SANDUSKY
By Tom Jackson

As amusement park companies go, Cedar Fair is the industry’s juggernaut — it owns 11 amusement parks and six water parks throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Even in Sandusky, home of Cedar Point amusement park, news coverage in recent months has concentrated on Cedar Fair as it mulled an acquisition by New York private equity firm Apollo Global Management.

The deal fell through, leaving Cedar Fair to battle the recession and debt problems.

Which leaves everyone wondering: How is Cedar Point doing?

When Richard “Dick” Kinzel, 69, president, CEO and chairman of Cedar Fair sat down for a “Second Sunday” interview after months of requests, the Register concentrated questions on the local amusement park — Cedar Point, rated “the best amusement park in the world” for 12 years in a row by Amusement Today.

Q: How does Cedar Point fit in your mind in the Cedar Fair empire? Do you still see Cedar Point as the crown jewel, or realistically, is the attention shifting to those parks in the southern U.S., where you have a growing population?

A: No, Cedar Point is our crown jewel and always will be. This is our biggest entity. We have 1,400 hotel rooms. We have four hotels here. Two marinas. We have the largest amusement park in the world here — 17 roller coasters, over 70 rides.

Our top season was 1994. We did 3.6 million (annual visitors). Now we do about 3 million.

We can be a profitable company if we manage our expenses. If we can manage our expenses, and keep our hotels full and give the customer good value, this will always be our crown jewel.

No other park has what we have — Lake Erie, the beach, 1905, Knute Rockne, John Phillips Sousa, the history, the tradition. People have been coming here for years.

Our worst enemy that I worry about is ourselves. We have to keep the quality that people expect to be here.

Q: How disappointing is it to you that Shoot the Rapids opened late? Do you feel the availability of a new ride plays a lot in people’s decisions on coming out, or is it more of a minor blip?

A: It’s a major blip. It was a minor blip until we got to Memorial Day weekend. At that point, the weather’s a little chilly, and a flume ride didn’t have that much appeal. But certainly, once it got delayed and then it got delayed again, that was a major disappointment. As you know, we’ve had some problems with it, from electrical (since the ride launched June 26).

This is not new technology. We’ve had flumes at Cedar Point since 1964. The engineering was done wrong in Germany. We’re trying to correct it. And I got e-mail today from our manufacturer, Intamin, that the problem has been corrected. Hopefully it’s done now, and it’s going to be running correctly the rest of the summer.

Q: What problems have you had?

A: Some of the things we had to compromise with. We intended to have the height restriction at 42 inches. And we raised that to 46 inches. We intended to have more capacity. We had a 10-passenger boat. And because of the problems with the boat, we had to make that an eight-passenger boat. That cuts 20 percent of your capacity. And we’ve had electrical problems.

It certainly has not been because our maintenance department or our people have not worked 24-7 to get this thing in operation. Basically, it’s an engineering problem the manufacturer has had. They’ve assured us they’re going to get it worked out.

It’s very disappointing. You spend $11 million on something; you’re only open 140 days. It’s only been open nine days, and we’ve had a lot of down time.

Q: How has the rise in indoor water parks such as Kalahari and Great Wolf affected you? Is it an overall plus?

A: You know, I think it is. Certainly it hurt Castaway Bay. Because (Kalahari owner) Todd (Nelson) did a really good job with that. They’ve got everything you want in an indoor water park. We’re sort of more of a boutique facility. What we can offer is what they can’t offer — we have early entry into the park and coupons to get into the park and things like that.

They’ve certainly hurt us as far as our occupancy goes (at Castaway Bay). But on the other hand, if people come to stay in Kalahari, they’re certainly going to visit the best amusement park in the world. Along with going to the water park, they’ll still go to Cedar Point.

We welcome all competition in Sandusky. If we can get them into Sandusky, we feel pretty certain our entertainment package is such that they’ll come to Cedar Point.

Q: This is one of my few Cedar Fair questions: Where do you stand on the effort to refinance debt? Is that still on hold until the markets settle down?

A: It really is. Peter Crage and I, our chief financial officer, we hit the road three weeks ago. We were told by our bankers at that time, there was money. The bond markets had loosened up. The money was very reasonable. I’m not exaggerating. The minute we got in to start the road show, within 20 seconds, it was on a Thursday, they told us that the markets had crashed. At that (time), if you remember, Korea, and Israel, and the oil spill was hitting its peak. The markets just went berserk on us. What our advisers are telling us is just to wait, just be patient. We still have until 2012, so we still have time …. We can be patient and we will be patient, because every interest point is a lot of money.

