Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A Cedar Fair season pass class action lawsuit has been filed against the amusement park operator, arguing that season pass holders deserve a refund for 2020.
Which Amusements Parks Does Cedar Fair Operate?
Cedar Fair operates many parks around the country under various names. In fact, many people may not even realize that their favorite local amusement park is owned and operated by Cedar Fair. The following amusement parks are operated by Cedar Fair:
- Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.
- California’s Great America in Santa Clara, Calif.
- Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario
- Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C.
- King’s Dominion in Doswell, Va.
- Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minn.
- Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
- Dorney Park in Allentown, Pa.
- Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City, Mo.
- Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Mich.
- Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas
- Schlitterbahn Water Park in Galveston, Texas
- King’s Island in Kings Mills, Ohio
How Have Cedar Fair Amusement Parks Been Affected By The Coronavirus Pandemic?
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many of Cedar Fair’s parks have been forced to either close or make significant changes to their operations.
For example, Cedar Point in Ohio only opened in July – much later into the 2020 season than is usual or expected. Even after the park opened, it was only available at 50% capacity in order to promote social distancing.
Other Cedar Fair amusement parks have been closed for the entirety of the 2020 season with no plans to reopen. These parks include California’s Great America, Canada’s Wonderland, Carowinds, King’s Dominion, and Valleyfair.
Like businesses across America, Cedar Fair has been keenly affected by the coronavirus pandemic closures. Even months into the pandemic, where some states have permitted reopening, Cedar Fair’s third quarter results have reportedly dropped significantly from last year.
During the third quarter of 2020, Cedar Fair’s parks reportedly had 1.3 million guests visit the park – 11.9 million guests less than those who visited in the third quarter of 2019. This may be in part due to the fact that six of Cedar Fair’s 13 fairs were closed during third quarter this year. Even if parks were open, many had fewer open days, reduced daily hours, limited events, and less marketing measures.
To make matters worse for Cedar Fair, park attendees spent less than they did last year even if they did visit. As a result, net revenues for Cedar Fair’s third quarter are projected to be between $85 million and $95 million – far less than the $715 million seen in last year’s third quarter.
Although the company’s financial strain is significant, consumers do not deserve to be taken advantage of in order to pad profits. Unfortunately, Cedar Fair season pass holders may have been denied refunds despite the parks being closed for most of the year.
Has A Cedar Fair Season Pass Class Action Lawsuit Been Filed?
According to plaintiff Moneva Walker’s recent Cedar Fair class action lawsuit, she and other season pass holders deserve refunds for their 2020 purchases.
Walker reportedly purchased a 2020 season pass to Knott’s Berry Farm when she lived in California. Unfortunately, the park reportedly closed in mid-March with no reopening date set. As a result, Walker allegedly did not get the benefits she expected when she purchased a 2020 season pass.
Season passes are significant expenses for consumers like Walker, she alleges. Regular or silver passes reportedly range from $60 to $100 for a year, gold passes run between $80 and $120, and platinum passes – which allow unlimited access to all Cedar Fair parks – are around $200.
Walker argues that, when she and other season pass holders paid these fees, they entered into a contract with Cedar Fair in which the park operator agreed to provide “unlimited visits” “all season long” (i.e., visit “as many times as you want all season”) for the promised year.
Although Cedar Fair has agreed to extend 2020 season passes to the 2021 park season, Walker argues that she and other season pass holders deserve the option to refund their 2020 season pass instead of just having their passes extended.
“Plaintiff and millions of others bought season passes for the 2020 season. But in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the season was cancelled at many parks and substantially shortened and restricted at the rest,” the Cedar Fair class action lawsuit says. “Despite not providing the promised 2020 season, Defendants have not refunded pass fees.”
The Cedar Fair Season Pass Class Action Lawsuit is Moneva Walker v. Cedar Fair L.P., et al., Case No. 3:20-cv-02176-JZ, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
29 thoughts onCedar Fair Season Pass Holders Are Suing the Theme Park for Refunds
I would like to be a part of this class action suit…can anyone point me in the right direction? I have been a season pass holder for YEARS and its really disheartening they wont refund esp when they can clearly see we never used our passes in 2020/2021 due to the pandemic.
