Breakers Hotel Experience...

Jeff said:
The concert thing is not a big profit draw, and they know this now that they own PKI.

I'm absolutely against the idea of concerts. I don't think it works at all. HoB probably wasn't the best example, because I was thinking something more along the lines of a house band. Just like the same kids play at Red Garter six days a week, find a band to play six nights. Or maybe even just let Live E run a show at night outside the park.

Bars aren't about a place to get drunk

Apparently they are for some. I've been to the islands. :) It was Pete who said that boaters "get on their boats in search of places to get drunk." I don't think Cedar Point needs that.

Pete said:
Walt, I have to disagree with you on bars. A House of Blues or an Improv IS a bar, with higher end entertainment, but most definatly a bar.

I'm not against bars. I'm against a Put-in-Bay type experience at Cedar Point.

*** Edited 10/16/2006 10:46:29 AM UTC by Walt***

Dare I say that I could get behind a Margaritaville franchise. While hearing that damn song a few times would make me eventually want to hurt someone, I've had a good time at both the Universal City Walk location and on Las Vegas Blvd. (across from Caesars Palace). The food isn't bad, the beverages are good and the atmosphere definitely appeals to a wide cross-section of people. Good times.

I've never been to one, but from what I've heard it certainly does sound like it would be a great fit and a solid addition.

Bring in more franchises. Great idea. LOL!!

What's wrong with franchises?

Franchises = Freedom, and Tim hates freedom, remember?

He's a pirate.

If it works, why reinvent it?

I think franchises are awful. They're slowly making every city and destination in America the same. But, I guess it says a lot about the American public in general. When I lived in NYC, I was amazed at the tourists that would eat at Olive Garden and TGIFridays in Times Square when there were so many amazing restaurants in the city 400 times better. What's the point in traveling if you're going to eat at the same freakin' restaurant in each city. Way to experience the culture and diversity of a different city.

As far as theme park destinations go, I think companies will start seeing the results of their decisions in the future. Six Flags is a good example. How many clones do they have at their parks now? Not even similar rides, but exact duplicates. If you start making all of your parks the same, what incentive are you offering people to visit each of your parks? You're not. Cedar Fair is slowly starting to do the same thing. Most of their parks have TGIFridays, I noticed WoF just got a "Lighthouse Point", and how many parks now have screamin' swings?

Maybe things like that only affect a small portion of the public that actually travels all over the US like me. But, I know it affects where I decide to travel and spend my money.

I'd use some creativity and create something to draw people in that's unique. Not just slap up the same thing over and over again. CP can be creative when they want to. I would rather see them create a unique restaurant/entertainment venue and then put it at their parks. At least the "chain" would be unique to them.

95% of people at WoF have no idea that there is also a LightHouse Point at Cedar Point.

98.9% of people who visit SFMM have no idea about Scream!/Medusa.

There's not much validity to saying that all the chain parks are becoming the same because only those of us who are aware of the industry really know or care.

I don't think that's true. I've had plenty of friends (non-enthusiasts) tell me how they've been on a ride and it was the "same" as ride so-and-so. I took someone to Dorney Park and they have no desire to return there because it was "the same" as Cedar Point. They live in NYC too, so DP is only like an hour or so away. They'd rather go to CP though. So, I think its quite the opposite of what you say. The enthusiasts see Steel Force and Magnum as two totally different rides, as a non-enthusiasts sees them as the same.

"Franchising" a ride is one thing, but putting in a popular, well-known restaurant is completely different.

Sure, putting in a franchise might limit people's tendency to branch out and try new things, but who cares? We're not talking about foreign policy here - these are restaurants. And it just makes sense for CP to have chains, because people recognize them, and in most cases enjoy the menu, atmosphere and so on.

I don't like the idea of chains in amusement parks, ballparks or arenas. I can eat at those places anytime. I agree with halltd, we I go to Cp or out of town I want to eat at a restaurant unigue to that place. I think alot of people find comfort in the chains because they know what to expect. I remember some friends of mine were thrilled to find a McDonalds at a Toronto Blue Jays game. Same food at a ballpark price.

I can understand having a small percentage of chains mixed in to appeal to those who prefer them.

Why do you people care? If you prefer unique restaurants, then simply go eat at one.

People eat at chains because they're easy. Like you said, they know the food, so they eat there. Can't expect much more from lazy Americans. I guess that's the same reason companies put in chains - its easier. It just baffles me that CP recognizes they need unique rides to attract people, but don't think they need it in other areas of their operation.

Its not laziness, its comfort. I don't go to CP to be exploring brave new culinary worlds. I go there to ride rides. After the day is done, I'd rather go to Friday's where I know what I am going to get and what it's going to cost than take a chance on some place thats over priced and possibly not that good.

CP has a good selection of unique dining experiences, adding a chain restaurant into the hotels isn't going to change that.

To me, it sounds more like you have a philosophical problem with it. The problem with that is, people don't pay with philosophical dollars - only actual ones.

ADDED: I still don't get what the big deal is. If you don't like Fridays/Ruby Tuesdays/etc, then just don't go there! Go find yourself a nice local restaurant instead, and the problem is solved. This is much less of a big deal than its being made out to be.
*** Edited 10/16/2006 3:12:35 PM UTC by djDaemon***

One reason I care is because most of the times we are with other people at cp or out of town they want to go to the chain restaurant. I try to suggest something different but, I never win. I there are kids in the party it has to be the chain. Of course I go along in the interest of keeping the group together.

Well, that certainly sounds like it could be filed under the "not Cedar Point's problem" category. If its really that big of a deal, find new people to go with.

Right it is not Cedar Points problem. It is a sign of the "sameness/blandness" that is the trend across the country. Everything is the same no matter where you go.

This would never happen but, what if all the Cedarfair parks were exactly alike. In some ways they already share some elements like the Peanuts gang. What if the all had the same rides and same layout and same food and same shows. This would be the Cedarfair brand.

Of course if they were all like Cedar Point then you got something.

If you think that there is a trend of sameness across the country, you really need to get out more.