Cedar Fair August attendance and revenue up

But what's up with Knott's? A new coaster and attendance drops by 5%? And with the increased tourists from Disney's 50th? Me thinks it is time for some family attractions like a new dark ride, cause the coasters are not helping drive attendance.

Glad to see GL's attendance had a big boost in August.

I think it just goes to show that the resort destinations like Knott's and Cedar Point are hurting, compared to the local destinations like Michigan's Adventure and Geauga Lake, where folks are willing to drive there and drive home that evening.

Blame it on the weather! All the parks with attendance boosts have included water parks which are popular this year because of the hot weather.

I'm really glad to hear about Geauga Lake. That's really good news.

We had a very rainy winter and spring here. Plus Disney has stolen a lot of thunder with their big 50th celebration.

Yeah, I think at least part of the reason Knott's isn't 'feeding off Disneyland' is because people are actually going to Disneyland for the 50th and not Knott's. I don't know if they necessarily need another dark ride, I definitly wouldn't complain, but they just took one out, and have, what two others? Although a family shoot-em-up could be fun.

Don't know what Knott's really needs, but I think this is just an off year because of the whole Disney thing. Really glad to hear about GLP as well, I think they'll get there eventually.

I am glad to hear good news about Geagu Lakes attendance.

That GL news is great, I cant wair to see numbers next year after the water park expansion. I wouldnt be surprised to see GL the park of choice for NE Ohio, most people go ahead and get combo passes. I know most of my friends and I only took about 1-2 trips to CP, its too crowded, hot, and pretty much a concreate jungle. On the other hand, we took many (though not as long) trips to GL, that water park is great and the park has more feeling to it. Sure CP is nice, but GL offers a lot CP could never offer again.

Also keep in mind most people within a 3 hour drive of CP usualy go a few times a year, with nothing really new( they barely talked about maXair) why would people want to make the trip?

The park of choice?

I like a good waterpark as much as the next guy--probably more--but I doubt any of them could quadruple a park's annual attendance. Especially a park that already had one to begin with.

-'Playa

you can't blame the attendance drop on the weather. becuase August here has been the 4th rainiest month on record and GL still managed to draw people. Look at CP they had a drop too. I think GL, MiA, and DP had boosts because they had lower ticket prices than the "main" parks. Plus for most people it takes about 20-45 minutes to drive to GL, while it takes 1hour-3hours for most to drive to CP.

^ Well the attendance drop in Q1 at Knott's is true, as every time it rains here Knott's closes! It's weird as I have been to all CF parks and everyone still stays in the rain, but not in California!

TeknoScorpion: I disagree as Knott's best attendance year on record, exceeding 5 mill annual visits, coincided with Disneyland's 30th anniversary and also leftover tourism from the 84 Olympics. Cedar Fair called Knott's "America's First Theme Park", so why not advertise that to all the tourists coming for Disneyland. It's only a 6 mile distance between the two parks.

What is it with people in Southern California that they can't deal with a little bit of rain?

Jazma, true, but look at what else you pointed out:

...coincided with Disneyland's 30th anniversary and also leftover tourism from the 84 Olympics.

There aren't anything else other than Disney's 50th for them to feed off of. Now, I'm not saying this as fact, just my stated opinion. However, this is post 9/11, when gas was already too high due to the country at war to begin with, and now it sky rocketed in the past few weeks. Course, the past few weeks haven't shown the toll taken yet, but the already high gas prices and stuff could be another effect on Knott's being down.

Oh, and 50 years is so much cooler than 30 anywho ;). Was it the same for other milestones w/o an Olympics, such as 20, 25, 40? Just curious, not a challenge, and I'm too lazy ;).

Oh, and Jeff, you know the saying. "It never rains in Southern California". Not only did Tony, Toni, Toney sing a song with that, but so did someone else I don't really care to recall ;).

^^ Yes, but Knott's only gets (if they are lucky) 3.5 mil a year now, down from 5 mil.........that's a pretty huge decline, one which they have never recovered from even with all the capital improvements Cedar Fair has added since acquiring the property.