News: 2007 Season Passes on sale September 22

so if i get the sticker, then when i show up to the point for the first time next year i show the people at the toll booth my paper work, then they put it on?

You could always coat your windshield with clear cellophane prior to having it applied.

Peel it off, cut out the sticker from the cellophane and now you have a transferrable sticker.

I never suggested this, merely pointing out something someone may attempt to do.

In all seriousness...those two options would be acceptable in my opinion.

1. If they're dead set against parking on the passes (a mistake in my opinion,) at least redesign the sticker so it's much smaller and offer a second park for only $10 (you pay $50 for CP then buy GL, or Kings Island, or as many other parks as you want for an extra $10 each.)

2. Offer extra car parking passes for an extra $10. If you have 2 cars, you buy the first CP for $50 then get another sticker for the second car for $10. If you want to add a second GL pass, you pay $10 more, etc.

*** Edited 9/11/2006 1:59:10 AM UTC by Loopy***

It's about *perceived* value and flexibility, and the feeling that unless the parking is free, $ 9.00 for the day is outrageous (and I don't give a damn what it might cost to park at Football or Baseball or whatever - $9.00 is outrageous). I went to Geauga Lake only twice this past year; and last year not at all, even though I paid for the CP/GL combo pass, but would have had to screw around finding cash to pay for parking; I just don't carry cash with me.

When I went to GL the first time this year, I asked about upgrading my CP pass to include GL, and was told I'd have to do that at CP since my CF pass was issued at CP. Too much hassle, I ended up not upgrading, and only went back to GL a second time because I had an unexpected out-of-the-country guest. OK, it would not really have been that much of a hassle, but it's a PERCEIVED hassle; when I head up to CP, I'm thinking Raptor/MF/TTD, not "Oh I better get the upgrade so I can go to that other park".

Its like the basic season pass price: $ 94.95 by itself made me look twice. Ok, it's only $ 5.00 more than last year, but it *feels* like its pretty close to $ 100.00, and that seems like it's getting expensive. And I know that rationally I spend way more than that with a parking pass and Joe Cool anyway.

What with the rest of the crap going down at the park, I'm kind of thinking $ 55.00 or whatever for a one-day trip with parking and meals might be enough for me next year; no Freeway, TTD still doesn't seem to run right, MF has completely lost the excitement of a capacity machine (when it runs), none of the crews seem like they really want to hit intervals - the Raptor crew on Friday night were struggling with only two trains. Maybe it's not really like that, but perception is reality.

I have to also comment that I don't see a rush of people going out to defend this parking decision. They might stick with it, but it's a mistake.

Sorry to miss a whole day of the argument, but I was at Cedar Point today enjoying my free parking for apparently one of the last times...anyways.

Gomez said:
Walt, has the better argument here. Parking isn't even that expensive.

First off, Gomez man, you can have your own opinions once in a while and not always side with Walt and Jeff. And then judging who has a better argument, what, are you a referee now?

Gomez said:
How many season pass holders are going to go to other Cedar Fair parks less just because they have to pay for parking? Very, very few.

Many people have just mentioned on here that they will now go less. I live 3 hours from Geauga Lake and went this year for the first time when they let Cedar Point passholders and friends in two weeks ago (and I was very happy that Cedar Fair did that, great job, we had a blast!). But now that I am interested in the park, I sure as heck am going to be less inclined to go if I have to pay for gas and parking. Just as others have said in this thread.

Gomez said:
Have any of you been to a sporting event? Check their price for parking. Sports and amusement parks have always been overpriced. CP is actually one of the only ones who lowered their prices.

What the heck? Hasn't anyone noticed that Cedar Point is located in such a way, that water is on everyside of it, which means they have a monopoly on their parking. They can charge whatever they want and people will have to pay. The difference is, if I go to a Tigers game, or a Toledo Mud Hens game, I don't have to pay the $25 for parking. I can park somewhere else and walk, which is exactly what I do. If I could park somewhere and bike to Cedar Point, I would definately do that, but its not allowed.

Another thing that no one has brought up, last year and in all previous years I can remember, Cedar Point always always offered a discount to those buying their passes early. I can't remember the exact deadline, but I bought mine every year during Halloweekends. If I remember correctly, it was $90 last year discounted and now $100 normal? Plus, the parking pass last year discounted was only around $30 or $35? So what ever happened to the early bird specials?

Course I just looked at the site, and it said all prices listed are through November 15th, 2006. So do they go up more after that?

Allow me to pile on. I loved the CP/GL combo parking pass, and I used it this year to visit the Point six times and GL eight times (I think). Especially because of my proximity to GL, it's been nice to drive over whenever the whim takes me, for a whole day or just a few hours. No way will I pay nine dollars for two hours at GL (which is really about all it takes, frankly). Now I will have to pick which park to get a parking pass for, and be stuck with one car for the duration. Decisions, decisions? The park I love more or the one I'm closer to.

