7 Shocking World Records Still Held By GateKeeper, Ohio's Iconic Wing Coaster (Updated 2025)

Opened in 2013, the GateKeeper roller coaster at Cedar Point, Ohio, remains one of the most visually stunning and record-breaking attractions in the world, and its status has only grown more significant with the park's recent changes. As of late 2025, GateKeeper is not just a ride; it is the towering, 170-foot sentinel that guards the main entrance of the park, a role that has taken on new meaning following the monumental 2024 merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. This Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) Wing Coaster continues to draw massive crowds, offering a unique, 'wing-out' flying sensation that is both graceful and terrifying, making it a must-ride experience for any coaster enthusiast visiting what is now often referred to as Six Flags Cedar Point.

Beyond its stunning aesthetics and smooth ride, GateKeeper cemented its legendary status by instantly shattering seven world records for the Wing Coaster type upon its debut. This article dives into the ride's complete profile, the incredible statistics that define it, and its current relevance in a park that is constantly evolving with new additions, including the highly-anticipated 2025 debut of the Vekoma Tilt Coaster, Siren’s Curse.

GateKeeper: The Definitive Wing Coaster Profile and Biography

GateKeeper is a marvel of Swiss engineering from the renowned manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), a company famous for its smooth, high-capacity, and massive steel coasters.

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• Location: Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky, Ohio, USA
• Type: Steel Wing Coaster
• Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M)
• Opened: May 11, 2013
• Cost: $30 Million (Approximately)
• Height: 170 feet (52 m)
• Drop: 164 feet (50 m)
• Length: 4,164 feet (1,269 m)
• Speed: 67 mph (108 km/h)
• Inversions: 6
• Ride Duration: 2 minutes, 40 seconds
• Trains: 3 trains with 8 cars each (4 riders per car, 2 on each side of the track), seating 32 riders per train.
• Theming: Guardian of the Main Gate, featuring massive keyhole elements.
• Previous Rides on Site: Disaster Transport (indoor bobsled coaster) and Space Spiral (observation tower) were removed to make way for GateKeeper.

The coaster was strategically placed to completely transform Cedar Point's main entrance plaza, creating a dramatic, immersive experience where guests walk directly underneath the massive steel structure.

The 7 World Records GateKeeper Still Holds (The True Gatekeeper Legacy)

Upon its debut in 2013, GateKeeper immediately claimed seven world records for the Wing Coaster category, a testament to its scale and innovative design. These records established it as the premier Wing Coaster on the planet and solidified Cedar Point's reputation as the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World."

1. Tallest Wing Coaster: At 170 feet (52 m), GateKeeper set the standard for height in its class.
2. Fastest Wing Coaster: Reaching a top speed of 67 mph (108 km/h).
3. Longest Track Length for a Wing Coaster: Stretching 4,164 feet (1,269 m) of steel track.
4. Longest Drop on a Wing Coaster: A staggering 164-foot (50 m) vertical drop.
5. Most Inversions on a Wing Coaster: Featuring six total inversions.
6. Highest Inversion in the World: The initial "Wing Over Drop" inversion, which is a half-loop followed by a half-twist, begins at an incredible height of 170 feet.
7. Most Keyhole Elements: GateKeeper features the most near-miss "keyhole" elements, where the train passes through two narrow openings in the support towers, creating a unique visual and near-miss sensation for riders.

The sheer scale of these statistics is why GateKeeper remains a high-priority coaster for enthusiasts a decade after its opening. The ride’s capacity is also impressive, designed to move 1,710 riders per hour, helping to manage the massive crowds at the park's front gate.

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The Six Inversions: A Soaring Journey Through the Sky

GateKeeper’s six inversions are carefully choreographed to provide a smooth, flying sensation rather than the violent, intense forces of older loop coasters. The train’s wing design—where riders are seated in pairs outside the track—enhances the feeling of exposure and flight, especially during the upside-down elements. The entire sequence is a masterclass in B&M’s modern steel coaster design.

The six inversions occur in this general sequence:

• 1. Wing Over Drop: The signature element. After cresting the 170-foot lift hill, the train twists 180 degrees to the side before diving down the 164-foot drop. This is the world's highest inversion.
• 2. Immelmann: A massive 140-foot tall maneuver that is a half-loop followed by a half-twist, allowing the train to exit in the opposite direction.
• 3. Corkscrew: A classic, tightly-wound inversion that twists the train 360 degrees.
• 4. Zero-G Roll: A 97-foot tall element where the track twists 360 degrees while rising and falling, giving riders a momentary feeling of weightlessness.
• 5. Inclined Dive Loop: A unique inversion where the train dives into a half-loop that is tilted at an angle.
• 6. In-Line Twist: The final inversion, a full 360-degree rotation that occurs as the train is traveling along a straight piece of track, often described as a barrel roll.

The most iconic moment for many riders is the passage through the twin 100-foot-tall keyhole towers. The wing seats make the near-miss sensation feel incredibly close, with the rider's feet and arms appearing to pass right through the small concrete openings with mere inches to spare. This visual spectacle is what gives the coaster its name and its enduring appeal.

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GateKeeper’s Place in the New Six Flags Cedar Point Era (2025 Update)

The landscape of Cedar Point has dramatically shifted. The 2024 completion of the merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has placed GateKeeper in a new corporate structure, making it one of the star attractions of the newly formed largest regional theme park operator in North America.

GateKeeper, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, now acts as a stable, high-capacity, and world-class complement to the park's newest additions. The park's new focus on innovation continues with the announced 2025 debut of Siren's Curse, a Vekoma Tilt Coaster. This new ride, which will feature a unique vertical track tilt before its main drop, represents the next generation of coaster technology at the park.

While Siren's Curse and other hypercoasters like Millennium Force, giga-coasters like Fury 325 (at Carowinds, now part of the same Six Flags network), and hybrid coasters like Steel Vengeance push the limits of height and speed, GateKeeper's role is distinct. It offers a smooth, graceful, and highly photogenic experience that is less about sheer intensity and more about the exhilarating sensation of flight. Its position at the front gate ensures it remains the first and last impression for millions of guests, truly living up to its title as the guardian of the legendary Ohio amusement park.