Cedar Fair to buy SFWoA

Impulse-ive said:
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?

sfwoa was heavily marketed in pittsburgh, kennywood is still around.

I was planning on taking my 6 nephews and neices to woa in May with the $9.99 coupons. I am dissapointed I cant do that now. I still dont get how season passes will work. I have a cedar point pass, but thats no good at gl?

and more...

attendance goals internally may be down for first year due to loss of animals

no expectation for a CP drop in attendance... unique entity with waterpark, hotels, golf courses. GL will be one day park w/o overnight stay. "Hopefully we can get people of cleveland to go to Geauga Lake and come to CP for a weekend"

No conclusions about how they're going to finance the deal (Equity, Debt...)

Six Flags Inn... should continue seasonal operation.

May put money into campgrounds to upgrade & have high ROI... after 2004 season.

CP can house 4000 seasonal employees, gets many college students. GL will go for younger age group due to lack of housing.

"I've been born again my whole life." -SAVED

Except that Kennywood suffered until folks discovered customer service etc. didn't make the 1 1/2 hour drive worthwhile ...

If Cedar Fair makes the kinds of changes I believe they're capable of ... well, if I were at Kennywood right now, I'd be looking over my shoulder at doing some moving and shaking next year, if nothing else then in the marketing department ...

Brett, Resident Launch Whore Anti-Enthusiast (the undiplomatic one)

Whoa! Hotel ownwer (Travelodge) voiced his concern and reasonably so as a SFWOA preferred partner. He tracked 80% of his summer customers through the SFWOA links. This deal leaves him in a precarious position.

It sounds as if they're drafting strategy as we speak!

-'Playa

NOTE: Severe fecal impaction may render the above words highly debatable.

8.3... seems their attitude is that when you bought your CF pass this year you couldn't get into GL (since it didn't exist) so why should they add it for 'free' now.

more more more...

80% of memorial day-labor day business at a local (aurora) hotel came from Six Flags website... they're worried.

no shuttle being discussed

"I've been born again my whole life." -SAVED

You have a point, Impulse-ive.

Could we see season passes at KW in a year or two?

I say the because Idlewild finally got them and because while I'd still visit KW once a year, a GL pass would make multiple visits much cheaper and thus make GL my 'homepark' even though KW is just across town.

Season passes at KW would have me there at least weekly and make trips to GL not worth the drive more than once or twice (essentially flip flopping the situation)

coasterimage - lordgonchar

My, my, how things change.

Rich G

Exactly my thinking ...
Or perhaps the long-standing goodwill relationship between Geauga Lake and Kennywood will extend to Cedar Fair and ... oh can you imagine the Amusement Park juggernaught that would be the Western PA/Northeast Ohio area ... :) I know I'd pay $500 a season for a season pass/transportation voucher between all 3! Ideas here people! ;)

Brett, Resident Launch Whore Anti-Enthusiast (the undiplomatic one)

okay, sewioswy...
The operator of the call said
"That concludes this afternoon's teleconference... you may disconnect your lines and enjoy your day'

I swear she was keep going and say 'enjoy your day at Cedar Point...'

"I've been born again my whole life." -SAVED

Why does everyone want to go to "GL" now with the lack of animals, a possible rape of the moderately themed elements, and possibly few additions for 2004 anyways? There were never waits for anything besides X-Flight anyways if you want three-train operation (CF doesn't do three train op at any other their other parks besides Knott's afaik- Dorney was doing one-train and "half-train" op last June). I don't know what to think of that.

Cedar Point does not equal all of Cedar Fair. Some people rooting for the CF takeover have only been to CP and we don't know exactly what they're going to do with the park yet. I'll visit Knott's Dorney Worlds of Cedar Lake Adventure Fair when I know exactly what's going on. Cedar Po!nt r00lz, goe cedFer Faiar!!!

-Danny *** Edited 3/10/2004 8:08:00 PM UTC by Koaster King***

Man, I'm sad that the wildlife side is closing. That was my favorite part :(

I liked the bird exhibit myself...

