News: Cedar Fair shareholders protest free-ticket change; company considering Kings Island

I would love to see CF buy King's Island, but I also feel the Paramount licensing should be kept if at all possible. It would help give KI a seperate feeling from CP, plus I always thought it was fun.

As for the whiny shareholders, I couldn't care less if I got a free ticket, I own a season pass. The Castaway Bay incentive may actually get me to go there this year, but really I don't expect anything for my investment other than (hopefully) continued profit.

I don't think this is the big news. It's gonna take quite a while for this to happen should CF decide to press on with this sale.

I think more than likely we will have to pay extra for our season passes to work at KI.

true but that would make my KC Worlds of Fun pass that much more valuable, i could have a great week in Ohio doing CP + KI + GL.

I have a lot of going theories about the news, but you'll have to listen to the next podcast to find out what I think. ;)

I feel like the only person that sees value in the Paramount license. I'm curious to know how they handled it when Viacom split, because Paramount Pictures stayed with Viacom, as did Nickelodeon, MTV and the like. I personally think the arrangement is beneficial to both parties, regardless of who owns the parks.

My hope is that they buy the whole chain. There isn't really a dud among them, though I hear PCW and PGA could use a little work operationally. Sure would make me a happy unit holder.

Coastern3rd said:
I don't think this is the big news. It's gonna take quite a while for this to happen should CF decide to press on with this sale.

You think they rolled out of bed and decided this yesterday? If they're considering it, they've been working on it since the day CBS said they wanted to sell, or perhaps even before the split when it was all Viacom and they wanted to sell.

Jeff said:

Sure would make me a happy unit holder.

If holding your unit makes you happy then so be it:)

Jeff said:

You think they rolled out of bed and decided this yesterday? If they're considering it, they've been working on it since the day CBS said they wanted to sell, or perhaps even before the split when it was all Viacom and they wanted to sell.

Even if they have been considering it for quite some time, when the decision is made the completion of sale will not happen for a very long time. More than likely after the 06 operating season it could even be final in 07. That is only if CF decides to buy and Paramount decides to sell.

You're not listening... who said they haven't already made that decision? When they announced the acquisition of Geauga Lake, they took over the next week. Think that wasn't in the works for months?

I'm excited about the chance that Cedar Fair might be buying the park. I think it would be a nice addition to the chain.

When I read an article that says they are considering the decision. I'm going to make posts based on that news article and what I have learned thus far.

I have no idea how long the acquisition of Geauga Lake took. Don't assume I do. How would I, a non stock holder, know that Cedar Fair made the decision or was close to making a decision?

Sounds like an excellent idea to me. I would love to venture over to PKI one day, whether it's owned by Paramount or CF. It looks like a great park. If CF were to go for the whole bundle, even better. With PCW being the premier park in Ontario and only a few hours from here I would be more likely to visit if it was owned by CF. It's a decent park but is in need of some work. I want to see CF venture into the Canadian amusement industry (or lack thereof).

Am I really stretching the imagination to assume that you'd know nine-figure deals don't happen in a week?

Jeff said:

I feel like the only person that sees value in the Paramount license.

Holy crap I actually agree with something Jeff says. The parks IMO have a strang brand and are solid parks and it would be wise for CF to buy them.

You are assuming that I knew when this deal came into the minds of Cedar Fair. Since I do not hold any stock or interest in Cedar Fair other than a season pass and a reservation for Breakers, I was assuming this was recently put on the table, especially considering the article makes no mention of when the meeting was held.

Of course I know these sorts of deals don't happen in a week, where did I say otherwise?

Again, based on the date of the article I thought this was fairly recent and the acquisition would come at a much later date.

Fascinating . . especially considering that KECO nearly purchased CP once upon a time. Funny how things come full circle . . maybe. ;)

I like the idea alot, I hope it happens. Kings Island is about an hour from where I live and its a lot easier for me to go there than to make the four hour drive to CP. I'd love to see what Cedar Fair could do for my home park, its already a great park but imagine what it would be like in the hands of Cedar Fair.

I remember started a posting about this awhile ago and they locked the post....HMMM Maybe I do know what I am talking about....

Jeff said:

My hope is that they buy the whole chain. There isn't really a dud among them, though I hear PCW and PGA could use a little work operationally. Sure would make me a happy unit holder.

I'm confused, by PCW is that Carowinds or Canada's Wonderland?

I've been to all but PGA and I have to say that those parks have a different guest experience and like Jeff said, not one of those parks I've been to is a dud. I actually found myself enjoying the parks more than the smaller CF parks like Dorney and Worlds of Fun only because they gave the parks such a large range of rides, shows, and attractions.

If CF should get that licensing with the parks it would be a very good thing for the entire chain. On top of that, could you imagine if you could go to almost half of the parks in the US for free with just a Six Flags or CF pass?

Craziness!

~Rob Willi

If this does happen, I hope Cedar Fair does something to try and smooth out those concussion inducing coasters at PKI. I'm a coaster freak, but I wouldn't get on son of beast again if you paid me.

heh, Jeff is not only good at plugging, but he's good at the suspense of making people 'tune in'.