BoddaH1994

Six Flags (NYSE:SIX) and Cedar Fair (NYSE:FUN) pulled and refiled their premerger notification and report under the HSR Act. The amusement park chains withdrew their respective notifications on Wednesday and refiled them on Thursday, according to a proxy filing Friday. The waiting period has now been extended until Jan. 22 https://seekingalpha.com/news/4050284-six-flags-cedar-fair-pull-refile-merger-notification-with-antitrust-regulator

Regardless of the crowds, I would recommend it. NYE has a special energy to it. One of my favorite nights of the year at KI! Honestly not trying to turn this into a selfish plug, but we did a Tower Topics about NYE that goes over a lot of what goes on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tower-topics/id1698426928?i=1000637919029 Spotify:

Totally see what you’re saying. But I don’t think that the SP holders are the ones most rattled… or at least making the most noise. My concern would be the overall sentiment of CSO could take a hit, which wouldn’t be good for a donation-based organization. But you’re likely right-it won’t really matter. And no need for a tin foil hat. Releasing negative news at a time when it’s unlikely to be run is a very common PR tactic. I do not, however, think that is the case here. Up until just a few days before the announcement Coney was trying to sell season passes. This tells me that there may have been a “will they / won’t they?” situation and as soon as they either came to an agreement or CSO secured funding, they made the announcement. I truly do think they were trying to do the right thing.

Only took 5 years to build! Who has ridden? I’ve ridden it twice. I honestly think it’s underrated. That first launch is great! Many argue that it’s too short; however, I think that many would take issue with that crouching position for a long period of time.

As with anything, the loudest were the least active, I’d guess. Some questions that need to be asked are: 1. Could the music venue and Sunlight Pool co-exist? 2. Are people not going visit the music venue because of this? My guess is no. 3. Are the ride removals what drew people away, and if so, if they reopened Sunlight Pool, would those people be enticed to come back now that the threat of closure is looming? 4. If it’s about history and not the community, then where can they meet you in the middle? A landmark sign? A statue? Keep the pool as ruins?

On one hand, this is a done deal. On the other, CSO can’t afford to have a ton of negative sentiment. I doubt anything comes from this, but it’s still interesting.

KD: If you want to have more rides open for Winterfest then you need to expect them to not be ready for Opening Day next year. BGW: Hold my beer.

I got mine at the Five & Dime shop. It's the exit gift shop for Bourne.

Could you “snap” the Flying Eagles? This historic attraction was a Cincinnati staple from its origins at Coney Island in 1940 until it was moved to Carowinds after the 2004 Kings Island season. In the latest #TowerTopics, Don Helbig and I discuss the wonderful history of this ride and our frustration over its departure. Listen or watch: https://linktr.ee/towertopics

I have the Preferred Pass. It’s nice getting special perks, benefits, surprises, giveaways, etc. Instead of suffering a bait-and-switch and the phrase, “their complaint is as adorable as it is predictable” is tossed around internally by one of our favorite employees when people bring up that the benefits delivered did not match the benefits advertised. I got a UOAP magnet and had a special viewing area for the parade the other day. I felt valued.

That’s so cool! I just got back from WDW so I wish I had seen this a few days ago. I’ll have to check it out next time!

I’m always torn. The speed is way better with your watch but I also enjoy the novelty of MB+.

Woah. I do that all the time and I didn’t know it made an animation! Does it do it when you scan into the parks too?

There are two types of parks: Park 1: Guests: “Hey, I paid $400 for this VIP season pass and the benefits are only about 40% of what was advertised.” SPX: “You got to get into the park didn’t you? What else do you want? You’re so entitled. Your complaint is as adorable as it is predictable.” Park 2: Guest: “The park has been really busy for the Christmas event.” Park: …just remember that Park One greatly reduced hours in 2024 as well.

Don and I dropped our first ever breaking news edition of the Attractions Group Podcast about this: https://linktr.ee/attractions_group

The development will be a new music venue that will be added to the two already there.

Will be redeveloped. https://www.fox19.com/2023/12/14/coney-island-permanently-closing-end-year/?outputType=amp

That would be a looooong time for something like that to survive. Plus those things probably aren’t exactly bank-breaking. Almost all of the WF 05 was sold to EnterTRAINment Junction for pennys-per-pound. They wanted it off the property. EJ used much of it and threw away a lot. I’m not certain if they resold any of it, but I could find out. If they are the same ones they were probably restrung with new lights.

CF investor objecting: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cedar-fair-investor-cries-foul-233059072.html

December 8: December 12 ___________ December 4 December 12 You can set your watch to it. #AAAIIP Sorry @Tr0y..

I’m not doubting you. But one of the photos wasn’t cited, and the person who took the photo called it out. The guy who took the photo has been around for a long time and has shared his photos with the park on countless occasions. I’m not saying that Elizabeth did this on purpose, but it was an oversight that she was quickly called on. Lesson learned.

I’m old enough to remember when Kings Island was fully staffed last summer. If only we had: Dorms Competitive Pay A large employment market to pull from Hmmm…. It’s almost like it’s on purpose.

True, but it sure seems like every other chain has figured it out.

She’s testing already! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/RFygkbBEkJkn5eTd/?mibextid=UalRPS

TL;DR Kelly Ford out as CMO. Will stick around until March in a non-executive role. No replacement or plans for the position disclosed. With mergers, the cuts are deep. The first thing Six Flags is going to want to do is see how they can save money by centralizing positions. They may have a small PR team out of corporate rather than one at each park, same with social, strategic alliance and so on. If they bring in another CMO, they’ll want to bring in their own people. I’ll be surprised if Elizabeth, Selfie, Tony, or anyone that is marketing-adjacent comes out the other side of this still holding their employee badge.