Q: What is Cedar Point’s most successful ride ever? I don’t mean tallest or fastest or scariest — what’s the ride that was such a huge success that you guys said, “Boy, we’re sure glad we put that ride in.”

A: Probably the Magnum XL 200, in 1989, when we put the first 200-foot coaster in. The other one was in 1976, when we put the Corkscrew, the first coaster that did a helix and the 360.

The one that people really talk about is that first 200 foot. Nobody had really done that before …. The Magnum is the one that really made Cedar Point the coaster capital of the world.

When you go back to 1976 when we put the Corkscrew in, that changed the whole dynamics of the amusement park industry.

Q: How does Cedar Point decide what its next new ride is going to be?

A: We visit other parks. We see what’s new in the industry. We talk to other manufacturers. We try to get a feel for what people like, what they don’t like.

All the parks are different. Cedar Point, for example, we mix a family ride in for every other time or every third time. We go for a thrill ride probably two out of three rides. We put a thrill ride in, that really turns the turnstiles.

Q: So I guess the recession sort of slowed down that thrill-ride timetable. What can you tell us about next year’s thrill ride, and when is it likely to be announced?

A: Just backing up a little bit, the flume ride (Shoot the Rapids) was really due to be introduced last year, but the economy turned. Remember that in November of 2008 the banks crashed. We had a pretty good feeling it was going to be a bad year … so we put that off for a year.

It’s going to be a great ride. All thrill rides aren’t coasters. It’s going to be something that I think the teen market is really going to like.

We really plan on announcing that in the middle of August. That’s when we have our season passes for next year. Not especially Cedar Point, but in other parks, the season pass business is so big, we try to get a jump.

Lego Builders At Work

By Channel NewsAsia Malaysia Bureau Chief Melissa Goh | Posted: 09 July 2010 2035 hrs

NUSAJAYA, Malaysia : Asia’s first Legoland targets to attract 1.5 million visitors when it opens its doors at the end of 2012.

Located in Nusa Cermelang industrial park, within the Iskandar New Economic Region, the theme park will boast the tallest lego model in the world.

The backgrounds of the 22 young Malaysians – pioneer model builders for Legoland Malaysia – are diverse, coming from engineering, architecture, and fine arts.

They beat over 800 other job seekers at a recent hiring contest.

In the first round, contestants were given 25 minutes to copy a model of a seahorse.

“It was not difficult to find the people. We were amazed. What we really looking for is creativity obviously, but more so it’s teamwork, it’s the passion and the attitude that the people bring in to their role. That’s what we’re really looking for,” said Tim Burnell, Production Director, Merlin Entertainment.

25-year-old Mohd Firdaus was among the top six, who’ve returned from a short stint at the mother of all Legolands, in Billund, Denmark.

It’s a dream come true for the mechanical engineer, who had his first lego set when he was four.

Over 30 million bricks will go towards making 15,000 models that will be scattered across the 26-hectare theme park.

Being the first in Asia, it will feature many iconic buildings and structures familiar to the region, and in particular to Malaysia.

Work is also in progress to build the tallest model in mini land, but the exact details are still under wraps.

Already its developer, Iskandar investment, is excited. The CEO said when Legoland Malaysia is ready in 2012, it will offer a different experience from other theme parks, including Universal Studios in neighbouring Singapore.

“It would not be seen in competition with attractions that Singapore has, (which) deal with young adults-type of attractions. This is more family-based,” said Arlida Ariff, President/CEO of Iskandar Investment Berhad.

“It inspires people with a toy, and when they go away, they can build what they like with them (lego bricks). It’s a lot more interactive; there will be lego in queue lines and kids can play with it as they go along,” said Burnell. – CNA /ls

By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer
1:56 PM Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Becky Fusco her son, Bobby, and husband Jeff, ride the log ride on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at Kings Island in Mason. The Columbus family came to park as part of A Kid Again day, where sick children and their families were provided free admittance to the park. Bobby has MPPH Syndrome. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

MASON —Concerned about her son’s safety, Becky Fusco researched each ride at Kings Island before her family attended the amusement park.

Bobby Fusco, 5, has MPPH Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures, mental retardation, and confines him to a wheelchair.

But, as Fusco and her husband, Jeff, entered the park on Wednesday, July 7, they threw caution to the wind and boarded the water log flume ride, carrying their son. A few minutes later, they emerged, dripping with water and all smiles.

“It was terrific,” Fusco said.

The Fuscos were invited to Kings Island at no cost as part of A Kid Again day at the park.

A Kid Again is a non-profit organization that helps children with life threatening illnesses and their families by providing group oriented “adventure” activities, like outings to sports games, parties, and the annual trip to Kings Island at no cost to the family.