I wonder what I will have to do with my woa pass, I am going to sfa in April while in DC. I guess I will have to make darien lake my homepark? I am not going to swap my woa pass for a gl pass.

I dont see Kennywood having any trouble with this. There is less at gl than before without the wildlife side, I fail to see what marketing will do when the same rides exist as before.

I would like to see season passes at kw though. I would probably go at least once a month as opposed to my once a year.

Why does everyone want to go to "GL" now ...

Every time I was at Dorney (in both 2002 & 2003) they ran two trains on the 'big' coasters even when they were running half full.

We want to go because, while the attractions at SFWOA were good enough, the service was not. More than a few people expect that to change and even if it isn't immediate, it shows support for the (hopefully) move in the right direction.

As far as the other issues, never been a fan of the wildlife side and and still not sure what "theme" will be lost aside from the looney tunes waterpark area and a couple of superhero logos.

Just my take...

*** Edited 3/10/2004 8:06:07 PM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

coasterimage - lordgonchar

Here's some info from the conference call...

Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

ThemeDesigner said:no shuttle being discussed

Maybe the long rumored CP monorail from the main gate to the off point parking will be extended to Geauga Lake. </sarcasm off> *** Edited 3/10/2004 8:10:37 PM UTC by CPJ***

Koaster King said:
Why does everyone want to go to "GL" now with the lack of animals, a possible rape of the moderately themed elements, and possibly few additions for 2004 anyways?

Thats exactly what I say. Just because CF buys it doesn't automatically mean that service is going to be better right off the bat. I for one am against this. I don't care what anyone says I like it better as a Six Flags.

I would like to know when we will be notified of the refund or option to buy a Geagua Lake pass. I reordered mine over the internet Saturday which means it didn't process till Monday. I got the 4 day shipping so technically I should get it in the mail Thursday. I am wondering now if I will get that. My card has been charged so I would like an notice soon of what is going to be offered and for how much. I also wonder about the parking. I ordered a parking pass. I wonder if CF will offer a parking pass? *** Edited 3/10/2004 8:14:24 PM UTC by Sarah Jackson***

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." ~ Dave Barry

With all of the drops in SFWOA attendance, at least their passes were good for Wyandot Lake, SFDL and other sister parks a few hours away...now they're selling a season pass for a 'same ol, but now with less stuff' park with no reciprocity anywhere.

They might wanna rethink that policy in a hurry. A big hurry.

-'Playa

NOTE: Severe fecal impaction may render the above words highly debatable.

I actually think it was much better as old Geauga Lake. I think there has been a marked and real decline since Premier got involved...all the new rides not withstanding. The Sea World acquisition really was the beginning of the end.

I think this is a good move for Six Flags off the bat. I think it will lead to good things for Cedar Fair in the future. This year is a toss up but knowing Cedar Fair like I do I am sure they will make it work.

Last June, SF and Talon were running two trains (I guess that's all of the "big rides" that count though?), Laser and Hercules were running one train, Thunderhawk was running a single "half train" (the front half), and the kiddies had one train of course.

On that note, I've never had anyone from any CF park do anything someone at a SF hasn't. They didn't come shine my shoes, offer a massage or manicure, or even serve my food or send me off on the coaster with a smile. So I don't care.

The wildlife side has more theme elements than the ride side, but there are some interesting things by Villain and the signs and flags have more character to them than CF parks.

The "traditional family park" BS has always been the easy way out for CF (maybe they figured out they weren't good at it??). Good for them though.

-Danny *** Edited 3/10/2004 8:21:20 PM UTC by Koaster King***

I really loved Worlds of Adventure... I had some great times there, and REALLY loved the wild-life side. Despite it costing like 3 bucks for 3 sardines to feed the Sea Lions, I thought it was truly different & bought into it.

To see the animals & exhibits go, I'm really disappointed.

To see that your Geauga Lake season pass is good ONLY at Geauga Lake and nowhere else... and vice versa with Six Flags or Cedar Fair, is the nail in the coffin for me.

I'm not too happy with this aquisition anymore. At first, I was excited... now I'm disappointed, because I never had a visit at Worlds of Adventure where I walked away thinking "damn, that sucked! What a rip-off."