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

DRose said:
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.

You may wish to visit the park sometime this summer, then. They've totally redone the track and support structures and have also gone from a 6 car to 5 car operation. They're saying to think of the result of this 'rework' as a wooden B&M. While that may be extreme to say, anything is better than what it was.

I also agree this would be a great move on CF's part. CF must be seriously considering the park, because for them to mention considering a specific park, they've done some work. I haven't been up to PKI yet, but it does look like a great park.

As for the market overlap, they are far enough away that I don't see it making much differance. There only seems to be a very small overlap.

Seeing that they bought Geauga Lake, which is only about 45 minutes from CP, I doubt the market overlap is on their minds.

I can't wait. CEO's don't say anything unless the deal is almost done and signed.

I could see a lot of possibilities here...

CF could have it's own development company. Imagine the next Beast being design for CP... The benefits of this are highly unlikely, but the possibility is there. Kings Island has already designed and built 2 awesome coasters and developed a new wooden element. The utilization of this endless. CF could expand this and market it to competition. Imagine riding a CF coaster at a Six Flags park.... Again a little far fetched, but still a new found possibility. We can ride Cedar Point Coasters all over the country.

Season passes. WOW. CF would have a monopoly on the Major Amusements of Ohio. Think of it, Buy a CP pass $89, Buy CP and another park $139. Buy an All Ohio Pass. $179.... 4 Years ago that would have reached nearly $300. Did anyone hold all three season passes? How much was it?

CF would acquire the best childrens themed area. CP could really use that influence. Learn from it. My daughter gets bored really fast going around in circles and pushing the buzzer button....

If CF doesn't buy the paramount rights, (I hope they do) they can bring back some of the internationalization.... There is still some of that but it's not as prevelant as it was before paramount.

I certainly hope CF decides to buy the entire chain. I also hope there is some looking into Wyandot Lake and Darien Lake. Those last two are just a personal thought. It would just be nice to see that small family reunited again.

My father is a reporter, and another reporter from his office called the park on the story today, and they said that Mr. Kinzel had said nothing more than he had been saying all along, that with the Paramount Parks for sale, they look at all possibilities for acquisition. They said he mentioned nothing specific to any one park. So, either the TB reporter "read" a little too much into it, or the company really doesn't want it to be out there at the moment.

*** Edited 5/20/2006 12:45:56 AM UTC by DBCP***

MonsterMan: the columbus zoo is taking controll of Wyandot Lake after this year.

As a public company, Kinzel can't say much about these things.

The only comment I have is on the market ovelay. CF really doesnt have to much to worry about. As previously stated they bought GL and there has not been any cross market advertising other than the season pass two park combo. Besides if CF owns both parks they get the admmision money no matter what park the public goes to.

I can see it now, the Ohio amusement tifecta pass.

Ride On!

Before any development plans, there is one important question - Is this good for the company? This could be a lot of money. After all, growth can happen in many ways. Who says Cedar Fair can't build another park from scratch (Crazy!). I seem to remember another company buying up a lot of parks and facing the music down the road. In the process, some of those parks lost their charm and identity.

If this does happen, it will be interesting to see how far down the entertainment track Cedar Fair would take it. This may have something to do with other investors gaining interest in Cedar Fair (by exchanging stock for the cash to buy the parks). That might indicate the direction of redevelopment. As for the protesting shareholders, this sounds like a few (probably Sandusky local) owners. A rip off would be buy one get one free cotton candy - this seems like a viable way for shareholders to see another part of the company first-hand.

Hmm...
I think this could be a good thing for Cedar Fair.
I do think for this to truly work, they would need to keep the Paramout Licence. When they aquired Geauga Lake, they un-did a few years worth of Loony Tunes theaming. To buy the Paramount parks, they would have to un-do a few decades of theaming and I think that this would upset the GP.
Also, if Cedar Fair is smart, they will incorporate some of the Paramount management style into their other parks.

I really doubt they would purchase the whole chain. One, in a rare case maybe two park, yes, but I don't see them buying the whole chain.

DBCP said:
So, either the TB reporter "read" a little too much into it, or the company really doesn't want it to be out there at the moment.

Wow, the Toledo Blade embellishing a story? *Gasp* That never happens! (If you're from Toledo or have ever suffered through an issue of the Blade, you'll understand the sarcasm)

If Cedar Fair does buy PKI, I hope they don't turn the racer back around forward.

Could be a good idea could be a bad idea.

If Kinzel wasnt looking into the aquisition of the Paramount parks he would look asleep at the wheel. I think that while it would be good move business wise to purchase PKI, it would hurt the regional competiton for business. There would no longer be any direct competitor for customers and both parks would have less of a reason to invest in park expansion.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/news.htm?id=913

The great thing about this potential move is that KI has a ton of undeveloped land that would be prime for some new coasters.

I really hope they do it too. Kings Island has gotten really bad over the last few years. and not enough to do in the park. (it's a half-day park)
1. they removed King Cobra. my dad's 2nd fav. rollercoaster. he says if they remove "the Beast" he refuses to go there anymore.
2. 3 words for you....
SON OF BEAST.
shouldn't even have to explain that 2 u there....
3. Face-off is NEVER open anymore. it's the only good ride they have now, becides Flight of Fear.
I really hope Cedar Fair can repair that place up. with-out ruining the beast. they should leave all the trees and stuff back there. i would consider it part of the ride it'self.

If CF bought PKI at the least it would be a GIANT leap forward for the park.

As for turning the racer back forwards, why would they do that?

^ Rapter Rocks!:

1. They had to remove King Cobra. It was almost impossible for them to buy parts from TOGO since they left Cinci.
2. Son of Beast just reopened today, smoother then ever. Not as smooth as it could be, but an improvement.
3. Face/Off was open all day today (5/20)

Why would they take all the themeing away from the Beast? Did Kinzel say "If we bought PKI, I'de love to take all the trees down behind the Beast" ?