“Events like this get us out of the house,” Becky Fusco said. “Seeing other wheelchairs and walkers is awesome.”

The organization helps more than 1,500 sick children state-wide. More than 4,000 children and their families were expected at Kings Island Wednesday. It was the fifteenth annual partnership between A Kid Again and Kings Island.

“This day is a sign of hope for kids,” said Hap Durkin, executive director of the Cincinnati chapter of A Kid Again. “Coming to Kings Island allows them and their families to escape the challenges they have to deal with every day. And for many families, because of all the medical costs, it’s the only vacation they can have.”

Gretchen Braun, 10, of Dayton, has an undefined neuro-muscular disease that leaves her in a wheelchair and unable to speak. But, her parents, Chris and Kim Braun, said they could feel the joy and excitement she got from the riding the “fast rides” like the spinning Surf Dog and the Viking Ship.

“There are no hard stares today,” Chris Braun said. “Everyone understands and we can share stories.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

By Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling
Read it here
Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Lorie (back, left), Brian, Paul and Stephanie Kryk own Funtastic Play Centers. Lorie and Brian often bring their daughters, Breeya (front) and Mekayla, and Paul and Stephanie bring their son, Dominik. Paul and Brian are brothers. (Photo by E.L. Conley)

WOODHAVEN — Seven-year-old Mekayla Kryk and her sister Breeya, 5, have a fun-tastic time at their parents’ place of business.

Brian and Lorie Kryk, Flat Rock residents and certified elementary school teachers, own and operate Funtastic Play Centers, 20372 Van Horn Road.

The franchise opened two years ago and also is co-owned by Brian’s brother and his wife, Paul and Stephanie Kryk, also of Flat Rock.

“Funtastic specializes in providing a physically challenging form of exercise while allowing for social development,” Brian said. “Parents understand the importance of play in their child’s growth and development, both physically and socially. Play centers such as Funtastic help foster this opportunity to learn. I think that parents are looking for safe, clean places where this learning can occur.”

Brian said the idea of launching the indoor play area was prompted by extensive drives to places outside Downriver so that his daughters could play with their friends.

“My wife and I were driving 40 minutes one way to visit indoor play facilities with our friends and their children,” he said. “Since there wasn’t an indoor play facility such as Funtastic in the Downriver community, we explored the idea.”

On June 5, 2008, the brothers and their wives opened the 4,100-square-foot indoor play area that features open play, private birthday parties and a cafe with snacks and beverages.

The center caters to children up to 8 years old and offers summer hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Winter hours (Labor Day to Memorial Day) are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Their busiest time of year is November through March, or anytime the weather is bad.

Funtastic features a modular play area with three slides, a rock wall, tunnels, monkey bars, a zip line and many other activities for children to enjoy.

“Our soft play (area) consists of a large, soft matted area with large shapes that the children can build with and maneuver,” Stephanie said. “We also offer a toddler pond that has a Velcro wall puzzle and noisemakers for the younger children.”

Prices differ if the child walks or crawls. There are group rates when there are 10 or more children who are preregistered. Adults are admitted free.

“We only allow (children) up to age 8 for open play,” Stephanie said. “If an older sibling comes along, we just ask that they only assist their younger sibling and do not play on their own for the safety of the younger children. During our private birthday parties, there is no age limit.”

Stephanie works at the center full time while Paul is employed by DTE Energy. They are the parents of a 1-year-old son, Dominik.

There are play rules at the center.

“Anyone going on the equipment must wear socks,” Paul said. “We do not permit bare feet or shoes on any of the play equipment. Each person must also sanitize their hands and be free of any illnesses.

“Each child must have a liability waiver on file signed by the person who is responsible for them while they are at Funtastic.”

He said parents must remain with their children while they are at the center and are encouraged to play on the equipment if they desire.

For those who’d rather watch, tables, chairs, two couches, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi are available.

“Our admissions are good all day long,” Lorie said. “If you need to leave for naptime, lunch or just because, we do not charge for re-entry.

“Getting to know the local families and being able to bring my child to work with me has been a great opportunity. Our youngest daughter gets to spend a couple days a week at Funtastic, and enjoys playing with the other children that come and visit. We have also had parties for our girls, and for other family members at Funtastic.”

Funtastic offers three private party packages, depending on if the groups brings their own food and drink, or if they order pizza, drinks, cake, cupcakes, decorations, place settings, invitations and thank you cards.

This summer, all party packages are discounted in June, July and August.

“We keep our facility extremely clean, and take care in getting to know each of our customers, Brian added. “We are a friendly, but professional, team.”

