The Interpreter

But, but, but....they did NOT say that $20 million was to spent at each Paramount Park...what they DID say is that nothing the size of the capital investment that Ghostrider is on the books for any Paramount Park for 2007.

They will have it together long before then, or another investor will come in and/or the lenders will foreclose.

and get a bulk of capital expenditures---article in local Sandusky, Ohio paper. Here are some quotes from the story. You really will want to read the entire thing, which is posted at the link at the end of this post. Interestingly, there is not one single word about Kings Island in that story. (The effect this story, if accurate, and not just Sandusky area support from public relations, will have on Kings Island is why I posted this here and not in Other Parks. This really IS about Kings Island and the future of Kings Island, not just about Cedar Point!) Here, a link, to pointbuzz.com, which reprints the story: http://www.pointbuzz.com/news.htm?id=926

They didn't use a dollar figure...the questioner compared the situation to when KBF had contracted to buy Ghostrider...and the CF rep said that nothing comparable (financially) was on the books for a Paramount Park for 2007.

Like everything else in life, there is a happy medium. Too rigid is not good. Not rigid enough is also not good.

Looping friend? Me, too. Oh, wait. I thought you meant Son of Beast!

If you say so. I've ridden both rides many, many times. Raptor is an intense thrill. Montu is not. And where, pray tell, is Raptor's batwing????

another good example. Due to making the coaster more earthquake resistant to meet building codes, I'd bet it is far more rigid than most wooden coasters...even though it does not have a steel frame.

How ANYONE could predict Vortex's future, especially right now, with 99 percent accuracy is beyond me. I wouldn't offer 99 to 1 odds that Cedar Fair will even own Kings Island five years from now...much less about Vortex. Yeah, they probably will, but 99 chances out of 100? No way. Too much in life is uncertain. And the best laid plans of mice and humans sometimes get changed with very little notice or reason.

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.