Kings Island, an amusement park in Mason, Ohio recently announced their new upcoming attraction Orion, a steel B&M roller coaster opening in spring of 2020, will enhance the park’s already amazing line up of roller coasters. While it won't be the biggest or the fastest roller coaster in the world, we at CP Rundown are super excited for what Orion will bring to the table! So, here is our brief list of reasons that bigger and faster doesn't always mean better.

Photo Credit: Kings Island

1) THUNDERBIRD

Located at Holiday World, in the tiny town of Santa Claus, Indiana, Thunderbird showcases why bigger isn't always better. This coaster gives a rare launched take-off from a fog filled building, sending you 140 ft in the air before plunging you back down again. Near misses through wooden barns and tight turns through the woods make this wing coaster unforgettable.

Photo Credit: Britt Hageman

2) TWISTED COLOSSUS

At Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, you can find Twisted Colossus. What this ride lacks in height, at only 121 ft tall, it makes up for in uniqueness. It's not every day you can attempt to "high-five" another coaster train, not only once, but twice! While most roller coasters boast only one lift hill, Twisted Colossus has two, letting the riders feel as if they are riding the coaster twice.

Photo Credit: Samantha Hewston

3) SEVEN DWARFS MINE TRAIN

This gem of a ride is located in Magic Kingdom at Disney World, Florida. This coaster utilizes unique swaying cars designed to create the illusion that you are helping the seven dwarfs mine for jewels. The theming and animatronics complete the whole package, taking you on one fantastic, family friendly ride.

Photo Credit: Walt Disney World

4) STEEL DRAGON

Coming in at only 51 ft tall, Steel Dragon at Waldameer Park in Erie, Pennsylvania, will spin you out of control! Riders experience the ups and downs of a regular roller coaster but all the while they are in a rotating car. One minute you are facing forward and the next you are backwards on this wacky ride.

Photo Credit: Waldameer

5) VERBOLTEN

Verbolten at Busch Garden's Williamsburg in Virginia packs a big punch with only a tiny drop. A majority of the ride takes place inside a building, requiring Verbolten to squeeze a lot of thrill into a tiny area. This ride launches you, drops you 18 ft vertically and launches you again! This unique vertical drop only happens on a handful of coasters in the world, making Verbolten a rock star in its own special way.

Photo Credit: Carsten Anderson

6) THE JOKER

Located at several Six Flags parks across the United States, The Joker incorporates a rare "free-spin" quality that allows its coaster cars to rotate in a flipping motion along the track. Standing at only 120 ft tall, The Joker never turns to the left or right, but allows riders to experience multiple front and back flips before making its way back down to the ground.

Photo Credit: Jen Temple

7) RAILBLAZER

At a height of only 106 ft, RailBlazer, at California's Great America in Santa Clara, California is a big ride in a small package! Riding on a single railed track, this coaster dips riders 90 degrees right off the bat, and continues the ride with steep turns and even a zero-g roll. Make sure you're ready to take this plunge alone! RailBlazer only seats one rider per row, making holding hands a thing of the past.

Photo Credit: Evan Schulz

8) MOTOCOASTER

Ever wonder what it's like to fly on a motorcycle at 40 mph through the air? Motocoaster at Six Flags Darien Lake in Buffalo, New York will let you experience just that! After you straddle your seat and let the back rest move you into your racing position, the ride launches you over a 44 ft hill. The rest involves high speed twists and turns, resulting in loads of fun!

Photo Credit: Britt Hageman

9) HANGTIME

Bueno Park, California is home to Knott's Berry Farm, a park jam packed with rides for all ages. Among them sits Hangtime, a unique dive coaster that takes you up a 150 ft vertical lift hill. After reaching the top, riders experience a brief pause before plunging to the ground at a 96-degree angle and moving through multiple upside-down twists and turns.

Photo Credit: Samantha Hewston

10) MYSTIC TIMBERS

Orion will have some tough competitors next year when it comes to being the "Best Roller Coaster at Kings Island.” Along with many other intense coasters at the park, Mystic Timbers falls into a category all its own. The ride takes guests 109 ft above the ground before taking a thrilling left turn downhill and catapulting you deep into the woods. Sixteen airtime hills later, riders are taken into "The Shed" for a dramatic finale that is sure to spook you.

