News: Cedar Fair makes initial quarterly report combined with aquired Paramount Parks

http://www.pointbuzz.com/news.htm?id=1041

That's bad news that attendance was down at Cedar Point with the decrease in admission and such. Of course, with this insane October, I bet they offset that a little.

I do like the part that where they say it's not an assimilation of Paramount Parks, that they're using some of their stuff.

Wow. My last three CP visits were insanely crowded so it is a bit disappointing to hear attendance was down. Nice to hear October was up though. If only the rest of the year was like that.

I like that they have dropped the "Paramount" name and are now just calling them King's Island, Dominion, etc...

Perhaps that's the case in the press release, but as far as I know, they'll continue to use the Paramount name next year.

Are you just making things up? Maureen clearly stated at the final Beast rides on Sunday night that they were still trying to decide what brands were worth keeping and getting rid of. As for the employees being instructed to call it just 'Kings Island'...from what I've been told, it's been totally up to the employees as to what to say.

Ok, the post I replied to is now gone...just to clarify. I'm not bitching out Jeff. :D *** Edited 11/2/2006 4:00:40 AM UTC by kirk06***

I think there's little doubt that they'll drop the licensing in the long term, because you could never convince Sandusky that there's any value in it, but if you have it and can use it, why wouldn't you?

It was also my impression from the powers that be that for the time being they'd keep using the name.

I'm curious exactly what the value is in keeping the Paramount name on the parks - even if they do decide to keep certain ride names and themes, like Top Gun, Italian Job, Tomb Raider. Keeping the Paramount name on the parks, even if the usage of it is in decline, would be a faux pas for Cedar Fair, IMO.

The signage recently installed is the same as the current PKI logo, minus the Paramount portion.

I've only been to PKI, so I can't comment on other former Paramount parks, but the Paramount themeing was extremely minimal in my opinion. Top gun had some movie posters, and a rusty radar prop that looks like it was gotten from a garage sale. Italian Job had some movie trivia around the queue, but other than that it was a simple car chase themed coaster (a good one actually). That was about it for the Paramount themeing at PKI. Most rides, like Tomb Raider, just need a simple name change. I say CF would be foolish to keep the Paramount themeing, as it really has no presence in the park, unless they were going to expand upon it.

I don't think the replacement names would sound as cool.

Top Gun --> Nickel Dragon
Tomb Raider --> Sarcophagus Expeditiousness
Face/Off --> Primitive Facial Plastic Surgery

It's all downhill from here folks. ;)

I wonder if the comment about adopting Paramounts systems means that CF is getting into the 1980's now with their operational technology.....

I swear that Cedar Point's main computer system must be a punch card reader....system 37 at best. Sarcarsm aside, they really need to make better use of bar code systems and other common practices, such as debit card payment systems and the like.

Inky, you have too much time on your hands.

RTurb0: One can only hope.

^

*Crosses Fingers*

^^

This coming from a guy that has almost 4000 posts.

Anyone else find that amusing? ;) *** Edited 11/2/2006 10:38:51 PM UTC by Loopy***

I know the computers I came in contact with were just terminals connected to a mainframe. Now that's ancient. I'm sure over the next several years CP (and CF) will start to step it up a little more when it comes to IT systems. Hopefully right around the time I graduate and am looking for a job.... :)

Paramount's system is excellent. Their turnstyle and season pass processing computers are touchscreen computers with a custom made software platform.

They're pretty awesome.

Awesome doesn't mean anything. As relatively ghetto as Cedar Point's admission system might be, it allows them to capture all of the important metrics. Replacing that just to be more modern wouldn't have any return on investment.

Now combine an overhaul that meshes with spending plans on passes and/or room keys, then we're getting somewhere.

I know for sure that I'd spend more money in the park if I was able to charge stuff to my season pass. It's a great idea.

That would be really convenient to charge things on season passes, but then there would be lost passes issues and before you know it they would start charging intrest. ;)

Top Thrill 182 said:
Italian Job had some movie trivia around the queue, but other than that it was a simple car chase themed coaster (a good one actually).

Actually if you watch the movie, then ride the ride you can tell how almost every part is connected to a scene in the movie. (i.e. Parking Garage, swerving by cops cars, being sho at by a helicopter, a "splashdown" in the water.

The only way that I think allowing people to charge to a season pass would work is to make it work like a debit card. You put in a certain amount of money, and draw on that until its gone.

Along the same lines, I think letting resort guests charge to their room would be a good idea.