Two Cedar Point Hotels to Remain Closed for 2021 Season

[Leland Wykoff]

Cedar Point's Castaway Bay indoor water park resort, along with the recently acquired Sawmill Creek Resort are to remain closed throughout the 2021 season.

Renovations to both properties were underway following the 2019 season.  However, work was slowed or suspended during the covid closures and crisis.  It is unclear why hotel renovations were not completed or saw substantial progress during the covid pause.  

The delay in completing refreshments on these properties will depress off park revenues and earnings in 2021.

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/03/cedar-points-castaway-bay-wont-open-this-year-as-renovations-resume.html

Additionally, the work scheduled to begin at the announced hotel at Canada's Wonderland was halted and the permitting process was abandoned by Cedar Fair.  This shall delay the progress of pivoting CW into a Resort property with extended seasons.  

WinterFest at CW was exceptionally well received indicating the real posibilities for additional season extending festivals and events.

In another blow to FUN some partners who provided and produced recent events, such as Feld Entertainment with the Monster Truck production, have not survived the economic covid crisis.  These bankrupt partners may effect offerings in the coming season as events are paired back.

Cedar Fair has made much of the learning they have come out of the lost covid year.  The implications are FUN learnt a thing or two about the successful operation of food and other festivals independent of full park operations.  This suggests more special event offerings may be on the table which will take place without rides and all attractions being open and full park operations underway.

Such partial resort operations would substantially cut opperating costs while providing new cost effective revenue streams.

Hotel operations being curtailed will necessarily hamper these efforts.  It seems very short sighted of FUN not to have taken advantage of the 2020 pause and completed hotel and other renovations.

 

[jsus]

1 hour ago, Leland Wykoff said:

Hotel operations being curtailed will necessarily hamper these efforts.  It seems very short sighted of FUN not to have taken advantage of the 2020 pause and completed hotel and other renovations.

It is unfortunate indeed that they did not complete these facility improvement projects during the shutdowns/slowdowns last year.  They did state that economic reasons factored into freezing these projects.  They needed to cut spending as much as possible to ensure the company could weather the pandemic storm.

Quote

May 13, 2020 Update

At Cedar Point, the safety and well-being of our Guests and Associates are always our top priorities.

As we continue to follow regional and national health directives related to COVID-19, we want to provide the latest update regarding the opening of Sawmill Creek by Cedar Point Resorts. Due to the economic impact of coronavirus, we have paused the renovation project at Sawmill Creek. As a result, we anticipate opening in 2021. The golf course, shops and marina will operate their normal schedules.

We appreciate the support and cooperation of our Guests and Associates during this ever-evolving situation. Your loyalty to our property is invaluable. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Archived source (page has since been taken down on the official site): http://web.archive.org/web/20210118125630/https://www.sawmillcreekresort.com/update

Interestingly enough, Sawmill Creek's website seems to state that the Lodge was indeed renovated last year, yet a banner on the home page indicates it will remain closed in 2020.

Quote

Completely renovated in 2020, Sawmill Creek is one of the few resorts in the Sandusky, Ohio area that is a pure destination in itself. Our lodge is home to 239 comfortable and well-appointed rooms and suites, many featuring a fireplace or jacuzzi. Golf enthusiasts flock to our 18-hole championship golf course designed by legendary Tom Fazio, and shopping aficionados are impressed with the wide array of unique finds at our Sawmill Creek Shops.   

Source: https://www.sawmillcreekresort.com/explore/lodge 

Quote

Sawmill Creek Update

Sawmill Creek Lodge and Convention Center will remain closed in 2021. The golf course, shops and marina remain open.

Source: https://www.sawmillcreekresort.com/

In typical Cedar Fair fashion, that notice is accompanied by a "LEARN MORE" button that links to a /update page, which just redirects back to the homepage.

They're also only now beginning renovations on Bayside Apartments, two of the associate housing buildings.  One will not open this year, while the other will have a delayed opening due to this.

Quote

Bayside Campus Apartments are reserved for interns, Live Entertainment, safety and security positions, and authorized supervisors only.

Please be aware that the Bayside Campus Apartments are being remodeled. The Bayside 800 building will not be open for the 2021 season and we expect a delayed opening of the Bayside 700 building. Thank you for your understanding as we adapt to better serve you!

Source: https://life.cedarpoint.com/StarRezPortalX/83A55C5C/10/128/My_Housing-Building___Room_Prof?HadEmptyContext=True

They're also demolishing some of the older dorms on the Commons Campus.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/cpalumniassoc/posts/3979757122046015

[jsus]

1 hour ago, Leland Wykoff said:

In another blow to FUN some partners who provided and produced recent events, such as Feld Entertainment with the Monster Truck production, have not survived the economic covid crisis.  These bankrupt partners may effect offerings in the coming season as events are paired back.

Do you have a source on this?

[DiamondbackFan]

I haven't found anything about Feld Entertainment going under.  They are still doing Monster Jam events.

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/entertainment/events/2021/03/09/ellenton-based-feld-entertainment-brings-monster-jam-tampa/6904893002/