Author Topic: Worlds of Fun Potentially up for Sale (Read 9926 times)

Cardinal185 · « **Reply #60 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 06:10 »

Wow, let's spend $8 million at WoF, and then mention selling it? I believe WoF is the strongest park mentioned to be a potential seller, not just because I'm in love with WoF, but the park never seemed to be not crowded last year. Everyday was crazy!!! Now prowler, this should bring some profit and raise attendance level's, just like what happened at VF after Renegade was rebelin'! I dont expect attendance to raise as much as CW's year of Behemoth, but it should bring some decent and good level's!!

Swoosh · « **Reply #61 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 07:27 »

Of the three parks mentioned -- Worlds of Fun would be (imho) the most enticing to buy if I was another chain just for the simple fact they have land to expand on, a rv/cabin village, and an seperate gate waterpark.

On the same page, I would think Worlds of Fun would be the most expensive of the three to purchase and thus might not be sold off at all.

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #62 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 07:42 »

I would expect CGA to go for a higher price than WOF simply because of the unique demand the potential buyers have for the property.

But if just for the sake of investing in a park, I would also agree WOF would be the best buy. The reasons you mentioned are certainly right but one should also consider the talented local management at the park. On their own they have come up with great strategies and improvements over the past couple of years and would be a great assest to an underdog operator interested in expanding. (cough-parc-cough).

SCIENCEWIZRD · « **Reply #63 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 07:44 »

I'd love to see the old logo, with Snoopyless balloon come back!!!

Swoosh · « **Reply #64 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 08:01 »

Quote from: Orient Wolf on Mar 12, 2009, 07:42

But if just for the sake of investing in a park, I would also agree WOF would be the best buy. The reasons you mentioned are certainly right but one should also consider the talented local management at the park. On their own they have come up with great strategies and improvements over the past couple of years and would be a great assest to an underdog operator interested in expanding. (cough-parc-cough).

If PARC were to put WOF, the park would definitely be the "flag ship" park of the chain.

Question: IF the park was sold, wouldn't the chain move the mgmt to other parks in the chain?

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #65 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 08:10 »

If by the chain you mean Cedar Fair, then no. The company has already laid off several full time workers all across the country this year. They're not going to make room at other parks for WOF's staff (with the slight exception of Phil Bender I imagine).

Swoosh · « **Reply #66 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 08:33 »

I would think Frank Wilburn would be moved as well.
Phil Bender does not work at WOF, his office just happeneds to be at WOF.

Ken12 · « **Reply #67 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 08:43 »

Quote from: Orient Wolf on Mar 12, 2009, 04:32

Another update: Worlds of Fun has changed the name of "Joe Cool's Backyard Barbeque" to just Worlds of Fun Backyard Barbeque. The website has also removed all references to the Peanuts Character Brunch. I don't think the park would be quietly removing these character references if they didn't at least somewhat seriously antcipate a sale this season.

It was like that before all this sale talk....look at the rack brochure that has been out a while. My company still receives "joe cool" coupons and there is still "Joe Cool" arcade...maybe it was a move to elimate confusion.

It looks like the character brunch is completely gone....maybe it wasn't a hot seller.

Snoopy · « **Reply #68 on:** Mar 12, 2009, 11:17 »

Quote from: Swoosh on Mar 12, 2009, 07:27

Of the three parks mentioned -- Worlds of Fun would be (imho) the most enticing to buy if I was another chain just for the simple fact they have land to expand on, a rv/cabin village, and an seperate gate waterpark.

Okay, I'm really confused. Everyone says that Worlds of Fun has a ton of room to build, but I really don't quite understand where all this room might be. I believe that you're correct, but I simply don't know all the land that they own.
So if someone could create a picture of WOF from satellite explaining all the land that they own, that would be awesome. Because I'm uber confused.

Adam420 · « **Reply #69 on:** Mar 13, 2009, 03:53 »

With the land I am seeing, Don't know exactly what they own, looks like they can like double the size of the park pretty much with the land they probably have in the future. Also the land behind it, there is a lot if they ever needed to buy more, but it would be behind the parking lots which probably wouldn't work well, or put some hotels or something there. Just looking at the size of the coasters compared to the open land they can fit a lot in there. But yeah they can do a lot with these areas.
(Yellow area=good spot for rides/whatever, Blue areas=they could put stuff but would be kinda far and hard to get too, or be used for other things)
And do they really need that many parking lots? I have never been there when any of those lots besides the main one had cars in them, and that little lot next to it. Guess in the future they might. Is that one in the far back for employees? Long walk...
Doesn't look like Oceans of Fun could really expand much with the roads around it closing it in.

Swoosh · « **Reply #70 on:** Mar 13, 2009, 05:28 »

Quote from: Adam420 on Mar 13, 2009, 03:53

And do they really need that many parking lots? I have never been there when any of those lots besides the main one had cars in them, and that little lot next to it. Guess in the future they might. Is that one in the far back for employees? Long walk...
Doesn't look like Oceans of Fun could really expand much with the roads around it closing it in.

Those parking lots were completely full several times this past year -- twice during Celebrate America, and about every Saturday during HAUNT

xxmagicboxersxx · « **Reply #71 on:** Mar 13, 2009, 10:48 »

Speaking of Haunt, think they'll get rid of it if it sells?

