KIfan73

I got this e-mail a few minutes ago. Has anybody else heard about all of this? A team led by a former top Viacom executive has quietly approached the media giant about buying its Paramount Parks unit, The Post has learned. Tom McGrath, who stepped down as head of Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Enterprises last summer, has lined up investment firms Spectrum Equity Partners and GS Capital Partners, Goldman Sachs' private equity arm, to back him in his efforts to acquire the theme parks business, sources familiar with the situation said. As president of Paramount Enterprises and executive vice president of Viacom Entertainment Group, McGrath oversaw Viacom's theme parks, movie theater and music publishing businesses. The group expressed its interest to Viacom earlier this year in an attempt to preempt an auction of Paramount Parks, which is expected within the next few months. Sources say the division  which has amusement parks in North Carolina, Ohio, California and Virginia as well as Canada  could fetch $900 million to $1 billion. Viacom has told bankers that in the next few weeks it plans to begin formally interviewing Wall Street firms to advise on the sale of the unit. However, one source close to the situation said the firm is expected to retain Citigroup to handle the process. However, yesterday, Viacom co-president Tom Freston said in an earnings conference call that the company is in the "early stages of looking at potential opportunities" for Paramount Parks, which is viewed as a noncore asset. A Viacom spokesman would not comment further. McGrath did not return a call seeking comment. Besides the McGrath-led team, other potential buyers for the division include amusement park operators Cedar Fair, L.P. and Universal Parks, which is partly owned by NBC Universal and Blackstone Group, as well as other private equity firms. Six Flags and Busch Entertainment Corp., a subsidiary of brewer Anheuser- Busch, are also viewed as possible but less likely buyers. Viacom is putting its theme parks business on the block in what would be the latest in a string of asset sales at the media empire as it re-evaluates its strategy. As The Post reported in October, Viacom is screening its options for its Famous Players Canadian movie theater chain. The company is in the early stages of an auction, which has already attracted the interest of more than a dozen bidders, sources say.

Is that the area where the Lion Country Safari was? Is it cars from that?

What are those train car appearing things out past SOB in the field??

Wow, I had no idea that post would bring up so much emotion. I was kind of joking because of PKI's trend to theme more and more rides. When I was reading about the new Coach Carter movie, and it was by Paramount, it just popped in my head that PKI had the basketball game. It was kind of a joke, but I could see them possibly re-theming it to the movie. Its just one more way for them to use their brand, but I agree it is probably a bit far-fetched, but who knows.

How long do you think it will be until the basketball game becomes the "Coach Carter Basketball Challenge"?

Personally, I liked PKI before Paramount owned it. The sad thing is that the movies they theme their rides about are movies that aren't good. At least when Disney themes a ride, it makes sense to theme it after one of their movies. I didn't think the Italian Job was quite a blockbuster movie, and some of the other movies in Paramount's survey just sound stupid to theme anything after. Its almost like trying to theme a ride based on the six o'clock news or the weather channel. I think some of Paramount's rides would be more exciting on their own, without the theming. Not that theming is bad, but you need good themes.

Over top of the turnstyles where you go into the park. Used to be a real nice, sit down restaurant with good food. Maybe they could go with some neat theming up there, like be able to eat with some characters, or something like that. Gave you a really neat view of the park, also.

Has anyone ever heard if anything will ever go in there again? I ate there once, a couple years before it closed. It was really nice having that there.

I agree I feel like I've been in a car accident after I've ridden SoB, but it is an awesome coaster. What ARE those tips for making it a little easier on the body? I'm all ears.

Awesome! I'm speechless.....

The updated site is really nice. I was wondering if there was any way to put a countdown to how many days it is until PKI's opening day in April. It would be updated each day. PKI's official site used to have this, and I've always thought it was neat.

Are AZ's rides are aging faster than other rides, or is it just because they're newer and more noticible?

What were your overall thoughts on this season?Well, as usual, the last time I went was on 9/6 and I was thinking that I had just about had my fill of the place for the year. Now, like usual, I can't wait until spring gets here and its back open again. What was your favorite attraction this year?Water Park. What's the biggest surprise you received from PKI this year?How fun the water park is. What are you most looking forward to next year?Spending a whole day at the water park. What was your best park experience this year?Going to the water park How could've the 2004 season improve? I should've spent more time at the water park.

I have been researching a lot of the history of Kings Island on the Internet, and its interesting how the whole park was sort of one big theme at one time. International street used to have some really interesting and diverse shops and attractions. Of course, PKI has to keep up with the times, but I think somewhere down the road they should take another look at International street, and maybe sort of rededicate that section of the park and recreate some of that atmosphere that used to be there. Maybe have a museum set up that would have photos of the way the park used to look and pictures of old rides. The theme would be "Early days of Kings Island", since the park has definitely taken on a life of its own over the last 32 years. Maybe to appeal to the older guests, as the rest of the park is definitely progressing as it needs to be, also.