The Interpreter

Premier purchased it from Rocky Point. It was originally at Six Flags Great America.

For another, and perhaps even more tragic, example of the same phenomenon, see (or rather feel) Cheetah at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia. Wonderful when it opened. Don't even ask about now.

Don't, however, forget that the third quarter COULD be as early as July 1, or, on the other hand, as late as September 30. My bet is it will be earlier as opposed to later, assuming regulatory approvals are forthcoming. CBS wants out, and yesterday. Plus they don't get their money til the sale is done. And if I were Cedar Fair, I would want in to those parks I had agreed to buy, so they could be managed by someone who cares about the long-term future. Hopefully, the FIRST thing to go bye-bye will be the no early entry into the park policy Paramount put into effect this year. Then again, doesn't Cedar Point do things the exact same way (except for Joe Cool Club members and resort guests)?

Or, depending on what version of park mythology you choose to believe, Top Gun was supposedly going to be named Thunder Run and/or Thunder Road...

That article is over a week old and I am almost certain has been previously posted here...

The prices? Yes. The food itself? Maybe it is just me, but I have found absolutely nothing remarkable about any Cedar Point food...well, not since the Boathouse Marina was converted to Famous Dave's, anyway... Interestingly, at one point, the Boathouse Marina served Montgomery Inn ribs. And unlike the ones at Wings, they were authentic clones of the ones in Montgomery. Imagine that.

Compares and contrasts Cedar Fair and Six Flags, and calls CBS a loser in the recent deal: http://urlci.com/16a922

Uh...during the media conference call, CF officials revealed that there were to have been no substantial capital expenditures at the former Paramount Parks next year. It is highly doubtful that major coaster installations will now be contracted for the soon to be former PP for 2007, by CF or PP.

I've tried to be quiet. I really have. Dick Kinzel is a primary driver behind the great success of the company that is Cedar Fair, L.P. Mr. Kinzel retires soon. How deep the bench is behind him, we will soon find out. The future of Cedar Fair was very much an open question before...what with Kinzel retiring. And now, they take on this...this huge acquisition. I, for one, hope Mr. Kinzel decides to stay a bit longer and shepherd the transition.

I NEVER thought I'd say this. That's one bumper sticker I'd proudly put on my car. Honest. Great job, Klockster!

That is excellent advice for any park. Also, if you want to get a lot of rides first, avoid the newest ride. For example, so far this year at Holiday World, Raven and Legend are either walk-ons or darn near it!

If i remember correctly not all CF parks charge seperate admission for their waterparks. I went to Dorney Park 2 summers ago and I don't remember having to pay a seperate fee to go to Wildwater Kingdom. Right. Dorney's waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom, is included with park admission. And Dorney also includes free parking with season passes, in a season passholder lot!

Ha! What would I expect from someone who lives in or near Atlanta? You, my boy, have been assimilated! [for those who don't know, Coca-Cola is headquartered in Atlanta...I once walked three miles there looking for a Pepsi! Well, actually for a Diet Pepsi!]

Of course. If Winterfest is not held, Cedar Fair will certainly issue refunds. Of that I am quite postive.

Were those PKD visits THIS year? I, too, had not seen such a dirty park at PKD in the past. I believe this year the Paramount Parks were looking at substantial budget restrictions. Some cut back on hours, some on staffing, some on ecology. PKD was easily the filthiest park I have ever been to on the two different occasions when I have been there this year. I doubt I go again until after the CF sale closes, and I love Volcano....but I don't like walking through spilled Cokes, cigarette butts, graffiti galore (far more than I have ever seen at Great Adventure or Riverside), gum and more gum (on the handrails in the Volcano, on the floor, on trees, etc.) And when I sat down in Grizzly, I sat in....gum. Ugh.

It was stated during the media conference call that nothing substantial was on the books for planned capital investment at Paramount Parks for 2oo7. The situation was contrasted with that where KBF had alreadycontracted for Ghostrider when CF agreed to buy KBF. Understand this was in the middle of a financial discussion about the obligations that CF is taking on. It was NOT a discussion of rides and planned rides. It WAS a discussion of capital obligations that PP had made that CF would become responsible for.

It needn't necessarily be one OR the other. Exclusive licenses can become nonexclusive when a bit of cash exchanges hands. Or the Nick license may not even be exclusive, for that matter.

Perhaps. But if neither Cedar Fair nor Coke wants to do business with the other, there are ways to make sure that both parties end up agreeing to end the contract early. Many, many creative ways. I'd be surprised if that Coke contract lasts that long...and wonder if it is even binding on successors of Paramount Parks.

Actually, on a big trip like that, getting to parks at opening and staying til close is an important part of getting all the rides in. Rest is very important, too. The solution, for me and many others I know, is simple. Get to the park at opening come Hades or high water. Enjoy the golden hours until the rest of the public wakes up, packs the car and gets there (especially on Saturdays). Get in as many rides as you can. As the park gets packed and the humidity (that we have abundance in the Midwest) gets atrocious, leave the park--getting your hand stamped and saving your parking lot re-entry, check into your motel/friend's, etc., and sleep. Come back two or three hours before close, when many of the public have gone home, or began the long journey back to their homes (many of the visitors are either season passholders or daytrippers). You will be refreshed, renewed, ready to drive the next morning, and will enjoy a much emptier (by comparison) park than if you stayed during the midday rush. You can save more and enjoy even more if you plan a meal for the journey either to your sleeping place or back to the park. (THIS is one of the major reasons that Six Flags proposed NO REENTRY policy was dumb!) As for SFKK, be warned that the back portion of the park (where Thunder Run, Twisted Twins, Chang and T2 live) does not open until an hour after the front section opens (where the mouse and Greezed Lightnin are)

The casual visitor from Cincinnati who visits Paramount's Kings Dominion, should they find the place dirty, WILL associate that experience with Kings Island. I actually think the Cedar Fair way of naming parks makes much more sense than Paramount's or Six Flags'. An accident at any Six Flags always brings up questions where I work and travel: Didn't that happen at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom (or insert local Six Flags park name here)? The public hears or sees Six Flags or Paramount, they KNOW the local park, that's all they know, and they hear enough to know the local park is where the problem is. Most patrons have no idea who owns Cedar Point, Worlds of Fun, Dorney Park, etc....Nor do they care.

It's NOT a local issue when the name over the door says Six Flags or Paramount or whatever....the public sees them as all the same. One dirty McDonalds affects them all, in the customers' eyes. Same for parks.

Yep. Five hundred feet....long.

Should that be true, a bunch of people will show up here and start crying about how Cedar Fair took out a wood coaster. Which is fine. Except one thing. Many of them will be the same people who now gripe and complain about SOB!

It is indeed a new day, for all parks... This is going to be really interesting, to put it mildly.

Was it by any chance a Pepsi can? --The Interpreter, running for his room