Bonafante Gardens now "Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

[Homer]

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-26-2007/0004534697&EDATE=

 

GILROY, Calif., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Bonfante Gardens, Inc., a

non-profit organization and California's only horticultural theme park,

today announced it will operate as Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. The

corporate name change will be transitioned throughout the park's seventh

season opening March 31, 2007.

 

Under recommendation by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, the park's

management company, as well as their advertising agency, the park's Board

of Directors unanimously agreed to rename the property Gilroy Gardens

Family Theme Park. The repositioning is an opportunity to create more

geographical awareness among our visitors and drive tourism to the City of

Gilroy and surrounding municipalities.

"We are excited about the new direction," said Robert Kraemer,

president and chairman of the board of directors. "While the park's name

will change, our commitment to quality family entertainment and education

will remain consistent."

"Renaming the park is a natural fit for the community," said Michael

Bonfante, the park's founding director. "My dedication to the park and

passion for horticultural remains unchanged as we begin this new chapter."

A new name isn't the only addition guests will see when visiting the

park this season. "Gil," a new garlic themed character, will make his debut

at Gilroy Gardens this season. The park is also adding a number of seasonal

events designed for the entire family including Spring Fling, Red, White

and Coo Memorial Dayl, Summer Safari and Treasure Hunt.

Since many families turn to Gilroy Gardens for their child's first

theme park experience, younger guests will enjoy Pit Stop Racer and Big Red

Engine Co. Sized specifically for little ones, these new rides give

children their first opportunity to get behind the wheel and ride alone in

2007.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park opens for the 2007 season Saturday,

March 31, 2007 at 10 a.m. For more information, visit

http://www.gilroygardens.org.

Gilroy Gardens, Inc. is a non-profit organization managed by Cedar Fair

Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership headquartered in

Sandusky, Ohio.

Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, a 501©(3) non-profit organization,

is located in Gilroy, Calif. and is California's only horticultural theme

park featuring more than 40 family attractions including six majestic

gardens, educational exhibits, rides and the world famous Circus Trees. The

park was awarded a 2005 and 2006 Golden Ticket by International Association

of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) for Best Landscaping. For park

information, visit http://www.gilroygardens.org or call 408-840-7100.

 

Then on to the new logo, which is just kinda "WTF." A cool onion? Reminds me of some cheesy "Have 8 veggies a day!" ad from the 90's.

[speedracer]

I know it's just a name change, but this sucks! Sounds so generic and more like a run-of-the-mill city park, just completely strips the uniqueness and meaning from the original park name. The park was built from the ground up by a man with a passion for beautiful trees and for his wife, not by some city filling is space with a generic garden as the new name suggest.

 

I don't see CF's logic behind this, maybe if past management had given a dam about promoting the park other than just as a second gate to sell more SP's to their own park (yeah I'm talking to you Paramount!), more people would know where and what Bonfante Gardens was. Oh well, hopefully when this current management contract expires, they won't renew and bring some new blood in to manage the park with better ideas (crossing fingers for HFECO to step in!).

 

 

So what's next, change KBF to Buena Park Berry Farm? Change VF to Shakopefair? Stupid!

[cfc]

^^The new logo looks more "Cedar Fair-like" now. The "cool onion" appears to be "Joe Cool" Snoopy dressed in a garlic suit.

 

Well, Gilroy is the "Garlic Capital of the World."

[cjeagle35]

I know it's just a name change, but this sucks! Sounds so generic and more like a run-of-the-mill city park, just completely strips the uniqueness and meaning from the original park name. The park was built from the ground up by a man with a passion for beautiful trees and for his wife, not by some city filling is space with a generic garden as the new name suggest.

 

I don't see CF's logic behind this, maybe if past management had given a dam about promoting the park other than just as a second gate to sell more SP's to their own park (yeah I'm talking to you Paramount!), more people would know where and what Bonfante Gardens was. Oh well, hopefully when this current management contract expires, they won't renew and bring some new blood in to manage the park with better ideas (crossing fingers for HFECO to step in!).

 

 

So what's next, change KBF to Buena Park Berry Farm? Change VF to Shakopefair? Stupid!

 

On the contrary, after doing some research, I believe this may be a smart move for the park. First of all, the park only opened in 2001, so its not as the park has a huge history, and that a name change would damage all of that. The name change will increase local interest in the park, and nonlocal visitors will identify the park with its area. The change shows the park's interest in representing the area, and its uniqueness. For example, the new onion character is in response of the area being a large producer of garlic, and is know for that, like with its annual "Gilroy Garlic Festival." This name change indentifies visitors with the town of Gilroy, helping the park and the city, as more people are attracted to the area.

 

As blaming Cedar Fair for this name change would be unfair. Cedar Fair only operates the park. It was under Cedar Fair and their advertising firm's recommendation, that the Park's Board of Directors approved the name change. These Directors have been running the park since its beginning, they know as much as anybody what will help the park, and they agree with it. Just look what park founder Michael Bonfante said about the name change.....

 

"Renaming the park is a natural fit for the community," said Michael Bonfante, the park's founding director. "My dedication to the park and passion for horticultural remains unchanged as we begin this new chapter."

 

I'd say the park's management is quite happy with the change. None of them, including Bonfante himself, seem upset with taking his name off the park.

 

With the park's new changes and attractions, I'm sure interest in this park will increase. Thats great news for the park, but more specifically, the trees and beautiful gardens, as the park is non-profit, and all money goes into maintaining this beautiful landscape.

[Jew]

^^^The man also had a passion for being cheap when it came to his park. Paramount only managed the park...it was still Bonfante's job to fund the park.

[SharkTums]

Am I the only one that though of:

 

'Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag!'

 

 

Anyway, this is a great park, I don't think the name will make a giant difference. As long as they don't cement the whole place and throw trashcans everywhere!

 

Oh, and yeah, the Joe Cool Garlic is really disturbing. *I* could have photoshopped that!!!

[cfc]

^If they added an Uncle Moe's to Gilroy Gardens, I would so have my next birthday lunch there and order the French-fry hat.

[darklingscribe]

I don't know, I still prefer the original name, it kind of hearkens back to the days when theme parks were named after their founders, like Disneyland.

 

While the park is fun. I still wish they'd add some more rides. I'm not saying I want a new coaster (though it would be nice), I am thinking more along the lines of a few wet/dry slides like the ones a Legoland Windsor.

[speedracer]

^^^The man also had a passion for being cheap when it came to his park. Paramount only managed the park...it was still Bonfante's job to fund the park.

 

Actually is was the opposite. When the park was run by Michael Bonfante, he spared no expense! Since his background was food, the food throughout the park was absolutely incredible! Some of the best and most delicious of any park I've ever been. That was also the only time I'd ever seen any tv commercials or billboards advertising the park, was really cool seeing all the clever billboards and such all around trumpeting the new park. The park was kept sparkling clean and immaculate, no trash or graffiti anywhere, and if there was, it was cleaned up immediately.

 

Since Paramount, the quality of food drastically deteriorated to the point I wouldn't even bother wasting my money on the overpriced sub par typical Paramount garbage. Many unique shops and stands were replaced by generic theme park crap and Paramount candy. As soon as BG was tied into the Paramount pass, gangs, punks along with graffiti in the bathrooms became the norm and were never cleaned. Although attendance did increase, didn't do the park much good since even companies like SF realize SP hoping teens don't spend much money at the parks. The only good thing that I'm sure had nothing to do with Paramount was that the landscaping remained as beautiful and well kept as ever.

 

I know the park is still funded by Bonfante, but if the park were properly managed by a company that knew anything about quality and running a quality park, that alone would have brought the park the word of mouth and recognition is rightfully deserves. The way I see it, if a management company has enough influence to convince the park to do something as extreme and costly as actually changing the name of the park, why not influence the park to do something that would actually enhance the quality of the park experience. Like better food, cleaner bathrooms, unique merchandise, better entertainment, better promotion/advertising, etc. Instead, companies like Paramount and CF think cutting corners and making the park more generic is the answer.

 

If changing the name of a park to it's home city is such a great idea, why not just do it to every single low attended park in the country? The name wasn't ever the problem with Bonfante Gardens, it was how the park was managed ever since Michael Bonfante left that was the problem. There are MANY many parks in much more obscure locations that do just fine without being named after their city. GGFTP just sounds like some generic childrens fairyland city park or something equally underwhelming, just doesn't fit with what the park actually is, a tribute to one man's love for nature and his wife.

[cjeagle35]

Actually is was the opposite. When the park was run by Michael Bonfante, he spared no expense! Since his background was food, the food throughout the park was absolutely incredible! Some of the best and most delicious of any park I've ever been. That was also the only time I'd ever seen any tv commercials or billboards advertising the park, was really cool seeing all the clever billboards and such all around trumpeting the new park. The park was kept sparkling clean and immaculate, no trash or graffiti anywhere, and if there was, it was cleaned up immediately.

 

Since Paramount, the quality of food drastically deteriorated to the point I wouldn't even bother wasting my money on the overpriced sub par typical Paramount garbage. Many unique shops and stands were replaced by generic theme park crap and Paramount candy. As soon as BG was tied into the Paramount pass, gangs, punks along with graffiti in the bathrooms became the norm and were never cleaned. Although attendance did increase, didn't do the park much good since even companies like SF realize SP hoping teens don't spend much money at the parks. The only good thing that I'm sure had nothing to do with Paramount was that the landscaping remained as beautiful and well kept as ever.

 

I know the park is still funded by Bonfante, but if the park were properly managed by a company that knew anything about quality and running a quality park, that alone would have brought the park the word of mouth and recognition is rightfully deserves. The way I see it, if a management company has enough influence to convince the park to do something as extreme and costly as actually changing the name of the park, why not influence the park to do something that would actually enhance the quality of the park experience. Like better food, cleaner bathrooms, unique merchandise, better entertainment, better promotion/advertising, etc. Instead, companies like Paramount and CF think cutting corners and making the park more generic is the answer.

