Editing Millennium Force (section)

==History==
The planning, design and development phases of Millennium Force took place over five years, from 1996 to 2000.<ref name="Construction facts">{{cite web|title=Fast Facts About Building Cedar Point's Millennium Force|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/march00/stories/030900_01.shtml|publisher=Ultimate Roller Coaster|access-date=January 4, 2013|date=March 9, 2000|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905142011/http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/march00/stories/030900_01.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The first rumors that a new record-breaking roller coaster would be built at Cedar Point, which included speculation about a ten-[[roller coaster inversion|inversion]] roller coaster from [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] and an [[Arrow Dynamics]] MegaLooper, began circulating in early 1998.<ref name="First B&M rumors">{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Walt|title=300 ft. B&M?|url=https://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/348|publisher=PointBuzz|access-date=January 3, 2013|date=May 4, 1998|archive-date=March 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322173758/http://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/348|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Arrow rumor">{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Walt|title=More Screamscape rumors|url=https://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/329|publisher=PointBuzz|access-date=January 3, 2013|date=July 17, 1999|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310105719/http://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/329|url-status=live}}</ref> A roller coaster from [[D. H. Morgan Manufacturing]] was also rumored.<ref name="Millennium rumor control">{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Walt|title=Millennium rumor control|url=https://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/271|publisher=PointBuzz|access-date=January 3, 2013|date=June 17, 1999|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310032215/http://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/271|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 2, 1999, [[Cedar Fair|Cedar Fair Entertainment Company]] filed a trademark for the name Millennium Force,<ref name="trademark">{{cite web |title=Millennium Force Trademark |url=http://www.trademarkia.com/millennium-force-75742710.html |publisher=Legal Force |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030002941/http://www.trademarkia.com/millennium-force-75742710.html |url-status=live }}</ref> which raised more speculation about what the ride would be like.<ref name="Millennium Force rumors and more'">{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Walt|title="Millennium Force" rumors and more|url=https://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/264|publisher=PointBuzz|access-date=January 3, 2013|date=July 4, 1999|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308205708/http://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/264|url-status=live}}</ref> About a week later, the first track pieces were seen at the park, and it was confirmed that the ride would be manufactured by [[Intamin]]. Cedar Point officials also confirmed that it would not have inversions.<ref name="New coaster track confirmed!">{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Walt|title=New coaster track confirmed!|url=https://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/262|publisher=PointBuzz|access-date=January 3, 2013|date=July 7, 1999|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310222422/http://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/262|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Announcement and construction===
Millennium Force was announced on July 22, 1999.<ref name="Bryan Times announcement" /><ref name="n109208731">{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Kristopher |date=1999-08-01 |title=Cedar Point unveils ride of 2000 |pages=17 |work=Chillicothe Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109208731/cedar-point-unveils-ride-of/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908235541/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109208731/cedar-point-unveils-ride-of/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It would be the tallest roller coaster in the world, taking the record from [[Fujiyama (roller coaster)|Fujiyama]] at [[Fuji-Q Highland]] in Japan.<ref name="Bryan Times announcement">{{cite news|title=Cedar Point plans world's tallest coaster|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=chxPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5247,2777288&dq=millennium+force&hl=en|access-date=January 3, 2013|newspaper=[[The Bryan Times]]|date=July 22, 1999|archive-date=June 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609231758/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=chxPAAAAIBAJ&pg=5247%2C2777288&dq=millennium+force&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="n109208625">{{Cite news |date=1999-07-23 |title=New Cedar Point coaster to hit 92 mph |pages=8 |work=News Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109208625/new-cedar-point-coaster-to-hit-92-mph/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |archive-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911144417/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109208625/new-cedar-point-coaster-to-hit-92-mph/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ride cost $25 million to design and build.<ref name="Blade, fulfills expectations">{{cite news|title=Cedar Point coaster fulfills expectations|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5Q0wAAAAIBAJ&pg=6433,2088289&dq=millennium+force+magnetic+braking&hl=en|access-date=January 5, 2013|newspaper=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=July 21, 2000|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911144414/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5Q0wAAAAIBAJ&pg=6433,2088289&dq=millennium+force+magnetic+braking&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> Cedar Point, Intamin, and [[Werner Stengel]] designed the layout of the ride. After the ride was announced, several disputes about whether Millennium Force or [[Superman: The Escape]] was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world arose between Cedar Point and [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]]. Superman: The Escape is {{convert|415|ft|m}} high and its speed is {{convert|100|mph}}; however, it is a [[shuttle roller coaster]], not a complete-circuit roller coaster.<ref name="CP, SFMM dispute">{{cite news|last=Kraft|first=Randy|title=Cedar Point A Top Contender In The Roller-coaster Wars|url=https://www.mcall.com/1999/08/08/cedar-point-a-top-contender-in-the-roller-coaster-wars/|access-date=January 5, 2013|newspaper=[[The Morning Call]]|date=August 8, 1999|archive-date=January 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106040436/http://articles.mcall.com/1999-08-08/entertainment/3264655_1_roller-coaster-millennium-force-six-flags-magic-mountain|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Superman stands up to Millennium Force">{{cite news|title=Superman stands up to Millennium Force|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/408812449|access-date=January 3, 2013|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|date=August 6, 1999|archive-date=October 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029230417/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/USAToday/doc/408812449.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug%206,%201999&author=&pub=USA%20TODAY&edition=&startpage=&desc=Superman%20stands%20up%20to%20Millennium%20Force|id={{ProQuest|408812449}} |url-status=live}}</ref>

