Challenge Park... Times Up?

How much longer do you guys think the challenge park will last? Is it ever even crowded? I've never even bothered to go. I mean it wouldn't be horrible if they replaced it with something, because they got that putt-putt and go kart place right down the road.
*** Edited 2/22/2007 12:37:58 AM UTC by CPboy77***

CPboy77... Times Up?

CPBoy77 said

I mean it wouldn't be horrible if they replaced it with something, because they got that put-put and go kart place right down the road.

I'm not exactly sure what "put-put" is.

Do you just walk around with brightly colored golf balls and "put" them down where you want? Except since it's called "put-put" you can only put the ball down twice per hole.

*** Edited 2/22/2007 12:41:45 AM UTC by Loopy***

I can remember when the golf course was up front off the midway and it was free. I haven't played since they moved it and now you have to pay for it. I also haven't been on the gocarts. Maybe if it was a buck a ride I would.

The question isn't whether or not it's crowded, it's whether or not it makes a profit... and I don't think it'd still be around if it weren't turning a profit.

Do you mean that one up the road that ISN'T owned by Cedar Fair?

LOL I know eh John? That's the worst logic I've ever heard. "Well, we may as well close up shop on our profit turning go carts and mini golf, there's already that one down the road."

I would say that Challenge Park adds to CP being a resort. It's another attractions for guests to go to if they don't feel like riding rides. Plus, it's generally open an hour after close so that offers resort guests something else to do. (I know an hour of Challenge Park isn't much, but it's something)
*** Edited 2/22/2007 1:28:01 AM UTC by Vince982***

So what exactly are the profits for Challenge Park... 10%? 50%? Because every time I have passed by on the way to the car to eat lunch, take a break or leave the park, Challenge Park is dead. I can't exactly see the go karts being 'profit-turning' what with the rising price of gas and the generally low attendance. *** Edited 2/22/2007 2:06:13 AM UTC by Coastern3rd***

DBCP said:
The question isn't whether or not it's crowded, it's whether or not it makes a profit... and I don't think it'd still be around if it weren't turning a profit.

Exactly. Challenge Park still makes the money. You could probably visit Challenge Park 10 random times during the summer at different times of the day, and it could look as if no one was in the park. But Challenge Park does have its busy nights where you might try to ride Rip Cord at 9pm and the only time slot left is after midnight. They might not get new attractions all the time but they really don’t need them. It would be nice, but Challenge Park does not need to rely on a new attraction to get people over there, the hotels and exiting park guests, and Soak City do that just fine.

To say Challenge Park competes with Goofy Golf (that putt-putt place down the road) is dumb. Guests staying at the resorts on point are 95% more likely to go to Challenge Park then Goofy Golf. And even if we did say they compete with local putt-putt places, id say Challenge Park is winning since Sports City left town;)

Challenge Park is fine the way it is. Sure id like to see a new ride or two. Or even a new restaurant and a couple of shops, but there is no reason to think it will ever leave. I would bet it will grow before being removed.

Correct 99er. Rip Cord is the biggest attraction. Yet the trampoline even on the busiest of nights is empty or with one person on it.

Yeah, but the operating cost for the trampoline's can't be much more then just the cost for an employee to run it. And since its a ride host from Rip Cord, they would have already been there anyway. Same thing with Rip Cord, small operating costs. But with high prices like they have, it makes more then enough money to make a large profit. Same for Challenge Golf and go-karts.

Ten slow days can be made up in just one busy day with extra pay attractions. Small operating costs, low maintenance, small crews all equal a good ROI. If it wasn’t , Cedar Point would not continue to operate a ride at a loss. A pay-per-ride ride, just to clarify.

First of all, one thing to remember is Challenge Park is owned by Cedar Point, 99 % of the guests who use Challenge Park have already bought a $40 ticket to Cedar Point. Any money paid to use Challenge Park now is pure profit. When you think about it, the current go-karts they have, have been around for at least 7 years. They were probably paid off in the 1st season they were used. It doesn't cost much to maintain a putt-putt-golf course, and Ripcord is so expensive, that's probably been paid off for several seasons too. All you've got now is employee wages, snd small maintenance fees, which Cedar Point has had that money in the coffers for years. Challenge Park is a huge-money maker!

I forgot to mention that the go-karts were rated third (3rd) best to ride in the US in the 2005 Golden Ticket Awards. So Challenge Park is doing something right.

During the summer months Ripcord always appears to have business. A crowded miniature golf course is a miniature golf course I don't go to. You either have the group of 50 ahead of you or the three kids are no older than 5 taking 20 shots each on one hole. I prefer them not to be crowded.

When we went last May, it sure was nice to play some putt-putt after the park closed at 8 on Friday, rather than have to go sit in the cabin and use CP's electricity or leave the property to spend our money.

^ But... But... WE NEED MOAR COASTERZ!1!

For God's sake, give it a rest. There are other people who enjoy other things aside from roller coasters. If 17 of them aren't enough, maybe a new hobby is in order since obviously happiness isn't attainable through this one.

I really enjoy the mini-golf in Challenge Park. The price is not bad at all, about the same that you would pay for any other mini-golf course, and the course CP has is pretty fun. I probably played it at least 4 or 5 times last season if the park was crowded and I didn't feel like waiting in lines. They always seem to be mildly busy.

I've never done the go-karts at CP though. I suppose I should give them a try sometime...

The go karts are actually not bad. They are somewhat fast and the course is alot of fun.

A lot of the operating costs on Ripcord includie the liability insurance the park must carry. Insurance AIN'T CHEAP!!!!

I am pretty sure insurance is not included in the operating cost. The same insurance that would cover someone getting hurt on Raptor would be the same insurance that would cover someone getting hurt on Rip Cord.