Time to replace Snoopy?

We didn't have a cable box when cable boxes had an A/B switch, we had an antenna on the chimney. :)

Sause said:
I think Nintendo would be awesome for the park. Mario, Luigi, Donkey Kong and the gang are still very popular to kids that have a GameBoy: which is every kid on the planet it seems like. Plus there's the age group of people like myself who grew up playing it. Those characters aren't going anywhere. Can you imagine the amount of rides and attractions that can be built starring Nintendo characters?

Just one look at Smash Bros and it immediately becomes apparent just how many popular franchises they own, characters for every age group:

Pokémon‎ (they already have a traveling park), Pikmin (think the Bug's Life kids area or Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area) and Kirby's Dreamland would make 3 incredible kids areas.

Luigi's Mansion would make an awesome interactive dark ride (come on, this theme writes itself, with the Professor E. Gadd pre-show and flashlights a given ).

F-Zero would make an awesome indoor launch coaster set in Mute City. The queue would set up the futuristic theme, with videos explaining the race and give you a look at the other racers. The actual coaster would use lots of cutouts and neon signs, even blast the F-Zero music at you, just like Rock n Rollercoaster. They could even have a hovering countdown above you right before you launch, just like in the game.

Star Fox would make an awesome motion simulator. They could have multiple versions like the new Star Tours and feature the goofy banter the series is known for.

They could have a Wario arcade.

Donkey Kong would make an awesome wild mouse (think Raging Spirits, just themed to the runaway mine cars from the games). They could even make it a mini area, with a tea cup ride themed to barrels lol

The Legend of Zelda‎ ride could be anything from a traditional Pirates of the Caribbean darkride to a new Harry Potter type attraction. There is just soo much to draw from.

Metroid would make an awesome Spider-Man/Curse of DarKastle type ride, with you being in Samus' ship exploring a space pirates base.

They could do anything they wanted with Mario, since he's been in every genre of game ever made. Think of the Green Lantern Coaster. Now imagine it's themed to look like the original Donkey Kong, where your coaster cars are themed to barrels and LED lights make it look like Donkey Kong is throwing you and that a Mario is running up the track, jumping over you to save the princess. Mario Kart would pretty obviously make a cool go-carts theme. They could make a cheap dark ride themed to Paper Mario, which has some memorable characters and locations.

There are also lesser known franchises like Animal Crossing‎, Kid Icarus, Fire Emblem‎, EarthBound‎, Golden Sun‎, etc. that they could implement into the park. Honestly, they have enough to make an entire park if they wanted. Mario is every bit as recognizable as Mickey Mouse. Too bad this would never happen, since they seem content with the Peanuts gang.

Isn't Cedar Point amazing enough to feature is very own, unique mascot(s)?

In my eyes, Cedar Point is one of the greatest places on Earth. I don't want to see ANY outside cartoon franchises slapped on souvenirs, advertisements or signage. The Peanuts and Snoopy remind me of cheap cupcakes and dull humored cartoons. I don't love or hate them, but I do hate their presence at CP. I'd rather see the Cedar Creek Critters or the Millennium Enforcer --a seven foot chrome storm-trooper similar to Robocop. The Hobo Band and Maverick and Molly where baby steps in the right direction! I know the Peanuts provides and easy carbon copy of a business model Disney created, but someone would be wise to thing outside of the box and create something uniquely brilliant for what is arguably the greatest amusement park on Earth.

Disney used to create it's own unique theme park franchises but those days are over. It's just easier to license something established and see results. Plus, you get synergy when you license a popular property. Look at Islands of Adventure, The Avengers movie and all the other Marvel movies/TV shows from Disney are the very definition of synergy.

Restless Bohemian said:
Isn't Cedar Point amazing enough to feature is very own, unique mascot(s)?

(snipped)

The main problem with that is that building a brand takes a LOT of time in 99% of circumstances. The only real time you have exceptions is when something explodes onto a scene in an unprecedented way, like Mario and Sonic in the late 80's and early 90's respectively and Angry Birds now.

