[swampfox43]

CF can't even get us an '08 announcement and they are already doling out '09 announcements for other parks!

That's pretty decent news for the park I expected to become Cedar Fair's next "water-only" park.

[Edwardo]

I think the idea behind that (and I obviously could be wrong) is to show that they intend on keeping the park...unless the city/49ers come up with enough money to out right buy the park (and if that happens, I figure they'd keep it as a park).

Whoever said CF only purchased the Paramount Parks for KI, all I have to say is you don't spend a few billion and go that far in debt for ONE park. They got 5 profitable parks, a profitable attraction in Vegas, and they're being paid to run another park.

[Thriller]

In 2009, California’s Great America will add to its roster of thrill rides a new world-class wooden coaster.  This <span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>copious</span> coaster will boast a lift of 104 feet and take riders on a two minute ride at 52 mph through a twisting first drop, low to the ground S-turn, and a high speed station fly-by!  Designed by Great Coasters International, this ride promises to take coaster enthusiasts to new heights.

Renegade copy maybe?

[wdwspider]

GL became too ambitious too quickly without a definite long term plan or owner. Once it kept shifting hands, it was easier just to let it go and move on. Especially with Cedar Point already the primary focus for Cedar Fair in that area. KI is quite a bit farther away and more established in what kind of park it wants to be. GL, especially with the initial Six Flags vision, given the right money at the right time could have been amazing... but I understand why it was dropped.

As far as Carowinds, it is a beautiful park with a fairly loyal fan base and a very unique situation being in two states at one time. On top of that, the rapid growth of Charlotte and even the continued growth of the Triad area will continue to increase Carowinds attendance figures.

This is a bit of an extreme comparrison, but look at Busch Gardens Europe. They typically take a year or two from Major additions, and then come out with something Gangbusters to compensate.

I know a lot of re-organizing and evaluation must be taking place within Cedar Fair currently, and most of the newly acquired parks are not getting anything major outside of ride transfers. Hopefully, a game plan for each Paramount park was established this year and as the parks are finalized in their transition to Cedar Fair parks, I expect some accumulated money will be re-invested by 2008 or 2009 with some nice results. In fact, a lull in current additions and attendance will only make a major new addition become a banner year since several people will hold out until the next big thing before they return to the park (myself included).

[Edwardo]

Precisely. Although I'm not a fan of the GL closure of the rides side, I think that what they're doing is brilliant regardless of my personal feelings. It's a time when the company is in major debt that they can and will be able to pay down, so instead of going out and buying a bunch of new stuff, they're just moving some major coasters around.

It's cheaper, gives the parks something new to market, and once the transition period is over, CF will be able to plan out their strategy for all of their parks as one business. Getting rid of the Paramount Theming will mean less in the way of licensing fees (although it seems they're keeping Nick Toons, smart move, and I figure as long as they have Trek: The Experience that BORG is likely safe).

They're not perfect, but CFEC is doing much better with their situation than the former Six Flags management did with the same amount of parks and debt.

[bgwfreak]

I agree with you, but I'm still left scratching my head as to why they bought Geagua Lake in the first place.

Six Flags screwed it up for the place though, I can't really totally blame Dick.

If you look back at old park maps for GL, you see that it was a very small park for a long time.

Then Six Flags decided to buy it and go crazy going into debt. Then we know the rest of the story.

Just sad though that a nice little local park has been lost, it looks like for good.

[cdp123]

ALSO, People, come on, Top Gun also got some EXTENSIVE work over a 6 week period. Cedar Fair must care about Carowinds if it's going to close it's most profitable (or second most) for SIX weeks! They have put a lot of money into Carowinds, just not money that is totally visible in the form of a new coaster or flat. Most people think building a roller coaster is like sitting at a round table and some one snapping their fingers and saying "OH!! I GOT IT!! 300 FOOT B&M HYPER BEHIND THUNDER ROAD! BOOM!!! IM A GENIUS!!! TELL EVERYONE!" It's totally wrong. They have to find the perfect layout and kind of coaster to fit in a nice space at the perfect angle, it's EXTREMELY hard and especially hard when it's a park that already has over 100 rides to begin with. Where BORG is and the landscaping is absolutely brilliant, but trust me, it took some time. Cedar Fair cares, why else would that dude say "Carowinds is PROUDLY a part of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company" on the Carolina Skytower? DUH! Just calm it people, turn down the volume, and maybe think positive, Carowinds is a growing park in a growing community. It's not going NOWHERE!

[LocoDriver]

ALSO, People, come on, Top Gun also got some EXTENSIVE work over a 6 week period. Cedar Fair must care about Carowinds if it's going to close it's most profitable (or second most) for SIX weeks! They have put a lot of money into Carowinds, just not money that is totally visible in the form of a new coaster or flat. Most people think building a roller coaster is like sitting at a round table and some one snapping their fingers and saying "OH!! I GOT IT!! 300 FOOT B&M HYPER BEHIND THUNDER ROAD! BOOM!!! IM A GENIUS!!! TELL EVERYONE!" It's totally wrong. They have to find the perfect layout and kind of coaster to fit in a nice space at the perfect angle, it's EXTREMELY hard and especially hard when it's a park that already has over 100 rides to begin with. Where BORG is and the landscaping is absolutely brilliant, but trust me, it took some time. Cedar Fair cares, why else would that dude say "Carowinds is PROUDLY a part of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company" on the Carolina Skytower? DUH! Just calm it people, turn down the volume, and maybe think positive, Carowinds is a growing park in a growing community. It's not going NOWHERE!

Over 100 rides? Please name them. Carowinds has no where near that many rides.

[coasterdave]

Delete Please or Loco might get mad at me.

[Thriller]

When Paramount owned Carowinds, they always used the phrase "over 100 rides, shows, and attractions"! This included all rides, shows, games, restaurant's, and mini attractions (pay-per ride)! So including everything, theres is over 100 things to do at Carowinds, but not all 100 is rides...maybe closer to 50?

[GriffonBoy69]

^^^^ yes, but basically every former para-park got, or is getting something marketable this year or last year. While we are getting a couple trashcans. I'm not saying that money wasn't invested into the park because money was invested. Carowinds is definately on cf's backburner though.

[cdp123]

ok, ok my bad over 100 "attractions", but you get my point, right?

[Edwardo]

"Carowinds is definately on cf's backburner though."

After only one season of operation by CEFC, how can you say so? Just because they had 2 'off years' during the transition doesn't mean much of anything. While I do agree that VooDoo or Dominator could have went to Carowinds, they did get 5 coasters, a dark ride, a water park makeover, and a whole host of flats, not to mention major re-theming of most of the park since 1999.

They're kinda due for some off time.

[swampfox43]

One good way to look at this is that now with all the Geauga Lake coasters doled out, (besides Villian & Wolf Bobs which are both rumored to be demolished), our chances of getting a USED coaster are now slimmer.

I'll take some used flats, but I am really hoping for a shiny new coaster straight from the manufacturer. It's looking better and better that that will be the case.........even if it is 2010.

[Jonathan]

But has the boomerang been announced? :unsure: