Summer Fun At Cedar Point Shores Waterpark: A Complete Guide

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Our family makes its way to Cedar Point Amusement Park several times each year. We’re season passholders, live within an hour of the park, and love roller coasters, so it’s the perfect road trip for us. While we love the rides, food, and fun at Cedar Point, we’ve also enjoyed visiting Cedar Point Shores Waterpark. Located next to the amusement park, Cedar Point Shores is the perfect spot to keep the fun going and cool off from the summer sun. 

Keep reading to learn more about the waterpark, Cedar Point Shores rides and attractions, dining options, and everything else you need to know for a fun family visit 

Cedar Point Updates for 2024

There’s some big news and updates with Cedar Point for the 2024 season. Some of the updates include: 

• Top Thrill 2 is Coming in 2024: Cedar Point recently announced that a reimagined version of Top Thrill Dragster will return in 2024. We’ll keep you updated as new details are released. A passholder preview event is scheduled for April 30 – May 2, 2024. The amusement park recently released some surprising safety guidelines for Top Thrill 2.
• Cedar Fair Six Flags Merger: In November, Cedar Fair announced a merger between itself and Six Flags. creating a buzz in the theme park industry. This union is set to bring about new and exciting changes for both companies. To read more about this merger, visit Cedar Fair’s official press release here. It’s important to note that the impact of this merger on the 2024 season and beyond is not yet clear, leaving some uncertainty for future park visits.

What is Cedar Point Shores?

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is an outdoor water park located in Sandusky, Ohio.  The waterpark is located next to Cedar Point Amusement Park, both of which are owned and operated by Cedar Fair. Previously known as Soak City, Cedar Point revamped the waterpark in 2017 under the new name Cedar Point Shores.

Cedar Point Shores Opening Day 2024

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark opens for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 25th, 2024.  The waterpark’s opening day hours are 11 AM – 6 PM. 

Cedar Point Shores Rides

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is home to 18 acres of water-filled fun, including a ton of water slides, a giant wave pool, two lazy rivers, and other attractions. There’s something for everyone and every level of activity at Cedar Point Shores.

Here’s a breakdown of Cedar Point Shores rides: 

Breakwater Bay: Breakwater Bay is a half-million-gallon wave pool located in the middle of the waterpark. The wave pool features a shallow section for wading. The wave pool reaches a 6-foot depth and decent-sized waves for adventure seekers. Inner tubes are allowed in the wave pool. 

Cedar Creek: One of two lazy rivers within Cedar Point Shores. Cedar Creek is the more relaxing of the park’s lazy rivers. 

Crosscurrent: Three fast-moving wide water slides that empty into a pool. 

Great Lakes Cove: If you like to swim, Great Lakes Cove allows that, with some floating animal obstacles to add some life to the pool.

Lake Erie Nor’easter: Park guests ride on inner tubes down the set of three tube slides.

Lily Pad Walk: Try and keep your balance as you walk across giant floating lily pads in a splash pool. 

Perch Plunge: Three weaving water slides ending in a splash pool.

Point Plummet: Drop slides that begin with guests standing up and then the floor drops, followed by a plummet into an enclosed tube slide.

Portside Plunge: Portside Plunge features two-person inner tube slides beginning with a tunnel.

Riptide Raceway: Riptide Raceway features 6 side-by-side waterslides perfect for racing your family. The raceway offers a quick ride on blue mats designed for speed. 

Runaway Rapids: The other lazy river within Cedar Point Shores, Runaway Rapids offers a more exhilarating ride than its counterpart.  Runaway Rapids features several waterfalls, geysers, fountains, and other water hazards, but are avoidable if you prefer not to get as wet. 

Storm Surge: Take a ride on a giant raft with up to four people through various turns and drop into a splash pool.

.Wild Walleye: Two super fast inner tube water slides with tons of twists and turns. 

Cedar Point Shores Rides For Younger Children

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is known for its amazing waterslides, but it’s also a great destination for families with young children. The waterpark features an area specifically for families with younger kids. Here’s a look at the Cedar Point Shores rides for kids 36-inches and shorter: 

Lakeslide Landing: Located next to Lemmy’s Lagoon, these slides allow kids to still enjoy the thrill of water slides, which empty into a shallow pool.

Lemmy’s Lagoon: This area is like no splash pad you’ve ever seen before. It has a Lake Erie monster slide, waterfalls, geysers, fountains, and tons of other cool features your kids will love.

Waterin’ Hole: This is basically a playground in the water, with slides and even a tire swing.

SplasH20: This cool multi-story structure is full of water slides and tons of other water features that will keep kids busy for hours. SplasH20 is similar to play structures you would find at many indoor water parks, like Castaway Bay for example.

There really are rides and attractions for everyone at Cedar Point Shores, from infants and toddlers to grandparents. I had followed updates as the park was being renovated, but I don’t think I realized how much there is to do at this water park. 

Safety at Cedar Point Shores

Cedar Point Shores takes guest safety seriously. The waterpark offers so much fun, but within a controlled environment with several safety guidelines and precautions in place to keep everyone safe. All areas of the park feature multiple lifeguards and park employees to make sure that everyone is safe and following park guidelines. 

Complimentary life jackets are available and often required at specific water park attractions depending on guest height. Life jackets are located in several spots within Cedar Point Shores. Guests are welcome to bring personal Coast Guard-certified life jackets if they prefer.

