Could this boost attendance?

If Cedar Point did away with a parking fee, do you think it would boost CP's attendance enough to cancel out the loss?

No

I think it could if they worked it right.

It could. But I think maybe if they would lower the food prices a bit, they could get more people there. I know I am a pass holder and I pack a lunch to eat in my car or else we grab something outside the park. If they did away with the parking fee, they would find a way to make money in a different way.

I think they should have free parking, free admission, free food, and no waiting in lines for their rides!!! I think with this formula they would definitely boost attendance!!! Come on now... name one park that has free parking. Of course it would boost attendance with free parking. BUT if someone is really worried about spending another $10 to park when they are already going to drop about $50-$100 or even more depending on how big the group is, then that person shouldn't be going to Cedar Point in the first place. Hince the reason why every amusement park on the planet Earth has a fee to park!!! I mean it's only a ten dollar bill, two fives, 10 singles, 40 quarters, 100 dimes, 200 nickles, or 1000 pennies!!! It's a small price to pay to be able to park at the best amusement park in the world...

Kennywood has free parking. Premium spots cost, but they have a ski-lift and an escalator for the crap spots, and not all of the free spots are crap. It's no CP, but just one of I'm sure many examples. The only people free parking would benefit are people who make multiple trips but don't buy a platinum pass, but 4 trips would cost more than you would pay for a platinum pass, so what you're really looking for are people who make between 1 and 3 trips who don't get a platinum pass or people who make 4+ who don't plan to enough in advance to get a pass.

Holiday World, Marineland, and Waldameer have free parking as well.

Will free parking increase attendance? Nope, 10 dollars isn't that much money, especially when theres almost definitely 1-3 other people in the car.

Free parking? It might increase attendance by 0.2% not nearly enough to matter. But like stated above if they lowered food prices, and had a coupon for 20% off a ticket at the gate they may be able to increase attendance. But that may have an effect on expenses.

Nope

campfreak06 said:
If Cedar Point did away with a parking fee, do you think it would boost CP's attendance enough to cancel out the loss?

That would make it worse. People pay anyways to get inside the park, unless they have a season pass with parking. A good suggestion would be to lower the parking fee, but that's how CP makes their money, other than food and entry pay.

It's basically free money. Plus people expect to pay it. My personal opinion is that it makes good business sense to charge for parking, but no significant upside to offer it for free. I think people would probably complain less if there was some sort of transportation available (tram, shuttle, etc.), but much like the gate price, I don't see parking price as a real issue.

Food, however, is a different story. While people expect to pay a premium for food at an amusement park, Cedar Point seems to take a step too far. With several parks offering higher quality and better tasting food at a lower price, I think it will slowly catch up with them.

Walt said:
I think people would probably complain less if there was some sort of transportation available (tram, shuttle, etc.), but much like the gate price, I don't see parking price as a real issue.

They have tried this in the past, but it was worthless. No one took the shuttle and it took long waits for the shuttle.

^^^ I agree maverick owns, It was worthless. I believe shuttles are pointless and a waist of labor hours and money...

I don't remember a shuttle in the main parking lot. Tram, yes, but it wasn't removed because of a lack of use.

Sorry i knew it was a tram i was just agreeing with mav,
But Walt do you know why it was removed??

Another view on why FREE parking would be a bad idea. I could see free parking being more of an issue on busier days. If you let guests have unlimited access to the parking lot, could you imagine the chaos midday. I'm sure people would leave for cheaper food and when they return try to hunt down the closest parking spot in the entire lot. We all know how distracted drivers get when looking for an open spot only to slam the brakes on a family walking through the parking lot to their car.

There is really only two ways on and off the peninsula as it is which would increase traffic on an already dangerous Causeway. Cedar Point would have to have full staffing all day in their traffic department rather than cutting back midday during slower periods, which would be even more costly.

Currently guests are limited to one re-entry which isn't clearly advertised in bold letters on the parking pass, which I'm sure just to keep the number of people leaving and re-entering to a minimum.

This is just another perspective on the free parking ticket to make a counter argument. Not only is it better to have a parking fee as far as a financial standpoint is concerned, it can also lead to a safer environment in and around cedar point itself. I have no proven evidence that all these situations will happen, but you can almost bet its probably true.

I say cut the parking fee in half and raise gate by $3.

It's private property, so if they want to 
charge for parking, they will do it.

A lot of people don't even know you have to pay for parking. I doubt someone would cancel a trip to CP, because you have to pay $10 to park.

I agree...paying for parking is a no factor for people coming to the park. The food is a different story entirely. Their food services needs an entire overhaul. The service and product Cedar Point sells is very poor in relation to what they charge. I see and hear about more and more people going out to their car to eat instead of paying for overpriced and poor food in the park. With their in-park per cap going down, maybe Cedar Point is beginning to see the impact of their food service policy. I know when we visit the park (about 12 times per year) we rarely eat in the park. We go back to our RV and eat a good meal.