From the Sandusky Register: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/439176
Part of it comes from the Ohio Department of Agriculture as well. Shoot the Rapids was originally going to have a 42" height requirement, but "Cedar Point and the state inspectors agreed to raise the height requirement for Shoot the Rapids. It had been 42 inches. That was raised to 46 inches for a person accompanied by an older adult, and 48 inches for a person riding by himself."
But yeah, it's really fascinating that we can go to Knoebel's and my 5 year old can ride Phoenix and Twister, yet he cannot ride Blue Streak or CCMR. Or that my 2 year old can ride Jack Rabbit at Kennywood, but can't ride Beastie (or whatever it is these days) at Kings Island.
Again, Cedar Point has a ways to go, but its a step in the right direction for now.
~Rob