I'll tell you who wins. Waldameer. Kennywood. Idlewild. I'm not saying I'm boycotting CF (heaven forbid!), only that there will be days when it will not be worth the hairy hassle.

I'd be interested to find out how much CP has jacked up parking prices since they first started this (apparently) failed experiment with the passes. Was it six dollars then? Somebody here must know.

Walt, you're right in that there are a lot of people passionate about this. I suspect on this one it may radiate a bit further than the coaster enthusiast community. CF may be in for a surprise.

On a bright note, this is the longest I've seen a thread stay on topic.
*** Edited 9/11/2006 3:50:37 AM UTC by Ensign Smith***

Gomez said:
Walt, has the better argument here. Parking isn't even that expensive.

By the end of the season, I will have made 38 trips to the park this year. That'd be $342 just spent on parking if it weren't for my parking pass. While nearly half of those trips were made in my vehicle, the other half were made with friends, and sometimes family, in other vehicles. If it weren't for the pass on the ID, I'd still be paying $171 just on parking, plus the price of the pass. While $9 might not seem like a whole lot, it certainly adds up.

I don't know about you, but I would rather spend that money on merchandise and food in the park. If they're going to rip me off at the tolls, I'll starting bringing even more of my meals to the park, and cut out the merchandise I buy from them all together. And let me tell you, I spend a lot more than $342 on food and merchandise throughout the year at the park.

*** Edited 9/11/2006 4:08:24 AM UTC by DBCP***

RideMan said:
That's the big issue with a parking sticker: When you've bought a parking pass, you've already paid for your parking, and it is unreasonable to be expected to pay for it again. It would be like buying a season pass, then getting to the gate and being asked to buy an admission ticket.

halltd said:
companies can make mistakes, even Cedar Fair. They're not immune to making mistakes. Obviously, there are a LOT of people that are not happy with the changes CF is implementing next year.

Curtis said:
I never post here but I do come on and read everyday I have been a member for a long time but the parking situation has really rubbed me the wrong way

Above are the concerns about this whole situation from 3 members that have been here since the very beginning. These guys were posting before I could type.

Better be very careful CP...you are upsetting the faithful and loyal...

Put RainX on your windshield. It'll come off even if you don't want it to (found out the hard way with the employee sticker)

DBCP said:

Gomez said:
Walt, has the better argument here. Parking isn't even that expensive.

I don't know about you, but I would rather spend that money on merchandise and food in the park. If they're going to rip me off at the tolls, I'll starting bringing even more of my meals to the park, and cut out the merchandise I buy from them all together. And let me tell you, I spend a lot more than $342 on food and merchandise throughout the year at the park.

I have to agree.... I've made 22 trips almost all with friends and family.... (I've only drivin myself 5 times) If not for the flexibility of this pass I would have never been able to contribute the couple hundred photos of Maverick's Construction. It would have been way too expensive for me to go that many times if not for the flexibility of this pass... I understand that most people do not go that many times, but still it will make it very difficult to go that many times for Project 2008 ;) *** Edited 9/11/2006 4:49:15 AM UTC by Aaron_toledo***

I think it breaks down to this: CP's upsetting a lot of people now, where as before, EVERYONE had the option.

Sure, things were different ten years ago. But I've had a pass now for six consecutive seasons and have gotten my parking on my pass each year. I don't know any different. I started buying a pass when I could afford one with my own money. Sure, six years is relatively recent, but what isn't when you consider the time the park's been open? If they had this program for a full 10 years, 20 years, 25 years and changed it back to the way it was...when does it become a problem? What is a proper length of time before something like this shouldn't be changed?

Cedar Point has given passholders the "OPTION" for the past six seasons. For some it wasn't in their best interests, and for others it made coming to the park more convenient. For those who didn't partake in the option, no big loss. They went on doing what they always did. But for others, it is an inconvenience now.

Oh, and I won't be going to GL next year at all. I will have gone three times by the end of the season. I had a great time there for CoasterEXT, went again for a few hours with my wife later in the season, and we're going for the GOCC event this weekend. But I had my 2-park parking pass. The ride park, which is the side I only visit, isn't worth the $9 for me to walk on to a handful of coasters that I don't find to be brutally painful, to end up being bored in less than three hours.
*** Edited 9/11/2006 5:47:14 AM UTC by BirdOfPrey00***

After all that ranting...

Could it be possible that CP isn't offering the 2-park parking pass because GL may be eliminating the parking fee?

I haven't seen any 2007 SP info yet for the park as of yet.
*** Edited 9/11/2006 5:50:28 AM UTC by BirdOfPrey00***

CF is upsetting a lot of people already. At least I'm not the only one who sees where they went wrong on the parking. :)

Could it be possible that CP isn't offering the 2-park parking pass because GL may be eliminating the parking fee?

