The Interpreter Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 A travel piece on Cedar Point, from Detroit, a major market for the park: ...Yet the park, so familiar and beloved by Michigan families, saw attendance fall 8% last year as cash-strapped tourists stayed away (other parks experienced similar declines).Cedar Point's owner, Cedar Fair, was nearly sold this spring to an investment company. The deal fell through, and as of late March, Cedar Fair holds $1.5 billion in debt, which it is trying to restructure. Cedar Fair also owns Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon and Kings Island near Cincinnati. Of course, to look at Cedar Point, you wouldn't know of its owner's turmoil. It looks prosperous, clean and without a care in the world.... Actually, most parks did NOT experience similar declines, but, to be fair, the area around Cedar Point, especially Detroit, has been drastically impacted by the major declines in the rustbelt economy. This was one reason why Dick Kinzel chose to acquire Paramount Parks, to diversify the economies in which his parks operated, to add Charlotte, Toronto, Cincinnati, etc. One must wonder, however, how many families from Michigan stayed away after remembering a previous visit where they got hit for what were then nearly $4 Pepsis, $12 hamburger meals, etc. I do think in park pricing is beginning to affect admissions...the time lag between stinging a guest in the park and them not coming back in future years is substantial, and the time to cure that damage can take years... ...Poking up to the sky at Cedar Point are its famous coasters -- the green eel-like Raptor, the wooden Gemini, the graceful Blue Streak and the terrifying Top Thrill Dragster, so tall that when it rains, its top disappears in the fog. Cedar Point has 17 coasters among its 75 rides.Luckily, many of Cedar Point's most iconic rides are mild -- Cadillac old-fashioned cars, Dodgem and the Cedar Downs horse-racing carousel (I saw plenty of teens riding these, not just old folks.) The midway, the elephant ears and the Tilt-a-Whirl are a good balance to the scary stuff. The most popular ride at Cedar Point? Believe it or not, it's the train. "Not every ride can go 100 miles an hour," says Robin Innes, Cedar Point spokesman.... Actually, only one ride at Cedar Point does go that fast. Usually. http://www.freep.com...ate=fullarticle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Nice article Interpreter and it does try to be fair. Like I have said in another thread CP seems to be the catalyst when it comes to thrill seeking families from around here. But as you allude to about the prices I can attest first hand from numerous conversations I have with people in my community the after the gate prices are keeping some of them away. I mean some are still coming (I hope they do) and they know the prices but they still reference to them in the conversation. I can not imagine that Cedar Fair has not picked up on the communities feelings and perception of their prices. I know things will equal out over time but worry how much is loss in trying to win old loyal customers back once they get a taste of other destinations. P.S. This post should not be considered bashing the parks but a honest input on a conversation. I believe all Cedar Fair parks offer excellent value for a day at a amusement park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplehaze Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Very nice article. I believe that the cost factor in this chain so to speak such as Food and drink prices is set to high and I also believe They do not listen to what the community has to say. With that being said we all know high prices or not there will always be a vast number of people attending. High or low, would it make a difference/ I am not sure. Wish there was more info on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveStroem Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 We did 3 park yesterday. I had no issues spending $2.25 for a cheeseburger, $1.50 for a hotdog and $5 for an order of chicken fingers that had 4-5 large pieces. Of course that was at Stricker's Grove and not a CF park. If CF wants my nickels, they have to give me value. Value does not necessarily mean cheaper prices but quality for the dollar. OTOH cheaper prices on certain items would work too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diamondback96 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 This weekend, Cedar Point is to debut its new Shoot the Rapids river adventure...Or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 As a reference point on drink prices in a competing entertainment industry - I attended a Reds game today where the prices seem to have continued to rise even faster than Cedar Fair would deem reasonable: All prices were for what looked to be an ~20oz bottle - Beer: Either $7.50 or $7.75 - Pop: $5 - Water: $4.75 And yet even with being able to bring in small soft sided coolers (with pop/water in them), people were forking the cash over quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 A ballgame lasts a lot less time than a theme park visit. At least it is supposed to.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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