Photo Credit: Shelley Magyar

Blog By - Brittany Gibney

Hi guys! We’d like to take a moment to thank you all for your support of our page CPRundown! It’s because of fans like you that we exist. We love to get you the most up to date information possible for our favorite park, Cedar Point. Be sure to go to cedarpoint.com for all official information. We are sure you are waiting for our honest review of Steel Vengeance and we are so happy to give that to you today!

First off, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Ellen and I am typically a...

First, let's start with introductions. My name is Frank Forkman and I'm a Dietician from Sandusky, Ohio. Yes, I know, very funny. A fork that teaches others how to eat properly. Hardy Har. Anyways, enough about me. Today, I am going to tell you all about my weekend trip down to Kings Dominion and Carowinds.

© Cedar Point

What’s going on at the Steel Vengeance site?

What’s going on at the old Mean Streak site???

What’s going on at the old Mean Streak site??

What’s going on at the old Mean Streak site?

1) PRICE - Looking for something a little cheaper than the hotels located right on the point? Cedar Point’s Express Hotel is worth every penny! Generally priced around $100 (depending on dates and deals), you are getting a steal. Many hotels and motels in the area will charge you the exact same amount and you won’t get half of the amenities or the cleanliness. Trust me when I say, this one is worth it!

2) DISTANCE - Located only 2 miles from the park, CP Express is as close as you can get without staying on the actual peninsula. Unfortunately the hotel does not offer a shuttle to and from this location, but with a driving distance of only 5 minutes, you really can’t complain.

3) WALKING DISTANCE TO OTHER FUN - While Cedar Point is obviously the main focus of your trip, I wanted to mention some of the other options located within walking distance of CP Express. Located on connecting property to a city park, the hotel is perfect for anyone with small children. If it happens to be a rainy day, my personal favorite option is The Thirsty Pony and Cedar Lanes complex. With laser tag, bowling, an indoor waterpark, and horse betting, you have rainy day options for the whole family! Looking for slightly larger indoor water park? Try visiting Castaway Bay, which is located right across the water from CP Express. Platinum Pass holders can visit Castaway Bay for a cool $15!

4) FOOD - Who doesn’t love food? Sometimes we all need a break to refuel and the hotel has tons of fantastic nearby options. I already mentioned The Thirsty Pony, but what I didn’t mention was their great food! Make sure you try their fried pickles and bring home a fun souvenir cup shaped like a guitar or a blender. Another great sit down option is Quaker Steak & Lube. Located at Castaway Bay, this restaurant features yummy wings, a great view of the bay, and a creative variety of objects bolted to the walls (I promise you won’t run out of stuff to look at). Sometimes after a long day in the park we just need something quick and cheap. McDonald’s and Dairy Queen are located adjacent to the hotel, leaving you two great options before heading to bed.

5) TICKET DISCOUNTS - If you buy your tickets through CP Express, you can expect some fantastic deals! General park admission for a ticket bought at the front gate is $67, but if you purchase a ticket online or while staying at the hotel, expect to only pay $45! As a bonus, this ticket gets you into the new Cedar Point Shores (formerly Soak City) on the same day you use the ticket.

6) EARLY ENTRY - After you snag your tickets at the hotel, don’t forget about early entry into the park! All guests staying overnight receive early entry into Cedar Point, helping you get that extra ride (or 3) on Millennium Force! Other early entry rides include Valravn, Maverick, Gatekeeper, Tiki Twirl, Cadillac Cars, Dodgem, Cedar Downs, Kiddy Kingdom and the Midway Carousel.

7) UPDATED LOBBY AND GIFT SHOP - New this year, Cedar Point updated the entire interior of CP Express. Expect to see brand new seating, rugs and other décor while you wait to check in. Another great new feature in the lobby is the expanded gift shop. Why buy your souvenir t-shirts and toys in the park when you can buy them right at the hotel and not have to carry them all day? Don’t need souvenirs? The gift shop has the availability to purchase coffee and donuts for breakfast, along with tons of snacks and microwave meals for late night munchies.

8) UPDATED HOTEL ROOMS - The minute you walk into your room, it’s like you’ve been transported right into Cedar Point’s Hotel Breakers located on the peninsula. Like Breakers, CP Express now offers brand new flooring, bedding, paint and furnishings. The rooms are clean, the TVs are flat, and the air conditioners work wonderfully. Also included in your room are coffee pots, mini refrigerators, and microwaves.

