Cedar Point's Corkscrew turns 50

Editor's note: Don Helbig is a Register correspondent representing themeparksbydon.com. SANDUSKY — If you've ever walked Cedar Point's midway and looked up at a bright-blue tangle of steel hanging right overhead, you already know the vibe of Corkscrew: classic, bold and impossible to miss. In 2026, the park's pioneering looping coaster marks 50 years since it opened in 1976. For roller coaster history buffs, Corkscrew isn't just "old." It's important. Built by Arrow Development and designed by legendary coaster engineer Ron Toomer, Corkscrew helped usher in the modern era of steel roller coasters — and it's still one of the most recognizable "you-are-here" landmarks anywhere on the peninsula. Why Corkscrew was a big deal in 1976 Corkscrew wasn't just another new ride. When it debuted, it made history as the world's first roller coaster with three inversions: a vertical loop followed by a double corkscrew. And it didn't just go upside down. It did it over the midway, turning everyday foot traffic into part of the spectacle. Cedar Point even leans into that "walk-under-it-if-you-dare" energy on the ride's official description, calling out the iconic track you pass beneath. At a time when going upside down was still a headline-worthy novelty, Corkscrew helped make inversions feel like the next step in coaster evolution. The signature moment: flipping above the midway Corkscrew's calling card isn't only what it does to riders: It's what it does to the atmosphere of the park. The coaster's iconic placement over the midway turns a simple walk to your next ride into a mini show. Even if you never board the train, you're still part of Corkscrew's story: looking up, watching trains whip through the elements and feeling that rush pass right overhead. Fast facts Corkscrew's stats won't look monstrous next to today's giants, but that's part of its charm: It's a quick, punchy classic that gets right to the point: • Height: 85 feet • Top speed: 48 mph • Track length: 2,050 feet • Inversions: 3: vertical loop and a double corkscrew • Ride style: short, intense and famously "old-school" — some would say a little rough in a way longtime fans know well Fifty years later, Corkscrew remains a living time capsule — one that still delivers a signature Cedar Point moment: looking up at that blue track over the midway and thinking, "Yep … that's Cedar Point." Other notable ride anniversaries Among some other ride milestones occurring in 2026: • Troika turns 50. • Ocean Motion turns 45. • Thunder Canyon turns 40. • Rougarou turns 30. Note: This ride originally started as Mantis, converted to what's now known as Rougarou in 2015. • Skyhawk turns 20. • WindSeeker turns 15. • Valravn turns 10. And the Midway Carousel will be operating for its 80th season at Cedar Point but was built in 1912 by Daniel Muller.