Starlight Resort ticket increase

I noticed very quietly Cedar Point changed the resort starlight ticket price from 16.99 to 24.99 within the past week. I called right away when I noticed this because I had a reservation, and they told me because my reservation was made before the change in price was made, they would honor the 16.99 price as long as I mentioned that I saw it for 16.99 at the time of booking, and my reservation was made before July 31st. Otherwise I would get charged the 24.99. I think this is a sneaky move on their part, and I wonder how many people will notice this.

My family noticed the same thing last week when we went. We had been planning to check in, get the $16.99 starlight tickets, get settled in, and then spend the evening at the park. No one at the front desk mentioned that we could get the $16.99 price since we reserved our room months ago, though. We ended up going with the 3-day ride and slide resort pass, since that ended up being a few bucks cheaper than 2-day ride and slide and the $24.99 starlight would've been, plus it let us in the park that night before 5, which worked out since we got there around 2:30.

I do agree that it's pretty sneaky of them to jack up the price like that though. We'd double checked the ticket prices only a few days before going (last week of July) and it still said $16.99, and then we got there only to be told the price went up. I wonder why they'd do that mid-season. If they want to charge more for starlight in July/August compared to May when it might be chillier at night, I would understand them setting different prices based on when you're going. However, this just seemed like they increased the price because they could get away with it and make some extra money toward the end of the season. But anyway, our group worked around it and got a few extra hours in the park for it so I'm not complaining so much as unsure why they'd change it so suddenly and (seemingly) randomly.

ktee1026 said:
I wonder why they'd do that mid-season.

You answered your own question:

...they increased the price because they could get away with it and make some extra money toward the end of the season.

:)

I think they're under-pricing that ticket when it comes to Halloweekends. Think about it... it costs upwards of $15 to go to some crappy haunted house in the Cleveland metro. At CP, you get a bunch of houses, plus scream zones, plus rides and roller coasters. The online price currently says $30.

^ I thought that at first too, but the description for the Starlight ticket says it's only valid through Labor Day.

djDaemon said:

ktee1026 said:
I wonder why they'd do that mid-season.

You answered your own question:

...they increased the price because they could get away with it and make some extra money toward the end of the season.

:)

Fair enough, DJ :)

Incidentally I was researching night rider tickets for Kennywood this evening, and they're priced at $21.99. So even after this increase, three extra bucks to go to a park with way more rides that I enjoy isn't a big deal at all. Granted, it's not right in my backyard, but looking at the price comparison now it does seem they were underpricing the starlight tickets at Cedar Point. I still find it a little funny though that you can get the full 3-day ride and slide resort pass - 3 full days of riding if you're there early enough - for less than the 2 day and a starlight. Wonder when they'll catch on and up the 3 day price, haha.

Edited to add: And even as a non-resort guest, $29.99 for a starlight pass to a park of Cedar Point's caliber is pretty good.

I'm pretty sure they did the same thing last year. It was around $25 last year when halloweekends cane around.