Gas prices don't stop coaster fans

Monday, 08 May 2006

By LAURA LINDSAY
lauralindsay@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - The cost of gasoline is not high enough to stop many travelers -- at least not those people who were visiting Cedar Point during its opening weekend.

Some people said when the cost of fuel rises over $3 a gallon, their vacation plans may be deterred. But nothing will stop them from visiting Cedar Point, park guests said Sunday.

"We don't travel that much and since we had four people in our vehicle for the three-hour trip, the cost seemed to average out," said Dan Jones, 48, of Richmond, Ind.

"We are not concerned about gas prices yet, and we will take longer trips," he said. "I think people are driving as much as they always have."

Jacob Duke, 22, of Anderson, Ind., said he is comfortable with the cost at the pump.

"And there is not much we can do about it," he said. "But as gas prices get much higher it may deter what I do this summer."

If the price continues rising, plans will change, said Jim Valli, 58, of Cleveland.


Cedar Point has lowered its admission prices as well as the prices of some of the food in an effort to boost attendance this season. Register photo/ABIGAIL BOBROW
"We live with the cost of fuel because unfortunately, driving is still the cheapest form of travel," said Lilli Brown, 46, also of Cleveland.

Some families, like the Browns, take short trips so they generally are not overburdened by the cost of gasoline.

Others, like a few park guests from West Virginia, only take a trip once a year and spend minimal time in their vehicles from day-to-day.

Others do feel financial strain from the rising cost of fuel.

"We can't go anywhere," said Diana Fox, 33, of Detroit. "We are traveling less and spending more time in the backyard."

Dave Van Auken said the price of fuel does not bother him, but it is a concern for some of his employees.

"Gas prices are high," said Van Auken, 57, who is local resident and a Cedar Point season pass holder.

"I don't think it will keep anybody from coming to Cedar Point. But the cost of gasoline is affecting some younger adults."

The price of gasoline can affect people on a day-to-day basis rather than drastically affecting travel plans, said Rich Fox, 38, of Detroit.

"We made our reservations to visit Sandusky in February, so we were coming regardless of the cost," Diana Fox said. "And vacations are a planned expense."

Though they would not miss out on a trip to Cedar Point, some people said the price of gasoline is a ridiculous.

And they offered some ways to deal with this rising cost at the pump.

"We are up here on business so somebody else is paying out travel expenses," Mike Adkins, 29, of West Virginia.

Rich and Diane Fox are going to trade their sports utility vehicle in for a minivan, they said.

Scott, 32, and Rita Alexander, 39, of Medina, said they are carpooling more than in the past.

It is now nearly as cheap to fly as it is to drive, said Jessica Nordstorm, 28, who took a flight from Alabama to Ohio.

Ellen Jones said her entire family drives fuel-efficient Hondas. Her family owns five Hondas.

"But the United States should be considering alternative forms of fuel rather than using up all the gas," Jones said. "There is talk about the high price of gas, but rarely any talk about using less gas."

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

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