The way Cedar Point is, it'd be much harder to get exposure were you to create unique mascots for the park, if the park was their only means of showcasing themselves. You either need massive exposure or longevity to gain endearment, and the effort and patience required for both pretty much precludes CP from investing in their own standalone characters.

Unless, of course, CP were to branch out into animation or games, which isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

Pete said:
We didn't have a cable box when cable boxes had an A/B switch, we had an antenna on the chimney. :)

I learned very quickly in my early teen years how to get HBO on our TV using only aluminum foil.

The bigger question is how much does it cost to license such a property. Would Nintendo be awesome in any park? Sure. But why would CP want to drop the money? Are people lining up to see these characters and the biggest question is will it mean more ticket sales for CP in doing so? On the flipside, why would Nintendo want to play second fiddle to everything else going on at CP? They probably could do a standalone park and have it be pretty cool.

A company like Nintendo suddenly expanding their business into a field that is completely foreign to them? (and I don't mean Japan/US) That is unlikely to happen. But contracting out their characters could be a mutually beneficial relationship. Cedar Fair would push the characters at all of their parks which keeps Nintendo in the limelight. I don't think playing second fiddle would be a problem because they aren't even any fiddle right now.

Think about it, a kid plays his GameBoy DS or whatever the hell they are called all the way in the car to Cedar Point (or any CF park), then gets there and hops on a Mario Kart ride or something. Now imagine that all over the country at the parks. Nintendo gets a lot out of it and so does CP because that kid will want to go back many, many more times.

Plus these characters aren't limited to kids. The fans of Nintendo from the 80's and 90's are adults now and still love it so you could even make larger rides/coasters themed to the characters.

The only problem is CF sucks at theming traditionally

Many of you are missing the point.

In your own minds, what is being said sounds really cool; Mute City? Metroid? Star Fox? (Really? Star Fox?)

You know who these characters are. That's great. But Grandma doesn't. My wife doesn't. My kids don't. Heck, half of what is being spewed (and I was a Nintendo junkie in the 80's/90's) I don't even know.

Like him or not, bored by him or not, the simple fact is that Snoopy and his closest friends are instantly and almost universally recognizable.

Your Nintendo park would be for males, aged 9 - 39.

ChrisC. said:
I can't even imagine what you think is old school Nick. ;)

Pinwheel. There, I said it.

And I remember when Morgan Freeman was on the Electric Company.

...yes! There was also a semi-creepy live-action Spider Man skit in those days on the old E.C. :) Loved it.

If I remember correctly, he (Spidey) remained silent the whole time. Apparently he was mute in the early 80's.

Yep.

TheHSBR said:
The bigger question is how much does it cost to license such a property. Would Nintendo be awesome in any park? Sure. But why would CP want to drop the money? Are people lining up to see these characters and the biggest question is will it mean more ticket sales for CP in doing so? On the flipside, why would Nintendo want to play second fiddle to everything else going on at CP? They probably could do a standalone park and have it be pretty cool.

Well, Marvel had enough to make their own park and yet they were cool licensing their characters out to Universal to make them a section at Islands of Adventure, where they very much play second fiddle to everything else. Still, you speak the truth.

Kevinj said:
You know who these characters are. That's great. But Grandma doesn't. My wife doesn't. My kids don't. Heck, half of what is being spewed (and I was a Nintendo junkie in the 80's/90's) I don't even know.

Like him or not, bored by him or not, the simple fact is that Snoopy and his closest friends are instantly and almost universally recognizable.

You see, this sounds a little odd. I really don't think your family is indicative of the average American family. The idea of children knowing who Snoopy is but not Mario (or even Pikachu) sounds backwards. To me, Grandma should know who Snoopy is but not Mario while the kids should know who Mario is but not Snoopy.

Either way, do you need to know who they are? I'm sure most people still manage to enjoy themselves at the Marvel Superhero Island or Toon Lagoon sections of Islands of Adventure, even if they don't know who all the characters are.

Kevinj said:
Your Nintendo park would be for males, aged 9 - 39.

