KIfan1980

Factors that led to increased ridership - less downtime (more cycles), shorter ride program (more cycles), location (it felt to me that there was a lot more activity around that portion of rivertown last year for some reason). Nothing in these says popularity to me. Remember that we aren't most guests and to many it was another ride to try on their day at KI.

And the potential magnitude of any liability if a future accident occurred, is also sure to be a factor. I can almost imagine the lawsuit - Kings Island and Cedar Fair/Apollo did knowingly operate an attraction that has caused multiple injuries in the past etc. (I'm sure there would be words like wanton disregard and negligence thrown in there as well)

Awesome - thank you for sharing your photo memories which brought back some of mine!

I like how the Photoshop added people are having much more fun than the real riders.

Note to self - wait for the link to open before moving on. I read the thread while waiting for the link to open and (based upon the thread title) was wondering how http://www.themeparkreview.com/ was responsible for such errors. Oops.

Quote from most recently linked Article: On Friday, Q Investments issued a statement saying it "does not believe it makes sense to vote for the merger and effectively sell at $11.50 when a holder can sell in the market for a higher price." With Q Investments continuing to buy Units above the $11.50 offer price, the deal "as is" seems doomed because 1) They are increasing their voting power and 2) Those that would be willing to vote for a sale to Apollo at $11.50 are likely to be selling pre-vote at $12+ My question - what plan does Q Investments have for Cedar Fair if no higher offer comes? While their preferred option might be a higher bid and quick sale that makes them some fast money, I can't believe that they would invest about $80 Million without having an alternative plan. What kind of power would a large unit holder like this have on how CF is run if the sale is voted down? Could they orchestrate an internal takeover/ management change?

And now we start to understand "the rest of the story" Some interesting points regarding the news today from the articles Terpy posted. Specifically the following quotes: "It is urging other shareholders to vote against the deal as well" - considering they own 9.8% and only filed the appropriate forms to say they owned more than 5% on Tuesday, this means they would lose a lot of money if the sale occurs at $11.50 "James Hardiman, a senior equity analyst at FTN Equity Capital Markets, said some investors appeared to be buying Cedar Fair shares over the past few weeks on a hunch that Apollo could up the ante, or that another firm would make a bid" - I'm just wondering how accurate the term "some investors" is. Prior to the announcement today, from what I can tell, only 12.5 Million Units changed hands in 2010, and Q Investments seems to have purchased 5.4 Million Units. This might explain why the unit price has been above the offer price without news "After Q Investments, the largest Cedar Fair shareholders are investment firm Neuberger Berman, which owns 8.8 percent of shares, and Cedar Fair Chairman, Chief Executive and President Richard Kinzel, who owns 2.25 percent" - So Kinzel is in 3rd with 1.24 Million Units. I'm left wondering why the Knotts Family which was reported to hold 2 Million Units isn't listed here? Have they sold some or are there multiple family members who are being considered separate owners I'm also left wondering why this announcement from Q Investments today? Could it be that the go shop period is expiring and there has been no news/rumor of the better offer they were betting on so they are trying to force Apollo into raising the offer price or have the merger voted down? I'm fascinated.

From what I can tell, the CF statement was released during the hectic 3-4pm trading (after the first jump and before the sell off).

Red and black would really look out of place in the middle of the area, in my opinion. They are using all the Red and Black paint for the much needed work on Top Gun

The Beast Articles were fascinating. I especially liked these quotes: The velocity of the train was too great for this formula so they increased the bank angle to reduce the side forces. This was actually done early in the 1979 season, as an overnight project and was relatively easy to do - I'm guessing things are different today, I can't imagine doing something like this overnight Some check brakes were also installed with buckets of lead ingots to check the trains of excess speed. These brakes were later removed as the banking angles were increased on some of the problem curves - And people say that trims have never been added/removed from The Beast The first structural replacements on The Beast began in 2006, after Cedar Fair took over the park - This surprised me, but for those that complain that CF doesn't maintain theming like Paramount did - I'm glad they at least took care of the ride. And as a side note the Paramount teal and purple 20th anniversary logo looks hideous

Sure would be nice to know if this is the same, more, or less than prior years (and I don't need someone to tell me that yes it is one of the three)

No matter how I try and take this comment I think i'm offended...since I do admit to being a park "enthusiast"...I guess I would have to fall into one of two catagories... the most I can hope for is to be a "whiney enthusiast"...which isn't great but, if I don't fit there, that means I am simply average and would fall into the "typical whiner" catagory...that would disappoint me also...I try to NEVER be average! I'm confused by your post, but laughing - so I guess that works. Also had to comment that your new avatar is awesome!

