Calypso is a classic spinning ride that has entertained guests at Cedar Point for years.

Calypso 
1964-1969

The original Calypso opened at Cedar Point in 1964 and was originally located beside Mill Race. During its time in the park, the ride was moved many times.

In 1965, the ride was relocated to the area where the former Rotor first operated.

In 1968, Calypso was relocated to the beach next to the Go-Karts, about where Atomic Scambler is today. The 1969 season was the last year the original Calypso operated as Calypso.

In 1970, Cedar Point rethemed the original Calypso as Tiki Twirl. The ride remained in operation until it closed in 1984. During the winter, it was moved to Valleyfair, where it was stored until it was eventually scrapped.

Calypso 
1970-2014

In the 1960s, Cedar Point was adding attractions that would grow its ride collection. In 1962, guests could see the sights without riding a roller coaster when Sky Ride opened on the Main Midway. In 1963, Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad opened, along with Mill Race. Mill Race was only the second log flume ride ever built. The ever-popular Blue Streak opened in 1964 and was the first major roller coaster to debut at Cedar Point since 1929. Space Spiral became the tallest ride in the world when it opened in 1965. In 1966, Cedar Point opened Pirate Ride, a dark ride that took guests back in time to when pirates roamed the high seas. Frontier Town opened in 1967. In 1968, Sky Slide opened just off the Main Midway. In 1969, Cedar Point added its next roller coaster, Cedar Creek Mine Ride.

1970 was a huge year for Cedar Point. The park celebrated its 100th anniversary, and it did so in a big way.

In the marina, Cedar Point added Pet Check, a pet-sitting service.
Near the front of the park, Cedar Point added the Centennial Theatre, Calypso, and Hofbräu Gardens.

Kiddieland was expanded to double its size and was advertised as the largest in the world.

On the beach, Cedar Point added the WildCat roller coaster and the SeaLand attraction.

The train station was moved back to make way for a new midway called the Million Dollar Midway. The Million Dollar Midway was home to Bayern Kurve, Dodgem 2, Himalaya, Monster, and Tiki Twirl. The Western Cruise station was also relocated here, and the Paddlewheel Café opened.

Fifty-six years later, all of these attractions have been relocated or removed.

In 1970, Cedar Point opened a new Calypso that featured an impressive theming package when it debuted.

Calypso was located on a corner between Mill Race and The Corral, giving the ride a huge presence on Cedar Point’s Main Midway.

Over the years, much of Calypso’s original theming was removed.

Calypso remained a popular ride with steady ridership. As the 1990s approached, Cedar Point’s Main Midway was preparing for a new look.

On September 1, 1993, Cedar Point announced plans to build Raptor, which would be the world’s tallest, fastest, and steepest inverted roller coaster. When it opened in 1994, Raptor became Cedar Point’s 12th roller coaster.

To make room for Raptor, Cedar Point demolished Mill Race, rebuilt the Turnpike Cars, and relocated Calypso.

After its relocation, Calypso continued to thrill riders in its new location.

For the 1994 season, Calypso was relocated to a corner between Blue Streak and the Turnpike Cars ride.

After being relocated, Calypso lost much of its theming and its backdrop, leaving the ride without much of the visual flair it once had in its original location.

Around 2006, Cedar Point removed the ride’s spinning spire because of potential safety concerns.

By the 2010s, the ride’s once-impressive lighting package had faded and was no longer as striking as it had been in earlier years.

Over the years, the ride went through several color changes, but by 2014 it began to feel outdated.

When the park closed for the 2014 season, the ride was carefully disassembled and restored in preparation for its third relocation. This time, however, Calypso would be forever changed.

Tiki Twirl
2015-2022

Tiki Twirl was a reimagined version of Cedar Point’s classic Calypso ride.

On Saturday, February 21, 2015, Cedar Point announced plans to remodel the Wicked Twister Midway. As part of the project, Dodgem and Calypso would be relocated to the midway, with Calypso being renamed and rethemed as Tiki Twirl.

In early spring, Tiki Twirl was reconstructed and reassembled on a new ride pad that once served as Wicked Twister’s entrance plaza.

The ride was renamed to honor Cedar Point’s original Calypso, which was renamed Tiki Twirl and operated at the park from 1970 to 1984. It was replaced by Matterhorn in 1985.

Tiki Twirl reopened in its new location on May 9, 2015, welcoming riders once again.

Tiki Twirl was placed to the left of Giant Wheel and was located between Wicked Twister, 3 Point Challenge, and the Extreme Sports Stadium.

The ride was completely refurbished and given a new, brightly colored paint scheme to better fit the theme of the new midway.

Its new, more accessible location gave the ride an instant boost in popularity among guests.

In 2016, the cars on Tiki Twirl were repainted in brighter colors to better match the ride’s updated color scheme

Tiki Twirl did not spin as quickly as it had when the ride operated as Calypso.

On Thursday, August 11, 2022, Cedar Point announced plans to build The Boardwalk for the 2023 season. The new area would feature the Grand Pavilion and Cedar Point’s newest roller coaster, Wild Mouse. As part of the redevelopment, Tiki Twirl would be renamed and rethemed to better fit the new area.

