Hints About Where the PP are headed?

[The Interpreter]

I've put this here, rather than in other parks, as there are HUGE hints about th future direction of Kings Island in this piece (and no, I won't interpret them, I'll let y'all do that, since so many of you in the past have told me I am reading too much into things...suffice it to say there is at least one huge hint in this piece):

BETTER LANDSCAPING, SCARIER SCAROWINDS PLANNED

What's next for Carowinds?

November 25, 2oo6

New manager expects no huge changes by Cedar Fair, but hopes for another roller coaster down the road

TONY MECIA

tmecia@charlotteobserver.com

On John Shanrock's first day on the job as new general manager of Paramount's Carowinds, he was walking through the park when a woman asked him where the bathroom was.

He had no idea, he recalls. He pulled out a park map and helped her find it.

Now, five months later, Shanrock and the park's new owners say they've become much more familiar with Carowinds. And they're drawing up plans for it to grow and improve -- plans that start modestly but could eventually include new roller coasters and other rides.

"We spent a lot of money to acquire these parks, and we want to make the best of the situation," Shanrock said. "We don't buy properties to take them out. We buy properties to build on them."

In June, Ohio-based park operator Cedar Fair bought Carowinds and four other parks from Paramount, a division of CBS Corp. CBS sold the parks to focus on other businesses.

Locally, some welcomed the deal, especially those familiar with the Cedar Fair's flagship Cedar Point park in Ohio, known for its top-rate roller coasters. They hoped the company would quickly add major rides.

Others, though, worried that the new owner might sell the park again, or close it and convert it into something else.

But neither extreme seems to be the case. In an interview in his office, which is adorned with a half-dozen miniature carrousel horses, Shanrock ticks off several changes he plans to make: more cotton-candy booths, better landscaping and a scarier Scarowinds, the Halloween-themed identity the park takes on weekend nights in October.

In the next few weeks, Carowinds plans to announce a new attraction for next summer, but it's not likely to be a major addition. Theme parks usually try to offer something new each year and often accomplish that by revamping existing rides or shows.

Shanrock expects park visitors to notice improvements at Carowinds, but no huge changes.

When the next park guests come in March, "what I would really like to see is people say, `Wow, look how bright it is, how clean it is, how well-maintained it is,' " Shanrock said.

When Cedar Fair bought Carowinds and the other Paramount parks this summer, paying $1.24 billion in cash, analysts applauded the deal. It represents an opportunity for the company to grow in what is usually a slow-growth industry.

Tim Conder, leisure analyst with A.G. Edwards & Sons in St. Louis, says the obvious way for Cedar Fair to capitalize on its purchase is to try to increase the amount guests spend at the parks.

As at other theme parks, attendance at Carowinds, which regularly draws more than 20,000 visitors a day, has stayed mostly flat. That means that revenue growth must come from increased guest spending.

In 2005, before the acquisition, the average guest at a Paramount park spent $34.23 -- roughly $3 less than at parks run by Cedar Fair, according to securities documents.

To bridge that gap, Conder predicts that changes to concession stands will play a big role. Food and other merchandise typically makes up about one-third of a park's revenue.

In 2005, Carowinds took in $60 million in revenue -- the smallest of the five Paramount parks, according to securities filings.

Shanrock, who came to Carowinds after an 18-year stint as head of food operations at Cedar Fair's Valleyfair park in Minnesota, says he plans changes, such as having restaurants specialize in their offerings instead of offering too many items.

For instance, he plans to remove the panini from the CBS Cafe, which would still offer pizza, salads and dessert. That tactic would help speed service, cutting down on lines and encouraging more people to eat there. The panini would be served elsewhere.

In another move to boost revenue, Carowinds increased the price of its season pass for 2007, which is now selling for $64.95. In a switch from prior years, passes bought after October no longer include parking, which costs $10 per visit. Shanrock says the park remains a good value.

Another big change could be Carowinds' licensing deals.

Cedar Fair officials have said they believe the Nickelodeon brand, which includes Dora the Explorer and other cartoon characters who roam Carowinds, helps draw families. But they're less sure of the value of the Paramount name and its accompanying television and movie themes. That could mean the Top Gun roller coaster would get a new name and that movie scores would no longer be pumped though the park's sound system.

