Viacom to divest Paramount Parks?

[King Bowser]

Spielberg had this to say...Sounds like he wanted Universal to get ahold of Dreamworks cant say I blame him most of paramounts movies are lame..tastic!..

"I am thrilled by today's announcement of the deal with Viacom/Paramount, who came recently to the table and were able to conclude and sign agreements quickly,†Spielberg said in a prepared statement.

Due to my very long history and my loyalty to Universal, I was saddened that after long negotiations and many compromises, we were unable to come to terms with Universal's parent company, GE. Nevertheless, I am truly looking forward to working with Tom Freston, Brad Grey and Gail Berman, as this is an exciting opportunity for each of us to embark on a new adventure together."

For their part, Paramount is equally excited, if from a business and financial perspective and the hope that the Spielberg name will bring them.

"This is a major milestone in our efforts to re-establish Paramount as an industry leader and fuels the momentum for their emergence as a real global film company,†said Tom Freston, co-President and co-Chief Operating Officer of Viacom.

“The world-class production, development and sales teams we are gaining will certainly fuel the turnaround that Brad and his team are leading. Overnight, this makes Paramount a key contributor to new Viacom's revenue and earnings growth story."

[RollerNut]

PC getting slightly more business than PKI.

FALSE! Most of the people I talk to say it is to cold to go to an amusement park. I have heard ya'll numbers and ours.

[A_Titanic_Mess]

FALSE! Most of the people I talk to say it is to cold to go to an amusement park. I have heard ya'll numbers and ours.

Hey Roller, so is PKI getting more business than PC for Winterfest? What are the crowds like at PC's Winterfest? Reaction to the event? My friend that works in corporate said both PC and PKI Winterfest events are struggling. Not performing as the parks had hoped. What is your take on the PC event?

[WooferBearATL]

If you get lucky they may move SOB down there so they can fix it.

Hey Hey! Don't be dumpin your trash in my back yard!

[CoastersRZ]

Well, I think it is obvious that WinterFest is struggling. Which is ashame, because the park looks great. I think the fact that they have lowered their prices demonstrates that they are not achieving the attendance numbers that they had hoped for. There is a lot of competition for families` holiday activity money and time. A lot of families that have memberships to the zoo or passes to the Beach get in free to their respective events. I believe that that is one thing that is hurting PKI`s WinterFest. They simply priced themselves out of the market, and are only recently adjuscting that situation.

I am glad to see that Paramount Parks was willing to invest in bringing back WinterFest and introducing it at Carowinds. Hopefully, they will make changes to it for next year, and add some new things, get rid of stuff that didn`t work and make it better for next year, provided they decide to hold it again next year.

[Outdoor Man]

i think it goes without saying... and this is off topic, but I think the Winterfest program and PKI is outstanding.... like I said in another thread if you're disappointed then maybe it is Kings Island you want to visit in July rather than Winterfest in December. But I do agree that PKI did price themselves out of the market.... $25 was WAY too much. we paid $15 each last weekend which i felt was still a little high.... but acceptable.

[RollerNut]

Crowds are very light at Winterfest when it is cold but on warmer nights, it is almost like a regular operating. My opinion on Winterfest is that it is geared to the wrong age group. I think they need to close the kiddy rides, and open the thrill rides because I see more couples than families. I think Winterfest is great but I see things I don't like too. However, I am keeping my mouth shut on what I don't like because Paramount knows what they are doing and I like my job. Winterfest will improve just like SCarowinds did.

I don't drive between an 1 hour and 15 minutes to an 2 and a half hours to work for the money.

[CoastersRZ]

Yes, PKI has been getting feedback on what people think of WinterFest. When I left the park on Sunday, they probably had three or four people handing out brief surveys about the event. Also, when I picked up my Santa`s Toy Factory tickets, they gave me a little business card telling me to go online to complete a survey about my thoughts and opinions on WinterFest. (I completed the in park survey as well as the online survey). I`m sure they are getting feedback on what things are working and what things are not quite what they should be.

[RollerNut]

Yea, they got me too. My only suggestion was Winterfest Scooby-Doo Walk around character.

[Captain Picard]

I wonder if they will send the Winterfest stuff to PKD for next year. It would be a little hard for PKI to have it if they plan to do any new construction next year.

[CoastersRZ]

Um, they are doing construction in NU/HB land with WinterFest going on. I hope that PKI continues WF for years to come. If they fine tune it enough, and get the attendance and revenue that they desire, it wouldn`t surprise me to see the other Paramount Parks (PKD and PGA adopt a WinterFest). PCW would be a little harder to pull off a winter event, simply because of its location up in Canada with colder temperatures than what Cincinnati experiences.

[Captain Picard]

Yes, I forget about the NU/HB land because it don't interest me.

[CoastersRZ]

Some of the midways that they have open are very close to the demolition/construction site. Pixie and Dixies Swingset is right next to Boulder Bumpers which is being worked on. And Animation Station, is also right next to some of the demolition of the former Slime Zone.

[Delirium_Guy]

I wonder if they will send the Winterfest stuff to PKD for next year. It would be a little hard for PKI to have it if they plan to do any new construction next year.

From what I've been told, the company that was contracted out to provide the goods for Winterfest was contracted out for the next three years. So if that holds true, expect to see it return in 2006 and 2007. Hopefully by then the event will have turned around and won't be struggling like it is now.

[CoastersRZ]

Well, hopefully that is true. I know that the first year they had Fear Fest, they rented all the haunts that first season, that way they weren`t out a ton of money if they decided to can the event due to lack of interest. I sure would like to see the WinterFest become an annual PKI tradition again, much like what FearFest has become. FF struggled the first couple of seasons as well when it was a seperate gated admission from the park. Hopefully, with the feedback the park is gathering, they will be able to work out an admission program to WinterFest, or more/different attractions in the coming years that will turn the event around. Personally, I find nothing wrong with the event, other than the high price of admission, and some areas could use some more lights. But all in all, I think it is a wonderful event, and the live entertainment is what makes the event so much fun.

[King Bowser]

From what I've seen here on PKIC and heard Winterfest sounds awsome but I cant afford the addmission price and such I think I will be taking my family to the zoo its affordable plus who doesnt love animals.

[jzarley]

Great article on the "Motley Fool" commenting on the rumors of Paramount Parks being for sale. I couldn't agree more...

http://biz.yahoo.com/fool/051222/113526187303.html?.v=1

[AamieAndShawn]

Cedar Fair gave 145 million for Geauga Lake. Back when Six Flag bought it it was way more. I can't find it now but it was somethng like 350 million.

Posted at 11:45 PM EST (0445 GMT)

However, McGrath may not be the only eager buyer. Other members of the amusement park industry, including Cedar Fair, Universal, and Six Flags are being viewed as potential new owners.

http://www.thrillnetwork.com/stories_view.php/890

if we get sold I hope it get bought by Universal!