:Magnum XL-200

By the mid-1980s, Cedar Point had grown into a successful collection of roller coasters and other smaller rides on the shores of Lake Erie. In 1986, Dick Kinzel took over as president and CEO of Cedar Fair, the company that operated the park at the time. Kinzel saw a report on CNN in 1988 about the opening of a new coaster in Japan called Bandit at Yomiuriland that emphasized height and speed but had no inversions.{{cite journal | last1 = Holmes | first1 = Scott | last2 = Holmes | first2 = Carol | year = 2009 | title = 20 Years of Magnum | journal = RollerCoaster! Magazine |volume = 30 | issue = 4 | pages = 4–11 | publisher=American Coaster Enthusiasts | location=Zanesville, Ohio | issn = 0896-7261}} Kinzel wanted to introduce a similar coaster that emphasized steep drops and negative g-forces over inversions and spins, which were common at the time. It had been 10 years since the last major addition, Gemini, was introduced. Cedar Point asked for proposals from TOGO, Dinn Corporation, Intamin and Arrow Dynamics to build a roller coaster without inversions or over-the-shoulder restraints. They chose Arrow, due to the weakness of the dollar at the time, which eliminated overseas production. Arrow was also working on the new Iron Dragon at the time. Arrow and Ron Toomer proposed a {{convert|187|ft}}-tall coaster, to best the then-largest roller coaster drop on Shockwave at Six Flags Great America. That got Cedar Point's management interested in breaking the {{convert|200|ft|adj=on}} barrier, partly because of the publicity to be gained from building the first roller coaster to do so.{{cite book |last1=O'Brien |first1=Tim |title=Dick Kinzel: Roller Coaster King of Cedar Point Amusement Park |date=October 2015 |publisher=Casa Flamingo Literary Arts |isbn=978-0-9743324-6-8 |pages=31, 34}} The name Magnum XL-200 was chosen because Magnum, P.I. was popular at the time.{{cite web|title=A Blast from the Past Part. Henry Haller 1|url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2009/10/blast-from-past-magnum-xl200-at-cedar.html|publisher=News Plus Notes|access-date=November 23, 2012|date=October 29, 2009}} "XL" and "200" were added for "extra-long" and standing at least {{convert|200|ft|m}} tall, respectively. The original proposal was to cost $7.5 million, but was raised to $8 million after the height was extended to {{convert|200|ft|adj=off}}.{{cite web|title=A Blast from the Past Part. 2|url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2009/11/blast-from-past-magnum-xl-200-part-duex.html|publisher=News Plus Notes|access-date=November 23, 2012|date=November 5, 2009}} Funds from Cedar Fair going public on the New York Stock Exchange in April 1987 were used to fund the ride.

{{stack|File:Magnum XL-200 sign.jpg}}

Magnum XL-200 was announced on August 16, 1988, and construction began shortly thereafter.{{cite news|title = Ohio roller coaster to be fastest ride|publisher = Associated Press|date = August 17, 1988|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3289740FE6440&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|access-date =September 7, 2012}} Following its completion in 1989, Kinzel was one of the first people to ride the coaster, boarding the train after one test cycle.{{cite news|last=Chavezblade |first=Jon |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/12/25/Kinzel-reflects-on-wild-ride.html |title=Kinzel reflects on wild ride |newspaper=Toledo Blade |date=December 25, 2011 |access-date=January 20, 2012}} It officially opened to the public on May 6, 1989, as the world's tallest, fastest and steepest complete-circuit roller coaster. It was measured for the Guinness Book of World Records on June 2.{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Magnum XL-200|location=Cedar Point|rcdb_number=11|access-date=September 8, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://pointbuzz.com/c/history.aspx |title=PointBuzz Timeline |publisher=PointBuzz |access-date=June 24, 2012 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023081858/http://pointbuzz.com/c/history.aspx |url-status=dead }} Cedar Point set a record attendance in 1989, due in part to the introduction of Magnum.

