swfan1988

I'm with coasterbill, let's enjoy it while it lasts! Who wants to sit down Seven Dwarves Mine Train-style in line for Woodstock Express with me?

Cedar Fair was just getting a head start...

I think that maybe the only true bummer is maybe Kings Dominion. Being that BGW and KD are about an hour from each other, having them both under the same ownership and BGW already being the stronger park, could spell trouble for KD. I don't think they'd shut it down, but it probably would get much less attention and investment. I kinda also wonder if SeaWorld would consider selling the smaller CF parks (ValleyFair, Dorney, Worlds of Fun, Michigan's Adventure and the Gilroy Gardens operations contract) to someone in order to help pay for the sale? I can't imagine they have their eyes particularly set on those parks, although if their profitable they could probably just stay the course... Edit: Forgot to add that I'm just not gonna get my hopes up at this point.

Update: THE OFFER IS REAL!! https://ir.cedarfair.com/news/news-details/2022/Cedar-Fair-to-Review-Unsolicited-Non-Binding-Proposal-From-SeaWorld/default.aspx "Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, today confirmed that it has received an unsolicited non-binding proposal from SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Consistent with its fiduciary duties, and in consultation with its independent legal and financial advisors, the Cedar Fair Board of Directors will carefully review and consider the proposal to determine the course of action that it believes is in the best interest of the Company and its unitholders. Cedar Fair unitholders do not need to take any action at this time. Perella Weinberg Partners L.P. is serving as financial advisor to Cedar Fair and Weil, Gotshal & Manges is serving as legal counsel."

Here we go again...let the speculation begin... I was gonna post about this in the Cedar Fair Corporate thread since I couldn't find the SeaWorld Corporate Thread, thanks larrygator! Apparently they stopped trading (at lease momentarily) of CF stock pending news so we may have more word very soon. For the record...I have NO CLUE ON HOW TRUE THIS IS. That being said these are my initial thoughts: - We've heard rumors/ideas of this kinda thing before, and it never happens. So I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't. However, the fact that they said that advisors are involved and neither company commented on the report (as of yet), even when it is impacting both company's share price (especially CF's) leads me to think that there may be more truth to this than previous rumors. - I don't feel too strongly good or bad about the deal if it does go through. I think some of the Cedar Fair parks could benefit from the increased theming, budgets, and more aggressive strategy (more frequent/larger additions, more seasonal events, longer calendars, etc.) that SeaWorld uses, and I think that SeaWorld could benefit from the stability in management that Cedar Fair has. Of course, that's assuming that SeaWorld doesn't can everybody in the first 5 minutes... - As far as the park's go, I'm not sure how they would be affected. My guess is SeaWorld will want to ditch the Peanuts in favor of Sesame Street (sorry Knott's), but it's anyone's guess after that I think. Carowinds might be adversely affected as SW might want to shift resources to park's in other markets like CGA, and start treating Carowinds like Paramount did. I don't know if SeaWorld will want to get rid of the smaller CF parks (ValleyFair, Dorney, Worlds of Fun, and the Gilroy Gardens contract) to help fund the purchase or if they'll just get more of the short end of the stick. There's very little overlap between the two company's parks and where there is overlap I think there is enough difference between the two parks that it won't matter. With one exception... - If, and that's a big IF, the deal happens I think the biggest looser will be Kings Dominion. I don't see how KD and BGW, being basically an hour apart, can both be ran by the same company without one of them suffering. I can't think of a time that a company owned two parks within such a short distance that it worked out well for both parks. I think BGW is already the stronger park, and my guess is the investment will continue to flow there, and in a larger company KD will be forgotten more than it already is. I don't think SW would shut KD down, but I think that at the very least investment and additions will drop off, and a sale would probably be in the cards if an offer came along. - Yes, one pass to all those parks would be great, but I don't think that's important now and it's not the biggest deal to me. Besides, SeaWorld has been hit or miss on passes lately, or so I've heard... Keeping all this in mind, barring some major news or confirmation, I'd keep hopes and expectations low.

I mean SFNE did put two boomerangs right next to each other, so it's not entirely out of the question...

When my group went last summer, we stayed at the cabins (No, I didn't camp on my coaster desert escape I'm not that desperate...) at the American Heritage RV Park. Booked them through Expedia I think and got a little better price, although you could also call them if Expedia doesn't have any. http://americanheritagervpark.com/cabin/ https://www.expedia.com/Williamsburg-Hotels-American-Heritage-RV-Park.h17237392.Hotel-Information?chkin=2022-02-28&chkout=2022-03-01&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1643646264569&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&rm1=a2&regionId=6296&destination=Williamsburg%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&destType=MARKET&selected=17237392&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=85&top_cur=USD&MDPCID=US.META.HPA.HOTEL-CORESEARCH-desktop.HOTEL&MDPDTL=HTL.17237392.20220228.20220301.DDT.28.CID.9984771066.AUDID.&mctc=10&gclid=Cj0KCQiArt6PBhCoARIsAMF5wajWixNzVPDmTJgxxbOL3V9uOZOy7sNMzWOj8PCUV_KQCdcLeuSo2bIaAvmREALw_wcB&semdtl=&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=201815745&selectedRatePlan=209224784 (Wow that's a really long link...whoops...sorry about that...) The RV park itself was well kept, clean, safe, and quiet though it's just an RV park/campground with the cabins so not too much in the way of amenities (arcade, pool, and laundromat was about it). Staff was friendly and helpful. The cabins were self-contained and had kitchenettes in them so if you wanted to do some of your own cooking you could. If your by yourself they might be a little big, but I thought they were cozy and comfortable. Easy access to BGW/Colonial Triangle (Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown) and Richmond via the freeway or back roads, depending on where you want to end up. Unless you really want a hotel it probably will be a little less expensive depending on when you go, as I think they charge the same rate for the cabins year-round. I'd stay there again, and recommend it!

Indiana Beach announced today that opening day will be April 30! They also announced that their new(ish) Galaxi coaster will be called Cyclone, and will open with the park on opening day! https://indianabeach.com/cyclone/ I know adding a relocated Galaxi isn't all that exciting to most people, but I personally don't mind them and think they are fine fits for small parks and fairs. Especially when you consider IB's other coasters, I think Cyclone will make for a nice supporting coaster especially if it's mostly smooth and maintained well. I don't think it will blow anyone away...but it should be fun nonetheless! And for the part that everyone is really interested in...Quimera/American Drier Looping/Triple Loop Coaster/whatever it's called now is now listed as "Coming Summer 2022"...

The park confirmed today that both Tremors and Timber Terror are receiving a good chunk of retracking this offseason! Someone posted some drone footage (taken with the park's permission) of the work going on, and the park confirmed it today with some pictures of their own! Here is the full video (whoa that's cool the whole video randomly appeared when I put the link in!) and some screenshots from the Reddit footage: ) The park did confirm that at least some of the new track is more RMC 208 RetraK, identical to what was added to Tremors last season. This is consistent with earlier rumors that the airtime hill following the warped helix on Tremors would receive RetraK this offseason, which is the portion of Tremors that is being redone. So when there done, the RetraK will extend from the second tunnel, all the way to the beginning of the far turn by Stunt Pilot. The RetraK that they already put on the helix is fantastic and that hill had a significant amount of jack hammering last season, so I am very happy that that it is getting fixed! The Reddit poster also claimed that Tremors' final break run was damaged last season and that's why it's being replaced, so no two train ops sadly... Timber Terror is a bit more ambiguous. The park didn't confirm whether it also would receive RetraK as well or not, but according to the Reddit poster it is... The work is being done on the far turn around, which I didn't think was all that bad last season, and it's really tough to tell from the pictures so we shall have to wait and see. I personally think that if any part of TT deserves RetraK it's the back part of the final helix, but if the far turn needs it too than I'll take it! Either way, I am definitely excited for both rides, and really happy the the park continues to take care of and invest in both rides! It's hard to tell from the pictures and video, but it doesn't look like anything else interesting is going on! Only 3 months till opening day!

Ma-two-gan-e...? May-tug-annie...? Matchu-gah-ni...? Yeah, I got nothing...

Six Flags can't even figure out which social account is the real one? What kind of park is this place! Did they really get their mind erased that bad... Glad that rumor is dead, hopefully the park really does have a bright future!

Screamscape ( grain of salt required) said that it was because of the same reason that Mind Eraser might have to go SBNO. Needs a new train(s), and the parks true owner (EPR Properties) doesn't want to pay for it. I don't know how true the ROS rumor is, but it (and the overall decline of the park) makes me wonder if maybe EPR has other plans for the land long-term. I'm not familiar with the parks location, but is it in an area where redeveloping the land for condos or warehouses might be attractive? Maybe we should all get to Darien Lake while we can...

Well, it was supposed to be a joke and thus the deliberate spelling error on my part... (no worries) I do agree though that I hope the lack of a mid course really helps the rides pacing. I also hopeful that the more compact elements make the ride a bit more "snappy" as it seems to me (having ridden none of them) that the great failure of dive coasters is that the elements are too drawn out to draw any real force. Maybe a snappier ride will make them less of a "one trick pony", and a little more well rounded.

I really REALLY like the idea of a more compact dive coaster. I just think the model lends itself to a more compact package, and I hope that between this and Dr. Diabolical we'll see more of these kinds of dive coasters. Only thing I think I'd want out of both this and Dr. D is a little more length, as they both seem a bit on the short side. Also, still a little impressed that Sea World got the first dive coaster on the west coast, and I am a bit surprised that someone else did knott add one sooner...

