2026 Anniversaries

This year several rides celebrate anniversaries. They are listed below:

Midway Carousel - 80 Years (at Cedar Point), though it has been in operation for 114 years.

Corkscrew - 50 Years

Troika - 50 Years

Ocean Motion - 45 Years

Thunder Canyon - 40 Years

Rougarou/Mantis - 30 Years

Skyhawk - 20 Years

WindSeeker - 15 Years

Valravn - 10 Years

Skyhawk turning 20 hits me hard. Probably because I graduated high school in '06.

Old Manits videos:

Promo Video

Construction Footage

I think Lighthouse Point turns 25 years old this year.

That Mantis promo video is amazingly cheesy. I love the X-Files feel of it, and especially enjoy the animation of the giant mutated mantis walking around Cedar Point.

Not to digress too much, but the actor (Mike Speller) in the Mantis promo video also played Vice Principal Lippman on the early 90s Nickelodeon sitcom Welcome Freshmen. It was a wild combining of worlds for a 90s kid.

I thought he looked familiar, and remember that show. Thanks for putting two and two together!

Wow! 50 years of Corkscrew! I remember stumbling back to the Cedars one 1976 night after the Circus closed. Maintenance was working on Corkscrew. We got a midnight ride in the dark!

Last year, Maverick hitting its 18th year really broke my brain because Magnum was in its 18th year when Maverick debuted.

To me, Magnum seemed older in 2007 than Maverick did in 2025. I'm sure there are reasonable explanations for that, like my age when each debuted, and the nonlinear advancements in design & tech between the two, but it really was confounding to me.

I can understand that, because I've thought that Maverick was younger too. My first time on it was in 2010 which to me doesn't seem like it was that 15 years ago. When I see the fast lane extend into the midway and the regular line using the outer queue I feel as if the ride just debuted recently. Whereas, Magnum still gives me the classic coaster vibes (and I can't get enough of it).

The Ocean motion one made me feel really old. (as did the Corkscrew 50th). I rode OM back in 1981 when it debuted and it freaked me out, swear that ride went even higher in its old location years ago.

I was too small to ride Corkscrew when it debuted (my first year going to the park) but.... I was able to ride Gemini 2 years later. My first big coaster and it also scared me silly. Those lines waiting for it down the midway were massive. Good times....

If Maverick turns 20 next year, that means it will also be 20 years since we lost Geauga Lake. Remembering the last day at GL feels like yesterday and an entire lifetime ago in the same memory.

Ocean Motion is kinda weird though, because it's not the original gondola. I forget what year they replaced it (last year John H. was GM, I think).

I feel like I remember an offseason photo someone took where both of the gondolas were in the same photo near each other.

You remember correctly.

https://pointbuzz.com/Photo...albumID=53

Here’s a side note about CP’s sister park, Kings Island. Their Grand Carousel, PTC #79 turns 100. It was built in 1926 for Cincinnati’s Coney Island, renovated in 1969 then was moved to Kings Island for its inaugural season. It has turned in the same spot since.

This year to celebrate the centennial, another renovation is taking place. Horses are being repainted in beautiful colors, the center is being painted, and the painted murals are receiving touch ups. The machine operates with it’s functioning Wurlitzer band organ and it’s a delight to hear.

If you visit KI this season be sure to stop by and give it a whirl.

What he said...

Ocean Motion is kinda weird though, because it's not the original gondola. I forget what year they replaced it (last year John H. was GM, I think).

And Blue Streak is not the original wood.