SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002

or

Commission file number 1-9444

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (419) 626-0830

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

The aggregate market value of Depositary Units held by non-affiliates of the Registrant based on the closing price of such units on February 28, 2003 of $23.90 per unit was approximately $1,148,770,000.

Number of Depositary Units representing limited partner interests outstanding as of February 28, 2003: 50,599,837.

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The Exhibit Index is located at Page 43

Page 1 of 51 pages

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

Cedar Fair, L.P. and its affiliated companies (the "Partnership") is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership managed by Cedar Fair Management Company, an Ohio corporation owned by members of the Partnership's executive management (the "General Partner").

The Partnership owns and operates six amusement parks: Cedar Point, located on Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo in Sandusky, Ohio; Knott's Berry Farm, located near Los Angeles in Buena Park, California; Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom ("Dorney Park"), located near Allentown in South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania; Valleyfair, located near Minneapolis/St. Paul in Shakopee, Minnesota; Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri; and Michigan's Adventure near Muskegon, Michigan. The parks are family-oriented, with recreational facilities for people of all ages, and provide clean and attractive environments with exciting rides and entertainment. The Partnership also owns and operates separate-gated water parks near San Diego and in Palm Springs, California, and adjacent to Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm and Worlds of Fun. All principal rides and attractions at the parks are owned and operated by the Partnership and its affiliated companies. The Partnership also operates Camp Snoopy, a 7-acre indoor amusement park at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, under a management contract that expires in 2012.

The Partnership's five seasonal amusement parks are generally open during weekends beginning in April or May, and then daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00-12:00 p.m. from Memorial Day until Labor Day, after which they are open during weekends in September and, in some cases, October. The five water parks also operate seasonally, generally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus some additional weekends before and after this period. As a result, virtually all of the operating revenues of these parks are derived during an approximate 130-day operating season. Knott's Berry Farm is open daily from 9:00-10:00 a.m. to 6:00-12:00 p.m. on a year-round basis. Each park charges a basic daily admission price, which allows unlimited use of most rides and attractions with the exception of RipCord, go-kart tracks, miniature golf and rock climbing attractions at several of the parks.

The demographic groups that are most important to the parks are young people ages 12 through 24 and families. Families are believed to be attracted by a combination of rides and live entertainment and the clean, wholesome atmosphere. Young people are believed to be attracted by the action-packed rides. During their operating seasons, the parks conduct active television, radio, and newspaper advertising campaigns in their major market areas.

Cedar Point, which was first developed as a recreational area in 1870, is located on a peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio bordered by Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay, approximately 60 miles west of Cleveland and 100 miles southeast of Detroit. Cedar Point is believed to be the largest seasonal amusement park in the United States, measured by the number of rides and attractions and the hourly ride capacity, and has been named the Best Amusement Park in the World for five consecutive years by Amusement Today's international survey. It serves a six-state region in the Midwestern United States, which includes nearly all of Ohio and Michigan, western Pennsylvania and New York, northern West Virginia and Indiana, and southwestern Ontario, Canada. The park's total market area includes approximately 26 million people, and the major areas of dominant influence in this market area, which are Cleveland, Detroit, Toledo, Akron, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Flint, and Lansing, include approximately 15 million people.

The main amusement areas of Cedar Point consist of over two miles of midways, with more than 65 rides and attractions, including "Top Thrill Dragster" the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster standing 420 feet tall and reaching speeds up to 120 mph, which is scheduled to open in 2003; "Millennium Force," the world's top-rated roller coaster; "Magnum XL-200," "Raptor," "Wicked Twister," "Mantis" and "Mean Streak," which are among the world's tallest steel, inverted, "double-impulse," stand-up and wooden roller coasters, respectively; nine additional roller coasters; "Power Tower," a 300-foot-tall thrill ride; four theaters featuring live entertainment shows performed by talented college students; "Snake River Falls," one of the world's tallest water flume rides; "Camp Snoopy," a family play-land themed around the popular "PEANUTS" comic strip characters; and "Snoopy Rocks! On Ice," a family-oriented ice show featuring Snoopy and the other "PEANUTS" characters. In addition, there are more than 50 restaurants, fast food outlets and refreshment stands, and a number of gift shops, novelty shops and game areas.

Located adjacent to the park is "Soak City" water park, an extra-charge attraction that features more than 20 water rides and attractions, including "Zoom Flume," a large water slide raft ride, twelve additional water slides, two river rafting rides, two children's activity areas, and a giant wave pool, as well as food and merchandise shops. "Challenge Park," which includes extra-charge attractions "RipCord," a free-fall ride from a height of more than 15 stories, a 36-hole themed miniature golf course and two go-kart tracks, is also located adjacent to the park.

Cedar Point also owns and operates four hotel facilities. The park's largest hotel, the historic Hotel Breakers, has more than 600 guest rooms, including 230 in the 10-story Breakers Tower. Hotel Breakers has various dining and lounge facilities, a private beach, lake swimming, a conference/meeting center and two outdoor pools. Breakers Tower has 18 tower suites with spectacular views, an indoor pool, and a TGI Friday's restaurant. Located near the Causeway entrance to the park is Breakers Express, a 350-room, limited-service seasonal hotel. In addition to the Hotel Breakers and Breakers Express, Cedar Point offers the lakefront Sandcastle Suites Hotel, which features 187 suites, a private beach, lake swimming, a courtyard pool, tennis courts and the Breakwater Cafe, a contemporary waterfront restaurant. The park's only year-round hotel is the Radisson Harbour Inn, a 237-room full-service hotel with a pool and meeting/banquet facilities, located at the Causeway entrance to the park, with an adjoining TGI Friday's restaurant.

