The Interpreter

I can't believe how few questions were asked...or that no one asked about Son of Beast. Also, Geauga Lake's attendance was mentioned, and not in a positive fashion. You could almost hear the disappointment and frustration. . . In the past, when Six Flags blamed weather for poor attendance, analysts and enthusiasts both hooted. Well, folks, that's what Cedar Fair is doing now.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14134771/

I should clarify. I do believe they will pay ride associates more. Middle and upper level management, those that get to keep their jobs, will find their salaries either frozen or cut, in my humble opinion. Paramount Parks paid some of the best salaries in the business, especially to general managers. Cedar Fair is known for paying less, considerably less.

And if they pay more than Paramount Parks did, charge less for admission and cut food prices (ALL of which I think is in the game plan), why does ANYONE think season pass prices will not go up dramatically? The money has to come from somewhere. And that doesn't even take into account the drastic increases in energy prices already seen and coming soon . . .

Sounds like heroic action by a park employee quite probably saved this little guy's life: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/9605872/detail.html Toddler Resuscitated After Going Under In Carowinds Pool POSTED: 11:27 pm EDT July 31, 2006 York Co., SC -- Officials at Carowinds tell Eyewitness News the boy went under water in the Kookaburra Bay, a shallow pool for small children in Carowinds' new Boomerang Bay Water Park. Three lifeguards responded to help the boy. One administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The boy was breathing by the time an on-site first-aid team arrived. A Carowinds spokesman said the boy was with his mother when the incident happened just before 5:00pm. Carowinds leaders closed down the water park briefly after the incident. Officials tell us they are pleased with the way their staff responded.

Given that here is where most park accidents get posted, this is an ideal place to post this article. It's very important and insightful. I think it is well worth your time: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/edito...rkam-edit_x.htm

A shorter news item and summary for those who are interested: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...ESS06/608010392

Hey, you might want to read the whole thread before you post! As stated earlier here, and discussed in detail, you have to be at least 16. I am sorry about that, but I bet they like people who are thorough and try to find out the answers to questions as well as those who like to scare people!

Of the pre-Paramount Parks Cedar Fair parks, the three you listed probably did about 70 percent of the company's park business. Your exception is far larger than the parks left: Dorney, Michigan's Adventure and Valleyfair. I would think that all policies of both sides of the new Cedar Fair are totally up for review. Although I doubt they start a separate gate charge for Boomerang Bay (especially with The Beach right across the street), I would not go so far as to say that it won't and can't happen.

I would think it would be a good sign if they cover their eyes with their hands and tremble while screaming like a little girl! Oh, you mean what do they have YOU do?

Hmmm. I can just hear the uproar now. I wonder if people would try to say the Eiffel Tower is now a historic structure and should not be modified!

Perhaps not as far fetched as you think...after all, these are the same people who renamed Roadrunner Express at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure as Geauga Lake's Beaver Land Mine Ride!

If you like that, you'd love Acrophobia.

At the media event when the coaster was announced, the box was animated. Same box, too. I was disappointed when it no longer did that at the ride site. Sigh.

Which is what MOST people do. They wouldn't think of ever going to another regional park. WE are the odd ones.

Scarowinds is an upcharge attraction. And well worth it, I might add!

