Jumbo Jet
​1972-1978

The 1950's was a really bad time for Cedar Point. After all, it almost closed. After formulating a plan to become the "Disneyland of the Midwest", Cedar Point would add rides that would make the park popular. In 1963 Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad took guest on a journey back to the days of the Wild West. Blue Streak became the first major ride built in decades when it opened in 1964. In 1965 Space Spiral opened as the first ride in the world to go over 300 feet. Pirate Ride sent riders back to the days when Pirates ram-sacked the high seas. Frontiertown opened in 1967. Frontiertown was expanded in 1969 to include Cedar Creek Mine Ride. In 1970 Cedar Point Celebrated its 100th anniversary with the Million Dollar Midway and some other additions to bring the lines down. Frontier Trail opened in 1971. 

With all these new additions, 1972 would bring many attentions to add to Cedar Point's line up. 

1972 would be another huge year for Cedar Point. In 1972 Cedar Point wold add 3 rides: Giant Wheel, Matterhorn and the park's 4th roller coaster, Jumbo Jet. 

Jumbo Jet was a very thrilling ride. It was the fastest roller coaster in the park when it opened. 

    Jumbo Jet opened at Cedar Point in 1972.  At the time Jumbo Jet was Cedar Point's fourth roller coaster.

Jumbo Jet was located on the Beach Midway just past the Space Spiral. Jumbo Jet was located next to the Cedar Point Beach. This location was the former home to the Cyclone Roller Coaster and The Racer Roller Coaster. 

Jumbo Jet was built by Anton Schwarzkopf of Germany. The ride featured an unique spiral lift hill. To go up the hill the ride required a special motor to be located inside the train. The ride broke down a lot and it was difficult to get fixed.  

    At the time Jumbo Jet was Cedar Point's most modern roller coaster.   Jumbo Jet featured 60 degree banked turns.   Riders on Jumbo Jet would sit in six rows of two people each. Jumbo Jet was a very popular roller coaster. It would have long lines due to it being a lower capacity ride. 

Jumbo Jet was a Jet Star 3 model. Over the years  Schwarzkopf would build 12 of these rides. Today there are 2 operating Jet Star rides, including the Cedar Point model. 

While Jumbo Jet was at Cedar Point would add: The Cedar Point Cinema (1975-2001), Corkscrew (1976), Troika (1976), Witches' Wheel, and Gemini (1978). The new additions added stuff that the park guest had not seen before, and made the Jumbo Jet seen out of place in the park. 

Jumbo Jet closed at the end of the 1978 season. Cedar Point soon sold the ride. Over the years the ride has been moved  5 times. 

Jumbo Jet locations: 

Cedar Point 1972-1978
Palace Playland 1979-1984
Malmö Folkets Park 1985-1989
Beoland 2003-2008
Dreamland 2010-2014
Chelyuskintsev Park 2015-today

Jumbo Jet was replaced with the new WildCat in 1979. In 1985 WildCat was relocated to the Million Dollar Midway and was replaced with Avalanche Run. In 1990 Avalanche Run was enclosed as re-themed as Disaster Transport. Disaster Transport closed in 2012. In 2013 GateKeeper opened as the tallest and fastest Wing Coaster in the world. GateKeeper is located on the Jumbo Jet site today. 

Photos by Jake Hamons, the Lost Coaster and Cedar Point. 

Last Updated: 5/30/2020