Magnum is often credited as shifting the focus of Cedar Point, as noted by then-park Vice President, John Hildebrandt: "We all were smart enough to know we had something. Big steel made a big difference and with Magnum we started branding ourselves as a big time roller coaster park". Magnum was awarded the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark award on June 21, 2004.{{cite news|title = ACE Coaster Landmark|publisher = American Coaster Enthusiasts|url=http://www.aceonline.org/CoasterAwards/details.aspx?id=44|access-date =September 12, 2012}} To date, Magnum has been repainted once; the original track color was scarlet red, and later repainted Molly orange in late 2005 which was completed in 2006.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thepointol.com/newsstory98.html|title=Magnum XL-200 gets repainted|access-date=September 12, 2012|publisher=Cedar Point |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505002850/http://www.thepointol.com/newsstory98.html |archive-date = May 5, 2006}} Cedar Point celebrated Magnum's 20th anniversary on opening day in 2009 with a ceremony and an appearance by Ron Toomer, its designer. A new entrance sign was also introduced.{{cite news|title=It's opening weekend at Cedar Point |publisher=Associated Press |date=May 15, 2009 |url=http://www.cantonrep.com/ohio/x1194175018/It-s-opening-weekend-for-Cedar-Point |access-date=September 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518140419/http://www.cantonrep.com/ohio/x1194175018/It-s-opening-weekend-for-Cedar-Point |archive-date=May 18, 2009 }}

Magnum XL-200 has been the target of false rumors since 1998 claiming the structure was sinking due to unstable ground. The rumors supposedly started as an April Fools' Day joke in an Ohio newspaper, but quickly spread via the Internet. Cedar Point quickly denounced such rumors.{{cite web|title=A Blast from the Past Part 3|url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2009/11/blast-from-past-our-magnum-finale.html|publisher=News Plus Notes|access-date=November 23, 2012|date=November 12, 2009}}{{cite news|title=Is Magnum XL-200 sinking? |publisher=Cedarpoint.com |url=http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/news/faq.cfm?current_root=240#faq_90 |access-date=December 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113061551/http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/news/faq.cfm?current_root=240 |archive-date=November 13, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

In 2019, Magnum XL-200 celebrated its 30th anniversary. The ride was repainted and new special effects were installed in the third tunnel.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/entertainment/places/cedar-point/cedar-point-announces-changes-to-2-roller-coasters-magnum-xl-200-and-cedar-creek-mine-ride/95-f71b1f9e-8c24-4417-b3ce-00a92adb743c|title=Cedar Point announces changes to 2 roller coasters: See what's in store for Magnum XL-200 and Cedar Creek Mine Ride in 2019}}

After the train departs the station, it travels over the resort gate walkway, down a slight decline into a 90-degree turn to the right and engages the chain, which operates at a speed of {{convert|6|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, to begin the {{convert|205|ft|adj=on}} climb to the top of the lift hill. The train descends {{convert|194.7|ft}} at a 60-degree angle, reaching a top speed of {{convert|72|mph}}. The train then ascends a {{convert|157|ft|adj=on}} camelback hill, curving to the left into the first tunnel. Coming out of the tunnel, the train ascends a third, {{convert|80|ft|adj=on}}-tall hill. After the third hill, it enters a set of trim brakes and a pretzel-shaped turnaround where it curves to the left toward the beach and then left again into another tunnel. The train then traverses over seven airtime hills and a third tunnel into a mid-course brake run. The train turns left and goes back over the walkway to Cedar Point Shores. It then turns right and enters the brake run, followed by a 90-degree right turn back into the station.{{cite web |title=Magnum XL-200 POV|year=2011|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nPG4l9-LkM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217064243/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nPG4l9-LkM&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=December 17, 2011 |url-status=dead|access-date=September 12, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Brakes and Lift Hill |url=http://www.coaster-net.com/blogs/151-brakes-lift-hill/ |date=January 1, 2011 |publisher=Coaster-Net |access-date=September 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206231910/http://coaster-net.com/blogs/151-brakes-lift-hill/ |archive-date=December 6, 2011 }} One cycle of the ride lasts about 2 minutes.

File:Magnum XL-200 red train.jpg

File:Magnum XL-200 at night.jpg

Magnum XL-200 has three white-and-black trains. Each train has red, black or blue striping at the front.{{cite web| title = Magnum XL-200 Red Train| publisher = Themeparkcritic|url=http://www.themeparkcritic.com/Uploads/39/MagnumXL.jpg| access-date = September 15, 2012 }} Each train has six cars; riders are arranged two-across in three rows for a total of 36 riders per train. Riders are secured by an individual ratcheting lap bar and a seat belt.

