No more outside food in the park?

During the Gatekeeper announcement, it was stated that the picnic pavilions would be "altered" for the new ride but no further details were given. During that time (in August) there were 4 outside access pavilions. Now after the current phase of construction, 2 of the 4 pavilions have been totally removed due to future GK track placement. #1 pavilion (to the right of the main gate bathrooms/stroller rental area, trust me it's not there anymore) and the #3 pavilion has been totally demolished by the current season pass processing center, where the new GK turnaround will be. One pavilion (old #5?) is reserved for catering events inside the park (by Raptor) and can't be accessed to outside park patrons. #2 has been drastically cut in half for the GK turnaround by Blue Streak only leaving little #4 pavilion to the right of Blue Streak. Will the cutting of #2 affect Club Blood for Halloweekends and off-season storage? Also both the #2 and #4 picnic pavilions will be behind the fence area (where the new GK turnaround will be). Here's my question...how will what's left of the 2 pavilions (by the Blue Streak and GK turnarounds) be accessed to outside patrons since it will be behind a fenced in area now? I for one haven't used the pavilions or brought a cooler in years but still think it's a nice option for those not wanting to spend tons of $ on park food. We usually limit ourselves to $100 a day for a family because of park food prices,going to the park right after lunchtime, the luxury of living close by. We still eat dinner/snacks there. Do you see CP totally getting rid of the picnic shelters in the near future to maximize profits for more people getting park food? Do alot of people still use the shelters during the year? Any confirmation on how the remaining pavilions will be accessed from outside the park? Thanks.

One word. Stroller.

Take whatever you want into the park.

CP is the most lenient of this from all the CF parks I've been to.

KI is the most strict, during Haunt evenings.

That's definitely a good question to keep in mind come the Pointbuzz tour. I would guess that the popularity of the pavilions with guests has been examined and that the changes we see are necessary in the parks eyes. And my guess is that even though GK will be occupying that area, there will be some kind of access to what ever existing pavilion(s) are still there.

I will be so pset if we cant picnic in the park! I have a larget group that goes with me and I would be broke if we didn't pack lunch while we are at the park! We love our picnic lunch rest time!

Not to mention all the schools that use the picnic pavilions.

There is no reason why Point Pavilion can't be accessed from outside the park when it is not reserved by groups inside the park. Also, you don't need a picnic pavilion to have a picnic. There are plenty of places around the property that, in my opinion, are much better for having a picnic.

How many parks the size of Cedar Point even have picnic shelters still? I can't remember the last time I saw one at a park.

CPfan1976 said:
#1 pavilion (to the right of the main gate bathrooms/stroller rental area, trust me it's not there anymore)

I noticed on pretty much every visit in 2011 and 2012 that this pavilion was blocked off. Knowing what we know now, I suspect it was probably to help gauge what kind of demand the pavilions actually had.

CPfan1976 said:
Will the cutting of #2 affect Club Blood for Halloweekends and off-season storage?

Aren't the moving most if not all of that off-season work to the new facility they purchased near Castaway?

MaverickLaunch said:
One word. Stroller.

Take whatever you want into the park.

CP is the most lenient of this from all the CF parks I've been to.

KI is the most strict, during Haunt evenings.

Good advice, but I think bringing a stroller into the park without a kid would come across as creepy ;)

Also, don't forget about the picnic pavilion next to Soak City. That is outside the park and available to the public.

99er said:
...There are plenty of places around the property that, in my opinion, are much better for having a picnic.

Besides the parking lot behind your car, name one that doesn't require entering the park.

We at our car several times last year. Never once took our stuff to one of the pavilions. We just pack some lawn chairs, set them up behind the car, and used the cooler as a table. I can't see CP ever saying you can't do that, so even if the pavilions go away completely, it doesn't stop you from bringing your own food.

^The only problem with that, Bret, is that there is no shade. Going from the hot sun even into a shaded area is nice relief. Plus out of state folks may not have room in their vehicle for lawn chairs if they are all loaded down with luggage and coolers, etc.

TwistedWicker77 said:
name one that doesn't require entering the park.

The Beach. It's a bit of a walk though. It would be nice to have Beach access at the front of the park for that reason alone.

We always leave the coolers in the van, that way we can return to the van, turn on the A/C on hot days and relax while we eat. My wife has alwasy been affraid of someone either taking the coolers or doing something to them. In my experience, I have never had a problem with my coolers getting messed with or taken and I have been going to CP since 1980. But, she prefers the A/C and we usually get their pretty early and she's handicapped so parking is close. We always eat breakfast before we go and usually grab dinner on the way home. It can get rather expensive when feeding a family of 3,4 or more. I hope they keep some sort of picnic area for the guests

Just my $.02 worth

I guess that sums it all up then. The deal with the picnic pavilions and such.....that's its way of "paying" for the fact that we are getting a new coaster, a large one at that....we have to learn to say goodbye to existing buildings/areas that we like in order to enjoy the new rides. I know it seems sad, but it's the truth.

TwistedWicker77 said:
Besides the parking lot behind your car, name one that doesn't require entering the park.

The grassy areas around the Marina, the picnic tables in Challenge Park, the Beach, the shaded areas around Breakers, the long grassy/shaded strip along the Gemini parking lot, around the Camp Ground, the picnic tables behind the Marina overflow lot, the large field at the back of the main parking lot, etc, etc.

All of those places can be accessed by walking/driving and do not require entering the park. During the 11 years I spent working at the park, I would always see people using these areas so people do find them.

Yes, but it's gross when people are picnicking by the dump station at the Campground. Plus, it's invasive when someone chooses to use the picnic table in an occupied campsite. Believe me, it's happened to us. Pete mentioned the pavilion next to Soak City, but that's gone now.

Chris

The public picnic areas haven't left. They've just shrunk.

Jason Hammond said:
The public picnic areas haven't left. They've just shrunk.

And may possibly get rebuilt once the ride is done. Maybe.

99er said:
The grassy areas around the Marina, the picnic tables in Challenge Park, the Beach, the shaded areas around Breakers, the long grassy/shaded strip along the Gemini parking lot, around the Camp Ground, the picnic tables behind the Marina overflow lot, the large field at the back of the main parking lot, etc, etc.

All of those places can be accessed by walking/driving and do not require entering the park. During the 11 years I spent working at the park, I would always see people using these areas so people do find them.

Hey, nobody is doubting you, I was just wondering what places you've found. I like the tables over by the marina myself. But when it comes to accessibility, the picnic pavilions are the easiest to access, find, keep your coolers while you're in the park, and don't require additional walking or driving.