Dinosaurs! >>>Good idea or really bad idea???

He minds the $20 only when his children can't be controlled, which sounds like a common thing.

And if you don't worry about money at all on vacation, you might be in for a surprise when you get back and your bank account is drained

If everything in the park should be free since we've already paid the admission.... I'm really going to start fighting for free food and t-shirts.

^Then admission would be like $150 per person, at least! :)

Very very true...

Did they raise the admission price because of DA? I know it went up a bit but wasn't sure of the actual reason.

They probably raised the admission because it tends to happen every few years. Doesn't matter though, a single day ticket is still a damn good deal for what you get. They could raise it another $15 and it would still be cheaper than most parks that offer what Cedar Point can.

Agreed - I live right by Worlds of Fun and it's $45 for a full day ticket and it only has a fraction of what CP does

99er said:

YouCEdarMyPoint said:
I guess you guys missed the part where I said we go to CP to have fun, not teach life lessons or every day budget planning. When you are on vacation, you don't worry about money.

No I read it and I also read the what you said about the attraction being "extortion". If you really go to the park for fun and you really don't worry about money, then why are you on this site talking about DA being "extortion"? So what was the point of your post if you don't mind the extra $20?

The upcharge targets specific groups. Someone might remember further back than me; but, I can't remember the park upcharging for a major new attraction (at least inside the park). It is signifigant shift in business philosophy of the park. If the parks gamble works out and they make gobs of money off of DA; why wouldn't they put an upcharge on every new attraction in the future? And yes, it would be easy to do this or a tiered admission with the use of wristbands or swipecards. I know that I am going to be forced to walk through the stupid dinosaur exhibit (and spend at least $20.00) when I take my kids to the park this year unless I want to ruin their trip. With the kids I don't ride coasters as much as I used to or other;s but, I still pay the same admission price as those who do. It's not enough to make me not go; but, it could be for many families.

They didn't have an upcharge for Windseeker....I highly doubt that is their "new business philosophy"

Coaster Lady said:
If everything in the park should be free since we've already paid the admission.... I'm really going to start fighting for free food and t-shirts.

You can fight for the pizza flavored cardboard if you want.

YouCEdarMyPoint said:

The upcharge targets specific groups.

What groups? Pretty sure it targets anyone who visits the park.

I can't remember the park upcharging for a major new attraction (at least inside the park).

Honestly, I would not consider it a MAJOR attraction. If anything, 'Luminosity' would be the major new attraction this year, not DA.

It is signifigant shift in business philosophy of the park. If the parks gamble works out and they make gobs of money off of DA; why wouldn't they put an upcharge on every new attraction in the future?

I think people are forgetting that they are charging admission to the attraction because it is part of the deal they have with the company providing the dinos. Furthermore, there is a reason parks stopped charging for each individual attraction and charged a single gate price. That still does not mean parks can't have up-charge attractions inside the park though. Look at how many parks charge for attractions like Skycoasters, go-karts, putt-putt, etc. Even Busch Gardens Tampa charges for their safari experience and Six Flags charges for each haunted house during Halloween. That does not mean these parks are going to start charging for each ride on top of the general admission.

This is nothing new at parks and it is nothing new even for Cedar Point.

Sause said:
^Then admission would be like $150 per person, at least! :)

Then if I still want to take the family to the park, it will be a lot less crowded.

99er said:

YouCEdarMyPoint said:

The upcharge targets specific groups.

What groups? Pretty sure it targets anyone who visits the park.

Families with younger children

I can't remember the park upcharging for a major new attraction (at least inside the park).

Honestly, I would not consider it a MAJOR attraction. If anything, 'Luminosity' would be the major new attraction this year, not DA.

I don't see Luminosity with its own website or being marketed as heavily.

It is signifigant shift in business philosophy of the park. If the parks gamble works out and they make gobs of money off of DA; why wouldn't they put an upcharge on every new attraction in the future?

I think people are forgetting that they are charging admission to the attraction because it is part of the deal they have with the company providing the dinos. Furthermore, there is a reason parks stopped charging for each individual attraction and charged a single gate price. That still does not mean parks can't have up-charge attractions inside the park though. Look at how many parks charge for attractions like Skycoasters, go-karts, putt-putt, etc. Even Busch Gardens Tampa charges for their safari tour and Six Flags charges for each haunted house during Halloween. That does not mean these parks are going to start charging for each ride on top of the general admission.