The Woodhaven center is the only Funtastic franchise in Michigan, but franchises are available in other areas.

Anyone wanting more information can send an e-mail to brian@funtasticplaycenters.com.

Funtastic Play Centers-Woodhaven

Location: 20372 Van Horn, Woodhaven; 1-734-692-3967.

Owners: Flat Rock residents Brian and Lorie Kryk and Paul and Stephanie Kryk.

Started: June 5, 2008.

Services: Indoor play area for children up to age 8 featuring open play, private birthday parties and a cafe with snacks and beverages.

Summer hours (Memorial Day to Labor Day): 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Cost: $8 for walkers; $4 for those who crawl.

Methods of payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard.

Web site: www.funtasticplaycenters.com

A new report shows that the theme park business, including Disney, is expected to grow over the next five years after slow attendance in recent years.

IBISWorld, a Santa Monica-based market research firm, predicts that theme parks should see 3.1 percent growth annually, or $12.1 billion, over the next five years, according to a report released last week. This year alone, revenue is expected to increase by 1.7 percent, or $10.4 billion. Read a previous story about the report’s initial findings about the theme-park industry.

The words, "World of Color," appear above Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure at the end of the new light-and-water show.

A new report shows that the theme park business, including Disney, is expected to grow over the next five years after slow attendance in recent years.

IBISWorld, a Santa Monica-based market research firm, predicts that theme parks should see 3.1 percent growth annually, or $12.1 billion, over the next five years, according to a report released last week. This year alone, revenue is expected to increase by 1.7 percent, or $10.4 billion. Read a previous story about the report’s initial findings about the theme-park industry.

Boomtown Reno just switch over to PartyCenterSoftware.com for all their party management and online party booking needs. “We never got the chance to compete when they originally signed up with a competitor, but now that are leaving their contract early to switch to our more advanced and reliable platform”, said Scott Drummond, President of Agile Software and Marketing, (Makers of PartyCenterSoftware.com). Boomtown is one of the largest attractions in Reno with a family focus. It has great staff and their 3D ride is truly amazing!

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The Family Fun Center(sm) is an arcade featuring over 30,000 square feet bursting with exciting games for kids of all ages and a redemption center that offers a huge array of fun prizes.

There’s a 3D Motion Theater, Climbing Wall, Flight Simulator, Antique Carousel, Covered Wagon Ferris Wheel and the Rodeo Rider – plus over 200 video and redemption games, a separate party room and a snack bar. Now enjoy our new Bounce House! Fun Center Bounce House Waiver

Boomtown’s 3D Motion Theater is the first in the world to be all-digital. Hold on tight as you ride amid booming sound effects produced by Dolby Digital!

BY JAMES S. TYREE Oklahoman
Published: June 9, 2010

NORMAN — Summer vacation has just started and Eric and Andrea Hanson’s three kids have already reached the ends of their rope.

Emily Hanson, 13, tries to keep her balance on the ropes course at Hey Day Family Fun Center in Norman. PHOTOS BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

That’s OK, they’ll just turn and walk another portion of Hey Day Family Fun Center’s ropes course, which is laid out 12 feet above the facility’s floor. “It’s the whole reason we’re here,” Andrea Hanson, of south Oklahoma City, said of the suspended ropes. “It’s awesome because it’s physical activity; I like that it requires some exercise.” Brian Burks, Hey Day’s entertainment and program manager, said the course is the first in Oklahoma at a for-profit facility and is patterned after a larger one used by the Tulsa School District. All participants are tethered to harnesses and there are courses with varying levels of difficulty, all for safety.

“It is a lot of fun but after you do it, you’ll feel like you’ve been working out,” Burks said. The ropes course and other attractions at Hey Day, off Indian Hills Road and Interstate 35 near the Moore-Norman border, offer just a few ideas for summer fun.

While Hey Day has ropes, Andy Alligator’s Fun Park, across the street from Hey Day, has “The Rock,” which is a 32-foot climbing experience for kids and adults weighing from 40 to 250 pounds. Both facilities, along with Perfect Swing near State Highway 9 east of U.S. 77 in south Norman, provide an array of indoor and outdoor activities that, depending on the business, ranges from go-kart racing, and miniature golf to arcade games.

In addition, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History has a full schedule of workshops and activities for kids and teenagers, and low-cost swimming is available at Norman’s Westwood Park and Moore’s Fairmoore Park.

Norman and the south metro area also have many free activities available. The Norman Public Library’s Summer Reading Program includes visits from performing artists, and both University of Oklahoma museums have free days — every Tuesday at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and the first Monday of the month at the Sam Noble museum.

