What shall come to pass?

Monday, 29 May 2006

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Season passholders want to know what Cedar Fair is going to do for them.

Ever since Monday's announcement of its purchase of Paramount Parks, the Sandusky-based partnership has been peppered with questions.

"Will there be an Ohio pass?"

"Will the pass be good for all parks?"

"Will pass prices go up?"

Company officials say decisions could be months away -- let alone when it's made public. Still, the indecision, hasn't stopped the suggestions and predictions.

According to Jeff Putz, publisher of CoasterBuzz.com., enthusiasts would like to enjoy a chain-wide season pass the way they have at Cedar Fair for years.

Putz said it's reasonable to assume Cedar Fair will continue operating that way, but will look at how much overlap there might be in the Ohio market -- just as they did when they bought Geauga Lake, he said.

Putz said he suspects Cedar Fair will do an "Ohio pass," which would be an upgrade on any Cedar Point, Geauga Lake and Kings Island pass. Season passes to other parks will be good at any Ohio park.

Cedar Fair offers $154.95 combo passes for adults, which include the use of its seven amusement parks and five waterparks.

A $99.95 Cedar Point season pass for adults includes everything but the use of Cedar Point's Soak City and Geauga Lake and its waterpark, which is only 90 miles away in Aurora, Ohio. However, guests can buy a $130 Cedar Point pass for unlimited use of Geauga Lake.

Season passes for this year will not change for Cedar Fair or Paramount, even when the transaction closes in the third quarter, said Dick Kinzel, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair.

Come next year, Kinzel said he's sure something will be worked out to include all of Cedar Fair's properties.

As far as an Ohio pass, that's something to be considered with three Cedar Fair parks in Ohio now, he said.

Newly acquired Kings Island, near Cincinnati, Ohio, is about four hours away.

"This area is an amusement park Mecca," Kinzel said.

Kings Island and Cedar Point bring in more than 3 million guests annually. Cedar Fair's Knott's Berry Farm, near Los Angeles, also does more than 3 million. The newly-acquired Canada's Wonderland, near Toronto, Canada, brings in similar attendance.

Cedar Fair doesn't intend to change the two-for-one idea at any of its new parks, Kinzel said. Admission into Kings Island includes the amusement park and waterpark.

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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