Ben · « **Reply #72 on:** Mar 13, 2009, 12:53 »

Quote from: xxmagicboxersxx on Mar 13, 2009, 10:48

Speaking of Haunt, think they'll get rid of it if it sells?

Only if the new owner likes to lose money.

Jason · « **Reply #73 on:** Mar 13, 2009, 01:18 »

I lost $5 one winter. The next winter I found $5 in my coat.

I broke even.

tonyblackjack · « **Reply #74 on:** Mar 13, 2009, 01:58 »

HaHa!

xxmagicboxersxx · « **Reply #75 on:** Mar 13, 2009, 10:52 »

Quote from: Ben on Mar 13, 2009, 12:53

Only if the new owner likes to lose money.

But isn't Haunt technically a Cedar Fair deal? Or would WOF just change the names and/or themes of the houses?

Jason · « **Reply #76 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 06:21 »

Name changes would be the most likely occurrence.

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #77 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 07:53 »

While the "Halloween Haunt" name itself is trademarked, I can't think of any of the house names being copyrighted.

Bradley Robertson · « **Reply #78 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 06:54 »

Quote from: xxmagicboxersxx on Mar 13, 2009, 10:52

But isn't Haunt technically a Cedar Fair deal? Or would WOF just change the names and/or themes of the houses?

I'm sure Halloween Haunt is trademarked, but I am guessing they could go back to calling it HalloWeekends.

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #79 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 06:57 »

HalloWeekends is also trademarked by Cedar Fair.

Bradley Robertson · « **Reply #80 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 07:04 »

Quote from: Adam420 on Mar 13, 2009, 03:53

With the land I am seeing, Don't know exactly what they own, looks like they can like double the size of the park pretty much with the land they probably have in the future. Also the land behind it, there is a lot if they ever needed to buy more, but it would be behind the parking lots which probably wouldn't work well, or put some hotels or something there. Just looking at the size of the coasters compared to the open land they can fit a lot in there. But yeah they can do a lot with these areas.
(Yellow area=good spot for rides/whatever, Blue areas=they could put stuff but would be kinda far and hard to get too, or be used for other things)
And do they really need that many parking lots? I have never been there when any of those lots besides the main one had cars in them, and that little lot next to it. Guess in the future they might. Is that one in the far back for employees? Long walk...
Doesn't look like Oceans of Fun could really expand much with the roads around it closing it in.

Yeah like Swoosh said there were definitely times last summer that the parking lots were full. Also, they may own more land on the other side of the rode around OoF. Since it is just an access road they could just re-route it if they felt they would get a return on their captial investment, but as has been stated before OoF usually doesn't see any great ROI for capital improvements so I doubt they would expand past that road like you stated.

Quote from: Orient Wolf on Mar 14, 2009, 06:57

HalloWeekends is also trademarked by Cedar Fair.

I guess you are right: http://is.gd/noi8 At the same time I am guessing transferring that trademark could easily be part of the sale since it is no longer used in any of the parks (at least to my knowledge)

EDIT: I guess I was wrong: http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/visit/halloweekends.cfm

Swoosh · « **Reply #81 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 08:13 »

Quote from: Bradley Robertson on Mar 14, 2009, 06:54

I'm sure Halloween Haunt is trademarked, but I am guessing they could go back to calling it HalloWeekends.

Just go back to Boo Blast

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #82 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 09:11 »

Fright Fest is not copyrighted and none of the former Paramount Parks are using Fear Fest anymore so those could be options.

Swoosh · « **Reply #83 on:** Mar 14, 2009, 09:19 »

Fright Fest is "sm-ed" though.

Fear Fest is open -- but that would be confusing since the big haunted house area in Columbia, MO is called that.

However -- let's worry about that when and IF it even happens...

My big question is, will the Berenstein Bears come back or will PJ Panda come back?

xxmagicboxersxx · « **Reply #84 on:** Mar 15, 2009, 09:54 »

v.v I don't want Snoopy to go. I'm way too used to it. D:

TOMberwolf · « **Reply #85 on:** Mar 15, 2009, 12:20 »

I don't think WoF needs to worry about being closed. Even if no one buys the park, it would be pointless for Cedar Fair to close down a park that is still making them money. WoF was around for ten years before Cedar Fair was even founded, and an additional thirteen years before CF bought the park.

CPman · « **Reply #86 on:** Mar 15, 2009, 06:51 »

I vote for PJ panda

rcjkochs · « **Reply #87 on:** Mar 15, 2009, 09:25 »

Worlds of Fun will live on...it's too good to close down...just check out the improvements blog i put up http://coastercommunity.com/smf_forum/theme-parks/2009-worlds-of-fun-park-updates-and-improvements/msg19591/#msg19591 i believe that the park wouldnt do this if it knew it was going to leave

Swoosh · « **Reply #88 on:** Mar 16, 2009, 09:00 »

Not good.

http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm?current_root=15&mode=story&story_id=191

rcjkochs · « **Reply #89 on:** Mar 16, 2009, 09:37 »

No no no no no no no no no no no!!!