Top Thrill Dragster 2022 Status

Real Life != RollerCoaster Tycoon.

MagnumMatt:

And what not concentrate on coasters?

Because doing so is a relatively poor us of cap ex. You realize Cedar Fair runs a business, right?

Sure I do. But it has done them well in the past. Not saying they need to concentrate on coasters every year but is has been a while since they made a splash with a record breaker. It certainly hasn’t hurt them in the past. Cedar Point has lead the way for record breakers and would be nice to see that continue. I just think it’s time for another record breaker that’s all. Been four years since SV and just chomping at the bit for a new record breaker. What they’ve done over the past few years has been nice to say the least with new food choices and improvements to the park no doubt.

Their marketing can continue to focus on coasters without adding any more record breakers. Even without a new record breaking ride, the park has the most stacked lineup of any park on the planet.

I am a bit puzzled myself why some here appear to be downplaying the importance of premier coasters at CP. Yes the whole experience matters (hotel, beach, food, flat rides), but premier roller coasters creates the most "buzz". I know plenty of non-enthusiasts and over the years the only times we really discuss CP is when new, premier coasters are built. What grabs the attention of the kids and teens? Big, exciting new roller coasters. People can go to a beach many other places. People can ride good flat rides at smaller local parks or even fairs. People are not going to CP because of the food (generally speaking). And although I like Breakers, without the big exciting coasters surrounding it, the occupancy would be much, much lower. Maybe I am misunderstanding what some are saying here but to say CP doesn't need to keep up with the Joneses as far as new premier coasters is IMO missing the point.

Cedar Point for many years was known as the Amazement Park and Americas Roller Coaster snd for good reason. They’ve always lead the way when it comes to the biggest and best. But they were lacking in the past with what they are focusing on now too with the addition of new food and venues. What I’m saying is they can’t forget their roots either. Mix it in.

What percentage of CP's annual revenue comes from international guests? Hell, what percentage of their annual revenue comes from guests west of the Mississippi?

Your question is actually my entire point.

Like any business you want to increase your market share. Cedar Point already has the local economic entertainment dollars. They have for the most part, maxed that out.

They need to push the international vacation destination envelope to grow.

Sorry but don’t see Sandusky, Ohio as a vacation destination. Weekend getaway or couple day getaway maybe but vacation destination that’s a stretch. Have to have more to offer around the area to be a vacation destination and that isn’t happening in Sandusky, Ohio

It may be an international destination for folks who are of a comparable level of coaster nerds, but I agree that I sincerely doubt Cedar Point is on the radar of the majority of hypothetical international travelers. At least as the primary destination, I've known a few that have looped through the area as part of a bigger trip, but none that have gone "just" for Cedar Point.

If Cedar Point was closer to Cleveland, you might be able to make it a stronger argument, but even then for as nice as I personally find the Cleveland area, it's still not gonna be in the top 10 destinations for someone from wherever saving up to visit the US.

MagnumMatt:

Sure I do. But it has done them well in the past.

At the expense of... everything else?

Food was AWFUL, but "people gotta eat"

Breakers was a dump, but "people gotta sleep"

The beach - the ENTIRE reason for the existence of Cedar Point - was massively under-utilized, with a 50 foot rectangle people could dip their toes in.

In-park music was played over horns everywhere, and the playlist hadn't been updated since who knows when, but it was.. something.

There was absolutely NO nightlife - nothing to do after the park closed to keep people who were staying entertained, or to pull people in later in the day and keep them past closing.

Industrial prison/elementary school/rest stop buildings with block walls and an institutional feeling.

I mean, I could go on and on, but you get the point. At least people got to say "Wheee!"

Never said at the expense of everything else, the mentioned items you stated needed done for sure but my point is don’t forget your bread and butter from the past. Mix it in with the other awesome improvements. That’s all I’m saying don’t for get your roots. I like what they’ve done and it’s made a huge difference. Even the water park improvements were a must in my mind.

MagnumMatt:

But it has done them well in the past.

That’s all I’m saying don’t for get your roots.

If you're an adult working in a real business, tell people how "we've always done it this way" works out for you. That sentiment will absolutely fail. Guaranteed.

Master D:
I am a bit puzzled myself why some here appear to be downplaying the importance of premier coasters at CP.

They're not. You know they're building a new coaster right now, right? You're confusing diversification with prioritization. It's not a binary or zero-sum arrangement.

Those of you stuck on this whole ALL THE ROLLYCOASTERS THE BEST AMAZEMENT!!!! are looking at this like teenage fanboys. Cedar Point is not a sports team. You're ignoring the fact that attendance has been essentially flat for decades at this point, even while they've added more and more days to the season. (I'm old enough to remember Labor Day as the end of the season.) The market is saturated, and frankly at risk because of the slight migration of people out of Michigan and Ohio. The only way you grow is to find new ways to get people to spend money, whether that be by way of in-park offerings or completely new businesses like Sawmill or the sports park. Another gigantic roller coaster will not move the needle, and it's questionable that it's even the reason to maintain the status quo. At best it's a good way to increase park capacity so people spend less time in line, or replace rides that reach the end of their service life.

MagnumMatt:

Never said at the expense of everything else

You don't have to, because those things, and much more all suffered for the sake the the coaster war. The experience at CP outside of coasters for the longest time was absolutely stale and unwelcoming - you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.

What are we even arguing about? I don't really think that CP is never going to ever install a large coaster again. They know that's a big part of their history but they also know they want to diversify themselves a bit because I'm sure for each enthusiast complaining there are an equal or greater number of families asking for exactly what they're currently planning to deliver.

If you're an adult working in a real business, tell people how "we've always done it this way" works out for you. That sentiment will absolutely fail. Guaranteed.

Don’t disagree that you have to improve but if certain aspects work why move away from that is what I’m saying. Keep doing what works but add to it and improve it. To me cedar point has been the leader when it comes to the biggest and best, keep that mentality and build on that. I guess you can say they have with SV a few years back and since they’ve done other kick butt improvements. Just would like to see another state of the art killer coaster soon.

I don't really think that CP is never going to ever install a large coaster again

I disagree, I think it’s not if it’s when.

There's a double negative in there. Yes CP will eventually build a new large coaster project. Hell it may have been sooner had their hands not been forced on a TTD adjustment

MagnumMatt:

the leader... the biggest and best

You keep using superlatives but you can't explain why any of them result in a more robust business.

e x i t english:

Industrial prison/elementary school/rest stop buildings with block walls and an institutional feeling.

But enough about the Raptor bathrooms

You keep using superlatives but you can't explain why any of them result in a more robust business.

IMO. I guess if you don’t agree with others here your opinion doesn’t matter. I don’t agree with everyone’s opinions here but don’t pick them apart either. To ME cedar point has always been the leader and produced the biggest and best coasters.

Many of their coasters were ranked the best many times.