Recently Cedar Point removed the Cedar Point picnic pavilion located outside the park and adjacent to Blue Streak and Gatekeeper. Several of the tables are now scattered around along the walk way between the roller coasters.
Originally as far back as 1969, the building that currently houses the Zombie High School haunted house operated as the picnic pavilion in the area.
Then around 1972, three additional picnic pavilions were installed. The one in the middle is the pavilion that was recently razed.
It was not until 1990 that the northernmost structure was fenced off and became the Point Pavilion for privately catered events. The two remaining pavilions were located outside of the park gates and were free for anyone to use.
In 2013, we saw the first removal of the southern most picnic pavilion to accommodate the construction of Gatekeeper.
So now that we know about the past, what can we access for the future?
Opened Area of Possibilities
The removal of the outside of gate Cedar Point picnic pavilion took up a rather large plot of land that did not add to the parks bottom line since it was free to use by anyone. The adjacent original picnic pavilion building only gets used for Zombie High School during HalloWeekends.
Zombie High School is also the second oldest haunted house on Cedar Point property, first opening in 2013, and a replacement of Club Blood.
So would it be too far of a stretch to say Zombie High School could see its final season in 2021 and the building be razed for the 2022 season?
Should the original picnic pavilion behind what is now the Coca-Cola Oasis be removed, that gives the park roughly 50,000 SF (or just over an acre) to work with for a new attraction to increase the appeal immediately when guests enter the park.
Also to consider, could it make sense to move some of the attractions currently occupying the Wicked Twister midway over into the former picnic pavilion area to open up the possibilities over there?
Leave your thoughts below in the comments.
Note: Nothing has been confirmed by the park as far as removal of Haunted Houses or new attractions. This is simply a fun what if?
* If you liked this post, join other readers who have signed up to for our free Newsletter…because then you will never miss another update!
this plot of land would not be big enough for a large coaster they would have to tare down alot more structures to do a large coaster and i think the last time i check the french quarter confections was just reamodled soo that would be stupid to tare that down soo the only attraction that area would fit is a flat ride unless they have coaster elements inter act with gate keeper and blue streak and even then they would have to build a new centenial theater some where else in the park cause they would have to tare down those buildings as well if they want to build a coaster in that spot
Cp doesn’t need any more coasters!
CP could actually use more coasters. It’s the whole point of CP. They’re more coaster-centric than other parks that attempt to have a balance of thrill rides and coasters. It’s the only reason I go there. Their food may be mediocre af and overpriced, but their coasters kick a**. They need to add a rail coaster and a flying coaster. Love to see what they would do with a flying coaster.
I myself and whole lot of other people are very disappointed that you took away the picnic area. Cedar Point will never be the same again. You are going to loose alot of customer for doing this.I will not recommend Cedar Point to anyone ever again.
i agree needs to be a picnic area .so patrons can bring a picnic to the park .i remember as a kid my parents would bring lunch for us .that was back in the late fifties an early 60,s
I think you should give us a place to picnic…your food and drink are extremely expensive…it was fun to bring your own baskets…bring back some pavilions enough of coasters
I think it is terrible that Cedar point has removed the pavilion !! Not all families can afford to eat their expensive food and buy tickets to get in Cedar Point . Taking a pack lunch, for the kiddos is a economical way to be able to take their kiddos to enjoy the amusement park . I personally will never go back there again with my grandchildren, we enjoyed having a picnic lunch and just sit and relax a bit.
Sad to see it go. Our family enjoyed this area over the course of many years. Progress?
We are going to cedar point the end of July and we planned on bringing our cooler like we always do and parking in the preferred section. It was so easy to take a mid-day break, go out to your close car to grab the cooler and go eat in the out of gate pavilion. I’m glad I read this so I know now, but so sad to see it go. So now what, we all have to stand in the ridiculous lines for food? It’s been crazy this year with them being short staffed, all I read are articles saying how long the food lines are. Even if it wasn’t for that it was just nice to get a mid day break, walk out of the park and just relax for an hour or so, that’s when we always reapplied sunscreen too since we were going to the car to grab the cooler. Such a shame. 🙁
We park in the area by the Magnum roller coaster (use the Hotel Breakers / RV parking line) there is a picnic pavilion there.
Typically few cars and easy access to enter – you will be by Soak City (I recommend saying to parking that is where you are headed).
We had fun at Cedar Point my grandkids had fun with rides and games but when l see picnic tables with no people and tape off even through l am from out of town l couldn’t use the picnic area because nobody or online didn’t say if that area was open or close
We have enjoyed the picnic area many times as we have some very sensitive eaters in our family. It’s nice that they have spread out some of the picnic tables to still use. It would be great if they had a small area to keep large coolers. Each family or group should only use the picnic tables while eating. Please consider keeping an area of picnic tables with shade. There are plenty of rides!
We have enjoyed the picnic area many times as we have some very sensitive eaters in our family. It’s nice that they have spread out some of the picnic tables to still use. It would be great if they had a small area to keep large coolers. Each family or group should only use the picnic tables while eating. There are plenty of rides!
Cedar Point should start expanding to Sandusky and build a monorail or tube transportation to Cedar Point
So sad to ever see anything established leave Cedar Point. This pavilion had been there and used by many for years. So many families have members that have special dietary needs, or just don’t eat what the park has to offer. I hope one day C.P. can build a structure parking with many levels, then the parking lot could be used for additional rides and family pavilion options. JS.