Cedar Point also owns and operates the Cedar Point Marina and Camper Village. Cedar Point Marina is one of the largest full-service marinas on the Great Lakes and provides dockage facilities for over 650 boats, including floating docks and full guest amenities. Camper Village includes campsites for approximately 225 recreational vehicles and Lighthouse Point, an upscale camping area designed in a nautical New England style, which features 50 lakefront cottages, 10 cabins and 59 full-service recreation vehicle campsites.

The Partnership, through a wholly owned subsidiary, owns and operates the Cedar Point Causeway across Sandusky Bay. This Causeway is a major access route to Cedar Point. The Partnership also owns dormitory facilities located near the park that house up to 3,100 of the park's approximately 4,000 seasonal employees.

Knott's Berry Farm, located near Los Angeles in Buena Park, California, first opened in 1920 and was acquired by the Partnership late in 1997. The park is one of several year-round theme parks in Southern California and serves a total market area of approximately 20 million people centered in Orange County, and a large national and international tourism population.

Knott's Berry Farm is comprised of six distinctively themed areas, including "Ghost Town," "Wild Water Wilderness," "The Boardwalk," "Indian Trails," "Fiesta Village" and "Camp Snoopy." The park offers more than 40 rides and attractions, including "Xcelerator," a world-class roller coaster; "Supreme Scream," a 300-foot-tall thrill ride; "Ghost Rider," one of the tallest, longest and fastest wooden roller coasters in the West; four additional roller coasters; "Bigfoot Rapids," a white water raft ride; "Timber Mountain Log Ride," one of the first log flume rides in the United States; a nostalgic train ride; an antique Dentzel carousel; an old-fashioned ferris wheel; a 2,100-seat theatre; a children's activity area themed with the popular "PEANUTS" comic strip characters; live entertainment shows in 22 indoor and outdoor theatre venues; and "Independence Hall," an authentic replica of the Philadelphia original, complete with a 2,075 pound Liberty Bell. In addition, there are more than 30 restaurants, fast food outlets and refreshment stands, and a number of gift shops, novelty shops and game areas in the park, as well as Knott's California Marketplace, a dining and shopping area that is located just outside the park's gates and is available free of charge.

The park is also renowned for its seasonal events, including a special Christmas promotion, "Knott's Merry Farm," and a Halloween event called "Knott's Scary Farm," which celebrated its 30^th year in 2002 and is widely acknowledged as one of the best in the industry.

Adjacent to the park is "Knott's Soak City-Orange County," an extra-charge seasonal water park that features 21 separate water rides and attractions, including 16 high-speed water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, a children's activity area, food and merchandise shops, and a second-story sundeck available for public dining and catered events. Just south of San Diego in Chula Vista, California is another Cedar Fair water park, "Knott's Soak City-San Diego," which offers its guests more than 20 water rides and attractions, including 16 water slides, a wave pool and a children's activity area, as well as numerous food and merchandise shops. "Knott's Soak City-Palm Springs" is a 16-acre seasonal water park, located in Palm Springs, California, that offers more than 20 separate water rides and attractions, including 13 water slides, a giant wave pool, a lazy river inner tube ride and a children's activity area, as well as various food and merchandise shops.

Knott's Berry Farm also owns and operates the Radisson Resort Hotel, a 320-room, full-service hotel located adjacent to the park, which features a pool, tennis courts and meeting/banquet facilities.

Dorney Park, located near Allentown in South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, was first developed as a summer resort area in 1884, and was acquired by the Partnership in 1992. Dorney Park is one of the largest amusement parks in the Northeast and serves a total market area of approximately 35 million people. The park's major markets include Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton and the Lehigh Valley.

Dorney Park features more than 50 rides and attractions, including "Talon," one of the tallest and fastest inverted roller coasters in the world; "Dominator," a 200-foot-tall thrill ride; "Steel Force," one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world; six additional roller coasters; "White Water Landing," one of the world's tallest water flume rides; "Thunder Canyon," a white-water rafting ride; "Camp Snoopy," a family play-land themed around the popular "PEANUTS" comic strip characters; live musical shows featuring talented college students; an antique Dentzel carousel carved in 1921; and an extra-charge attraction called "SkyScraper," which stands 85 feet tall and spins passengers seated at opposite ends of a long vertical arm at speeds of more than 50 mph. Included in the price of admission is "Wildwater Kingdom," one of the largest water parks in the United States, which features more than 20 water slides, including "Patriot's Plunge" and "Jumpin' Jack Splash," both of which are scheduled to open in 2003, "Aquablast," one of the longest elevated water slides in the world, a giant wave pool and two children's activity areas. In addition, there are more than 30 restaurants, fast food outlets and refreshment stands, and a number of gift shops, novelty shops and game areas.

Valleyfair, which opened in 1976 and was acquired by the Partnership's predecessor in 1978, is located near Minneapolis-St. Paul in Shakopee, Minnesota, and is the largest amusement park in Minnesota. Valleyfair's market area is centered in Minneapolis-St. Paul, which has a population of approximately two million, but the park also draws visitors from other areas in Minnesota and surrounding states with a combined population base of eight million people.

