WooferBearATL Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Yeah, it was absolutely crazy. I remember the people in Entertainment thought that they had just won the lottery when Paramount took over. The Entertainment Department under KECO had always been given a nice and healthy budget, but everyone thought under Paramount that they would be the "Golden Children." I remember that there was even talk of all the Paramount Shows (Like Entertainment Tonight, etc) being able to utilize broadcasts from the park as well. All this just never materialized under Paramount. As far as with Celebration - I'd put that show up against anything that Disney or Univeral has ever done. It really was a show that would have made it on Broadway had it been scaled up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I remember that there was even talk of all the Paramount Shows (Like Entertainment Tonight, etc) being able to utilize broadcasts from the park as well. All this just never materialized under Paramount. Again, huge opportunities missed for synergies...the whole reason they supposedly bought the parks to begin with. There was so much that could have been done...from local movie premiers to tie-ins with Viacom-produced television shows. (Practically every sitcom family on ABC visited Disney World during sweeps...but yet the Paramount Parks were never even mentioned on Viacom-produced shows...let alone special episodes filmed at a park.) However, I thought the most amazing missed opportunity was last Summer when "Survivor" auditions were held at an Ohio theme park--Geauga Lake!! Unbelievable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Seriously, when you sit down and think about it - Paramount really blew such an opportunity to exploit the parks to their fullest. And when I say exploit, I mean in a good way. There are so many opportunities that were lost that could have cost next to nothing. The perfect example was jzarley pointing out Survivor Auditions. How exactly does a corporation allow that type of thing to happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersNSich Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I thought it was silly that CBS' own Late Show with David Letterman showed photos and clips of Six Flags parks like Great Adventure and Magic Mountain in comedy clips, rather than the related Paramount Parks like Kings Dominion and Kings Island. Heck, Dave even mentioned Holiday World (when talking about Santa Claus, IN, the Koch family, and I-64) more than he did Kings Island! When compared to other park-owning corporations like Disney and Universal, who regularly mention Walt Disney World and Universal Studios (respectively) in their movie advertisements and in trailers before feature films, Paramount Pictures rarely promoted Paramount Parks. Wheter I will be excited or disappointed in being bought will come well after the sale, and the new owner has made its mark. Also, I thought some of the more exciting times for KI under Paramount came in the mid-late 90s through 2001-02 when they were in the 'thrills and coaster race' against parks like Cedar Point and Kentucky Kingdom. Having a great kids area is a wise decision, but eventually, the kids will want to go on NEW rides that travel high, fast, upside down, and throw them around (albeit safely) when they become teens. I will give them credit where it is due: the entertainment (shows) has been getting better. They renovated the Paramount Theatres, replacing the dated, community-style pews, with far more comfortable individual theater seaing. Then in 2005 put on shows like School of Rock: Live, followed by a very impressive WinterFest featuring Santa's Toy Factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 I disagree with the KECO thing... although they did great shows, I think that last year we were blessed with one of the best years in entertainment ever. The parade for the past 2 years has been better than I had ever expected, and SoR is tied with Toy Factory IMHO as the best "sit down" show I've ever seen at a park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKlockster Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Ever been to Di$ney World? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Snapper Posted February 6, 2006 Author Share Posted February 6, 2006 six flags fiesta texas has really good shows Cedar Point has better and more shows than we do! WTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 six flags fiesta texas has really good shows Cedar Point has better and more shows than we do! WTF SFFT's great shows are a holdover from when they were developed by Gaylord Entertainment (who also used to own the Opryland Theme Park). In the early days, Fiesta Texas was more of a "show park" than it really was a "ride park." They've been able to keep that tradition going there. What's funny is that I always used to think that CP's shows were pretty amatuerish compared to the ones done at KI. However, over the last few years, I've thought the CP shows were pretty good. Their live entertainment has really gotten better over the last several seasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted February 6, 2006 Share Posted February 6, 2006 Oh, I almost forgot the shows at Opryland. That park was just stunning! Absolutely Stunning! The shows were awesome, and I'm not just talking the country shows. Ahhhh, what a loss it was when they turned the park into a mall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Temple of the Tiger at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Kotonga at Seaworld in Orlando were the best shows I saw last year in a theme park...by far... And School of Rock and Toy Factory were drastic improvements over the usual Paramount Parks shows, but couldn't hold a candle to Celebration... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hauntguy Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 For some reason I get the feeling that with a private owner/investor... our shows will get ALOT better. Fearfest, Winterfest, and the 4th of July celebration... Could these compare and compete with other with other known events... like Halloween Horror Nights, etc. -Hauntguy PS: I hope so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am not at all sure Winter Fest will continue under a new ownership.... I'd just about be willing to bet it will be discontinued unless it was wildly successful last year from a financial standpoint, which nothing indicates that it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Oh, and why do you think they would dicontinue it? Yeah, it needs some tweaking to make it more of a success, but I think it could be a good way for the parks to bring in revenue in the winter season. It all depends on who the owneer ends up being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Yep. And if the buyer is an investment group, chances are the long term view is not what they will be taking. Unless Winter Fest is generating a profit, or can be depended on doing so before the investment group intends to sell, there is no reason to believe they would continue it. Revenue doesn't matter. Profit DOES. Investment groups exist for the purpose of maximizing business enterprise value...they are not in the business because they love it, but only to improve its value to a buyer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 But do investment groups always intend to sell the assets they own for a profit? I do believe Skyline Chili is now owned by an investment group. Just because an investment group might buy the parks, does not mean that they will discontinue WinterFest simply based on the first year of its return. Although since it most likely was not as successful as an event as had been planned, then they might just discontinue it. Only time will tell what happens. Personally, I wouldn`t mind Paramount Park executives finding financial backing to become their own independent company. Similar to what KECO did when they broke away from TAFT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I actually think the investment group led by former Paramount execs is the most likely possibility... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingMaster Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 ...If that is the case, then let's hope these execs have some more common sense and ride ideas/concepts than what Paramount's concocting as of now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I actually think the investment group led by former Paramount execs is the most likely possibility... If Tom McGrath and his investors can get the financing lined up, that is by far the best scenario. McGrath is a guy who not only has experience running the theme park division, but he likes the business so much he wants to buy the parks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DA RIPPER Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 It's not and investment group that's buying PKI . It's a big park chain in the USA. And I can't say who sorry sworn to secretcy. But your going to like it and no it's not Six Flags that I can say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefall Pkd Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 ^ Another one of those "I know but I can't tell you" people, personally I think it'd be better to keep ones mouth shut (fingers away from keyboard) now let the mass chaos of a guessing game begin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Well if it is bought out by a major park chain, there are only a couple of chains that I can imagine will be interested in Paramount Parks. One in particular might be interested in the parks, one that owns a couple of other parks in Ohio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DA RIPPER Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Sorry but I'm not trying to start that at all . I'm just letting everybody know It's not and investment group that's buying PKI and don't worry about it being resold soon after the deal is done. and entertainment group is buying PKI, make it what you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckler03 Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 i worked in the entertainment dept for years and yes they do have a bigger budget than the other depts..... and from my inside sorce the park has already sold but will not be announced until mid june...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vortexlover2 Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 it is just stupid that they are selling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingMaster Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Sorry but I'm not trying to start that at all . I'm just letting everybody know It's not and investment group that's buying PKI and don't worry about it being resold soon after the deal is done. and entertainment group is buying PKI, make it what you want. .....I coulda sworn someone said that it would be an investment frim that would be buying the parks. And what's he mean by "entertainment group?" Don't tell me it's Cedar Fair. I'd much rather it be Busch Gardens/Sea World that bought us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I think that it's likely that the parks have already sold. They are just waiting for a transfer of ownership to take place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Yes. They are probably waiting for the deal to close before going public. That begs the question if the operating hour cuts are a result of the potenetial buyers, or just Paramount Parks tightening up the belts a little bit before they are sold. When Paramount bought the parks back in July of 1992, was it immediately released to the public? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RollerNut Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 (edited) I have a hard time believing that they are cutting budgets for departments, I believe Paramount Parks is triming the loose edges to make their appearence better. Overall, I foreseer the 2006 having no excess fat around the edges, Corporate officials keeping an eye on all of the parks, and who is at the parks. It seems to me that who ever is/will purchase the parks is going to want a personal tour of the parks during regular operation to see how everything runs, and whether or not it runs smoothly. Yea, I am sure they want a tour of the park lots too. Inside joke, you had to see the mistake to get it. Edited February 7, 2006 by RollerNut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WooferBearATL Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 These things are never made public ahead of time. When Carl Lindner took over Kings Island, we were on a Supervisor's trip to Canada's Wonderland. The big joke was if we were going to have jobs when we returned to the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 And ANY deal can fall through up until the time ownership is actually transferred and the funds change hands. Happens all too often. I can also about assure you that NO ONE other than a handful of people, at MOST, knows who the buyer is. Certainly not someone who reappears on this board and doesn't even know what happened to Jeff Seibert (and asked in another thread) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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