Viacom To Sell Paramount Parks?

Do you think they Viacom will sell their parks? If so, do you think Cedar Fair would be likely to buy them?

http://www.nypost.com/business/41172.htm

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050224.wviacom0224/BNStory/Business/

*** Edited 2/25/2005 11:34:36 PM UTC by Benjamin***

I don't see it as likely. I don't have any idea who will buy them though. I don't think Six Flags has the money. Maybe Cedar Fair will...that would be kinda cool.

Well we all know that Six Flags is in poor shape to acquire anything else for now... Cedar Fair is in a Good postion to purchase up to 4 very good parks but they may only grab 1 or 2. Busch Entertainment Could be in shape to make that kinda purchase but who knows who will acquire those 4 great parks.... We will all have to wait and see
*** Edited 3/1/2005 3:31:30 AM UTC by SFX Manager***

A billion dollars is a lot to finance, and I doubt Cedar Fair has the credit resources to go in on something that big without a third party.

I don't know if CF really wants to take on that many more parks right now. Although they are in much better shape than GL was, that company is already strechting a little thin right now.

I would doubt Cedar Fair would want to put up that kind of money right now. Just think that if they did buy the parks, all the major park chains would have film company tie-ins (I know Cedar Fair does with Peanuts, but that is not a film company tie-in).

You've already got: Disney=Disney, Universal=Universal, Six Flags=Warner Brothers, Paramount=Paramount. But Cedar Fair=Paramount?

Can you imagine the Mean Streak being renamed the "Rugrats Rough Rider," or something silly like that. ;)

I doubt Busch would touch any of the parks. It's not exactly a trade secret that Auggie the 4th isn't a big fan of the company having anything to do with parks or any kind.. Could be an interesting time for Busch when Auggie the 3rd retires.

Even if Cedar Point were to buy one of the parks, they would do to it the same thing they did with Six Flags World of Adventures. Rename the rides so that they don't have the tie in. Still, I don't think it all that good of an idea because although I am sure the company wants to grow, its better to have the quality of your parks than the amount.

Fordman said:
I would doubt Cedar Fair would want to put up that kind of money right now. Just think that if they did buy the parks, all the major park chains would have film company tie-ins (I know Cedar Fair does with Peanuts, but that is not a film company tie-in).

You've already got: Disney=Disney, Universal=Universal, Six Flags=Warner Brothers, Paramount=Paramount. But Cedar Fair=Paramount?

Can you imagine the Mean Streak being renamed the "Rugrats Rough Rider," or something silly like that. ;)

Cedar Point wouldn't rename their rides if Cedar Fair bought Paramount Parks. Most likely, all of the parks and everything on the inside would be renamed.

I was kidding about that. The only way attractions would be renamed is if one stipulation of the sale was that certain attractions would have to be given Paramount names. However, that would not happen.

I think that the paramount tie-ins will remain when the parks are sold. Like the Italian Job rides. You can't just rename those. I forgot aboue Busch. I hope they buy the parks. They put a lot more attention into detail than Cedar Fair. I think that they would upkeep the great themed rides that Paramount parks have. I mean, look at the new concept drawings for Dino Island and Robots 4-d. Pathetic. Dino Island is just a little remask of the old themeing and Robots is just a sign and banners on a building that has nothing to do with robots or anything futuristic.

.. the key term is "concept drawings" They will look alot different.. Trust me..

When have finished rides ever "exactly" matched the concept drawings? Ive seen mulitple concpet drawings from the SFO era and even for rides such as Thunderhawk at GL, the original concept themeing was amazing! For example Batman was to have an entirely enclosed que house, power lines run to the midway from a "powerplant" looking building that was supposed to be the station, etc...we were even supposed to have the batman suit in the station, SF cut a lot out of the original concepts. Wait for the attractions to open and then you can complain if you dont like them.

The strength of the Paramount brand is what makes the parks appealing. There would never be any sale without a very long term licensing deal. There's a lot of talk about Universal-NBC selling their parks. Do you think anyone would want them without the brand? No chance.

If they do sell their parks, it seems unlikely for one company to foot the bill of purchase for obtaining all of them. If Cedar Fair would buy one or two, who would buy up the rest? Six Flags is not really in a position to obtain parks, and as mentioned by Rob it is unlikely Busch would expand anytime soon. So it will be very interesting to see what happens if the parks go up for sale. Disney has the money, but would they even be interested? probably not

It looks like theres reason's for every major chain NOT to pick up these parks. Maybe Bill Gates should sell off his SF stock, buy all the Paramount parks and see what can be done. ;)

I would hope not.....all the control panels will have to be rebooted every 10 minutes......and they'll have major problems everytime they try to upgrade the firmware on the panels, which they'll be forced to do every 2 years due to "discontinued support".

Bill can stick with Six Flags.

I was under the impression either from something I read here or somewhere else that a former Paramount executive was interested in buying the parks and was already working on financing.

Another option...though this is just out of the blue: There is a company that is building new "children's parks" called Wannado City in malls around the country. The first one opened near Ft. Lauderdale, FL last year in Sawgrass Mills. The American President of the company is Jane Cooper, who used to be President of Paramount Parks. The company is owned by a Latin American firm. If they have the resources to buy the chain they would already have someone with a great deal of experience to tap for the helm.

That is really from left field but stranger things have happened.

Seems like a Richard Branson thing to do. ;)

actually fastball, i wouldn't be suprised now you mention it