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060731/clm073.html?.v=37 Cedar Fair, L.P. Reports 2006 Second Quarter Results Monday July 31, 6:26 pm ET Comments on Attendance and Revenue Trends through July SANDUSKY, Ohio, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN - News), a publicly traded partnership which owns and operates twelve amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and six hotels, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 25, 2006. The second quarter results exclude operating results of the five Paramount Parks, which were acquired on June 30, 2006. Net revenues for the quarter, decreased 2% to $145.4 million from $148.9 million in 2005, while net income decreased $1.2 million to $11.1 million, or $0.20 per diluted limited partner unit, compared to net income of $12.3 million, or $0.22 per unit, a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA, which management believes is a very meaningful measure of the Partnership's park-level operating results, decreased $1.8 million to $38.1 million versus $39.9 million for the same period in 2005. Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and other non-cash items. See the attached table for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss). "The decrease in revenues and the resulting decrease in operating income and adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease in attendance at several of our northern parks, including Cedar Point, Dorney Park and Geauga Lake, where heavy rains impacted operations in late June," said Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer. "In addition, economic pressures in the Ohio and Michigan areas continue to adversely affect attendance and revenues. Our attendance shortfalls were slightly offset by improved operating results at Worlds of Fun, which benefited from the successful debut of its new inverted roller coaster, Patriot. An increase in out-of-park revenues at Knott's Berry Farm, which includes results from the Knott's Berry Farm Hotel and the adjacent TGI Friday's, also contributed nicely. Over this same period, average in-park guest per capita spending at our twelve properties remained unchanged from 2005." Excluding depreciation and other non-cash charges, total cash operating costs and expenses for the quarter decreased 2%, or $1.6 million, to $107.3 million from 108.9 million in 2005, due in large part to the later timing of the advertising program at Knott's Berry Farm, as well as the fewer operating days in the period. After depreciation and other non-cash charges, operating income for the quarter decreased to $19.9 million from $22.4 million a year ago. Interest expense for the quarter increased approximately $1.2 million to $8.0 million, due in large part to higher short-term rates. After interest expense and a small tax provision, net income for the period was $11.1 million, or $0.20 per diluted limited partner unit, compared to net income of $12.3 million, or $0.22 per unit, a year ago. Commenting on results through the first six months of the year, Kinzel said, "First half net revenues were down 3% from last year, on a 2%, or 82,000 visit, decrease in combined attendance, a 1%, or $230,000, increase in out-of- park revenues and average in-park guest per capita spending that remained unchanged. Over this same period, cash operating costs and expenses decreased 1%, or $1.3 million, from a year ago to $155.5 million." Kinzel added that through July 30 combined attendance on a same-park basis was down 2%, or 140,000 visits, from 2005. Over this same period, average in- park guest per capita spending was down less than 1% and out-of-park revenues were up $250,000. Overall, combined revenues through the end of July decreased 2%, or $6.7 million, to $322.3 million in 2006 from $329.0 million through the first seven months of 2005, on a same-park basis. Including results from the Paramount Parks since their acquisition, combined revenues through July 30 totaled $428.2 million. Over this same period, combined attendance totaled 9.7 million visits, average in-park guest per capita spending was $38.22, and out-of-park revenues totaled $56.7 million. "We are very pleased that we were able to acquire the Paramount Parks prior to the peak-season operating months of July and August," Kinzel said. "Over the last several weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit all of the Paramount Parks and they truly are beautiful properties and are a great addition to our family of parks." "Although we have not met all of our park-level attendance objectives to this point, we remain pleased by the performance of most of our parks, particularly given the economic uncertainty and continued pressure on families due to increased prices at the gas pumps," he continued. "With almost half of our budgeted attendance still ahead of us, we are hopeful that we can improve attendance and our operating income. At this time, based on preliminary results through July and taking into consideration the operating results of the acquired Paramount Parks less estimated restructuring costs, we now expect to generate full-year revenue between $835-$855 million and full-year adjusted EBITDA between $295-$315 million." Kinzel concluded by noting that virtually all of Cedar Fair's revenues from its seasonal amusement parks, water parks, and other seasonal resort facilities are realized during a five-month operating period beginning in early May, with the major portion concentrated in the peak vacation months of July and August. Castaway Bay and Knott's Berry Farm are the Partnership's only year-round properties, but Knott's Berry Farm operates at its highest level of attendance during the third quarter of the year. Management will host a conference call with analysts at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, which will be web cast live in "listen only" mode via the Cedar Fair web site (www.cedarfair.com). It will be available for replay starting at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, August 1, 2006, until midnight ET, Tuesday, August 15, 2006. In order to access the replay of the earnings call, please dial 1-877-519-4471 followed by the access code #7644862. Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: "FUN") is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. The Partnership, which owns and operates twelve amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and six hotels, is one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, Virginia / District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, and Toronto, Ontario. Cedar Fair also owns and operates Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure located in Las Vegas, and operates the Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, California under a management contract. Cedar Fair's flagship park, Cedar Point, has been voted the "Best Amusement Park in the World" for eight consecutive years in a prestigious annual poll conducted by Amusement Today newspaper. Some of the statements contained in this news release constitute forward- looking statements. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Partnership believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors, including general economic conditions, competition for consumer leisure time and spending, adverse weather conditions, unanticipated construction delays and other factors could affect attendance at our parks and cause actual results to differ materially from the Partnership's expectations. In addition, risks and uncertainties concerning the acquisition of the Paramount Parks include, but are not limited to the ability of the Partnership to combine the operations and take advantage of growth, savings and synergy opportunities. Cedar Fair, L.P. SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS SECOND QUARTER (unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (In thousands except per unit) 6/25/06 6/26/05 6/25/06 6/26/05 Net revenues: Admissions $71,434 $73,964 $79,953 $82,145 Food, merchandise and games 59,588 60,444 71,370 71,678 Accommodations and other 14,407 14,444 18,051 19,830 Total net revenues 145,429 148,852 169,374 173,653 Cash operating costs and expenses 107,317 108,941 155,470 156,778 Adjusted EBITDA (a) 38,112 39,911 13,904 16,875 Depreciation and amortization 18,218 17,486 21,692 20,940 Non-cash unit option expense 22 64 34 1,019 Operating income (loss) 19,872 22,361 (7,822) (5,084) Interest expense 8,040 6,848 15,241 13,349 Other (income) - - - (459) Income (loss) before taxes 11,832 15,513 (23,063) (17,974) Provision (credit) for taxes 772 3,243 (7,619) (5,680) Net income (loss) $11,060 $12,270 $(15,444) $(12,294) Weighted average units outstanding - diluted 54,963 54,917 53,884 53,555 Per limited partner unit: Net income (loss) - diluted $0.20 $0.22 $(0.29) $(0.23) Cash distributions declared $0.47 $0.46 $0.94 $0.92 Balance Sheet Data: Total assets $1,072,249 $1,072,787 Total long-term debt 561,600 556,872 Total partners' equity 368,608 310,673 Cedar Fair, L.P. SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS SECOND QUARTER (unaudited) Twelve Months Ended (In thousands except per unit) 6/25/06 6/26/05 Net revenues: Admissions $290,216 $278,703 Food, merchandise and games 218,786 211,432 Accommodations and other 55,426 57,279 Total net revenues 564,428 547,414 Cash operating costs and expenses 373,199 378,197 Adjusted EBITDA (a) 191,229 169,217 Depreciation and amortization 56,517 52,083 Non-cash unit option expense 128 3,197 Operating income (loss) 134,584 113,937 Interest expense 28,097 26,458 Other (income) - (2,465) Income (loss) before taxes 106,487 89,944 Provision (credit) for taxes (51,215) 18,257 Net income (loss) $157,702 $71,687 Weighted average units outstanding - diluted 54,937 54,668 Per limited partner unit: Net income (loss) - diluted $2.87 $1.31 Cash distributions declared $1.86 $1.82 Balance Sheet Data: Total assets Total long-term debt Total partners' equity (a) Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and other non-cash items. The Partnership believes adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of park-level operating profitability. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and is not intended to be a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flow from operating activities as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Cedar Fair, L.P. RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED EBITDA SECOND QUARTER (unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (In thousands) 6/25/06 6/26/05 6/25/06 6/26/05 Net income (loss) $11,060 $12,270 $(15,444) $(12,294) Interest expense 8,040 6,848 15,241 13,349 Provision (credit) for taxes 772 3,243 (7,619) (5,680) Depreciation and amortization 18,218 17,486 21,692 20,940 Other (income) - - - (459) Non-cash unit option expense 22 64 34 1,019 Adjusted EBITDA (a) $38,112 $39,911 $13,904 $16,875 Cedar Fair, L.P. RECONCILIATION TO ADJUSTED EBITDA SECOND QUARTER (unaudited) Twelve Months Ended (In thousands) 6/25/06 6/26/05 Net income (loss) $157,702 $71,687 Interest expense 28,097 26,458 Provision (credit) for taxes (51,215) 18,257 Depreciation and amortization 56,517 52,083 Other (income) - (2,465) Non-cash unit option expense 128 3,197 Adjusted EBITDA (a) $191,229 $169,217 (a) Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and other non-cash items. The Partnership believes adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of park-level operating profitability. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of operating performance computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and is not intended to be a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flow from operating activities, as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. This press release and prior releases are available on the Cedar Fair, L.P. website at www.cedarfair.com. Source: Cedar Fair, L.P.

