Thursday, March 28, 2024
Array

Cedar Fair Reports Positive Sales Trends Through the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend

New rides and attractions, special promotions and events drive visitors to parks early in summer season

SANDUSKY, Ohio, USA /PRNewswire/ — Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today reported revenues through the Fourth of July holiday weekend were approximately $372 million, an increase of 2% when compared with the same period a year ago. This period traditionally represents approximately 35% of the Company’s full-year revenues. During this same period, both attendance and average in-park guest per capita spending increased slightly, while out-of-park revenues, including its resort hotels, were up approximately 3%.

“While it’s still early in our important summer season, we are quite pleased with these positive trends,” said Dick Kinzel, chief executive officer. “So far this summer, our western region parks have seen an approximately 8% increase in revenues on a year-over-year basis, while revenues at our northern and southern region parks remain comparable to this time last year.”

Kinzel mentioned that guests at the parks have responded favorably to the new rides, attractions and marketing initiatives that have been introduced this year. “Our new 301-foot-tall swing ride, WindSeeker, recently debuted to rave reviews at Cedar Point, Canada’s Wonderland and Kings Island, while the introduction of Planet Snoopy at Dorney Park, Worlds of Fun and Valleyfair has proven to be popular with families,” said Kinzel. “Similarly, our continued marketing efforts at Knott’s Berry Farm and new programs at California’s Great America and Valleyfair have clearly been effective at attracting guests early in the season.

“Likewise, we achieved strong and favorable customer response from the various special events at our parks this past weekend, including military promotions and fireworks,” said Kinzel. “With additional special events scheduled for this summer, plus our strong market position as the affordable alternative to a week-long family vacation, we are optimistic that families who are choosing to stay closer to home this summer will take further advantage of our unique and attractively priced offerings.”

Kinzel noted that virtually all of Cedar Fair’s revenues from its seasonal amusement parks and water parks are realized during a 130 to 140-day operating period beginning in early May, with the majority concentrated in the peak vacation months of July and August. The third quarter of the year also historically has been the busiest for the Company’s two parks that are open year-round, Knott’s Berry Farm and Castaway Bay.

“As we head into our peak season, we feel very good about the momentum we continue to build for the business and believe our 2011 growth goals of revenues between $975 million to $1.0 billion and full-year adjusted EBITDA in the range of $350 million to $370 million are attainable,” said Kinzel. “We will provide additional information regarding revenues, operating costs and cashflows as we finalize our second-quarter financial results, which are expected to be completed by the first week in August.”

About Cedar Fair

Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The Company owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. Amusement parks in the Company’s northern region include two in Ohio: Cedar Point, consistently voted “Best Amusement Park in the World” in Amusement Today polls, and Kings Island; as well as Canada’s Wonderland, near Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan’s Adventure, MI. In the southern region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; and Worlds of Fun, MO. Western parks in California include: Knott’s Berry Farm; California’s Great America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed under contract.

Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin
Judith Rubin ([email protected]) is a leading journalist, content marketing specialist and connector in the international attractions industry. She reports on design and technical design, production and project management, industry trends and company culture. From 2005-2020 she ran communications and publications for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). In 2013, she was honored with the TEA Service Award. She was development director of IMERSA and publicist for the Large Format Cinema Association, and has contributed to the publications of PLASA, IAAPA and the International Planetarium Society. Judith joined World’s Fair magazine in 1987, which introduced her to the attractions industry. She joined InPark in 2010. Judith earned a BFA from Pratt Institute. She has lived in Detroit, New York, Oakland, and now Saint Louis, where she is active in the local arts community.

Related Articles

Latest Articles