why has CP survived as long as it has?

I haven't been to CP yet(first trip in a month from now) but I was scanning the historical part of the site yesterday. I'm not a spring chicken so remember places like "Six Gun Territory". I have also had season pases to Cypress Gardens the last few years(Florida resident). From pictures of CP in the 60's ,it seemed to have the same county fair type atmosphere of those two parks. I know SST was basically killed by Disney and the gas shortage. Cypress Gardens is growing but I don't think it has the land to ever become a coaster park. But there is a certain feel to both that one misses at a Universal or Busch. I visited Knotts a few years back(the year it's mini TTD went in..broken down sadly) and it has the old feel to it. Does CP still keep that even with the "higher tech" coasters? For those who obviously have been numerous years and love CP, what is your opinion of why it survived when parks around it have failed?

by the way..I KNOW I spelled survived wrong in the title(sheepish look).
*** Edited 5/19/2006 12:04:57 PM UTC by fastfish1***

The Cedar Point that started in 1870 was nothing like you see today. Even when they had coasters and rides in the 20s and 30s, it still wasn't like it is today. The park was going to become a housing develop after the very low times due to the war, but around the mid 50s when the owner (forget his name) saw the new Disneyland was doing well, he decided that the "Disneyland of the Midwest" could very well be Cedar Point. It was then that the park added lots of rides and started to look something like the park we know and love today. In the 60s, Blue Streak was built and in 69 Frontier Town opened. The 70s were a great time for the park, they became well known when they built revolutionary rides at the time with Corkscrew and Gemini. The 80s brought more fame to the park, and then Magnum was built. That one ride carried CP into the 90s with popularty spreading all throughout the country. From there, CP hasn't let go of being the park with the greatest rides in the world and has added a new thrill ride almost ever two years since then.

For a very old park, CP stands out because it is constantly updated with new, high tech thrills, but still maintains that classic feel that have made the park a tradition for thousands each year.

Thanks for the response Gomez. Glad the park hasn't lost the old feel and can still keep young people. Somehow I ,think Disney hasn't accomplished that at WDW. Last time I was there was about 15 years ago. Very little for older /coaster oriented people. It feels a little too dated somehow. On the other hand Universal and Busch both "feel" very commercial.

Fastfish,

If you want to really see the progression of Cedar Point, I'd recommend checking out Cedar Point: The Queen of American Watering Places. This is a wonderful book that is full of the park's history, including pictures. There's also a foreword by Mr. Kinzel (or at least there is in my edition).

http://www.cfmarketplaces.com/acb/stores/1/Cedar-Point-The-Queen-of-American-Watering-Places-P100C21.aspx

What do you mean WDW doesn't have much for the older crowd?

I guess I'm not really much of a "coaster fan" because I would spend weeks at Disney.

-Josh

I have to agree. We went last fall for our honeymoon at Disney. There isn't another place I'd want to go, we're already trying to save money to be able to go back.

As many here already know, I am a huge WDW fan. We are planning on a fall trip to take advantage of their free dining plan promotion. Like Josh said, I could spend weeks there.

The dining plan is great. I don't know if they still allow it, but we were able to use it at Coral Reef (Living Seas) for dinner. Talk about a bargain. My wife got the lobster which is listed as "market price". I think that alone was around 40 bucks.

Is this Cameron's first trip?

Josh..One day or two max in a space of several years would be about all I could do Disney. I went when it opened in '70(remember real "e ticket " rides) I love "pirates of the Carribbean" still and space mountain but most of the rides are really for kids or parents giving kids the Disney experience. Main street there is fantastic and the Castle. Theming is their forte'. They were right to do away with 20,000 leagues...it was getting old and cheezy! I just think they don't do enough to appeal to the thrill ride market or people from 15-30. Probably why they built MGM but it still doesn't have a lot...

The dining plan is a tremendous deal. Each person in your party gets one snack, one counter service meal and one table service meal per night of stay. And it's even more than it sounds like. A table service meal, for example, would include an appetizer, entree, dessert for each person. Can you imagine a family of four being allowed four appetizers before dinner? I doubt most people would even want to eat all the food that you're allowed.

The dining plan is a good deal when you pay for it. Throw in their fall promotion where it's free and you can really get a cheap Disney vacation. A family of four for six nights at a Disney resort property can get a room, park hopper tickets, AND all the food in the dining plan for less than $1,500.

If it works out, this will actually be his third visit.

Fastfish - From the context of your post, it sounds like you're missing half of what Disney has to offer. But that's a common trap. A lot of people even think that Disney is a Magic Kingdom and nothing else.

Sorry if I sounded like a Disney commercial. :)

*** Edited 5/19/2006 3:22:45 PM UTC by Walt***

walt...I may have also gotten tired of Disney in '79/'80. College roommate worked there in accounting(the underground catacombs) so I got free tickets through him. The detail in the place still astounds me! Very few parks match it in that respect. I guess my thought of CP so far from posts here is that they have found a happy medium.Seems like one of the keys to their survival

We got the free promotion last year and it was great. That much more available for souvenirs and adult beverages. After we got back, we kinda looked at how much we spent on food and how much the plan would have cost, and there is no doubt that we will be getting the plan every time we go. I don't even think we used all the snacks either. But it was nice to not have to worry about what you get because it might cost too much. It was on the plan so we didn't even look at prices.

FastFish, I'm 25 and there is still plenty for me there. Disney is more than the thrills. The shows are better than anywhere else, and there aren't too many places left anymore that can pull off a dark-ride like Disney.

jugga...I went to Disneyland while in CA a few years back. "It's a smallworld "there is leagues beyond orlando's as far as outer theming and I think I liked the "pirates" there better(passing the crowds at dinner). You're right about the dark rides. Either "Haunted mansion" is worth multiple trips. I'm 47...you'd think I'd appreciate the gentler rides more but ilove being beat up by a wooden coaster still!

juggalotus..before I forget..love your ongoing trip report.

Yeah, I'm hoping to get part 3 up this weekend, we'll see if it happens though.

jeff...Is the book available at CP? Will probably pick up one while there if so. Love historical stuff.

Yes, I remember seeing it at the Pagoda if I remember correctly.

Universal Studios. Anyone been there, other than Jeff?

To me it could become bigger and better (To me it's better) than Disney but I wonder where they would get the land.

CP4..I'm going back to universal on Monday(combination birthday and graduation party for daughter and friends). I had season passes for two years so have been probably 20 times.I do enjoy it more than Disney in some aspects. Haven't done the Mummy ride yet so looking forward to that this trip though sad to see Kong gone. I can't see them growing much larger either because of land .Orlando property values are astounding!