California Great America (CGA) Discussion Thread

[154bmag]

Cedar fair got a new ceo

 

CEDAR FAIR NAMES FORMER DISNEY EXECUTIVE MATTHEW A. OUIMET PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY

SANDUSKY, OHIO, June 20, 2011 – Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN) today announced that Matthew A. Ouimet has been named president of the Company, effective immediately. Ouimet, 53, will succeed Dick Kinzel, 70, as chief executive officer, who will retire upon the expiration of his contract on January 3, 2012. Today’s action is in line with Cedar Fair’s previously announced CEO succession planning process.

 

Ouimet is a 20 year veteran of the amusement park and hospitality industry, of which 17 years were spent with the Walt Disney Company (“Disney”). During his tenure with the global entertainment conglomerate, he had the opportunity to work in a wide range of business lines with increasing levels of responsibility. Highlights of his tenure at Disney include serving as:

 

- Senior vice president, finance and business development, and chief financial officer of the Disney Development Company, in which he was responsible for the financial management of Disney’s resort, theme park and corporate real estate projects in California, Florida and France;

- Executive general manager of Disney Vacation Club, where, through expanded marketing and sales initiatives, Disney established itself as a major competitor in the timeshare industry;

- President of Disney Cruise Line, where his team built the most successful family cruise product in the industry;

- President of the Disneyland Resort, where he and his team developed and implemented a comprehensive strategic plan that resulted in significantly improved and sustained performance for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary and beyond.

 

In 2006, Ouimet was recruited to serve as the President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, overseeing 900 owned, managed and franchised hotel properties in 95 countries. In this capacity, in support of brand-driven pricing premiums, he drove an operational focus on delivering a guest experience consistent with the characteristics of each of Starwood’s hotel brands, including St Regis, Westin, Sheraton, W Hotels and five other brands. In 2008, Ouimet joined Corinthian Colleges, a $2 billion, publicly-held, post-secondary education company which operates in the U.S. and Canada. As President and Chief Operating Officer, Ouimet championed executive talent development and the expansion of management and systems infrastructure to support rapid growth in the student population and expanded regulatory complexity.

 

“Without question, Matt is the right leader to join Cedar Fair now as it builds momentum on its renewed path of sustained, profitable growth in 2011 and beyond,” said C. Thomas (“Tom”) Harvie, independent chairman. “Throughout his career, Matt has proven to be a critical thinker and effective business strategist with an enviable track record for identifying growth opportunities within existing businesses in the amusement park and resort industry. His broad and diverse background in resort development, finance, marketing and operations will allow him to integrate quickly into Cedar Fair.

 

“While our thorough search process with the assistance of the executive search firm Korn/Ferry International enabled us to meet with and consider many extremely qualified candidates, the Board agreed that Matt stood out from the rest due to his strategic business mindset and his natural and engaging leadership style,” said Harvie.

 

“Matt is an impressive business and operational executive whose character and values will be a great complement to the strong Cedar Fair culture,” said Dick Kinzel, chief executive officer. “I look forward to working with him over the coming months to ensure a seamless leadership transition.”

 

Ouimet currently serves on the Board of Collective Brands, Inc., a $3.4 billion global enterprise encompassing the internationally recognized footwear brands of Payless, Sperry Top-Sider, Stride Rite and Saucony, where he serves as a financial expert on the audit and finance committee. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in accounting from State University of New York at Binghamton.

 

“I am thrilled to join this successful Cedar Fair leadership team. I am particularly pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with Dick Kinzel and to continue to build on his legacy in years to come,” said Matt Ouimet. “Cedar Fair is a wonderful company – its properties are vibrant and extremely well-run, its reputation is superb, and the record-setting 2010 performance has put us on a path to deliver the positive financial results Cedar Fair has long been known for. I am truly honored to have this opportunity and sincerely thank the Board for entrusting me with this critical leadership role at this pivotal point in Cedar Fair’s evolution.”

