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It amazes me that US:IOA isn't rated best park.

CPGuru said:
IMO, What Cedar Point can do to really improve itself is to fix the front of the park more. They need to make it a more "Main Street" type area from the entrance, until before Coasters Dine-In. Plant more trees, have more islands with flowers, and redo all the pavement at once to keep the entire area in the same condition/color.

I agree with you CPGuru. I don't think the pavement is such an important issue, but I do agree that one of CP's weakest atributes is its entrance. Most parks have a large entrance with nice landscaping, seating, plazas etc. Kings Island had a great entrance, but even SFGAm's entrance was a huge step up from CP's in my opinion. It just needs a bit of modernization, maybe new lighting fixtures, and a bit more space. A fountain or a reflecting pool would do it a lot of good. I also agree about the picnic pavilions- a bit of an eye sore.

The HH restaurant is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. The entrance is the first and last thing you see at a park (usually) and its good to leave a lasting impression (if the rest of the park and the amazing rides haven't already stuck with you). Non-riding guests would appreciate this more than anyone. *** Edited 7/11/2006 4:19:05 AM UTC by Top Thrill 182***

With DD leaving us in the next few years we might just see a re-vamped front of the park.

I realize that there are plenty of SP holders that do, in fact, match or exceed the average per cap. However, I seem to remember reading that the average SP holder pulls the average per cap down. Perhaps this is wrong, but who knows?

However, my original idea (which was morphed from another idea) was that resort guests get an extra half-hour of morning ERT before JC members. It would just seem to me that people would enjoy that, and it would be that much easier to entice guests to stay on Point with a perk like that.

I haven't read this idea for a change that Cedar Point can make: start serving Coca Cola products instead of Pepsi.

Trent

That's the worst idea yet.

It amazes me that US:IOA isn't rated best park.

In what category?

Just curious.

With DD leaving us in the next few years we might just see a re-vamped front of the park

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I think as well that the exit of DD will see a refurbishing of the entrance area, akin to the fabulous work done in the games area. I love sitting down when it starts getting dark and watching that part of the park come alive now...I wonder sometimes if there are people at CP who just cannot wait until the off-season so they can start seeing the changes they want to implement put into place!

Come to think of it, it would be interesting if T & T would do a "behind the scenes" of just how a change (not a ride, but a change like the games area) gets implemented, from idea to construction.

Best overall park. To clarify CP is my favorite park but that is because of other reasons. Overall I think IOA is better in almost everything other than their french fries.

*** Edited 7/11/2006 2:08:10 PM UTC by CP4eva'04***

Funnel cakes as well? Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a funnel cake with powdered sugar and ice cream from Toot Sweets.

But to remain on topic; yes, I know it is really picky and stupid, but the varying shades of concrete do irk me. I can't help but look down when I'm walking at the front of the park and notice how many times the color of the concrete changes. When I just stand there and look straight out on the midway, my eyes often go downwards to the varying concrete. Like I said, I know it is really picky and stupid, but it catches my eye, in a negative way.

Funnel cakes can't leave , ^ the concrete is a little odd, but I can still understand where you are coming from.

Actually, Blue Streak, Cedar Point's funnel cake pales in comparison to some other places. It's just not very fresh, and if you get the fruit toppings, they're pretty nasty.

Not to mention that since my buddy opened a carnival foods stand at the mall, which includes funnel cakes and corn dogs, I just can't bring myself to pay $3.50 for something that costs .25 to make.

That's also the reason I can't bring myself to pay for a fountain soda anymore, at least not at park prices. Even him, as a small-time mall vendor, pays about a penny an ounce for the syrup and carbonated water combined. He's making $1.05 pure profit on each 20 oz drink he sells, once you add in the price of the cup. Imagine the deal that CP is getting on their soda :-O.

Imagine the deal they're getting on everything... ;)

Anyways, about the concrete... Parts of the midway are torn up every year for new cables, plumbing, electric lines and all sorts of things. It really would not be economical to replace the entire midway each year.... But if you want hope, they did replace every single midway at Dorney one year... of course that was asphalt and it was because people were always fainting.

Actually, I think CP's funnel cakes are awesome. They are fried in oil right before you buy it, how much fresher can you get exitenglish?

CP's product is much, much better than some of the pre-made funnel cakes you get at places like the Funnel Cake Factory food stands found in some malls and stadiums.

DB, I know that they do that every year, but it would be a lot better if they could somehow get the new concrete to match the old. Its probably impossible, or next to, but, I don't know, it's just one of those things that will always bug me.

Line Jumping, Food Service, Themeing and Scenery. Wow you guys have hit all the areas that I have t oagree with/have had personal experience with. A group of 20 jumped in front of my and my friends at TTD last year. We called security. They came, they listened and THEN let them stay in line while letting us either leave line or wait a bit and add to the space between them and us. Mind you we weren't the ones who line jumped, we were the ones who reported it. And WE got punished. Let's just say there were some "ethnic" issues that affected the outcome. They don't do anything about line jumpers, our experience is proof. Food Service. Wow. My old department. Working in Foods is like being Jesus. (The whole loaves and fishes thing, not the religous thing). Working in foods is to have alot of customers to serve with minimal capital improvements. Some of the food stands are using equipment from the late 60s and 70s. Talk about old and outdated! In additionthere has been a revolving door of Silver Tags through this department. Thus no clear cut long term plan has been drafted to improve the department short of price increases. Once they find the right VP, things should get better. I thought themeing and Scenery at CP were acceptable until I started visiting IOA/US Sea World and BG Tampa/Williamsburg more regularly (Yes I have passes to all these parks). Yes CP is a seasonal park, however good scenery does wonders to keep people happy in the park. It is indeed "all in the head". Some added plantings, theming objects would boost the mood in the park. How many times did you walk back on the Maxair midway and think "Wow this area is OLD"? Keeping stuff fresh goes a long way to keeping people happy, coaster enthusiasts and "old people" alike. And finally if you've read this far my fantasy add to the park would be if CP would team with Great Lakes Brewing company and offer the two free beers that The Busch parks offer. Talk about a crowd pleaser!!

Pete said:
Actually, I think CP's funnel cakes are awesome. They are fried in oil right before you buy it, how much fresher can you get exitenglish?

CP's product is much, much better than some of the pre-made funnel cakes you get at places like the Funnel Cake Factory food stands found in some malls and stadiums.

To clarify, my friend fresh-fries all of his products, including funnel cakes.

But, all the times I've had funnel cakes at Cedar Point, they had been sitting under heat lamps and were kind of chewy and not fresh. Nowhere near as bad as the funnel cakes they used to sell at SFWoA, though. UGH.

Go to Toot Sweets for your funnel cakes. They don't let them sit under heat lamps very long at all. Almost every time except once my funnel cake has been hot and fresh.

BlueStreak64 said:
DB, I know that they do that every year, but it would be a lot better if they could somehow get the new concrete to match the old. Its probably impossible, or next to, but, I don't know, it's just one of those things that will always bug me.

It's always going to differ between age, company, and mixture.

I like the Great Lakes idea B&M. They could do a Christmas in July thing and brew Christmas Ale during the summer :)