Cedar Fair in AP Story
How many would say, "I'm not going to Cedar Point this year because they're charging $4 more for parking." Sure, it would be bad PR, but in the end, more money comes in.
------------------
Walt Schmidt
Virtual Midway
*** This post was edited by Gemini 10/3/2003 12:24:16 PM ***
The issue isn't that seniors are more active -- it's that many of them are on limited, fixed incomes. That's why you see the senior citizen discounts at places like restaraunts and such.
Besides, the bottom line is harder to calculate than just the actual admission cost. Let's say that Cedar Fair exactly breaks even on this at the gate -- 50% extra gate per capita on 50% less attendees. That's a net loss when you factor in in-park spending -- half the visitors buying food, drinks, etc. Now, odds are the senior attendance won't drop THAT drastically, but is it really worth hitting up that segment of the market in light of the media reaction? Time will tell...
------------------
--Greg
My Home
MF count: 60 TDD: 5
*** This post was edited by GregLeg1 10/3/2003 1:06:00 PM ***
I agree the discount isn't because there is not enough for seniors to do, but because many seniors are on a fixed income. And a lot of the seniors I know who travel from Michigan to CP do so to take their grandkids, not to ride the rides.
I doubt CP will lose enough senior business to make a difference to their bottom line, but they will lose business.
------------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm
Regardless of that, I can't believe they'd be willing to endure the bad press it will generate.
------------------
Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?
The story was in the Register three weeks ago and no one noticed. At the time, I didn't put the story on my web site (and I usually post most park news ... even the small stuff).
------------------
Walt Schmidt
Virtual Midway
*** This post was edited by Gemini 10/3/2003 2:30:28 PM ***
I really cannot believe that they have done this, because if the actual prices of the tickets won't turn people off, the principal of the whole thing will. My parents are both seniors and have gone to the park several years with me, and my nieces and nephews. Let me tell you, if you don't already know, that if anyone is going to spend a fortune in-park, it's going to be grandparents.
As I see it, there are two main scenarios. There will be folks, like my parents, who will never go to the park again. While it's true that some seniors can ride everything, it's not everybody! My dad can handle about 3 rides with me, and he's done for the day. My mom cannot ride anything, because her body just can't handle it. The only things she takes advantage of is the boat and the train. As much as those are quality attractions, they are not worth 40 some dollars.
Then there will be others that will go to the park anyway, cause "ya can't just leave grandma at home!" The thing is, when they get there, are they going to be quite as willing to buy that $20 t-shirt? Or the $3 Pepsi?
I'll be on the midways next year, but I can't say I agree with this one at all. Guess my parents will have to revert back to Amish country to get "away from it all" now...
JayDubs
------------------
Striker, Coco, Misty, and Breeze - Gone, but not forgotten...
I don't know how big of a deal this really is, but the press isn't looking very good.
Kara (the other one)
------------------
Dan Haverlock
TTD Rollbacks 2 For 42
"get a job man!"
I don't see Cedar Fair winning in any sense. Why is it all about the bottom line? Can't they be a classy park again and be like mom and pop? I think CP is heading in a bad direction with some of the changes they have done (auto spiels, loss of character signs, Gemini changes & Senior tickets).
They are starting to remind me somewhat of Six Flags and that hurts because I truly love the Point.
Here's hoping this trend doesn't continue.
------------------
Eric Morrison (Coast)
Drag Races: 10
http://trainwreck.hostrocket.com/
*** This post was edited by Etrain 10/3/2003 11:13:50 PM ***
*** This post was edited by Etrain 10/3/2003 11:14:52 PM ***
thing is, a lot of seniors EXPECT a discount!! "Well, im a senior. i should get a discount!"...just EXPECTING it becase you are over 65 is just as wrong as what CF is doing.
let me tell you, where i work, those people pay 4 grand a month and UP for their apartments. a lot of seniors these days have money. they might be living on a "fixed income" but they have lots of money in savings, investments and other things. and that "fixed income" is sometimes more than what i make in a month!! people forget that in addition to SSI, most modern seniors have sizeable pensions.
so although it is not entirely right for CF to do this because a lot of seniors CANT enjoy the entire park, making full-price a bad move, its also not right to portray the netire senior population as dirt-poor either...
servo---putting on the asbestos suit to protect against the flames....
------------------
meleth nin Balan in Andrann
it aint the size of the arrow, its what you do with the bow....
If it is JUST the SEASONPASS PRICING..BIG DEAL..Seniors "saved" ten dollars on the cost of a pass. And how many did CP(or for that matter CF as a whole chain sell?). I am sure the overwhemling majority of SENIOR season pass holders WILL RENEW. (heck some of these people have had season passes longer than alot of memebers of this site have been alive. They aren't going to NOT renew the pass because of a pricing change.
I do agree with Servo...Just because your a certain age doesn't mean you HAVE to GET a special pricing where ever you go. I have been in restraunts and stores behind a Senior you asks for a discount, when told NO we don't offer that, the Senior still proceeds with the purchase. MAYBE, CP should have an OLD Folkie Day. (Once a month?, every week?) when Seniors receive a SPECIAL Admissions price.
It is interesting the "attention" this has generated.
Dan said:
WHOOO HOO, makes the Dragster line shorter!
Ha! Funny, yet oh so true.
------------------
-Chris Woodard
Friday, September 18th, 2003 at 10:10 PM. It finally happened. Rollback on Dragster in the front seat of the gold train!
------------------
Walt Schmidt
Virtual Midway
cp&le rr guy said:
Even though I totally dissagree with the decesion, maybe this is the way CP may help pay for Mr.Kinzel's 2007 retirement ;) Big Bang-Coaster ;) if there is one.
When he does retire, the only thing that I hope goes Big-Bang, is his admitted worst mistake- Disaster Transport.
Sorry to get off topic.
Ironically, my local newspaper (Erie Daily Times) headline on Friday was- Seniors Get the Blues- 40% increase for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield.
------------------
Beer and golf Thursday thru Monday, Cedar Point & beer, Tuesday and Wednesday.
*** This post was edited by Browntggrr 10/4/2003 3:49:58 PM ***
I agree with Tim on this issue. If you’re going to take away the senior discount you should have a day once a week or month for those seniors who don’t have a large pension or other investments to grab money out of when needed. If Cedar Fair is doing this to make money I think it’s a crappy thing to do but I think there might be more behind it than we all can see. So I’m not going to justify this by saying it’s the correct thing for Cedar Fair to do but I’m not going to say that it’s completely wrong for them to do it either.
On a somewhat related note when did CP get a military discount?
------------------
Blue train always wins. . . . .Unless the red train cheats!
Click here http://www.kingsofchaos.com/page.php?id=528304
http://www.geocities.com/acu200505
*** This post was edited by Bob Dole 10/4/2003 5:39:05 PM ***
------------------
-Chris Woodard
Friday, September 18th, 2003 at 10:10 PM. It finally happened. Rollback on Dragster in the front seat of the gold train!
You must be logged in to post