 

“On behalf of the Board, the management team and all of our colleagues past and present, I would like to thank Dick Kinzel for his unparalleled vision, passion and selfless dedication to Cedar Fair over the years,” said Harvie. “Without Dick, Cedar Fair would not have the opportunities or the growth potential it has today. He has been the heart and soul of this organization for many, many years and, while he can be succeeded, he can never be replaced. We wish Dick and his wonderful family all the very best as he moves into his well-deserved retirement at the end of the year.”

 

Kinzel began his career in the amusement park industry at Cedar Point in 1972. In 1986, he was named president and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair, L.P., the parent company of the parks, which was listed on The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: FUN) in 1987. Kinzel also served as chairman of the Board from 2003 to 2010.

Is this GOOD news for cga

[Angry_Gumball]

As stated in the CF Development thread, was it Kinzel who mentioned and had the idea of selling of CGA to the 49ers? With the new guy in the game, let's hope for a better future for not only CGA, but the other neglected Cedar Fair parks like Michigan's Adventure.

[thrillgeek]

^^That's great news!! Let's hope some good comes from this for CGA.

[MrSum1_55]

^^^Who knows? Maybe CF will stop only caring about CP and the other parks can get more attention. (Actually, CP has felt a tad niglected as well over recent years) Although a former executive of a family fun park chain taking control over what is mainly a thrill park chain will be an interesting mix. I am not quite sure at the moment which way this is going to go. I would like to see more revenue put into theming and family rides, but not to the point of which it will at all slow down construction of more thrilling rides. (i.e. I would pefer if CF parks did not go to the Disney way of thrill rides, with one family coaster every 10 years or so, although this is very unlikely to happen, especially with parks like CP)

 

I had a dream recently, where the exact opposite happened. A former CF executive took over Disney, and an Intamin hyper was announced for Frontierland (California) shortly after. I really am not making this up! I really did have the reverse dream, and I wonder if the reverse result will occur in real life.

[andre8]

I can't wait to go to CGA this week! It'll be my first Drop Tower, Inverted Coaster, B&M, and Stand-Up Coaster!

[Flagg O'Dim]

I had an extremely short visit to CGA today. It's safe to say that I have never seen the park so crowded. Got there around 4:00, and I estimate that the parking lot was 80%-85% full.

 

Lines were utterly insane: all (except maybe three) lines were spilling out their entrances. Drop Tower's entire overflow was full! Never thought that was possible. I ended up walking one lap around the park, with only one ride (Endeavor). These crowds HAVE to be good for the park.

 

Good news: Firefall was testing nonstop. It looked good, hopefully it will open soon.

[jab88]

I had an extremely short visit to CGA today. It's safe to say that I have never seen the park so crowded. Got there around 4:00, and I estimate that the parking lot was 80%-85% full.

 

Lines were utterly insane: all (except maybe three) lines were spilling out their entrances. Drop Tower's entire overflow was full! Never thought that was possible. I ended up walking one lap around the park, with only one ride (Endeavor). These crowds HAVE to be good for the park.

 

Good news: Firefall was testing nonstop. It looked good, hopefully it will open soon.

 

Yeah, this was a busier day for the park, especially for having no schools in the park for one of their functions as happened in May and early June.

 

Firefall started cycling around 4:30 or so, and began to draw some people to it, several were watching it cycle and others asking if it was open or going to be opened today. Chances are I was at the control booth when you saw it being cycled, we are hoping to have it open soon, it just needs to do a few more cycles before it can be opened and the water filled-or in the case of the lower pond, changed since that water is dirty....

[Tmcdllr]

Higher attendance.....that's good!

[Sunfire]

I believe Comcast had their company picnic yesterday, plus lots of other smaller company picnics. But still, higher attendance means the park makes more money on food and souvenirs. So yesterday was VERY good for the park.

[ABW]

Hopefully the crews at the park knew how to react to crowds like that and pick up on the operations. They most likely did. But that always seems to be a struggle for parks in California these days.

