Riverboat Cruise 
1960-1963

Riverboat Cruise Ride Facts:
Opened: 1960
Type: boat ride
Manufacturer: Cedar Point
Location: the lagoons
​Closed: 1963

Riverboat Cruise was a boat ride that was located inside Cedar Point's lagoons. The first boats were built by Cedar Point using anything they could find. Riders were taken on a boat ride through the lagoons. The ride closed in 1963. 

In 1964 Riverboat Cruise was upgraded to become Western Cruise. The ride received new boats and was a totally different experience. The ride was given a storyline. The ride was a really fun family experience. 

Western Cruise was the second ride at Cedar Point to have featured animatronics. Western Cruise closed in 1986.

In 1987 Western Cruise was located to the Gemini midway where the experience was shortened, and reworked to become Paddlewheel Excursions. 

Paddlewheel Excursions closed on Monday, September 5, 2011. The last boat captain was the CEO of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Dick Kinzel. 

In August 2019 Cedar Point announced it would be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2020.  In the press release, Cedar Point announced that guests would: "Climb aboard a river expedition for a new generation" for 2020.

​The ride would eventually be delayed due to COVID 19.

In 2021 guests would experience the highly impressive Snake River Expedition.  The ride had mixed reviews and closed for good in  2023.

Last Updated: 05/01/2025

Photo Credit: Andrew Borgen, Cedar Point, and Jake Hamons.