Cedar Point - has the Magic moved North?

[NavyDad]

We love Cedar Point. Used to live within a couple of hours so we could do day trips. I would love to go back and stay for 3-4 days.

That said - I belong to a few Cedar Point fan groups on facebook and those pages are 99.5% people complaining how the everything is dirty and not as nice as it was pre-covid. People complaining about staff shortages, long lines and customer service not being as good as it "used to be" which sounds pretty familiar between Cedar Point, Hershey Park, Disney and everything in between. Someone posted pictures recently of diapers, bandaids and other various trash all over the kids water splash area in the waterpark with staff just ignoring it.

I think every company that deals with tourism and travel is still dealing with some stuff post-covid and will take a little while to get back to normal. That said, our family is still going out and about as much as possible and just trying to be a bit more patient and understanding.

If you like roller-coasters you will not find a better place than Cedar Point. I highly recommend the gatekeeper winged coaster just inside the front gate.

 

[Jrb1979]

We love Cedar Point. Used to live within a couple of hours so we could do day trips. I would love to go back and stay for 3-4 days.

That said - I belong to a few Cedar Point fan groups on facebook and those pages are 99.5% people complaining how the everything is dirty and not as nice as it was pre-covid. People complaining about staff shortages, long lines and customer service not being as good as it "used to be" which sounds pretty familiar between Cedar Point, Hershey Park, Disney and everything in between. Someone posted pictures recently of diapers, bandaids and other various trash all over the kids water splash area in the waterpark with staff just ignoring it.

I think every company that deals with tourism and travel is still dealing with some stuff post-covid and will take a little while to get back to normal. That said, our family is still going out and about as much as possible and just trying to be a bit more patient and understanding.

If you like roller-coasters you will not find a better place than Cedar Point. I highly recommend the gatekeeper winged coaster just inside the front gate.

I was there a few weeks ago and I never experienced it being dirty. I did experience not everything open due to staff shortages. I do think that lack of staff of will take awhile to get back to normal.

I'm going back in a month for the 2nd time this year. It's my family's summer routine vacation spot.

 

[Apiper]

After several years of Annual Passes at Disney World, our family is taking a break from Disney after some disappointing, less than magical experiences the past year.

We've also been long term Annual Passholders at Cedar Point, so I'm excited to say that this season especially (I definitely noticed some changes last year too) was such a pleasant surprise - I almost felt the magic again - but at Cedar Point!

Some of my positive observations - if you've been to Disney World lately, maybe you'll see the contrast...
1) Gorgeous aesthetics and landscaping - Cedar Point looks amazing. The flowers and gardens are lovely and well groomed. We love flowers, and everything is gorgeous. The beach is clean and well maintained. Never once say even a tiny bit of garbage on the ground, and no overflowing trash bins. Restrooms were cleaned regularly and visibly (I can say the new trash bins with the heavy lids are icky on the inside)
2) It is so affordable. Season pass was $100/person, and an All Season Dining pass was around $150. That gets your two meals/day, four hours apart. The meal quality is above average and shareable, and Cedar Point has NEW reataurants open with a variety of choices. Parking is free with the Season Pass. So comparing that to a seven day Disney trip - Cedar Point park tickets plus dining for the WHOLE SUMMER = $250. That's the cost of about one day at Disney.
3) Staff quality - overall far better than Disney this season. Lots of smiles, offers to help, new Guest Experience booths everywhere, and a totally positive vibe.
4) Lines - long but they move. So many ride options, and their version of the DAS works great.
5) "The bubble" - it has felt like a real getaway each time we've gone. The beach helps, as well as the aesthetic. We were able to relax and not feel stressed or overwhelmed. It felt good.
6) Ride breakdowns - only for high winds and rain. Everything seemed to be open and running.

Is Cedar Point Disney? Not saying that - but for us, until Disney can figure out its glitches, ride breakdowns, horrible tech, Cast Member issues, food quality, crazy lines, park cleanliness, paying more or less, lack of Mousekeeping, on site transportation, etc - it's nice to have an alternative. I do remember reading that Cedar Fair had hired a former Disney exec a few years back, and it seems noticiable. They have a Frontier Festival right now with food and beverage offerings ala Food and Wine style; the Guest Experience booths - little bits of the old Disney Magic sprinkled around.

