Cedar Fair & Six Flags to merge…

[Jrb1979]

Maybe, but I think they have kind of gone all in on being the thrill destination company, so I can't imagine they just decide to stop with the thrills now that they have eliminated their main competition. There's a chance they could go bigger on it (and as was said earlier, I could see them using one design for 2 parks minimum now, which could increase rides at a lot of parks).

They will always add new attractions. What I'm saying is you get less intense coasters like Dragster at Cedar Point and RMCs. Without the competition, it will end parks looking to add the next big thing.

 

[Earlie the Pearlie]

They will always add new attractions. What I'm saying is you get less intense coasters like Dragster at Cedar Point and RMCs. Without the competition, it will end parks looking to add the next big thing.

I think it's likely that the regionals will still get stuff, to get people to come back. The flagships, however, (like Cedar Point and Magic Mountain) might not get huge, risk-taking Intamins and hyper-RMCs, as you said, which is a loss for us all. It is worth noting that neither company really works with Intamin anymore anyway, though.

 

[LSLS]

They will always add new attractions. What I'm saying is you get less intense coasters like Dragster at Cedar Point and RMCs. Without the competition, it will end parks looking to add the next big thing.

Right, but they thrive on being known as a thrill destination. I don't think scaling down would be in the cards whether they merge or not. I mean, Cedar Point added a mouse coaster, and while it's fun and everything, it never had the really large lines, and I'd bet it didn't do much for adding drawing power. But the redone Top Thrill? I bet that brings a big attendance spike. I don't know, it felt like Cedar Fairs always prided itself on being the biggest and the baddest, so them staying in charge gives me some hope at least.

 

[gerarar]

Really worried about Dorney Park. It was my local park growing up (lived 10 miles away) and would go to it all the time. I moved away from that area a couple years ago, but it being in an area amongst other regional amusement parks certainly could put it in danger of closing (or being sold off) if the time ever comes.

It's also finally getting some investment from Cedar Fair and a new rollercoaster after a decade plus of nothing.

 

[Jrb1979]

Really worried about Dorney Park. It was my local park growing up (lived 10 miles away) and would go to it all the time. I moved away from that area a couple years ago, but it being in an area amongst other regional amusement parks certainly could put it in danger of closing (or being sold off) if the time ever comes.

It's also finally getting some investment from Cedar Fair and a new rollercoaster after a decade plus of nothing.

I do see where you're coming from. I can understand why they stop major investments in some parks. They look at how much new attractions boost attendance. Since Hydra didn't do much for attendance Cedar Fair scaled back investments. Same with Kings Dominion, I305 didn't boost attendance as much as they had hoped cause your average guest found it too intense so they stopped major investments.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I would love Great Adventure to get some real theming and improvements. I would go there more often if it had more of that sort of thing (plus better maintenance). I'm a Hershey man myself, but even they don't have much theming outside of the wild west area and, inexplicably, a water park that feels like a weird hybrid of a classic midway, a Skyzone, and the Jersey Shore.

I grew up at GA, and now live 30 minutes away…when it first opened in the mid 70’s, the ONLY parks themed better were Disney parks. While the park averages a new ride every year, it doesn’t hold a candle to Disney and CF…I’m interested to see if the 6F parks improve or if the CF parks lower their reputation to 6F levels…

 

[Jrb1979]

I grew up at GA, and now live 30 minutes away…when it first opened in the mid 70’s, the ONLY parks themed better were Disney parks. While the park averages a new ride every year, it doesn’t hold a candle to Disney and CF…I’m interested to see if the 6F parks improve or if the CF parks lower their reputation to 6F levels…

CF has controlling interest so 6F parks should improve. Theming wise CF has been getting better and hopefully they carry that over to 6F parks. I don't go to CF or 6F parks for theming, I go there for rides and thrills.

