Archive: July, 2007

CoasterBuzz Podcast #82 - July 23, 2007

Download... | Length: 41:19 | Size: 18MB | Downloads: 3227

posted by Jeff | Monday, July 23, 2007, 11:24 PM | comments: 0

Jeff and Pat review this week's news in the amusement industry.

  • Houston wants tax incentives to attract a "green" theme park. Jeff points out that there's actually great economic opportunity around environmental concerns.
  • British travel firms are jacking up costs for Orlando vacations, and not surprisingly, are being undercut by online agencies.
  • Hotel perk programs have way too many strings to be practical or useful (see: Loews First).
  • Cedar Fair mandates life jackets for the under-four-foot kids on certain water attractions following drowning. Gonch thinks people get stupid when they go to amusement parks.
  • Six Flags stock recommended by S&P, and then the stock takes a dump.
  • Merlin does the sell and lease back move to generate some cash.
  • New Gerstlauer spinner at Edmonton Mall. Love the custom job there.
  • New Dollywood water ride sounds like another sweet addition. Gonch says the park is not more navigable.
  • Jeff doesn't care much for New Jersey, but Gonch reminds us that Bon Jovi is from there.
  • Rye Playland sure doesn't seem to have much of a future. As for the small parks all disappearing thing, Jeff points out there are plenty that are thriving.
  • Kennywood suit for storm death starts backward, with damages determined, but liability yet to come.
  • Starliner: Who cared before they threatened to tear it down?
  • The flyer is up for the CoasterBuzz Club Fall Affair. Download it now!

CoasterBuzz Podcast #81 - July 16, 2007

Download... | Length: 45:08 | Size: 20MB | Downloads: 3267

posted by Jeff | Monday, July 16, 2007, 7:36 PM | comments: 0

Jeff, Pat and special guest Rick Munarriz from The Motley Fool review this week's news in the amusement industry.

  • We welcome Rick to explain what the NY Post article could really mean for Cedar Fair.
  • Rick first gives a basic explanation of what a private equity firm is.
  • How many times EBITDA is too much to pay for a company?
  • While the Post article mentions retaining management in a buy-out, it's not a realistic condition of a sale.
  • Cedar Fair's quarterly results tend to show stagnation on a same-park basis. Rick thinks that if the company really is looking to sell, it's an admission that the Paramount acquisition isn't going that well so far.
  • Where did the 25 cent cotton candy go?
  • Jeff needs to complain some more about food pricing, while Gonch says it's not all that bad.
  • Rick says his point in saying Disney would be a good buyer is that it would give them a regional marketing position they don't have now.
  • Wild West World files for bankruptcy already, and clearly didn't consider start up costs to run it for several years.
  • There's opposition to Disneyland's fight against low income housing, but what real chance does it stand?
  • The Columbus Zoo picks a terrible name for the former Wyandot Lake.
  • Lawsuit filed for Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, and we'll probably never know how it ends.
  • Jeff is annoyed by "journalists" who write stupid columns.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #80 - July 2, 2007

Download... | Length: 46:23 | Size: 21MB | Downloads: 3344

posted by Jeff | Monday, July 2, 2007, 6:24 PM | comments: 0

Jeff, Pat and Mike review this week's news in the amusement industry.

  • Jeff and Gonch drink too much soda at the parks.
  • So long and thanks for all the fish: Question of dolphin exploitation comes up again.
  • Expert says that ride maintenance at Japanese parks is sorely lacking.
  • Dorney is getting the Impulse from Geauga Lake. Pat doesn't understand why the park doesn't compete more with other parks in that region.
  • Hershey Entertainment CEO has big plans for the area, beyond the park itself.
  • Newspaper article outlines the inspection habits of Ohio Dept. of Agriculture.
  • Universal Studios will bring New Line characters into Halloween events on both coasts.
  • Six Flags has some varied and odd deals for season pass holders and the people they want to bring.
  • Jeff rants about the "airtime" needs of enthusiasts.
  • Jeff also rants about the newsworthiness of deaths on rides not related to the mechanical operation of the attraction.
  • Six Flags experiences seem to be generally better this year, except in Dan Snyder's back yard (Six Flags America).
  • Lower height requirements make for a better family experience.