jazma

If I recall correctly, they paid something like $23 million to acquire the leases (a few parks have been added since then with this structure, so likely a bit more now if they sold them as a package) and then they pay rent to the owner, in this case the company out of KC, EPR I think it is. I don't believe they own any of the rides or structures....that is EPR who does, so I assume EPR chooses to add new attractions or not and how much to spend. Maybe they just fall on SIX to help with buying in bulk or leveraging any deals with vendors. Here is from the press release at the time, which is why I interpret it that way, but I may be incorrect: Houston, Phoenix, Buffalo, and Oklahoma City Parks Expand Market Reach GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Six Flags EntertainmentCorporation (NYSE:SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, today announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with affiliates of Premier Parks, LLC to acquire the lease rights to operate five parks owned by EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR). The parks have previously been operated by Premier Parks, LLC of Oklahoma City. These latest acquisitions will expand the company’s portfolio of North American parks to twenty-five. “Today’s announcement represents another milestone in our strategic North-American growth initiative to seek out park acquisitions that expand our addressable market,” said Six Flags Chairman, CEO, and President, Jim Reid-Anderson. “These are all fantastic properties that complement our existing portfolio and provide tremendous added value and cross-visitation opportunities for our extensive Membership and Season Pass base.”

Yes, I would agree. It seems to go down at the drop of precipitation and then take hours to get back running after it stops.

No, they said it would but It won't work. if you have a legacy CF pass with ALL PARK and CF dining and add an all park dining via SFMM for legacy SIX, as I did, it won't work. They had to refund me at the park. They said it would only work if I wanted to buy an all park SFMM pass, which why would I when I had the All park via WOF? Out of the three people also at guest relations when I was there, we ALL had the same issue. Get it refunded and just buy your meals.

It was officially announced, in my opinion. They first announced a link to their website of the 2025 calendar and events, where Winterfest was removed. Then when people questioned that omission specifically, the park replied to say it was not returning, at least this year.

Yes it was officially posted on their Facebook page.

I believe I read that that logo is only for corporate related press releases and such. The other Six flags logo, with the multi colored flags, is the consumer facing logo still used. I agree I'd love to see "Six Flags California" phased out and just the park names, and maybe "A Six Flags park" underneath and slowly de-emphasize the Six Flags name from all but the "Over" parks.

I wouldn’t read too much into that. That Feld Entertainment was a package deal for the smaller parks and if I remember correctly, it just rolled over due to Covid. It was never intended as a long term thing. Also the other CF parks who also hosted this event as part of a tour, are also not hosting it in 2023.

Well, I can't recall if it was last year, or 2021, but for a while the Planet Snoopy rides were open half for 30 minutes, then the ride op moved over to another attraction and those were open 30 minutes, then back again. I assumed this was due to staffing, but also could have been due to demand and less than normal traffic post COVID. I don't ride the Planet Snoopy rides, so it was of little consequence to me, I just noted it.

^ Good to know. It was off the map as a food location, but perhaps the concept is just changing, or an oversight. Let Them Eat Cake! is the location in Europa also not listed on the map. I had forgotten the name. But I have not seen that open since 2019 or so.

Also it appears Gold Rush Pizza is closed this year, with nothing to replace it (I assume the Gateway Pizza at the entrance replaces it.). Arcade was moved from Zinger exit area to where the old arcade was in Americana that was used as a dressing room the past few years. Also, I forget the name, but the Cake place in Europa (used to be pizza) is off the map too. That appeared closed since Covid anyhow. No replacement there. So there's a new coaster but a net loss with so many removals.

Not like Knott’s. More like the other Winterfest events. Maybe Gold striker and Railblazer open only coaster wise and lots of kiddie rides and a Planet Snoopy.

I think it's all in the eye of the beholder. I thought the city proper has less than 200 K, and the overall area is less than 2.5 million. I understand they draw some people from Nebraska, Oklahoma and surrounding states but to me less than three million is small, and explains why the park only draws less than 1 million annually. I think it's a great park, it just can't draw like larger areas like in California, Florida, etc., unless something changes to make the area a big growth area (like what happened in Charlotte), OR more of a tourism market.

I think if you cut down on the Winterfest characters, it could be a viable return to WOF and a new addition to VF. I hope so anyways.