Valleyfair offers more than 35 rides and attractions, including "Steel Venom," a 185-foot-tall "double-impulse" coaster, which is scheduled to open in 2003; "Power Tower," a 275-foot-tall thrill ride; "Wild Thing," one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world; five additional roller coasters; a water park named "Whitewater Country," which includes "Hurricane Falls," a large water slide raft ride, and "Splash Station," a children's water park; "Berenstain Bear Country," which is an indoor/outdoor children's activity area; a 430-seat indoor theatre for live show presentations; and "Challenge Park," an extra-charge attraction area that includes "RipCord," a free-fall ride from a height of more than 15 stories, a Can-Am-style go-kart track and a 36-hole themed miniature golf course. In addition, there are more than 20 restaurants, fast food outlets and refreshment stands, and a number of gift shops, novelty shops and game areas. Admission to "Whitewater Country" water park is included in admission to the amusement park.

Worlds of Fun, which opened in 1973, and Oceans of Fun, the adjacent water park that opened in 1982, were acquired by the Partnership in 1995. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, Worlds of Fun serves a total market area of approximately seven million people centered in Kansas City, but also including most of Missouri, as well as portions of Kansas and Nebraska.

Worlds of Fun is a traditional amusement park themed around Jules Verne's adventure book Around the World in Eighty Days. The park offers more than 50 rides and attractions, including "Boomerang," a 12-story-tall steel roller coaster; "Mamba," one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world; "Timber Wolf," a world-class wooden roller coaster; two additional roller coasters; "Detonator," a 185-foot-tall thrill ride, which launches riders straight up its twin-tower structure; "Camp Snoopy," a family play-land featuring the popular "PEANUTS" comic strip characters; "RipCord," an extra-charge attraction that lifts riders to a height of more than 15 stories before dropping them back to earth in a free fall; "Monsoon," a water flume ride; "Fury of the Nile," a white-water rafting ride; a 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater; and live musical shows. In addition, the park offers more than 25 restaurants, fast food outlets and refreshment stands, and a number of gift shops, novelty shops and game areas.

Oceans of Fun, which requires a separate admission fee, is located adjacent to Worlds of Fun and features a wide variety of water attractions including "Paradise Falls," a large family water funhouse, which is new for 2003; "Hurricane Falls," a large water slide raft ride; "The Typhooon," one of the world's longest dual water slides; a giant wave pool; and several children's activity areas, including "Crocodile Isle," as well as food and merchandise shops.

Michigan's Adventure, which was acquired by the Partnership in late May of 2001, is the largest amusement park in Michigan. Located near Muskegon, Michigan, the park serves a total market area of approximately five million people, principally from central and western Michigan and eastern Indiana.

Michigan's Adventure offers guests more than 40 rides and attractions, including "Shivering Timbers," one of the world's highest-rated wooden roller coasters; the "Wolverine Wildcat" wooden coaster; four additional roller coasters; the "Giant Gondola Wheel," an eight-story-tall Ferris wheel; "Adventure Falls" water ride; "RipCord," an extra-charge attraction that lifts riders to a height of more than 15 stories before dropping them back to earth in a free fall; and "Wild Water Adventure," a water park featuring more than 20 water rides and attractions, including two wave action pools, a surf pool, a 612-foot-long water slide adventure, the "Mineshaft" inner tube ride and a lazy river. Admission to "Wild Water Adventure" water park is included in admission to the amusement park.

During the operating season, the Partnership carries significant receivables and inventories of food and merchandise, as well as payables and payroll-related accruals. Amounts are substantially reduced in non-operating periods. Seasonal working capital needs are met with a revolving credit facility, which is established at a level sufficient to accommodate the Partnership's peak borrowing requirements in April and May as the seasonal parks complete preparations for opening. Revolving credit borrowings are reduced daily with the Partnership's strong positive cash flow during the seasonal operating period.

The Partnership believes that annual park attendance is influenced to some extent by the investment in new attractions from year to year. Capital expenditures are planned on a seasonal basis with the majority of such capital expenditures made in the period from October through May, just prior to the beginning of the peak operating season. Capital expenditures made in a calendar year may differ materially from amounts identified with a particular operating season because of timing considerations such as weather conditions, site preparation requirements and availability of ride components, which may result in accelerated or delayed expenditures around calendar yearend.

In general, the Partnership competes with all phases of the recreation industry within its primary market areas of Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Kansas City, including several other amusement/theme parks in the Partnership's market areas. The Partnership's business is subject to factors generally affecting the recreation and leisure market, such as economic conditions, changes in discretionary spending patterns and weather conditions.

In Cedar Point's major markets, its primary amusement park competitors are Six Flags Worlds of Adventure near Cleveland and Paramount Kings Island in southern Ohio.

In Southern California, Knott's Berry Farm's primary amusement/theme park competitors are Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, which are approximately 10 minutes away, Universal Studios, approximately 40 minutes away, and Six Flags Magic Mountain, approximately 75 minutes away. The San Diego Zoo and Sea World-San Diego are located approximately 90 minutes from Knott's. LEGOLAND, a children's park, is located approximately 70 minutes away in Carlsbad, California.

Dorney Park has a number of competitors, with Hershey Park in central Pennsylvania and Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey being the major competitors in its market area.

In Worlds of Fun's major markets, its primary amusement park competitors are Six Flags Over Mid-America in eastern Missouri and Silver Dollar City in southern Missouri.

