How do you feel about CF buying PP?

[BoddaH1994]

I'm shocked that no one has made this poll yet.

[Erosarrow05]

Its to early to tell... I think the biggest nay-sayers of Paramount will agree with that.

My biggest fear - aside from losing my beloved Winterfest :-D :-D :-D would be this....

Dick Kinzel said:

"... Cedar Point is the engine that runs Cedar Fair..."

I think the same could be said about PKI....

" ... Kings Island is the engine that runs Paramount Parks..."

*of course, the what about wonderland posts will follow.... im sure*

But regardless...

I would hate to see Kings Island cast to the wayside. I would be naive to think that Cedar Point isnt the gem of the chain... I just hope it doesnt end up being a GL situation...

Lastly - As much as I didnt want Cedar Fair to purchase PPS, i will say this... I trust them. Would the PPS ever join astroworld - of course not, KI could have been a lot worse off, could we have been better off, of course. I personally, will miss paramount parks - I think they established a good reptutation for themselves, and they brought our beloved park into the limelight even more. And I think we can all agree to that....

So heres to the last year for Paramount Parks...

ps.... After being employed by both parks - pki wins hands down

[RingMaster]

Well, Dick Kinzel also mentioned that Cedar Point and Kings Island are two very different parks. One is geared toward massive thrill rides, the other a more family-oriented experience. So it seems as if KI will be the flagship park in terms of family entertainment, whereas CP will be the flagship park for white-knuckle thrill rides.

But that doesn't mean KI won't get some neat thrill rides. It's just that I believe Kinzel and the Cedar Fair team will restore Kings Island to its former famous glory, as well as repair the themed attractions already at the park (IJ:ST, TR:TR) and add a few new attractions everyone can enjoy (I'm thinking a bit more money will be used than what was for Italian Job).

[WooferBearATL]

I'm deffinitely in a wait and see type mode with a concentration on that it would be good.

I remember when the deal was going down with Paramount and I was excited about the opportunities. Every one of those opportunities were blown and never fullfilled. It reached a point that I would rather have seen the parks run by ANYONE but Paramount Parks.

Now it's happened. And CF is the new owner. Cedar Point was always competition when I worked at the park. Now we're sister parks.

We will only have to see what happens.

[UncleHenry]

1) Geagua Lake

2) Michigan's Adventure

3) All I've ever heard from CP employees is that it sucks to work there

4) Beast turning into Mean Streak

5) Goodbye theming

6) Extra cost for Boomerang Bay

[flightoffear1996]

I think this could be a good thing because we will be able hopefully to get a Kings Island and Cedar Point add on pass.

For Kings Island I think we may see more family rides here but with more money poured into them. Cedar Fair may want the two parks in Ohio to comepete still. I also look for Cedar Fair to expand the park into some of the other wooded areas.

[hauntguy]

Say goodbye to most if not ALL of our themed entertainment... including: Shows, Events (Fearfest, Winterfest), themed rides and or areas!

I was really pulling for Busch... but I guess I will have to try and get used to Kentucky Kingdom!-hauntguy

[Captain Nemo]

I'm shocked that no one has made this poll yet.

I'm Shocked this poll isn't the main page poll.

PKI has been for sale for about 4-5 months and people began to know that we would be sold back in september. The fact is that most everyone in the end knew it would come down to Cedar Fair or a Privet Comp. The true expression I had when I logged on to PKIC and saw the news was something like this...

It will be different and many changes will come but in the end I know everyone will be happy.

In reply to Erosarrow05 post I must agree with that point you made that CP is what keeps Cedar Fair going, it's their main focus and even after this buy I will not doupt it will still be their focus. This buy is truly massive because PKI is such a huge park and contains alot of great rides.

I can't wait to see what will be in store next year.

[adam12]

I'm deffinitely in a wait and see type mode with a concentration on that it would be good.

I remember when the deal was going down with Paramount and I was excited about the opportunities. Every one of those opportunities were blown and never fullfilled. It reached a point that I would rather have seen the parks run by ANYONE but Paramount Parks.

Now it's happened. And CF is the new owner. Cedar Point was always competition when I worked at the park. Now we're sister parks.

We will only have to see what happens.

I think we need to start a club. Those who love Kings Island for what it once was and what it can be. lol... I didn't know what to think about CF, after doing some reading and thinking. I bet they don't put the CF name on anything, it will ALL be Kings Island again! Just look at the Six Flags park they bought, the name doesn't have anything to do with Cedar Fair. I like that, every park needs to be original and have its own attractions.

The more I hear the more I like Cedar Fair, they have been in the business since 1870. I hope they hold onto the parks for many years to come. One can only hope that they will become a staple like Disney. Another thing I like is that they are ONLY in the amusement park business and no other. They have no other products to push on their guests; that will make the park more like it once was.

I really can't wait to see what they do with the Festhaus; I bet we will see some awesome shows!

-adam12

[Snake Attack!]

All I've ever heard from CP employees is that it sucks to work there

The way I see it as long as our big wigs stay around we as employees will continue to love and cherish our jobs.