When Magnum XL-200 opened, it used up-stop pads similar to those still in use on Gemini, as well as Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Shortly after its debut, however, these up-stop plates were replaced with more traditional up-stop wheels that stops excess wear and tear.{{cite news| last = Sandy| first = Adam| title = Roller Coaster History — Late Eighties| publisher = Ultimate RollerCoaster| year = 2006|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/coasters/history/1980_1990/late_80s.shtml| access-date = November 23, 2012}}

Magnum XL-200's steel track is {{Convert|5106|ft|adj=off}} in length, and its main hill is approximately {{Convert|205|ft|adj=off}} high. The track consists of a tubular steel spine connected by struts to tubular steel running rails.{{cite web|title=Arrow Dyanamics Hypercoasters |url=http://hypercoaster.8k.com/custom.html |access-date=September 13, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216172258/http://hypercoaster.8k.com/custom.html |archive-date=December 16, 2013 }} Like other Arrow coasters at the time, sections of Magnum's track were hand-welded together in place without the assistance of computer-aided design, leading to bumpy, non-smooth transitions throughout the course of the ride.{{cite web|title=Super Coasters: Magnum XL-200|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptmXb8WsemI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/ptmXb8WsemI |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live|publisher=National Geographic|access-date=October 2, 2012}}{{cbignore}} Each track section's measurement ranges from {{Convert|2|to|200|ft|adj=off}}, and 157 structural columns are used for support.

On May 26, 2007, one of the coaster's trains collided with another at less than {{convert|10|mph}}, causing minor damage to both trains and minor injuries to at least three passengers. Two people were taken to a first aid station, and a third person was taken to a local hospital because of an asthma attack. The ride reopened the next day and park spokesman Robin Innes said the accident was caused by rain: "We think it was just caused by excessive moisture on the tracks due to the heavy rain storms we had in the morning."{{cite news| title = Rain blamed for Magnum malfunction| newspaper = Sandusky Register| date = May 28, 2007|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/2007/may/28/rain-blamed-magnum-malfunction?similar| access-date =September 7, 2012 }}

File:ACE-landmark-magnum.jpg

Magnum XL-200 was designated an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark on June 21, 2004, at the 27th Annual Convention of the American Coaster Enthusiasts. It received the designation for inspiring more than a dozen similar rides on three continents and for being the first hypercoaster.

{{GTA table

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| access-date = September 14, 2015

| 1998 = 1

| 1999 = 1

| 2000 = 1

| 2001 = 3

| 2002 = 3

| 2003 = 4

| 2004 = 3

| 2005 = 3

| 2006 = 3

| 2007 = 5

| 2008 = 7

| 2009 = 9

| 2010 = 8

| 2011 = 10

| 2012 = 8

| 2013 = 9

| 2014 = 13

| 2015 = 15

| 2016 = 15

| 2017 = 23

| 2018 = 14

| 2019 = 18

| 2021 = 20

| 2022 = 25

|2023=30|2024=36}}

{{clear}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-bef|before=Great American Scream Machine}}

{{s-ttl|title=World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster|years=May 1989 – May 1994}}

{{s-aft|after=Big One}}

{{s-bef|before=Shockwave}}

{{s-ttl|title=World's Longest Roller Coaster Drop|years=May 1989 – May 1991}}

{{s-aft|rows=2|after=Steel Phantom}}

{{s-bef|before=Bandit}}

{{s-ttl|title=World's Fastest Roller Coaster|years=May 1989 – May 1991}}

{{s-end}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.cedarpoint.com/rides/Roller-Coasters/Magnum-XL200 Cedarpoint.com – Magnum XL-200's official page]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glL50XO1iq0 Magnum XL-200 1987 News Broadcasts]
• [http://www.coaster-net.com/ride-gallery/172-magnum-xl-200/ Magnum XL-200] at Coaster-Net
• [http://thepointol.com/magnum-xl-200/ Magnum XL-200] at The Point Online

{{Cedar Point}}

{{ACE Coaster Landmarks}}

Category:Cedar Point

Category:Roller coasters introduced in 1989

Category:Roller coasters operated by Six Flags

Category:Roller coasters in Ohio

Category:1989 establishments in Ohio