CoasterBuzz Podcast #82 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Jeff and Pat review this week's news in the amusement industry.

Houston wants tax incentives to attract a "green" theme park. Jeff points out that there's actually great economic opportunity around environmental concerns.
British travel firms are jacking up costs for Orlando vacations, and not surprisingly, are being undercut by online agencies.
Hotel perk programs have way too many strings to be practical or useful (see: Loews First).
Cedar Fair mandates life jackets for the under-four-foot kids on certain water attractions following drowning. Gonch thinks people get stupid when they go to amusement parks.
Six Flags stock recommended by S&P, and then the stock takes a dump.
Merlin does the sell and lease back move to generate some cash.
New Gerstlauer spinner at Edmonton Mall. Love the custom job there.
New Dollywood water ride sounds like another sweet addition. Gonch says the park is not more navigable.
Jeff doesn't care much for New Jersey, but Gonch reminds us that Bon Jovi is from there.
Rye Playland sure doesn't seem to have much of a future. As for the small parks all disappearing thing, Jeff points out there are plenty that are thriving.
Kennywood suit for storm death starts backward, with damages determined, but liability yet to come.
Starliner: Who cared before they threatened to tear it down?
The flyer is up for the CoasterBuzz Club Fall Affair. Download it now!

I'll be at Edmonton in a few weeks. If there's Internet in the hotel I'll report back!

To address the issue in the podcast about why a company would acquire the land of a park, and then lease it back to the park...

I think it's because most real estate companies are structured in a way where they pay less taxes as a corporation so long as they re-invest most of their revenue, i.e. they're looking for land to buy to get rid of their cash.

I dunno if Merlin is US or not (since you mentioned Alton Towers), so it might be a little bit different, but I think that's the overall premise.

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