Attendance drop and PKI takes the lead

Yeah, you probably are right, one or two more days probably wouldn't hurt. However I'm still not sure if it's worth it. The only reason they stay open on the 4th is because of the huge crowd and tha fact that you don't get to do everything and that extra hour allows you to!

i think theyre only open late on the 4th for the fireworks display. ive been at the park on a few july 4th holidays and did not think it was overly crowded. ive definitely seen it more crowded on an average saturday later in july or in august.

ahhhhhhhh, okay!

MrScott said:
While PKI's pricing and hours of operation look good, CP knows what their doing and, I for, one, am willing to pay their price.

MrScott

I pay both prices MrScott, I've had season passes to both places for years. ;)

Vince982 said:
I was just looking at PKIs 2005 operation calendar and noticed that they have lots of days where they are open 10am-12am, 14 to be exact whereas CP only has 1, July 4th. I think that perhaps CP should have more Saturday nights where it is open until midnight......

A few years ago, CP was open on Saturday nights until midnight every weekend in July, including the 4th. I am not sure why they dropped that schedule.

Maybe because it was cost effective to do so?

MrScott

I know that if they were open til midnight more often, they, or at least some other Sandusky businesses would get more of my money because I would spend the night more often.

I honestly don't know how PKI could compete with CP, at least in terms of coasters. Once you get beyond Beast and the Son Of, PKI lacks something in the coaster department.

So why was CP lagging this past season?

Sure weather is a factor. And yeah, pricing may come into play.

But how many people go to either park on a busy day? How many people on a not-so-busy day?

PKI is open more days, and in a year during which weather may discourage some Point-goers, PKI is gonna come out on top just because of the math.

If CP wants to rule Ohio, then give us some weekends in April and maybe one in November.

Sure, staffing might be an issue, but I'm sure the gods of Cedar Fair could devise a solution to that obstacle.

I'm tired of the six-month wait. Let's trim it to five and help our favorite park reclaim the attendance title in Ohio.

Have you ever been to Sandusky in April? I don't think you have or you would not have suggested opening on weekends in April.

First of all, as long as CP is well over 3 million, they're doing just fine.

Second, AB's numbers are a joke. I can tell you that three certain parks in the top 25 I'm friendly with say the numbers "aren't even close." This annual article exists only to let the world know that AB exists, and to score advertising. It works for them.

Third, PKI has really differentiated themselves brilliantly, and since 2000 they've made great strides to match the marketing with service. BeastBuzz is June 11. :)

Tambo,

Along those same lines: The temperature in Sandusky on Saturday is supposed to be 8 degrees. Yet another reason a holiday event is a bad idea.

Ultimately, though, one of the biggest reasons there isn't an event has to be that the number of potential customers isn't very high. If the population base of Cleveland was closer, I think they'd be more open to it.

It's just as cold in Cleveland as it is in Sandusky, but Zoolights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is very popular. Take that same zoo and that same event and put it in Sandusky and there just wouldn't be the same interest.

I'm really going to try and make it to Beastbuzz this year Jeff. I can't wait to hear what that event will include as we get closer to spring. :)

tambo said:
Have you ever been to Sandusky in April? I don't think you have or you would not have suggested opening on weekends in April.

Yes, Tambo, I'VE BEEN TO SANDUSKY IN APRIL. I've lived in suburban Toledo for five years and pass through Sandusky from time to time in the off season, especially as opening day nears. I also resided in Norwalk for five years in the late 80s and early 90s. SO, I am familiar with the area and its weather.

While the weather the last couple of years for HalloWeekends has been mostly mild, I've experienced some frigid HalloWeekend days and nights over the last five years. (low 40s, maybe a little lower three and four years ago). And wet ones, too.

I realize that the weather in spring can be erratic, just as it can be in fall, but what's the difference if it's nippy in April or nippy in October?

Sounds like you don't like the cold, Tambo!!

I wanna ride some coasters, and I wanna ride NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, I'm willing to wait a couple of months, maybe three. Heee heeee. *** Edited 12/22/2004 6:29:57 PM UTC by Boatman***

Who do you suggest work the rides, make the food, clean the place in April? High School is still in session as are the colleges. May is early enough.

Hey Chief:

What's the latest unemployment rate for the counties in northern Ohio?

Think anyone might want or need a job? Just a thought.

Oh, how I do love the PointBuzz debates.

Well I don't think it would ever open that early but if it did they could run and staff it like they did during the "Millennium Mania" events. Block off the frontier trail as well as the midway after Magnum and have a limited number of food stands and shops open.

If the people of NW Ohio wanted those jobs at the amusement park then Cedar Point HR staff wouldn't be travelling overseas each year to hire 1,000 foreign kids to work there.

The people of America want jobs but, for the most part, they don't want minimum wage jobs with no benefits.

Us Americans have gotten abit picky about what kind of jobs we want!

Yeah, I want to freeze my a$$ off in April for $6.50 an hour! I am rich! Where can I buy my own coaster!?