Oh man, I had a bad feeling about this. However this war benefits only us, but let's face it this winter has not been a CP winter. As a die hard CP fan I am excited about this, but and the same time saddened by the loss of Sea World. The War is on, SF VS CP let's get it on.
LIVE FOR THE POINT
DIE FOR THE POINT!!
Even though Sea World Ohio is a nice place to visit, I think it was the outcast of the Busch owned parks. It's been awhile since they've gotten anything extraordinary. I prefer to just visit SWOrl when I go to WDW. This is Ok with me because of SFO's impressive additions for 2000-01. That is unbelieveable. I hope this continues, but I think the two biggest things to work on are better workers and maybe some nice theming.
It's weird Jeff has yet to chime in on this subject material.
Jeff is to busy editing all the explicit remarks on coasterbuzz. Its a brawl over there
Six Flags definitely knows how to put money into their parks, now if we could just get them to learn how to run them, we'd all be winners.
It does seem like they're going for CP's throat with this one though. Taking the coaster title was one thing, with SFMM so far away it really had little effect other than a cute maketing phrase. But that much land, that close to CP...
yikes!
I'd expect at least one more coaster for the 2002 season. I'm sure they have some sort of goal set and a timeframe for it. I obviously would have no idea on the timeframe but I'd place a wager that SFO will be the second park to surpass CP's coaster count. Looks like the plan was to take some of CP's bragging rights and then hit them again. SFO will have 10 coasters in 2001. With the capital behind Six Flags, they could top CP in 3 years easily - even if CP builds another in the meantime!
That's why Six Flags is poised to win this one in the long run - $$$
Six Flags has much more capital than Cedar Fair and with the constant snatching of new property the numbers only get bigger.
Sad that the company who will be the biggest force in the industry in a few years is the one who thinks a plot of land with some rides on it is all it takes to make a great park.
Six Flags has Capital, were it is coming from no one knows. Has anyone checked the PKS account for a recent despot of a counterfeit 2 Billion dollar bill?
"Jeff is to busy editing all the explicit remarks on coasterbuzz. Its a brawl over there."
No kidding! I'm all for spirited debate, but when people start getting personal about it, that's not a good thing.
My question is what good is Sea World without the whale, dolphins and penguins? Shamu will be missed.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 50
Well, it's no longer Sea World. Reports I have heard say the brand is not part of the sale.
The sound you hear is me kicking myself. I should have gone last year.
-------------
Cedar Point Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com
Gemini -- I hear you. Last year I kept going past it saying "yeah, eventually..."
I even bought a Seaworld pass this year, thinking I'd use it at Seaworld once or twice, then use it at some other Busch parks. I heard today from the Seaworld Ohio season pass office that after the sale becomes final, the "Seaworld Ohio" pass will NOT work at the other Busch parks, since they will no longer be a Busch property.
This sale gives Six Flags a bigger Ohio complex than Cedar Point itself (right?). It'll be interesting to see what they do with it, and how Cedar Point (and King's Island) respond.
(In a way this might be GOOD for the other parks -- if Six Flags attempts to make a true "destination" out of their Ohio complex, then Ohio has two national amusement destinations, possibly increasing the influx of tourists who might not have bothered going to "just" Cedar Point. Could northern Ohio become another Orlando/Tampa?)
-------------
--Greg
http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/ MF count: 27
I must admit, I will miss taking a weekend off and going to Sea World on one day and SFO on the next day. I don't think everyone is going to dump CP and go to SFO. They are going to visit both. Maybe this will take some fire off of the wait times at CP in the next coming seasons. I don't think any park (most coasters or not) is going to take people away from CP. CP is deep in the hearts of so many people and no other park can touch that. No other park can touch the location CP has either. I've been to other parks with some really good coasters, but there is something about Cedar Point that makes me go back 10 times a year. I visit the other parks only once. I am very excited that the industry is developing so rapidly. Remember there was a time when coasters and amusement parks almost became extinct.
-------------
The Freaky, who believes CP will always be "America's Rollercoast" even if it doesn't hold the most coasters.