This is nothing new at parks and it is nothing new even for Cedar Point.

My point exactly. This upcharging is the new trend thoughout the industry. It's not going away and expanding more and more. There is no law that says they won't charge for individual rides in the future and since upcharging makes money for the park and it's all about the bottom line, why wouldn't they?

YouCEdarMyPoint said:
This upcharging is the new trend thoughout the industry.

What!? Do some research, it has been happening for a long time at parks around the country. It by no means is the "new trend" in the industry right now. If anything, it is the opposite because I can't think of any new attractions last year or this year that are up-charge at large parks (aside from DA).

It's not going away and expanding more and more.
....
why wouldn't they?

By expanding you mean the first time at Cedar Point since the rock climbing wall that happened years ago?

Why wouldn't they? Because they already did and realized they wern't making the money they could be by charging one price. Also because it would be stupid to do now with a park the size of Cedar Point. Anyone who thinks it could work is insane.

99er said:

YouCEdarMyPoint said:
This upcharging is the new trend thoughout the industry.

What!? Do some research, it has been happening for a long time at parks around the country. It by no means is the "new trend" in the industry right now. If anything, it is the opposite because I can't think of any new attractions last year or this year that are up-charge at large parks (aside from DA).

It's not going away and expanding more and more.
....
why wouldn't they?

By expanding you mean the first time at Cedar Point since the rock climbing wall that happened years ago?

Why wouldn't they? Because they already did and realized they wern't making the money they could be by charging one price. Also because it would be stupid to do now with a park the size of Cedar Point. Anyone who thinks it could work is insane.

Silly 99er, never let little things like facts change your opinion. Do some research. Fact, parks changed to flat admission prices over individually priced rides mostly because of security concerns because of loitering crowds of non-paying customers chasing away paying customers. The flat admission mostly eliminated people that were hanging around parks for no reason. If upcharging doesn't work, why are they charging for DA and more and more parks doing it everywhere. No, the trend didn't start this year but it clearly is increasingly more popular every year. Keep your head in the sand. Just because you don't like an idea doesn't mean it isn't going to happen.

As much as you or I don't want to admit it, upcharging works for the bottom line. Why add a new attraction for free when you can upcharge and make money off of it. Especially in an established park like Cedar Point. What's better for a bottom line than charging a flat rate admission? Charging a flat rate admission and upcharging new attractions. That doesn't mean it's a good thing for families or anyone who enjoys a day at Cedar Point. DA won't be around in 5 years; but, Cedar Point will already have an infrastructure of a park within a park built in. A perfect place to put "premium attractions".

True that security played a part but if you think money wasn't a factor then you are nuts.

If upcharging doesn't work, why are they charging for DA

I already answered why DA is charging.

..and more and more parks doing it everywhere. No, the trend didn't start this year but it clearly is increasingly more popular every year.

Ok, if you wanna talk facts give me examples of how this is increasing every year and name these parks that are doing it more and more.

YouCEdarMyPoint said:

Silly 99er, never let little things like facts change your opinion. Do some research. Fact, parks changed to flat admission prices over individually priced rides mostly because of security concerns because of loitering crowds of non-paying customers chasing away paying customers. The flat admission mostly eliminated people that were hanging around parks for no reason. If upcharging doesn't work, why are they charging for DA and more and more parks doing it everywhere. No, the trend didn't start this year but it clearly is increasingly more popular every year. Keep your head in the sand. Just because you don't like an idea doesn't mean it isn't going to happen.

99er has FAR more experience relating to the business side of how MULTIPLE parks in AND out of the cedar fair chain, than you do, I'm sure. He knows what he's talking about so don't just condescendingly assume you know everything this is to know about him.

How dare they upcharge the entrance to the park! I've already paid to enter the parking lot and walk around the magnificent wonder that is symmetrical car parking, if only my damn kids wouldn't get distracted and want to go IN every time I come to look at cars, guess I have to buy them tickets for everything and go inside.

Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you have to cave into your kids desires, do dino's once, and next time say, we've done it once already and we don't have the money for it. Growing up my parents knew when to say no. Just because I'm at disney, doesn't mean I get a mouse hat, or get to play the arcade games. Crazy thought, kids are kids, they'll get over it and move on the next time they see something shiny and colorful, I know I did, and I grew up knowing not to whine and complain about every little thing to get my way.

josh88 said:

YouCEdarMyPoint said:

Silly 99er, never let little things like facts change your opinion. Do some research. Fact, parks changed to flat admission prices over individually priced rides mostly because of security concerns because of loitering crowds of non-paying customers chasing away paying customers. The flat admission mostly eliminated people that were hanging around parks for no reason. If upcharging doesn't work, why are they charging for DA and more and more parks doing it everywhere. No, the trend didn't start this year but it clearly is increasingly more popular every year. Keep your head in the sand. Just because you don't like an idea doesn't mean it isn't going to happen.

99er has FAR more experience relating to the business side of how MULTIPLE parks in AND out of the cedar fair chain, than you do, I'm sure. He knows what he's talking about so don't just condescendingly assume you know everything this is to know about him.

How dare they upcharge the entrance to the park! I've already paid to enter the parking lot and walk around the magnificent wonder that is symmetrical car parking, if only my damn kids wouldn't get distracted and want to go IN every time I come to look at cars, guess I have to buy them tickets for everything and go inside.

Just because you're on vacation doesn't mean you have to cave into your kids desires, do dino's once, and next time say, we've done it once already and we don't have the money for it. Growing up my parents knew when to say no. Just because I'm at disney, doesn't mean I get a mouse hat, or get to play the arcade games. Crazy thought, kids are kids, they'll get over it and move on the next time they see something shiny and colorful, I know I did, and I grew up knowing not to whine and complain about every little thing to get my way.

LOL, I can't disagree with you more; but, I do like your post, well stated. Again, when I'm enjoying a day at the park it doesn't mean I'm caving in to my childrens every desire. I'm not implying my children will be scarred for life if they don't see the dinosaurs. Merely, an upcharge directed at families puts a damper on the whole families fun, which is the reason why we got to the park. You do make my point exceptionally well. What exactly are we paying for when we pay admission to the park? It doesn't cover parking, food, drinks, games, merchandise, waterparks, hotels and only select attractions. To make more money, why wouldn't the park start charging for our favorite rides and any new attraction? Just because some attractions are covered by the cost of admission now; what says they will still be covered a few years from now if the park thinks it can make more money? There is no defense for the DA upcharge.

99er said:
True that security played a part but if you think money wasn't a factor then you are nuts.

Yes, money as always is the key factor. Flat rates charged people in the park whether the rode or not and brought in more paying customers because of the better security.

If upcharging doesn't work, why are they charging for DA

I already answered why DA is charging.

Yes, a private company and upcharging makes money. Of course parks switched to flat admissions because they made money off of people even if they didn't attend an attraction. Stands to reason a small increase in the general admission would make more money than an upcharge. This isn't done because of the worry the price point will drive away more business than the new attraction will bring in. Therefore, upcharge children and families get screwed.

..and more and more parks doing it everywhere. No, the trend didn't start this year but it clearly is increasingly more popular every year.

Ok, if you wanna talk facts give me examples of how this is increasing every year and name these parks that are doing it more and more.

You already gave numerous examples.

"It's families who spend the most and who are willing to spend a few extra dollars so their kid or kids can see and experience robotic dinosaurs and perhaps enjoy their day a little more. "

While I completely agree that it's families that CP is wanting to cater to, as the mom in a family, it ticks me off a little bit that we'll have to pay extra for this attraction. $5 is not a ton of money, but for a family with say, 4 kids, that's another $30 added to the cost of your day, which is already expensive enough. Perhaps it will be spectacular; what I've seen of it so far reminds me of the dinos they had at the Cleveland Zoo last summer (and charged extra for, too, BTW)

I'm sure we will do the dinos at least once, but will probably need to explain to the kids several times this summer why they CAN'T go....I love CP, but I'm sure one thing Ouimet has learned from Disney is where the money is....parental guilt!