Maverick at Cedar Point acts more like a bucking bronco than a coaster!
It is full of twists, screws, launches, tunnels, and plenty of airtime!
But do you know the backstory of this wild ride?
Well, giddy up, partner! I’ve got the inside scoop.
Introducing “Maverick!”
Let’s saddle up and get into the history, theme, ride stats and ride layout along with some fun facts about the coaster!
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Maverick Roller Coaster at a Glance:
- Height: 105 feet
- Opening Date: May 26, 2007
- Top Speed: 70 miles per hour
- Duration: 2 minutes and 30 seconds
- Length: 4,450 feet
- Hipster Power Tip: Ride at night!
Keep reading to get everything you must know about this incredible Cedar Point Roller coaster.
Why We Love Cedar Point
Cedar Point is known as the “America’s Roller Coaster Capital.” It is the the only amusement park in the world to boast five coasters above 200 feet.
It is also one of the top 20 amusement parks in the country, as well as being named “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement today 16 years straight.
Not to mention, it features several buildings on the National Register of Historic places on top of being host to several specialty events throughout its operating season.
The park has earned its place in theme park entertainment history, for sure.
Among its many astounding and record-breaking coasters is (while not one of the rides in the park to top 200 feet) a rodeo star in its own right!
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History of Maverick at Cedar Point
In 1982, Cedar Point debuted a log flume ride in the park’s Frontiertown named “White Water Landing.”
The attraction was near Mean Streak, now Steel Vengeance, and the Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad and had an Appalachian River ride theme. Its tallest drop was 45 feet (ft) plummeting guests at 35 (miles per hour) MPH.
The Frontiertown section of the park is a western themed area that has been part of the park since 1967. It immerses you through numerous historical buildings from the area’s settlement eras.
Frontiertown got a whole new look when Steel Vengeance opened up in 2018.
Making Way for the Future of the Maverick Roller Coaster
Fast forward to October 13, 2005, Cedar Point announced that White Water Landing would be closing for good to make room for something new and exciting! Time sure does fly, huh?
This classic log flume ride said goodbye to its last riders on October 30, 2005, and the station and queue were left for the new ride.
This nearby pond was also home to the park’s Swan Boat ride.
Up until September 2006, just a bit over a year later, it was called “Project 2007.” Then on September 7th, Maverick was revealed.
The construction of this coaster would go on to start in February of 2006 with the covering up of Whiter Water landing’s site with concrete. A sign that changes where starting.
Maverick’s rack installment would later go down in August of 2006, and it was all topped off when the first lift hill was completed in September of that same year.
By October 28th of 2006, Maverick’s track installation was all done. It was now good to go for testing. Giving it an early start for the 2007 summer season.
Trouble in the Wild West: Maverick opening day delay…
As you probably know, not everything can go as planned by the Cedar Point team.
Maverick started testing in January 2007 but got delayed by four days just before it was supposed to open to the public on May 8th 2007.
The park manager would later confirm the ride opening day delay for early June of that year.
This was due to a section of track that required to be replaced.
According to Cedar Point’s press release: The decision to delay the opening of Maverick was based on pre-opening tests and consultation with IntaRide, the manufacturer of the ride. Based on these discussions, it has been determined that three sections of steel track following the launch tunnel should be replaced.
It was totally stressing out the trains, which could have made the riders super uncomfortable because of the crazy high G forces.
Later, the wonky heartline roll turned into an S curve. It was all set up by May 24th.
When did Maverick roller coaster open at Cedar Point?
They wasted no time getting down to business, testing and wrapping up the licensing process. And guess what? The park just revealed a fresh opening date of May 26th of 2007 on the very same day!
Not bad for a projected delayed opening of early June!
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The Theme and Ride Layout of Maverick at Cedar Point
Unlike its predecessor, the theme of this coaster is more western themed to fit the aesthetic of Frontiertown.
