All the new and exciting things coming to Cedar Point in 2019

[gallery]SANDUSKY — The 2019 season at Cedar Point kicks off Saturday with some new and exciting improvements.As guests rush to the back of the park to once again enjoy Steel Vengeance, the 2018 hyper-hybrid roller coaster, they will notice two new featured restaurants in the park: Hugo's Italian Kitchen and BackBeatQue.In 2018, Cedar Point's Steel Vengeance took home the Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride, as voted on industry representatives from around the world. The 205-foot-tall roller coaster, which peaks at 74 mph, features a 90-degree drop and four inversions that broke 10 world records when it debuted.BackBeatQueNew for 2019, guests will be able to smell the two wood-fired smokers from BackBeatQue as they walk near the Magnum XL-200, which celebrates 30 years this season.BackBeatQue, a new restaurant debuting at Cedar Point this season, offers several barbecue-style dishes, including smoked brisket, chopped barbecue pork, smoked Polish sausage, rotisserie chicken, corn-dusted fried shrimp and funnel cake-battered fried shrimp.BackBeatQue features a rock 'n' roll/Motown-inspired dining experience with lots of outdoor seating. In addition, there is an outdoor stage that will feature music from Cedar Point's Backbeat Quartet throughout the season.Inside, guests will not only notice all the rock 'n' roll decorations but also the large rotisserie oven, which can roast up to 56 chickens at a time. In the back-of-the-house, the BackBeatQue features two smokers that will be fed with mesquite wood, each of which can cook up to 1,200 pounds of meat at a time. For comparison, Miss Keat's restaurant can cook 1,400 pounds at a time out of one smoker. BackBeatQue will be able to nearly double the capacity.BackBeatQue, a new restaurant debuting at Cedar Point this season, features a large rotisserie oven, which can roast up the 56 chickens at a time.Entrees at the BackBeatQue include smoked brisket, chopped barbecue pork, smoked Polish sausage, rotisserie chicken, corn-dusted fried shrimp and one of our favorites: funnel cake-battered fried shrimp. Side dishes include southern slaw, potato wedges, house-made gouda, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, grilled corn on the cob, fried okra, side salad and cornbread muffins.BackBeatQue, a new restaurant debuting at Cedar Point this season, offers several barbecue-style dishes, including smoked brisket, chopped barbecue pork, smoked Polish sausage, rotisserie chicken, corn-dusted fried shrimp and funnel cake-battered fried shrimp.Guests will also want to try one of the three signature BackBeatQue sauces: Blackjack BBQ, Tangy Mustard BBQ or Spicy BBQ.BackBeatQue, a new restaurant debuting at Cedar Point this season, offers many barbecue-style foods, which can be dipped in three signature sauces: Blackjack BBQ, Tangy Mustard BBQ, or Spicy BBQ. Dessert options include apple pie, smoked pecan pie, peaches and cream, banana pudding and fruit cups.All menu items are included on the 2019 Cedar Point dining plan, with your choice of one entree and one side.Magnum XL-200 30th AnniversaryMagnum, the iconic hyper roller coaster, turns 30 this year. It was the first to break the 200-foot-tall barrier.This year Magnum will feature lots of new historic signage throughout the queue.Hugo's Italian KitchenMany may recall the Midway Market restaurant outside the Raptor entrance, but many will not recognize the building's transformation for 2019. The entire facility has been gutted, and a new state-of-the-art Italian kitchen has been put on display.Cedar Point completely rebranded the former Midway Market and transformed it into Hugo's Italian Kitchen. The restaurant offers pizza, meatball subs and more.The centerpiece is a new rotating pizza oven that can cook a pie in about a minute. Pizza flavors will include cheese, pepperoni and a weekly specialty flavor.Cedar Point completely rebranded the former Midway Market and transformed it into Hugo's Italian Kitchen. The restaurant's centerpiece is a new rotating pizza oven that can cook a pie in around a minute. Flavors will include cheese, pepperoni and a weekly specialty flavor. Other signature menu items include:• Meatball subs with melted cheese• Fried onion straws and aioli• Chicken Parmesan sandwiches with an olive oil, lettuce and tomato salad topping.