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark features a First Aid station for guests with medical needs.

Cedar Point Shores Dining

Cedar Point Shores Waterpark features several restaurants and other dining options, including: 

• Beaches & Cream
• Crystal Rock Cafe
• Dippin’ Dots
• Dockside Grill 
• Lemmy’s Walking Tacos
• Mufflehead’s Beach Bar
• Schooner’s Bayside Bar 

Cedar Point Shores Dining Guidelines

Cedar Point Shores restaurants are eligible for any of Cedar Point’s Dining Plans. Like Cedar Point, Cedar Point Shores does not allow outside food or drinks into the park (with the exception of special diet/needs items). You can bring in unopened, individual water bottles, which we did. There is no picnic area outside of the waterpark. 

Cedar Point Shores Cabana Rentals

Cedar Point Shores offers cabana rentals for guests who want a premium, dedicated home base while at the waterpark. The waterpark has four cabana rental options with different price points and benefits: 

• Standard Cabana (8 guests max, from $139)
• Premium Bronze Cabana (8 guests max, from $239)
• Premium Silver Cabana (12 guests max, from $279)
• Premium Gold Cabana (16 guests max, from $299) 

All cabana rentals come with a table, umbrella, and chairs and include free WiFi, a lockable storage box and poolside food & beverage service. Chaise lounge chairs are also available. Premium cabanas include additional features like a TV, ceiling fan, mini-fridge, and additional seating.  

VIP Breakwater Lounge

Prestige and Prestige+ Season Passholders have access to extra perks at the VIP Breakwater Lounge, located by the Breakwater Bay wave pool. Benefits may depend on whether Cedar Point is your home park on your season pass. Contact Cedar Point for more details and guidelines. 

Cedar Point Shores Parking

Parking is the same cost whether you are visiting Cedar Point or Cedar Point Shores (or both). There is a separate parking lot for waterpark guests located behind Cedar Point, near Hotel Breakers. Parking passes are available for purchase online or at the parking gate. Cedar Point uses a cashless system, so you must pay for parking using a debit card, credit card or mobile wallet payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay. 

Cedar Point Shores Bathhouses and Restrooms

 There are a couple of bathhouses located inside Cedar Point Shores with changing rooms and showers. There are also several more restrooms located throughout the waterpark. 

Cedar Point Shores Locker Rentals

Locker Rentals are available in multiple areas throughout Cedar Point Shores. The park is not responsible for personal items left on beach chairs and other areas. Use locker rentals if you don’t want to leave items unattended while you’re enjoying the park’s attractions. 

Cedar Point Shores Tips 

Here are some tips if you’re headed to Cedar Point Shores Waterpark this summer:

Get there early: Maximize your time at the water park by arriving at or before the waterpark opens. Arriving early also gives you first dibs on lounge chairs before other guests. 

Stay hydrated: Cedar Point allows soft-sided coolers with unopened water bottles. Take advantage and bring enough drinks for the whole family. We packed ours in a backpack cooler. Cedar Point Shores offers water bottle refill stations near most park restrooms, so just keep filling up your bottles for free. 

Find a good chair location: There is no seating area within the waterpark that allows you to see everywhere.  Find chairs near the area you’ll spend most of your time and use them as a home base. If your kids are older and can go off on their own or in groups, use your chairs as a place for them to check in at designated times throughout the day.

Unfortunately, most of the seating in the waterpark is not shaded. There are grassy areas under the trees or near water slides where we’ve seen people find relief from the sun. You’ll want to bring a blanket if you decide to sit in these areas.  

Wear shoes when you walk around the waterpark: The cement at Cedar Point Shores is crazy hot! Wearing shoes around the park isn’t ideal, but it will save you from burning your feet. Wear shoes, flip-flops, sandals or water shoes when walking on the cement walkways. Many guests leave their shoes and flip-flops near attraction entrances, but there is not a dedicated area for shoes, so leave them unattended at your own risk.

Pack your own food: Cedar Point Shores offers several dining options, but if you want to save money at Cedar Point, pack a cooler and head to your vehicle for a quick lunch break. 

Bring Sunscreen: Bring your favorite waterproof sunscreen and it frequently. 

Protect your phone: Protect your phone, either with a waterproof case or other form of protection. We’ve seen several guests use waterproof phone lanyards. Phones are not allowed on select waterpark attractions. 

Stay informed: Sign up for Cedar Point’s email newsletter and follow the amusement park on social media for the latest deals, discounts, promotions, and other important park news and information. 

Cedar Point Shores Tickets

Cedar Point Shores tickets are available for purchase online or at the park gate. Single-day admission to Cedar Point Shores Waterpark starts at $49.99 per person. Waterpark tickets do not include admission to Cedar Point Amusement Park. Occasionally, Cedar Point offers special ticket packages that include admission to both parks. You can gain access to Cedar Point Shores and Cedar Point by purchasing Cedar Point season passes. 

Visit Cedar Point Shores Waterpark

Cedar Point Shores is one of our favorite waterparks. The park offers a nice mix of rides and other attractions. We love to make a weekend of it and spend a day each at Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores. There are several hotels, resorts, and other accommodation options within a short drive, including several Cear Point-owned properties. 

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