Space Spiral
Defunct gyro tower at Cedar Point
title: "Space Spiral" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cedar-point", "towers-completed-in-1965", "cedar-fair-attractions", "amusement-rides-manufactured-by-von-roll", "buildings-and-structures-demolished-in-2012", "buildings-and-structures-demolished-by-controlled-implosion", "demolished-buildings-and-structures-in-ohio", "1965-establishments-in-ohio", "2012-disestablishments-in-ohio"] description: "Defunct gyro tower at Cedar Point" topic_path: "general/cedar-point" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Spiral" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Defunct gyro tower at Cedar Point ::
| name = Space Spiral | logo = | logo_width = | image = Space Spiral at Cedar Point.jpg | imagedimensions = 250px | caption = | location = Cedar Point | section = | status = Removed | cost = $350,000 | soft_opened = | opened = | closed = | previousattraction = | replacement = GateKeeper | coordinates = | type = Gyro tower | manufacturer = Willy Bühler Space Towers | model = Observation Tower | designer = | theme = | music = | height_ft = 330 | drop_ft = | drop_m = | length_ft = | length_m = | speed_mph = | speed_km/h = | sitearea_sqft = | sitearea_sqm = | gforce = | capacity = | vehicle_type = | vehicles = | riders_per_vehicle = | rows = | riders_per_row = | participants_per_group= | audience_capacity = | duration = | restriction_ft = | restriction_in = | restriction_cm = | virtual_queue_name = | virtual_queue_image = | virtual_queue_status= | single_rider = | pay_per_use = | custom_label_1 = | custom_value_1 = | custom_label_2 = | custom_value_2 = | custom_label_3 = | custom_value_3 = | accessible = | transfer_accessible = | assistive_listening = | cc = Space Spiral was a gyro tower built by Willy Bühler Space Towers of Berne, Switzerland, with a double-decker cabin provided by Von Roll. It was located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, near the front of the park, next to Disaster Transport. It opened in 1965 and closed on August 14, 2012, to make room for GateKeeper. It was demolished on September 12, 2012. On its opening year, it was the fourth of its kind to be built.
Ride experience
Space Spiral gave riders a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. It featured a distinctive two-level cabin, found only on a few early models. However, the second level wasn't used in the ride's later years. The height of the tower was 330 ft, however riders only reached a height of 285 ft. It was the tallest ride in the park for decades until defunct Top Thrill Dragster opened in 2003.
Closure and demolition
On July 13, 2012, Cedar Point announced that Space Spiral would close along with the neighboring Disaster Transport. It was first reported that it would stay open through Labor Day, but it closed on August 14, 2012. On the morning of September 12, 2012 at 7:30 AM, it was demolished, and took 17 seconds for the tower to fall. Contractors worked with park maintenance staff to cut into its base, weakening it and about 10 pounds of explosives were added to it.
Both Space Spiral and Disaster Transport would be immediately replaced with GateKeeper for the 2013 season.
Incident
- On May 18, 1985, ten people were stranded on Space Spiral for seven hours. The cab was raised to the top where the passengers and the operator took the stairs down to the ground on the inside of the tower. There were no injuries.
References
References
- Gimbel, Cristy. (July 13, 2012). "Cedar Point makes special announcement". [[WTOL]].
- (September 13, 2012). "Cedar Point demolishes Space Spiral". Amusement Today.
- (13 August 2012). "Cedar Point announces Gatekeeper coaster for 2013".
- (May 22, 1985). "Cedar Point Idles Spiral After Riders are Trapped". [[Toledo Blade]].
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