Are you looking for the ULTIMATE guide to Gatekeeper at Cedar Point?
Well, you’re in the right place!
Out of all the roller coasters I mention on my many roller coaster guides and lists, there’s one in particular that I noticed is usually not on them.
Today, I am going to make a point to put this one on more lists and give it more of a spotlight.
I especially find it surprising since its the first roller coaster that welcomes you into Cedar Point as a portion of the track is part of the park’s entrance.
So, let’s get down into the nitty gritty and learn about its history and conception, stats, what makes it stand out and more!
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Gatekeeper at a Glance:
- Opening Date: May 11, 2013
- Launch/Lift System: Chain Lift Hill
- Height: 170 feet
- Drop: 164 feet
- Length: 4,164 feet
- Speed: 67 MPH (miles per hour)
- Inversions: 6
- Ride Time: 2 Mins and 40 seconds
- Height Restrictions: Between 52 inches and 78 inches
Before you head to Cedar Point get EVERYTHING (even the secrets) about Gatekeeper below!
When did Gatekeeper open at Cedar Point?
Gatekeeper opened at Cedar Point on May 11, 2013 on the best opening weekend ever at the park at that time!
It is a steel roller coaster designed by B&M coaster manufacturer and was the fifth Wing Coaster in the world at the time of its installation.
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History
It has a fascinating and slightly controversial history because it replaced the infamously horrendous and confusing Disaster Transport attraction. You can learn more about that unfortunate ride here.
Early plans for the new roller coaster started with former Cedar Fair CEO Dick Kinzel in 2011. But he would ultimately give the credit to his successor Matt Ouimet.
The debut of GateKeeper would go on to finally be revealed at the 2011 IAAPA Expo.
On August 13, 2012, Cedar Point officially announced the arrival of GateKeeper, and it was confirmed that it would be a 170 foot Wing Coaster made by B&M.
They even had this mysterious creature chilling on top of the main gate, talking to guests. A cool little fact I learned during my research.
How much did it cost to build Gatekeeper at Cedar Point?
Later on we would learn that the total cost of this project was $30 million.
From Disaster Transport to Gatekeeper
In early July 2012, Cedar Point spilled the beans that the Disaster Transport and Space Spiral rides were getting the boot and shut down on July 29, 2012.
Construction of Gatekeeper
GateKeeper construction kicked off around mid-September, with the first track pieces going in, starting with the station, on November 5th.
The initial parts of the two keyhole towers showed up on January 23, and the first keyhole tower got put in place on January 29.
These are very important aspects of the coaster and the park’s main entrance.
In late February of 2013, the last bit of GateKeeper was all set and ready to roll earlier than planned and after 8 months of construction, testing swiftly began for the ride to open for the 2013 season.
Testing Begins
Gatekeeper successfully completed its inaugural full-circuit journey during testing on April 4, 2013.
Subsequent to this milestone, extensive testing procedures were conducted to ensure its flawless performance.
A media preview event for Gatekeeper was scheduled on May 9th, followed by the official public opening of the ride on May 11th of 2013.
Upon its debut, GateKeeper would break several world records for a Wing Coaster.
And at the time that it opened, it was the longest and fastest coaster of this kind that featured the longest drop, and contained the most inversions.
I was surprised to learn during my research beat out Volcano, The Blast Coaster at Cedar Point’s sister park, Kings Dominion for the World’s highest roller coaster inversion at the time.
Volcano was actually the first big roller coaster I had ever ridden as a child and it terrified me.
So, I could only imagine if Gatekeeper would have been my first, haha!
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Where in Cedar Point is Gatekeeper?
GateKeeper’s entrance and station are located near Giant Wheel and maXair.
For newcomers, it’s a bit confusing to find but when you enter, stay to your right and look for maXair, or just ask a Team Member and they will direct you.
This makes it the very first ride you see upon entering the park and boy does this give it a true WOW factor!
Plus, you’ll get great views of Lake Erie as you travel on your adventure.
I remember seeing it during my first visit as it passed through the two 100-ft keyhole towers and immediately thinking, “I HAVE to ride this!”
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Gatekeeper Stats
At its top height, Gatekeeper is 170 feet with its tallest drop being 164 feet with dark and light blue colored tracks complete with white supports.
- Opening Date: May 11, 2013
- Launch/Lift System: Chain Lift Hill
- Height: 170 feet
- Drop: 164 feet
- Length: 4,164 feet
- Speed: 67 MPH (miles per hour)
- Inversions: 6
- G-Force: 4
- Ride Time: 2 Mins and 40 seconds
- Height Restrictions: Between 52 inches and 78 inches
Train
The Gatekeeper trains are fairly fascinating!
- 3 open-air steel and fiberglass trains (eight cars each with four seats each placing two on each side of the track)
- Holds 32 riders (ride capacity of 1,710 riders per hour)
- Over-the-shoulder restraints
- Interlocking seat belts
- Front of each train is shaped to resemble the head of a mythological griffin (you can see a resemblance of eyes on the train using LED lighting)
Some riders have claimed that when waiting at the station to unload after the experience that the restraints become very uncomfortable. I didn’t experience that but I can understand how it can make them feel that way.
I was also told by a Gatekeeper Team Member that the lights on the trains recharge while at the station.
Watch: The MOST UNDERRATED First Timer Tips for Cedar Point (Ultimate Guide)
Overall Experience
Now that you have the background of this exciting roller coaster at Cedar Point, I want to take you virtually through the ride experience. Once you’re strapped in and leave the station, you’ll:
- Turn 180 degrees to the right and go up the hill
- Reach the top at 170 feet
- Experience the “Wing Over Drop”
- Drop 164 feet
- Enter Immelmann Loop
- Turn right into a Camelback Hill
- Experience the Giant Flat Spin (oversized corkscrew element)
- Go through the Two Keyhole Towers
- Speed through a 360-degree downward helix
- Return to the station
Now doesn’t that describe an amazing Wing Coaster experience?
Reactions and Awards
Overall, Cedar Point stated that their 2013 season was the largest attendance wise at that time and it was due to Gatekeeper’s opening!
Minus the restraint complaints I mentioned earlier, guests and fans of Cedar Point (including myself) described the coaster as thrilling and offering a smooth ride experience overall.
It has only been on Golden Ticket Awards lists a few times for the steel coaster list, not ranking in the Top 10 at any time but at least in the Top 50 in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Cedar Point’s new coaster came in at number 28 on the Top Steel Roller Coasters list, marking the first time the park had six steel coasters in the top 50.
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My Final Thoughts and Review of Gatekeeper at Cedar Point
I may get some judgment from my fellow coaster lovers but I don’t care!
Gatekeeper has a special place in my heart personally. It may not be on everybody’s top coaster lists, but I love this wing coaster and how it welcomed me into Cedar Point for my very first visit!
And for many visitors, it is the doorway to Cedar Point’s very best offerings. In conclusion, put some respect on Gatekeeper’s name!
Have you ever experienced this Cedar Point roller coaster before? Let us know 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.