Posted August 3, 200519 yr From the 8/3/05 Toledo Blade: Decline in visitors worries Cedar Point's parent firm SANDUSKY - Attendance has dipped 4 percent at Cedar Point amusement park so far in 2005 despite good weather, and executives say the struggling economies of Ohio and Michigan are partly to blame. In a conference call with Wall Street analysts yesterday, Richard Kinzel, chief executive officer of parent Cedar Fair LP, acknowledged that executives are troubled by the drop in visitors through July 31. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050803/BUSINESS06/508030402/-1/BUSINESS
August 7, 200519 yr It's a shame that both Cedar Point's and Geauga Lake's Attendance are both not up to expectations. I'm utterly shocked that Geauga Lake's attendance may not even pass a million this year, which is extremely surprising since they spent so much money on a waterpark expansion, which generally drives attendance and season pass sales way up. I suppose it could be the ripple effects from when Six Flags owned it, or it could be the economy, but I seriously doubt it is the latter as admission prices for Geauga Lake are ridiculuously cheap compared to other Ohio Parks. I don't know what to expect in the coming years for Geauga Lake, as they will have completed their waterpark, but they still have to deal with the image effects that Six Flags ownership had. As for Cedar Point, while yes, they did add MAXair this year, the park is very much for most people a destination park, and as such they billed themselves as "America's Rockin' Rollercoast." Two years have passed since they added a rollercoaster, and as such people are less likely to show up at the park as they have already rode the latest and greatest attraction. Additionally those parks that have been posting gains year after year don't cater to the same crowd year after year. Since 2000, the additions at Cedar Point have been Millenium Force, Wicked Twister, Top Thrill Dragster, the new splash complex in Soak City, and MaxAIR. With the exception of the Soak City expansion, all those rides cater to the same group of people. What about all the other demographics, what has been added to bring them to the park? There really hasn't been anything added to draw those people in. Cedar Point really needs to start thinking about the other demographics as well, the best way to bring them into the park would be to add attractions that cater to them. If they begin to make those additions, then perhaps they would begin to see more gains.
August 24, 200519 yr Author From the 8/21/05 Toledo Blade: Amusement is serious for plain-spoken CEO By GARY T. PAKULSKI BLADE BUSINESS WRITER SANDUSKY - Mulling over what to do about a dud of a roller coaster named "Avalanche Run" in his fourth year as Cedar Point chief executive officer, Richard Kinzel decided to go Disney. Burning through $4 million in cash, the amusement park created a Disney-like theme - a calamitous mission to Mars - inside a building erected around the ride. When the coaster, named Disaster Transport, made its debut in the spring of 1990, riders were unimpressed. http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/12460855.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business
September 12, 200519 yr Author From the AP, 9/6/05: Attendance increases slightly in August at Cedar Fair parks 9/6/2005, 9:26 p.m. ET The Associated Press SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — Attendance at amusement parks operated by Cedar Fair LP rose slightly last month through the Labor Day weekend but remained flat through the first eight months of the year compared with 2004, the partnership reported Tuesday. Cedar Fair also reported a 5 percent increase in overall revenue in August from spending at its amusement parks and other ventures, including resort hotels. For the first eight months of the year, average in-park guest per capita spending was up 2 percent and out-of-park revenues were up 14 percent, or $9.6 million. http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/cleveland/index.ssf?/base/business-5/112605684021191.xml&storylist=cleveland
September 28, 200519 yr Author From the 9/24/05 Akron Beacon Journal: Cedar Point considering lower rates Declining sales suggest some can't afford amusement park By Candace Goforth Beacon Journal business writer This summer's disappointing attendance figures at Cedar Point have forced its parent company to consider something others have been saying for some time: Many families simply can't afford to go there. Reflecting on the second straight year of declining attendance at its flagship park, Cedar Fair is mulling the idea of lowering ticket prices, Chief Executive Dick Kinzel said. http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/business/12731809.htm?source=rss&channel=ohio_business
October 7, 200519 yr Author From the 10/5/05 Toledo Blade: Cedar Fair weighs admission-price reduction Attendance at flagship park has dropped for two years By JON CHAVEZ BLADE BUSINESS WRITER SANDUSKY - Hurt by two years of sagging attendance at its flagship Cedar Point amusement park here, Cedar Fair LP said it may lower admission prices for 2006. A decision on prices - including the bellwether $45 gate admission for visitors age 3 and over - hasn't been made. But Stacy Frole, head of investor relations, said the company is studying the matter and will decide within two months. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051005/BUSINESS06/510050444/-1/BUSINESS
November 1, 200519 yr yay! Cedar Point shoots for sky with new ride By RICHARD PAYERCHIN, Sandusky Bureau Chief11/01/2005 SANDUSKY -- A new ride will go up and ticket prices will come down for the 2006 season at Cedar Point, the park announced yesterday. The new $6 million, 103-foot-high Skyhawk ride will be the tallest swing-style ride in the world, according to Cedar Point. To ride the new ride and all the other attractions next season, the regular one-day admission price is being lowered by $5, the first time the amusement park has cut admission prices since the 1970s. Some other prices were also lowered.
