Eating on a budget

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing Fun Food Blog at cpfoodblog.com and @funfoodblog on X. This feature is a question-and-answer on dining at Cedar Point. Q: Our family of four will be visiting Cedar Point for the first time this summer for an extended weekend. How do you recommend tackling eating in the park on a budget? — Nancy K. A: Many families enjoy spending their summer vacation at Cedar Point, and doing so on a budget is within reach. Feeding a family while visiting Cedar Point can get expensive really fast. The cheapest dining plan meal in the park starts at $13.99 and goes all the way up to $21.99. For guests that are not season passholders, the best value comes from the all-day dining plan options. Cedar Point currently sells two different price points. • At $33.99, which gets guests a wristband that can be used to redeem for an entree plus a side every 90 minutes; A drink is not included. • At $45.99, which includes an entree and side or snack every 90 minutes plus all-day drinks. If your family can fit at least three meals into your day, then the all-day dining plans can easily save you money. It will be up to you to determine, based on your family needs, if you need more than one dining plan per day. Keep in mind the dining plans are valid at Cedar Point and Cedar Point Shores, opening May 25. Once you have a dining plan, your family will be able to enjoy amusement park staples like corn dogs and cheese-on-a-stick as well as daily smoked meats at BackBeatQue; fresh-made pizza and sides at Hugo's; and shrimp and steak at the Grand Pavilion. Of course, you will also find favorites like hand-breaded chicken tenders and burgers. If you are looking for healthier options, there are typically salads included as sides. And for guests that want to skip the entree and side, you can always get three sides as a meal — a personal favorite option. Be sure to bookmark the 2024 Cedar Point dining plan list, which is updated throughout the season as new meal options are added to the plan. Enjoy your visit. If you have a reader question you would like us to answer about visiting Cedar Point, please send them in via our contact form.