So do it! Nothing ventured, nothing gained! As they say in show biz, "Break a leg!"

Originally, the train used live actors....lots of them. And some of them have probably fallen apart by now, too!

For what it's worth: http://www.wtov9.com/news/9595869/detail.html

But not for long. Six Flags Worlds of Adventure is long gone. Wyandot Lake will soon be the sole property of the Columbus Zoo.

Not the Six Flags that we know today, nor its predecessor companies. The original Six Flags parks of course were, but that was many, many years ago. Neither Magic Mountain, Great Adventure nor [six Flags] Great America were originally Six Flags parks. Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Over Texas were built as such, but are the "partnership parks," and, to this day, are not fully owned by SIX, the owner of the Six Flags Theme Parks company.

That old chestnut has been going around for a very long time. As far as I can tell, there's no truth to it. There was a similar story about Mt. Orab, Ohio! Note that Six Flags in recent years bought existing parks, they did NOT build from scratch. It's much cheaper to buy someone else's mistakes!

Unless Cedar Fair has changed things, which I doubt, you merely go to Guest Relations, show your PKI pass, and they give you a ticket to get in. You do have to pay for parking at Carowinds, even if you have parking on your PKI pass. The pass will NOT scan at the gate.

Yeah. It means they had a ceremony! The park in Indiannapolis had one, too. You know, the one with Garfield as the center of the park. Oh, wait.