Who is credited with creating the first roller coaster in the United States?

LaMarcus Adna Thompson is credited with creating the first roller coaster in the United States, which he built in 1884 at Coney Island in New York. This coaster was known as the "Switchback Railway" and introduced many important elements that are commonly associated with roller coasters today, such as the use of tracks to guide the ride and the concept of dropping from a height to generate excitement. Thompson's innovations laid the groundwork for the future development of roller coasters and helped popularize them across the country.

The other options represent influential figures or places in the amusement park and roller coaster industry but did not create the first roller coaster in the U.S. George Ferris is known for engineering the Ferris wheel, which revolutionized amusement attractions. Walt Disney is famed for his contributions to theme parks and entertainment but was not involved in the creation of the first roller coaster. Cedar Point is a well-known amusement park recognized for its collection of coasters but was established much later and doesn't relate to the origin of roller coasters.