Well, there goes all the "What will open before Iron Gwazi" jokes...it was fun while it lasted... Glad it's finally opening, and I hope that this thing's rocky history is behind it... at this point, we for sure don't want any flying seatbacks on opening day!

"Six Flags is testing a simplified passholder program at Magic Mountain designed to streamline the complex season pass and membership plans into an updated system that could be rolled out to other parks later this year. Six Flags Magic Mountain has stopped selling memberships as a simplified season pass program is being tested at other locations across the amusement park chain. “We continuously look at ways to improve our product offerings with the goal of elevating the guest experience,” according to a Six Flags spokesperson. “Based on guest feedback, we are testing a simplified product architecture at select parks that better aligns with our guest-centric goals. As a result of the test, we will decide which changes to implement company-wide.”" https://www.pe.com/2022/01/18/six-flags-tests-simplified-season-pass-plan-at-magic-mountain/amp/ Lol...

"Management hates this park! We never get anything good! We always get the short end of the schtick! We have a growing metro area and are overdue for a new original coaster, why doesn't Six Flags get it! We are an original Six Flags park, we deserve better! Our competition gets it and is going bonkers, why can't we have what they have! They should sell the park to some bozo who still won't care about it! All we get are dark rides, new entrance plazas, and "throwbacks"! All the park really needs is a record breaking giga-strata, launched, looping coaster and it will make boatloads of money, and be the number one park in the chain! Why does Six Flags only put money into big parks? The park is in a growing metro area, we should be getting all kinds of stuff! Just look at Carowinds..." There, saved them the trouble...

Absolutely, I definitely think WoF is waaay over due for something (anything!) majorly new. I have a soft spot for this park for some weird reason (never been but it's a bucket lister), and I really hope that CF gives them at least something. I just wouldn't get my hopes up for 2023, especially if Knott's is getting that giga. If that happens, then I'd bet that's the chains only major project for next year. Cedar Point is also coming due for something I think. Plus while SDC is adding stuff at a good clip, SFStl. Isn't exactly doing much either.

No worries Bert, everyone has their own tastes for humor! I just couldn't pass it up...

Wait...I thought it was beyond vertical? Is this another Six Flags budget cut...or are they just behind schedule again...

It's a low tier Cedar Fair park and a Screamscape rumor...I wouldn't get your hopes up...

Bye Wicked Twister! Something tells me relocation definitely isn't in your future...

It seems to me that all they are doing is eliminating the monthly payment option, and just making each "membership" tier a new season (or annual) pass tier. Why on earth they would do that when paying month to month seems so prevalent nowadays...I have no idea. Maybe they want to phase out all the benefits and will just discontinue these new "tiers" once they expire at the end of the year, and they're doing it this way so they don't p*ss all there paying members off (totally)? Either way this makes (almost) no sense at all...

Great, how is this park supposed to build a giga coaster if they can't even figure out when they are gonna close a ride for "refurbishment" (now) major renovations? Thanks a lot Cedar Fair... Also, they randomly announced that they are adding a new Italian restaurant this summer...replacing Hollywood Hits...on some place called "Memory Lane" (Where's that? It says on the park map that Hollywood Hits is part of the boardwalk)... So we got a reopened ride...a random pizza place...and a new area (maybe, I'm not sure? Is "Memory Lane" really a thing?)...all announced at once! I'm just saying...the PR guy must be drunk...or something else weird is going on here...maybe those giga plans were real after all...

I'll second Colonial Williamsburg! If your at all interested in history, enjoy "living" history stuff, or both it is very much worth it. You can park in their parking lot by the visitor center and either walk (it's like a 5 minute walk max) or pay a fee and ride one of their buses. You have to buy a ticket to go inside the buildings, but you can walk on the streets for free since it's a public street technically. No matter what you decide I would say it's worth it to at least check out. There are also similar things at Yorktown and Jamestown nearby (not as extensive, and with varying degrees of cost) if you want to make a day out of the "Colonial Triangle" or whatever it's called now. Virginia Beach is popular but I've never been so I'm no help there. Shenandoah National Park (https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm) isn't all that far away either, a little bit of a drive but you could make a day of that if you really wanted to. Will say that I don't consider it one of the better national parks out there (if you had to choose between Shenandoah and the Smokies, I would 1000% say the Smokies), but it's fun and different. I would say skip SFA at (almost) all costs... The stuff on the mall is great, although getting into DC is a beast (even by parking outside the city and taking the subway in it's tough). All of the Smithsonians are great and well worth a trip. I think the main Air and Space Museum on the mall is closed for remodeling, but the one by Dulles airport (The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center; https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center) is open and I will say is absolutely fantastic. I would even consider it to be better than the main museum on the mall, its's that good. They do charge for parking ($15 last I was there I think), but it's well worth it. Very well put together, some really cool planes, highly HIGHLY recommend! Have you also just considered a second day at BGW? Not sure if its your first time or not, but that's such a big park you might consider a second day to be able to take it all in.