Did you know that Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point got its name from the show, “Magnum P.I?”
It was chosen due to the popularity of the ride at the time. “XL” was added to emphasize the length of the ride and 200 due to its height.
Cedar Point is known globally as the Roller Coast of the United States.
And to no one’s surprise, Cedar Point has a mildly impressive collection of roller coasters that have helped set the tone, make the standard and essentially ignite the coaster battles of the early 2000s.
Amongst this established collection is a roller coaster named “Magnum.”
This particular one is not amongst the first named when you think of Cedar Point; however, it still has earned its spot with coaster fans.
But what makes Magnum XL-200 special? Today, I will answer that very question!
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Magnum XL-200 at a Glance:
- Opening Date: May 6, 1989
- Launch/Lift System: Chain Lift Hill
- Height: 205 ft (feet)
- Drop: 194.7 ft
- Length: 5,106 ft
- Speed: 72 MPH (miles per hour)
- Inversions: 0
- Ride Time: 2 Mins
- Trains: 3 trains with 6 cars
Before you head to Cedar Point get EVERYTHING (even the secrets) about Magnum XL-200 below!
History of Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point
By the time Magnum XL-200 was even a gleam in the eye of Cedar Point, the Sandusky theme park was quickly building its reputation as the roller coast of the country with its collection of coasters and smaller, historical attractions.
During this time period, the Cedar Fair company gained a new CEO in the form of Dick Kinzel in 1986.
One day, Kinzel was casually watching CNN and saw a piece on a coaster called “Bandit” at a park called “Yomiyuriland.”
The park, located 35 mins from Shinjuku, is still open today!
Bandit stood out at the time due to the fact of the emphasis on its height and speed, yet lacking inversions.
At the time, it had been 10 years since an E-ticket attraction was added to Cedar Point in the form of Gemini. You can learn more about the history of Gemini coaster here.
Creating a Record-breaking Roller Coaster
Kinzel wanted to a similar coaster that featured steep drops and negative G forces instead of inversions and spins, which were popular at the time.
Cedar Point asked for proposals from several manufacturers to build a roller coaster without inversions or over-the-shoulder restraints.
They ultimately chose Arrow, due to the weakness of the dollar at the time, which eliminated overseas production.
Arrow was also working on the new Iron Dragon at the time so it made the most sense to stick with them.
While Arrow proposed one option to rival Shockwave at Six Flags Great America, Cedar Fair instead leaned towards wanting to break the 200 foot record.
This is mainly due to the interest in publicity it would bring in being the first roller coaster to do so.
How much did it cost to build Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point?
The original cost for Magnum XL-200 was to be $7.5 million but was raised to $8 million after the height was extended to 200 feet.
Because the company was going to go public in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) the following year, that money would be used to fund the construction of the ride.
Once Cedar Fair hit the NYSE and funds were accessed, construction on Magnum began in August 1988.
Construction went smoothly and testing began in 1989. In fact, Kinzel was one of the first people to ride Magnum after just one test cycle of the coaster.
When did Magnum XL-200 open at Cedar Point?
Once testing was completed, Magnum XL-200 debuted to the public on May 6, 1989.
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Magnum XL-200 Changes the Roller Coaster Industry FORVER!
It would be marketed as the world’s tallest, fastest and steepest complete circuit coaster.
In addition to this, the coaster’s opening is credited as the reason Cedar Point has record attendance that very year!
On top of this, Magnum was also credited for shifting the focus of Cedar Point as a true theme park competitor.
Magnum XL-200 was inserted into the Guinness Book of World Records just a few days shy of it being open a month.
Additionally, it would become an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark in 2004 for its impact on the industry.
Awards and Recognition for This Cedar Point Roller Coaster
Magnum has been included in several awards categories over the past 30+ years.
At Golden Ticket Awards, its been in the top 5 of the Top Steel Coaster category between 1998-2007, being number one in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Between 2007 and 2013, it has managed to stay in the top 10 but sticking into the top 25 after 2013.
With NAPHA (National Amusement Park Historical Association), Magnum has ranked in the top 3 of the Favorite Steel Roller Coaster category between 2005-2010. It would tie for second place in this category in 2019.
It would hold the record for world’s tallest complete circuit coaster up until 1994, when it was beaten by Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England, also an Arrow Dynamics creation.
Its record for World’s Longest Roller Coaster Drop and World’s Fastest Roller Coaster would be held until 1991 and beaten by Steel Phantom at Kennywood Park.
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Magnum XL-200 Roller Coaster Stats
Let’s chat about its stats. Bear in mind that Magnum XL-200 is 30+ years old and many coasters have surpassed it in the following years.
However its impact in the industry is important and should be recognized.
- Launch/Lift System: Chain Lift Hill
- Height: 205 ft (feet)
- Drop: 194.7 ft
- Length: 5,106 ft
- Speed: 72 MPH (miles per hour)
- Inversions: 0
- Ride Time: 2 Mins
- Trains: 3 trains with 6 cars
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What to Expect on Magnum XL-200
Magnum XL-200’s track has of a tubular steel spine connected by struts to tubular steel running rails.
Like other Arrow coasters at the time, sections of Magnum’s track were hand-welded together in place without the assistance of computer assisted design.
Due to this, transitions throughout the ride were (and are) bumpy and not smooth. However the ride overall is a good time from my personal experiences!
When the train leaves the station, it goes over the walkway and down a slight decline into a 90-degree. It turns to the right and the chain gets to work to pull the train up, which goes 6 mph.
This begins the 205-foot ascent to the top of the lift hill. The train goes down the 194.7 feet hill at a 60-degree angle, reaching its top speed of 72 miles per hour.
The train then goes up a 157-foot camelback hill, going towards the first tunnel.
Coming out of the tunnel, the train goes up another hill, which is 80-foot. After the third hill, it brakes slightly and enters a pretzel-shaped turnaround.
Here it curves to the left toward the beach and then left again into another tunnel.
The train then goes over seven airtime hills and a third tunnel into a mid-course brake run.
Afterwards it turns left and goes back over the walkway to Cedar Point Shores. After a left turn, it enters a brake run, followed by a 90-degree right turn back into the station.
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My Final Thoughts and Review on the Magnum XL-200 Roller Coaster
Magnum XL-200, to today’s standards, wouldn’t necessarily be the most thrilling coaster for some.
Me personally, it still gives me butterflies going up the very first top hill and throughout the entire experience.
But given its storied history, experience and impact, you cannot deny that it has been an absolute credit in the revitalization of Cedar Point and the roller coaster industry as a whole.
It has managed to break barriers, leave its mark with ACE (American Coaster Enthusiasts) and with the general public.
To this day, guests visiting Cedar Point still have this coaster on their must-do list.
I’ll end with saying, don’t count Magnum XL-200 out when you visit Cedar Point!
Have you ridden this coaster before? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home. You can find her at Disney Tea with V.