[Jonathan]

<a href='http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060519/BUSINESS06/605190358' target='_blank'>http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...ESS06/605190358</a>

After the meeting, Mr. Kinzel revealed Cedar Fair is considering buying Kings Island, an amusement park near Cincinnati that was put up for sale by its owner, CBS Corp. That park is one of five in CBS' Paramount Parks division.

Obviously we have no idea if they are interested in any other parks in the chain, but I believe this is the first time any company has publically expressed their interest. I guess they are going for a total monopoly of Ohio parks.

[coasterholic14]

anyone else think it's odd that CP admission is only $40, and ours for carwinds is $50?

[bgwfreak]

Uh... he's talking about them buying PKI and you're wanting to discuss how PC's ticket prices compare to CP? :unsure:

And that is the gate price, if you buy them online they are $33.99

[coasterholic14]

i just thought it was kind of interesting. Anyway, I understand why CP would have an interest in PKI, but i'm not sure how willing paramount would be to only sell them PKI, considering that (and PKD) is their flagship park. If they sell that off individually, that seems like it would take away part of the incentive to buy paramount parks. I'm also not sure how willing CP would be to buy all of the parks in the chain (actually, I'm not sure how willing any particular group would be to buy all the parks, that's a LOT of money to dish out for 5 parks). I am happy to see though that CP does have an interest in at least one of the parks (if a chain had to buy paramount, that'd be the one i'd want to buy them)

[CoasterChris]

I hope they look into buying the entire chain.

Yes CP is $40 but it's an extra $25 for Soak City so carowinds is actually cheaper but regardless Carowinds admission is way too high for how small a park it is but like stated above tickets purchased online are on'y $34 and if someone is stupid enough to purchase a ticket at the gate and pay $50 then they deserve to pay that.

[RollerBee]

Carowinds, A Cedar Fair L.P. Park
I love the sound of that, I say please Cedar Fair buy Carowinds.

[MarkD]

Carowinds, A Cedar Fair L.P. Park
I love the sound of that, I say please Cedar Fair buy Carowinds.

I personaly HATE the sound of that. Almost as much as 6 Flags Carowinds.

[Jonathan]

As do I. We don't need concrete and trash cans as far as the eye can see.

[Carowindsman]

When Jarvis had his talk with the GM he said likely whoever buys us will continue to keep the Paramount Name.

[bgwfreak]

True. But if Cedar Fair bought the park then it would still become "Paramont's Carowinds - A Cedar Fair L.P. Park"

Ahh. Corporate America. *looks at who he works for* Nevermind.

[RollerBee]

As do I. We don't need concrete and trash cans as far as the eye can see.

*Looks around at Carowinds* WTF, Carowinds is already like that.

[coasterdave]

It might be what I call other park concrete and Trash cans, but when you become a Cedar Fair Park it is taken to the extreme. I think they must add a new cement mixing place down the road first whenever they buy a park so that there will be a supply of cement on hand incase some grass starts to grow. It seems whenever they buy a park, seems like the cement doubles in volume.

As for the trashcans, it seems there is one ever three feet at a Cedar Fair Park. I am all into the keep park clean, but I bet they have 20 full time people that just empty those trashcans. Atleast you can find a new job.

But not to step on anyone's toes here, but it has ONLY been staed that they are looking at PKI and no mention of the other parks in the chain. To be honest with you, I hope Cedar Fair does not buy any park at present. Maybe if they buy PKI, then maybe that sorry excuse that is called Beast, might get some help. Not lilke they can add trims on the drop since they are already there.

See some of you guys next weekend at Holiday World.

[CoasterDad]

I am not as theme park literate as the rest of you, but common sense would seemingly indicate that acquisition of the 5 Paramount parks by Cedar Fair would be a common sense good move on their part. PKI would limit competition within their own state, PKD would give them a foot in Virginia, Carowinds would give them their only truely "Southern" location, and the Canada & CA locations are nowhere close to other CF parks. Just seems like a good move. Even if Paramount split the parks out, Carowinds would be prime territory for CF - it would give them a great location to build a CP of the south.

Now, wouldn't it be great if a Carolina based group would be able to buy Carowinds and make it even better ~ someone who wants to make some $$ but make the park a whole lot better than it is now ~ more great thrill rides, more theming, maybe a hotel, etc. Being under a large corporate umbrella does have its advantages and I fail to see a major negative impact, if by some fluke, CF become the new owner someday. It could only be good long term.

[coasterholic14]

Yea, i think CF ownership could be better than many others (i.e. six flags), but Paramount is going to have a time selling the parks off as a whole. Maybe they can say to CF, ok, we'll give you PKI and (one of the other parks) and someone else the rest or something if their interested. I think yea the trashcans could get more numerous, but they might be able to take care of the drainage and the smell of the stagnant garbage water always sitting in the park. As for concrete...We already have tons of concrete and little landscaping, so I don't see how it could get a whole lot worse in that department Like (i think) i said before, if a chain is buying us, let it be cedar fair. But i think i'd like to see someone who's in it for the love of amusement parks step in and maybe several groups buy the parks individually. I wonder if Dolly Parton would be interested in buying Carowinds? Dollywood has come so far in the past few years, it's clean, it's friendly, it's got a great assortment of rides, and the park atmosphere is great.

[coasterdave]

How about a park ownership from across the pond?