The ride continued operating as Tiki Twirl through the end of the 2022 season.

Calypso is a classic spinning ride at Cedar Point. Originally opening in 1970, the ride has gone through several name changes over the years.

Calypso
2023

Calypso is one of several family-friendly rides located on Cedar Point’s Boardwalk.

For the 2023 season, the ride was renamed once again to Calypso. The name was restored to honor the ride’s former identity.

For the 2023 season, Calypso was repainted and updated with a slightly different color scheme.

Calypso is located on Cedar Point’s Boardwalk, between Matterhorn and Giant Wheel.

The ride also received a brand-new illuminated sign, paying tribute to the original.

The ride looks fantastic, and the best part is that it’s completely custom. No other park in the world has a Calypso like the one at Cedar Point.

Calypso's ride cycle runs at a faster speed than Tiki Twirl was ran at. 

 Calypso was built by Mack Rides. Mack Rides also built Super Himalaya, Matterhorn, the original Calypso, and Schwabinchen for Cedar Point.

 Calypso Ride Facts
Built:1970
Locations:

• Main Midway (1970–1993)
• Blue Streak Midway (1994–2014)
• The Boardwalk (since 2015)

Manufacturer: Mack Rides
Type: Calypso
Ride Names:

• Calypso (1970–2014)
• Tiki Twirl (2015–2022)
• Calypso (since 2023)

Cars: 16 

Reimagining Calypso was a great decision for Cedar Point. Today, the ride continues to provide fun for the entire family

Ride Experience 

The Calypso ride experience begins as guests enter the queue, located directly to the left of the ride. The entrance now features a newly added logo.

The wait time for Tiki Twirl is usually about 5 minutes, and the longest the line typically gets is around 10 minutes.

Riders are assigned to one of 16 cars. Each car holds two people. The car has a shared seatbelt for both riders and a lap bar.

Calypso starts with the ride platform spinning in a clockwise circle. 

As the ride speeds up, the cars also begin spinning in a counterclockwise rotation.

The spinning creates close encounters, as the cars come very close to each other while they spin.

Calypso is a really fun ride, and riders are sure to laugh and giggle while experiencing it.

Calypso is a ride that lasts 1 minute and 35 seconds.

As the ride slows down, the cars stop spinning. When the table stops spinning, the ride is over. 

Riders exit Calypso onto the Boardwalk. 

Calypso is a really fun ride that the entire family can enjoy together! 

Calypso is a very popular ride. After Calypso, Cedar Point would add: Frontier Trail (1971), Jumbo Jet (1972-1978), Matterhorn (1972), Giant Wheel (1972), Cedar Point Cinema (1975-2001), Corkscrew (1976), Troika (1976), Witches’ Wheel (1977-2018), Gemini (1978), Gemini Chilrden’s Area (1979-2013), Wave Swinger (1979), WildCat (1979-2011), Oceana (1980), Ocean Motion (1981), Kid Arthur’s Court (1982-2005), White Water Landing (1982-2005), Demon Drop (1983-2009), Avalanche Run (1985-1989), Berenstain Bear Country (1985-1998), Thunder Canyon (1986), Iron Dragon (1987), Soak City Water Park (1988-2016), Magnum XL-200 (1989), Disaster Transport (1990-2012), Mean Streak (1991-2016), Challenge Park (1992-2016), Snake River Falls (1993-2024), Kiddy Kingdom (1993), Raptor (1994), Cedar Point’s 125th Anniversary Celebration (1995), RipCord (1996-2016), Mantis (1996-2014), Chaos (1997-2011), Swan Boats (1997-2003), Power Tower (1998), Camp Snoopy (1999), Millennium Force (2000), Lighthouse Point (2001), Wicked Twister (2002-2021), Good Time Theatre (2002-2014), Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021), Castaway Bay Resort (2004), maXair (2005), Skyhawk (2006), Maverick (2007), Planet Snoopy (2008), Shoot the Rapids (2010-2015), WindSeeker (2011), Dinosaurs Alive! On Adventure Island (2012-2018), GateKeeper (2013), New Gemini Midway (2014), Rougarou (2015), Valravn (2016), Cedar Point Shores Waterpark (2017), Steel Vengeance (2018), Forbidden Frontier on Adventure Island (2019-2022), Cedar Point’s 150th Anniversary Celebration (2021), Snake River Expedition (2021-2023), The Boardwalk (2023), Top Thrill 2 (2024), and Siren’s Curse (2025). All of these additions have helped make Cedar Point an even better place. 

Calypso is a really cool ride. 

Everyone can ride Calypso. Riders must be at least 46 inches tall to ride alone. 

Last Updated: 05/01/2026

Photos by: Timothy Bretz, Andrew Borgen, Cedar Point, David Chapman, Jake Hamons, Russ Haudan,John McGuire of Lakewood, Ohio, and Ann Marie Gryca Muehlahauser.