Construction started in August 1999 when the site was cleared.<ref name="MF nears end of construction">{{cite web|title=310-Foot-Tall "Giga-Coaster" Nears End Of Construction|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/march00/stories/030900_02.shtml|publisher=Ultimate Roller Coaster|access-date=January 4, 2013|date=March 9, 2000|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402112028/http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/march00/stories/030900_02.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Millennium Force was built in the Frontier Trail section of the park.<ref name="Toledo Blade announcement">{{cite news |last=Bates |first=Kim |date=July 23, 1999 |title=Coaster to toast record |newspaper=[[Toledo Blade]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KktPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4715,2727974&dq=millennium+force&hl=en |access-date=January 3, 2013 |archive-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911144415/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KktPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4715,2727974&dq=millennium+force&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Vindicator announcement">{{cite news |date=July 23, 1999 |title=Cedar Point plans to build world's tallest roller coaster |newspaper=[[The Vindicator]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pLVIAAAAIBAJ&pg=1461,3673179&dq=millennium+force&hl=en |access-date=January 3, 2013 |archive-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911144420/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pLVIAAAAIBAJ&pg=1461,3673179&dq=millennium+force&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The ride involved the relocation of the Giant Wheel and the [[Cedar Point and Lake Erie Railroad]].<ref name="n109208731" /> The removal and relocation of the Giant Wheel began in October on closing day; the first of 226 supports was installed on October 11, starting at the [[brake run]].<ref name="Construction facts" /><ref name="First supports erected">{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Walt|title=2000 Changes ramp up|url=https://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/246|publisher=PointBuzz|access-date=January 3, 2013|date=October 12, 1999|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402173751/http://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/246|url-status=live}}</ref> Two hundred twenty-six [[Deep foundation|footers]], each about {{convert|5|ft|m}} deep were dug; the largest ones were {{convert|56|by|56|ft|m}}.<ref name="Construction facts" /> The concrete construction was done by Mosser Construction.<ref name="Mosser construction">{{cite news|title=Chief executive appointed by Mosser Construction|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wlhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2044,1211337&dq=millennium+force+construction&hl=en|access-date=January 5, 2013|newspaper=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=December 19, 2000|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911144423/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wlhPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2044,1211337&dq=millennium+force+construction&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[lift hill]] was topped off in early January 2000.<ref name="Lift hill topped">{{cite web|title=Cedar Point Tops Off World's Tallest Roller Coaster|url=http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/january00/stories/010500_02.shtml|publisher=Ultimate Roller Coaster|access-date=January 4, 2013|date=January 5, 2000|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402180113/http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/january00/stories/010500_02.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

The ride's construction took seven months, and 120 construction workers and project managers participated. Testing took two months.<ref name="Construction facts" /> The park conducted a "pull-through" by pulling a train along the course to ensure proper clearance. The ride was inspected and tested with water-dummies on the trains.<ref name="MF nears end of construction" />

=== Opening and modifications ===
[[File:Millennium Force (Cedar Point) 03.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|The red train ascending the {{convert|310|ft|m|adj=on}} lift hill|alt=Roller coaster train ascending a steel structure]]

