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New general manager says CP can be better

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point's new general manager considers the park "the best in the world," but that doesn't mean he is taking that for granted.

"Cedar Point is a great institution, but I certainly don't view myself as a caretaker," said John Hildebrandt, formerly Cedar Point's vice president of marketing and general manager of Cedar Point's sister park, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, near Allentown, Pa.

Cedar Point General Manager John Hildebrandt stands in front of the amusement park's newest attraction, maXair. Register photo/JASON WERLING

"My job is to grow the business, make the experience even better for guests."

Among his visions are continuing to market Cedar Point as a regional destination, while putting more emphasis on it as a national vacation spot.

Hildebrandt, 55, took over as general manager and vice president in March.

"We have an absolutely unique and world-class collection of thrill ride and coasters, plus we have created a resort component that gives us the opportunity to attract more overnight visitors," Hildebrandt said.

Attendance at Cedar Point was down 4 percent to 3.2 million guests in 2004 compared with the year before.

Unlike the park's previous 135 years, Cedar Point added a year-round component with the opening of the Castaway Bay indoor waterpark in November, he said. One of the challenges will be integrating Castaway Bay more with Cedar Point.

"Most of the people who stay at Castaway Bay will come to Cedar Point," Hildebrandt said.

Hildebrandt also doesn't believe that Cedar Point's HalloWeekends has reached its full potential, although it has grown "tremendously in eight seasons," he said.

Hildebrandt was part of the team that pitched and executed the idea of HalloWeekends, which started in 1997.

"You can't stand still in any business, especially this one," he said. "There's lots of competition for the leisure dollar. People have lots of choices for entertainment. We have to offer a unique and compelling experience and one that has value."

Although mum on when the next big roller coaster will debut at Cedar Point, "We certainly aren't going to shy away from being No.1 in roller coasters, Hildebrandt said.

"I think that John gets it," said Walt Schmidt, publisher of an unofficial Cedar Point Web site, www.pointbuzz.com. "I think he understands that Cedar Point is an unique park and he is somebody who understands the whole picture."

When Hildebrandt left for Dorney Park in 2004, he didn't imagine he would be asked to return to lead Cedar Point less than one year later, but he's glad for the chance.

"I was a specialist," he said. "Now, I am in the process of becoming a generalist. In the past year, I've really learned to appreciate the contributions of other disciplines and departments to the park, he said about his time at Dorney Park. "It's very much a team effort."

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com