9) CLEAN UPDATED BATHROOMS - Everyone loves clean bathrooms, so this is a must have on my list. Expect to see brand new open-view vanities, paint, flooring, and even “no slam” toilet seats. Cedar Point went all out updating the bathrooms and it certainly shows.

10) COURTYARD/ POOL - Last but not least, our favorite new feature of CP Express has to be the courtyard. New this year, CP added a brand new splash pad, as well as heat to their Snoopy shaped swimming pool. If swimming isn’t your thing, the new courtyard now offers plenty of shaded space with tables and chairs for you to relax at after an exhausting day.

By - Brittany McMillan

For the fourth year in a row, the Run & Ride Race Series is hosting its annual race weekend at Cedar Point! Runners have several race options, including the Cedar Point half marathon (13.1 mi.), the Valravn quarter-marathon (6.55 mi.), the Millennium Force 5K (3.1 mi.), the Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown 1-mile fun run, or a combo of races through Cedar Point and downtown Sandusky, Ohio.

Even if running isn't your "thing," this race weekend is a must-do for the most diehard Cedar Point fan. Here are our top 5 reasons why you should check it out:

Courses/Location: Okay, this is a no-brainer. The courses are all about location, with the shorter distances staying within the park and on the peninsula, and the half marathon taking runners into downtown Sandusky and back. No matter which race you choose, you will be treated to a spectacular, behind-the-scenes tour of the park before it even opens. And a fun bonus: the roller coasters are operating as you run by - or even under - the tracks! The courses offer Cedar Point fans a new way to experience the park, and it's truly an unforgettable experience.

Swag: Run & Ride does a phenomenal job when it comes to "swag." With a 1-mile run or 5K entry, you receive a classic Charlie Brown unisex shirt (in addition to your medal and park entry, discussed below!). Quarter-marathon and half marathon participants receive Charlie Brown shirts that have gender-specific cuts and are moisture-wicking. In addition, half marathon participants also get a runner's cap, a buff, and a car magnet! On top of all that, race registration for everyone includes free parking, complimentary bag check, BibChip timing, race course photography, and an incredible post-race spread, including water, sports drinks, chocolate milk, bagels, bananas, and more!

Medals/Theme: The race weekend features the Peanuts characters, of course! This year's medals feature Peppermint Patty (1-mile run), Sally (5K), Linus (quarter-marathon), and Snoopy (half-marathon) in their own roller coaster cars! And the best part? The medals have magnets so you can connect them and make your own roller coaster train.

Price/Ticket Packages: The race prices vary depending on how early you register, if you are taking on multiple races, and what kind of park pass option you choose. For example, the earliest registration for the half marathon is $80 and includes a Weekend Park Pass - meaning, you can get into the park Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday of race weekend! For that early-bird price, you get incredible bang for your buck. Here's a breakdown of the registrations and park pass options:

- 1-mile fun run: With registration, runners can have no park ticket included, a 1-Day Park Pass included (used either Saturday or Sunday of race weekend), or the Weekend Park Pass included. Prices vary by registration and by park pass type.

- 5K: With registration, runners can choose between the 1-Day Park Pass or the Weekend Park Pass.

- Quarter-marathon: With registration, runners can choose between the 1-Day Park Pass, the Weekend Park Pass, or the Total Inversion Package, which includes registration for the quarter-marathon, 5K, and Weekend Park Pass

- Half-marathon: With registration, runners can choose between the Weekend Park Pass or the Total Inversion Package, which includes registration for the half-marathon, 5K, and Weekend Park Pass.

Charity: Many runners choose to raise money for charity, and Run & Ride makes it even easier for runners to donate! According to Run & Ride's website, the organization will donate $3 for every half marathon registration, $2 for every quarter-marathon and 5K registration, and $1 for every 1-mile registration to the local chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America. Additionally, Run & Ride donates $10 to the nonprofit for every chapter volunteer helping at the race.

Additional race information can be found at https://www.runandriderace.com/cedarpoint , and yes, you can still register to run, so what are you waiting for! Don't miss out on this unique, fun chance to race through the roller coaster capital of the world.

Cedar Point Half Marathon Weekend

- 5K and 1-mile run on Saturday, June 10, 2017

- Quarter-marathon and half-marathon on Sunday, June 11, 2017

- Packet pickup at Castaway Bay Ballroom (2001 Cleveland Road, Sandusky, Ohio 44870)

By - Tracy Brätt

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