We used to use the pavilion until our cooler had been gone through and drinks stolen, pigs will be pigs, lock your stuff
Love being able to use a pavilion to take a break & have lunch/ dinner with the family. I would be sad the see it go.
I myself and whole lot of other people are very disappointed that you took away the picnic area. Cedar Point will never be the same again. You are going to loose alot of customer for doing this.I will not recommend Cedar Point to anyone ever again.
You blew it CP ! We’ve been bringing a scout troop to CP for years. Over that time we have seen many youth groups, bands, and families utilize the picnic pavilions.
Our group, and I’m sure many others will not be back to the park. We will not be buying your cheesy meal deals, or drink wrist bands. We as a group also concentrate on our bottom line and we probably appreciate quality of food better than you do as a corporation.
All we need is a place with cover to bring OUR food.
So, see ya, 13 years of our groups money has dried up for you. Also, you should tell the groups your selling tickets to this year that the pavilion is gone. They may show up with a hundred coolers with nowhere to unload them….like us this year. Goodbye !
I think you should give us a place to picnic…your food and drink are extremely expensive…it was fun to bring your own baskets…bring back some pavilions enough of coasters
Last time I went to cedar point was 2015ish. By far it’s not the park it used to be, whereas I used to feel at home and welcome in this park, the entire experience seemed alien. I think they’ve let corporate greed take over their decisions and it affected the entire park. I’ve been looking down on cedar Fair since they destroyed Geauga Lake, it was a bigger part but it was creating competition even though they were both owned by the same entity Cedar Fair! Honestly the removal of a picnic pavilion this is so trivial at this point that’s not what people need to be worrying about. I think I’ll plan my next trip somewhere far away from anything cedar fair owns.
I’d like to see them put some picnic pavilions alongside the parking lot along the lake. That seems like it would be nice. And close to the beach too.
Great idea. Thx
My family ALWAYS USED the pavilions. I mea n, just going to Cedar Point, strapped are budget, and simply eating lunch out of the cooler, saved money to possibly buy cedar point merchandise later in day. Think of it this way, for a normal family of 4, the entrance fee is over 300. That’s a lot nowadays. I realize this year tickets were cheaper, but will go back up. All I wanna say is keep people/families on tighter budgets in mind.
I totally agree! It’s a huge disappointment and kick in the gut from Cedar Point. You should value your customers more than that. Such a joke. I’ll save my money from now on!
Come on CP!!! I’m a family of 6 and your food and drinks are too expensive. Wow!! CP will never be the same. Families such as mine enjoyed the picnic area. That was selfishness to remove the area. And CP does not need anymore rides.
For all those complaining about lack of picnic space. Growing up the pavilion was always packed. We actually left the cooler in the car with a few folding chairs. We sat and ate at the car, then re-entered the park.
As for waiting in line for food; we’ve gone several times and not waited longer than 3 minutes. Don’t eat at the typical times for the rush, adjust your schedule. And scope out some of the great deals for food inside. I’m not giving away all my secrets, but they do exist. As for drinks, the water fountains are free. We refill a bottle all day long, $6.50 for 2.
Since we don’t know what they’re planning long term it’s wrong to suddenly attack them. Maybe a new pavilion is in the works, wait and see.
This space was old and outdated. My belief is that they are going to update the area. To make it better for everyone that uses it. Having been there several times this season there are still picnic tables in the area.
I’ll save my money next year. You guys blew it. No smoking in the park. Have to go through security and scan the pass to get back in. Sometimes it takes crazy long to get back in the park. Season cups there is no place for the cups on some rides you cant take them even in the 2 hr line. Example steel vengeance you have to buy a locker. Some of the kids ride operators look like they hate their life. Big rides that are open might I point out were crazy long. Drink and food lines are crazy long. Hotel prices are outrageous and so is the camping prices in the log cabins and rv. Also some of the big ride operators are jerks. But you do have a few good ones.
Thanks, Karen. Go smoke in some trash dive bar instead and complain about weak drinks. Stay out of the park and let the adults who don’t have to cry about every last thing have a good time.
Why don’t CP build a strip of pavilions through the parking lots? And offer taxi buses to bring people in and out of the entrance? That would sure make things safer. And not everyone would fight to get closer parking. Just a thought. I have been a frequent coaster rider at CP for my whole life. (Since 1977) Every year I look forward to going. We always picnicked out of our vehicles anyway. (Since 1998) Just because of knowing our stuff was not tampered with. We could change clothes if weather was cooler or wet. So the pavilions being taken down won’t defer our trips to CP. See you soon CP!!
O my gosh this is so so very interesting to see and read !!!! I had no idea…… Cedar Point has a deep rich sound history, so please keep these articles coming
I was shocked when we arrived at Cedar Point on Tuesday June 28th, 2022. I had no idea that the picnic pavilion area was no longer available. I came with my youth group of 57 people,(I usually have two bus loads, but this year only had one), we had coolers full of food and drinks, but more importantly, it was a place for teens to check in with adults and rest from a long hot day. You took away opportunities not only for our group but for large groups as well. Our group has been attending for over 15 years and the break after Covid was long and we were so excited to come back. But unfortunately, CP made a decision for us not to return. 🙁