Cheaper to eat at the Point, too

Thursday, 27 April 2006

First, the ticket prices, now the prices for park food goes down for 2006 season.

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point guests will not only get into the park for less money this season, but they will eat for less, too.

Throughout the entire park, all food items, except one, are either staying the same or being reduced in price, Cedar Point spokesman Bryan Edwards said Wednesday.

The hot dog meal basket dropped from $5.89 to $3.99; a chili cheesedog, $4.99 to $3.99; and a 20-ounce Pepsi soft drink bottle, $2.39, compared to last year's $2.75. Prices do not include tax.

As previously announced, formerly $3 sticks of cotton candy will be sold on the midway for 25 cents. A souvenir bag of the sweet treat drops from $5.89 to $2.49.

"We know money is tight," Edwards said. "We see prices going up on gas, food and groceries. If we can help people save money, why not? Some of these drops are huge."

On average, prices on food went down 20 percent, Edwards said. Only one item out of hundreds is going up -- and only 10 cents. A 24-ounce slush drink is now $3.59.

Edwards said this is the first time in the history of the park he can remember so many prices being lowered at the same time.

Guest comments may have played some role in the decision, but so did the park's lagging attendance the past few years.

"We are budget-friendly now," Edwards said.

In November, Cedar Point rolled out new admission prices in hopes of bringing 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.

The price of regular one-day admission is $39.95, down $5 from last year's $44.95.

Junior and senior tickets are $9.95. 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 get in free. Cedar Point opens May 6.

"We wanted to lower prices on two of the things that are most important to our guests, admission and food," said Lee Alexakos, director of marketing for Cedar Point.

Parent company Cedar Fair does not disclose sales in food for individual parks, but on a consolidated basis, food, merchandise and games revenue was $219.1 million in 2005 compared to $211.3 million in 2004, according to Stacy Frole, director of investor relations.

New prices

• The hot dog meal basket was $5.89, now $3.99

• Chili cheesedog was $4.99, now $3.99

• 20-ounce Pepsi soft drink bottle was $2.75, now $2.39

• French waffles, bag of a dozen, was $8.99, now $5.99

• Pizza Hut express pizza, 12-inch cheese, was $11.99, now $9.99

• Souvenir bag of cotton candy was $5.89, now $2.49

• A stick of cotton candy was $3, now 25 cents

*Prices do not include tax

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