Cedar Point nearly beats 31-year attendance record, despite overall Six Flags attendance

So, to summarize every parks' season recap....when the weather is nice, amusement park operators look pretty smart. When it rains or it is cold, not so much...

Honestly, it’s pretty impressive that they came that close to the all-time record. The first half of May was pretty miserable weather-wise, especially opening weekend. Even some of the Halloweekends days I went were complete washouts.

I also never found the park to be busy on the weeknights I visited. That said, I avoid weekends like the plague, so attendance may have been much heavier then.

What’s even crazier about the ’94 record is that there wasn’t a Halloweekends back then. I believe they only ran bonus weekends up through the first weekend of October. Raptor and The World’s Greatest Hypercoaster™ were such massive draws that year.

Two new proper coasters also helps… something not seen at regional since SF went ham with Geauga.

I find it interesting Brady was able to comment on the layoffs so strongly. Which makes me wonder with Bossul and Zimmerman out of the picture if the last CF people still standing, and with Reilly at the helm, they can rehire some, and fix that disaster.

Also Im pretty sure the J-1 program is pretty secure under Dumpf since it way more temporary (and essential to a-lot of his own businesses) but Im sure it’s tougher for CP to get international staff next year.

And at long last the causeway rehab talked about since the mid 90s around Sandusky, finally starts.

And a glimmer of hope with Colleen's comments on bathroom renovations. At least someone still gets it....

And a glimmer of hope with Colleen's comments on bathroom renovations. At least someone still gets it....

Most have at least had a decent refresh under Matt O (cause under Dick, they got nothing) but they could definitely do another refresh and better then they have.

Oct 2 was last bonus wknd, so only 3 post labor day. Also open to midnight on Fri and Sat. Also crazy to think CF was just VF and Dorney in 94.

What I'd like to know is how overall revenue compares when looking at 1994 and 2025. Adjusting for inflation, etc., how does the revenue compare. Because in 1994 you didn't have:

• Passes essentially being given away
• Meal and drink plans
• Season passes from 40+ parks valid for admission and parking

But you also didn't have:

• Fastlane
• Decent food and seasonal specialty items
• Orlando quality park merch
• Add ons for Halloweekends
• Valravn sunrise tour and other similar experiences

If the revenue is relatively comparable (or better) than I think the park is in good shape despite the odds. But if the revenue isn't what it was then (or what it was in the peak Ouimet days) then it doesn't really matter that you had all those turnstile clicks.

Revenue per guest and per operating day (adjusted for inflation) was certainly higher in 1994. The 1993 (only filing I could find quickly) per capita spending across the company was about $30, or about $65 in today's dollars. The last results reported per caps at $59. So to achieve that, they needed more operating days, more products, to make less per person, which implies higher operating cost.

Sharpel007:

at long last the causeway rehab talked about since the mid 90s around Sandusky, finally starts

Monorail … monorail … monorail!!!

If only….but a bike path, a 5th lane, and underground power is more then enough.

Jeff hit on why parks are dying right now- Inflation adjusted revenue is flat, while wages are definitely not. Inflation adjusted pay rates at CP in 1994 would have been $9.24/h today. Instead they are barely getting the park staffed at $15/h, even after working to automate as much labor as they could.