How do we get added to the lawsuit? We bought 3 passes including the water park and meals for the Buena Park Knott’s! Almost $1800!
add us
Add me please
My husband and I are in our 70s. We bought 2020 Platinum passes,one dining plan and one drink plan for a total price of $555.92. We bought this package so we could go to the parks with our grandkids. None of us feel safe going to the park in2021. We asked if they could extend our passes till the 2022 season they said no. At this point we are very upset. Clovis is very serious and it is not without life to go to an amusement park. Where can we go for help?
I meant to say Clovis is very serious. And it is not worth our life to go to an amusement park.
I’m in the same situation. I’ve been trying to utilize my Platinum Pass at Cedar Point, Kings Island and Kings Dominion. It’s been impossible to get reservations for any dates due to reduced dates that they are open. Also, the hours are drastically reduced. It’s still summer!!
I started trying to book reservations back in May and keep trying to find a time when we can go.
I did not agree to a contract where I had to reserve before I visited or have to drive 7 hours only for a park to close much earlier than was the standard.
Cedar Fair took my money, where’s the service? They can’t even offer to prorate it?
Bad business practice.
I used to rave about Cedar Point. It turns out they don’t value their loyal customers. No wonder Jim Jordan was elected from this state. Another grifter organization.
Fyi. If you purchase a pass using a credit card you can charge that shit back. It’s how I got my money back.
How can i get my money back
I agree, My husband purchased 3 season passes and now that they’ve reopen they’re asking us to reserve our spot ahead of time and everyday we are available to go the spots have already been filled to capacity. However the park is still selling tickets to come on the days they claim spots are filled, that’s not fair for those who have already spent money on season passes and a waste of our $350.00, to be able to go to the park once out the entire summer. I want to join this class lawsuit.
Not just that, but if you are a passholder it may say there are no reservations available. If you say you are a new visitor and are buying a one, or two day pass, then like magic reservations are available.
I can’t find how to join class action for Cedar Fair.
My wife and I laid out money for 4- Gold season passes complete with drink and food passes as separate purchases. That’s several hundred dollars that we gave to Worlds of Fun and have not utilized at all because we didn’t agree to the terms of our contract being changed. My wife has contacted Worlds of Fun in Kansas City and they refuse to refund our money as the wife has requested. They changed the terms of our contract significantly. Limited our access, shortened the season shortened hours of operation and now has limited days of operation! It’s B.S.! We spent our money on a pass that gave us access to normal operations and unlimited access to their facilities. We have not been one single day since 2019 season ended for that specific reason. Yet they act as if they can change our agreement arbitrarily to suit their own needs with no obligation to refund monies paid out on a contract that no longer resembles what we bought it for. We want to join in on a lawsuit to get our money back! But have not found out how to do that as of yet!
We are on the same situation. I am furious that we cannot visit when it is convenient for us. We paid for unlimited visits to both parks,all season long. While Worlds of Fun was closed during 2020, they still debited money from my account like clockwork even though they were unable to provide services to their customers. At this point, guests should have the option of a full refund, or come other fair compensation, such as extending the passport holders benefits through next operating year as well at no cost. 2021 is a joke. Guests in Kansas City have been loyal to Worlds of Fun since 1973. Cedar Fair is loyal only to their profits. It was better when the Hunt family owned this park. Now it is all just ugly corporate greed at it’s best. I would very much be interested in a class action suit against Cedar Fair in Kansas/Missouri. Every year I purchase Gold season passports for my children. This year I will be looking for something else they may like. Cedar Fair/Worlds of Fun has lost the loyalty and trust in our family of 9. We are incredibly disappointed and frustrated.
Y’all are a bunch of cry babies. It’s a national pandemic fir goodness sakes.
Yes it is a serious pandemic. That is why we feel unsafe to go to the park. AMC extended our membership. Viking River cruises let us postpone our trip for 2 years. All we ask is that Cedar Fair extend our passes till next year.