• A fresh stromboli stuffed with pepperoni or sausage, peppers and onions (We really loved the cheese calzone stuffed with ricotta).Hugo's Italian Kitchen, a new restaurant debuting at Cedar Point this season, offers many different dishes, including fresh stromboli stuffed with pepperoni or sausage, peppers and onions. Fresh pasta will also be churned out all day long and featured in a rotating dish. Guests also have the option of Caesar or Greek salads as an entree.Cedar Point completely rebranded the former Midway Market and transformed it into Hugo's Italian Kitchen. The restaurant offers pizza, meatball subs and more.Side dishes include house-made pasta salad, garlic knots, Caprese salad, house salad or a white bean salad.But wait, there's more: Hugo's also serves freshly made desserts, which include tiramisu and cannoli.Hugo's Italian Kitchen, a new restaurant debuting at Cedar Point this season serves freshly made desserts, which include tiramisu and cannoli. All menu items are included on the 2019 Cedar Point dining plan, with your choice of one entree and one side.Lakeside ExpressThis year, Hugo's Italian Kitchen and BackBeatQue are going to be getting a lot of the attention, but don't forget about Lakeside Express. The entire menu has been overhauled at Lakeside, and it's believed the changes are going to be openly embraced.Tucked near GateKeeper, Lakeside Express has always been one of our secret favorite dining spots for one reason: the perch sandwich. For 2019, however, the perch will no longer be the only game in town.This season, guests have the option to buy the perch as a standalone menu option or as a sandwich. In addition, there is a fried fish, cod, and chips as well as funnel cake-battered shrimp.Cedar Point will also start offering something guests might never expect: crab cakes.Among the many new food options this year at Cedar Point include crab cakes that contain jumbo crab meat, Texas toast breading, bay seasoning, mayonnaise and onion. Guests also have the choice of horseradish or Cajun-spiced aioli dipping sauces.Cedar Point's executive chef Phil Bucco proposed the idea of serving crab cakes this season at Lakeside Express but only under the premise that they had to be done right.With that said, Bucco succeeded.The crab cakes are made in small batches to maintain freshness and are lightly browned for a little bit of crispness.In addition to the crab cakes, look for Lakeside Express to also offer some pop-up menu items this season, which could include lobster bisque from Bay Harbor, which is absolutely outstanding.Monster JamThe iconic Monster Jam trucks will be featured on the Cedar Point Midway from May 18 through June 30. Guests will be able to get up close and personal with five popular trucks in the open area near Iron Dragon's main entrance.In addition, guests can sign up to try the Monster Jam Freestyle Ride Truck Experience. Guests can board an all-new, 10-passenger Grave Digger or Megalodon truck for an unforgettable ride on a thrilling freestyle-inspired course. Once on board, guests will feel the roar of real Monster Jam action as the truck tackles the most obstacles on any ride truck track ever built.At no charge, this activity is included in the event. Guests need to sign up for a designated ride time to participate.The iconic Monster Jam trucks will be featured on the Cedar Point Midway from May 18 through June 30. Guests will be able to get up close and personal with five popular trucks in the open area near Iron Dragon's main entrance.Forbidden Frontier on Adventure IslandThe new featured attraction takes place on Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island starting Memorial Day weekend.Details are limited on this new family-friendly adventure because the story is dependent on you. As you progress through the island, you will help interact with the characters and shape the stories throughout the island.Access to Forbidden Frontier is included with your park admission.Cedar Point's premier new attraction for 2019 is Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island, which debuts Memorial Day weekend. As guests progress through the island, they'll help interact with characters, shaping unique stories throughout the island.Wild Card ProgramIf you do not have a season pass for the 2019 season, perhaps you want to try the new Wild Card program. For less than $60, guests get free admission to Cedar Point from May 11 through June 30.Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter.Cedar Point's Steel Vengeance celebrates its second year of operation in 2019. The Sandusky-based amusement park opens for its 149th season on Saturday.The Magnum XL-200 roller coaster Cedar Point celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, amusement park operators installed historic signage throughout its queue to honor this coaster, the first ever topping 200 feet in height.