Cedar Point reduces hours, will operate weekends-only starting in mid-August
SANDUSKY, Ohio — Cedar Point is reducing its operating hours next month, and will be closed during the week starting in mid-August.
The move is likely due to low attendance numbers, according to industry experts. The park is also having difficulty hiring staff.
“Cedar Point is adjusting its operating hours to better align the park operation with the needs of our guests during the pandemic,” said park spokesman Tony Clark.
The park made the announcement via Twitter this morning.
Starting Monday, Aug. 17, the park will be open weekends only (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through (and including) Labor Day, Sept. 7. The park is currently open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.
The park has not announced hours yet for its annual HalloWeekends event.
Earlier this week, the park discontinued its advanced reservation system, informing guests that they no longer need to make a reservation to visit the park. That, too, was a sign that the park is not attracting nearly the number of visitors that officials had hoped for or anticipated.
“The people are not ready to return yet when it comes down to it,” said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services in Cincinnati. “There are still so many unknown factors when it comes to Covid.”
Cedar Point opened July 9 amid uncertain expectations – no one knew how many people would venture to an amusement park in the midst of a global health pandemic.
The park developed a detailed plan designed to keep guests and employees safe, including limits on the number of people who could come. But those capacity limits turned out to be unnecessary – the park doesn’t appear to be attracting anywhere close to normal crowds.
Cedar Point’s sister park, Kings Island, also announced reduced hours, starting in mid-August, earlier this week.
Read more:
Visiting Cedar Point during a pandemic: small crowds, face masks, coaster fun
