Cedar Point changes, clarifies safety procedures on Steel Vengeance

SANDUSKY — When Cedar Point opens for the 2019 season this weekend, guests will see new safety procedures put in place for the Steel Vengeance hyper-hybrid roller coaster.Among the most notable: Cellphones and keys will be allowed in line, and, after going through a metal detector at the station, your hand will be marked, informing the attendant if you have loose items.Phones and keys will need to be placed into zippered pouches, located beneath each seat. Smaller items can stay in your zippered cargo pockets.Anyone who wants to ride Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point while keeping possession of their cellphone and keys must place them into zippered pouches, located beneath each seat. An excerpt from new signage installed at the ride, which references state law, says: "All riders must obey all warnings and directions regarding amusement park rides and behave in a manner that will not cause or contribute to injury to themselves or others. Riders must secure their cellphones and keys in the zippered pouch located below each seat prior to riding Steel Vengeance. Other smaller loose articles must be secured in cargo pockets. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor."A new sign posted within the line of Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point stipulates the rules and regulations for what people can and cannot possess with them while on the roller coaster.Glasses and sunglasses are still allowed onto the ride, provided they are secured with a strap.Fanny packs, purses and other smaller bags are not allowed onto Steel Vengeance. They must be placed into lockers or left with a non-rider.Anyone who wants to ride Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point while keeping possession of their cellphone and keys must place them into zippered pouches, located beneath each seat. In July 2018, Cedar Point initiated new safety protocols for loose articles for guests riding Steel Vengeance, requiring anything in your pockets to be placed into lockers or left with a non-rider.With wait times often exceeding two to three hours, guests were not happy with the new procedure, despite trying to keep everyone's safety in mind. The loose-article policy was strictly enforced, and anyone caught with a phone in line was subject to removal.Steel Vengeance experienced rave reviews and successes in its inaugural year. This past fall, the coaster won the Best New Ride category given out by Amusement Today in its annual Golden Ticket Award ceremony. Anyone who wants to ride Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point while keeping possession of their cellphone and keys must place them into zippered pouches, located beneath each seat. Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter.Starting this year, Cedar Point will allow riders of Steel Vengeance to carry their cellphones and keys while in line in addition to letting them secure these items underneath their seats.