Major Chain Considering Free Parking and/or Free Drinks?

Y'know, I could see Cedar Fair at least considering rolling the parking into their admission fee, for two reasons--

1) Consider Kings Island, specifically. That park does an incredible amount of season pass business, and nearly every season pass includes parking. The only way to get a season pass at that park that doesn't include parking is to buy it after Memorial Day. Okay, then, so how much are they really taking in at the toll booth anyway? And when you compare it to the labor costs, the costs for the equipment in the toll booths, and any shrinkage that may happen out there, is it worth the cost? They could go to a single attendant with a single cash box for upgrade parking, make the rest of the lot "free" and probably discover what Kennywood did: that more people will pay for upgrade parking when it's a cheap upgrade over the free stuff. How many more of their parks are in similar situations now?

2) Consider Cedar Point, specifically. About every other year, Sandusky tries to raise a little more revenue by instituting a special tax on parking fees. Cedar Point has the only paid parking lot in town. All they have to do in order to avoid the tax is...not charge for parking.

The exception, of course, is Gilroy Gardens, where the Platinum Pass is no good for parking, because Cedar Fair doesn't own the parking facility.

I have to think that it at least bears looking into. Unfortunately, I fear it's wishful thinking on my part. I half expected Paramount to do it, but I question whether Cedar Fair looks at their operations that "holistically": if the parking lot doesn't generate revenue, then how do you pay for it?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Not to mention the soda angle. I doubt CF is considering it after they completely nixed the (very well received) unlimited soda bracelets at CP and KI before the summer rush last year.

It's too late for this to fly THIS season, so I don't think the rumor has any legs.

And I'd be shocked if Disney did this. With the company under the gun for childhood obesity and diabetes to the point that their kid meals default as fruit/veggies and a juice cup (even when the vast majority will go with the fries/soda option), the last thing Disney needs is a PR battle. Yes, the resort mugs and unlimited drink refills during meals at table service and buffet restaurants are there, but these are pretty standard practices.

This works brilliantly at Holiday World and Lake Compounce because no one is going to blast relatively smaller endearing parks -- and clearly guests are grateful. Disney, unfortunately, would get skewered. Even EPCOT's free soft drink station -- in the guise of cultural enlightenment -- relies on tiny cups to give the impression of samples, even though I know full well that you're on your fifth sample cup of Mezzo Mix, mister.

Paris said:
even though I know full well that you're on your fifth sample cup of Mezzo Mix, mister.

Perhaps, but I can't envision being on my fifth Beverly!

As long as there is a Fruit Punch, Sprite, Water, and Diet options in the soda fountain how is it Disney's fault if your kid decides to drink 30 Cokes in one day?

Are you implying that Sprite and Fruit Punch are healthy?

Parents think they are, besides what really is "healthy?"

Water-Very dangerous on a hot day, because it doesn't replenish electrolytes

Milk-Unless its skim, has saturated fat. Not to mention a lot of this country is allergic to it

Soda: Loaded with fructose and has a fair amount of sodium too.

Diet Soda: Has a lot of sodium, phenylalanine, and some think is a cancer risk.

Any fruit drink: Weither its natural or not is again loaded with sugar

You know what we just shouldnt drink anything.

Or maybe you should know you should have all of these in moderation...

I agree that parents often times have strange notions about what is healthy for their kids to drink (and eat). Also agree that moderation is important. But I only drink water and have never had any problems even on extremely hot days. Free drinks at an amusement park isn't of much interest to me (wife and kids often drink something other than water but not enough for it to be a big expense). Never like paying for parking in lots that are part of the place/business I am visiting. One way or the other though, you will pay for it.

Touchdown said:
Water-Very dangerous on a hot day, because it doesn't replenish electrolytes

That's an extremely misleading statement.

Water is not dangerous on a hot day...

Saying that something is dangerous because it doesn't include something else is kind of a meaningless statement.

Breast milk is dangerous for babies because it doesn't have enough iron. Breathing is dangerous because it doesn't have vitamin C. Exercising is dangerous because it doesn't have the vaccine for chicken pox.

What?

Touchdown said:
Water-Very dangerous on a hot day, because it doesn't replenish electrolytes

You can't be serious. Not having water is dangerous because, you know, you'll die without it. Desert cultures have managed to survive for thousands of years without Gatorade®.

^But only because they also ate salted meats. If you only drink water on a hot day, and don't get electrolytes some other way (eating) you are going to be as bad off as not drinking water. You can still get heat stroke if you only drink water and not replenish your electrolytes.

A heat stroke is temporary. Diabetes is forever.

Heat Stroke is also quite fatal if not treated ASAP in a hospital.

Also Type II Diabetes is not forever, it has been shown that patients initially diagnosed with the disease were able to fall below the threshold with diet and exercise.

You're shifting to completely irrelevant context (my fault given my desert example). There is no question, at all, that during the course of a day at an amusement park, water is better for you than any form of soda or other product coming from the fountain.

Water is delicious. Soda and sugary drinks are okay, sometimes, but not every time.

I usually don't even buy a lot of water when I am at a park. I have a water bottle hook thingy, and I use a regular sized bottle, clipped to my belt loop. I'm thirsty. :)

(I still haven't been to HW yet) Free soda would probably make me drink more sugary fruit punch stuff, but not more soda. Then again, what difference does that make, it's still sugar.

^They do have diet soda, coffee, tea, and Gatorade (which has half the sugar of regular soda).

First time I ever saw Gatorade on tap.

I drink a lot of Gatorade, so that's pretty cool!

^Actually, if you want no sugar or calories, you should consider drinking Powerade Zero.

Unfortunately Gatorade doesn't offer that.