Reasons Cedar Point Suceeds....

Okay, we always hear about why other parks fail or what they could do better, but Cedar Point seems to be flying high above the rest. Anyone got any ideas why?

1)Tradition

2)Reputation

3)Innovation

4)Cleanliness

5)Recognition

From a business standpoint, many would agree that CP isn't flying high above the rest.

Is the park gonna close anytime soon? Absolutely not. But this will be the 4th consecutive season (depending on Halloweekend numbers) that the park has seen a dip in attendance. They've offset that revenue loss by raising prices around the park at food stands, parking, you name it.

In the long run, this is a practice that will eventually start to hurt the bottom line. I'm confident they'll be able to fix it before it becomes a disaster though.

They have 17 roller coasters.

Ran everyone out of competition.

Reputation is another key like said above.

Favorite (as should be) by the corp. or Dick Kinzel.

Reasons for Decline

Everyones favorite reason the economy.

High food prices piss people off. People remember.

Some people from Auruoa might think twice this year.

You guys fill in the rest I'm bored.

From a psychological standpoint:

Many people have home parks. These parks are closing down at a higher rate each year. People start to think that by visiting CP, it is hurting their own parks by lowering their attendance, so they stop coming to CP as much as they want.

I've had Season Passes since 1987 till 2007,and I got my Pass for 2008. All I say about Cedar Point is that they are the BEST with their COASTERS and THRILL RIDES. I usually go 20 - 30 times a yr and that gets me Excited each time I go. The only thing that is wrong in the Park now is the Prices in everything; Food, Drinks, Merchidise, and their Tickets. They should go down in everything because there hasn't been as many people in the Park the last few yrs.

All I do is stop at a Fast Food and get my Lunch or Supper, and go to CP, but sometimes I'll buy French Fries or an Ice Cream Shake. Most of the time when it is HOT!!! I'll just get a Free Water Cup.

^^I don't know if most visitors would think that. I guess people with real sentimental attachments to their home parks may but...

Every time I went to Kings Island with my friends this year they were foolish enough to moan and complain about tourists that come to Kings Island. Of course, I declined to say a word about it. :)

Cleanliness

17 Coasters

High advertising

Well known

Huge park

I dunno??

Me.

Mr. Cedar Point said:
I've had Season Passes since 1987 till 2007,and I got my Pass for 2008. All I say about Cedar Point is that they are the BEST with their COASTERS and THRILL RIDES. I usually go 20 - 30 times a yr and that gets me Excited each time I go. The only thing that is wrong in the Park now is the Prices in everything; Food, Drinks, Merchidise, and their Tickets. They should go down in everything because there hasn't been as many people in the Park the last few yrs.

All I do is stop at a Fast Food and get my Lunch or Supper, and go to CP, but sometimes I'll buy French Fries or an Ice Cream Shake. Most of the time when it is HOT!!! I'll just get a Free Water Cup.

I agree with almost everything you said except the ticket prices. Jeff said this in one his 94 podcasts. Lower parking and all the food prices and raise the ticket price about 10 bucks. People will still come and you can market that. "Free parking"! or do the Holiday World thing (Yeah Right) "Free drinks".

I would seriously be surprised if attendance dropped again this year. Anytime I was at the park it felt considerably more crowded than in previous years.

And Zeek, let's not forget you were the LAST pumpkin head in that line. And the REAL owner of that trashcan took it back from you. :)

There's one big reason why CP is so successful.

Location, location, location.

The park is the only amusement park that is in the Detroit, Toledo, and Cleveland market. Three big metropolitans have one park to go to.

Also, the park has become a tradition in many families. Grandma/Grandpa have memories going to the park, Mom/Dad have memories of the park, we all have memories of the park, and some of the people on here have kids who have memories of the park. Very few amusement parks can accomplish that. I believe Jeff said in a trip report or on the podcast that everyone has a story of going on Cedar Creek Mine Ride as a kid.

The park might not look a lot like it once did, but it still has the same feel. That's what makes the park so special.

Why does it have to be November? :(

*** Edited 11/8/2007 6:27:16 AM UTC by Gomez***

Ralph Wiggum said:
I would seriously be surprised if attendance dropped again this year. Anytime I was at the park it felt considerably more crowded than in previous years.

And Zeek, let's not forget you were the LAST pumpkin head in that line. And the REAL owner of that trashcan took it back from you. :)

Yes, I was the last Pumpkin Head but they do say...save the best for last.

And yes, the original trashcan owner is taking it back, but my job was to get it out of retirement and get a newly renovated trash can prepped and ready for the take over by Giggles next year. My main focuus was becoming the first and only CarnEVIL slider.

Overall the park is really awesome.

CP will only charge as much as the market will bear. I remember at Tigers Stadium (Comerica Park), it was like over $7.00 for a Big Mac combo meal at the McDonalds that is in the baseball park. People will pay the prices, why drop them?

1. Coasters

2. Raptor =P

3. Cleanliness (except bathrooms- they need work)

4. Friendliness of staff. This trip this year was amazing. The staff was tip-top. I went when it was in the high 90's and humid. The lady underneath the sky ride handing out free cups of water was hilarious. I kept asking her if it was free and couldn't believe it and stood there and had 15 cups and she just kept smiling and laughing at me because I kept saying I couldn't believe it. It was some of the best water I've ever had at Cedar Point =). It was very very cold and refreshing.

5. Halloweekends

Reasons CP succeeds... they have a good selection of coaster/flat rides.

========================================
Wicked Twisted being a tall double twisted spike impulse.
Maxair / Skyhawk (just 2 great flats)
Maverick is innovative and fun.
Top Thrill Dragster is a really hit ride that broke records
Mantis is a stand up coaster....
Raptor is a good B&M
Magnum with its air time
Millennium Force has a big first hill.
========================================

Lake Erie - The first hill of Millennium Force would be less visually appealing if all you could look at was farm land. This theory applies to every ride.

Its coasters..they are simply....the best..although the lines suck at cp :(

There is a ton of reasons, that are already said. But one reason the attendance is probably going down is because of the economy. I bet some people really want to go with their family but due what's going on in Michigan and around there, it's getting harder for people.

One reason I think it succeeds is cause it is so much safer. I mean, you always hear about Six Flags incidents. That does not help them at all, but to other parks.