[KIBeast]

I would hate to see Kings Island cast to the wayside. I would be naive to think that Cedar Point isnt the gem of the chain... I just hope it doesnt end up being a GL situation...

Not sure what you mean by that considering GL is being turned around as we speak. GL has not been cast to the wayside. Quite the contrary, it is being revamped and renewed. Look at the great waterpark that they now have compared to the old waterpark.

I don't believe that Boomerang Bay will be an extra charge either. Cedar Point does this because it is a resort destination. PKI is not. Maybe CF will finally build a nice hotel within walking distance.

[criminaljustice]

I think this will be a great transition for the former Paramount Parks, and current Cedar Fair Parks. I don't think BIG Corporations should get involved with the theme park industry unless they focus on the details of running a park. The main reason (in my opinion) Kings Island has been a success is not because of what corporate name was behind it, but the dedicated management team that runs it. I've never talked to anyone in management from Kings Island who hated their job or did not take it personally. The management staff is mostly people from the Cincinnati area who have always loved the park, and I'm sure the same goes for Cedar Point. Now that Cedar Fair is the owner, they will be able to divest solely in their parks. Kings Islands earnings will now be used more for just the theme parks, and not for television, radio, movies or whatever else Viacom/CBS had under it's belt......and correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Cedar Fair is just a theme park related company, they don't own like Nabisco or anything right??hahaha. I still think KI has done a great job the past 15years or so keeping up with other parks, and I think it will only get better over the next few years.

[Shaggy]

"The way I see it as long as our big wigs stay around we as employees will continue to love and cherish our jobs."

They won't. Expect CF to overhaul all upper level management. I doubt many of the Al Webers, Tim Fishers etc will remain.

Shaggy

[TheKlockster]

I think by big wigs he means like operations managers - Jill Mohr, Kevin Eldridge, Chris Maupin - etc...

[WooferBearATL]

I think we need to start a club. Those who love Kings Island for what it once was and what it can be. lol... I didn't know what to think about CF, after doing some reading and thinking. I bet they don't put the CF name on anything, it will ALL be Kings Island again! Just look at the Six Flags park they bought, the name doesn't have anything to do with Cedar Fair. I like that, every park needs to be original and have its own attractions.

The more I hear the more I like Cedar Fair, they have been in the business since 1870. I hope they hold onto the parks for many years to come. One can only hope that they will become a staple like Disney. Another thing I like is that they are ONLY in the amusement park business and no other. They have no other products to push on their guests; that will make the park more like it once was.

I really can't wait to see what they do with the Festhaus; I bet we will see some awesome shows!

-adam12

I think that you may be right.

It seems that with CF there is more of a concentration on the individual parks and less of making all of the parks cookie cutter images of each other.

That should be a benefit to all of the parks.

[RingMaster]

I think by big wigs he means like operations managers - Jill Mohr, Kevin Eldridge, Chris Maupin - etc...

Aw, dude, if they get rid of Chris Maupin, Kevin Eldridge, and Matt Deaton, I'll be ****ed. The enthusiasm of those three kept me in a good mood on even the worst days of working in the park (and by worst, I mean crowds in the 25-30s at times).

[thejoker8388]

As far as the whole "King's Island is family-oriented" I understood it differently than some people. Dick Kinzel said that Cedar Point is mainly geared towards thrill seekers while Kings Island has a vast array of rides. So I take that to mean that we won't be getting a whole bunch of Italian Job styled rides where most everyone can ride and instead it means we'll get maybe a B&M or hyper and then maybe a new dark ride or something that smaller kids can ride.

Also, in a different direction but this seems it seems to me that the Paramount licensing besides Nick won't be around that much longer which makes me think that the Addam's Family idea is dead in the water. Unless the Addam's Family is already planned for next year and then what do you think the chances are that it may be given a more generic name like "Haunt House" or something to avoid licensing issues.

[Rollercoast19]

I have never worked at KI or met any of the management, but why would Cedar Fair get rid of a management team that has made KI so successful?

[italianchef]

Personally I am very happy that Cedar Fair is purchasing the parks because I feared that an investment company would come in, slash quality to reduce costs, and sell off the parks for a profit.

Cedar Fair is an amusement park business that will care about the long term viability of Kings Island and treat it properly. Sure, I would've prefered if Busch Gardens or Universal Studios bough PP. But I am very pleased with Cedar Fair and welcome them.

Besides, great employees like Maureen Kaiser will continue to work hard to please the park guests and deliver and optimal experience.

WELCOME Cedar Fair!

Italian Chef

[MrPKI]

Yes we can definately be thankful that an amusement park operator did buy them. I guess that could have also been a danger with Busch and Universal, so this is one thing better about Cedar Fair I guess. I still wish Herschend would have bought them, but what CF has said so far has made me not as afraid of what they will do to the park as I used to be.

