Attendance is crazy today 8-24-19

25 of each type FL & FL+, multiplied by 20 would be 1000.

There are many more locations than 20, they're basically available at every store and gift shop, plus ticket windows, and hotel registration desks.

I would imagine the front Fastlane stand by the main gate could have 1000+ of each since a good portion of guests seem to line up there first thing instead of going to shops further in the park.

My main concern isn’t so much about the longer lines with such deals going on. Rather, what is the park doing in preparation for the expected attendance based off of the pass sales? (Of course, assuming the sales are going well and as planned) ie: staffing (hiring and retaining) to keep the lines moving, maintenance to keep the rides running, and of course the Fast Lane policy.

Needless to say, I’m excited to see what next year will be like, but I am also curious to see if it will be a $***show.

If you have been paying attention, ride operations has not been up to good standards as it once was. Also, ride maintenance hasn’t been easily maintainable from an outside viewpoint as of late either.

When entitled enthusiasts are screaming they want a new record breaking ride, they don't take the bigger picture into account. These rides require staff to operate, which the park has a difficult time getting enough staff and retaining them. And it also requires maintenance which would require an extensive budget and skilled staff, which can be even more difficult to obtain. I think they should work on staffing issues before installing the next big ride and working with staff to retain them. I don't know the turnover rate but I'm sure it's high. I would be happy with absoutely nothing new if it meant proper staffing who are happy and all aspects of the park were running smoothly.

It would seem that Forbidden Frontier is a very staff heavy attraction, with some difficult cross training characters.

And that's likely the reason it's not open during the shoulder seasons.

That would make sense. But, it’s not just extreme rides that require large staffs.
I find it interesting that there aren’t Sweeps this year, yet the midways were very clean in my visits.
That must’ve freed up some staffing, along without the pool/lake lifeguards.

XS NightClub said:
25 of each type FL & FL+, multiplied by 20 would be 1000.

There are many more locations than 20, they're basically available at every store and gift shop, plus ticket windows, and hotel registration desks.

Yes, but I imagine they sell a lot more plus passes since those are the rides with the longest lines.

Don't forget about all the FL and FL+ that are sold online in advance, in addition to what's made available at the park.

I wonder if the number made available at the park each day reflects the volume already sold online... meaning, there is possibly a different amount of FL available each day.

With the huge increase in attendance the Gold Pass is going to bring, CP would do well to study the Disney model for training and keeping staff.

Pay them well, treat them well, and you'll attract top-notch candidates who are eager to be part of the 'family'.

Pay them crap McDonald's wages, treat them badly, and you'll get all the kids who couldn't get a job at McDonalds (which, let's face it, is lower stress) and who have no pride in their jobs and couldn't care less if they get fired.

I went to Disney in May and was impressed by how polite, professional, and capable the 'cast members' were. If Cedar Point could adopt that model - especially the payment part - they'd have young people from all over northern Ohio running to sign up.

If they DON'T do that, next year is going to be a disaster that will damage CP's reputation permanently. Overwhelming crowds, poor security, food shortages = very bad word of mouth. And we won't even talk about a (God forbid) fatal ride malfunction because some overworked, underpaid, exhausted college kid wasn't paying attention.

Say, out of curiosity: what happens when the parking lot fills up and they can't get any more cars in? Do all the cars that are waiting have to just sit there? I've never had that happen and I'm curious...

I’ve never seen it myself because if I see a line from Rye Beach Rd and Cleveland street (which I’ve seen before) I turn around and go do something else.

But from what I understand they will park cars on the grass before the parking gate entrance. They will do what it takes to keep parking cars.

SarahB1863 said:

With the huge increase in attendance the Gold Pass is going to bring...

Can you tell me if a fan will go streaking during this year's Superbowl? I'd like to place a bet asap.

Thanks!

SarahB1863 said:
Say, out of curiosity: what happens when the parking lot fills up and they can't get any more cars in?

I never saw it at CP, but can remember years ago Kings Island had signs along I-71 informing people that the park was at full capacity with the toll booth entrances shut down.

SarahB1863 said:
With the huge increase in attendance the Gold Pass is going to bring, CP would do well to study the Disney model for training and keeping staff.

Pay them well, treat them well, and you'll attract top-notch candidates who are eager to be part of the 'family'.

And we won't even talk about a (God forbid) fatal ride malfunction because some overworked, underpaid, exhausted college kid wasn't paying attention.

Disney doesn't pay as well as you make them out to. People just reeeeeeally want to work there. Also keep in mind that those parks are year round, which means many of those positions are full time with full benefits. Not practical for positions at CP that are only 4-6 months a year.

Also, rides ops can't do anything to the rides to make them have accidents.

I was at the park yesterday (Friday August 30) and it was not horrible but busy. I was a bit frustrated in Cedar Point Shores they were decently busy and the old bathhouse was closed (again) leaving just the family restrooms and changing rooms so we had to stand around and wait coming in and going out. I'm sure they were short staffed (one of the rivers and some slides not open) but I wouldn't think that would make you need to close down and entire bath house for the day it's not like they keep them immaculate to begin with.

I was there at the park yesterday, and it was NOTHING compared to today. I was at the park since early entry, and today was the worst crowding I've ever seen. Even with fast lane plus the waits were long. Although the crowds died off around 6 or so.

Great point. And most people probably buy ahead online anyway. Never had anyone try to sell me their fast passes before thursday, and 2 people tried then. Lol

We are going up tomorrow morning to use our fast passes for renewing next year. Hopefully it's not too crowded.

Good enough a deterrent for me to head east today and not west. See yous soon Allentown.