 

[hopemax]

This is interesting. As everyone is saying it will depend on whose management style ultimately prevails. IMO, this merger seemed inevitable once Universal became powerful enough to truly compete with Disney, everyone else needs to bulk up to avoid being left behind. It was okay when it was just Disney in the stratosphere and a gap to everyone else.

Universal and Sea World coaster projects may be enough competition to keep coaster innovation moving forward, but it probably won’t be the Coaster Wars like before. I am curious what happens to Magic Mountain, long term. The real estate is so valuable, so many rumors over the years. Now they could shift development and try to turn Knotts into a bigger destination, and use a MM land sale to finance improvements for the entire suite of parks. Without abandoning the west coast market.

 

[Phicinfan]

Really worried about Dorney Park. It was my local park growing up (lived 10 miles away) and would go to it all the time. I moved away from that area a couple years ago, but it being in an area amongst other regional amusement parks certainly could put it in danger of closing (or being sold off) if the time ever comes.

It's also finally getting some investment from Cedar Fair and a new rollercoaster after a decade plus of nothing.

I lived in that area as well over 30 years ago, I remember when Dorney Park was just a local little amusement park. Put up their own windmill to fully power their park on their own.

 

[KikoKea]

Been an AP at Carowinds (SC-NC) for several years as it is less than 2 hours away, but haven't been to another CF park yet and last time I was in a 6F park was decades ago. CF, from what I've seen, has problems managing its own park (Carowinds) and cannot imagine how they will manage even more. Maybe Carowinds is just a local-management problem and the other CF parks are excellent, but even that doesn't bode well IMHO. Hopefully 6F can bring skill/knowledge and the merger will help all involved be better.

 

[Jrb1979]

Been an AP at Carowinds (SC-NC) for several years as it is less than 2 hours away, but haven't been to another CF park yet and last time I was in a 6F park was decades ago. CF, from what I've seen, has problems managing its own park (Carowinds) and cannot imagine how they will manage even more. Maybe Carowinds is just a local-management problem and the other CF parks are excellent, but even that doesn't bode well IMHO. Hopefully 6F can bring skill/knowledge and the merger will help all involved be better.

Most of the other Cedar Fair parks are run fine. They were going to heavily invest and fix up Carowinds. Make it one of their flagship parks but attendance didn't go up as much as they hoped after adding Copperhead Strike. Have since changed their minds.

 

[KikoKea]

Most of the other Cedar Fair parks are run fine. They were going to heavily invest and fix up Carowinds. Make it one of their flagship parks but attendance didn't go up as much as they hoped after adding Copperhead Strike. Have since changed their minds.

With the merger, I'm hoping they had more plans for Carowinds and put them on hold waiting for the merger to finally go through. Aeronautica is very nice, but many of the coasters and ride need love and attention.

 

[MichRX7]

Been an AP at Carowinds (SC-NC) for several years as it is less than 2 hours away, but haven't been to another CF park yet and last time I was in a 6F park was decades ago. CF, from what I've seen, has problems managing its own park (Carowinds) and cannot imagine how they will manage even more. Maybe Carowinds is just a local-management problem and the other CF parks are excellent, but even that doesn't bode well IMHO. Hopefully 6F can bring skill/knowledge and the merger will help all involved be better.

Just over 10 years ago I took my two youngest sons and my oldest grandson (same ages) on a Cedar Fair coaster tour. We threw a large tent into the trunk of my car took off for our CF whirlwind trip. This is the greatest guy trip of my life, and the only thing I did wrong was leave Michigan's Adventure as the last park instead of the first as the boys were super bored at MA after visiting all the other parks. We left Michigan and went to CP, Dorney Park, Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Kings Island, and ended at MA. The one day we went a second day to Dorney, then left around noon and were riding roller coasters at Kings Dominion that evening. I loved all the parks, even Kings Island where I split my shorts wide open at the seams and had to walk out to the car to grab another pair of shorts. I guess early entry and riding Diamondback 7 times in a row loosened up some old thread that just couldn't handle all the bouncing around on The Beast. Still good for a laugh these days as the boys are in their mid-20's and can't resist reminding me of my walk of shame. Then the boys went to CP another 3-4 times on the season passes I had bought. It was quite a good deal, and I felt all the parks were well managed. I have been to most of the 6F parks over the years and never felt they were quite as nice as CP. Of course I grew up through the MM/CP coaster wars and was always on the CP side (ps- superman at MM is not a coaster).

