Cedar Point Shores Waterpark: A Complete Guide For Your Next Visit
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If you’re planning a trip to Cedar Point and thinking about adding a waterpark day, Cedar Point Shores is a fun way to mix in some downtime and beat the summer heat. This 18-acre waterpark is right next door to Cedar Point and includes a variety of slides, wave pools, and kid-friendly play areas that make it easy to spend a full day enjoying the water.
As frequent Cedar Point visitors, we often carve out time to relax at the waterpark between coaster days. Whether you are visiting for the first time or looking to make the most of your Platinum Pass, this guide walks you through everything you need to know. We cover rides, dining options, helpful tips, and what to expect so you can plan your visit with confidence.
What is Cedar Point Shores?
Cedar Point Shores Waterpark is an outdoor water park located in Sandusky, Ohio, adjacent to Cedar Point Amusement Park. Originally known as Soak City, the waterpark underwent a renovation and rebranding as Cedar Point Shores in 2017, introducing new attractions, updated amenities, and expanded dining options.
Cedar Point Shores Opening Day 2025
Cedar Point Shores Waterpark opens for the 2025 season on Saturday, May 24th, 2025. The water park’s opening day hours are 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Cedar Point Shores Rides
Cedar Point Shores Waterpark spans 18 acres and features a variety of attractions, including water slides, a massive wave pool, two lazy rivers, and interactive play areas. Whether you’re looking for high-speed thrills or a relaxing float, there’s something for every age and activity level.
What’s New At Cedar Point for 2025?
🧜♀️Siren’s Curse: Cedar Point adds another new coaster to its lineup. Now open, it’s the tallest, longest, fastest tilt coaster in North America.
🎢Top Thrill 2: Cedar Point’s highly anticipated triple-launch coaster reopened for the 2025 season after mechanical modifications following its brief 2024 debut.
🍟Happy Friar Expansion: This culinary fan-favorite is getting an upgrade, with a new indoor, cafeteria-style setup.
🛝New Water Slides: Cedar Point Shores has two new tube slides in the former Crosscurrent tower.
🍾Anniversary Celebration: Millennium Force turns 25 this year! The park is celebrating with a two-year repair project and upgrades to the coaster’s control system.
🔒New Ride Lockers: Cedar Point is adding free small-item lockers at Top Thrill 2 and Siren’s Curse. The lockers are meant for the storage of smaller items, like cell phones, wallets, and keys.
🍖Famous Dave’s BBQ is Moving: The popular BBQ restaurant is moving from the Cedar Point Marina to Castaway Bay.
🦀A Popular Restaurant is Gone: Chickie’s & Pete’s will not be returning for the 2025 season due to a contract expiration. There’s no word on whether it will return in the future.
💦The End of a Splashing Era: Snake River Falls closed for good at the end of the 2024 season, ending 31 years of soaking riders and willing participants standing on the nearby bridge.
📏Height Requirement Changes: Cedar Point has updated the minimum height requirements for three of its rides:
Iron Dragon: Reduced to 42″ from 48″
Slingshot: Reduced to 44″ from 48″
Troika: Minimum height required to ride alone increased to 54″ from 50″.
📢Refer to Cedar Point’s website and social media channels for the latest park news and updates
Here’s a look at the rides and attractions at Cedar Point Shores:
Note: Cedar Point has yet to release many details on the new waterslides opening at Cedar Point Shores this summer. I’ll update the content as new details are released.
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.
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.
Lakeside Landing: A shallow water play area with 12 small slides designed for young kids. Parents can wade alongside their children as they splash and slide.
Lemmy’s Lagoon: A splash pad featuring fountains, waterfalls, and a giant serpent-like structure inspired by the Lake Erie Monster. Kids can climb, slide, and cool off in this interactive water play area.
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.
Plunge Slide: A wide inner tube slide with unexpected dips that mimic the feeling of a roller coaster. Riders start from an elevated platform and make a quick, wavy descent into the pool below.
Point Plummet: Drop slides that begin with guests standing up, followed by the floor dropping and then plunging 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 they are avoidable if you prefer not to get as wet.
Splash H20: A multi-story water play structure with slides, rope bridges, and more than 100 interactive water features. A giant tipping bucket drenches anyone standing below.
Storm Surge: Take a ride on a giant raft with up to four people through various turns and drop into a splash pool.
The Sandlot: A sandy retreat within the waterpark where guests can lounge on beach chairs or play a game of volleyball in the middle of the lazy river.
The Waterin’ Hole: A shallow-water playground with slides, spray jets, and a tire swing designed for young kids. Parents can watch from the shade or float by on the nearby lazy river.
Wild Walleye: Two super-fast inner tube water slides with tons of twists and turns.
Safety at Cedar Point Shores
Cedar Point Shores prioritizes guest safety with strict guidelines and trained staff throughout the park. Lifeguards and employees monitor all attractions to ensure a safe environment for visitors.
Complimentary life jackets are available at various locations throughout the waterpark and may be required for certain attractions, depending on height requirements. Guests are also welcome to bring their own Coast Guard-certified life jackets.
For medical needs or emergencies, Cedar Point Shores has a First Aid station staffed by trained personnel.
