Cedar Point Press ReleaseSANDUSKY, Ohio – All the “Top Dogs” will be celebrating in style when Planet Snoopy, the new Peanuts-themed area at Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, has its grand opening on Saturday, May 10.
America’s favorite beagle, Snoopy, will serve as master of ceremonies during the day’s festivities, welcoming celebrity guests of honor Lauren Holly (who co-stars as NCIS director Jenny Shepard on CBS’ hit show “NCIS”) and her family, and canine star Uno, the first beagle in history to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Craig Schulz, son of famed Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz, will also participate in the event.
Free cake and ice cream and commemorative T-shirts for young children (while supplies last) will be part of the fun and excitement when Planet Snoopy launches its Opening Day festivities. Following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:15 a.m., Snoopy and Uno will meet and greet guests and pose for pictures at Planet Snoopy from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
“As a longtime Snoopy fan — and with three sons who love the Peanuts gang — we were honored and delighted when Snoopy invited us to join the opening-day festivities at his new ‘digs,’” says actress Lauren Holly. “And the fact that it’s my son Alexander’s birthday this weekend is the icing on the celebration cake!”
Located near the middle of the park, Planet Snoopy will be Cedar Point’s fourth children’s area (including Camp Snoopy, another Peanuts themed area) and will feature seven rides that young children can ride by themselves or with their parents. There will also be games, plenty of seating and shaded areas and a family center that will provide changing areas and rooms for feeding and nursing in a private atmosphere. Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy and the other Peanuts characters will also make special appearances.
“The Schulz family is pleased to see the partnership between Cedar Point and Peanuts result in such a great new venture, and we’re very much looking forward to the opening of Planet Snoopy,” said Craig Schulz. “It’s sure to bring happiness to many families.”
Next door to Planet Snoopy will be the Joe Cool Café that caters to young children by offering favorites such as jelly and peanut butter sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and kid-sized pizzas. For dessert, creamy milkshakes and freshly baked dog bone cookies are irresistible to kids of all ages. Each child’s meal will be served in a souvenir Snoopy lunch box.
“Planet Snoopy will bring a whole new level of excitement to the park for young families,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “It will be a great place for parents and their children. There will be a lot of memories made here this summer.”
In addition to all the festivities at Planet Snoopy, The Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band will also perform at the park on Opening Day. Under the direction of Assistant Director Jonathan Waters, the 225-member band will play from 1-1:30 p.m. between the Iron Dragon and WildCat roller coasters.
As always, riders will have plenty to do at Cedar Point. With 75 rides, including 17 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more rides and more coasters than any park in the world.
Back for its second season is Maverick, the ground-hugging steel coaster that opened last summer. Named as the “Best New Ride of 2007” in several polls, Maverick and record-setters such as Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force will be ready to roll. Guests who prefer to stay a bit closer to the ground will enjoy traditional favorites such as the Midway Carousel, Sky Ride and the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad.
In between rides, guest will be able to watch some of the park’s award-winning live entertainment. Country Unleashed will be presented in the Red Garter Saloon on the Frontier Trail while Charlie Brown’s Funtime Frolics will be performed in Camp Snoopy. Two other shows, Snoopy’s Big Bow Wow on Ice ice-skating show and the All Wheels Extreme stunt show will open later in the summer.
Several new food venues have also been added to the park this summer. A Subway sub shop will open on the Main Midway while a Tomo Japanese restaurant will be located in the Hotel Breakers. At the front of the park, Toft’s Ice Cream Parlor will specialize in cold and tasty treats.
Later in the summer, the new 16-story Skyscraper will create its own brand of excitement at Challenge Park, the activity complex located next to Cedar Point. Seated in open cars with their feet dangling, riders will spin like a propeller at speeds of 55 mph! (Separate fee required.)
Four of Cedar Point’s resort properties will be open for the season on Friday, May 9, while the Sandcastle Suites Hotel, which recently completed a two-year, $5 million improvements program, will open on Friday, May 16. Two-night packages are available throughout the season. All resort guests can enter Cedar Point one hour before the park opens to the public.
Cedar Point will open for its 139th summer on Saturday, May 10 and will be open daily through Labor Day, Sept. 1, plus Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 7 through Nov. 2. For a complete operating calendar and more specific information about the 2008 operating season, guests can log on to
cedarpoint.com or call the park’s general information line at 419.627.2350.