Cedar Point

Top Thrill Dragster -------- 2003. Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Giorgio Armani (Subscribers see complete biographies -- view sample) CFO Paolo Fontanelli EVP, Worldwide Communications Robert Triefus. Wicked Twister ------------ 2002. In 2006, he designed the outfits worn by participants bringing in the Italian flag at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. Millennium Force ---------- 2000. In 2002, he was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Woodstock's Express --- 1999. In 2001, Forbes magazine named Giorgio Armani the most successful designer out of Italy, estimating his net worth at $1.7 billion.

Mantis ------------------------- 1996. In 1996, Armani was one of several designers convicted of corruption. Raptor ------------------------- 1994. His sister Rosanna Armani joined him in the company; Galeotti died in 1985. Mean Streak ---------------- 1991. He achieved his international breakthrough by tailoring for numerous Hollywood names and especially for Richard Gere in the title role of American Gigolo in 1980/81. Magnum XL 200 ----------- 1989. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines.

Iron Dragon ------------------ 1987. with a menswear label, introducing a ladies' wear line in 1975. Disaster Transport -------- 1985. In 1974, with assistance from his partner, Sergio Galeotti, he established his own company, Giorgio Armani S.p.A. Gemini -------------------- 1979. From 1961 to 1970, Armani worked as a designer in well-known fashion house Nino Cerruti, after which he left to pursue freelance work. Jr. He then worked in a department store, La Rinascente, as a window dresser.

Wildcat ------------------------ 1979. He originally trained in medicine, then gave it up to pursue photography, before being called up for national service in 1957. Gemini ------------------------- 1978. Giorgio Armani was born 11 July 1934 in Piacenza, Italy). Corkscrew -------------------- 1976. Giorgio Armani is a famous Italian fashion designer particularly noted for his menswear. Cedar Creek Mine Ride -- 1969.

Blue Streak ------------------- 1964. To date, Cedar Point has more roller coasters over 200 feet (4) than any other park in the world. Cedar Point continued its record breaking tradition in 2003 with Top Thrill Dragster, also designed by Intamin AG, which features a four-second launch to 120 mph (190 km/h) and a 420 foot (128 m) hill with a vertical ascent and a 270 degree spiral on the vertical descent. In 2002, Cedar Point announced Wicked Twister, the world's tallest, fastest and first double-spiraling impulse coaster.

In 2000, Cedar Point and Intamin AG unleashed Millennium Force, which at the time was the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster and the first coaster to top 300 feet (90 m) in height. Mantis, also designed by Bolliger and Mabillard, opened in 1996 as the tallest, fastest, and longest stand-up roller coaster with the most loops. Raptor (rollercoaster), designed by Bolliger and Mabillard, opened in 1994 as the tallest, fastest, and longest inverted roller coaster with the most inverting elements. In 1991 Mean Streak opened as the tallest and fastest wooden coaster.

In 1989 Magnum XL 200, designed by the now defunct Arrow Dynamics, opened as the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster in existence, as well as being the first full-circuit roller coaster to be taller than 200 feet (60 m). In 1978 Gemini debuted as the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster on earth. In 1976 Corkscrew was the first roller coaster to turn its riders upside down three times. The Cedar Creek Mine Ride opened in 1969 as one of the very first run-away mine train style roller coasters.

Many of its roller coasters were record setters when they opened. The park continued to expand rapidly through the next 50 years. With the uproar occurring and the sudden popularity of Disneyland in California, Roose and Legros decided to end their plans to tear down Cedar Point and instead announced their plans to turn Cedar Point into the Disneyland of the Midwest. Once the citizens of Sandusky found out about Roose and Legros' plans, they wrote letters to the governor of Ohio urging him to intervene.

With this in mind, they built a marina and constructed a causeway leading from the amusement area to Sandusky. When they first bought Cedar Point, Roose and Legros planned on tearing down the existing park and turning it into a residential area. The Great Depression had an adverse effect on Cedar Point, and it did not fully recover until the 1950s when businessmen George Roose and Emile Legros bought the park. In 1929 The Cedar Point Cyclone was built by legendary designer Harry Traver.

Cedar Point continued to expand over the course of the century, adding a series of new rides and roller coasters. Around the turn of the twentieth century, businessman George Arthur Boeckling spent several decades expanding the park by planting flower gardens, adding a boardwalk and rides, constructing lagoons, and opening several hotels including The Breakers Hotel which opened on June 12, 1905, and still operates today. When the war ended, Cedar Point resumed its role as a summer picnic area, and the initial park was constructed in 1870. During the American Civil War, an earthwork housing a battery of four field artillery pieces was constructed at the tip of the peninsula to help guard access to the Confederate prisoner of war camp on nearby Johnson's Island.