Cedar Fair is reviewing both licensing deals.

Regarding new roller coasters, Shanrock says those decisions will be made by Cedar Fair, which in the coming weeks plans to announce its capital expenditures for the parks. He says he's as hopeful as anybody that Carowinds will get a new coaster.

In previous acquisitions -- of California's Knott's Berry Farm in 1997 and Pennsylvania's Dorney Park in 1992 -- Cedar Fair added thrill rides after buying, and the parks became more profitable, according to securities filings.

Shanrock says the best way to increase revenue is to make the park a better place to visit, which will keep guests in the park longer and get them to spend more.

Nelson Schwab, co-founder of Carousel Capital in Charlotte and former chairman of Paramount Parks, said Carowinds has a bright future because it's in a growing area of the country.

In addition, there's no other major theme park in the area, limiting competition.

"The competition in this business is more for time than direct competition from different roller coasters -- it's for entertainment time and leisure time," Schwab said. "There are a lot of demands on that."

So many, in fact, that Shanrock, the park's general manager, hasn't even ridden many Carowinds rides.

"I didn't get to play as much as I needed to play," he said.

At the top of his list, he says, is riding the Borg Assimilator with his kids.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/business/16096706.htm

[Delirium13]

That was a good article. I wish that the Enquirer would write stuff like that.

But anyways. I think it's pretty safe to say that a lot of those changes that are listed for Carowinds will be happening here too.

[RailRider]

Tim Conder, leisure analyst with A.G. Edwards & Sons in St. Louis, says the obvious way for Cedar Fair to capitalize on its purchase is to try to increase the amount guests spend at the parks.

As at other theme parks, attendance at Carowinds, which regularly draws more than 20,000 visitors a day, has stayed mostly flat. That means that revenue growth must come from increased guest spending.

Cedar Fair officials have said they believe the Nickelodeon brand, which includes Dora the Explorer and other cartoon characters who roam Carowinds, helps draw families. But they're less sure of the value of the Paramount name and its accompanying television and movie themes. That could mean the Top Gun roller coaster would get a new name and that movie scores would no longer be pumped though the park's sound system

2 very interesting quotes. The first cleary points to better merchandise, quality food service, and just better over all atmosphere.

The 2nd almost confirms that we will see Nick stay around, but kiss Paramount goodbye.

All in all Im excited about the change and the CaroWinds transformation sounds exactly like what Kings Island needs also.

Fingers Crossed

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

As as long time litter gitter at Kings Island we all took pride in the way we kept the park clean. I look for CF to continue to make this JOB ONE for all the parks. There is nothing like a very clean park for the guests and that is the very first thing that is noticed. I look for the following changes:

1) Continue to keep the very same high standards that Kings Island was always known for in the way the park was kept clean.

2) Improve the landscaping and add more flowers. Do you all remember the Kings Island that was written in flowers on Kings Island Drive at Kings Mills Road?

3) Phase out the Paramount from all logos and revert back to the original Kings Island design as it used to be before Paramount bought the park.

4) Remove the Paramount trade mark names from the rides. As it stands right now, CF has to pay a licensing and royality fee for the use of the names. I guess it all comes down to the name draw that the name has.

I look for some decisons to be made this year as to future plans for KI and the rest of the parks. The ideal is to have people stay longer and spend more while at the park. Give the public what they want: A nice clean, affordable place to have fun and enjoy themselves.

Mike

[Carowinds2005]

3) Phase out the Paramount from all logos and revert back to the original Kings Island design as it used to be before Paramount bought the park.

Carowinds already has a new logo and its very Cedar Farish. I guess all the former Paramount Parks will look the same.

http://www.carowindsconnection.com/communi...?showtopic=1479

[CoastersNSich]

The quality of the image doesn't look too good... shouldn't the ® come after "Carowinds®" and NOT "Car®owinds"? Looks like somebody slapped a logo together using Photoshop and didn't pay attention to a few details. BUT it's something I might believe...

[RingMaster]

Yeah, I was about to say that myself in that it looks severely Photoshopped. But, then again, reworking logos is pretty hard to do.

[Carowinds2005]

^ Its no photoshop! I personaly received a letter as well as other associates with that logo at the top as the letterhead. Time will only tell...