Adventureland, a theme park in Des Moines, Iowa, is located approximately 250 miles from Valleyfair and Worlds of Fun.

Michigan's Adventure competes in northern Indiana with Six Flags Great America, which is located approximately 250 miles away in Gurnee, Illinois, and with Cedar Point.

The principal competitive factors in the amusement park industry include the uniqueness and perceived quality of the rides and attractions in a particular park, its proximity to metropolitan areas, the atmosphere and cleanliness of the park, and the quality and variety of the food and entertainment available. The Partnership believes that its amusement parks feature a sufficient quality and variety of rides and attractions, restaurants, gift shops and family atmosphere to make them highly competitive with other parks.

All rides are run and inspected daily by both the Partnership's maintenance and ride operations personnel before being put into operation. The parks are also periodically inspected by the Partnership's insurance carrier and, at Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm, Dorney Park, Worlds of Fun and Michigan's Adventure, by state ride-safety inspectors.

The Partnership has approximately 1,400 full-time employees. During the operating season, Cedar Point, Dorney Park, Valleyfair, Worlds of Fun and Michigan's Adventure have approximately 4,000, 1,500, 1,600, 2,000 and 1,000 seasonal employees, respectively, most of whom are high school and college students. Knott's Berry Farm hires approximately 2,800 seasonal employees for peak periods and 1,000 part-time employees who work year-round. Approximately 3,100 of Cedar Point's seasonal employees and 400 of Valleyfair's seasonal employees live in dormitories owned by the Partnership. The Partnership maintains training programs for all new employees and believes that its relations with its employees are good.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

Cedar Point and Soak City are located on approximately 365 acres owned by the Partnership on the Cedar Point peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio. The Partnership also owns approximately 80 acres of property on the mainland adjoining the approach to the Cedar Point Causeway. The Breakers Express hotel, the Radisson Harbour Inn and adjoining TGI Friday's restaurant and two seasonal employee housing complexes are located on this property.

The Partnership controls, through ownership or an easement, a six-mile public highway and owns approximately 38 acres of vacant land adjacent to this highway, which is a secondary access route to Cedar Point and serves about 250 private residences. The roadway is maintained by the Partnership pursuant to deed provisions. The Cedar Point Causeway, a four-lane roadway across Sandusky Bay, is the principal access road to Cedar Point and is owned by a subsidiary of the Partnership.

Knott's Berry Farm is situated on approximately 160 acres, virtually all of which have been developed. Knott's Soak City-San Diego is located on 65 acres, of which 33 acres have been developed and 32 acres remain available for future expansion. Knott's Soak City-Palm Springs is located on 21 acres, of which 16 acres have been developed and 5 acres remain available for future expansion.

Dorney Park is situated on approximately 200 acres, of which 170 acres have been developed and 30 acres remain available for future expansion.

At Valleyfair, approximately 125 acres have been developed, and approximately 75 additional acres remain available for future expansion.

Worlds of Fun is located on approximately 350 acres, of which 235 acres have been developed and 115 acres remain available for future expansion.

Michigan's Adventure is situated on approximately 250 acres, of which 100 acres have been developed and 150 acres remain available for future expansion.

The Partnership, through its subsidiary Cedar Point of Michigan, Inc., owns approximately 450 acres of land in southern Michigan.

All of the Partnership's property is owned in fee simple without encumbrance. The Partnership considers its properties to be well-maintained, in good condition and adequate for its present uses and business requirements.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

The Partnership is involved in various claims and routine litigation incidental to its business. The Partnership believes that these claims and proceedings are unlikely to have a material adverse effect on the Partnership's financial statements.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

None.

Cedar Fair, L.P. Depositary Units representing limited partner interests are listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FUN" (CUSIP 150185 10 6). As of February 28, 2003, there were approximately 10,000 registered holders of Cedar Fair, L.P. Depositary Units, representing limited partner interests, including 4,000 participants in the Partnership's distribution reinvestment plan. The cash distributions declared and the high and low prices of the Partnership's units are shown in the table below:

NOTE 1 - Operating results for Michigan's Adventure and Knott's Soak City-Palm Springs are included for the periods subsequent to their respective acquisition dates in 2001.

NOTE 2 - The 2000 operating results include a $7.8 million, or $0.15 per unit, non-recurring cost to terminate general partner fees.

NOTE 3 - Knott's Berry Farm is included in 1997 data only for the three days subsequent to its acquisition on December 29, 1997.

NOTE 4 - Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun is included in 1995 data for the period subsequent to its acquisition on July 28, 1995.

NOTE 5 - The 1993 operating results include a non-recurring credit for deferred taxes of $11.0 million, or $0.25 per unit.

NOTE 6 - Net income per limited partner unit is computed based on the weighted average number of units and equivalents outstanding - assuming dilution.

NOTE 7 - Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, non-cash unit option expense, and all non-recurring costs.

NOTE 8 - Combined attendance includes attendance figures from the six amusement parks and the five separately-gated water parks.

NOTE 9 - Combined guest per capita spending includes all amusement park, water park, causeway tolls and parking revenues for the amusement park and water park operating season. Revenues from marina, hotel, campground and other out-of-park operations are excluded from these statistics.

The table below presents certain financial data expressed as a percent of net revenues and selective statistical information for the periods indicated.

