For the last 15 years, Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio transforms the park, voted Best Amusement Park on the planet for 11 years in a row, into a magical and spooky place. Decorating a house or yard for Halloween can be a challenging task -- can you imagine decorating more than 360 acres?
A day at Cedar Point during Halloweekends is like a visit to a large movie set. The magic and work behind the scenes transforms the park into something incredible. We have been lucky enough to visit the park almost every year during Halloweekends. Last year, HalloWeekends received the 2010 Frightmaster Award, two years in a row and the highest rating given by HauntedHouseTours.com.
This fall, HalloWeekends will be held Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 16 through Oct. 30, 2011.
Special Attractions at Halloweekends 15
One of the new attractions this year is "Blood on the Bayou," promising to be a very scary walk-through attraction. I am previewing it tomorrow night and will write about my adventure (if I live to tell).
During Halloweekends, most of the rides are open but there are a few exceptions and changes. Disaster Transport, the inside coaster on the beach, is converted into a haunted house. In addition to the incredible coasters and other rides, the park adds Mazes and Haunted Houses, spooky shows and frightening fare. There is even an upscale banquet at Eerie Estate where you can "Dine with the Dearly Departed" while enjoying filet mignon, lobster and a glass of wine.
Don't let the scary stuff frighten you away, though. Kids of all ages are able to enjoy the park. Be prepared to keep little ones away from certain attractions and explain beforehand that there might be a few silly, scary things along the way to certain rides.
A large wooden crate on the Midway that shakes, groans and seems to have a large monster inside, trying to escape, has frightened our young children in the past. We've learned to prepare them to be on the lookout for it. Most spooky attractions are well-defined and tiny ones cannot enter the extremely scary areas.
Our son, now 10, looks forward to the dancing monsters on the Midway every year.
Things to Know Before You Go to Halloweekends at Cedar Point
Beginning September 16, the park is open Friday through Sunday.
Hours: Fridays 6:00 PM to midnight, Saturdays noon-midnight and Sundays noon to 9:00 PM
Check the Cedar Point Calendar for changes or updates.
Friday Haunted Houses - 8:00 p.m. - Close; Outdoor Mazes - 8:00 p.m. - Close
Saturday Haunted Houses - 5:00 p.m. - Close; Outdoor Mazes - 8:00 p.m. - Close
Sunday Haunted Houses - 3:00 p.m. - Close; Outdoor Mazes* (Begining Oct. 9) - 7:00 p.m. - Close
Tips: The busiest day is Saturday. To avoid long lines on rides, try Sunday or Friday night. There are limited park rides available on Fridays, weather permitting: WindSeeker, Ocean Motion, Maverick, Top Thrill Dragster, Millennium Force, Raptor, Wicked Twister, Magnum XL-200, WildCat, Iron Dragon, Skyhawk, maXair, Power Tower, Dodgem, Troika, Midway Carrousel, Cedar Downs, Planet Spooky, Cadillac Cars, Matterhorn, Scrambler and Wave Swinger.
A Little Spooky Cedar Point History and Trivia
Even before Cedar Point had Halloweekends, a local legend spoke of the park being haunted. An old carousel located in Frontiertown was said to have been ridden at night by a female ghost named Mrs. Muller . The carousel has since been moved to Pennsylvania but the carrousel horse that the ghost is said to have ridden is located at the Carousel Museum in Sandusky.
Even if you are not a big fan of frightening and scary entertainment, there is much to see at Cedar Point during Halloweekends. The weather is almost always amazing. Gone is the blistering heat off concrete. The slight chill in the air helps you want to cuddle with your loved ones to keep warm as well as safe. The warm waters off of Lake Erie (that's Erie, not Eerie..) keep the park warmer than inland and if you are lucky enough to be there on a sunny day, when the leaves are changing colors and the sunlight is sparkling off the Lake and Sandusky Bay, you can see Cedar Point in her spectacular fall beauty. And if you are really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Mrs. Muller!
References:
Ghosts of Ohio; retrieved September 14, 2011
Elizabeth Richards - Elizabeth Richards has published almost 200 articles for Suite101 since 2007 as a Contributing and Feature Writer.
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