A Look Back at Millennium Force – Cedar Point
It’s been nearly two decades since Millennium Force was erected at Cedar Point, yet it’s still arguably the top steel coaster in the world! Cedar Point has released a video showing us the day it’s highest piece of track was dropped in. As you can see, the winds were whipping and the temperatures were very cold at that height! Imagine trying to work at that height with frozen fingers! This monumental ride broke 6 world records when it debuted, bringing coasters to a new height… literally!
When it opened in May of 2000, Millennium Force broke six world records and debuted an all new magnetic braking system instead of friction brakes found on most roller coasters. On May 11 2000, news teams and radio stations from around the world participated in the media day event. Here’s an old video with some of the media day highlights.
May 13 2000 was Millennium Force’s official opening day. The ride reached a 4.5 hour wait with the line extending across the railroad tracks and all the way to the dodgems! Check out the original tv commercial!
The photo below shows the unique cable lift system.
For a cost of 25 million, Millennium Force has held records for the following:
- First ever complete-circuit roller coaster to top 300 feet (91 m)
- Tallest complete-circuit roller coaster (310 feet) (94 m)
- Longest drop on a complete-circuit roller coaster (300 feet) (91 m)
- Fastest complete-circuit roller coaster (93 miles per hour) (150 km/h)
- Steepest non-inversion banked turn on a roller coaster (122°) (Half Corkscrew)
- First roller coaster to utilize a cable lift system
This also helped Cedar Point set 4 new park records as well:
- Most roller coasters at one park (14)
- Most rides at one park (68)
- Most steel roller coasters at one park (12)
- Most roller coaster track at one park (44, 013 feet)
As of 2015, Millennium Force has the seventh tallest lift, the seventh fastest speed, the fifth-longest track, and the seventh-highest drop among steel roller coasters in the world. It is the second longest steel roller coaster in North America, and the third-longest roller coaster behind The Beast at Kings Island and Fury 325 at Carowinds.
Millennium Force has consistently ranked high in coaster polls and has won numerous awards. Millennium Force and Bizarro at Six Flags New England have held the top two places of “Best Steel Coaster” in the Golden Ticket Awards since 2001. To this day, it still has one of the longest lines in the park. Those are some pretty incredible records to still hold when turning 16 years old! Is Millennium Force your favorite steel roller coaster? Let us know on our socials!
Take a POV ride on this incredible machine!
For season passes and more information, visit the official Cedar Point website by clicking here.
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