Cedar Point/Kings Island low attendance?

Pete, do bar staffs seem really young and/ or inexperienced to you as well this year?

They’re nice and outgoing, no complaints really just missing that extra touch that experience adds to bartending.
Even at Surf Lounge and Fridays which usually had great bartenders.

I've noticed that at Fridays but Surf Lounge seems fine. They have some new bartenders at Surf because they are also tending the Sandbar but I had good drinks and service at Surf and Sandbar.

I have definitely noticed inexperience at the water park this year.

Benjamin at the Surf Lounge/Sand Bar is our favorite bartender.

^^^^^Shawn, I don’t think there’s a worry about CF going bankrupt. There’s negative numbers attendance wise but positive numbers from hotel and guest spending overall. Mr. Ouimet has been setting up the chain to fair better when attendance can’t always be the driving force for revenue gains.
The parks are having different issues to deal with (major staffing issues, pretty new hybrid coaster crashes on opening day, weather patterns) other than shiny new rides and financially they’re still sound. So it’s a good thing even if they don’t hit another record attendance year.

Edit: it will be interesting to see Six Flags report on Wednesday, not that they’re directly comparable, to see if the industry trend is possibly moving away from regional vacations with the economy doing so well.

Cedar Fair has done a good job at diversifying their revenue so a 3% dip in attendance doesnt mean total doom and gloom. Their adjusted EBITDA is still in the $475-$495 million range so still very solid.

Ive heard some of the same comments that Pete has concerning attendance. I dont think you can point to any one item but its just several that have all come together. The weather this year has been tough. 95-100 degree heat combined with dewpoints in the 75-80 degree range just made it miserable to be in the park. Then you take this weekend where the forecast was pretty dismal but its turned out to be a pretty nice weekend. Lines at most coasters were minimal. Lighthouse Point was booked 100% occupancy this past weekend but when walking around, it was clear that A LOT of people cancelled because of the forecast. CP keeps the deposits but looses another night or two of revenue and the attendance.

I do think that some bad experiences that people have had at CP at Halloweekends and in the early season is having an impact as well.

Been to Cedar Point probably 5 times this season, none of which have been overly crowded (weekday visits, usually afternoon-close).

Visited Kings Island on July 18 and I was surprised at how crowded it was, and the crowds never died down as they tend to at night. There was a long line for blue ice cream right up until close, and there were employees cutting off the line which was interesting, wouldn't you want to make money? Perhaps they just need to get people out of the park after close. Anyhow, it was a great visit and never waited longer than a half hour due to planning but we go every summer and this was the busiest I have seen it on a week day. Went to KI Soak City on July 19 and it was manageable crowds, wait times in the park seemed much lower and then they ended up closing the park the next day due to weather which seems pretty rare!

I really don't think the Steel Vengeance collision had any impact on attendance. Now, could negative experiences and word of mouth from the staffing challenges from Halloweekends 2017 and May 2018 really be driving that many people away? Seems unlikely, but I suppose possible.

I suppose seeing how Halloweekends goes this year will help. Are people staying away? Or are that many people choosing a Halloweekends visit over a summer season visit?

I wouldn't mind a lower September attendance. Was planning on making my first ever visit to coincide with my 30th birthday on the weekend of the 23rd. Hovering around the idea of going to Magic Mountain/Knotts instead as they're open weekdays. Might even fly over twice for CP/KI in August and September for MM/Knotts. All a question of money.

It certainly seems busy today, it looks like all the spaces in the main lot will be filled up.

just got done walking a couple laps and It s the busiest day I've seen so far this year. Midways are full and everything looks open and running smoothly.

We left the park at 11:45am, the causeway was 3 lanes wide entering & well past the bridge for boat traffic.

How was the line for Rougarou? Is the line filling up for that? I'd be there today if not for work, but plan on going next Saturday.

Just looked at the webcam. I think that's the fullest I've seen the parking lot this year.

The point is hopping today for sure. I took my youngest nephew for early entry and everything was nice and quiet. By the time we left at 2:30pm the ride lines were growing long, and people were parking all the way back by the toll booths.

Shawn, Rougarou is showing a 30 min wait on the app.

Weather is pretty much perfect here today.