SANDUSKY, Ohio — Don’t look for Cedar Point to stop selling its new, super-popular Gold Pass anytime soon.

Cedar Fair executives reported that early season-pass sales are up more than 50%, largely because of the popularity of the new Gold Pass at Cedar Point, which some guests complained caused monster crowds at the park this fall.

Cedar Fair CEO Richard Zimmerman acknowledged parkgoers’ concerns in a third-quarter earnings call with analysts Wednesday, promising improvements to Cedar Point parking, entry and exit from the park, food and beverage offerings, and restrooms.

Zimmerman didn’t offer details on those improvements. But he said they are driven by a desire to enhance the guest experience.

In response to a question from an analyst, Zimmerman acknowledged Cedar Point’s big HalloWeekends crowds, particularly on Saturdays in October. On Oct. 19, the park had to temporarily close roads into the park to clear miles-long traffic jams. It was the first time in the company’s history that it was forced to limit access to the park.

“Cedar Point never closed,” said Zimmerman. “The park remained open. But we had a lot of people trying to get here at the same time.”

Good weather played a part, as did extremely robust sales of Cedar Point’s new Gold Pass, offered in celebration of the park’s 150th anniversary in 2020. The pass, on sale starting in August, offered unlimited visits for 2019 and 2020, plus parking and admission to Cedar Point Shores.

It is still for sale, $99 on the park’s website.

Brian Witherow, Cedar Fair’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, said there are no plans to stop selling the popular pass.

“We’re going to continue to try and sell as many passes as we can,” he said, acknowledging that season-pass sales would likely affect single-day admissions.

“We’ll take that as a trade-off,” he said. Cedar Point closed for the season Oct. 27.

Cedar Fair Wednesday reported several record year-to-date trends for its 11 parks, five waterparks and numerous hotels. Third-quarter results included a 7% increase in attendance, a 1% increase in in-park spending and a 9% increase in out-of-park revenues.

Figures were for all Cedar Fair parks; the company does not release per-park data.

In addition to improvements in parking, Zimmerman mentioned several other initiatives planned for Cedar Point, including:

* The opening in January of the Cedar Point indoor sports complex, part of the Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road, just east of the park.

* A complete renovation of the Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, purchased by Cedar Fair in July. The resort, closed earlier this month, will reopen next summer.

* Upcoming improvements to Castaway Bay, the indoor waterpark resort located adjacent to Cedar Point. No additional details about the Castaway Bay improvements were released.

Zimmerman made a single reference to reports last month of rival Six Flags’ unsuccessful bid to purchase Cedar Fair.

He said: “As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on rumors or speculation in the marketplace, particularly around [mergers and acquisitions]. What I would like to emphasize, however, is my belief that we have continued to create long-term unitholder value through the strength of our business model, our disciplined execution in all areas of our business, and the attractive growth potential of our strategic initiatives. Cedar Fair has always been committed to achieving current year results, while at the same time making investments that ensure the long term success of the company.”