It has been announced this week that Cedar Fair Entertainment Company plan to invest approximately $100m in its theme parks in 2021.

Richard A Zimmerman, Cedar Fair president and CEO said in the First Quarter 2021 Results that:

“We are pleased that all of our U.S. properties are ready to reopen in May, and we can’t wait to welcome back our guests, including our loyal season pass holders, many of whom may be returning for the first time since 2019. We anticipate strong pent-up demand for close-to-home, outdoor entertainment, and are committed to resuming normal park operations as quickly as possible so friends and families can enjoy our unique brand of large-scale entertainment."

The buzz words across the theme park industry appear to be "pent-up demand" and indeed this makes sense after this past year where a huge number of theme park fans will not have stepped into a park.

This $100m investment will be split into three parts with each part addressing a different issue. One third will be spent on completing select unfinished 2020 projects which includes renovations at some resort properties.

One third is needed for infrastructure requirements in order to comply with current health and safety guidelines and the final third which is what we all want to hear about, will be spend on starting projects planned for the 2022 season.

Cedar Fair operates a number of theme parks across the US including California Great America, Carowinds, Cedar Point, Dorney Park, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, Knott's Berry Farm, Michigan's Adventure, Valleyfair, Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun as well as Canadas Wonderland in Toronto, Canada. 

Cedar Point is less than a week away from beginning their 2021 season on May 14 and with the opening of Forbidden Frontier and Snake River Expedition planned for this season as well as the news of a drastic roll back to their Mask Policy, stating that masks would only be required in indoor spaces, when not actively eating and drinking as well as that masks are not required on rides, they are just "recommended", it is surely set to be a bumper Summer at Cedar Point.

There are new attractions planned for the 2021 season at a number of other Cedar Fair properties across the US including Boogie Board Racer at Carowinds, Coconut Shores at Kings Dominion and Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair at Knott's Berry Farm. 

Let us know if you plan to visit a Cedar Fair park this year and what your thoughts are on the updated mask policy at Cedar Point by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.