The Partnership generates its revenues primarily from sales of (1) admission to its parks, (2) food, merchandise and games inside its parks, and (3) hotel rooms, food and other attractions outside its parks. The Partnership's principal costs and expenses, which include salaries and wages, advertising, maintenance, operating supplies, utilities and insurance, are relatively fixed and do not vary significantly with attendance. The fixed nature of these costs makes attendance a key factor in the profitability of each park. Results of operations include Knott's Soak City-Palm Springs and Michigan's Adventure since their acquisition in late May of 2001.

Buildings, rides and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis over each park's operating season. Expenditures made to maintain such assets in their original operating condition are expensed as incurred, and improvements and upgrades are capitalized.

Reserves are recorded for the estimated amounts of guest and employee claims and expenses incurred each period that are not covered by insurance. These reserves are periodically reviewed and adjusted to assure their adequacy.

Revenues on multi-day admission tickets are recognized over the estimated number of visits expected for each type of ticket, and are adjusted at the end of each seasonal period.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2002 were $502.9 million, a 5% increase over the year ended December 31, 2001. This followed a 1% increase in 2001, when revenues rose to $477.3 million from $472.9 million in 2000. Net revenues for 2002 reflect a 4% increase in combined attendance across our 11 properties (to a record 12.4 million from 11.9 million in 2001), a 9% increase in out-of-park revenues and a slight increase in combined in-park guest per capita spending (to $34.50 from $34.41 in 2001). The increase in out-of-park revenues was driven primarily by healthy improvement in occupancy levels at Cedar Point's resort hotels.

In 2002, successful capital investments at both Cedar Point and Knott's Berry Farm, along with strong marketing programs and a record year at Dorney Park, boosted combined attendance at the Partnership's six amusement parks by 3% to 10.9 million guests. At Cedar Point, the introduction of the park's 15^th roller coaster and the addition of the new PEANUTS-themed ice show, contributed to the park's strong performance. The introduction of the Xcelerator roller coaster in July and a strong Halloween Haunt promotion in October led Knott's Berry Farm to a strong second half of the year. At the five water parks, ideal weather conditions at the Midwest properties, along with a full-year contribution from Knott's Soak City-Palm Springs, led to a 15% increase in attendance to 1.5 million guests. Excluding the impact of the new park, combined water park attendance was still up 10% from a year ago.

In 2001, the contribution of Michigan's Adventure, along with a very strong year at Dorney Park, offset attendance declines at the Partnership's other four amusement parks resulting from the weak economy and the lack of a major new attraction. Much improved weather, together with the very successful debut of the Talon roller coaster, contributed to Dorney's strong performance. Combined attendance at the six amusement parks finished 2001 at 10.6 million, up slightly from 2000. Meanwhile, combined attendance at the Partnership's five water parks increased 13% to 1.3 million guests, in part due to the contribution of the Palm Springs water park. Combined per capita spending in 2001 decreased 1% due to more aggressive promotions being offered during the year at several of the parks, as well as a shift in the mix of attendance toward lower per capita parks, such as the water parks.

Cash operating costs and expenses, excluding depreciation and all non-cash and non-recurring charges, increased only 2.5% to $332.8 million from $324.6 million in 2001 and $310.0 million in 2000, due in part to the mid-year addition of Michigan's Adventure and Knott's Soak City-Palm Springs in 2001.

Management believes that a very meaningful measure of operating results and the Partnership's ability to generate cash flow for distributions to unitholders is adjusted EBITDA, which represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and non-cash and non-recurring charges. In 2002, adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $170.1 million compared to $152.7 million in 2001 and $162.9 million in 2000. The consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 33.8% from 32.0% in 2001, largely due to attendance increases at the Partnership's three largest parks. (Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of operating performance computed in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities. In addition, adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other companies.)

Other non-cash and non-recurring costs include several items. Consistent with prior periods, variable-priced unit options have been "marked to market" as they vest over their contractual life. Based on additional vesting of the options and the change in the market price of limited partnership units from year to year, a non-cash charge of $4.0 million was recorded in 2002 compared to $11.7 million in 2001. In 2003, under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Partnership expects to recognize approximately $5.2 million of unit option expense.

The Partnership recorded a provision of $3.2 million in 2002 for the estimated portion of the net book value of certain fixed assets that might not be recoverable after they were removed from service. In 2000, the Partnership recorded $7.8 million of non-recurring costs incurred in eliminating its previous general partner fee and executive compensation systems.

In 2000 and 2001, the Partnership entered into several interest rate swap agreements as a means of converting a portion of its variable-rate debt into fixed-rate debt at favorable rates. Under the applicable accounting rules, the Partnership recognized a $7.6 million non-cash charge in other expense in 2002 related to the change in fair value of two of its swap option agreements that could not be designated as effective hedges. This amount will reverse into income in 2003 and 2004 as the swaps continue to serve the purpose of leveling cash interest costs.

After these non-cash charges and credits, and interest expense and provision for taxes, both of which were comparable between years, net income for 2002 increased to $71.4 million compared to $57.9 million in 2001 and $77.8 million in 2000.

For 2003, the Partnership plans to invest approximately $48 million in capital improvements at its 11 properties, including the introduction of Top Thrill Dragster, the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster, at Cedar Point, and the addition of a double-impulse roller coaster, called Steel Venom, at Valleyfair. The Partnership is optimistic that these investments, as well as other improvements at each of the parks, will generate a high level of public interest and acceptance. However, stable population trends in the parks' market areas and uncontrollable factors, such as weather, the economy, and competition for leisure time and spending, preclude management from anticipating significant long-term increases in attendance at the parks. Historically, Cedar Fair has been able to improve its revenues and profitability by continuing to make substantial investments in its parks and resort facilities. This has enabled the Partnership to maintain consistently high attendance levels, as well as increases in guest per capita spending and revenues from guest accommodations, while carefully controlling operating and administrative expenses. In 2001 and 2002, however, competitive discounting and soft economic conditions in the Partnership's regional market areas led to virtually flat in-park guest per capita spending.

