attendance down?

I've been checking to webcam and hearing of short lines. Is CP suffering from low attendance? Where did everyone go? I've even been surprised to see how short the lines have been in the past few years. Of course, Maybe that's just because I go at he right times. Anyway, does anyone else have a clue?

Theme park attendance HAS been lower than normal for this time of year, I blame the economy, and though people here disagree with me saying that Cedar Point should be getting MORE because of the economy trouble it's just not true, there are many people out there so strapped for cash because of lay offs that they can't afford the price of gas, the price of 4 tickets (the number of the average family), the price of food (trust me even if you do buy outside of the park you're likely to buy more and then the price will equal what lunch would have cost you at the park), and possibly a nights stay at a hotel and there my friends is the reason why I say the economy is the cause of lower attendance even at CP.

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Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight
I stay crunchy...even in milk!

An article in the Sandusky Register says that admission prices and gas rates should not keep people from visiting. Only bad weather does.

Here's the link to that story:

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/cgi-bin/LiveIQue.acgi$rec=27289?frontpage

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-Eric
www.TheAmazementPark.com
"If everything seems undercontrol, you're not going fast enough!"

DargonZetaQuell, I wonder if perhaps you're assuming that because economic circumstances are a certain way where you live, or among people you know, those circumstances reflect what's happening nationally. While the economy's not as strong as it has been recently, many people aren't in the dire circumstances you refer to.

A visit to Cedar Point for many people is affordable this year, people who in other years might have gone to Disney or to visit a different area of the country for a week -- it's not as expensive as other vacation choices.

Well I thought we already concluded that bad weather was the reason for low attendance in the first part of the season. But for the last month the weather has been perfect - is the attendance still down though?

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Steuks!!

Hey, if it says it in the Sandusky Register it must be true!

I have to agree that the economy is a factor in lower attendance. There may be other factors working at the same time though....

Been there 5 times in the last 2 weeks. Weather couldn't be better. Lines seem smaller than usual for June. After 7:30pm lines are almost always short (15-25 min for Raptor, 45 min for MF, etc). Almost NEVER that short last June...

It's not a "tremendous" difference, maybe 10% or so...

I think everything mentioned above contributes (gas, economy, weather, etc), but don't forget there's no new "major" ride there this year... Put a fantastic new coaster there & you'll get lots of "multiple visits" from the folks that would otherwise go there once a season...

I'm not complaining about low crowds mind you :-) Walking right up to Raptor in the evening is just fine with me! I'll only complain if poor attendance/revenues delay the next new coaster for another year...

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Hey, I heard a rumor that Millenium Force is sinking...

Hey, if it says it in the Sandusky Register it must be true!

Yeah - especially if they're using direct quotes from industry experts!

"Luckily, amusement parks overall are rarely affected by economic slowdown and/or soaring gas prices." - Susie Story, spokeswoman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions

"But we are not seeing people postponing their visits to Cedar Point because of the economy or gas prices. We tend to thrive in the economy the way it is right now." - Janice Witherow, spokeswoman for Cedar Point, who added that attendance at Cedar Point in Sandusky was down in May because of rain on 13 of the first 27 days of operation.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but I think I'll believe what these two are saying.

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VirtualMidway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

*** This post was edited by Gemini on 6/29/2001. ***

I don't totally dissagree with what they are saying. But think about it, if people have less disposable income, then they will not travel as much and/or spend spend as much on entertainment.

I would say that there are other entertainment industries that are harder hit by an economic slowdown. But I know for a fact that I was only coming to CP twice this year until gas prices fell. Now its 4 times.

Not worried about the park at all. I make it a point to ask a LOT of people over the course of a summer what they think of the park...so far I've heard people still raving about Force and not being able to wait to get back. Seems like a lot of people only got one ride due to the lines, so they're excited to hit it with less lines this year. There's a lot of love for the park in people from the areas they market to and a heck of a lot of families whose entire summer is made by the va-k to the Po!nt, gas prices or econ aside.
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*-CP Irvine-*
The FewER, The Proud, The Po!nter Girls
I know who's fault it is!
AIM SN: ACEerCP

I think nobody has mentioned that TTR could be a reason why ALL the lines are down even with the nice weather. Instead of People waiting in other lines because of TTR is in effect they are free to hop on MF or whatever they wish. So the regular peeps start at the back of the park and move forward which yields short line for Magnum early and late with short lines for Raptor Mid day.

Obviously hype from last year is Down and that should be expected with the Force, but the lines still are long, if not longer. Remember, early last year 2 train operations and the Force breaking down every 5 seconds did not help out the lines for that ride. This year its not breaking down so the line dose not get backed up and stop moving.. Also the crew is kicking but this year, the line moves SO fast. A 45 minute wait for the Force now could easily be an hour and fifteen plus wait last year.

TTR is the root of all evil!

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2001 Force Laps-66
2001 Magnum Laps-152
6/11/01 Gemini Laps 100

TTR MUST DIE! ;)

Slower economy
No new major thrill ride
weather

I think that covers it all

About the economy, Disney is really down this year. The economy has hurt me and I haven't taken my usual side trips to IOA as much this year. The economy IS down. Take it from a business owner, it affects everything.

We are all forgetting one reason and we don't want to admit to it. All the stories about "injuries" and deaths on roller coasters. And this saftey non-sense. Could this be part of it? I do think the weather is the main reason but don't forget about Mr. Markey.

Dorney Park's attendance was down last year and that was obviously due to weather.

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Live for FUN!

Don't let life fly by.

I wouldn't give Markey any credit.. Most of the people I know in politics haven't even heard of his proposal.. It's weather and gas prices right now.. but gas is going down and the weather is looking great now..

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MF 2000 - 269 laps
MF 2001 - 92 laps as of (6/28/01)
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100

CPIrvine, you're right. I was on the west side of Michigan the other day and people still pick Cedar Point, when they could just as easily go to Six Flags Great America.

I agree with Red Garter Rob, most of the general public wouldn't know either. The only way I knew was to look at Coasterbuzz, and while I don't read the paper or watch the news all that frequently, it isn't exactly a top story. Now, if a coaster derailed and killed everyone on board, smashed onto the midway killing more guests, and sent shrapnel into a food stand starting a grease fire that takes out the neighboring souvenir stand, I think that might just affect attendence a bit. Or the short version: for safety to really be a factor in attendence, I think it would have to be something really major.

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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/

I have noticed the park is much emptier this year. Maybe because the wheather has been so funny, but I have never seen lines so short at CP. But for me, it was a good thing ;)

You've been playing RCT again haven't you Crystal???

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MF 2000 - 269 laps
MF 2001 - 92 laps as of (6/28/01)
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100

I just got a Funtimes e-mail offering $20 off per night for two night stays at Breakers Express, with offers for 2 for 1 starlight tix and $9 off one day admissions (same ticket deals as in the Getaway Guide). Maybe occupancy is a little down this year.
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First we Rock - then we Roll!