And the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is for females, aged 9 - 39.

See, I can generalize too.

I really don't think your family is indicative of the average American family.

This is the best compliment I've gotten all year. :) I'm saving this one.

And I do agree with your last point; regardless of what character is on the ride, the enjoyment comes from the ride. You could put the Brawny paper towel man on the Lolli Swing, and my daughter would still love it.

I see what you did there lol

I'm just saying that I doubt people loose enjoyment on Splash Mountain just because they've never seen Song of the South. A good theme is a good theme.

That Crazy Dan said:

Restless Bohemian said:
Isn't Cedar Point amazing enough to feature is very own, unique mascot(s)?

(snipped)

The main problem with that is that building a brand takes a LOT of time in 99% of circumstances. The only real time you have exceptions is when something explodes onto a scene in an unprecedented way, like Mario and Sonic in the late 80's and early 90's respectively and Angry Birds now.

The way Cedar Point is, it'd be much harder to get exposure were you to create unique mascots for the park, if the park was their only means of showcasing themselves. You either need massive exposure or longevity to gain endearment, and the effort and patience required for both pretty much precludes CP from investing in their own standalone characters.

Unless, of course, CP were to branch out into animation or games, which isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

Well at 140+ years in operation they have the time to establish their own brand. As for exposure - how hard is that in today's world? Just having the character in the park is enough - who in the Midwest, (who enjoys and visits Cedar Point), doesn't know exactly what you are talking about when you mention Magnum, Gemini or Corksrew? These names trigger a love of Cedar Point that Snoopy doesn't. It's not the cheapest or easiest route to take but it's the best one, (IMO). The long term would be a gold mine and well worth the effort. Or not.

the people "who in the Midwest, (who enjoys and visits Cedar Point), doesn't know exactly what you are talking about when you mention Magnum, Gemini or Corksrew?" are not the people CP needs tro be marketing to.

It is the people who do NOT visit CP that their marketing needs to be attracting. Marketing gets people inside the gates, the experience inside the park will drive/discourage repeat business.

Restless Bohemian said:

Well at 140+ years in operation they have the time to establish their own brand. As for exposure - how hard is that in today's world? Just having the character in the park is enough - who in the Midwest, (who enjoys and visits Cedar Point), doesn't know exactly what you are talking about when you mention Magnum, Gemini or Corksrew? These names trigger a love of Cedar Point that Snoopy doesn't. It's not the cheapest or easiest route to take but it's the best one, (IMO). The long term would be a gold mine and well worth the effort. Or not.

Yes, but that's not 140+ years of advertising the same character. Yes, Cedar Point the name is certainly a brand in the Midwest, but you can't suddenly attach a name to that face and expect it to instantly stick.

Other than the name itself and the beach, which CP barely advertises as it is, there really isn't --anything-- that's 140 years old at CP that can be advertised as such. Even if you go to say, 1951, when Peanuts debuted, that still predates any of your marquee attractions. You just can't retroactively build a reputation for characters like that. Retcons work in comic books, they definitely don't work in real life.

Its a stretch to say CP is a brand in the midwest. Say "Cedar Point" in Chicago around the GP and you might have a 25% recognition rate.

Hanna Barbara characters & a Brady Bunch episode helped introduce a new park to everyone back in the 1970's. As a little kid, I wanted to go to Kings Island because of that stuff.

Seems like CP's big national exposure comes online and on cable channel specials on extreme thrill rides. It doesn't seem like kids are all "we have to go to CP to see Snoopy!!"

Maybe the solution is to create short, new animated features where the Peanuts characters actually do the things found at Cedar Point and their other parks. Throw them on YouTube as a series of videos. It's Halloweekend, Charlie Brown!

...or maybe Cedar Point is perfectly content not being a theme park. At least for now.

I don't see the Peanuts as intended to be a "theme", it's merely a brand plastered around the park, to help connect to young children and sell a bunch of merchandise.

Which is exactly why the Peanuts are doing a perfectly fine job of what they are intended to do.