It's been super fun...and for $600 for a family of three (3 Gold Passes and 2 All Season Dining) for Cedar Point, and the their waterpark, and a pretty beach thrown in for THE WHOLE YEAR (May through Labor Day plus weekends through October) - you can't beat the value. No waiting for buses, all walkable...it was super exciting! Just wanted to share a happy story!

The Cedar Point Gold Pass (season ticket) is an unbelievable bargain. It is actually cheaper to get the season pass than buying a one day ticket. I find, however, that the dining costs (without the program that was mentioned) is far greater than the Disney costs. A Disney meal can often feed two and is cheaper than the similar CP meal, which does not feed two. $5 for a bottle of water at CP…don’t know about Disney. CP, though, stays out of politics.

 

[NavyDad]

I was there a few weeks ago and I never experienced it being dirty. I did experience not everything open due to staff shortages. I do think that lack of staff of will take awhile to get back to normal.

I'm going back in a month for the 2nd time this year. It's my family's summer routine vacation spot.

I can't wait to get back. We used to go a couple of times per year but have not made it back since 2016.

I think a common theme is people like to complain online.

We are planning a trip to Michigan (from PA) later this summer and hope to stop at Cedar point on the way.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I live an hour from cedar point and it is ANYTHING but magical. It’s terrible. Their staff is awful and don’t expect any customer service whatsoever. We have DVC and annual passes with disney. We drive down twice a year and would not even drive one hour to cedar point. Not even for the $99 annual pass.

 

[Jrb1979]

I live an hour from cedar point and it is ANYTHING but magical. It’s terrible. Their staff is awful and don’t expect any customer service whatsoever. We have DVC and annual passes with disney. We drive down twice a year and would not even drive one hour to cedar point. Not even for the $99 annual pass.

When's the last time you went? I went a few weeks ago and had wonderful service the whole time I was there. For example our season passes weren't active due to a mix up. Instead of having us leave and come back when it was fixed they gave us free park entry for the day.

They have always gone out of their way whenever my family has had issues.

 

[notatallmagic]

I live an hour from cedar point and it is ANYTHING but magical. It’s terrible. Their staff is awful and don’t expect any customer service whatsoever. We have DVC and annual passes with disney. We drive down twice a year and would not even drive one hour to cedar point. Not even for the $99 annual pass.

I would say n prior years, perhaps the service was hit or miss. This year has been wonderful - last year was better than usual. We've been going at least 20 times a year for about 18 years.

 

[Jaymarkm]

I love Cedar Park, King’s Island, Darien Lake, Hershey Park, the wacky one in Indiana I can’t remember the name of, heck I love the Erie County Fair—shout out to Buffalo NY —but yeah nothing to me compares to Disney. Parks are totally different and the places with accommodations just aren’t anywhere in same ballpark. $$ savings for sure (I could not believe how cheap the park I can’t remember in Indiana was, free drinks, free sunscreen, huge water park included).

But I’ve never been to Universal. I’m kind of afraid to go since I just bought DVC

Holiday World—that’s the name. That place is nuts!

 

[Jrb1979]

Just watched this vlog this morning. I think she did a great job showing off how great this park is

 

[leahgoogle]

I will definitely put CP on my research list. I have not been there in 30+ years! My family are diehard Disney Park fans. We had no desire to go anywhere else. We told my daughter that after she read the Harry Potter books, we would take her to Universal. Well, we ended up buying annual passes and went twice this year! The Harry Potter areas are impeccably themed and totally immersive. The Jurassic Area is good too. We just got back a couple weeks ago and I have absolutely no complaints. The team members were awesome and helpful. The hotel was clean and close to the parks. The lack of having to plan was great. Just get up and go to whatever park you want to. Express passes made wait times very low and were included with the premier hotel. I miss Disney, but until they work out the kinks, I will be visiting Universal/IOA.

 

[Jrb1979]

I will definitely put CP on my research list. I have not been there in 30+ years! My family are diehard Disney Park fans. We had no desire to go anywhere else. We told my daughter that after she read the Harry Potter books, we would take her to Universal. Well, we ended up buying annual passes and went twice this year! The Harry Potter areas are impeccably themed and totally immersive. The Jurassic Area is good too. We just got back a couple weeks ago and I have absolutely no complaints. The team members were awesome and helpful. The hotel was clean and close to the parks. The lack of having to plan was great. Just get up and go to whatever park you want to. Express passes made wait times very low and were included with the premier hotel. I miss Disney, but until they work out the kinks, I will be visiting Universal/IOA.

