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

In my own humble opinion, the price of a Cedar Point ticket (and especially a Platinum Pass) is a bargain for what you get.

Yep, I think CP under-prices itself. Not that I'm complaining.

I guess that's why I don't for a second see an up-charge for a temporary attraction as that big of a deal. A beer is more that DA.

What, exactly, is the big deal? Honestly, if you're that concerned over getting sucked into child-guilt, set some ground rules before you go, or just walk on by. They're not cashing in on guilt, they're cashing in on the fact that quite obviously many people feel this is indeed worth a measly 5 bucks.

Hey new guy, stop leaving untrimmed quotes all over the place. Thanks.

Whats the point of visiting other parks when they are all getting the same attractions ....? Keep character alive !

It seems to me that they really don't care about those people visiting multiple parks. Most likely because they/we are a minority. Otherwise, KI/CP wouldn't have the same new stuff 2 years in a row.

While I personally would have rather seen a new coaster come to the park instead of Dino's, I think it will be very beneficial for the park. We all saw how successful DA was at Kings Island so I think it is pretty safe to say that it will be just as successful here at CP.

And quite honestly, I think that DA will also give coaster enthusiests like myself a fantastic view of Millenium Force.

YouCEdarMyPoint said:
...never let little things like facts change your opinion. Do some research.

This, coming from the guy claiming to know everything about making money in the amusement park business? Classic.

YouCEdarMyPoint said:
...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...

You know what else puts a damper on fun? A "grown man" whining about spending an extra 2% on the family vacation for something his kids would likely enjoy. If you're pushing your budget to an extreme where affording a vacation hinges on costs not increasing by 2%, you're an irresponsible parent. Plan a less expensive vacation.

...why wouldn't the park start charging for our favorite rides and any new attraction?

Because doing so would likely cost the park money. The people in charge have data that you clearly don't have access to. You're ignorant of the facts.

There is no defense for the DA upcharge.

Yes there is. The park has calculated (and experimented at KI) that charging extra for DA will increase revenue enough to make up for the non-existent group of people you claim won't go to the park because of an up-charge attraction.

The people in charge know how to run an amusement park. You do not.

I can see it now...

Hate those embarasing test seats at the queue entrance that someone with a cardboard candycane makes you try and squeeze into?

New for 2013! FATPass!

Yes, you have asked for it, for a small upcharge, we've extended the seats, harnesses, and seatbelts for those with more "junk in the trunk". A special wide-body queue line will be made available for your express (extra accomidating) seating on all of our popular rides. In addition, anyone over six foot tall won't have to criss cross their legs on the Mine Ride any more - because we took out a whole row of seats just for your comfort!

And if you pre-order on-line, we will even throw in an all-day pass for the Midway Market "all you can keep down" buffet!

Act now, daily weight limits are in effect, and we reserve the right to upcharge even more - when we find another way!

I do think that this attraction will be short lived.

At kings island this past weekend, the dino area was a ghost town, while the rest of the park was slammed.

^Well I think many people feel once is enough, which is why it isn't permanent.

While I don't necessarily disagree about the longevity of a dino attraction, I'm not sure that it's fair to judge the popularity of a kids attraction while kids are still in school. If it's still a ghost town in late June, that may be another story.

Then again, maybe kids are already burnt out. CF was pretty late to the animatronic dinosaur exhibit party.

I don't care enough about Dinosaurs Alive to read through this thread, but I'll just post my thoughts.

I went through Kings Island's DA last year with an excited open mind. As an adult with 4 other adults, we were all disappointed. I'd think KI's exhibit would be much more enjoyable than CP's too, as they had a believable deep forest setting.

Maybe it'd be exciting for kids, but I found the animatronics and sounds to be very underwhelming for 2011. The dinosaurs seemed to all make the same generic dinosaur sound, and the movement consisted mostly of wiggling tails. Worst of all, there were obvious sensor posts throughout the exhibit, and we couldn't get any of them to trigger without waving our hands in front of them for minutes.

I didn't feel ripped off, but I will definitely not be paying to see this again at a Cedar Fair park. I think there is a reason why these exhibits have been traveling, and I'll be curious to see how KI's DA numbers hold up this year and next.

WickedRae05 said:
Well I'm kind of new to Point Buzz but I am a former employee of Wicked Twister and a former Life guard from Castaway Bay. But anyways I dont' know if you all agree with me or not but this big investment of the Dinosaurs is a horrable idea. It seems to me that Cedar Point is starting to loose it's original ways of thinking and seems like they are going to start being like Disney land/world and I am personally sadden by this bcause I've grown up and even worked at Cedar Point because they are orginal and have been. I think in stead of wasteing money on this they should be putting up another coaster or even a boardwalk in stead of over pricing for a event that may not be worth it. I think it's a dumb move on Cedar Point's part and they should get rid of it. This is just me though....

I totally agree. Cedar Point is a thrill park. Yes, they try to appeal to families but they are losing their thrill. Poor idea on their part to put dinasours in.

^ Poor idea? Really? Wow, some people really don't understand that parks are a business do they?

Just because you don't see Dinosaurs Alive! as a thrill doesn't mean that thousands of kids that go through it won't think seeing dinosaurs isn't a thrill to them. Thrill is defined as being a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure, and just because it's not one to you doesn't mean it won't be others.

Families spend a lot of money. A group of four with tickets, hotel, food, and attractions is easily $600-700. If there kids want it, most parents will buy it. Thrill seekers buy a platnium pass and nothing else. Thats only $170. Cedar Point wants families more than teenagers and young adults.

djDaemon said:

YouCEdarMyPoint said:
...never let little things like facts change your opinion. Do some research.

This, coming from the guy claiming to know everything about making money in the amusement park business? Classic.

Never said I knew everything; however, obviously more than you.

...why wouldn't the park start charging for our favorite rides and any new attraction?

Because doing so would likely cost the park money. The people in charge have data that you clearly don't have access to.

The people in charge know how to run an amusement park.

You sure put a lot of faith in the same geniueses who thought the Paramount purchase and trying to sell to Apollo (to name only a few) were good ideas. Ouilet and other new leadership may be going along; but, the DA deal was put in place long before they took over. Guess "the people in charge" must not have had all the financial data that you do. It might be a good idea to have a reality check before proclaiming blind allegance to bad management.

CDF say's Thrill seekers buy Platinum passes and nothing else?

That's funny because my family all have Platinum passes and stay at Breakers Hotel. We are at the parks 15-20 days a year and we buy souvenirs, shirts, photos, food in the park and the Hotel. We are a family of thrill seekers and I believe there are many many more family's like us, who visit other parks and will see Dino Island at least once just to enjoy the walk around the Island and see the sights. Thrill seekers are not just teenagers with no money to spend.

^And you are also on an enthusiast site, 99.8% of Platinum Pass holders are not. There of course is going to be some who do actually spend money on more than one trip but I agree that the majority of PPH are going for rides and not the food/souvenirs/up-charge attractions.

Where did I say as PPH we were going for the food, souvenirs and up-charge attractions, they are a bonus to the rides. I was pointing out that NOT ALL Thrill Seekers buy a PP and nothing else.

AIRTIMELUVR said:
Where did I say as PPH we were going for the food, souvenirs and up-charge attractions

AIRTIMELUVR said:
We are at the parks 15-20 days a year and we buy souvenirs, shirts, photos, food in the park and the Hotel.

You were explaining that you actually spend money on your trips to the park as thrill seekers, correct? I was simply saying that you are the minority as a PPH who spends money once inside the park.