Is The New Cedar Fair Strategy A Smart Move For Business At The Parks?
Image: Cedar Fair
Cedar Fair reported a strong increase in attendance for 2018 ( This was after a dismal start to the year.). That was one of the major takeaways from the companies annual year-end conference call. What most enthusiasts found shocking ? Major rides and coasters being brought along across years instead of year to year. What does this mean for the future of the parks in the Cedar Fair chain?
Last year, Cedar Fair debuted Steel Vengeance (Cedar Point), Railblazer (California Great America), and Hangtime (Knotts Berry Farm). This year, they are set to open Copperhead Strike (Carowinds) and Yukon Striker (Canada’s Wonderland). Cedar Fair won’t be debuting multiple big projects every year. Instead, the company says they’ll be, “stretching out the cadence of the more significant investments.”
This tells us we won’t be a getting the sooner rather than later approach we’ve been used to. The new 2019 coasters ( and the Kings Island giga in 2020) will still be there, however, anything after 2020 is a mystery.
Rumors had Dorney Park getting a wooden GCI. We also know Cedar Point is planning something for their 150th. Although, the latter two might be up in the air at this point.
Six Flags reveals something new for each of its parks every year. Some of these additions are small and other massive. There’s usually a big coaster unvieled at one of their parks (sometimes two). Cedar Fair wants to do the complete opposite.
It’s a bold strategy for Cedar Fair. A lot of their business comes from locals. It’s not always necessary to put a new ride at their smaller regional parks. They’ll get the business regardless.
The destination parks like Cedar Point, Kings Island, Knotts, Canada’s Wonderland, and Carowinds need the big additions every year.
These are the parks that attract the visitors from across the world. The money-makers the company is always investing money into. Adding new coasters brings up the attendance in these parks greatly. Expect Cedar Fair to build more in these parks.
What kind of attractions can we expect from Cedar Fair going forward? I’d say we’ll get some very non-exciting additions. Perhaps stuff for Planet or Camp Snoopy or ride enhancements. It’s possible new restaurants are added as well. Similar to what Kings Island got in 2018 with Coney Island BBQ.
While Cedar Fair is adopting this new strategy, they likely still have big projects in the pipeline. They aren’t abandoning massive thrill rides forever. It’s a good thing Cedar Fair is adopting this strategy. This will make the bigger coasters and attractions seem like a much more of spectacle and event than they are usually.
In the end, Cedar Fair isn’t hurting for business. It does remain to be seen how this new strategy will work out. How long does this hold up? It’s anyone’s guess. Just don’t be upset at the lack of big new thrills at your local Cedar Fair park.
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