. Cedar Point and Valleyfair! were the original operating partners of the Cedar Fair, LP amusement park company. Cedar Point has the world's second tallest and fastest roller coaster, Top Thrill Dragster. It opened in 1870 and is the second oldest amusement park in North America (Lake Compounce being the oldest).

In addition to amusement park rides it offers beaches, two waterparks (one indoors), a marina, several hotels, and a "Challenge Park" featuring attractions such as go-karts and miniature golf. Cedar Point is a 364 acre (1.5 km²) amusement park located near Sandusky, Ohio on a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Both Cedar Point and sister park (and onetime competitor) Geauga Lake are often referred to by western Pennsylvanians as the "Ohio parks", due to their proximity and their competition with Pittsburgh's own Kennywood, usually the chief rival to Cedar Point. Cedar Point is operated by Cedar Fair, L.P., a consortium that also owns Knott's Berry Farm in California, Worlds of Fun in Missouri, Cedar Point and Geauga Lake in Ohio, Michigan's Adventure in Michigan, Dorney Park in Pennsylvania, Valleyfair in Minnesota, and several waterparks.

Others that have visited the park include Montel Williams, Yasmine Bleeth, Drew Carey, Monica Lewinsky, Rob Lowe, LeBron James, the members of Simple Plan, as well as Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns team members. Some past employees who have gone on to fame include Sam Warner, Arsenio Hall, and Knute Rockne who worked as a lifeguard at Cedar Point in 1913 and invented the forward pass with teammate Gus Dorais on the beach during their off-time. Cedar Point also has 68 different amusement rides, the most world-wide. Cedar Point currently retains 3 of the top 5 Roller Coasters (in terms of height and speed) in North America, and two of the top 3 world-wide.

Cedar Point has been voted "Best Amusement Park in the World" for 8 years running by Amusement Today newspaper (1998 - 2005). The sand is the right texture for making sand castles. The beach on Lake Erie is wide, and both it and the shore have a generally gradual slope. Hotel Breakers arcade is located at the base of Breakers Tower.

Challenge Park arcade is located in a building that also houses a food stand. The two other arcades are technically outside of the park. Jitney is located in the rear of the park and has Skeeball. Gemini arcade is located across from the Gemini roller coaster and features Skeeball and boomball.

Coliseum features over 30 lanes of Skeeball and over 100 video and redemption games. The same building also holds Cedar Point Police, Park Operations and the Ballroom. Coliseum is the largest and includes the arcade maintenance office. Cedar Point has five arcades on the peninsula.

The Great American Racing Derby, a ride from Euclid Beach Park which simulated a horse race, still runs today at Cedar Point, who acquired it in 1967, renamed Cedar Downs. It has two antique carousels which retain their original wooden animals, many smaller carnival-type rides, as well as county-fair style booths and games and a variety of musical shows, which are considered 2nd only to Disney. In contrast to many parks that have completely modernized, Cedar Point has retained some older rides as well. There is, however, some discrepancy as to whether or not one of Magic Mountain's coasters (Superman the Escape) is truly a coaster.

However, in 2006 Six Flags Magic Mountain will open Tatsu, a flying roller coaster, making their coaster count 17. Cedar Point was tied with Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California for having the most roller coasters at any park; with 16 roller coasters each as of 2005. While you cannot see mainland Canada—it is much too far—a good eye might be able to spot Pelee Island, a Canadian island in the middle of Lake Erie, 34 km or 21 miles to the north. It is said that if you have the courage, you can see all the way out to Canada if you look out at the top of the hill on Millennium Force, Magnum XL 200, or Top Thrill Dragster.

This Giant Frisbee, manufactured by Huss GmbH, swings riders at 70 mph (110 kph) while spinning them. In 2005, Cedar Point built a new ride called maXair. Many of the original souvineers and materials were burned or destroyed. The name was quickly changed when the marketing department realized the full negative connotation of the word 'banshee' and all 'The Banshee' stickers, pins and other promotional materials that had been given to employees were recalled.

The original proposed name for the Mantis was The Banshee and the proposed coaster would be painted black and silver. The Hotel is also the de facto headquarters for several Cedar Point departments including Central Reservations (Department 402), Park Operator / PBX and Housekeeping. Another interesting aspect of the Breakers is that the map of the hotel's layout given to guest upon check-in to help them find their rooms 'hides' several areas of the complex, including an entire hallway on the second floor devoted to employee housing. The Hotel Breakers has hosted 6 American Presidents in its history, Taft, Coolidge, Wilson, Harding, Roosevelt and Eisenhower.

It's Presidential Suite is one of the most expensive hotel rooms in Sandusky, commanding $1000 per night during the peak season. Hotel Breakers Trivia: Built in 1905, Hotel Breakers owned by Cedar Fair and located at the rear of the park, features original Tiffany stained-glass windows in its lobby.