 

If changing the name of a park to it's home city is such a great idea, why not just do it to every single low attended park in the country? The name wasn't ever the problem with Bonfante Gardens, it was how the park was managed ever since Michael Bonfante left that was the problem. There are MANY many parks in much more obscure locations that do just fine without being named after their city. GGFTP just sounds like some generic childrens fairyland city park or something equally underwhelming, just doesn't fit with what the park actually is, a tribute to one man's love for nature and his wife.

 

First of all, there are quite a few flaws in your arguement. You seem to think that Michael Bonfante and the rest of the orginal staff has little to do with the park now. That is quite mistaken. Cedar Fair only runs the day to day operations at the park, like staffing and maintence. Things like capital projects, what type of food is served, choosing advertising companies, and name changing is all on the park's board of directors.

 

You also seem to think this name change is just Cedar Fair's doing, that is totally incorrect. It was only CF's recommendation. The park's board of directors, made up of Bofante and the same people that have been running the park since it opened in 2001, had the choice to either accept or decline the name change. They felt this would be the best for the park, and why would you question them? They have been running the park for its entire existance, they know what would help the park better than anybody. If the board of directors felt that either Paramount or Cedar Fair wasn't doing a good job in their management of the park, they could always terminate their contract. If you disagree with the changes that are occuring, the only person to blame is Bofante. Its his park, he writes the checks, and he makes the decisions. If you have a problem with the park, its Bofante's fault. I say if he wants to change the name of the park, install new rides, or do anything else, he has the right as the park's founder to do so.

[speedracer]

^ only my opinion, doesn't mean anything to anyone but me, and I get that BOD's call all the shots, never questioned that. I personally think you may be mistaken though to insist the managing company has no influence whatsover on what the park does and offers. That's why they're there in the first place, to guide and direct the BOD's on operational decisions, which most likely includes what food to buy, what merchandise to sell, what entertainment to offer, etc.

 

Even said it yourself, CF advert agency recommended the name change, not the BOD's or anyone elses recommendation, but CF's recommendation. So I'm not understanding how you can insist the managing company doesn't advise and influence the BOD's decisions on what happens in the park. But neither of us work for the park to know for sure, so no point in going on about that. The BOD's obviously feel CF's idea is a good one, I don't, but they do and in the end of the day that's all that counts.

[coasterdude5]

I preferred Bontafe Gardens more, but this isn't the worst. As long as they don't make the park up to CF standards (i.e. too many trashcans), it'll be alright.

[cjeagle35]

^^I never said Cedar Fair didn't influence their decisions. They obvisously did in this instance. However, Cedar Fair only recommended the name change. If you don't like the name change, don't blame Cedar Fair. The board of directors made the decision, its their park and they decide what is best for it. Who would better know the park than the BOD? In this case, they felt that CF's suggestion would be best for the park and decided to go along with it.

[Swoosh]

Well I would almost be willing to put a wager on the Herschends taking over the park once the current management contract is up. Mr. Bonfante is good friends with the Herschends and spent quite a bit of time in Branson taking in the experience that HFECo has with its properties there. In fact he gave some of his trees to Celebration City and they are in a Circus Tree garden that was done in his honor at CC.

[speedracer]

^ that's what I'm hoping for, always wondered if his moving to Branson and his circus trees and flying carpet at CC were some sort of trade off for something greater to happen once the current contract expires. HFE's management style is so much more inline with what GG could potentially offer it's guest again. Definitely an operator that has a better grasp and could offer better suggestions for GG's BOD that are more in tune with what makes a quality park experience.

[superdad1029]

I have never been there. Is it as fun for a 4 and a 9 year old as the web site makes it out?

[Gnome]

It actually sounds like a really crappy generic place now. I would have considered visiting Banafante Gardens, but when I hear Gilroy Gardens, the word craptacular comes to mind.

 

Seriously.

[speedracer]

^^ GG's is the perfect place for pre-teens, big on the fun factor, you and your kids will love the place!

 

As far as the name change goes, now it all makes more sense:

 

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=209659

 

Glad to hear the park will most likely be saved, but this blurb from last week is upsetting:

 

Bracco said he would expect the amusement park to operate in the near future, leaving it to "future councils" to decide whether or not to sell off the park's rides and other equipment and preserve it as open space. Gartman said he "has some ideas in mind" but would not elaborate.

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=209428

 

So it very well may end up being just a city park and nothing more as the new name implies .

[Bk1870]

That little creature that sits on top looks like a Snoopy/Onion mix.

[speedracer]

Check out the latest turn of events, hopefully this comes true!:

 

The investors want to bring two large roller coasters and a "mega water ride" to the park by June 2008, followed by the opening of an indoor-outdoor water park and a six-story hotel by the summer of 2009, according to a written proposal given by Alliant. Stores and restaurants would be located along a miniature downtown in the mold of Disneyland or other large theme parks.

 

Obviously one of the large coasters could be the hillside terrain woodie Michael Bonfante had GCI come out and draw up plans for years ago. For the other, I'm hoping for a themed Eurofighter like Mystery Mine, would be a perfect fit for the park. Full article here:

 

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/news/contentview.asp?c=217883

[KGA29]

Wow, this is definitely exciting! The first major expansion for GG. I can't wait for more announcements in the future. I wouldn't mind a Eurofighter over here on the west.