November 1, 200519 yr Smart move, if they wanted to keep/stay in business. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 4, 200519 yr Author As mentioned in this thread about Cedar Point's new ride, they will be lowering ticket prices $5 next year.
November 4, 200519 yr Author Recent expansions Here are Cedar Point's capital investments during the last 10 years: 1996 -- $14 million (Mantis and RipCord) 1997 -- $13 million (Soak City expansion) 1998 -- $14 million (Power Tower) 1999 -- $34 million (Camp Snoopy, Breakers Tower and Marina renovation) 2000 -- $46 million (Millennium Force, Breakers Express and Marina renovations) 2001 -- $16 million (Lighthouse Point and Vertigo) 2002 -- $13 million (Wicked Twister and Peanuts ice show) 2003 -- $26 million (Top Thrill Dragster) 2004 -- $9 million (Lighthouse Point Expansion and Soak City Splash Zone) 2005 -- $32 million (Castaway Bay, maXair and games area renovation) 2006 -- $9 million (Skyhawk and marina renovations) Source: Cedar Fair L.P.
February 11, 200619 yr Cedar Fair pours on profits Fourth quarter didn't slump; company hails late-year success Saturday, February 11, 2006 Emily Hamlin Plain Dealer Reporter Business for Cedar Fair L.P. was rolling at the end of last year, and the Sandusky-based partnership expects the momentum to continue through 2006. For the first time in its 19-year history, Cedar Fair -- which owns and operates seven amusement parks and five water parks, including Cedar Point, Castaway Bay and Geauga Lake -- recorded a profitable fourth quarter.
February 21, 200619 yr Author Here's a little more on the Skyhawk from the 2/14/06 Fremont News-Messenger: New Cedar Point ride set to open this year News-Messenger reports SANDUSKY -- The world's tallest backyard swing is scheduled to open this season at Cedar Point. The new $6 million ride, called Skyhawk, will feature two giant swinging arms, each 84 feet in length, with 20 seats on each arm. Each set of 20 seats will consist of two rows of 10 seats, positioned back to back, providing each rider with a "front row" view. http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060214/NEWS01/602140303/1002/NEWS17
April 30, 200619 yr Author From the 4/30/06 Toledo Blade: Cedar Point steps onto thrill ride of its own by slashing prices Experiment for amusement park industry By JON CHAVEZ BLADE BUSINESS WRITER SANDUSKY - Ohioans and Michiganders, Cedar Point feels your pain. Aware of the economic struggles of residents of the two states, Cedar Fair LP's flagship park in Sandusky took the surprising plunge of cutting prices for admission and many food and concession items. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060430/BUSINESS03/604300353/-1/RSS04
April 30, 200619 yr I know the Michigan border is closer, but Indiana is nearby too. People always forget about Indiana. Thats good to hear. I personally think admission prices aren't that bad for the value(especially compared to other amusement parks). Cutting food prices is probably a good idea. I've often thought I would like to grab a soft pretzel or beverage or something, but I often hesitate because of the price and I'm sure other people feel the same way. Because you are stuck in the park you are likely to buy something during the day in terms of food and beverages, but you definately hold back from buying as much as you'd like to based on the prices. I really hope their price cutting included beer.
