Hildebrandt returns to Cedar Point as new GM

Wow... while I think John is a great choice, the poor guy barely had a chance to unpack in PA! I think this will be very, very good for Cedar Point in the long run.

I'm beginning to see how it works now:

Silver Bullet opens; Falfas goes out with a bang!
Hydra opens; Hildebrandt goes out with a bang!
maXair opens; Keller goes out with a bang!

That has to mean something HUGE is coming when Kinzel leaves...right, Jeff? ;)

Don't even go there... ;)

I really don't see the opening of Hydra as a big bang for Hildebrandt, it was essentially Albino's last hurrah as he was there when it was being planned and designed, and I think he did a heck of a job with it. I'm very saddened that Hildebrandt is leaving, I was really excited for him being at Dorney and was expecting things to get even better. I've never heard of Greg Scheid, but I hope he does a good job with Dorney.

UM, DorneyMan88...I wasn't being serious. I was making fun of all the CP Fanboys who keep claiming the park is going to build some huge coaster to celebrate Kinzel's retirement.

*** This post was edited by Mamoosh 2/24/2005 9:10:43 PM ***

Actually, I see Hydra as the work of Rob Decker, since he is in charge of Planning and Design for the entire chain!

Haha, yeah, I wouldn't mind having his job. Though I'm sure it's a cooperation between him and the Managment Team at each of the parks. It's no secret that Albino loved Beemers, and is probably why Dorney got another Beemer instead of an Intamin, which is what a lot of enthusiasts had speculated before the demolition announcement of Herc.

I remember hearing in 2001 that Talon was supposedly coaster #1 of a 2 coaster contract with B&M. I don't know if that was true or not, but regardless - DP has 2. :)

I too was excited about the arrival of Mr. Hildebrandt to Dorney. This is, IMO, good news for CP, but bad news for DP. No offense intended to Greg Scheid, but I've never met him, and only heard of him in passing. Oh well. I am looking at this optimistically.

Greg Scheid has been in charge of merchandise and games at Cedar Point since 2001. I am guessing he was a major force behind CP getting some decent merchandise. When I first visited the park in 1998, the stores were filled with crap that was ugly and no one would probably buy it. By 2002 and 2003, I could walk into Pagoda or Speed Zone and point out several things I wouldn't mind having.

I'm a little surprised they picked him, but he seems like a bright, younger person. He represents hope for any other young, quality people working in Cedar Fair. In the past it seemed like you had to work for the company for 25 years before you came into any money. This guy moved up to GM of a park in 15 years. Maybe it will cause some of their younger talent to think twice about moving on and give them a bit of much needed stability.

*** This post was edited by MDOmnis 2/25/2005 9:52:15 AM ***

MDOmnis...all great points.

I think both parks will do fine with the changes that have been made. In fact, I see good things for the company and it appears that Kinzel is lining things up pretty well.

Just keep in mind that in order for Cedar Fair opportunities to keep opening up, they need to keep acquiring. Once Dick is gone (where I can only assume Falfas will go), that's a lot of young blood that isn't going to retire any time soon.