The Partnership ended 2002 in sound financial condition in terms of both liquidity and cash flow. The negative working capital ratio of 3.6 at December 31, 2002 is the result of the Partnership's highly seasonal business and careful management of cash flow to reduce borrowings. Receivables and inventories are at normally low seasonal levels and credit facilities are in place to fund current liabilities and pre-opening expenses as required. The Partnership has no significant off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

In 2002, cash generated from operations totaled $146.5 million and new term loan borrowings provided $90.0 million. The Partnership used $55.3 million for capital expenditures, $83.4 million for distributions to the general and limited partners, and $97.9 million to pay down revolving credit borrowings. Distributions in 2003, at the current annual rate of $1.68 per unit, would total approximately $85 million, 2% higher than the distributions paid in 2002.

At yearend, the Partnership had $240 million of fixed-rate term debt, as well as a $275 million revolving credit facility, which is available through November 2004. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility totaled $135.2 million as of December 31, 2002, of which $100 million has been converted to fixed-rate obligations for a period of up to two more years by use of interest rate swap agreements. Credit facilities and cash flow from operations are expected to be adequate to meet seasonal working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and regular quarterly cash distributions.

To the Partners of Cedar Fair, L.P.:In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations, of partners' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cedar Fair, L.P. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial statements of Cedar Fair, L.P. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2001, were audited by other independent accountants who have ceased operations. Those independent accountants expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements in their report dated January 23, 2002 (except with respect to the new term debt discussed in Note 3, as to which the date was February 8, 2002).

Cleveland, Ohio,

February 5, 2003.

(In thousands)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these balance sheets.

(In thousands, except per unit amounts)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

(In thousands)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

(In thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

Cedar Fair, L.P. (the "Partnership") is a Delaware limited partnership that commenced operations in 1983 when it acquired Cedar Point, Inc., and became a publicly traded partnership in 1987. The Partnership's General Partner is Cedar Fair Management Company, an Ohio corporation owned by the Partnership's executive management (the "General Partner"). The General Partner owns a 0.1% interest in the Partnership's income, losses and cash distributions, except in defined circumstances, and has full control over all activities of the Partnership. At December 31, 2002, there were 50,549,303 outstanding limited partnership units registered on The New York Stock Exchange, net of 1,240,880 units held in treasury.

In August 2000, the Partnership obtained approval at a special meeting of its limited partners to revise its general partner fee and executive compensation systems, retroactive to January 1, 2000. After this transaction, the Partnership's limited partner units represent, in the aggregate, a 99.9% interest in income, losses and cash distributions of the Partnership, compared with a 99.5% interest in prior periods. The Partnership Agreement was also amended to eliminate the fees paid by the Partnership to the General Partner, retroactive to January 1, 2000. In previous years the General Partner earned a fee equal to 0.25% of the Partnership's net revenues, as defined, and also earned incentive compensation when quarterly distributions exceeded certain levels as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

In connection with terminating the prior general partner fee and executive compensation systems, non-recurring costs totaling approximately $7.8 million were incurred by the Partnership in 2000. In addition, all deferred limited partnership units outstanding under the prior compensation program were immediately vested and issued to senior management. The General Partner was also paid $1.0 million to reduce its interest in the Partnership to 0.1% effective January 1, 2000.

The General Partner may, with the approval of a specified percentage of the limited partners, make additional capital contributions to the Partnership, but is only obligated to do so if the liabilities of the Partnership cannot otherwise be paid or there exists a negative balance in its capital account at the time of its withdrawal from the Partnership. The General Partner, in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement, is required to make regular cash distributions on a quarterly basis of all the Partnership's available cash, as defined.

The following policies are used by the Partnership in preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

Segment Reporting The Partnership is in the single business of operating amusement and water parks with accompanying resort facilities.

Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each period. Reserves are recorded for the estimated amounts of guest and employee claims and expenses incurred each period that are not covered by insurance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventories The Partnership's inventories primarily consist of purchased products, such as merchandise and food, for sale to its customers. All inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market.

Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The composite method is used for the group of assets acquired as a whole in 1983, as well as for the groups of like assets of each subsequent business acquisition. The unit method is used for all individual assets purchased.

Under the composite depreciation method, assets with similar estimated lives are grouped together and the several pools of assets are depreciated on an aggregate basis. Gains and losses on the retirement of assets, except those related to abnormal retirements, are credited or charged to accumulated depreciation. Accumulated gains and losses on asset retirements under the composite depreciation method have not been significant.

Under the unit method of depreciation, individual assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, with gains and losses on all asset retirements recognized currently in income.

The weighted average useful lives combining both methods are approximately:

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Effective January 1, 2002, the Partnership adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," which requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. During the first quarter of 2002, the Partnership removed certain fixed assets from service at its parks, and recorded a provision of $3.2 million for the estimated portion of the net book value of these assets that may not be recoverable.

