Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio is the second oldest amusement park in the United States and famous for its 17 roller coasters, mile-long beach, water park, five hotels, and live entertainment. I rank it as one of the best theme parks in the United States and you can buy discount Cedar Point tickets through authorized sellers online and in-person at certain regional retailers.
I’ve outlined all of the methods that I know of here that are popular places to check for savings. Note that many of these options aren’t better than what Cedar Point or aRes Travel offers online (more on this below). Ultimately, how much you save depends on how many tickets you buy and if you will need to account for tax and service fees.
(I specialize in helping people save money on theme park tickets and may be compensated should you purchase tickets using my links.)
Note: Cedar Point is currently closed for Winter and most of Spring. The park is set to reopen on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Cedar Point Tickets General Information and Gate Pricing
Cedar Point admission tickets are usually offered as Daily Tickets and Season Passes. Both can be enhanced with various optional add-ons, including Fast Lane. However, from now through October 31st, Cedar point exclusively is selling HalloWeekend Tickets, which include three types: Admission, Bundle, and Bundle Max).
General Admission: The price of Cedar Point tickets at the gate for a one-day ticket is usually around $85 for ages 3 and older. Children ages 2 and under are free. Children ages 3–5 receive free admission if you register them for a Pre-K Pass (more details on how to do this are below).
Cedar Point Shores water park requires a separate ticket. Last summer season gate pricing was typically around $42 for ages 3-61 and 48″ tall or taller in bare feet. It is $29 for Ages of 3-61 and under 48″ tall in bare feet or anyone age 62 or older (this is the Jr/Sr ticket).
Season Pass: Cedar Point offers four different Season Passes as well. Season Passes provide unlimited admission through the end of the calendar year. These may be the best option for those who intend to visit the park more than once during an opening season.
Fast Lane: You can upgrade your ticket before you go or at the park to include a Fast Lane wristband. This allows you to bypass the regular lines on 20 rides that include the Valravn, Gatekeeper, and Rougarou. You may further upgrade to Fast Lane Plus, which adds unlimited rides on Steel Vengeance, Maverick, Millennium Force, and Top Thrill Dragster. And, this Cedar Fair park offers frequent visitors the opportunity to buy a Fast Lane season pass.
HalloWeekend Passes: These tickets are available now through October 31, 2022. The park is open Thursday – Sundays, and you can purchase three different types of tickets: HalloWeeknds Admission, HalloWeekends Bundle, and HalloWeekends Bundle Max. HalloWeekends Admission, includes a single-day ticket, all-day rides, and HalloWeekends attractions. Additionally, with HalloWeekends Bundle, you will receive admission, parking, and all-day dining for one low price. HalloWeeneds Bundle Max provides all the same benefits of HalloWeekends Bundle, plus Fright Lane and access to the Millennium Club Lounge.
The bottom line: Gate prices are higher than what can be secured online so whatever you do, make sure to purchase tickets in advance.
1. Cedar Point Direct Special Offers and Tickets Online
Currently, Cedar point is only selling tickets for HalloWeekends. Single Day Admission starts at $49.99 per ticket. Other ticket options include HalloWeekends Bundle, starting at $69.99 per ticket (includes parking and all-day dining), and HalloWeekend Bundle Max, which starts at $99.99 per ticket and includes extra perks like Fright Lane and Millenium Club Lounge Access,
Be careful, however. Online, Cedar Point charges a $6.99 processing fee and tax which in many circumstances makes the ticket options below more advantageous.
2. Discount One-Day and Two-Day Tickets
Temporarily unavailable. If you need discount Cedar Point tickets, you can save by purchasing through aRes Travel. They are a California based, authorized ticket seller to major attractions across the United States, including Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Universal theme parks.
They charge a $2 convenience fee per ticket, but you will still likely come out ahead. Tax is included in the ticket price.
One Day General Admission – Good Any Day Ticket
One Day General Admission – Good Any Day Ticket is valid for one (1) admission to Cedar Point on any operating day through the operating season. Price: $51 for ages 3+
Two Day General Admission Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores – Good Any Day Ticket
Two Day General Admission – Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores – Good Any Day Ticket is valid for two one-day visits during the operating season to Cedar Point and/or Cedar Point Shores. Visits do NOT have to be on consecutive days. Price: $79 for ages 3+
Cedar Point Shores One Day General Admission – Good Any Day Ticket
One Day General Admission – Good Any Day Ticket is valid for one (1) admission to cedar Point Shores on any operating day through the operating season. Price: $37 for those over 48″ tall; $35.50 for those under 48″ tall.
3. Packages at Hotels Near Cedar Point
Temporarily unavailable. Bundle your discount admission tickets to Cedar Point with a choice of 34 nearby Sandusky hotels for even more savings.
4. Cedar Point Resort Packages
Cedar Point has four of its own resorts and hotels: Hotel Breakers, Lighthouse Point, Breakers Express, and Castaway Bay Resort. You can book a stay and add tickets to it for some extra savings. There are several different package options, one of which includes golf.
