Were you fortunate to make it to a Cedar Fair at least once (or 10) this summer? Traveling to Cedar Point, Kings Island, Carowinds, Dorney Park or any of the other Cedar Fair parks is a blast throughout the year, especially when you can enjoy long days in the park and late nights under the lights of the midway. However, once the temperatures start to drop, there are lots of reasons to love Cedar Fair parks in the fall.

1) Decorations

Starting around August each year, guests visiting the parks can get into the fall spirit by seeing some of the decorations start to take shape around the park. Maybe you will see a Haunt vehicle here or a hearse there. Slowly as you get closer to fall, you will begin to see the park transformed into an entirely new experience, especially after dark.

Fall also means new kids and family activities throughout the day. Then once the sun goes down, the fog starts to roll in and the entire atmosphere becomes captivating.

2) Park Improvements

There is nothing that gets park enthusiasts blood running faster than with the announcement of improvements for the next season. Typically sometime in August or September, the parks have their official release of the next years improvements, whether they be a new roller coaster, rides, or dining enhancements. Shortly thereafter, guests going into fall can watch the early progress of construction, building excitement to carry them into spring and the park reopening.

3) Character Spirit

Everyone gets into the fall spirit at the parks, and that includes Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Bring the family out during the day and see your favorite characters dressed up just for Halloween.

Or if you visit Cedar Point during the day, you may get lucky and see Tony Clark, the Communications Director driving around the midway parade in a boiling pot of witches brew. Everyone gets in on the action.

4) Unique Menu Offerings

While the leaves are changing, so does the food that nurtures the soul, preparing our bodies for winter. That is why we love the food scene at the parks for fall. Find warm cider, pumpkin treats, food stands that are only brought out for Haunt, unique food events, and freshly prepared kettle corn.

References:
2017 Canada’s Wonderland Haunt Food
2017 Valleyfair Blood Suckers Buffet & Brew Bar
2017 Dorney Park Fright Feast
Review: Cedar Point Halloweekends Specialty Baked Potatoes
2017 California’s Great America Haunt Boofet
2017 Cedar Point Boeckling’s Banquet
2017 Cedar Point Night of the Living Fed

5) Dwindling Crowds

Halloweekends/Haunt are historically the busiest time of the year to visit the park, but there are some ways to minimize the crowds. As you get closer to Halloween, and especially on Saturdays, the parks can be very crowded. However, depending on the weather forecast, Friday nights and Sundays can be great nights to take in the park with lower crowds.

6) Merchandise Deals

Looking to snag our favorite merchandise for that special someone? As the parks get closer to closing day, they risk being stuck with a bunch of inventory. This means you should be able to find some great discounts of select items.

7) Best Deal of the Year on Season Passes

If you are like our family, we like to save money, and the best time to do that with Cedar Fair season passes is in the fall. When season passes first go on sale is the best time to buy due to the lowest prices and additional added incentives.

For example, new guests that purchase a season pass this season get into the parks one time this season. Renewing members get a free Fast Lane Plus pass, getting them front of the line access one time this season.

When purchasing your season pass, it is also in your best interest to add the all-season dining plan and all-season drink cup/season pass drink program now, as the prices will only go up the longer you wait.

What gets you in the fall spirit?

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