BREAKING NEWS: Paramount Parks to manage Bonfante Gardens

Heh heh....How about the Eddie Murphy Mushroom Patch? ;)

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Actually, this is much better news than another year of uncertainty.

By the way Moosh, did she actually SAY that????

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"Know thyself!"*** This post was edited by janfrederick 2/4/2003 4:24:04 PM ***

WOOHOO! I'm thrilled to hear Bonfante Gardens will remain open. I'm even more thrilled that Paramount will manage them. With PKI's new "family" approach implemented on BG, to say the least, it's a good thing (Sorry I couldn't resist using Martha's line). Can't wait to see what's going to be happening at the park in the next few years.

-Charlie Weingartner

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You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself.
-Galileo

No, jf...just trying to be funny as usual [and failing].

I wonder if Paramount will install any new attractions at Bonfante this year? Anyone have an idea?

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"The movies are weird--you actually have to think about
them when you watch them."
--Britney Spears at the Sundance Film Festival

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 2/4/2003 5:01:15 PM ***

Triple wheel? Train? (oh, they already have one of THOSE) ;)

Whizzer?????

*** This post was edited by janfrederick 2/4/2003 5:07:10 PM ***

I doubt Paramount is going to foot the bill to install anything with their own money. I suspect their first mission will be to look at the budget, stabilize cash flow and do what it takes to get butts in the park.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

There were already a few new flats planned for the park this year. I guessing nothing has changed with that. This isn't a "super ride" type of park anyway, and it would be a HUGE mistake to try and make it one. You really have to visit the park to understand.

*** This post was edited by DWeaver 2/4/2003 6:21:12 PM ***

You gotta admit though, the Triple Wheel would be a great way to view the park and the surrounding hills. Cost effective though? Probably not. Who knows.

Butts in the park? How about some good old fashioned advertising?

By the way, this is a little ironic. There once was a small park in the South Bay called Frontier Village. It was put out of business by the opening of Marriott's Great America.

*** This post was edited by janfrederick 2/4/2003 6:32:18 PM ***

I remember Frontier Village as a child. Wow what memories, Village and Santa Cruz all in the same summer. Then a few years later, my first visit to Marriott's, before moving to Ohio where I made my first visit to Cedar Point. Ok, I'm getting emotional... ;)

Here's a trip down memory lane: Remember those commercials? "Marriott's...Great Americaaa Great Ameeerriicaaaaaaaaa"

Heh heh.

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"Know thyself!"

I have been to the park. I'm not suggesting an influx of major thrill rides -- although a terrain woodie would be cool.

Moosh - who also remembers Frontier City ;)

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"The movies are weird--you actually have to think about
them when you watch them."
--Britney Spears at the Sundance Film Festival

A terrain woodie is exactally what BG needs, not to mention some water rides. I too hope the park remains in it's "gardens" theme but they also need to expand with some larger rides if they want to draw a bigger crowd. As it is now this park is geared to younger children and grandparents. A couple of well themed thrill rides would not hurt. I was actually hoping Silver Dollar or Busch was going to step in but I have faith in Paramount to do the right job.
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No Lapbar, No Seatbelt, No Problem!

This sounds more like a deal brought on by the investors than Micheal Bonfante. It was probably the only way to guarentee that the park would be allowed to open in the spring.

'Playa, while your point is certainly valid, and it does/can work in a similar fashion where they'll work to cater to different demographic segments in terms of rides, landscaping, scenery, etc. But SFMW is in the vicinity as well, and while NorCal certainly has a large number of people to draw from, the market is at least a touch crowded. Competition is always good for the consumers, and that's US...:). More good news is that PGA will probably turn more towards *thrillseeker-type* rides...:)

KCS/MoA is year-round, right? I can see where that would also help in keeping their own *market segmentation* a little bit, too.

As others have stated, this should help BG stay open for awhile, and that IS the best news of all!

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Never go unarmed into a battle of wits...
"I may be wrong, but I doubt it", by C. Barkley (and Shaq thought HE was "The Big Aristotle")...*** This post was edited by rollergator 2/5/2003 1:06:06 AM ***

Here's a little bit more local information on the subject:

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/newsview.asp?c=13222

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/5109560.htm

From the sound of it, Paramount really won't have much to do with the park itself, just management of day to day operations, which is a relief. Count me in as one who feels Great America was a much better theme park in the good old Marriott days.

As far as being glad BG will still be in operation, of course. But you guys forget, this was a done deal. BG was searching for a partner for a while now, as incredible as the park is and because of the potential is has, they would have eventually found somebody. I agree with others, there could have been a better choice than Paramount IMHO. With a Paramount park only 30 miles away, they have way too much special interest in the local market. But it's done, we can only hope for the best.

But I can't help but have my suspicions about Paramount's motive. The question keeps popping in my mind: Why would Paramount be so generous and helpful to nuture and build up a park that in 10-15 years is gonna blow PGA outta the water, and it won't be by adding thrill rides (many have already referred to it as a mini-Disneyland). Michael Bonfante has a great concept and BIG plans for his 600 acreas, six times the size of PGA. The current deal is for Paramount to manage for only 5 years. As one of the articles stated, BG will be flipping the bill for future additions, Paramount will only be paid to manage, they have no financial motive for the park to succeed. Everyone thinks it's a great synergy for the two parks, but after the 5 years are up and Michael Bonfante will hopefully be back in charge, does anyone not think that a much more beautiful, spectacular, incredible theme park is not going to be a threat to PGA's attendance? Paramount's not dumb, they know very well the potential consequences, either they're stalking for a buyout, or a sabotage. Of all the park chains out there, Paramount has way more to loose than anyone else if BG becomes the huge success it has the potential to be. Sure hope I'm wrong, but something about this deal just doesn't seem right to me.

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" I see dumb people"*** This post was edited by 2/5/2003 9:21:37 PM ***

'tis why I'm happy about it, but the hairs on my neck bristle...

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"Know thyself!"