Big Screen Removal [John Hildebrandt tweets]

I just thought this was interesting
. I saw that John H is following Great Coaster International when CP does not have a GCI coaster. Maybe CP ordered a GCI for the upcoming years..?

...Or it could be because GCI is a part of the Amusement Industry and they have been rehabbing & replacing/re-profiling parts of Mean Streak?

Gci is doing Mean Streak?

They basically have just been rehabbing bits and pieces of it. It isn't a complete overhaul.

Tony Clark followed Disney on Twitter. That doesn't mean Cedar Fair and Disney would merge. Don't look too far into things.

Looks like King's Island has tagged along. Their VP and general manager is now on twitter. @KIGMGREG

^With this being up now, I wonder if this will be a new way of getting the General Public & Fans connected to Park General Managers in the chain. I wonder if any other parks will follow.

I just find it weird that GCI is the only manufacturer he is following.

I can't wait to read some of Bart's tweets coming out of Carowinds. When his account goes live someone send me the link.

Otherwise though, this looks like a very public example of Ouimet's leadership style and I am happy to see that he believes in empowerment. I'm not sure Dick could even spell the word.

With all this stuff coming out, it makes me wonder how much in control Dick was on some stuff. It looks like all the GMs are getting twitters. Also I don't understand why Dick didnt replace the bulbs on the sky wheel or get rid of the eye sore on the ID miday. That should of been done years ago. I can't say it enough, the future looks really bright for Cedar Fair.

Dick was in control of more things than anyone here could possibly imagine. He sucked the life out of the company's ability to move forward - with anything. A company with the coolest product had the most boring and drab atmosphere.

It's extremely clear that things have changed and GM's should now have control over their parks and their people without big brother watching over them. I look forward to reading their Tweets.

Viva Quimet!

Dick did not get excited about maintenance, infrastructure, seasonal employee needs, technology (unless related to ride advancement), marketing (unless it had something to do with "biggest", "tallest" or "fastest" or a host of other things that would have meant for a better experience for both the customers and the staff. It just wasn't in him.

Nor was empowerment. A lot of good people worked for him over the years and many of them left because they just could not be the leaders they wanted to be because Dick did not create a creative or welcoming environment. Much of that was easily overlooked as the company performed well according to the stock market and big, shiny rides were being built year after year.

But, when the economy faltered then many of his faults became much easier to see. I think they will be more visible now though as a new leader has emerged and can (and will) correct some of these blatant issues.

Again, the full time staff under Dick knew about these things but were really powerless to do much about it. Anything that COULD be done was generally done without his knowledge or permission.

I think peformance issues of some of the full time executives were largely flying under the radar (or pushed under the radar by Dick himself) and with some of the changes Ouimet has already made it is clear that those things have immediately risen to the top. I'm glad those changes are being made...but I'm looking forward to when Ouimet or some of the new generals get down to the less obvious but no less important things.

Coasterkyle said:
I just find it weird that GCI is the only manufacturer he is following.

It's not wierd.

He's also following Six Flags, Holiday World and Dollywood. Perhaps he just hasn't thought of adding any other manufactures in yet.

Chief Wahoo said:
Anything that COULD be done was generally done without his knowledge or permission.

$0.25 cotton candy, anyone?

I feel like this move that John is hinting means that maybe they are slowly making way for 2013. Here's my take on this. Taking down the screen so that way later on during the season, they can possibly move/relocate Wildcat and then start building in the rumored area of where the new roller coaster might possibly go. Anybody think this seems logical?

I don't think that's a location that's been discussed as a possible 2013 location. Not to say it couldn't be, just that it hasn't been discussed yet.

Shawn Meyer said:
I feel like this move that John is hinting means that maybe they are slowly making way for 2013. Here's my take on this. Taking down the screen so that way later on during the season, they can possibly move/relocate Wildcat and then start building in the rumored area of where the new roller coaster might possibly go. Anybody think this seems logical?

I like the way you think. Sounds about right to me!

I'm not usually one to talk about wish list ideas, but relocating Wildcat and tearing down Cedars would open up a ton of room to install a pretty good sized coaster. I strongly doubt it's anywhere on the horizon, but it is a decent sized area.

^I have to disagree with you there, Chris. I have always thought that IF Cedars is ever removed, I would bet the farm on them using that land for more parking. That end of the lot fills up quick because you have at least 208 boat slips plus Famous Dave's, the Marina Office and HR/Purchasing all needing parking. I could see Perimeter Road being shifted to the left a little (towards the Marina) to give more space behind the Goodtime Theater, Wildcat and the Engine House for vehicle access. I just don't see that land being use for any kind of new attraction. That being said I also don't think the removal of the screen has anything to do with a new attraction other then the new show. The new show needed a midway and it was time for the screen to come down.

The related question...

We know the big screen is going away (YAAAAAAAAY!). We also know that the lights are coming off of the Giant Wheel. (Note he didn't say anything about installing new ones; that is an assumption at this point.). Mr. H. made a comment about the nighttime in the same tweet in which he talked about taking the old lights off of the Wheel. Could this mean that the new nighttime show will be happening over on the beach instead of in the middle of the park?

I think the exact term he used was "Ignite the night." Pyrotechnics? Every night is Independence Day, as it is at Kings Island?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Who thinks 'summer night' promotions are a really cool idea, and the light show on the Frontier Trail really ought to be a pilot program for lighting up the whole park...