CP's Attendance

What do you all think? It has been going down, but do you see an increase in the near future? I think with the economy getting better by the day the attendance will rise.

Whose economy is getting better? Certainly not Michigan's!

I can definitly see an increase in attendance for 2008. Considering how well this past season went with the opening of Maverick. Attendance should see an increase in 2008.

Im not sure how anyone here can predict attendance for 2008. Seems like to many variables to account for:

1. Economy - Doesnt appear to me to be in great shape. Check the unemployment in Ohio and Michigan lately? How about the housing market? Auto industry numbers released today are not encouraging either. Holiday shopping numbers are not great which could mean people have less disposable income.

2. Lack of a major ride or attraction for 2008. I dont think a renovation to Sandcastle or the addition of Planet Snoopy will bring in large numbers. The renovation is definately needed at Sandcastle and Planet Snoopy will be a great addition to the park.

3. Who knows what the weather will bring. It was pretty good this year, especially for Halloweekends.

I think Cedar Point is doing a very good job of continuing to build on Halloweekends. The fall has been very strong recently. That is evident with the November closing date in 2008.

It would be great to see 2008 year-end revenue numbers up due to an increase in attendance for a change. As a unit holder, I dont like the trend Cedar Fair has been on with lower attendance and increase guest per capita spending. I would guess Cedar Point's attendance will be in the 3.0-3.3 million range as it has been for several years. I dont really see anything out there that would change it signifcantly one way or the other.

If Cedar Point lost attendance in 2007, while installing a new, major attraction, it's highly doubtful they'll be able to increase attendance in 2008 with no major new attractions* and a probably worsening economy.

*No, it's not.

From what I understand, attendance wasn't down this year, but I have no idea if they met their goals, whatever those might have been.

I can't imagine it will go up next year.

Dare I say it? Attendance down - per cap up. Livin' on a prayer.

Bootz3456 said:
I can definitly see an increase in attendance for 2008. Considering how well this past season went with the opening of Maverick. Attendance should see an increase in 2008.

If I were Cedar Point's GM, Im not sure I would submit Cedar Point's 2008 attendance and financial objectives based on that statement.

Do you write the press releases, Wahoo? ;)

Unemployment numbers:

48th in the Nation: Ohio with 5.9%
Dead Last: Michigan 7.7%

Neither state is doing exceptionally well, but Michigan is definitely feeling the hurt a lot more!

I do, but not for the amusement industry Jeff. I'm just saying...at what point is the Board going to push for some change? The day is coming.

I don't see the economy improving at all. It seems like the middle class, which is the bread and butter of places like Cedar Point, is shrinking. There is a ever widening gap between the have's and have not's in this country.

I agree that some change must happen, the days of just putting in a new coaster and expecting a huge jump in attendance are over.

If I were on the board, I would push to put more resort into the resorts, have some luxury amenities and add entertainment venues geared for the adult crowd. Also, expand family offerings at CP in the same sense as Disney does. That is to say, make it entertaining for everyone. I bet the average parent thinks it is a poor value for them to watch their little kid go round and round on a kiddie ride, while they are standing there bored with nothing really to do. Then, when the kid is done going round and round, they get to treat the family to a $50 hamburger meal.

If they beef up the resorts, add true family entertainment that entertains all ages at the same time and give the adults something fun to do at night after any kids they may have are done for the day, I think they could even market in a larger radius to a wider demographic.

Attendence will be up next year because CP is the only park in the area now.

I highly doubt the closing of GL will have any significant affect on CP's attendance.

I agree that CP's attendance could be higher because there is not a park as close.

In fact hopefully GL draws away from some of the crowds at CP. While attendance is down, capacity is not "up". A day at the amusement park sounds fun until you think about how you walked until your feet were bleeding, and waited in line all day.

These renovations to the property will not bring in more people, but just satisfy those of us who stay there more.

If anything I think attendance will be down with ticket prices up and Hershey Park continuing to expand. CP needs a system even if it costs money (for us to use) to get a virtual spot in line on Maverick, TTD, and Millennium Force. I used to think a digital billboard would help, but realistically you need that and than some. Especially if you want customers to feel a difference.

I enjoy myself far more at CP when I can say, man I got a ton of rides in today.

Halloweekends is just getting pathetic busy. If I was a parent who brought a child to the park I would be hesitant to want to go back. Those Saturdays are just hell.

This summer was a god-send for weather for the Sandusky area. It hardly rained. So we can't ask for better weather.

CP cannot rely on a crippled state like Michigan for tourism. I think CP needs more aggressive advertising with children. Plenty of adults and teenagers find joy in CP easily. I don't mind children because they tend to not ride Maverick :)
CP needs to have a character breakfast, and Breakers would benefit from an upscale restaurant that has views of Lake Erie. Offer some breath taking views kind of style.

I have been to the park like many times and I have only seen...2 characters.

The closing of GL won't really bring anymore visitors to Cp or even KI in my Opinion. In fact if GL had that many visitors why would they have closed it. And the addition of Planet Snoopy will not draw visitors unless really advertised as a amazing and best childrens area in the area. Its more of a perk for patrons of the park that have kids.

Geauga Lake was a non-factor to begin with. With a population drain and crappy economy in CP's two core markets, I just don't see any rise in attendance coming.

Population drain? You mean people moving west or east?

People moving south.

People are moving where jobs are. And that is not in Cleveland or Detroit.