News: CEDAR FAIR, L.P. TO ACQUIRE PARAMOUNT PARKS

Well, it looks as if Cedar Fair's website has been Pointbuzzed. :)

Trim brakes on the first drop of SOB? Oh well.. It can't get much worse... I hear even with the overhaul, its still quite rough

Ive heard quite the opposite. Although there gaol was not to make it "smooth"...just rideable...and it was becoming unrideable, even for woodie fans.

Kevinj I grew up on Kings Island before I started going to Cedar Point a lot. All of our family trips were at Paramounts Kings Island. The Beast will always be my favorite wooden coaster, that the wooden coaster I first rode when I was learning to ride rollercoasters.

You cant beat the Beast...

Its just interesting how the parks have flip-flopped over the past 2 decades. Back in the 1980's, Kings Island was the cutting-edge thrill seeker park, while CP was the more family-friendly tame park. And now it is just the opposite...for kids you cannot beat Kings Island, and they expanded it again this year (Nick Universe).
*** Edited 5/22/2006 2:04:53 PM UTC by Kevinj***

When do we get a Kings Island forum on Pointbuzz? ;)

Good idea...:)

Im assuming Walt is already on top of that.

My only concern is all of the themeing that makes the Paramount parks so beautiful. With PKI for example, Tomb Raider is one of my favorite rides because of the themeing. And what about the brand new Nickelodeon Universe? That area is so heavily themed I can't imagine them tearing all that down already since it just opened this year. And what about Scooby Doo's Haunted Mansion? I really hope that they also aquired licencing (sp?) rights to use some of the Paramount movie trademarks, along with the Nickelodeon stuff as well.

Wow! This is good news for Cedar Fair, they just picked up some really great parks. I just hope they aren't getting too large for themselves. As Jeff mentioned, the Paramount Licensing agreements will still be in place for some time yet - which is also good.

I missed that post as I was reading through this. That's a breath of fresh air though. I'm just imagining what Nick Universe will look like when the licensing runs out. A very LARGE Camp Snoopy? Or a whole new Peanuts Universe?!?

Anyone know if this purchase includes star trek:the experience?

Yes it does.. it was asked in the 11am conference call.

So Star Trek will be a random property like Camp Snoopy at Mall of America was?

I can see it now:

Seat Belts on Vortex ;)

And finally CF has something that sucks more than MS-SOB! ;)

I wonder too about the coaster upkeep. For any of us who have been to BeastBash we know how proud KI is of their upkeep of the Beast. I sure hope that won't change.
I also hope they'll keep Maureen as their PR person, she is great!! :)

I am very excited about this. I love KI and always felt some what of a traitor going there.
I'm sure our CP season pass wont be valid there this season and I wouldn't be surprised if they require an "add on" fee for KI next season, like they've done for GL. I'll pay!! :)

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 1080 :)
Lifetime Skyhawk flights: 17 :)

Upkeep of The Beast? it's in terrible condition this season.

Is this the first time CF has acquired a park(s) that are in good shape. I know Knott's, Geauga Lake, and Dorney Park weren't doing to well. MiA needed fixing and I don't know about the rest.

A very interesting thing to note is the new market CP has just acquired. Carowinds is in a part of the country (North & South Carolina) that CF was never able to pull in and Canada's Wonderland is in a whole other country. I like the idea of getting all the parks other than just one.

I think this is a great move for the park - and this might be the perfect way for Cedar Fair to break into more 'themed' amusements. It's not exactly like the Paramount Parks are Disney-like quality, but the theming is plentiful in comparison to exisiting CF parks. The market appeal will be great - CP is still the thrill-seekers paradise and KI is great for families. As long as the infastructure is organized properly I think this was a very wise decsion!

And finally CF has something that sucks more than MS-SOB!

How untrue. Kings Island refurbished SOB, and its now a smoother, much more enjoyable ride. It just reopened to pretty good reviews.

Shawn Meyer said:
Does this mean that all 5 paramount parks will have to lose the first part which is paramount? I'd hate to go to Kings Island and just see it called Kings Island. I like the paramount name. Other then that I like the aquisition. Kevinj I grew up on Kings Island before I started going to Cedar Point a lot. All of our family trips were at Paramounts Kings Island. The Beast will always be my favorite wooden coaster, that the wooden coaster I first rode when I was learning to ride rollercoasters.

Wow, you must not be very old 'cause the name just had "Paramount's" added to it in 1993.

Prior to that King's Island was called King's Island and King's Dominion was called King's Dominion. I'm pretty sure Great America was owned by Marriott Corp. prior to Paramount and was called Marriott's Great America.

I seriously doubt CF will call the parks Cedar Fair's King's Dominion and Island but only time will tell what happens.

Edit: I see now you were born in '84..that would explain it. *** Edited 5/22/2006 4:58:35 PM UTC by Loopy***

Jeff, (though this may be a silly question) is this what you were talking about when you said Project 2007 wouldn't be Dick's legacy?

See, is going out with a bang. :)

*** Edited 5/22/2006 5:06:11 PM UTC by Walt***

CP.com home page has been toned down due to the high traffic. I found that kind of interesting.

Kevinj said:

And finally CF has something that sucks more than MS-SOB!

How untrue. Kings Island refurbished SOB, and its now a smoother, much more enjoyable ride. It just reopened to pretty good reviews.

Trust me, Big Dipper has to be the worst woodie CF has. MS doesn't compare. Wolfbob's has been made boring and Villain takes a close 3rd to MS in the body jolting department.