Did you ride the 2 best rides in the park in Hagrids and Velicoaster?

 

[leahgoogle]

Did you ride the 2 best rides in the park in Hagrids and Velicoaster?

Yep! Hagrids is my favorite ride! We rode it three times this last trip. I rode Velocicoaster once each trip and I was good...lol. The kids rode it multiple times!

 

[footballmouse]

We've always gone to Kings Island. The waterpark is included with the price of admission to the park ($50 one day ticket or $150 for gold pass). Since KI is owned by Cedar Fair, I'm surprised Cedar Point's waterpark is a separate admission price.

 

[Jrb1979]

We've always gone to Kings Island. The waterpark is included with the price of admission to the park ($50 one day ticket or $150 for gold pass). Since KI is owned by Cedar Fair, I'm surprised Cedar Point's waterpark is a separate admission price.

It's always been that way. But if you have a platinum or gold pass it's included.

 

[luv2cheer92]

We've always gone to Kings Island. The waterpark is included with the price of admission to the park ($50 one day ticket or $150 for gold pass). Since KI is owned by Cedar Fair, I'm surprised Cedar Point's waterpark is a separate admission price.

I definitely think KI is the better overall park between the two. That seems to be the general consensus among most as well.

 

[Genie+]

It’s just too far away from us to make good use of an AP but it is tempting.

https://www.cedarpoint.com/season-p...promo_aug_04&utm_id=23FSP&utm_content=renewal



Not bad. Buying a pass gets you the rest of this season plus all of 2023, and upgraded enhancements during 2023.

Carowinds: Prestige: $225 (plus taxes and fees), Prestige+ $325 (plus taxes and fees)
Cedar Point: Prestige: $299 (plus taxes and fees), Prestige+ $399 (plus taxes and fees)
Kings Island: Prestige: $299 (plus taxes and fees), Prestige+ $399 (plus taxes and fees)

Prestige+ get access to all parks.

 

[Jrb1979]

It’s just too far away from us to make good use of an AP but it is tempting.

https://www.cedarpoint.com/season-p...promo_aug_04&utm_id=23FSP&utm_content=renewal

View attachment 692183

Not bad. Buying a pass gets you the rest of this season plus all of 2023, and upgraded enhancements during 2023.

Carowinds: Prestige: $225 (plus taxes and fees), Prestige+ $325 (plus taxes and fees)
Cedar Point: Prestige: $299 (plus taxes and fees), Prestige+ $399 (plus taxes and fees)
Kings Island: Prestige: $299 (plus taxes and fees), Prestige+ $399 (plus taxes and fees)

Prestige+ get access to all parks.

It's worth it if you can make a long weekend out of it. If you have a park near you and can go a few times you will definitely get your moneys worth. I live 5 hours away and already been 4 times. Hoping to get one more trip in before the season ends.

 

[Jrb1979]

I'm loving the new additions for next year. It continues to add to be more family oriented.

 

[notatallmagic]

I love the announcements for next year - the Lake views and Boardwalk are so beautiful. We went up to the Cedar Point beach three times this week - walk on the beach, Starbucks, and a (free) meal with our all Season Dining pass (very solid food quality this year).

We went again today for about three hours. I have yet to see any trash on the ground. Staff levels are great with better service than is typical; food quality and portions are good at both BBQ spots and the Corral; haven't experienced any ride breakdowns; and midways were not crowded - landscaping was beautiful and well kept. It's not the "old" Disney that we loved, but for this season, it's been more enjoyable than what Disney is right now.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

We like it for a cheap, quick family vacation because we are close, and you are right--it does kind of have the bubble feel if you stay on property. But other than that, no comparison to Disney! Only my oldest enjoys thrill rides, my daughter and I like the more tame rides which Disney has an abundance of, Cedar Point doesn't though. The kids area is small and we don't care for the theming, honestly most of the magic of Disney is in the theming. We do like the beach though, and the cabins are great for families. Cedar Point is a 3 day trip for us, while 10 days in Disney is never enough!