Something new....

I think Jeff is a little more loyal than that. He never said he didn't like going, or that he doesn't enjoy the park anymore, he just realizes that, when compared to other parks, Cedar Point doesn't take the proper steps to maintain the highest levels in some areas (i.e. food, customer value, resort maintenance...the list goes on). He doesn't live in a fantasy world where he refuses to believe that no other park can compare to Cedar Point.

In a similiar example, I am a huge Atlanta Braves fan. In the past few years they have been far from the best, and at times they sucked at many things as well (i.e. the pitching staff!), but I still watch their games any time I can, and still try to get to a few games a year. If I thought there would never be any possibility for improvement, then yeah I might stop watching and going, but I don't feel that way about my Braves and I don't think Jeff feels that way about Cedar Point.

Ok, off the soapbox now...carry on everyone! :)

Incidentally, I have gone less this year than I have in a long time. My last visit ended in a total service failure at the Breakers Friday's. That was a disappointment because the franchise locations were the one area where foods didn't suck. There has been a lot of management turnover apparently, though I don't think that's an excuse (and neither do said managers, fortunately).

The younger folks here have different priorities, and some of them can see big roller coasters and that's all they care about. When you're a grown up and travel a bit, on your own dime, you start to appreciate what the world can offer and you expect it.

And certainly, something you care about should not get a free pass for its shortcomings.

TGI Fridays wait staff can be hit or miss that's for sure.

I definately understand what you're saying Jeff. I know the food sucks and it's ridiculously overpriced, I complain about that myself. I too am a grownup, traveling on my own dime. I'm 36. I still see CP as an amazing place. I don't go there for the food, I can get good food at home. I go for the atmosphere, scenery, and incredible rides and coasters. I live 8 hours away and only get up there twice a year, so I have to enjoy and appreciate every day I get to spend there.

Dollywood is an amazing place...and they have good customer service AND good, quality, reasonably priced food. That is the problem with Cedar Point. If us grownups are making decisions and a good number of us are valuing the ENTIRE experience then Cedar Point...even with its fabulous rides...is going to lose out.

Hearing that attendance is likely down again (and the per cap is likely up) is yet another in what I think are bad omens for the future of the Point.

There first priority is to get rid of the past...rethink the present...and reconsider their future.

I completely agree with what you said about Dollywood. But, even with all that, I get bored there quickly. I'm not much for shows. At least not al the time. I'm sure if I lived in the area, I'd have a season pass, but I'm glad I can call Cedar Point my home park. I'm occasionaly disapointed in the food at CP but it's fairly average food for most parks. Don't get me wrond though, I would love it if they had better food at CP. But, food isn't what takes me to the park.

I think that last statement is also the feelings of Cedar Point. And, that is the problem.

The bigger problem is that they are charging as if they are the Four Seasons.

We "tailgate" every time we visit our home park (Carowinds). And did the same when we were at CP. We saw a lot of folks doing the same. I would rather spend $$ on the gas to get there and the motel (if needed) than on food. The downside for the parks is that it seems like the parking lot has become a landfill for the manner-challenged crowd.

I agree with you DRose. I don't go to Cedar Point for the food, or the shows, or the resorts. I go for the coasters. Therefore to me CP will be my favorite amusment park. But I also understand where Jeff and Chief are coming from.

If I was looking for the all around bang for my buck, CP probably wouldn't be the place. The food is over priced, the midway isn't the prettiest, and the service is pretty slow.

But those things don't really effect me when I am just running from coaster to coaster. ;)

^ I would rather tailgate any day at CP, over eating there. I love sitting in SC parking lot, resting my feet, eating, and watching guest enjoy their rides on Magnum. :)

I like enjoying my rides on Magnum. :)

CPs problem, in my opinion, is that they have catered to long to those "running from coaster to coaster." As a result attendance has declined and they have had to raise prices to make up for that loss and keep the per cap moving in the right direction.

It is a bit of the chicken and the egg. Which came first? My guess is if they spent the last decade with a more balanced approach they would not be in this situation.

I'm not sure they haven't kept a balanced approach though........ They've added family rides including 2 new family areas in the last 10 years. Granted they've also added some big rides, but I don't think it's been overkill one way or another.

I think part of it is that they're trying to market as the Roller Coaster park. Isn't that what they've always been known as since about 89?

I travel on my own dime, the one thing I like at the point is Cheese on a stick. Its simple, easy, but its hard to find someplace to get it anywhere else. Although that is not what gets me to the park. This year was a tough decsion for me on going, the prices of the onsite hotels are even more expensive than Disney. Plus the perks at the those hotels are just well not worth it. Michigan adventure is my home park its small simple and food choice are even more limited than at Cp, but the prices right on everything, $25 for admission, $3.50 for a footlong. Same high prices on pepsi and icees though, But this year the park is busier than ever and the new/old coaster helped. Cedar Point is a great park, but prices have gotten out of hand but is still a good park, they need to take some service tips from its other sibling parks and other themed attractions I.E Holiday world.

Ben, If by 'family areas', you mean areas where parents can mostly watch their small children ride children's rides, then you are correct.

By my barometer, Camp Snoopy has exactly two truly 'family' rides in it -- Tilt-a-Whirl and Woodstock Express. And Planet Snoopy, a big fat zero. Children's rides and family rides are not synonymous.

See, you "I don't go for the food" folks are not a majority and aren't the big picture. That's what Wahoo and I are really getting at. And I've got news for you... they won't be buying expensive roller coasters anymore if they keep the attendance down, per cap up trend rolling. It's going to bottom out, that I can assure you.

I don't think "they" are trying to market the place as a coaster park as much as I think Kinzel's ego likes to think that's what it's about. There is plenty for a family to do at that park, and recent additions certainly help that cause, but then they take a step back when the "kid restaurant" is charging out the nose for kid food.

Look at the TV ads here in Cleveland for Kennywood and Idlewild. Tickets for Kennywood are about half of what they are at Cedar Point, and the toppings on Potato Patch fries are free. They make the comparison directly (for the tickets anyway :)). The Idlewild TV spots take shots at CP too.

The bottom line is that the park needs to figure out how to stay competitive, and they're not going to do that with crappy over-priced food or Ritz resort pricing.

Fair enough. But really how many truely family rides are out there that Cedar Point doesn't have that young kids and adults can enjoy alike?

I would certainly consider Planet Snoopy a "family" area that everyone can enjoy, because Kite Eating Tree and Space Race are the only ones with a height cap. Sure, the seatbelts aren't exactly accommodating to anyone bigger than 8 years old, but adults are allowed to ride (if they can fasten the belt). And actually, Ballon Race is one of the best rides in the park. I am flat out, dead serious. I couldn't believe how much fun I had on that when I worked there for a week before I got my blue tag.

^^ - *cough*LOGRIDE*cough*

That's about all that I could come up with John, and I understand why they did away with WWL.

Are you guys forgetting almost half of the coasters at CP are family rides? ID, WC, BS, MR, WE, JG, and DT. Trust me, CP has plenty of rides that the whole family can enjoy.