Do you think Cedar Fair would ever consider buying Six Flags

Posssibly in due time. Right now would most likely be the best time due to the fact that almost everyone is experiencing tough times.

Yeah SFA is a horrible park. When I lived in DC for a year I went with a BGE/WCUSA and Hershey SP. I just could never see myself stopping less then 1/2 hour from the best park north of Orlando to go to (then) PKD.

I went to SFA twice in the summer that I lived in DC, and it was by far the most sorry excuse for an amusement park I've ever seen. I'd heard the jokes about bathroom walls covered in feces at Six Flags, but I always thought it was just a joke until I visited that park.

On topic though, no, I don't think CF would buy Six Flags. If they did, it would probably be the dumbest move the company ever made.

In fact, who says companies have to keep growing to stay alive? That's a ridiculous statement.

Jeff said:
In what universe would that be a good idea? Cedar Fair doesn't "compete" in a meaningful way with Six Flags in any market, except maybe LA and the bay area.

I believe they do compete. If you live in the Pennsylvania or or on the East Coast you have several parks within 3 hours, and some of them are Six Flags parks / CF parks.

I think Cedar Fair would consider it, they'd be fools not to. They would have to consider it and determine at what price point does it make sense to make a move and whether it would be possible with their current debt load. Right now I'd say they'd be equally foolish to actually make a move, but I'm sure it will be discussed at some point.

The competition you guys speak of is imaginary. Did Cedar Point's attendance suddenly spike without the "competition" from Geauga Lake? Of course not. Would Kings Island's spike if Kentucky Kingdom disappeared? Not a chance. Would Dorney gain 3 million visits if Great Adventure sank into New Jersey? Nope.

I don't think it would happen, If CF would buy A park and even thats a stretch I would say SF Texas. We do not have a park in Texas and I feel it would be a decent market. Cf would not buy Magic mountain because we already have two parks in California. SFGA would be too close to Carowinds, and we already have a park in the Midwest and in Minnesota.

CF is still dealing with the Paramount aquisition, plus with the economy the way it is, it would not be wise to buy all these parks. I don't think SF will sell even if they file bankruptcy. I think right now SF has a good number of parks to compete in.

SFGA is over 4 hours drive from Carowinds with the entire state of South Carolina in between. Both are near fairly large cities. Just can't see that they target the same audience.

If CF does not buy Six Flags (which is the overall view on the forum)....

How about we speculate about another possibility...

Since Six Flags is weak and will be looking to be more efficient, do you think they would be considering closing a few of their under performing parks. If you do think so, what are these parks, and do you think CF could benefit from acquiring any of the rides at these parks?

This should keep this discussion strong for 8-9 pages.

That is a better possibility But if Six Flags are going to close some parks they most likely do what Cedar Fair did with Geauga Lake and that was move most of the rides to another running park, and sell the rest of the garbage. Since we are on this topic What in the world is going on with Six Flags New Orleans???

If the six flags ever waved the white flag, I could see CF taking the oppurtunity to buy some of the rides. I think SF weekest parks are Kentucky kingdom,SFA and SFGA. Since I never been to a SF park other then SFWoA or SFO I don't really know their rides. I do know that most of their major coasters are nearly identical at each park (Batmans, Supermans, etc), identical name, identical layout.

Each of CF parks is different and DK/CF believe that coaster twins because it not good for a park if you can ride the same ride at 8 other parks. CF only likes repeat names with Hawk or Iron in them.

!Maybe they will buy Kingda Ka!

^^ Missed the post by a minute.

Last time i checked New Orleans was being cleared out by SF for all the useable rides or equipment that wasn't flooded. It was supposed to be devoloped into a amusement park agaian but fell threw because of SF removing most of the rides and marketing in New Orleans was not good.

MaVeRiCk 'n MaGnUm XL said:
Since we are on this topic What in the world is going on with Six Flags New Orleans???

Mark Shapiro doesn't care about black coasters.

[quote ]How about we speculate about another possibility...

Since Six Flags is weak and will be looking to be more efficient, do you think they would be considering closing a few of their under performing parks. If you do think so, what are these parks, and do you think CF could benefit from acquiring any of the rides at these parks?

This should keep this discussion strong for 8-9 pages.

I could see SFKK going to just to a full scale water park, from what I've seen of it back in 05 it looked very nice and they have added more since then. The only rides I go there for is Greezed Lighnin', Thunder Run, and Chang - Which I think is better then Mantis.

kylepark said:

FSAlex said:
All public companies have to keep growing to stay alive. I have no doubt that Cedar Fair will continue to add parks in the future...

You can still have growth without aquiring another park, by adding to your existing properties. Just look what has happened to CP in the last 25 years. A few examples include the addition of water park, three hotels, and Lighthouse Point.

Exactly, but at a certain point each property reaches its maturity. Sure there are still marginal growth opportunities in Sandusky, but trying to get 5-10% annual growth out of Cedar Point just isnt feasible long term.

factory81 said:
If CF does not buy Six Flags (which is the overall view on the forum)....

How about we speculate about another possibility...

Since Six Flags is weak and will be looking to be more efficient, do you think they would be considering closing a few of their under performing parks. If you do think so, what are these parks, and do you think CF could benefit from acquiring any of the rides at these parks?

This should keep this discussion strong for 8-9 pages.

Unlikely unless the price is really cheap. Cedar Fair isn't known for buying used rides and the only time they've ever recycled / relocated rides that they already own is when the current property has no use for it and/or needs the space for expansion, as in the frontiertown carousel or the Geauga Lake rides. Heck, Cedar Fair didn't even make a bid for the "new" used rides at Hard Rock Park, even when the price got down below $35 million for a complete park full of rides, plus real estate. The B&M alone would cost almost $20 million to replicate.

I wish that there was a way to keep some of the small parks open! I know that so many companies are struggling right now, but we so need to have places to have fun besides go to a bar or eat!!!!

Stephen Colbert had a skit on top 15 American companies that could go belly up in 2009.

Six Flags was his second choice, and he put the stake in the grave. He said f...'m.
Than he raised the obvious point, Six Flags is going bankrupt because they need SIX FLAGS. One should be sufficient, seriously....

Ha ha ha?