Cedar Point goes national with ad

Look, the fact of the matter is, people from Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Detroit can drive up to CP, visit, and drive back home. Only the most hardcore (or cheap assed) family is going to drive to CP, visit and drive home from Chicago, Louisville or Baltimore. People that need hotels are people who travel distances (mostly) so to get butts in the beds you have to market to those who would be most likely to stay over.

Moreover, CP has just about reached 'market saturation' in its sphere of influence. They basically have to introduce major installations just to keep attendance up, primarily because all the people in the are that want to go to CP *alreasy* go to CP. To grow the business, they have to convince *new* people to go to CP. Tapping previously limited/unxplored areas is a good way to start.

Now, while I think going after Chicago peeps is a good strategy, that should reap rewards, I *do* question targeting the Baltimore area. Living here in DC, there are no less than SEVEN different amusement parks within about a four hours drive (Kennywood, Knoebels, Hershey, SFGAdv, SFA, PKD, BGW and several smaller ones). I dont know what tpye of penetration they will make in this market. I will note that either last year, or the year before, I saw commercials on a Bmore station for Kennywood. I wonder did that help them out any.

And just to respond to timber guy, I cannot see CP being percieved as any less "commercial" than SFI since every thing you get from CP in the way of tourist guides has Snoopy plasterd all over it. Furthermore, I'm not certain that the "lakeside" aspect will be a winner either, though that just might be me being jaded growing up a five minute walk away from Lake Michigan on Chicago's Southside!

What *will* go over big is just the chance to do something new. Most Chi peeps who are interested in amusement parks have been to SFGAm many times already. There is no real "big" competition other than the relatively *tiny* parks of Indiana Beach and Santa's Village. The thought of a HUGE park not *too* far away, would be very intriguing. From the few people I know of in Chi who have heard of Cedar Point, all of them are more excited about going there in the future than SFGAm, primarily because of the mindset that "different is better". Good move on Cedar Fair's part. My wallet will thank them :)

lata, jeremy

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The world's next Miss Universe?

The CP Billboard in Chicago was seen going Northbound on I-94 near where the Entenman's processing plant is just past O'Hare I believe. Near the Sprint PCS Watertower.

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BMCOASTER

bmcoaster@wi.rr.com

I like how people try to be such experts about everything on this site. It's so commical. :)

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YOUNGSTOWN 2010

I was wondering about the CP advertising myself. I have a friend who lives near Seattle, Washington. I got an e-mail just today (6/4) on where CP was, about CPs website and TTD. They said they saw it on T.V. and was interested in making a trip here in early fall. Could it be some show they had on CP or maybe a commercial of some kind.

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http://popupdreams.tripod.com
*** This post was edited by Starcraft Dad 6/5/2003 2:13:31 AM ***

I don't think CP has expanded their advertising radius to Seattle, but Top Thrill Dragster was featured on the CBS Early Show this past Monday. Here's the link in CB's news section.

-Matt
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I-4: The scariest ride in all of Orlando!

I think Cedar Point will be featured on Theme Park Road Trip tonight on the Travel Channel. Does anyone know if they got footage of TTD for the show?

Actually, the greatest thing about the billboard location in Illinois (northbound I-94), is that it is on the main highway that runs right next to Six Flags. :)

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"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
http://www.loopscrew.com

Actually, Cedar Fair is making out like a bandit. They're laughing all the way to the bank as we are talking about what is good and bad in their advertising. Those guys are still living in their mansions.

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YOUNGSTOWN 2010

I know a great number of Cedar Fair executives and I wouldn't consider any of their homes mansions. They are by no means poor but I wouldn't consider them vastly wealthy.

Mr. Kinzels house is the most visible one. Does that home look extravagant to you? I have been inside. It is nice but it is not a mansion. There are much bigger homes over in Sandusky.

Which one of his houses were you in?

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YOUNGSTOWN 2010

He doesn't own all of those houses on the Chausee.

timberguy said:
CP is more of a destination than SFGAm.

I could not disagree more. Some of you CP "slaves" disgust me. (Sorry if that was harsh, been driving me crazy lately)

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Warning: I do not think like the average person. My remarks have plenty of thought behind them. Take it for what it's worth, if you disagree, please, feel free to express it, but don't put me down because of it.
*** This post was edited by SFGAMDie HARD 6/5/2003 5:42:42 PM ***

It was reported in AB that Cedar Point will be marketing in the following areas: Baltimore; Washington D.C.; Philadelphia; New York City; and Chicago. This is a 3 year test program.

Carlo

SFGAmDieHARD,

My home park is SFGAm, and as much as I really like the park, you are seriously delusional if you believe that SFGAm is more of a "destination park" than CP.... How many resort hotels does GAm have? Oh, that's right, NONE. Yes, there are hotels nearby, but most of those didn't show up until AFTER Gurnee Mills Outlet Mall opened...but even so, the number of hotel rooms near GAm is nowhere near what there is at CP.

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--George H
---Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)

Redman, did not mean in the number of hotel rooms and accomodations. What else is there to do in Sandusky other than CP? Go to a basket factory? I mean come on, the Chicago area is more entertaining, like you mentioned, Gurnee Mills, which I think is the 2nd largest mall in America, and Six Flags Great America, I think that is more of a destination for a whole family than Sandusky and one theme park. The whole family doesn't necissarily like rollercoasters. Call me delusional, that is my take on it.

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Warning: I do not think like the average person. My remarks have plenty of thought behind them. Take it for what it's worth, if you disagree, please, feel free to express it, but don't put me down because of it.

I thought SIlver Dollar City was the WDW of the Midwest. I see those commercials all the time when I have visited Denver, Chicago, KC, StL, and a few other cities.

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Do you bleed Blue?

wahoo skipper said:
He doesn't own all of those houses on the Chausee.

I don't mean just there. How about someplace warm, Florida?

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YOUNGSTOWN 2010

The classification of a "destination park" to me would be a theme park that lures visitors (usually families) from far distances to solely participate in their offerings. Sure, there are many destination cities that have theme parks, but how many people specifically go there just for the parks?

Most families don't go to Branson just to go to SDC. Most families don't go to Washington DC just to go to SFA. However, many families do go to places like Orlando, and even Sandusky, just to take part in the theme park offerings. I cannot think of any other US cities off the top of my head (well, MAYBE Williamsburg) that draw families to them for the sole purpose of going to a theme park, usually for multiple days at a time.

-Matt
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I-4: The scariest ride in all of Orlando!

I would add the SoCali and Wisconsin Dells to the list of ''destination parks.'' Sandusky/Cedar Point does have Soak City, which may appeal to non-coaster riders and families.