata roller coaster. Riders will experience weightlessness, strong positive and negative forces, and rapid movements from side-to-side.
• An individual lap bar secures each Rider across the thighs and pelvis.
• The lap bar must be in firm contact with the pelvis and muscular parts of the thighs.
• Due to the nature of the restraint, this ride may not accommodate Guests of a larger size.
• A test seat is located at the ride entrance which can be used to ensure proper fit and comfort prior to waiting in line.
• Guests must have three functioning extremities.
• Two functioning arms are sufficient instead of three functioning extremities if the Guest has a normal center of gravity and lower extremities are sufficiently strong to maintain proper riding posture under the dynamic conditions of the ride. Amputation(s) must be below the knee. Guest must be seated in ADA vehicle.
• Guests may ride with one leg amputation; amputation must be below the knee.
• Guests with a cervical collar, neck brace, broken collar bone, full arm cast, braced arm cast, or full leg cast are not permitted to ride.
• Guests with any type of prosthesis should not ride unless they can ensure the device is properly secured and will remain in place during the ride.
• Alternate access is available at the ride exit.
• Guests will have to take several steps, on their own and be capable of stepping up and over the ride unit.
• A transfer device is available upon request which may assist a Guest out of a wheelchair and into the ride unit.
• Please do not use the ride restraints for support while entering and exiting, as they will shift.
• NOTE: Loose articles are not permitted past entrance. They may either be left with a non-rider or be placed in lockers for storage.
• NOTE: Glasses may only be worn on this attraction if they are secured with an athletic strap. Glasses may not be held in the hands of riders while riding.
• NOTE: Loose fitting shoes without a strap or back are not permitted past entrance.
• WARNING: This ride requires Guests to pass through metal detection prior to being allowed to enter the line.
• WARNING: This ride contains strobe lighting.
• WARNING: This ride utilizes magnetic systems during the ride.
• Visit our Guest Assistance page for additional Accessibility information.

TOP THRILL 2 EXPLAINED: NEW RIDE EXPERIENCE

So what makes Top Thrill 2 different? Here’s how Cedar Point describes it...

Riders will immerse themselves as they join the CP Racing Team and climb into one of three, sleek high-performance racing vehicles. Each of Top Thrill 2’s trains will feature open-air seating, providing heart-pounding views on the world’s first and only dual-tower vertical speedway.

On the start, using an all-new linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system, riders will peel out down the straightaway reaching speeds of 74 mph, racing toward the sky on Top Thrill 2’s original 420-foot-tall “top hat” tower. After experiencing weightlessness during the “rollback” – the coveted fan-favorite moment when the train’s momentum isn’t great enough to make it up and over the tower – the train shifts into reverse and into its second launch, reaching speeds of 101 mph.

Riders will then see Cedar Point unlike ever before as they speed into a backward climb at a 90-degree angle on a new, 420-foot-tall track tower. After a second moment of weightlessness, the train shifts into drive and races forward into its third launch, clocking in at the ride’s top speed of 120 mph.

Crossing over the top hat tower, the train decelerates momentarily before diving into a 270-degree spiral and crossing the finish line.

BRINGING TOP THRILL 2 TO LIFE

Cedar Point has partnered with Zamperla Rides and its Roller Coaster Business Unit to create the Top Thrill 2 ride experience.

"Top Thrill 2 is one of the first roller coasters in the world to utilize Zamperla’s 'Lightning' trains, capable of high-speed aerodynamics, performance and rider comfort," Cedar Point explains. "The ride’s new high-tech LSM launch system delivers smooth and quiet acceleration while giving riders the chance to feel the rush of motorsport racing."

When it first opened in 2003, Top Thrill Dragster became the first roller coaster in the world to top 400 feet. Here's how the attraction was initially described:

Put the pedal to the metal because no speeding tickets are cited to Top Thrill Dragster. Three point eight….that’s 3.8… seconds. That is all it takes to go from a complete standstill to 120 miles per hour. You’ve never experienced speed like this. Even with a true drag strip “Christmas tree” light counting down the launch, you’ll never be ready for the pure adrenaline rush packed into a 17 second race. Riders are launched in the blink of an eye before sprinting straight up at a 90-degree incline. If you dare to open your eyes at the top you will see spectacular views only viewed by the bravest 420 feet in the air. But look quick, before you know it, you’re hurtling back to the ground in a 270- degree twist before crossing the finish line. We aren’t kidding when we say that this high-octane sprint to the checkered flag knows a thing or twenty about horsepower.

As the new Top Thrill 2 coaster makes its debut, Cedar Point is also saying goodbye to these two features this year...

SNAKE RIVER EXPEDITION BOAT RIDE

As 3News first reported earlier this year, the Snake River Expedition boat ride is not returning to Cedar Point for the 2024 season.

Cedar Point spokesperson Tony Clark provided the following statement about the ride's closure: 

"Snake River Expedition will not return in 2024. Every year, we evaluate guest ridership, feedback and usage of our attractions and make decisions accordingly as we plan for the future. At this time, there are no additional plans or announcements for the ride."

Snake River Expedition, which was initially announced for the 2020 season, ultimately opened in 2021 after being postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The attraction featured live actors and animatronics within various scenes along the waterway.

MELT BAR AND GRILLED RESTAURANT

Also not returning this year: The Melt Bar and Grilled restaurant located inside the park is officially closed. Cedar Point spokesperson Tony Clark confirmed Melt's closure, providing the following statement to 3News:

The operating agreement between Melt Bar & Grilled and Cedar Point has expired, and we’ve mutually agreed to not renew. There are no immediate plans for the location inside the park.

Melt has already been removed from Cedar Point's list of dining options.

Melt opened its Cedar Point location during the 2017 season inside the former Joe Cool Cafe near the Planet Snoopy area. It was Melt's ninth location at the time.

Upon its debut, the Cedar Point Melt featured an exclusive sandwich -- known as the Firecracker Chicken -- which was made with spicy fried chicken, grilled pineapple, avocado and pepper jack cheese.

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