Cedar Fair's Red Headed Step Child

DWeaver, just to correct your statement in the SFAW topic that Valleyfair fans complain about not getting any good rides. This isn't entirely true, we like our Power Tower just fine, and unlike some people who have visited the fair we think Wild Thing is the best thing since sliced bread. The one thing we get peeved about is wanting a signature coaster.

I mean, right now Wild Thing is our baby. Excalibur is great, and on the days when the trims aren't heavy on High Roller is a great wooden coaster. However, if Cedar Fair would give Valleyfair as much attention as it does dorney and plop down an invert I promise not to complain about the lack of attention from the chain for another four years.

I realize this promise really doesn't me jack squat, as Valleyfair isn't going to make any decisions because a fanboy says he won't complain for x amount of years. But its nice to dream.

In all honesty I think out of all of the chain's parks Worlds of Fun is currently the most attention deprived park. To all of those in the KC area, I feel for ya man/mam

-----------------
"Ooo. They have the Internet on computers now."
-Homer Simpson

A very mature post. I think we all have to realize that we simply aren't part of the decision making, and learn to deal with it. And the grass isn't always greener just because it looks that way to an outsider. Sure SFMM gets some good coasters, but we also have to deal with living in the smog capitol of the world, with busy freeways, loud, obnoxious people and gang activity. It all evens out if you bother to look closer.
-----------------
What is hateful to you, do not to your fellowman. That is the entire law; all the rest is commentary. -The Talmud

*** This post was edited by DWeaver on 10/10/2001. ***

You might just be more proud to be a Valleyfair fan next year. It sounds like you're in line for something big.

-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Watch the grass grow!

I hope so, there's been rumors of an inverted coaster heading our way on the net and amongst the employees, but until its announced for sure I'm trying to not get my hopes up.

-----------------
"Ooo. They have the Internet on computers now."
-Homer Simpson

Dweaver, after living my entire life in Los Angeles, I have gotten used to the smog, traffic and gangs(some gang members are really nice people if you talk to them). I think that SFMM is somewhat overpriveleged and wouldn't mind if Six Flags ignored the park for a year and spent more money on their smaller parks (SFEG, SFKK). I still think that they should bless the park with a few flat rides for 2002 though ;)

-----------------
Drive to theme parks for the food, stay for the coasters!! Knott's Fried Chicken

dont expect anything in '02 but keep an eye on '03 for VF ;)

xflight = scotty ;)

X-Flight, I'm guessing Valleyfair will announce 2002 plans shortly after Cedar Point does.
-----------------
"Ooo. They have the Internet on computers now."
-Homer Simpson

I find it ridiculous to read that people expect Cedar Fair to spend the same amount of capital at each of their parks. That is like saying Disney should spend as much in California as they do in Florida.

Where exactly did anyone say that Cedar Fair should spend the same amount on every park? I haven't seen that at all. They just want one decent ride to be built every 4-5 years. For the amount of money that CP spent on MF, they could build several high quality rides at one of their other parks or even build one coaster in each of their othe parks. I totally understand and agree with the return of investment argument as to why certain parks get what they do. And every major chain does have the parks that don't get as much investment put into them. But when a park doesn't get a coaster for 5+ years, I understand why people get upset. Especially when SFMM and CP fans complain if they don't get something new every or every other year.

Incidentalist said:
"For the amount of money that CP spent on MF, they could build several high quality rides at one of their other parks or even build one coaster in each of their othe parks."

Sure, but could said parks recover the cost? Millennium Force paid for itself in the form of more visitors, which includes not only the admission but the in-park spending. Add to that it attracted enough attention book a new hotel most of the season.

Remember, Cedar Fair tends to treat its parks as individual business units, so they only spend what they can make back short-term. Six Flags doesn't do things that way in most cases, but to their credit much of their capital has been poured into smaller regional parks to give people an incentive to go period. Parks like Valleyfair have a nice collection to attract people, so it makes little sense to build some giant ride there every two or three years.

-------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Watch the grass grow!

You missed my point, and I think I could have been more clear with it. I was in no way stating that Cedar Fair should pour money into each of their parks at an equal rate. And I'm not saying that VF should get a huge coaster. I was saying that they (Valley Fair patrons) are only asking for a coaster, not the most expensive coaster ever built. While VF couldn't bring in enough revenue to justify a $20 million plus ride, what about a $3 million CCI or >$10 million beemer. If Silver Dollar City can spend the money for a nice Beemer and it's located in the middle of nowhere (I'm from MO, so I know), why can't decent sized parks in metro areas. Heck, SDC has added more coasters to their park then VF (I think) over the last decade. VF doesn't deserve a big piece of the Cedar Fair pie, but they should get a sliver and lately that hasn't been the case. Same thing for WoF (oooh, a Boomerang, but they lost the Zinger). The only reason I get worked up about things like this is when someone who is a regular to a small, neglected park wants something new everyone throws the ROI theory at them and says just wait. But at the same time there are numerous CP and SFMM patrons that demand something new every year. It gets old.

And lastly, are you saying that a $25 million investment in one park (CP) can draw in more revenue then if that investment was placed into four parks (KBF, VF, WoF and Dorney)? I don't advocate that theory, but I believe more money would lie in the latter.

*** This post was edited by Incidentalist on 10/11/2001. ***

You would be surprised at how far $25 million will go at CP versus spreading that out amongst the four other parks. Remember that revenue at CP increases in terms of attendance but....

A new ride can justify the resorts increasing room rates which quickly leads to a major impact on the bottom line. Also, CP does more group business than any of the other four parks and groups will sign on the line more quickly with a popular new ride on the horizon.

Bottom line, CP is the cash cow and should be invested in as such. However, incendentalist, I understand your rationaliation now that you explained it more.

Jeff Said: It sounds like you're in line for something big?

I'm hopeing for the rumors to come true for Valleyfair to get its own inverted coaster for the 2002 season. I have been doing some surfing around the web saying that B&M has plans four coasters for parks around the US. Is Cedar Fair ready for annoucements coming up sometime soon? Long time worker at Valleyfair.

*** This post was edited by The Beast on 10/11/2001. ***

Unfortunately for Jeff (or maybe that should be us), he can't say anything even if he did know what Valleyfair is getting. If Jeff gave information to us without getting permssion from Cedar Fair to release said information he would have problems. At the least one would assume he'd lose the inside information that he's been given the last couple of years.

My advice is to not get your hopes up for an invert to high as current speculation is that it won't be until 2003 or 2004 until we (Valleyfair) get a coaster. This isn't to say VF won't get a flat ride or two this year. This is also not to say that speculation is right, and Valleyfair could in fact have parts being made as we speak for a 2002 B&M inverted named Falcon.

If we get something we (fellow VF fans) should make sure we post construction updates and nice lil posts to encourage people in making a trip to the state with 10,000 lakes.

-----------------
"Ooo. They have the Internet on computers now."
-Homer Simpson

I dont see a coaster for WoF untill at least 2004. We are not being complelely left out though. We are gettig a flat ride for 2002 called THUNDERHAWK whichi think is a Huss Top Spin. If we dont get a coaster untill 2004 the least they could do is fix the Orient Express so it doesnt completely tear off your head!

You must be logged in to post