The attraction uses western music to help immerse you deep into the theme of not only the ride but also the area around it.
You know what’s cool? The elevator shaft is made to look like a silo, totally adding to the vibe. And check it out – the trains at the attraction have that old-school steam era look with tiered seating.
Maverick Roller Coaster Trains
There are six 3 car trains that hold 12 each and they are named:
- Bret
- Brass
- Brent
- Gunmetal
- Ben
- Iron
- Beau
- Gold
- Bart
- Silver
- Sam
- Copper
Maverick’s Special Loading System
What makes the ride super efficient is its dual loading station system, which lets two trains load, dispatch, and unload simultaneously. Plus, it comes with soft vest style restraints for extra guest comfort.
You are then lifted up quickly to the top of a 105 foot hill and then you’re dropped at 100 feet at a menacing 95 degree angle!
What to Expect on Maverick at Cedar Point
Cruising through a bunch of cool twists and turns, you’ll reach 57 MPH before zooming through a canyon and soaring over a 74 foot airtime hill.
You’re in for a crazy ride with a twisted horseshoe roll that has two back-to-back 360 corkscrew rolls and just a 180-degree banked turn in between.
And once you think it’s about to be over, it’s not. For those who are familiar with VelociCoaster, you will love the special effects tunnel than will launch you 400 feet at 70 MPH beneath the loading station!
Now this is my favorite part below!
When you’re leaving the tunnel, you zoom up the hill, cruise into a canyon with a twisty turn, the OG spot of the heartline roll, and water canons popping as you hit the canyon!
After hitting several airtime hills and banked turns, your 2-and-a-half-minute journey aboard Maverick is complete.
Once you experience this coaster, you will understand its slogan, “The Old West was never this wild!”
Maverick at Cedar Point Ride Stats
Where does one begin when it comes to the ride stats of this attraction?
It is the 4th longest coaster at Cedar Point with a track length of 4,450 feet. Steel Vengeance holds that title with 5,740 feet of track.
Maverick holds the steepest drop of all the coasters with a 95-degree angle along with being the first to have that twisted horseshoe element.
It was notable for being engineer Werner Stengel’s 500th coaster that he ever designed and is currently semi-retired.
It boasts two inversions and 2 LSM launches going 0-70 MPH in the tunnel!
This steel launch coaster is topped at 105 feet and unfortunately is one flaw is that it is affected by weather conditions since its a very fast attraction.
Lighting and/or rain will cause the ride to close as any steady rainfall can cause pain to riders if you are going 45 MPH or higher.
Upon opening it set the record for steepest coaster and cost $21 million to produce.
Overall Stats for this Cedar Point Roller Coaster
- How Tall is Maverick at Cedar Point: 105 feet
- Opening Date: May 26, 2007
- How Fast is Maverick at Cedar Point: 70 miles per hour
- Duration: 2 minutes and 30 seconds
- How Long is Maverick at Cedar Point: 4,450 feet
My Final Thoughts on Maverick at Cedar Point
Maverick (while not one of the tallest coasters in the park) certainly packs a punch with its 0 to 70 miles per hour in 3 second launch, twisted horseshoe roll, 95 degrees drop and adorable mascot.
The mascot is considered a wild horse but in Squishmallow form, his name is Midnight who is a tour guide of Frontiertown and besties with Stevie, the cactus sheriff of the small town.
The terra coaster is packed with hills and thrills, perfect for any wild broncos!
In recent years, it has consistently been in the Top 20 Steel Coaster List for Golden Ticket Awards since 2016.
It won Best New Ride from Amusement Today and Best New Attraction from NAPHA in 2007.
It is truly one of the most fun experiences I have had this year on a coaster since riding VelociCoaster last year! Its still a darn good time!
Let us know what is your favorite coaster at Cedar Point in our Facebook group!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
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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.
(Original Article Date: September 21, 2022/Updated by Editor on May 6, 2024)