Valravn joins titans at Cedar Point

SANDUSKY — Sit back, hold on tight and prepare to dive.The latest entry in Cedar Point's dynasty of record-breaking roller coasters opens to the public tomorrow. Valravn, a 223-foot-tall dive coaster, became the park's fifth coaster to top 200 feet. Others include: Top Thrill Dragster, Millennium Force, Wicked Twister and Magnum XL 200.It's the tallest, fastest and longest dive coaster in existence. "It's unlike any other coaster in the park," said Tony Clark, director of communications for Cedar Point. "When we look at building new coasters, we try to build crowd pleasers. It doesn't hurt to have a few extra stats to tout either."Consider this: the park has been the go-to location for adrenaline junkies to get their thrill-seeking fix for decades.Cedar Point made headlines in 1976 when it built Corkscrew, the first coaster to go upside down three times. It did it again two years later when Gemini debuted as the tallest (125 ft.) and fastest (60 mph) roller coaster in the world. "We build attractions our guests can interact with," Clark said. "You can stand next to it and see your family dive straight down toward you."Coaster WarsThe Coaster Wars, the period from 1989 through the mid 2000s known for taller and faster rides, was started by Cedar Point with Magnum XL 200. Magnum opened as the world's first hyper coaster; the first coaster to top 200 feet (205); and the first coaster to reach speeds of 72 mph. "Magnum will stay in the history books forever as the coaster that broke all records," Clark said. The park followed up during the 1990s with Mean Streak, Raptor and Mantis, which were the tallest and fastest roller coasters of their kind when they opened.Then, in a rapid-fire succession, Cedar Point set new tones for thrills with Millennium Force in 2000; Wicked Twister in 2002; and Top Thrill Dragster in 2003. Each coaster set world height and speed records and continue to draw massive crowds.ReinventionThe coaster competition may be over, but that doesn't mean Cedar Point is done thrilling its guests. "Most parks are fighting for the best experience today," Clark said. "That's what we've been focusing on for our guests."The park spent the last 10 years improving guest experiences with new attractions and amenities: • 2005: MaXair, a tall, spinning thrill ride, brought new life to an area near the front of the park. • 2006: Skyhawk began drawing guests to Frontier Town, the western-themed area in the back of the park• 2007: Cedar Point revamped a significant portion of Frontier Town when it built Maverick. The ride helped draw more guests deeper into the park. • 2011: WindSeeker takes guests to new heights• 2012: Dinosaurs Alive! is added to to Adventure Island giving guests a unique experience with animatronic dinosaurs• 2013: The park's main entrance was redone when Gatekeeper opened as the tallest and fastes wing coaster. The coaster soars directly over the entrance. Disaster Transport and Space Spiral were removed to make room for Gatekeeper. • 2014: The midway near Gemini was upgraded with a number of new rides, including Pipe Scream, Slingshot, and other rides for guests of all ages. Additionally, the pathway was given a facelift. • 2015: Mantis was squashed when the park turned it into Rougarou. Hotel Breakers received a major renovation. • 2016: Valravn continues Cedar Point's trend of thrilling coasters. The park's marina entrance got a revamp and new Valravn food options became available. "We'll always be the roller coaster capital of the world," Clark said. "But the experience here is about more than that. There's the beach, entertainment, and other great experiences. It's all right here in Sandusky, which is something people might take for granted."Reach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com, follow him @PatPfanner and Facebook.com/PatPfanner. Riders plunge over the first hill of Valravn on Wednesday. Cedar Point welcomed the media to preview the park's new record breaking coaster for 2016 Valravn.A graphic illustrating Cedar Point's current roller coasters with their debut dates and heights. Cedar Point welcomed the media to preview the park's new record breaking coaster for 2016 Valravn.Cedar Point welcomed the media to preview the park's new record breaking coaster for 2016 Valravn.ValravnValravn with Gatekeeper (left) and Raptor (right) appearing in the background. Provided photos by Cedar Point of Valravn, the park's new dive coaster for 2016. The tracks of Valravn dip and loop around and over the new marina entrance at Cedar Point as opening day draws near. A Gatekeeper train cruises down an incline on opening day morning behind a welcome sign at the entrance of Cedar Point.Cedar Point guests line up outside the front gates as they wait for the park to officially open for the season while Gatekeeper shoots through the keyholes with special riders high above them on Saturday morning. Thousands of people lined up around the park to ride Cedar Point's newest coaster.Cedar Point photo/JORDAN STERNBERG Alissa Widman Neese sits in the second row of Rougarou during the media preview of the roller coaster on Friday, May 8, 2015.Register photo/JASON WERLING Riders are inverted on Rougarou during the preview event for the roller coaster at Cedar Point on Friday, May 8, 2015.Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM The train from the Rougarou approaches it's decent at Cedar Point Friday.Register photo/JASON WERLING Several rides at Cedar Point were turned turquoise to bring awareness to lung cancer in memory of Lisa Benkey and during the battle Diane Majoy is fighting. An event was hosted by Cedar Point in the Lakeside pavilion on Monday, May 11, 2015. The four rides that were illuminated turquoise were the Giant Wheel, Gatekeeper, Power Tower and Millennium Force, pictured.RaptorRide maintenance workers Everett Williamson, left, and Herb Wilburn tie weights into the Blue Streak for test drives before Cedar Point opens for the season.Blue Streak, built in 1964, is Cedar Point's oldest operating roller coaster. It sits between Valravn and Raptor near the front of the park. Magnum XL 200 was the first roller coaster to top 200 feet. It screams down the first hill at highway speeds and offers guests a breathtaking view of Lake Erie. Crews work on Pipe Scream before the 2014 season. Top Thrill Dragster can be seen in the background.