The first media event was held on May 11, 2000, and the ride opened to the public two days later on May 13. When it opened, it broke six world records. It was the first [[Roller coaster#By height|Giga Coaster]] and was the world's fastest complete-circuit roller coaster, but was later overtaken by other rides.<ref name="PointBuzz">{{cite web|title = PointBuzz history|publisher = PointBuzz|url = http://pointbuzz.com/c/history.aspx|access-date = May 23, 2012|archive-date = October 23, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023081858/http://pointbuzz.com/c/history.aspx|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Press Release" /> The ride was so popular that guests consistently waited three to four hours to board.<ref name="n109208464">{{Cite news |last=Cobb |first=Ron |date=2001-07-29 |title=Coaster Capital |pages=171, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109208440/ 172] |work=Dayton Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109208464/coaster-capitalron-cobb/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908235536/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109208464/coaster-capitalron-cobb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> About a month after Millennium's debut, Cedar Point introduced a [[virtual queue]] system,  "Ticket to Ride", which allowed visitors to buy a ticket then return later and wait in a shorter line.<ref name="Ticket to Ride begins">{{cite news|title=System tested to reduce Millennium Force wait|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cMkwAAAAIBAJ&pg=1681,4066641&dq=millennium+force&hl=en|access-date=January 4, 2013|newspaper=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=June 27, 2000|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911144424/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cMkwAAAAIBAJ&pg=1681,4066641&dq=millennium+force&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="14 hours, one coaster">{{cite news|last=Sottili|first=Carol|title=14 Hours, 2 Flights, 1 Monster Coaster|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2000/07/26/AR2005041401210.html|access-date=January 5, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 26, 2000|archive-date=May 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504204558/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2000/07/26/AR2005041401210.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="n109208464" /> In August, Cedar Point engaged John Hancock and Associates and Stalker Radar of [[Indianapolis]] to measure the height and speed of Millennium Force. The height was measured at {{convert|310|ft|11|in|m}}, and the speed was measured at {{convert|93|mph}}, slightly faster than what the park had been advertising ({{cvt|92|mph}}).<ref name="Official stats revealed">{{cite web|last=Schmidt|first=Walt|title=Millennium Force official stats revealed|url=https://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/198|publisher=PointBuzz|access-date=October 7, 2012|date=August 16, 2000|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310092846/http://pointbuzz.com/News/Story/198|url-status=live}}</ref>

Before the start of the 2004 season, Millennium Force's seat belts were modified because of an [[Superman The Ride#Superman The Ride 2004-05-01|incident]] that occurred on [[Superman the Ride]], a similar roller coaster at [[Six Flags New England]].<ref name="TNN seat belts"/> The new seat belts were shorter and some riders had difficulties with them.<ref name="TNN seat belts">{{cite news|title=Cedar Point Snugs up Safety Belts|url=http://www.toledonewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=1884245|access-date=January 4, 2013|newspaper=[[WTOL]]|date=May 20, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224115651/http://www.toledonewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=1884245|archive-date=December 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NewsNet 5 seat belts">{{cite news|title=Cedar Point Puts Size Limit On Coaster Riders|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/entertainment/3324814/detail.html|access-date=January 4, 2013|newspaper=[[WEWS-TV]]|date=May 20, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718162237/http://www.newsnet5.com/entertainment/3324814/detail.html|archive-date=July 18, 2008}}</ref> Audio played during the ascent up the cable lift hill, but it is believed to have been removed sometime between 2004-2010.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASSA1-VApAc |title=the roller coasters of cedar point |date=2013-09-25 |last=Cubistic Mage |access-date=2024-10-22 |via=YouTube}}

(23:45 - 24:14)</ref> While it is rumored that other audio may have been featured in the past, it is unknown. The roller coaster's layout was repainted over a three-year period, before the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons.<ref name="Repainted">{{cite news|last=Haidet |first=Ryan |title=Cedar Point: Warm offseason boosts new projects |url=http://archive.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=243224 |access-date=January 5, 2013 |newspaper=[[WKYC]] |date=April 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140106154551/http://archive.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=243224 |archive-date=January 6, 2014 }}</ref> In 2012, the park added a new LED lighting system.<ref name="New 2012 lighting" />

For the 2020 season, following the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], timed boarding passes called "Access Passes" were used temporarily to comply with [[social distancing]] guidelines in effect at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/07/cedar-point-opening-day-preview-face-masks-social-distancing-halloweekends-and-more.html|title=Cedar Point opening day preview: Face masks, social distancing, HalloWeekends and more|last=Glaser|first=Susan|date=2020-07-08|website=cleveland.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-07-20|archive-date=July 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722025207/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/07/cedar-point-opening-day-preview-face-masks-social-distancing-halloweekends-and-more.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Millennium Force is receiving a refresh for 2025. This includes a repaint of the coaster, with the colors remaining the same, as well as a new control system that was installed, featuring a new lift drive motor.<ref name="What's new at Cedar Point in 2025?">{{cite web |last1=Dietz |first1=Justin |title=What's new at Cedar Point in 2025? |url=https://sanduskyregister.com/news/566641/whats-new-at-cedar-point-in-2025/ |publisher=[[Sandusky Register]] |access-date=February 28, 2025 |date=February 23, 2025}}</ref>