Cedar Fair to buy SFWoA

I'm listening to the concerence call

I wonder...

Cedar Fair is going to be doing a LOT of shopping during the 2004 off-season to look for some sales on paint, that's for sure!
I don't think they're going to carry over the Superman colors for their Impulse coaster...
...and I'm pretty sure they want to eliminate the Batman colors as well, so there goes another paint job.

...I can't wait to read/hear the new names they're going to call their coasters next year (or this year).

...Maybe they'll FINALLY sell full sized park maps of the park, instead of relying on the broschures for a souvineer map.

...I wonder if the chinese restaurant on the Wildlife Side will lower their price for food, instead of charging like $13 bucks or so per person (regardless of the time of day).

Listening and recording... will post transcript late this afternoon.

Highlights:

New WoA GM - Bill Spain (sp?) (VP park ops at Cedar Point)

(Apologies to Bill... hard to catch as it went by... probably slaughtered his name)

Full refund to any SF WoA passholder available

Looney Toons & Warner Bros rights not transferred, will be rethemed. *** Edited 3/10/2004 7:12:59 PM UTC by Strijder***

This just in from the confrerence call:

CF expects to close the deal by early April for its 5/1/03 opening. They expect to be able to employ several synergies immediately, but not all of them this particular season. It will be an amusement park, not a theme park. 2004 will bring subtle changes with the retheming. Bill Spehn will become GL's GM.

http://www.geaugalake.com will become the park's new website.

Current SFWOA passholders will be offered a full refund if they so choose. Groups who want to cancel a picnic booking can do so as well.

CF passes will NOT be honored at GL

-'Playa
*** Edited 3/10/2004 7:19:27 PM UTC by CoastaPlaya***

Vater,
you an call the number in the press release... they're taking questions right now

I've only been to Geauga Lake two years before it became a Six Flags park so I'm sorry to say that this move doesn't bother. But what gets me excited is...about 140 million in Six Flags' pocket, a wise decision that will take care of some debt, a great turn around indeed. Btw, will other Six Flags parks benefit from this?? I'm sorry to be asking questions in which no one truly knows the answers yet, but I am just looking for opinions...

Thanks, ThemeDesigner. I'm listening now.

Well, this is a surprise. But the marine animals will probily go to SFMW and the land animals might (probibly not all) go to FC....Knowing that tht Oklahoma Zoo just installed a major family attraction....and the 2 aren`t even more than 2 miles apart from each other... *** Edited 3/10/2004 7:19:07 PM UTC by ACEAND1***

some notes form the Q&A...

will try to operate rides in wildlife side this year, haven't made decision on future of wildlife side

enormous physical assets

may sell off land not currently used

looking at pricing issues/price increase

season passholders... current passholders can exchange pass for Geauga Lake pass or get full refund. Cedar Point passes will not work at Geauga Lake in 2004

Well I guess there's my answer to the pass thing:

SFWOA passholders can switch up to a GL pass (not for other CF parks) or get a refund.

CF passholders can't get into GL.

SF passholders can't get into GL.

Correct?

So does this mean that those of us with SFWoA Season Pass "vouchers" will have to get a refund and pay for a Cedar Fair pass? I don't mind doing that... I just have several co-workers who bought passes last year dirt cheap and would like to know what they have to do! :)

ray p.

Edit: Nevermind- answer was posted while I posted! *** Edited 3/10/2004 7:26:11 PM UTC by ProgRay***

More notes:

- Family emphasis - Pittsburg / Ohio regional area.

- Employees - still being decided.

- Financing: Still in discussion, but comfortable with range of sources available

- Family market to GL

- all rides and coasters intact and operating by May 1st, with possible exception of Enterprise ride

- Park differentiation: CP resort destination (national/global), GL regional focus w/ character (theming?).

- waterpark - 2 parks price of one, part of admission price; renamed

That's what Dick said, LG

continuing...
theme it to family, add entertainment value... marketed on regional basis.

no decision on Snoopy's usage, not renewing Loony Tunes license.

All hiring being evaluated... decisions made before closing regarding staffing. Full time individuals currently being evaluated.

World's Of Adventure name not an option for CF to use... considered other names, found GL had good emotional response.

GL will be operated autonomously and will not affect CP marketing strategies or per cap expectations.

Enterprise ride is only one expected not to be operating at opening.

"Cp is a resort destination... 2 biggest roller coasters in world (!!).. GL is more regional"

2 parks one price... Hurricane Harbor will be renamed, but not seperate ticket.

Hmmm. They see GL as 'complimentary' to CP.

Meaning CP is the "resort" drawing from farther away while GL is the "regional" park.

That makes sense. Big vacation? Go to CP. Day Trip? Go to GL.

Ray,
you can exchange your voucher for a GL pass, which will NOT be valid at any other CF parks.

A troubling thought just entered my mind though - if they really are going to market it as a family place to the Pittsburgh and Ohio region ... can Kennywood compete?

Did Dick just say they expect the DC/Looney Tunes trademarks and other SF names to be gone by opening day?

Wow!

Physically with the animals and all, I thought "SFWOA" was the much better park with moderately themed elements and the park is a lot more beautiful than any CF park I've ever been to. If they remove thing to the blandless and lack of personality like Dorney and CP, it may not be one of my faves any longer. The lack of animals already has me less interested in visiting the park last year and I visited 3 times last year and CP only once. We'll see, but I think I prefer the way SF was heading with the park. On the bright side, it's better for SF to not have to worry about some of the problems they faced with WOA. I'm glad its in another chain's hands to make more popular hopefully, but it's the last chain I would want to operate/make decisions for my park.

-Danny *** Edited 3/10/2004 7:54:05 PM UTC by Koaster King***

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Lord Gonchar said:
Did Dick just say they expect the DC/Looney Tunes trademarks and other SF names to be gone by opening day?

Wow!

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Clearly expected that to happen. The logistics on this are going to be mind boggling. It should be fun to see how they get this park open on time this year.

more...

not familiar with arrangements at township. (Re: zoning for new rides)

maintenance folks there begininng tomorrow to meet May 1st opening.

There are plans to make a combo pass to utilize both attractions in the future.

Shows being rehearsed for this year that have a contract will have their contracts honored (!) (even batman??)

again, animal park will not reopen.

deal shouldn't have any impact on cash distribution to share holders.