If that's the case, then I give them an "F" for timing the announcement. Immediately offer the marketing jobs back to the people at Geauga Lake and fire everyone responsible at Cedar Fair.

Having said that, your idea does represent another way they could (at least partially) get themselves out of the mess they've created.

We should be more interested in providing constructive options like this rather than just bashing their dumb decision. This doesn't address the "multiple-car flexibility" issue at Cedar Point, but it would be a step in the right direction.

BirdofPrey00,

No.

GL's parking pass next year costs $45. I spoke with a GL employee in guest relations and their pricing is out, just not up on their website yet.

Okay this really ticks me off! This is the worst thing I think they could have done. Let's just piss off your current customer base and give perks to your new customers in the chain. That is poor customer service.

Walt - not everyone who have had season passes have always had parking passes. The first time I finally bought a season parking pass was the first time it was offered on a pass, but just to get that option they made me shell out an extra $15 for the JCC. Sure I got more added perks with JCC, but the main reason we bought it was for the parking pass on your season pass - and it was nice to have the option. For 2006, they just put it on your pass for nothing if that is how you wanted it. Now they take it away entirely. I think if for this season they weren't just giving it to you that way if you wanted it there would be less abuse. Of course I don't believe that complaint of pass abuse, but whatever. Also, the people in the past that may have had the sticker didn't know any better and those passes in years past were way cheaper back then - so that isn't really even a valid arguement.

I never had parking passes before because it was a sticker. My wife and I lease 2 vehicles and try to split the mileage between them. We take the truck when it is just us and the car when there is more people. The sticker is not an option for me. This just blows. They should at least give you a family parking option for like $10 more, or just add it back to the JCC perks.

Come on CP are you listening?

Cyberdman makes a good point - it may not have always been like that, but for some of us it has. I only moved here 6 years ago, and got my first season pass in 2002.

I have a 10 year old and we put the parking pass on his season pass. We do not always go to CP as a family, sometimes my husband would take my son and go to Soak City only because he is not a rider. Other times I would take him and do the coasters. Having to only take one car for a season is certainly going to have a negative effect on our visits, which is definitely going to have a negative effect on our dollars spent on corn dogs and pop and dippin dots.

As a data point:

Our family traditionally bought one parking pass, and when we had the option, it went on my season pass. When I go alone or with a friend, I usually take the "small" (older and slightly more gas-efficient) car. When the kids go---with either one or both parents---we take the minivan. My wife made maybe two trips all season without me, and I made maybe four trips in the "small" car; neither one quite often enough to justify purchasing another pass, so we just ate parking on the few times she goes alone.

We'd likely never go to any other CF park often enough to justify buying a pass there---we thought we'd go to GL 2-3 times this year, and almost bought the combo parking pass, but didn't. We also never made it to GL, but not because of parking. We just didn't have time.

So, for us, this is slightly less convenient, and we'll end up burning a bit more gas, but in the grand scheme of things, it just doesn't matter that much. On balance, I'm surprised that the price for the season passes that we buy (formerly the "combo pass", and now the "maxx pass plus") hasn't gone up. I don't remember the exact price, but I *think* it was the same last year.

I have never been a big fan of parking fees but they are becoming part of US culture. I live in the Chicago area where you have to pay 15 dollars a day, just to park for work. Wrigley Field is a min. of $20, $15 for most concerts in the area. Even the bears went nuts and made it $100 a GAME for tailgating parking. Growing up, I had a Six Flags parking pass sticker on my car every year. If I didn’t drive, oh well. We took a collection like everyone else has suggested. Nobody really ever complained. It was $2!

If your so anal about paying $2-3 dollars, do you really think the park thinks your going to pay $5 for Dippin Dots or $4 for a hot dog. You’re the same car that stops at Mc Donald’s on the way or drives there for lunch. Cedar Point is not a mall, or a school. It is an amusement park, and from what I remember a pretty good one. You should expect to pay. I never had a Disney or Paramount pass, so I’m used to the sticker on the window. Having parking on the pass is not the standard in the biz. And from what I’m reading here was pretty well abused.

Season Passes are one of the biggest values around in any kind of entertainment. I have to pay the same amount for a pool pass for the village. Ant the admission there is only $9 dollars a day.

I leave town for the weekend and return to this...

Bad move, Cedar Point. It's like they didn't even bother to ask guests what they prefer. The only reason I bought an upgraded (Geauga Lake) pass this year was because of the parking on the pass, for both parks. I may not bother this year.

In fact, I'm sure as hell not going to cover my windshield in stickers. I don't even take care of my car and I still hate those damn things.

Bad move.