Founded in 1870, Cedar Point is one of the oldest operating amusement parks in America.

"People are always looking for an escape," Kinzel said. "It's always been a great form of entertainment."

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If you go . . .

CEDAR FAIR ENTERTAINMENT: Company operates 11 U.S. amusement parks, six outdoor water parks and Canada's Wonderland park near Toronto, www.cedarfair.com. Here is a list of the parks and some of the new attractions this year:
• Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C. New: Bondi Beach, a wave pool.
• Cedar Point & Soak City, Sandusky, Ohio. New: Planet Snoopy, children's area with seven rides.

• Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, Calif. New: Pony Express, a launched roller coaster.
• Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown, Pa. New: VooDoo, an inverted roller coaster.
• Valleyfair, Shakopee, Minn.
• Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun, Kansas City, Mo.
• Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom, Aurora, Ohio (near Cleveland).

• Michigan's Adventure, Muskegon, Mich. New: Thunderhawk, a 105-foot tall inverted roller coaster.
• Great America, Santa Clara, Calif. New: FireFall, a thrill ride that flips and turns riders.
• Kings Island, Kings Island, Ohio (near Cincinnati). New: Five shows, including ice skating.
• Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan, Canada (near Toronto). New: Behemoth, a 230-foot-tall roller coaster.
• Kings Dominion, Doswell, Va. (near Richmond). New: Dominator, a roller coaster with five inversions.
• Knott's Soak City-Orange County, Buena Park, Calif.
• Knott's Soak City-San Diego, Chula Vista, Calif.
• Knott's Soak City-Palm Springs, Palm Springs, Calif.