Herschend to manage Darien Lake and Elitch Gardens

Oh Hell Yeah!

Me Thinks Herschend is going to be in dyer need of issuing a HFE Pass :) All But Elitch are within a days drive :)

*dire

Well, passes are printed, and require color ink. So therefore, if you print a lot of passes, you will have a dyer need. :)

Hopefully Herschend will give these parks some attention and care... this could be a very good thing! (or they could just sit on the properties and do nothing)

If they're just managing them will they have a say with regards to additions and what not?

It doesn't sound like this will be the same kind of deal as Wild Adventures.

If I understand correctly, you have it right. Wild Adventures was purchased, and is owned by HFEC to the best of my knowledge. The agreement with Elitch and Darien seems to be the properties are still owned by CNL (the land-ownership arm of PARC, apparently). The management deal seems to be more similar to what CF had with MoA, and Paramount with Gilroy Gardens...

Copy/paste of what I'd posted to the forum re: how HFEC has handled business at WA:

Wild Adventures had some really good cap-ex with the new (to the park) for '10 installations - Scrambler, flying skooters, and the relocated Miler from Celebration City. There was a major re-do of the footpaths, etc., whch led to considerable backtracking, etc. - but it clearly looks and feels like a more professional operation. Food options received a MAJOR upgrade. The $1M refurb of Cheetah made it infinitely more rideable (it should get out of the bottom 100 US wodies this year).

Overall, it was a "Wild"ly successful transformation. :)

edit: Did realize I might have come across as a little "gushy" - so here's the downsides: 1) Several dead-ends where there were walk-thru areas. 2). Loss of Power Surge. 3). Loss of S&S Screaming Swing (although it was replaced by a Frisbee-type ride, possibly Moser). 4). Double Shot toned down again. 5). Parking fees nearly doubled.

I know that under the previous management, CNL paid for all the big capital improvements. Ghost Blasters was paid for by CNL as well as the new LEDs on the Big Wheel and Obs tower. PARC also had some money that went into capital as well. Since I am no longer with the park I don't know what this new agreement entails.

Yes, Bill, Wild Adventures was purchased by HFEC. I would imagine that HFEC will manage and with management, they'll likely suggest what they'd like to add to the parks, and CNL will likely continue to pay. Or something like that.

I think the most noticable changes will be in merchandise, food, and live entertainment. I don't think the elaborate theming of rides that we see at SDC and Dollywood would integrate into EG or DL very well anyway.

If they can bring the type of crew training in, that exists at Dollywood, then WOW!!! The crews at Dollywood, particularly on Thunderhead, were the most amazing I have ever seen. Efficient, friendly, etc.

I know it may partly be a regional thing, but the training has gotta be in there too.

Gotta love Dollywood's staff.

That's true, LK and CoasterDemon. Here's what we heard when "next up" for Mystery Mine- (please read in your best southern accent)...

"Oh-kay y'all, you're next and you're gonna have 30 seconds to git in the car, sit down, and pull your bar down. 30 seconds. Do y'all think you can do that for me? Thank-yew"

I was grinning from ear to ear, totally "charmed", and wondered how that spiel might sound if we standing elsewhere.

I'm going with "mostly" a regional thing. I've always felt that staff attitude and demeanor is largely determined by the area of the country where the park is located. Parks noted for friendliness, like Holiday World, Dollywood, and Silver Dollar City draw their employees from a population where people tend to be "nice" anyway, and I'm sure the management at those parks have at least a leg up over others when it comes to courtesy training. Also note the ratio of adult to teen workers at those locations.

Nothing against the fine people of Buffalo, but I've been to Darien and I think it's gonna take more than another management company showing up to make the youngsters employed there friendly and efficient. While Herschend sprinkles positivity wherever they go, I'd be happy if the only thing they accomplish at these parks is better food.

...to make the youngsters employed there friendly and efficient.

If you notice, though, that the parks that you mentioned don't just hire a bunch of youngsters, and I really think that has a lot to do with it. Heck, the majority of workers at Dollywood especially are middle aged and older. And that is a lot of the difference. They tend to be people that look at it as a job and responsibility, and not as just a way to have money to party on the weekends.

Maybe they'll start a hiring push for older adults at the parks they're now managing. Not sure how they did with Wild Adventures.

I remember when the average-aged employee at KBF was around 60...that was awesome. I tend to think there's a subconcious "follow the rules" vibe that permeates a park that employs older folks, esp. in the rides department...