May 2, 200619 yr From the 4/30/06 Toledo Blade: For May through July, the National Weather Service forecasts an equal chance of warmer than normal weather as of cooler than normal temperatures and of wetter or drier than normal. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060430/BUSINESS03/604300353/-1/RSS04 Those weathermen are really going out on a limb with that forecast.
May 3, 200619 yr ^HA! I remember being a little kid going to Cedar Point and Geauga Lake. Mom would always pack cold Kenny Kings Chicken. We would never, ever, buy food there. I wonder how many people on this board know about Kenny King's
May 3, 200619 yr Hell yeah I know about Kenny Kings! lol but....I AM (ugh) 37! My family did the same thing, it was (is) just too damn expensive to eat the food at the park!
May 3, 200619 yr I know the Michigan border is closer, but Indiana is nearby too. People always forget about Indiana. Yeah, I've always loved how the Toledo media seems to always focus on Michigan. Oh, and PA is just as close as well!!!
May 3, 200619 yr Oh, and PA is just as close as well!!! PA is as close to Cedar Point as Indiana? Well I don't know... that's kind of stretch now. lol.
May 5, 200619 yr Author From the 5/5/06 Daily Kent Stater: Cedar Point to debut $6 million ride By: Ryan Haidet Issue date: 5/5/06 Section: News Cedar Point's 137th season swings into full action tomorrow with the debut of Skyhawk, a $6 million attraction that takes riders on a thrilling, two-minute journey into the sky. Forty riders board one of four rows of seats on 86-foot long arms. The seats sit back-to-back, giving each rider what Cedar Point officials are calling a front-seat experience. http://www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2006/05/05/News/Cedar.Point.To.Debut.6.Million.Ride-1901748.shtml?norewrite200605051719&sourcedomain=www.stateronline.com
May 5, 200619 yr I wonder how many people on this board know about Kenny King's I was a member of the Kenny King's Little Indians (of the baseball variety) Fan Club. I still have my watch and my cheesy ID card. I can't remember their food, however, but I suppose that's no real loss.
May 9, 200619 yr Author Oops.... Glitch shuts new Cedar Point ride SANDUSKY - Less than a day after Cedar Point's newest thrill ride opened to the public, the ride was shut down and remained closed last night, park officials said. The Skyhawk, a 125-foot-tall loop swing which opened Friday and cost about $6 million, was shut down about 9:30 p.m. Saturday for mechanical problems. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/NEWS17/605090390/-1/NEWS
May 16, 200619 yr Cedar Point is definitely a bargain compared to other parks. Even with a Southern California discount, a park hopper pass for Disney Land/California Adventure is still $71, and its near $60 just to get into Disney Land.
September 8, 200618 yr Author From the 9/8/06 Toledo Blade: Park to add 17th scream machine Cedar Point readies Maverick thrill ride By ERIKA RAY BLADE STAFF WRITER Thrill-seekers should prepare to be thrust between canyon walls, over water, and through a dark tunnel while riding Cedar Point’s newest scream machine — Maverick. Details on the amusement park’s major new ride were revealed yesterday, ending months of speculation from roller coaster enthusiasts and park patrons who could see construction going on in Frontiertown during the summer. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060908/NEWS17/60908032/-1/RSS08
September 9, 200618 yr Eh, well atleast it'll have a theme (like, a real one). "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 10, 200618 yr And for Cedar Point, thank God. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 12, 200618 yr CP has a pretty decent point-of-view animation of the ride. http://maverick.cedarpoint.com/ride/video/ The whole Maverick website is done well. http://maverick.cedarpoint.com/ I didn't realize they had this much done on the ride (webcam). http://maverick.cedarpoint.com/latest/webcam/
September 13, 200618 yr Me too. I'm obviously not cut out for these things. Is the Blue Streak still running? Now THAT is a coaster.