I think too you have to look at it as they were looking at regional markets to grow in, and MSP fit the bill, as did Charlotte. The most likely additions, I think, at VF are a return of ValleyScare someday, a hotel or campground to drive incremental revenue, and trying to extend the season with some type of Winter event, since its working great in Toronto/Vaughn.

Interesting, Gary. I can tell you a few things: they are already back on a "something new for every park every year" kick, so that changed. You can see that in the latest Investor reports just out. Also, a few months back they said they were looking at a Winterfest-lite for the other parks, which presumably means a return to WOF, and VF, something at the CP hotels, possibly Schlitterbahn, since every other park has something already. Leaving Mia off the list since they don't even have Halloween....

^^ I don't recall that at all. I recall at one time they were trying to sell off WoF and VF, but there were no takers. Carowinds is completely different. The investment, as I recall, was between KD and CAR and the city (Charlotte) gave some sort of tax incentives for CAR so that sealed the deal. That is why all the investment in Carowinds, so you can't really compare the two. Also, Charlotte as a city and surrounding area, such as Fort Mill, SC, have exploded in development in recent years, so I am sure that also helped. VF, WOF and MiA are the smaller tier properties, in attendance. Also, VF is lacking accommodations. It makes sense to invest in properties that have other growth vehicles, such as accommodations and other out of park revenue, or more year round ops. The fact that there is no Winterfest at WOF anymore, nor VF, says a lot I think. (And don't get me started on MiA, which doesn't even have a Haunt event.). Don't get me wrong, I love VF, but I think they need more ways to get revenue from guests, and a new ride is not going to be it. Also, for the record, they have long said they invest about 9% of revenue back in the park. If the park makes a lot of money, they have more 9% to invest in new attractions quicker, than a smaller park with a shorter season, and little ancillary revenue outlets.

^^ I don’t think that’s true anymore. About 2019, they started making announcements as part of a Cedar Fair press release all on the same day. That release came out yesterday. Knott’s used to notoriously wait until well last Labor Day, sometimes even into Haunt, to announce their next year plans, but they announced yesterday. It appears nothing of any consequence for Valleyfair! Next year.

Personally, I always now stay in a cabin at Camp Wilderness Resort. They have a free shuttle. It's fairly quiet apart from the freight train at night, and the rooms usually are prices near what a hotel costs. I too used to stay at the Best Western in the parking lot, but far prefer the cabins at Camp Wilderness. Don't overlook this as its only on the other side of the park past where Volcano used to be.

Looks like it’s over. https://s1.q4cdn.com/392447382/files/doc_news/SEAWORLD-ENTERTAINMENT-INC.-MAKES-STATEMENT-CONCERNING-CEDAR-FAIR-2022.pdf https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seaworld-entertainment-inc-makes-statement-concerning-cedar-fair-301483201.html?fbclid=IwAR2SR8M6lnKTC9AG7H2BblMBIsGvMFRgBHxqMBAoIhNEkRIQEYh-k1mbECc

That was a kitchen added for the picnic area back there. I believe they used to wheel chicken, etc. under the tunnel from the main central production area, and this eliminated that need.

The hotel has actually been under renovation since the pandemic, much like the two Cedar Point properties. During the food festivals, you could see large dumpsters as they were throwing stuff out. So I think this is just a completion of that remodel. Also the lobby area was just redone in the last two years. I would love to be wrong and see them add on or something, but I fear this is more marketing than anything of the completion of something previously begun before the pandemic set in.

The hotel has actually been under renovation since the pandemic, much like the two Cedar Point properties. During the food festivals, you could see large dumpsters as they were throwing stuff out. So I think this is just a completion of that remodel. Also the lobby area was just redone in the last two years. I would love to be wrong and see them add on or something, but I fear this is more marketing than anything of the completion of something previously begun before the pandemic set in.

I didn’t see this posted, but WoF quietly shaved one hour from their park closings on weekends. Today, it appears the calendar was updated again with the amusement park closed two days a week and only OOF open. Bummer as I was going next week.

They (Cedar Fair) do have mobile ordering this year. I used it at Johnny Rockets Friday at KBF. Also sounds like it will be expanded this season, based on comments on the conference call.

I believe it’s about getting current on passes isn’t it? They already charged KI passholders. Now they will collect revenue for Carowinds and KD. It was mentioned on the conference call about expecting $10 million in passholder revenue in Q4.