Cory Butcher

Not agreeing or disagreeing with your last post, that being said: Regardless of financial strengths or weaknesses, amusement parks know they must have all options on the table at any one time. The industry is new capital-intensive, especially at companies where rides have no "marketing partner" in the way of alternative media to create demand for them (see:Disney). Amusement parks, especially larger ones, keep that status regardless of financial health by adding newer, bigger and more innovative attractions. Keep in mind, it takes years to survey land, gather proposals for new rides, and have all the engineering work done for everything from area drainage, to height clearances, to the actual design of a ride. In the Amusement industry you cannot let financial stress get in your way of trying to better your attraction portfolio and attendance. More than likely, a ride going in for 2011 at any park in the world was in the planning stages as far back as 2009, if not even sooner. Disney "Blue sky" and other projects are known to be in the works for a decade if not more!

Fixed...long day...

^When I proof-read, it read "three". When I posted and re-read it, I had definitely wrote "two", so I edited it as soon as I posted.

I just love watching people waste their time! This is fascinating, we have people comparing topographical maps to different areas of different parks. And so far, out of hundreds of theme parks, only three have been discussed SDC, KI, and BGW. My head hurts! Without exact measurements lots of land profiles look the same throughout the United States (and abroad)! But, have fun as you will!

Kings Island is pretty flexible with schedules...you just need to give your availability for each month and they try to schedule around your conflicts, so long as you don't have too many conflicts! If you have any more questions feel free to PM!

Since someone thinks I am not commenting, I'll just say it again. It sure does look like familiar terrain.... Just to check my assumption, isn't most amusement park terrain likely familiar to Terpy? I wondered how long that would take someone...bout darn time!

Would you say that it could give a rational man a headache? Is it possible the author was hyper?

Good point Terpy, we are being thrown for a loop! Ugh...

It should be pointed out that those numbers are not official attendance figures, and that much has changed since 2007.

Dropzone, you raise a good point....but, you should go look at the cost of ownership for wooden coasters. Steel coasters have relatively little maintenance needs other than general upkeep once installed. With wood coasters, there is a marriage of sorts between constant maintenance/refurbishment and the park. Then, you have to look at what generally catches the public's eye in terms of return on investment. Steel coasters typically are a bigger draw. To the mainstream public, they often may appear safer as well. Cheaper is not always as it appears...keep in mind that 90% of the iceberg is typically under the surface! And believe me, you don't want to be too much like Holiday World. Kings Island would not exist in its current state and size if it only pulled in a million guests a year!

Technically doesn't the biggest inside joke reside in a box somewhere up Rivertown way next to The Beast lurking in the woods?

hmmm..."best offer possible for their own gain"...uh....oops?

That was worded very well...I feel the same way. At least one person here greatly enjoys the Georgia Cyclone, another Adventure Express, still another yet feels that Thunderhead is the best wooden ride he has ever ridden and that Kumba is is his favorite roller coaster overall. Seems to me, height should have absolutely nothing to do with it. Some of the most over-rated rides in the world are over 300 feet tall! I think if you asked most which they preferred, "Drop Tower" at KI or "Tower of Terror" at Disney World's Hollywood Studios, their answer would be instantaneously in favor of the latter!

I should be going, but that depends on RZ's schedule... I made plenty of money snow-plowing this winter, so most of my park trips for this year are paid for, if only people are interested in going!

This has been a very interesting few years for the amusement and leisure industry. Life keeps shakin' the trees and the nuts just keep falling. I can't help but think after this period of cleansing has washed through the industry we will see some growth again... I have generally held the opinion that Shapiro and company have been on the right track in improving Six Flags. December 14th of this year, should he remain employed that long, will be Shapiro's 5th year at the helm of CEO. Five years later, all the cost cutting measures at the parks have still generated bankruptcy. If one were to believe in five year plans, now is the time for a rebirth not further decline. I just am left to wonder if the measures which have been taken so far are even enough post-bankruptcy. Maybe it is time for a change at the top. I have always wondered what the marketing or corporate team was thinking in the past few years when a season pass (at a certain park, yet valid to all SF parks) could be had for nearly 1/5 of the price of a Cedar Fair Platinum pass.

Does this possibly mean that Metro Council is saying, "Hey, fair board, except the profit sharing lease or some other equivalent!"? It seems that if Six Flags does still own the rides regardless of where they sit, then a new lease would have to be negotiated to meet the council's wishes.

I am re-posting what I posted in the FUN Earnings Release topic, as it is directly important to this thread in particular. Cedar Fair Reports Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2009 Results http://finance.yahoo...9.html?x=0&.v=1 As rollerNut stated this looks top be a decent earnings release, but, one very curious item is included: Year End EBITDA for 2009 was $299,900,000 (299.9 Million). From the Proxy: (Emphasis mine) EBITDA for 2009 came in at more than $11.9 Million BELOW the required amount in the transaction. I will let you ponder to yourselves how this affects the transaction...

Cedar Fair Reports Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2009 Results http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cedar-Fair-Reports-FullYear-prnews-2508425969.html?x=0&.v=1 As rollerNut stated this looks top be a decent earnings release, but, one very curious item is included: Year End EBITDA for 2009 was $299,900,000 (299.9 Million). From the Proxy: EBITDA for 2009 came in at more than $11.9 Million BELOW the required amount in the transaction. I will let you ponder to yourselves how this affects the transaction.

The price action of the stock tomorrow is going to be interesting to say the least! And, Interpreter, that "Meeting scheduled" font is god-awful!

According to the SEC, as of February 9, 2010, Mr. Geoffrey Raynor now beneficially owns roughly 10,021,400 units or 18.15% of outstanding Cedar Fair units..

I don't think "sleaze" even comes close to defining that man. I was not at the tax rally, however, I did read his speech on his pathetic excuse for a website. One item in particular stands out as dead wrong. He states, "Unskilled volunteers are not adequately trained, and have been placed on ride platforms, posing a safety threat to riders." This is absolutely UNTRUE. I have NEVER seen or heard of an "unskilled" volunteer being placed on a ride platform. Kings Island takes the safety of riders extremely seriously.

Interpreter, do you happen to know why Mr. Geoffrey Raynor is buying up units with both Q4 Funding and Q Funding? Or, rephrased, what would be the advantage to owning units with two different entities?

Does this need a 2/3 vote to pass? Yes...I absolutely HAD to go there!

I can tell you this...although you may not find all the research pieces you need to compile this paper, I urge you to contact some smaller parks around America and interview people in the industry. Some of the best research sources are the ones you must compile yourself. If you have some interview quotes thrown in your paper that will differentiate from the rest of the papers!