[greatamerica1990sfan]

I stay away from CGA on the weekends & holidays. It's not worth it going when it's way too crowded. So much nicer on the weekdays. Hardly a wait. I went on a Wednesday a couple weeks ago & it was super light. I'm going tomorrow. How is it on a Monday?

[Angry_Gumball]

Just got back from the park today, a busier Sunday than what I'm used to. But this is excellent for the park, it feels alive again. Flight Deck's line remained pretty consistent, starting at the roll up door props. Drop Tower's line started at the ride's entrance but no overflow (thank God!), Grizzly's line was starting to spill out onto the last section of the ramps, Vortex's line started at the soda machines, and Demon's line (from what I saw) started on the top pad just before the station.

 

The water park was also very busy as the day progressed with lines (for the original 3 slides) using the entire line/path. The wave pool had no 'swimming space' as it was packed...made me think of South Park's "Pee" episode...yea, kinda gross. Actually, being as it wasn't the warmest day, that kept some people from getting soaked. Others who got soaked actually made use of the drying booth.

 

Last note: Firefall testing as others stated. Also spotted a couple TPR members (One had a TPR shirt but I didn't feel like being 'stalker-ish), and one happened to be one I've ran into on several occasions (Hi Mike!). All in all, was a great busy day at the park. And to end it, kudos to the Flight Deck crew, around that last hour, you guys were pumping out trains like crazy, no stacking, enthusiastic operators.

[Sunfire]

I stay away from CGA on the weekends & holidays. It's not worth it going when it's way too crowded. So much nicer on the weekdays. Hardly a wait. I went on a Wednesday a couple weeks ago & it was super light. I'm going tomorrow. How is it on a Monday?

 

On a Monday, you should be fine. For the major rides, they should all have 10 minute waits or less, the exceptions being Psycho Mouse and Tiki Twirl.

[Flagg O'Dim]

Thought I'd share this cool video that I found on Youtube - home videos from Great America in 1987. Great clips of the Sky Whirl (loud!), Railway (I think they are at the Psycho Mouse station), and the Lobster.

 

[Angry_Gumball]

Cool stuff! Occasionally, I'll see oldschool Great America film come in over at my work. I work at a DVD Transfer Lab where people bring in their old movies and tapes to get them digitized. All of the GA stuff I've seen though was silent, so no joys of the screeching Sky Whirl or the traditional Arrow lift hill. I did see some offride Turn of the Century stuff though.

 

On another topic, somewhat...I wonder why Tiki Twirl doesn't have any real signage yet...when I walk by, the only signage I see is the whole back story...and seeing that the name "Tahwhirimatea" is the largest word on the sign and if I never knew the ride was named Tiki Twirl, I would vouch to say that the ride's name is "Tahwhirimatea." Also, the A-frame has gone AWOL so that makes it even more confusing.

Only indicator of the ride's name...otherwise, even the A-frame's missing.

[Tmcdllr]

Awesome video. That was two seasons before I worked there but I remember all of that stuff, the dolphins, the train, Tidal Wave, the Lobster, and yes the screeching Sky Whirl/Triple Wheel which was one of the rides I worked. Oh yeah and omg....Smurf Woods!!!

[jab88]

Edit: I deleted the link to the video since Paramount was quick to pull a copyright infringement claim.

 

On the subject of past rides in the park and Sky Whirl, not sure if this video clip has been shared before on here or not, but it does show many of the rides now gone as well (even though it is from Beverly Hills Cop 3), including Triple Play towards the end of the video clip, Vortex with it's green color scheme and part of the original area now home to Kidzville (before the rope bridge and all that were removed, visible around 4:26 in the video) Tidal Wave/Greased Lightning and obviously the Sky Whirl, though it was likely not the best way to have viewed the ride, having one of it's cages falling from the cable breaking...

Edited June 28, 2011 by jab88

[Angry_Gumball]

As much as I've seen the movie many times and even have it on my iPod, I'll still watch it time to time especially to look at GA in the 90s. One of the not-so-obvious things to point out, the antique car ride initially had a stair case that went up and over the outside track and down to an island for boarding both inside and outside track. Now, the staircase is gone though you can still see the marks on the ground where it once stood as well as filled in holes for the rails on that center island.

