In what is now a yearly tradition, Cedar Point opened its gate to guests for one day only in the winter to give guest some insight to all the work that goes on during the offseason. This post will be mostly photos since it was absolutely gorgeous out, but first a few quick updates that were given during the Q&A session.

• The entrance gates have been demolished an are being replaced with a much larger and higher capacity gate to let more cars enter at a time than before.

  • The design is inspired by the Hotel Breakers, but expect it to function like the ones at Kings Island and Carowinds where guest will be able to scan their passes themselves. (this feature may not be available as of opening day)

• The large marquee signs outside of the park will be updated to use the parks new logo

• The drink refill station at the entrance to the park will be converted to a all-purpose redemption center for guests to redeem Fast Lane, drink, and meal vouchers

• Forbidden Frontier will have more actors roaming the area in 2020

• The midsummer nightly parade will end at a newly re-designed stage at celebration plaza near the entrance to Iron Dragon.

  • The floats will stay at the end for guests to take photos of them

• Pinks will not be returning in 2020

• Steel Vengeance will only be open for early entry on weekends for the foreseeable future

Now with that out of the way, lets take a trip around the peninsula!

There is construction occurring all over the park! New shops, food locations, and the new personalized brick walkway just to name a few. The Pagoda will serve as HQ for the park’s new button-trading program along with the ability to send a postcard to a friend or family member from inside the park (for free!!)

We were aloud to roam around the Jack Aldrich Theater and its backstage areas! It is incredible how the cast and crew are able to put on such complex shows in what is truly so little space.

We were then given a great tour of the park’s linen services department. One of two, this facility processes the laundry for park employees and then also sheets, towels, and accessories for hotel guests.

Next stop, ride maintenance!

Here, the park services about half of the flat rides and the Intamin roller coasters.

Lunch Time!

A pop-up shot at the Breakers Hotel gave us a first hands-on look at the new for 2020 button trading program. Expect hundreds of buttons to be released over the course of the season!

We then took an unexpected turn into a bonus stop! Eerie Estate, the park’s long-time classic haunted house was open with all of the effects running for a quick walkthrough!

In the back of the park near Steel Vengeance is the planning and design building which created and designs all of the graphics used in the parks and other Cedar Fair parks as well! There is so much park history here, and we are hopeful that a good deal of it will end up in the redesigned park museum!

Lastly, the park let us have a look at their off site maintenance shop, the amazement shop! This shop repairs and refurbishes the park’s Arrow and B&M Coasters, along with the painting facilities.

And that wraps up another fantastic Winter Chill Out! A huge thank you to the staff at Cedar Point who gave their time to show us what they do every day to make our lives a happier place when we visit! Enjoy some extra photos we took in between stops!