Blue Streak (Cedar Point)

Blue Streak is a wooden roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, Blue Streak opened to the public on May 23, 1964. It is the oldest roller coaster operating at Cedar Point. In 2013, Blue Streak achieved its highest ranking in the annual Golden Ticket Awards publication by Amusement Today, ranking 27th among the world's top wooden roller coasters. In 2022, it was awarded a Coaster Landmark designation by American Coaster Enthusiasts.

Blue Streak
Initial drop on Blue Streak
Cedar Point
Location	Cedar Point
Park section	Main Midway
Coordinates	41°28′47.50″N 82°40′57.50″W
Status	Operating
Opening date	May 23, 1964 (1964-05-23)
Cost	$200,000
General statistics
Type	Wood
Manufacturer	Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters
Designer	Frank F. Hoover John C. Allen
Track layout	Out and Back
Lift/launch system	Chain lift hill
Height	78 ft (24 m)
Drop	72 ft (22 m)
Length	2,558 ft (780 m)
Speed	40 mph (64 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	1:45
Max vertical angle	45°
Capacity	1,400 riders per hour
Height restriction	48 in (122 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 4 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 3 rows for a total of 24 riders per train.
Fast Lane available
Blue Streak at RCDB
Video

History

Blue Streak logo on station

Blue Streak turnaround from the parking lot

Following the removal of Cyclone in 1951, more than a decade passed before Cedar Point decided to add another major roller coaster to its list of attractions. Several smaller coasters were added during this time, but only two remained by 1963.^[1] For the 1964 season, Philadelphia Toboggan Company was hired to build a new roller coaster under the direction of Frank F. Hoover and John C. Allen. Blue Streak opened to the public on May 23, 1964. It was one of only three roller coasters operating at the time within the park. The attraction's success led to a rebirth of roller coasters at Cedar Point, including the installation of Cedar Creek Mine Ride (1969), Corkscrew (1976), Gemini (1978) and Jr. Gemini (1979) (now known as Wilderness Run).^[1]

Blue Streak features a traditional "out-and-back" layout design. The roller coaster was named after the local Sandusky High School athletic nickname "The Blue Streaks".^[2] Cedar Point invested US$200,000 (equivalent to $2,027,682 in 2024) to construct the wooden roller coaster, and it remains a favorite at the park, consistently getting 30 minute to hour waits, and within annual roller coaster polls.^[3] In Amusement Today's 2013 Golden Ticket Awards, Blue Streak was ranked 27th among wooden roller coasters worldwide – its highest ranking to date.^[4]

On July 20, 2022, during Coaster Con 44, American Coaster Enthusiasts designated Blue Streak a Coaster Landmark.^[5]

Ride experience

ACE roller coaster landmark sign

After a 78-foot climb (24 m) up its lift hill, the train descends 72 feet (22 m) at a 45-degree angle reaching a top speed of 40 miles per hour (64 km/h). Riders then enter a series of two short hills which provide the ride's maximum airtime followed by a larger, third hill that slows the train slightly. After the next drop, the train climbs into a 180-degree turn that sends riders over a short hill followed by three medium-sized hills on its way back. The ride ends on the track's final brake run before returning to the station.^[6]

Rankings

Golden Ticket Awards: Top wood Roller Coasters

Year	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2022
Ranking	48[7]	34[8]	35[9]	42[10]	38[11]	38[12]	48[13]	41[14]	47[15]	47[16]	49[17]	38[18]	27[19]	35[20]	35[21]	42[22]	42[23]	41[24]	38[25]	41 (tie)[26]