Goodwill Effective January 1, 2002, the Partnership adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," which requires that goodwill no longer be amortized, but instead be tested annually for impairment. The adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the consolidated operating results or financial position of the Partnership, as no impairment was identified.

Revenue Recognition Revenues on multi-day admission tickets are recognized over the estimated number of visits expected for each type of ticket and are adjusted at the end of each seasonal period.

Advertising Costs The Partnership expenses all costs associated with its advertising, promotion and marketing programs over each park's operating season, including certain costs incurred prior to the season that are amortized over the season. Advertising expense totaled $29.9 million in 2002. Amounts incurred through yearend for the following year's advertising programs are included in prepaid expenses.

Income Taxes Because of its legal structure, the Partnership is not subject to regular corporate income taxes; rather, the Partnership's tax attributes (except those of its corporate subsidiaries) are to be included in the individual tax returns of its partners. Neither the Partnership's financial reporting income, nor the cash distributions to unitholders, can be used as a substitute for the detailed tax calculations that the Partnership must perform annually for its partners. Net income from the Partnership is not treated as "passive income" for federal income tax purposes. As a result, partners subject to the passive activity loss rules are not permitted to offset income from the Partnership with passive losses from other sources.

The tax returns of the Partnership are subject to examination by state and federal tax authorities. If such examinations result in changes to taxable income, the tax liability of the partners could be changed accordingly.

Federal and state tax legislation in 1997 provided a permanent income tax exemption to existing "publicly traded partnerships," such as Cedar Fair, L.P., with new taxes levied on partnership gross income (net revenues less cost of products sold) beginning in 1998. The Partnership recorded provisions of $17.2 million, $16.5 million and $16.4 million for these federal and state taxes in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Unit-Based Compensation Effective January 1, 2003, the Partnership will begin to account for unit options under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," prospectively for all employee awards granted since its plan was adopted in 2000. Prior to 2003, the Partnership accounted for all unit-based compensation awards, including unit options, using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations.

Under APB Opinion No. 25, the Partnership's variable-price options were "marked to market" over their vesting period whenever the exercise price was lower than the market price of limited partnership units. As of December 31, 2002, the weighted average exercise price of the outstanding variable-price options was $15.61. Approximately $4.0 million and $11.7 million in non-cash compensation expense, with an offsetting credit to partners' equity, has been recognized in the accompanying 2002 and 2001 consolidated financial statements, respectively. No compensation expense was recognized in 2000, as the exercise price of the variable-price options was higher than the market price of the limited partnership units at yearend.

Had compensation expense for the option plan been determined from inception using the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the effect on the Partnership's net income and earnings per unit would have been as follows:

Earnings Per Unit The Partnership has presented earnings per unit amounts for all periods to conform with SFAS No.128, "Earnings per Share." For purposes of calculating the basic and diluted earnings per limited partner unit, no adjustments have been made to the reported amounts of net income. The unit amounts used are as follows:

Reclassification Certain reclassifications have been made to amounts reported in 2001 and 2000 to conform with the 2002 presentation.

Long-term debt at December 31, 2002 and 2001 consisted of the following:

Revolving Credit Loans The Partnership has a credit agreement with eight banks under which it has available a $275 million revolving credit facility through November 2004. As of December 31, 2002, borrowings under this credit facility were $135.2 million at an effective rate of 2.2%. The maximum outstanding revolving credit balance during 2002 was $267.0 million.

Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.775% per annum, with other rate options. The agreement requires the Partnership to pay a commitment fee of up to 0.225% per annum on the daily unused portion of the credit. The Partnership, at its option, may make prepayments without penalty and reduce the loan commitments.

The Partnership's policy is to capitalize interest on major construction projects. Interest of $807,000, $551,000 and $1,839,000 on such projects was capitalized in 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Term Debt In February 2002, the Partnership entered into a new note agreement for the issuance of $100 million in senior notes with maturities of 5-13 years at a weighted average interest rate of 6.44%. The proceeds were used to reduce revolving credit borrowings.

At December 31, 2002, the scheduled annual maturities of term debt were as follows (in thousands):

The fair value of the aggregate future repayments on term debt at December 31, 2002, as required by SFAS No. 107, would be approximately $253.0 million, applying a discount rate of 6.0%. The Partnership may make prepayments on any of these notes with defined premiums.

Covenants Under the terms of the debt agreements, the Partnership, among other restrictions, is required to maintain a specified level of partners' equity, and comply with certain cash flow, interest coverage, and debt to net worth levels. The Partnership was in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2002.

The Partnership has only limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. They are only used within the Partnership's overall risk management program to manage certain interest rate and foreign currency risks from time to time. In 2000 and 2001, the Partnership entered into several interest rate swap agreements as a means of converting a portion of its variable-rate bank debt into fixed-rate debt at favorable rates.

The Partnership accounts for the use of derivative financial instruments according to SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" and related amendments. This statement requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair values. Changes in the fair values of derivatives that effectively hedge a business transaction, as narrowly defined, are recorded each period in an equity account called "other comprehensive income (loss)." An ineffective financial instrument's change in fair value, if any, is recognized currently in earnings together with the changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges. Derivative financial instruments used in hedging transactions are assessed both at inception and quarterly thereafter to ensure they are effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the related underlying exposures.