 

[KikoKea]

With Charlotte being the new headquarters, perhaps they will put resources into Carowinds. While the coasters, like Fury and Intimidator (my favorite), are a big draw, there are also many who look for more than just thrill rides. There is a place for regional amusement parks who appeal to families with kids of all ages.
@MichRX7- that sounds like a great trip! I'd love to see all the CF parks!

 

[MichRX7]

@MichRX7- that sounds like a great trip! I'd love to see all the CF parks!

It was, and for the price of gas, a few campgrounds, and paying for teen boys eating it was a fantastic 10 days that they still talk about. Probably the only right thing I did as a dad all these years (according to them), lol...

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I lived in that area as well over 30 years ago, I remember when Dorney Park was just a local little amusement park. Put up their own windmill to fully power their park on their own.

I remember back in the VERY early 70’s my parents taking us to Dorney Park for the first time…they had one of the earliest “log flume” rides AND they had a raceway where stock car races were held! Aah, those days….

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Been an AP at Carowinds (SC-NC) for several years as it is less than 2 hours away, but haven't been to another CF park yet and last time I was in a 6F park was decades ago. CF, from what I've seen, has problems managing its own park (Carowinds) and cannot imagine how they will manage even more. Maybe Carowinds is just a local-management problem and the other CF parks are excellent, but even that doesn't bode well IMHO. Hopefully 6F can bring skill/knowledge and the merger will help all involved be better.

Both companies have had their problems…the crack in Fury 325 at Carowinds, the part that fell off and severely injured a woman on Top Thrill at Cedar Point…Six Flags Great Adventure had the El Toro coaster closed for a year due to structural problems…both companies have suffered problems and HOPEFULLY between the two entities, things will improve. I realize CF was exonerated for the Top Thrill incident, the jury is still out on El Toro, but the PR optics were horrible. Let’s see if they could move forward in a positive direction.

 

[KikoKea]

Both companies have had their problems…the crack in Fury 325 at Carowinds, the part that fell off and severely injured a woman on Top Thrill at Cedar Point…Six Flags Great Adventure had the El Toro coaster closed for a year due to structural problems…both companies have suffered problems and HOPEFULLY between the two entities, things will improve. I realize CF was exonerated for the Top Thrill incident, the jury is still out on El Toro, but the PR optics were horrible. Let’s see if they could move forward in a positive direction.

The big crack in the Fury support was bad PR for sure, but the problem goes deeper: bad food, rides often closed due to shortage of staff, poor customer service, rides desperately needing renovation. I really am hoping they held off with big renovations and expenditures due to the merger taking a few years. CF/6F could be hugely successful, particularly with families who see Disney as out of reach and those who just want a local place to go have fun without major planning and outlay of $$$.

 

[KeithVH]

So. I read the news on this and my first thought was:

Extrapolating that to theme/amusement parks. Who knows - maybe 30-50 years from now, wherever you go, the mouse will be there . . .

 

[Smiley/OCD]

The big crack in the Fury support was bad PR for sure, but the problem goes deeper: bad food, rides often closed due to shortage of staff, poor customer service, rides desperately needing renovation. I really am hoping they held off with big renovations and expenditures due to the merger taking a few years. CF/6F could be hugely successful, particularly with families who see Disney as out of reach and those who just want a local place to go have fun without major planning and outlay of $$$.

That sounds like what a LOT of people on here say about the mouse… Rides are breaking down, garbage cans overflowing, dirty trams, no help, the monorail is about to fall off the beam…yadda, yadda, yadda…