Author Topic: Interesting news... (Read 1508 times)

jlovesee · « **on:** May 5, 2009, 04:30 »

Interesting news...

http://jlovesee.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=71

Jennifer

Swoosh · « **Reply #1 on:** May 5, 2009, 04:43 »

Wow, didn't see that coming.

HalloweenHauntFreak · « **Reply #2 on:** May 5, 2009, 04:54 »

Only potential buyer I would suspect is Herschend. Then they could dominate the midwest/southern portion of the US (Having WOF, SDC, and Dollywood).

SlammedNiss · « **Reply #3 on:** May 5, 2009, 04:55 »

I heard Thomas Etheredge was on the potential buyers list.

Anybody wanna be a financial backer?

Swoosh · « **Reply #4 on:** May 5, 2009, 06:44 »

HalloweenHauntFreak · « **Reply #5 on:** May 5, 2009, 07:01 »

I doubt Parc would purchase both. I'm guessing that CF wants to sell them both in one deal, so that's mainly why I don't see Parc buying the WOF & VF. Possibly Merlin?

AyTrane · « **Reply #6 on:** May 5, 2009, 07:20 »

Think they could make more selling the parks separate? You wouldn't have the whole "Buy one, get one half off" deal.

Swoosh · « **Reply #7 on:** May 5, 2009, 07:50 »

I doubt Merlin, aren't they said to be interested in the Busch parks?

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #8 on:** May 5, 2009, 08:16 »

According to this article, Merlin hasn't made much progress with AB.

Quote

Merlin continues to eye potential acquisitions, though an estimated $3 billion (£2 billion) deal to buy Busch Resorts was “sitting in the long grass”, said Varney, as bidders could not agree a valuation with Busch’s owner, the brewing giant Anheuser Busch Inbev.

1. Merlin Entertainment is a possiblity. As it's been mentioned before, Merlin has some interest in putting a LegoLand in KC. They also bought an aquarium at MOA. They might be interested in owning mulitple properties within the same market.

2. I have doubts that Hershcend would buy WOF for anything above a bargain price. The operating philosophy between HFEC and current management at WOF is so different it would require a HUGE internal make over.

3. As I've stated before, I'm personally rooting for PARC 7F to buy WOF. I believe they would be interested in both WOF and VF, and maybe even Great America. However, they don't have a lot of money to spend. None the less I would be surprised if they didn't at least meet with Cedar Fair to inquire on asking prices.

4. The only other potential company that hasn't been mentioned is Parque Reunidos. I know very little about this company other than they're large in Europe and bought out Kennywood and its sister properties last year. Parque Reunidos has also expressed great interest in obtaining Busch Entertainment.

If WOF and VF are sold to anyone in the next couple of years I would expect it to be 1 or 4; whoever loses the battle for the Busch parks.

Swoosh · « **Reply #9 on:** May 5, 2009, 08:26 »

^Don't forget that Universal Studios Parks has put in a bid for SeaWorld as well.

silverstreak · « **Reply #10 on:** May 6, 2009, 06:39 »

i hope that sdc buys wof and updates the parking lots...now who is parc and what have they done...

Swoosh · « **Reply #11 on:** May 6, 2009, 07:08 »

^hereletmegooglethatupforyou.com

silverstreak · « **Reply #12 on:** May 6, 2009, 07:43 »

thanks but i still have to wonder what they have done...any major new rides...why would anyone want them to buy wof....merlin makes sense because they could put the legoland idea on wof property....

Swoosh · « **Reply #13 on:** May 6, 2009, 07:52 »

The most "major" new ride they've added at any of their parks is the MotoCoaster at Darien Lake.
They also added Steel Lasso to Frontier City last year.

IF they were to buy WOF and VF, WOF and VF would be their flag ship parks.

====

I like Merlin buying the parks and it would be cool to see them build a Legoland in the same area as Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun -- they have the land, that's for sure. WOF/OOF/LegoMO would be quite the tourist destination and would give Village West a run for their money

Bradley Robertson · « **Reply #14 on:** May 6, 2009, 11:45 »

Quote from: Swoosh on May 6, 2009, 07:52

The most "major" new ride they've added at any of their parks is the MotoCoaster at Darien Lake.
They also added Steel Lasso to Frontier City last year.

Don't forget Ghostblasters at Elitch. Its a version 2.0

SVLFever · « **Reply #15 on:** May 7, 2009, 09:11 »

Personally, I am NOT in favor of this...as the reason I buy a CF Platinum Pass is because I do some traveling that allows me to visit other CF parks. I would have to re-evaulate my season pass if that was to occur.

I am guessing this wouldn't affect most season pass sales though for whomever the buyer would be.

Ben · « **Reply #16 on:** May 7, 2009, 09:18 »

I am pretty sure no one wants Cedar Fair to sell WoF. We are only discussing options for if they have to be sold. I personally think that CF saved a dying park with their purchase and management of the park. Some may feel nostalgic for the old owners but I can't envision too many owners that would have brought us rides like Mamba, Detonator, Patriot, and Prowler.

Ken12 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 7, 2009, 09:41 »

For one thing, they took a park bleeding cash and made it profitable.

I still don't get why this wasnt linked in the first post. weird.

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #18 on:** May 8, 2009, 07:25 »

Quote from: Ben on May 7, 2009, 09:18

I am pretty sure no one wants Cedar Fair to sell WoF.

I certainly wouldn't say no one...

Ben · « **Reply #19 on:** May 8, 2009, 09:33 »

Quote from: Orient Wolf on May 8, 2009, 07:25

I certainly wouldn't say no one...

Grass isn't always greener. In fact it rarely is.

tonyblackjack · « **Reply #20 on:** May 8, 2009, 10:15 »

I can not picture a better owner for WOF. I hope it does not actually happen. You have a trade off. Getting something new all the time or possibly better atmosphere and character. I for one like that I can ride something new every 2 or 3 years at my home park rather then have to travel somewhere all time to ride something new.

Ben · « **Reply #21 on:** May 8, 2009, 10:39 »

Not only something new, but something world-class. Gone are the days of Sea Dragon and other Crap being touted as the next best thing.

steel · « **Reply #22 on:** May 8, 2009, 06:10 »

So I can live with them selling WoF if they have to. But selling VF pisses me off a little, since it is sort of the reason that Cedar Fair is called Cedar FAIR and not Cedar POINT. It's like if America suddenly decided to give Pennsylvania to Spain.
I would so much rather have Michigan's Adventure be sold.

tonyblackjack · « **Reply #23 on:** May 9, 2009, 01:23 »

I don't want any of them sold besides Michigan's Adventure and Great America West. However such is life and we will move on huh.