Virtual reality roller coaster, Melt food and more coming to Cedar Point in 2017

Editor's note: Justin Dietz represents a Cedar Point food blog, (CPFoodBlog.com, @CPFoodBlog on Twitter). On Saturday, he visited the amusement park and recapped an event offering a sneak peek into the upcoming 2017 season.Yes it is officially winter, and yes we have been experiencing unusually high temperatures for this time of year. But on Saturday, guests from all around visited Cedar Point for the annual Winter Chill Out event.As temperatures dipped into the 40s, and winds blew in from off Lake Erie, the park opened its gates exclusively for guests. The guests paid $50 per tick, with all proceeds benefiting the charity A Kid Again.Guests were given an exclusive behind-the-scene tour, lunch and an informational session on what to expect at Cedar Point in 2017:Among the highlights:• Attendees checked out the maintenance shop and then were taken into Snoopy's Boutique, where they learned how the workers receive inventory and what is involved during the annual winterizing. Guests were also given a quick peek into the Sweet Spot.• The tour then continued back toward the Frontier Trail, where guests were shown the new Professor Delbert's Frontier Fling on the site of the former Shoot the Rapids ride. Across the midway, the Barnyard will get an expansion for 2017 with the addition of a Yak and some additional animals.• The tour then continued back to the new Cedar Point Shores area, where attendees were given a sneak peek at the new water slides.What's coming in 2017?Here's a snapshot of the new features coming to Cedar Point this year:• The virtual reality element for Iron Dragon returns with limited daily spots available. The technology will be in operation from June 9 to Sept. 4 starting at 6 p.m. each night.• The show "Lights, Camera, Action!" will be playing in the Jack Aldrich Theatre.• Luminosity will return.• Melt Bar & Grilled will take over the Joe Cool Cafe with exclusive menu options.• Mean Streak's future still remains a mystery. It's not known when Cedar Fair executives will make a decision on what could be built in the area where the wooden roller coaster once stood.• On May 6-7, Top Thrill Dragster will temporarily change its name to "Top Thrill Cubster" as part of the World Series bet. Cedar Point, siding with the Cleveland Indians, lost a friendly wager with Chicago-area Six Flags Great America, who backed the Cubs. The Cubs defeated the Indians this past fall in baseball's Fall Classic.• There will not be a season passholder preview night at the beginning of the season this year. Instead there will be one on May 26 for the opening of Cedar Point Shores.• Ride Warriors Club tickets will go on sale March 6 for $99. It will offer similar benefits to the 2016 program.• The Battle of CP will return with new features.• There will be a new season pass drink program but without the cup. Starting March 1, the new program will be available for purchase and will be added directly to your season pass. You will swipe your pass at any food or beverage stand to get a cup with a beverage. There will be a 15-minute wait time between drinks. Price is $26.99. Guests will have to choose between the cup or souvenir bottle program. There will be no swapping back and forth between options.From June 9 through Sept. 4, Cedar Point will bring back the virtual reality element introduced last year for Iron Dragon. The park announced the feature during Saturday's Winter Chill Out event.Guests on Saturday received an exclusive behind-the-scene tour of Cedar Point during the annual Winter Chill Out event. (Provided photo/BRAD KILGORE) Cedar Point crews continue working as they prepare for the park's 2017 opening in May. (Provided photo/BRAD KILGORE)Come 2017, along Cedar Point's Frontier Trail, park guests can expect to see a new attraction: Professor Delbert's Frontier Fling, located on the site of the former Shoot the Rapids ride. (Provided photo/BRAD KILGORE)Select guests on Saturday received a behind-the-scenes tour of Cedar Point. Called Winter Chill Out, the park opened its gates exclusively for people who paid $50. All proceeds were donated to the charity A Kid Again.Dietz, Justin