 

I totally remember playing in that kids area, thought it was so cool and easily could get lost in it. I loved running across the bridge and flying across the zip lines. It was pretty much an outdoor Discovery Zone, if you remember that place.

 

Other things, not featured in the posted video clip was the old train passing by the Flight Deck plaza, the Okie Dokie scene (Hey, it's Okie Dokie!) Also, the classic carousel in the back of the park (where Drop Tower sits now) was featured, and in one of the shots you can see the tip of The Edge poking out over the trees. Yea, I think I probably over-analyzed the movie and paused it one to many times just to point out the classic rides. Lastly, only to us knowing about CGA, there is some location goofs towards the end. The Eagle's flight is on the other side of Vortex, over by Orbit yet in the movie it appears to be gliding right above Hometown Square. But again, only us that know the park would be able to point that one out

[jab88]

As much as I've seen the movie many times and even have it on my iPod, I'll still watch it time to time especially to look at GA in the 90s. One of the not-so-obvious things to point out, the antique car ride initially had a stair case that went up and over the outside track and down to an island for boarding both inside and outside track. Now, the staircase is gone though you can still see the marks on the ground where it once stood as well as filled in holes for the rails on that center island.

 

I totally remember playing in that kids area, thought it was so cool and easily could get lost in it. I loved running across the bridge and flying across the zip lines. It was pretty much an outdoor Discovery Zone, if you remember that place.

 

Other things, not featured in the posted video clip was the old train passing by the Flight Deck plaza, the Okie Dokie scene (Hey, it's Okie Dokie!) Also, the classic carousel in the back of the park (where Drop Tower sits now) was featured, and in one of the shots you can see the tip of The Edge poking out over the trees. Yea, I think I probably over-analyzed the movie and paused it one to many times just to point out the classic rides. Lastly, only to us knowing about CGA, there is some location goofs towards the end. The Eagle's flight is on the other side of Vortex, over by Orbit yet in the movie it appears to be gliding right above Hometown Square. But again, only us that know the park would be able to point that one out

 

Yeah, I wound up buying Beverly hills Cop 3 online after unsuccessfully trying to find it at a few Blockbuster closing sales, mostly for the same reason since it shows Great America in the past.

 

As for the antique car ride, I remember the stairs that went over the first track and onto the second track, with usually just as equally long of a line as it has now with just the one queue.

 

I faintly remember that kids area, but do remember the wooden bridge, I liked it too, shame they removed it too. As for Discovery Zone, I think I remember it somewhat, though I never went much since it was way down Blossom Hill Road (in San Jose) and not that close to where I live.

 

And at the end of the clip where the stand is blown up with the annihilator 2000, part of the Hometown Square Station queue ramp(maybe it's exit?) is visible, part of which still remains today as a concrete ramp behind the control room for Celebration Swings (to the left of Triple Play) and no longer accessible to the public as one has to go through Triple Play's old spot to access it.

 

Yeah, I forgot about those clips, of the train, the carousel in the back and the Delta/Eagles Sky Ride being on the wrong side of the park, of which the doors on those would not open like that, but then that's a movie for ya, needing some type of action. I have those clips too, should upload it as well to youtube soon.

[Tmcdllr]

Wasn't that George Lucas that he cut in front of to get on that ride?

 

That is true about the Barney Oldfield Speedway. When I worked there in '89 it was so busy on the weekends we used both the inside and outside tracks and the line would extend up and down the stairs, we also used all three trains on Demon.