As of December 31, 2002, two of the Partnership's interest rate swap option agreements contained provisions that did not meet the definition of derivative instruments that could be designated as hedges under SFAS No. 133. Consequently, the Partnership recognized a $7.6 million charge in other expense in the current year related to the change in fair value of these two options. The amount recorded as other expense will reverse into income in 2003 and 2004 as the contracts continue to serve the purpose of leveling cash interest costs as intended. The remainder of the Partnership's interest rate swap agreements qualify as fully effective hedges under SFAS No. 133. The fair market value of these agreements, which was obtained from broker quotes, was a net liability of $590,000 at December 31, 2002.

Special L.P. Interests In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, certain partners were allocated $5.3 million of 1987 and 1988 taxable income (without any related cash distributions) for which they received Special L.P. Interests. The Special L.P. Interests do not participate in cash distributions and have no voting rights. However, the holders of Special L.P. Interests will receive in the aggregate $5.3 million upon liquidation of the Partnership.

Unit Options In August 2000, the Partnership's unitholders approved the establishment of a new Equity Incentive Plan allowing the award of up to 4.8 million unit options and other forms of equity as an element of compensation to senior management and other key employees, including the grant of 2.3 million unit options, with a variable exercise price, in connection with the termination of the Partnership's general partner fee and executive compensation systems. As of December 31, 2002, the Partnership had 2,212,200 variable-price options and 793,250 fixed-price options outstanding under the plan. All options vest over a five-year period and have a maximum term of ten years. The variable-price options have an exercise price that declines by the value of cash distributions declared on the underlying limited partnership units.

The weighted average fair value of options granted during 2002, 2001 and 2000 was $2.53, $2.16 and $11.61, respectively. The fair value of each option was estimated at the date of grant using a binomial option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

A summary of option activity during 2002, 2001 and 2000 follows:

The following table summarizes information about unit options outstanding at December 31, 2002:

The Partnership has trusteed, noncontributory retirement plans for the majority of its employees. Contributions are discretionary and were $3,541,000 in 2002, $3,414,000 in 2001, and $3,373,000 in 2000. These plans also permit employees to contribute specified percentages of their salary, matched up to a limit by the Partnership. Matching contributions approximated $1,305,000 in 2002, $1,227,000 in 2001, and $1,249,000 in 2000.

In addition, approximately 160 employees are covered by union-sponsored, multi-employer pension plans for which approximately $550,000, $520,000, and $503,000 were contributed for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, respectively. The Partnership believes that, as of December 31, 2002, it would have no withdrawal liability as defined by the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980.

The Partnership is a party to a number of lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these matters will not have a material effect in the aggregate on the Partnership's financial statements.

The Partnership acquired two parks during 2001. On June 1, 2001, Michigan's Adventure amusement park, located near Muskegon, Michigan, was acquired for 1,250,000 unregistered limited partnership units valued at approximately $27.6 million. On May 29, 2001, Oasis Water Park, located in Palm Springs, California, was acquired for a cash purchase price of $9.3 million, and was later renamed Knott's Soak City - Palm Springs.

The purchase price of each acquisition has been allocated to assets and liabilities acquired based on their relative fair values at the date of acquisition, and their assets, liabilities and results of operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements since the respective acquisition dates.

Quarterly operating results for 2002 and 2001 are presented in the table below:

1. To assure that our highly seasonal operations will not result in misleading comparisons of interim periods, the Partnership has adopted the following reporting procedures: (a) seasonal operating costs are expensed over the operating season, including some costs incurred prior to the season, which are deferred and amortized over the season, and (b) all other costs are expensed as incurred or ratably over the entire year.
2. The 2002 second quarter results included one more week of operations, and the 2002 third quarter one less week, than the 2001 periods.
3. The unaudited amounts for the first three quarters of 2002 have been restated from those originally included in the Registrant's filings on Form 10-Q as shown in the following table. The unaudited amounts have been adjusted for the reclassification of non-cash charges of $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $3.5 million in the first, second and third quarters, respectively, to reflect the change in fair value of two interest rate swap option agreements as other expense rather than other comprehensive income. The adjustments had no effect on reported amounts of liabilities or total partners' equity in any period.

Arthur Andersen LLP served as the Partnership's independent accountants for many years. Due to Arthur Andersen ceasing operations, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was engaged on June 13, 2002 to audit our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002. The audit committee and board of directors of the General Partner approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as our independent accountants.

We believe, and were advised by Arthur Andersen LLP that it concurs in such belief, that for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the subsequent interim period through June 13, 2002, we and Arthur Andersen did not have any disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which if not resolved to Andersen's satisfaction, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter in their report on the financial statements for such years; and there were no reportable events as defined in Regulation S-K Item 304(a)(1)(v).

The report of Arthur Andersen LLP on our financial statements for the years ending December 31, 2001 and 2000, did not contain an adverse opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or a qualified opinion arising from the audit scope, the accounting principles applied, or an uncertainty.

Cedar Fair Management Company, an Ohio corporation owned by members of the Partnership's executive management, is the General Partner of the Partnership and has full responsibility for the management of the Partnership. For additional information, attention is directed to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements on page 19 of this Report.

The Board of Directors of the General Partner has a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews the Partnership's compensation and employee benefit policies and programs and recommends related actions, as well as executive compensation decisions, to the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee selects and meets periodically with the Partnership's independent accountants, reviews the activities of the Partnership's internal audit staff, considers the recommendations of the independent accountants and internal auditors, and reviews the quarterly financial statements each quarter and the annual financial statements upon completion of the audit.

Each director of the General Partner is elected for a one-year term.