Price drop is a first for Cedar Point

Tuesday, 01 November 2005

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point hopes reduced prices bring guests back to the park.

For the first time since implementing a pay-one-price ticket program in 1970, the price of a regular one-day admission ticket has decreased.

Next summer, the price of regular one-day admission will be $39.95, down $5 from this summer's price of $44.95.

Junior and senior tickets will remain $9.95 for next season, at least. Cedar Point reduced them from $24.95 to $9.95 in August to boost attendance after some guests said they couldn't afford the prices. Children age 2-younger are free.

"We want to bring those families back who didn't come this year and didn't come last year," Edwards said.

Edwards said Cedar Point didn't out-price itself, but the weak economy combined with high gas prices kept people from visiting.

Cedar Point had 3.2 million guests in 2004, down 4 percent from 2003. Through Labor Day attendance at Cedar Point was down 2 percent. Total attendance for this year is expected to be announced today.

"I think this is a very, very wise decision with the lower admission price," said Michael Burkes, president of the Great Ohio Coaster Club.

"People may still be able to get coupons by Pepsi cans, and this will bring more families and couples to the park because it is going to be cheaper."

Burkes said he remembers 30 years ago, a family of four could get into the park for the price of one Cedar Point regular admission ticket today.

"I so believe with this lower admission price, this will bring back people there by the droves, he said.

Cedar Point is also lowering two other admission tickets. A Starlight ticket went from $27 to $24.95; and the Ride & Slide ticket has been reduced from $67.95 to $64.95.

Edwards said the park will lower or maintain food prices as well.

Next season, cotton candy will be sold on the midway for 25 cents. It used to be $3. Other food prices will be determined in the off-season.

"It's just another way to give back to guests," Edwards said.

CPA Allen Nickles said he doesn't know if Cedar Point's lower prices will create a price war because the nearest competitor is King Islands, Cincinnati, Ohio. Cedar Point owns the other nearby amusement park, Geauga Lake, Aurora, Ohio.

Nickles said he thinks gas prices have hurt the tourism industry.

"It is reflective of the times," Nickles said of the need for discounts.

"We need to promote tourism in the area.

Goin' down

• Regular admission will be $39.95, down $5 from this summer's price of $44.95.

• Junior and senior tickets will remain $9.95, reduced from $24.95 in August.

• Ride & Slide ticket has been reduced from $67.95 to $64.95.

• Cotton candy, sold for $3 this year, will be 25 cents next year.

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

Copyright 2005 the Sandusky Register. All rights reserved.

All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of the Sandusky Register or FunCoast.com. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.