There also are splashpads galore, including 16 throughout Oklahoma City, two in Norman at Andrews Park near downtown and Colonial Estates Park at 1641 E Lindsey St., and one at Moore’s Apple Valley Park.

And for summer fun at home, Sonya Meier of the Cleveland County Extension Service has composed a lengthy list of ideas that range from planning neighborhood Olympics to creative craft ideas. For more information, call Meier at 321-4774.

Fox59 | 6:55 PM EDT, June 8, 2010

America’s Incredible Pizza Company has confirmed to Fox59 News they will be taking over the Xscape Party Center located within Lafayette Square Mall. The entertainment venue is reportedly entering into a deal with the company following an accident on a ride that left a child critically injured. Xscape was also criticized for out-dated entertainment permits. Executive Vice-President of Marketing Chris Brewer said his company is planning a “rapid transformation” of the site and expects to re-open after July 4th weekend. America’s Incredible Pizza Company currently has 12 locations in the U.S. and one in Mexico. Here in Indiana, there is a location in Greenwood off U.S. 31 and County Line Road.

America's Incredible Pizza Company confirmed to Fox59 News they are taking over the Xscape Party Center located inside Lafayette Square Mall. Xscape came under fire after a child was critically injured on a ride at the amusement center. The new owners said they have plans for a "rapid transformation" at the facility and plans to reopen after July 4th. (WXIN-TV FOX59 / June 8, 2010)

Scottie’s Skateland in Quincy will add a two million dollar family entertainment center to its skating rink.

It’s the oldest family owned roller rink in the United States serving the community for over 70 years.

Scottie’s Skateland will be the first in Illinois to feature an interactive three-story foam unit and the first in the Midwest to host Lazer Frenzy.

The addition will be 15 thousand square feet and is set to be built on the west side of the property.

More attractions include bumper cars, mini-bowling and an arcade.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held this morning where we caught up with the Jeff Scott, the General Manger.

Scott said, “One of the trends right now in roller skating is to add a lot of attractions and it’s something that’s needed here in the community.

A lot of roller skating rinks are surrounded by schools and so-forth but we are outside, we have plenty of room to grow and we expect to do that.”

The addition should be completed by November and a go-kart track is also in the works.

Link to the Article

Written by: Scott Drummond, PartyCenterSoftware.com

There are some huge waves moving through the bowling/FEC industry right now.  These waves have the potential to be extremely positive for both the industry and for the customers.  These waves include some sweeping changes to how the bowling center interacts, attracts and retains their customers.  Bowling centers for years have known that there is a huge potential in the business of parties and events.  It took a few pioneers in the industry to demonstrate that a renewed focus on parties and events could have significant changes to a company’s profitability.  Take CJ Barrymores for example.  They keep reinventing themselves but if you look at the core of what they are selling it is an event or party.  Whether it is a spontaneous party for five friends on a Friday night or a pre planed birthday or corporate event.

Having seen so many successful bowling centers convert to this new style of business is bringing the concept into reality for the masses.  Many centers in this year’s Bowl Expo will be exclusively looking for ways to improve and reinvent their current party and event offerings.  Some centers will need to make large changes to their facility structure and entertainment offerings while other centers can just make slight adjustments to the way in which they promote and deliver their services.  This year will mark a dramatic shift in how the industry views itself and how the customers come to view what they previously knew as “The Bowling Alley”.

Some centers will make minor changes to their name while others will have a completely new brand identity.  Part of reinventing your center requires you to shock your customer a little.  That is shock them out of their old preconceived ideas about your facility and into your newly developed brand.  One of the hardest things to overcome is the stigma of an old dingy bowling center.   Just because you bowled back in the 1980′s doesn’t mean that you will have that same experience now.  The experience now is much grander and far more interactive.   While the first part of the shock is to cast off old notions, the second part is to ignite passion and excitement for your new brand and newly reinvented center.  Making sure you are on point and have your marketing fine tuned is key to every employee and eventually every customer being able to accurately and completely talk about why your facility is so awesome… (That is according to your new brand image!)

The best way to educating your customers and employees on your new mantra is to say it often, post it everywhere and make it part of your daily or hourly routine.    Get both your customers and your employees excited about this change and about the great things to come from this renewed focus.  As soon as you start hearing your customers singing your theme song or chanting your mantra you will know that they understand your vision and have fully embraced you new direction.

These are just a few of the waves that are moving through the bowling and family entertainment industry.  As more and more centers reinvent themselves the industry as a whole will see a renewed interest and vigor from our customer base that we have taken for granted for so long.

See you at this year’s Bowl Expo 2010