In spite of the acreage numbers in the paper, no way is the developed area of Sea World / SFO bigger than CP. Sea World itself said the park was 90 acres. I bet the acreage numbers in the paper include the lake itself. I don't see any immediate impact on Cedar Point itself. It's not like Sea World is a new for 2001 park folks. It's always been drawing about 1.5 million people. With the Sea World brand leaving, along with the whales, dolphins, penguins and the Sea World shows, why pay it a visit now? Eventually Six Flags will make something out of it, but for this year it will be less competition for CP than ever before. Sea World will be a shell of it's former self this year. It's very sad to see happening, I thought Sea World was a beautiful park, with high quality shows and food. I see the quality going right down the toilet with the new ownership.
Man, Six Flags is bringing out their entire arsenal now. First the 3 coasters at SFMM, then the flying dutchman at SFO. And now this. What will they think of next?
On another note, what good are the animals at Sea World with no killer whales, dolphins, and penguins? Whenever I think of Sea World, I think of Shamu, and the other way around. Plus I feel terrible for the people like you, Greg, that were planning on using Sea World passes for other parks.
Last offseason belonged to CP with the construction of MF, this time it looks like it is SF's. Many are saying that this is only better for us, as it will inspire CP to step up (of course, CP probably already knows what they are doing the next couple years). Let's just hope this doesn't pressure CP into making the wrong decision.
-------------
Times I have "Gone Full Force" on MF: 9
Chris G.
-Representin' Motown
Is Shamu, and the rest of the animals going to be gone for 2001 season or next season?
You will see the animals being shipped out of Aurora soon.
Don't forget, Six Flags operates Marine World out in California. It wouldn't be a stretch that they might fly in their own Killer Whale and Dolphins.
Can you imagine the fireworks show they could put together over the lake if they lauch from both sides? That might be worth an admission ticket in itself.
From what I understand, Marine World's killer whale died. I think it was last season. It was the only one in the Six Flags chain.
-------------
How dare you vanquish the Steel Phantom without his consent? Fear the Phantom's Revenge.
What really has me teed off the most is the atmosphere that will now be lost here. Sea World "was" a breath of fresh air in contrast to the dump across the lake. I hate to say it, but Sea World "was" even more cleaner and more beautiful (scenery, landscaping, ect.) than Cedar Point is. I am as against SF as the "Save the Whalers" are against Sea World itself. Fact, the only victory here is for the "Save The Whalers". A big lost for everyone else. The way things are going, I hope I never have to call CP "Six Flags Cedar Point", which in today's modern corporate world, is not farfetched if the price is right. :(
Oh NO. Don't even say that Vince. The day they call Cedar Point "Six Flags Cedar Point" is the day I die, or move to Williamsburg or West Mifflin. (unless they are also called Six Flags Kennywood, or Six Flags Williamsburg. UGHHH)
Now that dump across the Lake will be know as the Dump Around the lake.
Six Flags Motto "We Value Human Life just as much as Whale's life, we also are capable of letting Whales Die" Sorry about that Low Blow PKS, but you deserve it.
I live in Pittsburgh area. An hour and half drive to SFO versus a 3 hour drive to CP. Where do you think I went last year? CP 3 times. SFO a big whopping ZERO. Personally, after rather less than stellar visits to SF parks in the past, I had no desire to go to SFO last year, especially it's first year of operation as a SF park. I'm already planning our annual trip to CP and doubt we'll make it to SFO again (I'd rather go to Kennywood.)
I'm really disappointed that Busch has sold Sea World. My daughter would be old enough to go and enjoy it next year and it won't be there. I love marine life and enjoyed Sea World even though it didn't get the treatment that other Sea World parks got. I also don't believe that a marine park is a place for roller coasters, but I guess Orlando needed to compete somehow. I guess we'll have to wait till our next trip to Florida for my daughter to enjoy some of the most beautiful, graceful mammals God has put upon this earth.
Sea World Ohio had an awesome fireworks/laser extravaganza in the summer. The shows were great, as well as the attractions. Does anyone get the feeling that Six Flags is just buying a piece of real estate? I don't see how Six Flags can keep the themed Shamu Harbor play area, or keep the Pirates 3D. Also, the Bermuda Triangle ride is a copy of the same ride at Sea World Orlando. (It might just be that ride). Also, the seals show name was copyrighted, I'm sure. I don't understand what Six Flags can do with it in just 3-4 months with all the copyright problems, and everything being taken out. What about the staff? Is everyone fired, or will they stay on board? I can see this in the Plain Dealer:
Dolphin Trainer Needed
No Experience Necessary
5.50 an hour