September 13, 200618 yr Yes, Blue Streak still runs. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 14, 200618 yr Author From the 9/9/06 Toledo Blade: Price cuts fail to aid some Cedar Fair parks By JON CHAVEZ BLADE BUSINESS WRITER Cedar Fair LP, which cut gate admission prices at several of its amusement parks this year, said yesterday that combined attendance through Labor Day at the same parks it owned last year dropped by 100,000 visits or 1 percent. Even though attendance dropped, a spokesman said the Sandusky amusement park company was happy with its price cuts but hadn't decided what its prices will be in 2007. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060909/BUSINESS06/609090403/-1/RSS04
January 11, 200718 yr Cedar Fair business grows CINCINNATI ENQUIRER January 11, 2007 SANDUSKY - Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., a Sandusky-based regional amusement park, saw attendance at 18 locations grow to 19.3 million in 2006 - up from 12.7 million in 2005. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/BIZ01/301110009/1076/BIZ
February 6, 200718 yr Author From the 1/11/07 Blade: PHOTO: Eric Berry of Lucas Plumbing makes adjustments to the track. The Maverick, which will be the 17th coaster at the amusement park in Sandusky, will carry its passengers to the top of a 105-foot-tall first hill, then down at a 95-degree angle at speeds of up to 57 mph to within five feet of the ground. The ride will debut when the park opens for the 2007 season on May 12. ( THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH )[/size] Construction is under way for Cedar Point ride SANDUSKY - The steel skeleton of the newest thrill ride at Cedar Point is taking shape this winter, with scores of workers starting to add the guts to the park's 17th coaster. The Maverick, which will debut when the park opens May 12, will carry passengers on a 2 1/2-minute ride. The course, 4,450 feet long, takes up a 5 1/2-acre site between the Mean Streak roller coaster and Thunder Canyon water ride. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/NEWS17/701110303/-1/NEWS
February 6, 200718 yr Author From the 1/18/07 Sandusky Register: RIGHT ON TRACK By BRANDI BARHITE | Thursday January 18 2007, 2:19pm SANDUSKY Building the Maverick has been a relatively tame adventure for Cedar Point. The newest coaster will be ready for opening day on May 12, thanks in part to a good start and a mild winter. The terrain-hugging coaster is completely up, and contractors and Cedar Point crew are focusing on the electrical and underground utilities work now. While a warmer winter has made it easier to work outside, the coaster won’t be done any sooner than previously scheduled. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/01/18/local_news/139210.txt
May 23, 200718 yr New Cedar Point ride raises height requirement; work begins on track change Posted by Shaheen Samavati May 22, 2007 14:17PM Categories: Breaking News You must be this tall ... no, wait, make that THIS tall. Cedar Point announced today that when its new western-themed roller coaster, Maverick, opens -- not until early June -- the height requirement will be 52 inches instead of 48 inches. Cedar Fair Chief Executive Richard Kinzel had earlier said that Maverick would be a coaster for the whole family, and one of few in the amusement park that younger, shorter visitors could enjoy. But the ride manufacturer, IntaRide, decided to up the height requirement after pre-opening testing.
June 26, 200717 yr Author Both from the 5/23/07 Sandusky Register: Parts arrive for Cedar Point's Maverick By JANET NGUYEN | Wednesday May 23 2007, 8:52am SANDUSKY Cedar Point's newest coaster is on track to open in June, but only guests 52 inches or taller will be able to ride. After recent tests IntaRide, the coaster's manufacturer, upeed the height requirement from 48 inches. The ride's planned May 12 debut was delayed after tests revealed the ride's trains received an excessive amount of stress on three sections of the track. Replacement tracks were delivered to Cedar Point early Tuesday morning and installation began soon after. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/23/front/288306.txt No more beach-only passes at point By JANET NGUYEN | Wednesday May 23 2007, 7:54am SANDUSKY Cedar Point has eliminated its season parking pass car decals, allowing only season ticket holders to purchase season parking passes. Cedar Point season pass holders who purchase season parking passes get the letter "p" imprinted on their passes. Guests who purchase the all-Ohio season parking passes, which include Cedar Point, Geauga Lake and Kings Island, will get the letters "op" imprinted on their passes. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/23/local_news/288348.txt
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 5/25/07 Sandusky Register: Giddy up! Maverick will debut Saturday Friday May 25 2007, 1:17pm SANDUSKY Cedar Point's newest roller coaster will make its debut Saturday. The first 3,000 riders will receive a free Maverick T-shirt. The much-anticipated ride was originally scheduled to open May 12 -- the day the park opened for the season -- but was delayed after tests revealed the ride's trains received an excessive amount of stress on three sections of the track. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/25/front/290068.txt
