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Cedar Point's new GateKeeper roller coaster opened to the
public on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in Sandusky, Ohio. |
Sandusky,
Ohio - “This is definitely a top-10 coaster and, let’s face it, this
ride sure as heck beats Disaster Transport,” said Pamela Kanai of
Pittsburgh, Pa. to a cacophony of cheers, as well as a few catcalls, as
she exited GateKeeper’s station platform.
Cedar
Point in Sandusky, Ohio has always held a reputation for turning out
record-breaking roller coasters and the spring of 2013 was no exception.
The amusement resort’s newest coaster, GateKeeper, took flight in May
to fanatical acclaim with its immense height, speed and thrills.
“It
has caused a great influx of new members because of the media day and
I’m sure for CoasterMania,” said Cathy Schwab of Massillon, Ohio and
president of the Great Ohio Coaster Club (GOCC). “A lot of people have
joined because of this ride.”
Designed
by Swiss ride manufacturers Bollinger & Mabillard (B&M), plans
for GateKeeper began to emerge to the public in August 2012.
Announcements had already been made about the plans to remove the park’s
Disaster Transport indoor roller coaster as well as the Space Spiral
observation tower to accommodate the new ride and the public was growing
antsy to know what would be replacing the two rides. On August 13,
Cedar Point officially announced their $30 million project that would
include the tallest, fastest and longest winged roller coaster in the
world as well as a complete overhaul to the park’s front entrance.
“To
work with Cedar Point is always a great pleasure,” said Kim Gent, a
representative of B&M, during a press conference. “Cedar Point came up
with the idea to build the ride along the beach and above the main
entrance of the park... It took a year to design, to do all the drawings
and calculations inch-by-inch to make it a safe fun ride."
Construction
of GateKeeper took about eight months and began in
mid-September. Cedar Point’s Marketing Programs Manager, Bryan Edwards,
says hiring local workers was a quintessential element for
construction of a project this size.
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GateKeeper was designed by Bollinger & Mabaillard and was part of a
$30 million project for Cedar Point
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“From
the coaster, to pouring the cement for the footers, to landscaping,
to actually just building this structure, it really helped put a lot
of money back into the Ohio economy by hiring local Ohio workers to put
it together,” said Edwards.
Cedar
Point managed to keep the public up-to-date on the construction
progress via extensive blogging and social media posts which many roller
coaster enthusiasts followed with fanatical zeal.
“We
let each other know if there was some new updates,” said Alan Hewston
of Parma Heights, Ohio and member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts
(ACE). “It was great to see them do that because it helps to get the
enthusiasts even more excited about the event and about riding the
coaster.”
The
changes to the resort become apparent as soon as visitors arrive at the
park entrance. GateKeeper towers over the main gates with a massive
zero-g roll spinning through double keyholes that rise straight up in
front of the park like 100-foot knives. The outside entrance plaza has
been redone with new turnstiles, ticket booths and a new guest services
building.
“The
newly redesigned Main Entrance, the now unblocked views of Lake Erie
and the beach and, of course, GateKeeper itself are all visually
stunning,” said Jason Ballard of Weirton, W.Va. and member of GOCC.
As
park guests enter the park and progress up the midway, GateKeeper can
be accessed to the far right side of the park near the entrance to
Wicked Twister. The new coaster’s trademark blue-waves logo stands
boldly on a pedestal beckoning for people to come and sit on it for
photos. A massive plaza spreads out across the area with plenty of
shaded tables and countless views of the coaster. Queuing lines stretch
the length of the ride as it runs along the shores of Lake Erie and
offers an unobstructed view of the beaches and the ride’s first
elements. However, once the considerable wait is over, it’s time to
choose which side to ride and to take flight.
“It
was a good ride with good pacing,” said Dave Altman of Plum Boro, Pa.
and president of ACE. “The inversions weren’t too disconcerting so I’d
say it was a pretty good.”
“It’s
got a nice amount of intensity without it being too over-the-top,” said
Aaron Lesko of Dravosburg, Pa. and member of ACE. “It’s very re-ridable
and I think it will be a very popular ride for the park."
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Cedar Point's new GateKeeper sets the world record for the tallest, fastest
and longest winged coaster on the planet. |
As
guests board the trains, careful eyes may notice the decorative details
that have been put into the cars. The aerodynamic body of a golden
griffin-like creature with red eyes, which light up once the sun sets,
scowls from the center chassis of the cars. The seats, perched far off
to the side of the chassis and track, act as decorative wings for the
creature. Running lights come to life along the side of each seat once
nighttime comes as well. The modern shoulder-restraints from B&M lay
flat across the chest with a pair of handlebars off to the side,
offering a clear view in all directions once the train pulls out of the
station.
“The
harnesses are very comfortable and the seats are very comfortable,”
said Carsten Anderson of Avon Lake, Ohio, and member of CP Rundown. “I
honestly could sit on the ride all day and not have to worry about
anything.”
Depending
on the rider’s choice to ride in the left or right set of seats; the
ride will present a different experience based on the chosen side. This
becomes apparent as soon as the train crests the 170-lift hill and
immediately flips upside-down into the opening dive drop. The left side
of the train creates a tipping stimulation, rather like the feeling of
being tipped from a bucket. The right side, moreover, presents more of a
dropping sensation, as if a trap door has opened and the seats have
begun to fall.
“Whenever
you’re going off the lift hill through the inversion, you just hang
upside-down for what seems like an eternity,” said Ron Mazur of Bethel
Park, Pa and member of ACE. “That truly sets the pace for the rest of
the ride.”
“The
ride was awesome. I was on the first row on the right side and it was
so, so cool,” said Mary White of Clarkston, MI and member of PointBuzz.
“When you’re first going up and you take a loop right after, it’s
awesome.”
Additional
difference can be felt and viewed as the trains approach the massive
double keyhole element that towers over the park’s main entrance.
Different sensations of head-chopping moments are experienced, depending
on the side of choice, as the train twists through the zero-g roll and
slips through the vertical slots in the twin spires.
“The
front seat is awesome going into the keyholes,” said Geoffrey Ford of
Auburn, N.Y. and member of the Western New York Coaster Club. “It’s just
spectacular. It looks like you’re just going to fly into that thing and
then the head-choppers are really good in the front seat too.”
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GateKeeper's trains spin through double keyholes over the park's newly
designed front entrance.
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Upon
disembarkment from the ride, a special gift shop is presented to the
riders with a large collection of GateKeeper merchandise including
shirts, glasses, toys and a large variety of other unique paraphernalia.
On-ride photos can also be purchased. The question that remains
however: Should I ride it again?
“I’ve
rode it five times this morning and on the left, outside is going to be
your best ride,” said Andree Shrider of Elkhart, IN and member of Club
TPR (Theme Park Review). It’s a very smooth ride, its quiet, it’s a good
time.”
GateKeeper is officially open to the public at Cedar Point and has a height requirement of 52 inches.
GateKeeper opening day, Cedar Point - 5/9/2013 from
Joel Brewton on
Vimeo.