As long as they don't kill the atmosphere and keep adding attractions regularly, I think that the park is in good hands now. And hopefully the park won't need to go up for sale for a long time. (unless Herschend wants to buy it )

[ragerunner]

I just hope they continue down the 'theme park' road. Even if the rides are no longer themed to Parmount movies (which may or may not happen). I think Nick is here to stay and will be expanded into other Cedar Fair properties in the future. There is a lot of money to be made with Nickelodeon. Cedar Fair will build a B&M or Intamin at Kings Island within the next 4 years or so.

Honestly, I just don't see how this will improve or unimprove Kings Island. Cedar Fair has a lot of the same type of shows, merchandise, food, and costumer service as KI has right now. Now if Busch or Universal had bought the park then you would have seen a marked improvement upwards. As long as Cedar Fair continue to make KI a well balanced park, and not turn it into a faceless midway like ValleyFair, Dorney Park, and the detheming of Knotts Berry Farm it will be just fine. I am worried that they may do just that. They have shown little or no desire to theme their parks, their rides or add good dark rides. Matter of fact, they removed the Kingdom of the Dinosaurs at Knotts and the dark ride at Cedar Point. I guess time will tell. May the next 20 years be as good as the last.

[The Interpreter]

I've tried to be quiet. I really have.

Dick Kinzel is a primary driver behind the great success of the company that is Cedar Fair, L.P. Mr. Kinzel retires soon. How deep the bench is behind him, we will soon find out.

The future of Cedar Fair was very much an open question before...what with Kinzel retiring. And now, they take on this...this huge acquisition.

I, for one, hope Mr. Kinzel decides to stay a bit longer and shepherd the transition.

[BoddaH1994]

I've tried to be quiet. I really have.

Dick Kinzel is a primary driver behind the great success of the company that is Cedar Fair, L.P. Mr. Kinzel retires soon. How deep the bench is behind him, we will soon find out.

The future of Cedar Fair was very much an open question before...what with Kinzel retiring. And now, they take on this...this huge acquisition.

I, for one, hope Mr. Kinzel decides to stay a bit longer and shepherd the transition.

I'm sure you remember from the conference call that they would have their hands full with this for the next 3 or 4 years. I wouldn't be shocked to hear him stick around for that.

[flightoffear1996]

Everyone is saying the big coaster is coming to PKI but have you ever taken the time to think about this.

Cedar Point is still really close to Kings Island and maybe Cedar Fair would want the to parks to be different so people will visit them both. (Keep one for family oreinted things and the other for thrill rides) I doubt that it would happen since KI has alot of land to expand on but its an idea. Also remember when they bough Six Flags Ohio a few years back and they have yet to add a thrill ride or coster there.

[teenageninja]

Number 1 someone said something about goodbye to shows and extra events.

-Cedar Point has great shows, including ice shows and great concert shows.

-Cedar Point has a version of FearFest

-If Cedar Point is smart, if Winterfest made a decent profit keep it around, if not ditch it, this is a money making venture, not a guest pleasing venture.

[Erosarrow05]

If you dont please the guest, how are you going to make revenue?

[CoasterKrazy]

Say goodbye to most if not ALL of our themed entertainment... including: Shows, Events (Fearfest, Winterfest), themed rides and or areas!

I was really pulling for Busch... but I guess I will have to try and get used to Kentucky Kingdom!-hauntguy

Actually, I found Cedar Point's Halloweekends to be much more impressive than Fear Fest, and Cedar Point's shows also receive more recognition than those at Kings Island. I agree that themeing could become [more] of an issue, but as far as shows and Halloween events go, I think we will see improvement.

At one time, Cedar Point had a winter event, but due to low attendance it was eliminated. If Winterfest is as much as a success as it has claimed to be, I can see Cedar Fair trying it out for a few seasons.

[Shaggy]

"I think by big wigs he means like operations managers - Jill Mohr, Kevin Eldridge, Chris Maupin - etc... "

Well, I would not consider them "big wigs."

They are down the ranks quite a bit. I expect we'll see changes in staffing from the High Marketing levels on up.

Shaggy

[WooferBearATL]

Say goodbye to most if not ALL of our themed entertainment... including: Shows, Events (Fearfest, Winterfest), themed rides and or areas!

I was really pulling for Busch... but I guess I will have to try and get used to Kentucky Kingdom!-hauntguy

Actually, I found Cedar Point's Halloweekends to be much more impressive than Fear Fest, and Cedar Point's shows also receive more recognition than those at Kings Island. I agree that themeing could become [more] of an issue, but as far as shows and Halloween events go, I think we will see improvement.

At one time, Cedar Point had a winter event, but due to low attendance it was eliminated. If Winterfest is as much as a success as it has claimed to be, I can see Cedar Fair trying it out for a few seasons.

Uhhhhh, winter on the lake is just brutal!

I know that I wouldn't want to go spend a few hours walking around the park with that wind whipping off the lake.

Kings Island is completely another story.

[Jasper]

I think that it is too early. I wonder when we will start seeing changes? I hope that CF does not put PKI to the side and let CP get all the new attractions. I am sure they wouldnt do that. I could also see them installing more thrill rides because CF is mostly geared toward thrill seekers.