5. FREE Pre-K Passes
If you have a child between the ages of 3–5 years old, register them for a free Pre-K Pass. You’ll need to bring proof of the child’s age to the park with you. With this pass, eligible kids will receive unlimited visits for the entire season.
6. Season Passes
Frequent visitors should definitely consider a Seasons Pass. A Cedar Point Season Pass entitles the holder to unlimited park admission through the end of the calendar year, or through Labor Day if you purchase the Summer Pass. There are even select days where Season Passholders can arrive an hour before the park opens to the public to enjoy early ride times.
Choose between Summer, Gold, Platinum and Pre-K. Gold, Platinum, and Pre-K include admission to Cedar Point Shores Waterpark. Platinum offers admission to other Cedar Fair parks like Kings Island. Check to see which works best for you.
7. Meijer Cedar Point Tickets
Temporarily not available. Currently, Meijer is not selling any online or in-store tickets for the 2022 season, and there is no information on if they are going to resell them yet. They are usually not cheaper than Cedar Park’s online pricing anyway, but they do usually come with unique add-ons. You can check online for updates.
8. Cedar Point Tickets on Groupon
Groupon Cedar Point tickets can be found on their own or grouped with hotel packages. There are usually special offers available, as Groupon maintains a dedicated page for the theme park, but there are none at the moment due to the park being closed. When it comes to purchasing only tickets, aRes Travel above is usually less than Groupon.
9. Cedar Point Tickets at Giant Eagle
To secure Giant Eagle Cedar Point tickets, visit the Customer Service desk inside of the store to pick up a coupon. Present the coupon at a park ticket booth in order to redeem it.
10. Drug Mart Cedar Point Tickets
Temporarily not available. Drug Mart usually sells tickets for the same price as they cost online directly through Cedar Point, but without the service fee. However, they are currently not selling Cedar Point tickets at this time. You can check online for updates.
11. Costco
As of this writing, they do not have online tickets available. Search Costco’s theme park section online periodically or check in your local store to see if they are selling cheap Cedar Point tickets as availability changes.
12. Kroger Cedar Point Tickets
You can check your local Kroger store for discounted tickets. However, not all stores offer them.
AAA Cedar Point tickets can be secured by contacting your local AAA office. The discount on single-day tickets can be up to 45%. The availability depends on your region and isn’t available in California currently.
14. Military Discounts
Active and retired military personnel and veterans can receive a discount on front gate pricing on single-day admission. You can take advantage of these savings directly online.
15. Student Discounts
College students should check with their student unions to see if any Cedar Point student discounts are available to them. For example, current students at the University of Michigan receive discounts on park admission.
16. Group Discounts
A group discount is available for purchases of 15 – 99 tickets, when purchased in advance online, and a different category of discounts and other special options for groups of 100 or more. Details are available on the park’s website.
17. Combo Packages with Kings Island
Typically, you can buy Kings Island and Cedar Point combo tickets through Cedar Point directly, however, currently, they are only selling Season Passes and HalloWeekend Passes. Some of the grocery stores that typically offer cheap Cedar Point tickets may also offer combo tickets that include these two popular Ohio theme parks. Kroger is known for selling these.
Important Cedar Point Tips
Check Cedar Point Hours
When planning a visit to Cedar Point and its water park Cedar Point Shores, be sure to check their calendar for opening dates and hours as it is a seasonal park and not open year-round. Its typical daily season runs from May – Labor Day Weekend. It’s open on weekends only after Labor Day through October or early November for its annual HalloWeekends Halloween celebration.
Always Read Ticket Terms and Conditions
Before purchasing Cedar Point tickets, be sure to read all terms and conditions which should outline expiration dates, refund policies, and transfer policies. Some tickets will not be usable on days with special events.
Cedar Point Directions and Parking
Cedar Point is located in Sandusky, Ohio on Lake Erie, roughly 55 miles from Cleveland and 65 miles from Toledo, Ohio. The official Cedar Point address is below. Using it, Google Maps will take you to Cedar Point Drive but you will still need to drive out to the point which will be obvious once you get there.
Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Drive,
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
The park’s website has a map and more information on getting to the park. It is very much a destination theme park that people fly in to visit. The closest airport is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Others take Greyhound or Amtrak.
Cedar Point parking currently costs $20 per car per day and may be purchased online in advance.
How do you buy discount Cedar Point tickets?
FAQs About Cedar Point Tickets
Is there a Cedar Point first responder discount?
No, Cedar Point is not currently offering any discounts for first responders.
Is there a Cedar Point teacher discount?
No, Cedar Point is not currently offering any discounts on tickets for teachers.
Does Cedar Point offer BOGO tickets?
No, Cedar Point does not offer any buy one get one (BOGO) free ticket deals, however, they do offer a discounted group ticket for parties of 15-99 people. If you are traveling with a larger group to Cedar Point, you will want to take advantage of this deal.
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Top photo credit: User Vlastula on en.wikipedia [CC BY-SA