[greatamerica1990sfan]

I went today-Monday & yeah it was fine but alot of people in the park though. The rides hardly had a wait except Physco Mouse(always too long a line), & the Grizzly(1 train was running). What was wrong with the red train? I saw the workers working on it. & Where's the 3rd Demon train? & What happened to the noise inside the first tunnel before the lift-"welcome to the Demon I hope you survive ha ha ha ha ha? & I sat 2nd to last seat on the Demon & still rough going through the loops. & What happened to the full blast water trough on RRR? It was on a couple weeks ago. I went on Whitewater Falls & sat in front & got wet. Then I stood on the bridge & a huge wave got me completely soaked! & That good ol Logger's Run. I got on it twice in a row because I love going over that hump on the final drop. It is fun & kind of feels like your flying over the hump. I guess the hump on Logger's Run is rare for a log ride. Are both Logger's Run's the only log rides with a hump on the final hill? I went on Flight Deck 3 times in a row just after opening. Got the blue train all 3 times. Anybody go on Flight Deck more times than me in a row? No I didn't get a locker for Boomerang Bay. Just did the 3 big slides. That Didgeroo Falls family raft ride has a couple OMFG moments. It feels like your going to fly off the slide on those curves even with 4 people in the raft. I find that SCARY! Oh I was trying to figure out where the old Yankee Clipper station & Yankee Clipper layout used to be. Can anyone post a photoshop pic with the outline? & Oh even in the front of Vortex my ears got banged. That's my last & final ride on Vortex, Grizzly(always a no good), Demon. The Grizzly, Demon(or maybe those famous hills can come back in place of the loops!), Vortex, need to go. Come on CGA give us way better coasters. & Also I was eyeing the old Edge area. Can't a coaster go in there? I'm kind of sorry I have a season pass.

[Angry_Gumball]

The Edge area is now a go kart track, so I'm afraid not. I did notice that the soaking waterfall was off when I did the Rapids, though I was already soaked prior to riding. Also agreed, I like the double dip on the Logger's run, gives a nice amount of air as well as the White Water Falls.

 

About Yankee Clipper...I don't have a diagram but the station I believe sat at to the left of the Jackaroo Landing structure, or possibly behind the restaurant, where it's just a pond now. Could be wrong though, but picturing where the drop ends, it makes sense.

[jab88]

Wasn't that George Lucas that he cut in front of to get on that ride?

 

That is true about the Barney Oldfield Speedway. When I worked there in '89 it was so busy on the weekends we used both the inside and outside tracks and the line would extend up and down the stairs, we also used all three trains on Demon.

 

Yeah, that was George Lucas that he cut in front of on the Sky Whirl.

 

Yeah, that is how I remember it when the stairs were there, going up and down them, it took a little while to get through the line, much like it does today. Flying Eagles is the same way, it takes forever to get through that line or clear it half the time, I'm sure this weekend will be packed with the Fireworks on Saturday and Sunday...

 

Interesting Demon used to run three trains, I always thought it was just a two train operation.

[CoasterBeagle]

If anyone remembered on Sunday the ride op talking through the cue line that was me. My attitude is that I don't want to wait in a long line so why would other guests.

[Tmcdllr]

The Edge area is now a go kart track, so I'm afraid not. I did notice that the soaking waterfall was off when I did the Rapids, though I was already soaked prior to riding. Also agreed, I like the double dip on the Logger's run, gives a nice amount of air as well as the White Water Falls.

 

About Yankee Clipper...I don't have a diagram but the station I believe sat at to the left of the Jackaroo Landing structure, or possibly behind the restaurant, where it's just a pond now. Could be wrong though, but picturing where the drop ends, it makes sense.

 

That is correct, that is where the Yankee Clipper station was is it was sort of a mirror image of the Logger's Run and the drop on Yankee Clipper was unique in that it went straight down, as opposed to Logger's double dip, with a little jump at the bottom after the drop eneded. The neat thing about Demon for us ride ops was on Saturday when the park opened, we sometimes would start with two trains (but usually all three). Then as the day got busier, usually around noon, WE plus a supervisor, were actually the ones that would add the third train, it was awesome. I always thaough it was kind of funny how when all thre trains would stack, the last train would be stopped partly on the turn before the transfer track, it had to stop it there as if it stopped on the level transfer track we would have to go push it into the station!

 

Ahh good times!