Siren’s Curse Stalls Again—What’s Up with Cedar Point’s Newest Ride?

Posted on July 28, 2025 by Lou P. Rider

🎢 Concept art courtesy of Cedar Point / Vekoma

Trouble on the Tilt

When Cedar Point announced Siren’s Curse, North America’s first and tallest tilt coaster, the excitement in the coaster community was off the charts. But since its highly anticipated launch in late June, the coaster has been making headlines—for all the wrong reasons. With a fourth stoppage occurring just 25 days into its debut, and dramatic evacuation footage going viral, fans are wondering if the real curse might be more than just theming.

Let’s break down what’s happening with Cedar Point’s newest thrill ride, how often it’s stalling, and whether you should still brave the queue.

The Fourth Breakdown: Another Unexpected Stop

On July 22, Siren’s Curse came to an abrupt stop at the very top of its 160-foot lift, just moments before activating its signature tilting element. Instead of plunging into the depths of the ride’s twisting track, guests were guided—slowly and carefully—down a steep set of evacuation stairs that snake alongside the structure.

Social media quickly filled with videos showing anxious riders making the descent, some frozen mid-walk from sheer fear. For anyone with a fear of heights, this wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was a nightmare scenario.

A park spokesperson explained the ride’s safety system halted operation as designed, though this time, the ride couldn’t be restarted.

A Pattern of Problems

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Siren’s Curse has taken an unscheduled break. Here’s a quick timeline of the ride’s rocky start:

• June 28 (Opening Day): The coaster stopped mid-tilt, leaving riders hanging face-down for around 10 minutes due to a power interruption.
• July 2: Another stoppage just before the tilt. Riders had to evacuate by walking down the structure.
• July 19: A third hiccup occurred mid-rotation at a 45-degree angle, holding riders for nearly 20 minutes before the ride resumed.
• July 22: The most recent incident, where guests were again forced to disembark manually.

That’s four separate stoppages in under a month—a bumpy launch for a ride that promised smooth, state-of-the-art thrills.

What Makes Siren’s Curse So Unique?

For those unfamiliar, Siren’s Curse isn’t just another steel coaster. It’s a tilt coaster, a rare type of ride where the track literally disconnects and tilts forward before linking up with a near-vertical drop. It’s designed to give riders that extra second of breath-holding terror before they plunge downward.

Manufactured by Vekoma, the coaster is a record-setter in several categories:

• Height: 160 feet
• Speed: Up to 58 mph
• Length: 2,966 feet

Until now, the only other operational tilt coaster in the world was Gravity Max in Taiwan. Cedar Point’s version adds to that with immersive theming and a dramatic narrative of escaping a mythical siren’s grasp.

Safety Systems or Something More?

Cedar Point has been consistent in stating that these incidents aren't true “malfunctions” but rather safety measures kicking in as designed. Think of it like a car’s check engine light—it’s annoying, but it's doing its job.

Still, four stoppages in under a month? That's enough to shake confidence, especially with dramatic evacuations being caught on camera and shared widely. Even though the park assures guests that all evacuations have been conducted safely, and the ride has operated roughly 85% of the time since opening, it’s fair to say the debut hasn't gone as smoothly as planned.

What It’s Like to Walk Down the Beast

Speaking from personal experience, walking down a roller coaster track isn’t something most of us ever expect to do. I once had to descend from halfway up a wooden coaster in Missouri years ago after a power blip. There’s nothing quite like the eerie silence, the creaking metal beneath your feet, and the surreal feeling of being on the coaster but not in the coaster.

For Siren’s Curse evacuees, though, that descent started at 160 feet—roughly 16 stories high. Holding onto metal railings while your legs shake from adrenaline is not for the faint of heart.

Should You Still Ride Siren’s Curse?

It depends on your appetite for adventure and tolerance for potential delays. Many coaster fans still consider the ride a must-try for its innovation and intensity. The majority of its daily cycles run without issue, and Cedar Point has a long-standing reputation for prioritizing safety.

However, if you're nervous about heights, unexpected stops, or walking down narrow staircases high in the sky, you might want to hold off until things stabilize.

What's Next for Cedar Point’s Star Attraction?

Right now, the spotlight is firmly on how Cedar Point handles the next few weeks. Fine-tuning new coasters is fairly common, especially with new ride types. The park is likely working closely with Vekoma to adjust sensors and improve system reliability.

As for guests, the situation offers a weird mix of excitement and uncertainty. Some thrill-seekers are even hoping to be on the ride during a pause, just to say they’ve done the walk of fame. (You wild ones know who you are.)

Conclusion: Cursed or Just Complex?

Siren’s Curse might be off to a rough start, but that doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the ride’s future. With tweaks and updates, it could still grow into one of Cedar Point’s signature attractions—just as Steel Vengeance did after its own early hiccups.

In the meantime, consider bringing a little extra patience to the queue and maybe don’t look down too often.