Cedar Point Shores Dining
Cedar Point Shores features several dining options, including:
- Beaches & Cream
- Crystal Rock Café
- Dippin’ Dots
- Dockside Grill
- Lemmy’s Walking Tacos
- Mufflehead’s Beach Bar
- Schooner’s Bayside Bar
Cedar Point Shores Dining Guidelines
All Cedar Point Shores restaurants are eligible for Cedar Point’s Dining Plans. Outside food and drinks are not permitted, except for special dietary needs. Unopened, individual water bottles are allowed. Unlike Cedar Point, the waterpark does not have a designated picnic area outside the park
Cedar Point Shores Cabana Rentals
Guests looking for a private, shaded space can reserve a cabana at Cedar Point Shores. The waterpark offers four cabana rental options with different pricing and amenities:
- Standard Cabana: From $139 (From $109 for Season Passholders)
- Deluxe Cabana: From $259
- Premium Cabana: From $299
- Mufflehead’s Party Cabana: From $349
All cabana rentals include a table, umbrella, and chairs, along with free WiFi, a lockable storage box, and poolside food and beverage service. Chaise lounge chairs are also provided.
Premium cabanas offer extra perks, including a TV, ceiling fan, mini-fridge, and additional seating, for added comfort.
VIP Breakwater Lounge
The VIP Breakwater Lounge at Cedar Point Shores offers a shaded retreat with comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, flavored water, and phone charging stations. Located near the Breakwater Bay wave pool, it provides a quiet space to relax between rides. Access is available to guests with a Breakwater VIP Lounge ticket or a Prestige Pass, with in/out privileges throughout the day. Park admission is required, and advance reservations are recommended.
Cedar Point Shores Parking
Parking rates are the same whether you visit Cedar Point, Cedar Point Shores, or both. Waterpark guests can use a separate parking lot located behind Cedar Point near Hotel Breakers. Parking passes are available for purchase online or at the gate. Cedar Point operates on a cashless system, so payments must be made using a debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet option, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Cedar Point Shores Bathhouses and Restrooms
Cedar Point Shores features bathhouses with changing rooms and showers, as well as several restrooms conveniently located throughout the waterpark.
Cedar Point Shores Locker Rentals
Lockers are available in multiple locations throughout Cedar Point Shores. The park is not responsible for personal belongings left on lounge chairs or other areas. If you prefer not to leave items unattended, consider renting a locker for secure storage.
Tips For Your Next Trip To Cedar Point Shores Waterpark
Here are some tips if you’re headed to Cedar Point Shores Waterpark this summer:
🌅Arrive early
Maximize your time by arriving at the park at or before it opens. Arriving early gives you a better chance of finding available lounge chairs before the crowds arrive.
💧Stay hydrated
Cedar Point allows soft-sided coolers with sealed water bottles, so bring enough for your family. A backpack cooler is an easy way to carry drinks throughout the day. The water park also features refill stations near most restrooms, where you can refill your bottles for free.
🪑Choose a chair location wisely
There are no seating areas that offer a view of the entire water park. Select a location near the attractions you plan to visit most frequently and use it as your home base. If your kids are old enough to explore on their own, designate a check-in time at your chairs throughout the day. Most lounge chairs are not shaded, but some grassy areas under trees or near water slides provide relief from the sun. Bring a blanket if you plan to sit in these areas.
🩴Wear shoes when walking around the park
The pavement at Cedar Point Shores gets extremely hot during the summer. Walking barefoot can be uncomfortable, so consider wearing sandals, flip-flops, or water shoes. Many guests leave their shoes near ride entrances, but there is no designated storage area, so leave them at your own risk.
🥪Pack your own food
Cedar Point Shores has several dining options, but bringing a cooler and eating outside the park is a good way to save money. Guests can return to their vehicles for lunch and re-enter the park afterward.
🧴Use sunscreen
Apply waterproof sunscreen before you arrive and reapply frequently throughout the day to protect against sunburn.
📱Protect your devices
Use a waterproof phone case or a protective pouch to keep your device dry and protected. Many guests use waterproof lanyards for convenience. Phones are not allowed on select waterpark attractions.
📢Stay updated on park news
Sign up for Cedar Point’s email newsletter and follow the park on social media to stay informed about discounts, promotions, and important updates.
📏Know the height requirements
Some water attractions have height restrictions, so check the Cedar Point Shores website or posted signs before getting in line to avoid surprises.
👜Bring a waterproof bag
A small, waterproof bag or dry bag is great for carrying essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, and your phone, keeping them dry throughout the day.
👕Wear a rash guard or swim shirt
Spending all day in the sun and water can lead to sunburn, even with sunscreen. A UV-protective rash guard or swim shirt can help reduce sun exposure.
⛅Check the weather forecast
Cedar Point Shores closes some attractions for safety during thunderstorms. Check the forecast before heading to the park and have a backup plan in place in case storms roll in.
⌚Use a water-resistant smart watch
If you don’t want to carry a phone, a waterproof smartwatch can help you check the time and stay connected without worrying about water damage.
Cedar Point Shores Tickets
Cedar Point Shores tickets can be purchased online or at the park gate. Single-day admission costs vary by date and start at $50 per person. Admission only includes entry to the waterpark. Admission to Cedar Point Amusement Park requires a separate ticket. Occasionally, Cedar Point offers ticket bundles that provide access to both parks. Guests can also visit Cedar Point Shores with a valid Cedar Point season pass.
Visit Cedar Point Shores Waterpark
Cedar Point Shores is a great spot for waterpark fun, offering a mix of slides, wave pools, and kid-friendly attractions. We like to turn it into a weekend trip, spending one day at Cedar Point and another at the waterpark. There are plenty of nearby lodging options, including Cedar Point’s own hotels and resorts, as well as other accommodations within a short drive.
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