Wow - they must have done a lot of work since Sunday when I swung by for a little look. There was nothing "new" visible in NU/PS. Reptar was still Green/Yellow (I think I'd like Orange actually) and FOC was still Purple (I really hope this changes). Maybe one of the good photographers on the site can swing by and snap a couple of pictures - with the bare trees, you can actually see quite a bit from KI drive/passenger pickup area.

I've got to admit that this baffles me. Do that many people really believe a better offer (from Apollo or another company) is coming despite the fact that there has been no news, leaks, rumors (or sightings at TGIF)? Do investors really believe that the unit holders will vote down the acquisition? Did the fools at a website Terpy linked to earlier buy based upon the high dividend recommendation? As long as it's been above $11.50 now, you've got to believe that their is other interest - otherwise, why wouldn't more people be cashing out for more than the Apollo offer - but if that's the case and its so well known by the investors, why not a story, rumor, or anything.

You've watched a Charlie Brown special this off-season just to help your kids with the Planet Snoopy transition You've ever answered a question about how tall your kid is by explaining what rides the are tall enough to ride You know who Apollo is

I really enjoy seeing the love for Disney show through in everyone's responses! I'll try not to repeat what others have said, but will add a couple of thoughts as I've taken kids of a similar age to the original posters to Disney fairly recently (I can't believe it is already a year ago, time to start planning again!) My input/thoughts: Kids under 3 are free so taking this trip when you younger one is still 2 years old is a really good idea (we made a trip with both our kids just before their third birthday) If you know you will be making return trips in the future, think about purchasing as multi-day a ticket as you can afford now with the no expiration option As others have said, have a plan - but also be flexible (especially with the kids). Decide what are really must-do's and what are nice-to-do things for you and your family Recognize the different age and interests of your kids and be prepared to have one parent go with each at times. If you always stay together as a family, you are likely to bore the 2 year old waiting for something or skip something the 6 year old really wants to do Character dining is a must with the kids (although be prepared for your 2 year old to be scared of the huge characters!). We have found that the Cape May Breakfast Buffet at the Beach Club is excellent for multiple interactions with characters, but have also done others also and all have been good I'd highly recommend a visit to Epcot (especially for your older boy). While the kids won't necessarily get the details of the world showcase area, my then five year old loved many of the rides there (Mission Space, Soarin, Test Track) and there is more kid friendly stuff there than you might imagine and Illuminations is just awesome. Above all else, don't forget to relax and enjoy yourself - don't feel like you have to be at a park every open hour every day. We typically go to the park 2 of every 3 days. As a side note, I once spent an entire day with my two year old boy riding Disney transportation (buses, monorails, boats of different types) visiting Disney properties (hotels like Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, and areas like Boardwalk) and never actually entered a park. He and I both had a great time that day Hope this helps and I hope you are able to build as many great family memories at Disney as I have!