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 5/27/07 Sandusky Register: PHOTO: Maverick riders scream and cheer as they are shot around a turn while riding the coaster for the first time Saturday morning. Cedar Point opened the ride to the public, prompting hundreds of coaster enthusiasts to stand in the rain for up to 2 1/2 hours to be among the first to ride. Register photo/LUKE WARK Maverick thrills on debut day By JACOB LAMMERS | Saturday May 26 2007, 1:35pm SANDUSKY The Maverick galloped down the track for its inaugural ride Saturday. Roller coaster enthusiasts were not far behind as they showed up in the thousands to ride Cedar Point's newest attraction. Brian Steinriede, 18, of Cincinnati, showed up early to be one of the first to ride the $21 million coaster. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/27/front/292613.txt
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 5/27/07 Sandusky Register: Magnum to stay shut down, for now By JACOB LAMMERS | Saturday May 26 2007, 1:35pm SANDUSKY Cedar Point's Magnum XL-200 is closed, pending further investigation of an accident Saturday that left three riders in need of minor medical attention, said park spokesman Robin Innes. Magnum was shut down around 11 a.m. Saturday after a train loaded with people bumped into another train full of people. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/27/front/292611.txt
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 5/28/07 Sandusky Register: Rain blamed for Magnum malfunction By CHAUNCEY ALCORN | Monday May 28 2007, 6:08am SANDUSKY Cedar Point personnel reopened the Magnum XL 200 just after 11 a.m. Sunday morning, nearly 24 hours after it was closed due to malfunction. One of the coaster's trains collided with another Saturday morning, causing minor damage to both trains and minor injuries to at least three passengers. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/28/front/293269.txt
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 5/30/07 Sandusky Register: CP not sure when Magnum will get all three trains back on track By JANET NGUYEN | Wednesday May 30 2007, 8:38am SANDUSKY Cedar Point officials are not sure when Magnum XL 200 will get a full load again. "We're going to operate with one train while the other two are inspected," said park spokesman Tony Clark. "Once our inspections are complete, they will return to service." The roller coaster was shut down Saturday after a train loaded with people bumped into the back of another train sitting on the tracks outside the loading station. Two people were treated in the park's first aid station and later released. Another person was sent to Firelands Regional Medical Center for asthma-related problems and later released. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/05/30/front/295363.txt
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 6/1/07 Blade: Coaster fans bullish on Cedar Point's Maverick High-speed twists and turns make one weightless, wild ride By ERIKA RAY BLADE STAFF WRITER SANDUSKY - While standing in line to board Maverick at Cedar Point, the best place to be is at the front of the line to hop on the very back of a train. This decisive conclusion was based on more than an hour of important, hands-on research that I conducted at the amusement park early - and I mean early - yesterday morning. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/NEWS17/706010341/-1/RSS08
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 6/12/07 Sandusky Register: CoasterMania revisits Cedar Point By JANET NGUYEN | Tuesday June 12 2007, 6:43am SANDUSKY Some people knit. Others play golf. The groups traveling to Cedar Point on Friday make roller coasters their life-long hobbies. More than 1,200 coaster enthusiasts across the United States will participate in the park's 19th annual CoasterMania event, where certain rides will open exclusively for them. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/06/12/local_news/308819.txt
June 26, 200717 yr Author From the 6/15/07 Sandusky Register: One train down, one to go Friday June 15 2007, 4:01pm SANDUSKY Cedar Point's Magnum XL-200 is almost fully loaded. The roller coaster was shut down and two trains removed last month after a train loaded with people bumped into the back of another train sitting on the tracks outside the loading station. Three people were slightly injured from the incident. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2007/06/15/front/312301.txt
July 25, 200717 yr Cedar Point is named America’s favorite park July 25, 2007 | TOLEDO BLADE SANDUSKY — Theme Parks Magazine readers have named Cedar Point as “America’s favorite amusement park” for the third consecutive year, the park announced recently.
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