Monthly Archives: September 2011

2011 Shows, Halloweekends, Haunted Houses, News and Updates, News Stories, Shows

Cedar Point to rename 2 attractions after protests

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From the toledoBlade…

Dr. D. Mented's Asylum for the Criminally Insane

SANDUSKY — Criticized last year by a group that advocates on behalf of the mentally ill, Cedar Point says it will rename two attractions for its upcoming HalloWeekends operations to ones that are less offensive.

At issue was a haunted house called “Dr. D Mented’s Asylum for the Criminally Insane” and an indoor show called “The Edge of Madness — Still Crazy.”

Members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Ohio last year complained that the Sandusky amusement park stereotyped those with mental illness by giving two Halloween attractions names that the advocacy group said were offensive to the mentally ill and their families and inspired fear and misunderstanding by the general public.

Cedar Point spokesman Robin Innes said Thursday the park decided to address the criticism this year.

“We knew they were upset with some of the names,” he said. “We didn’t change them last year but we have changed them for this year.”

“Dr. D Mented’s Asylum” has been renamed the “Eternity Infirmary,” while “The Edge of Madness” has been changed to “The Edge of Madness — Six Feet Under,” Mr. Innes said.

Eternity Infirmary

The renamed attractions will make their debut when Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends opens on Sept. 16. The park’s Halloween-themed makeover will run each Friday-Sunday until Oct. 30.

The man who spearheaded the criticism last year, Terry Russell, interim executive director of the advocacy group, said he was pleased with Cedar Point’s decision. “NAMI Ohio is extremely thankful to them for doing that and our organization now fully supports their Halloween activities,” he said.

Admission, Events, Halloweekends, News and Updates, Season Passes

Cedar Point’s Bonus Weekend: Sept. 9-11

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Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Cedar Point will host several special events and offer a variety of ways to save on all the fun during its Bonus Weekend on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-11.

During this Bonus Weekend, the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort will be open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 9); noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 10); and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 11).

The next weekend, HalloWeekends 15, the park’s fall festival of fun and fright, will open for its 15th season. HalloWeekends will be held Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16-18 through Oct. 28-30.

The fun and the savings will start Friday evening when everyone will be able to purchase a ticket for an evening of rides and entertainment for only $19.99. Guests age 2 and under are free. (A reduced ride offering will be available.) Tickets can be purchased online at cedarpoint.com or at the park.

Cedar Point Season Pass-holders and Cedar Fair Platinum Pass-holders will also be able to take advantage of some special deals for added fun and savings. On Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 10-11), Season Pass-holders and Platinum Pass-holders will be able to bring as many guests as they like to the park each day for only $19.99 per person, a savings of $30 per ticket. These specially-priced tickets are only available at the park.

As a special bonus, Platinum and Season pass-holders will also be able to enjoy Exclusive Ride Time (ERT) on both days. On Saturday, ERT will be held on Top Thrill Dragster and the Magnum XL-200 for one hour shortly after park closing. On Sunday, ERT on Millennium Force will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. All guests of season pass-holders will also be able to participate in these special ride sessions.

In addition to the ERT sessions, all Platinum Pass and Cedar Point Season Pass-holders will be able to save 20 percent on all purchases of $20 or more at the Park Plaza, Snoopy Boutique and Pagoda gift shops. All season pass-holders will also be able to buy one-get one game free at all $1 and $2 games.

Cedar Fair Platinum Passes and Cedar Point Season Passes for 2012 are now on sale at the best prices of the season. Through Oct. 30, Platinum Passes are only $159 while Season Passes are $99.99. Renewals are $149 and $95, respectively. For Juniors (age 3 and older, under 48 inches tall) and Seniors (age 62 and older), Platinum Passes are $96 while Season Passes are $69.99. Season Passes can be purchased online (cedarpoint.com) or at Cedar Point’s Season Pass Center during the park’s operating hours.

Now through Sunday, Sept. 11, the park is offering Pick-A-Date tickets that allow guests to pick a specific date to visit the park and save $12 per ticket. Tickets can be used on a different date with an upgrade.

The park will also host two special events during the next week. On Sunday, Sept. 11, Cedar Point will host the Revolution3 Triathlon for the second consecutive year. The event will consist of a full triathlon and a half triathlon. Participants will swim, bike and run more than 140.6 or 70.3 miles. Both races will start on the Cedar Point Beach and will end at the park. Last year, more than 1,100 participants competed in the event.

Guests will be able to experience the excitement of the finish line all day long through midnight as the last racers cross the finish line located in the park’s main parking lot. For more race details, please visit: www.rev3tri.com.

On Wednesday through Sunday, Sept 14-18, the 39th annual North American In-Water Boat Show will be held in the Cedar Point Marina. It is the largest in-water boat show on the Great Lakes.

For more information on these money-saving deals and special events at Cedar Point, please visit cedarpoint.com or call the park’s General Information Line at 419.627.2350.

Events, News and Updates, News Stories, Rides, Tranquil Rides

Firelands Red Cross hosts The Last Ride Auction

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Firelands Red Cross Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio – Shortly after 8 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5, guests of the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross will take the final public rides on the Paddlewheel Excursions, the scenic riverboat cruise at Cedar Point.

To determine the participants on the two last rides, the Red Cross will host The Last Ride Auction for the seats on the last two boats. Each boat will accommodate 25 riders. (Riders must be at least 46 inches tall or accompanied by a responsible person.)

The top 49 bidders will be officially certified as the Last Riders on the Paddlewheel Excursions. The highest 24 riders will earn a seat on the last public cruise. As a special treat, that last boat will be captained by Dick Kinzel, CEO of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. Bidders 25-49 will have a seat on the second last boat. Official bidding began Aug. 26 and will run through 8:30 a.m. on this Friday, Sept. 2.

In addition to a final ride on Paddlewheel Excursions, successful bidders will also receive complimentary admission to Cedar Point, admission to the Last Ride Auction Reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments that will begin at 7 p.m. at Charlie Brown’s Cookout in Camp Snoopy, a commemorative medallion from the Red Cross and certificates of recognition from the Red Cross and Cedar Point.

Winning participants will be able to enter the park anytime during the day and will also receive free parking. (Cedar Point will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.) They will also be able to purchase discounted tickets for family and friends for use on Labor Day.

A themed-riverboat cruise has been in operation at Cedar Point since the early Sixties. During that span, it has given more than 47 million rides.

All proceeds from the event will support the many programs provided by the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Those interested in submitting a bid should visit:

http://www.firelandsredcross.org/lastride

For additional information about The Last Ride Auction, please visit www.firelandsredcross.org or call the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross at 419.626.1641 or 800.589.2286.