Actually, there's a few things I have to disagree with here. First, Cincinnati, and many other cities, were not designed solely around automobiles. Many of Cincinnati's street and building patterns were designed around the city's fantastic streetcar system that was once here and it's incline. Central Parkway was designed in conjunction with the Cincinnati Subway. A streetcar, like the proposed one is essential for light rail use from the suburbs. Even cities like Cincinnati, that haven't had interurban rail transit in half a century can benefit from light rail transit. In the suburbs you use park and ride centers as well as above ground and below ground stations to bring people downtown to a central hub (the center beneath 2nd st and the stations beneath central parkway). Because light rail stations are further spread out, the streetcar is then used to disperse people around downtown since it's stops are more frequent and in closer proximity. I.E. You park at a park and ride nearby your house, ride the train down to the main hub and take the streetcar to the ball game. See Phoenix, Houston and the Twin Cities. I'm not sure we are disagreeing as much as you think! - Part of my belief that a light rail system (proposed in the email I responded to) would be a waste of money is because there is not an effective system to disperse people around town from the 2nd street hub - I recognize that the city had a fantastic streetcar/incline system (I've got small kids who love to look at the Museum center model!), however the city was very different then - it would have been much better to develop and grow that system as the city developed and grew (water under the bridge now though). My only point is than to try and recreate one now will be very difficult and expensive AND will require a huge culture change if it is ever to happen (not saying it can't happen, not saying I wouldn't like it to happen, just saying I don't see it happening) As to Phoenix, Houston, and the Twin Cities - can't speak to all (and I'm sure others on these boards have additional data on the one I can speak to), but I did travel to Phoenix recently where the debate was still hot and heavy on the benefit. As I recall the discussion: - They have spent $1.25 Billion of capital on a 20 mile light rail system - Usage is above estimates, although it is driven more by weekend than the expected weekday workers: something like 50,000 passengers/day - Ticket price is $3.50 for a day pass (which seems extremely cheap) - Around the rail line, other investment has occurred and spending is up at "local" establishments Does this make it a model to copy? Will the system be developed into something that changes the car loving culture? Who knows - lets wait and see.

http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/behind-the-scenes.html Interesting data about the process. I'm guessing they used the trike. Also, if you haven't gone and looked for your house, you should.

By "ugly as sin water mark" do you mean the identification of the person who actually took the photograph? Assuming you do, I'd suggest that you shouldn't try to remove it because the person who took the photo really should get credit wherever the photo is to be used.

Assuming that you consider a light rail system to be a rail system that connects the suburbs to Cincinnati (as opposed to a streetcar type system that moves people around various parts of the city), I have to disagree. This kind of "investment" would be a waste of money due to the realities of the local area and the unfortanate fact that the cities in this country (for the most part) have been designed around automobile traffic and not rail/foot traffic. Could significantly higher gas prices change this? Maybe, but it'd be a long time in the future before I see it happening because it would be an extremely painful and expensive transition. Having lived in a country with a fabulous rail system that I really enjoy, I've seen the benefits - but having lived in the US for much longer, I just don't see the culture changing enough to force the transition.

It is a firm like this that could be usd as a consultant to a company (public or private equity) that is considering or might have agreed to invest in the amusement park industry without prior experience in the field. Note that I am NOT saying that ITPS has had any contact with Apollo (I'm not in a position to know). I'm merely pointing out a potential way this company could be used.

Just like Gator, I'm a hair over 5 miles (garage to gold pass parking) and 7-11 minutes depending upon upon Tylersville Road traffic lights.

Some good and interesting data there! It's amazing how much time I can lose following the links to pages posted here (and the links on those pages, etc...). I guess calling it the web is appropriate!

He probably charged a billable hour to his clients to provide that quote Last time I checked, FUN was publicly traded. Mr. Landskroner may not fully grasp the concept of this, but what it means is that the market sets the price of a unit based upon what people are willing to pay for it. And they were willing to pay about $9 (I think) prior to the announcement and will be getting $11.50 now. Just because he and his clients may believe it is worth more doesn't make it so. Also in the journal news article are the following items: quoted: The deal could have been scotched by a vote of two-thirds of the unit holders, but Landskroner said that wasn't a sure thing because not all of the investors understand this is a bad deal for them. Isn't it great that this lawyer and his clients are so much smarter than the other unit holders? I mean, why let the process work when you can file a lawsuit? quoted: The economy is starting to turn around and Landskroner said if the Cedar Fair waits a bit, the investors might get a better return. Or, whether the economy turns around or not, the investors might also get nothing in return based upon a potential bankruptcy filing.

There was a time not too long ago, when many of us would have been in disbelief and wondering about the future if gas ever made it to $3-$4 a gallon. - For much of my driving history in the 1990's and early 2000's, gas averaged in the low to mid $1's (with spikes toward $2) - Now, gas seems to average in the mid to high $2's (with many spikes into the $3's and a couple into the $4's) - There is no reason to believe that this trend won't continue, so an average around $4 with spikes into the $6's won't surprise me (although I think the economist/author are pushing an early timing in the article) Is it important to do something different to ensure that gas doesn't continue to outpace inflation the way it has in the past decade? I believe so, but trying to stay within the TOS (avoiding politics), I'll just say it will require policy and personal changes that so far this country has been unwilling to make.