Ice Skating VS IMAX, a economy smart decision?

After reading about the capital expenditures for 09 and reading that another park is getting an ice skating show, it made me wonder... Why would CF make the decision to go from IMAX movies to live ice skating shows? (I realize this decision was made in what... 02?)

Granted, I do not know the expense associated with buying the royalties/rights to show the IMAX short films, but it seems like that would still be less expensive than the costs of hiring the professional ice skaters, choreographers, stage crew, etc.

In a tough economy, could going back to IMAX films instead of live ice skating performances be a financially prudent move?

Also, I wonder if they ever explored the option of contracting a "Best Coasters" IMAX film at the Cedar Fair parks. They could do a trade-off. Other attractions, museums, etc could purchase the rights to air the film from IMAX, but for the time/effort on CP's part they could have ulimited rights to the film.

Thoughts?

I like your idea of a "Best Coasters" Imax show. While 

we're at it, can we scrape firewater and bring the laser

show back?

IMAX was a great idea, when it was popular.I would always go see the "movies" that were on the IMAX screen when the lines were always busy. I also think that ice skating is great. It is more family oriented and that's how the park wants to go.

The problem is there weren't any short-from IMAX movies being made anymore, so there was nothing new. The ice show is obviously a bigger draw anyway, and the kids love it.

And knowing CP, I'm sure there was a cost component they no longer wanted to accommodate.

^ The nice thing is, the ice skating shows are great. I have seen them myself and they are fun for all ages. On a side note, the closest IMAX theater I know of is in Cleveland.

IMAX accomodated more guests per day too didn't it? It seems like they had almost constant showings.

Though I see where it would be a problem if no more imax movies were being made in the shorter versions.

It just seemed like you could always go to the theater and either walk into a movie about to start or plop down on the bleachers in the staging area and wait a few minutes and head on in...

Silly me, I thought IMAX was family-friendly!

It's almost hard to remember, but I really liked the park around 1987-8, when I was about 10 years old. IMAX dinosaurs, Jungle Larry, dolphin shows, Frontier Lift, Paddle Wheel excursions... and those fruit-shaped drinks with crazy straws.

I love the park now, but I wonder if kids today think of it as the magical place it used to be... rather than some place down the highway with a ton of awesome rides. And not that that is anything to be ashamed of ;)

I thought the CP IMAX was pretty cool because it didn't seem entirely insulated from the environment like most movie theaters.

Jeff said:
The problem is there weren't any short-from IMAX movies being made anymore, so there was nothing new. The ice show is obviously a bigger draw anyway, and the kids love it.

And knowing CP, I'm sure there was a cost component they no longer wanted to accommodate.

Okay, define "short" IMAX movies. Obviously we're not talking about feature length films, so I assume you're referring to films of less than an hour in length. There are films being made now in this length, but they are educational in content. What you are saying there are no new short, non educational large format films available at this time. The primary reason for this that there is no funding for short entertainment films in this format and that is because the venues that show the short films are educational in nature.

And yes, IMAX wants it's pound of flesh. In most cases they not only own the projection equipment as well. I work in a science center that has a domed IMAX theater, and the contracts and agreements involved with them are monumental. But, it's a major draw for the facility and a major income producer, to the point that they have recently completed a multi million dollar upgrade of the theater.

IMAX was good, but never great. I think that the Ice Skating Show is a much better fit to what Cedar Point has become. All of those IMAX films they used to show were getting old, and the IMAX system they had was definilty dated technology compaired to todays standards, and I'm sure that updating something you were not sure would become outdated like Beta would have been a big gamble. I am very glad of the direction they took in getting an ice skating show

Dutchman said:
There are films being made now in this length, but they are educational in content. What you are saying there are no new short, non educational large format films available at this time.

Look at the list. The obvious direction IMAX has gone is with 3D and features. Besides, not being an up-charge or stand-alone, the way it is at virtually every other place that has one, it's obviously not a good deal for the park. Who cares if it works for a museum (which I suspect is also a non-profit)?

I really wish it was still IMAX. Ice shows are lame. They could even charge a little bit for some feature films once a week or whatever. I'm sure they could even use it to draw people into the park for big releases like Dark Knight with some sort of ride and watch ticket.

Oh well, they're just gonna stick with something I'll never go see.

Bring back the IMAX. show full movies, Charge an extra 3 bucks to a ticket if you want to see the movie.
And of coarse if you have a Platinum pass the movie is free!

I can't believe V For Vendetta has an IMAX version. Like a Guy Fawkes mask is going to be any less silly when it's 60' tall . . .

^ it may give children actual nightmares though.

This may sound like a wierd idea. I was thinking about the land at Geauga Lake. The current deal fell throught because they were trying to build more stores which we dont't need. What if they took the land from Geauga Lake and turn it into a area that the local and people could enjoy all year long? I mean if you look at Disney world, there is so much to do besides rides. whaat if they put in attractions like the IMAx, indoor attractions plus some outdoor and make a Disney like place up here on the NOrth Coast? Just a thought! I mean in Ohio in the winter is really boring. If someone would build things like they have in other places, more peopl would want to come here instead of laughing at us. I know when I look at vacation spots, I am not looking in Ohio. I love Cedarpoint! But in the winter, we can't enjoy it. And not everyone is interested in a water park, so why don't they make a inddor park with /Rides, games shows etc? They have the land at Geauga Lake and it would not take away from Cedarpoint. I think it would complement it!

I liked the ice show. Was it outstanding? No, but it was pretty good. And the only other time I ever saw more people in that theatre was for an employee orientation. The ice shows obviously outdraw the IMAX movies. I doubt it is even close.

One issue with IMAX at the park is that it use to be a pretty unique experience. Now, there are IMAX theatres lots of places and it isn't an, "oh...we should check THAT out" situation anymore.

The CP IMAX did show the Rolling Stones movie for an upcharge back in the early 90s. I don't really remember how the attendance was.

I would prefer a free experience for the family - like the ice skating show- over an upcharged one, like a feature length IMAX film, any day. You have to be careful with all these upcharged attractions, the perceived value of admission starts to diminish. Besides, why waste park time doing something that is no longer unique; in the 70s and 80s when I loved the IMAX films, they were the only ones I'd ever seen. I can see feature IMAX films anytime at the Henry Ford or educational films at the Detroit Science Center. Additonally, many feature films, like the example of the Dark Knight, are definately not family friendly. Just my two cents...

I remember the IMAX theater a bit, but I've never been in that building since the ice shows started.

What did they do to facilitate an ice rink?

When they showed IMAX films, I remember they had a kind of prep area ampitheater that the audience would be led into first. I think there was some general introduction and maybe even a small pre-show. After that, the audience would be asked to walk to the left--staying in the same rows they were in--into the theater part (each row had its own door into the theater building).

Is it still set up this way? Where did they actually put the rink?

Thanks!

Chief Wahoo said:
One issue with IMAX at the park is that it use to be a pretty unique experience. Now, there are IMAX theatres lots of places and it isn't an, "oh...we should check THAT out" situation anymore.

Nail....Head.

When CP had the IMAX there wasn't one in every town. Now I pass no less than 3 on my way across Michigan. Unless you're in the boonies, you're never that far from one, so for CP to keep one running didn't make sense.

I agree.

Even the amc movie theaters have Imax screens as well.