If you have stuck around the CPFoodBlog for any period of time, you may have noticed we like to play the numbers game. When we find a “deal,” we like to prove it by running the math and comparing it to other viable offers to make sure we, and therefore you, keep money in the pocket.
So when we discussed the possibility of Cedar Point getting a Gold season pass a couple weeks ago, we were pretty close on the predictions.
The 2020 Cedar Point Gold Pass includes free admission to Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores. It also includes free parking plus free admission for the remainder of 2019. However, here is where it got REALLY interesting.
The regular Cedar Point season pass was $149 before it was discontinued today. The Regular pass was only valid at Cedar Point and did not include parking or much of any other benefits. So one would think a new Gold season pass would be priced above $149 but below a Platinum pass ($197).
However, Cedar Point is introducing the Gold season pass at only $99!!!!! What??????? That is an INSANE deal given that it includes both Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores plus free parking.
So now, our family has some serious contemplating to do about the 2020 season.
We spend on average about 40+ days per year in the parks. Not just Cedar Point but all the Cedar Fair properties. This year alone we have visited of course Cedar Point, but also Kings Island, Carowinds, Canada’s Wonderland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Valleyfair, and Worlds of Fun. That makes our Platinum pass a very high value to our family.
Realistically, we have to look ahead to 2020.
If we go with Platinum, here is our breakdown.
$955 = $191 x 5 Platinum Passes (Renewal)
$520 = $130 x 4 Platinum Dining Plans (Our youngest does not really eat enough to warrant a dining plan)
$127.96 = $31.99 x 4 All-Season Drink Plans
$51.99 All-Season FunPix
—————–
$1,654.95 Total
However, in reality, when we renewed for the 2018 season, we did so at Canada’s Wonderland. The result? Saving approximately 25% with the Canadian to US Dollar conversion. That’s BIG savings.
Our total in Canadian Dollars is $1,650.95 (save a couple bucks because FunPix is cheaper), and then after converting to US Dollars, it drops to $1,238.21! I think we can all agree the $400+ in savings is well worth it, but lets compare to getting the new Cedar Point Gold pass.
$495 = $99 x 5 Gold Passes
$396 = $99 x 4 Gold Dining Plans
$127.96 = $31.99 x 4 All-Season Drink Plans
$51.99 All-Season FunPix
—————–
$1070.95 Total
By our family’s math, we are comparing $1,238.21 (Platinum) versus $1,075.95 (Gold). Looking at how many times we visit other parks, the roughly $200 price difference is easily worth the investment to go with Platinum. If we visit Kings Island one time and have to buy tickets at lets say $42 (the current best offer on their website), we make up the difference in passes.
So our family will gladly be going with Platinum for 2020, but we realize the numbers might not make sense for your family. For those that only want to visit Cedar Point, the Gold pass is a slam dunk as far as value.
The Gold Effect
To be honest, the pricing of the new Gold season pass concerns us as far as operations for 2020. Right now when you look at the shoulder seasons, the park, in particular has a hard time staffing anything but rides. It is frustrating wanting to see menus and look for new options when they do not open until July.
For those who are ride warriors, the early season in particular is a great time to take advantage of lower crowds and lots of riding, weather dependent.
The concern is that the Gold passes have now been offered at bargain basement pricing that Cedar Point is going to be packed with season passholders. There is no doubt lots of people are going to be downgrading their Platinum to Gold, and there is going to be a flood of new Gold passholders for 2020. The math is in your favor to get a Gold pass if you plan to visit the park two times next year.
Is the influx great for the company, and thus for the future, as it allows them to continue building new attractions? Absolutely! Though we have serious concerns for how crowded the park is going to be and how they operationally handle the extra people.
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Great Analysis!!! I’m always interested if a deal is really a deal
I have contemplated renewing through Canada’s Wonderland in the past for the savings but the whole home park thing for replacing lost passes concerned me. However that seems to mostly be gone now as I have had no problems replacing lost passes at CP or KI.
Other than not being able to utilize the FL and bring a friend perks are there any other possible pitfalls in doing this?
Don’t forget to calculate tax in the Canada’s Wonderland vs Cedar Point cost analysis. The tax is 13% at CW vs 4% at CP which really starts to cut into the savings!
We are going with 1 Platinum (for the extra perks) and 4 Gold passes this year for our family. Need a little break from all of the theme parks next year before hitting them hard again in a few years!
How do you renew at Canada’s Wonderland? Can it be done online or do you physically have to go to the park?
You can do it online.
Interesting idea, but do you think Cedar Fair introduced the Gold Pass in the same year as KI gets a huge new coaster on purpose to encourage Platinum holders not to downgrade?
Kings Island is definitely the closest park to Cedar Point, maybe they think Orion will encourage people to keep Platinum.