July 8, 2024
The Six Flags & Cedar Fair Merger is Complete
Following approval from the DOJ, the newly merged Six Flags operates 27 amusement parks and 15 water parks across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Following approval from the DOJ, the newly merged Six Flags operates 27 amusement parks and 15 water parks across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. All 42 parks will retain their legacy branding for now, and the company has signaled new investment in rides and enhanced park offerings through intellectual property. Also, Dark Nights at Hersheypark has added a fifth haunted house for the upcoming Halloween season, all while keeping access free for passholders. And—Seaworld Orlando’s “no re-entry” policy.
SHOW OUTLINE
- 00:00 Intro
- 00:07 Six Flags and Cedar Fair Merger Approved
- 20:18 Dark Nights at Hersheypark
- 27:49 SeaWorld Orlando's “no re-entry” policy
SOURCES
WEBVTT
1
00:00:02.640 --> 00:00:06.679
From our studios in Los Angeles and
Tampa. This is Green Tag Theme Park
2
00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:09.919
in thirty. I'm Philip and I'm
joined as always, I'm my glorious co
3
00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:15.400
host Scott Swinson of Scott Swinson Creative
Development. Here for another week breaking down
4
00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:20.879
the top theme park news and discussing
why it should matter to you. So
5
00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.559
this week we will talk about something
we hinted at last week, but it
6
00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:30.359
has finally been approved, the six
Flags and Cedar for a merger. This
7
00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:33.240
has been a story we talked about
when it was first announced, and then
8
00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:37.520
we hinted at it last week with
the IP integration that six Flags is doing.
9
00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:42.560
And now I am here to tell
you that the DOJ has approved the
10
00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:47.359
merger and we've gotten a few more
details but not many, about how it's
11
00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:50.840
all going to operate. But as
these things are, as we've talked about,
12
00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:53.920
you know where, it's going to
be a little bit of news now
13
00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:57.679
and then you're going to see really
the changes over the next several years as
14
00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:00.159
they reorganize everything. And I think
a lot of changes we're not going to
15
00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:06.719
see externally. But we'll start off
with what the current CEO of the Cedar
16
00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:11.519
Fair Parks has Richard Zimmerman about what
he gave. In the statements that he
17
00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:15.799
gave, he said that with an
anticipated pro forma enterprise value of approximately eight
18
00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:21.319
billion, the combined company is well
positioned to drive future growth. Our enhanced
19
00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:26.719
financial flexibility will enable us to invest
in new rides, attractions, food and
20
00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:30.439
beverage options, and state of the
art consumer technologies, ensuring continuous improvement and
21
00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:36.000
innovation, and that each park visit
is more exciting and memorable than the last.
22
00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:40.959
Our merger establishes a new six Flags
entertainment corporation with a highly diversified footprint
23
00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:47.400
and robust operating model, enhancing park
offerings and performance through the complementary portfolio of
24
00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:53.439
attractive assets and intellectual property from each
Cedar Fair and former six Flags. Following
25
00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:57.560
the merger, the combined company operates
twenty seven amusement parks and fifteen water parks
26
00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:01.079
across US, Canada and Mexico,
and six Flags stated that all forty two
27
00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:07.960
parks will retain their previous branding,
with no changes to park names currently currently
28
00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:14.639
asterisk there being planned or contemplated.
When asked about season passes, they did
29
00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:19.759
say that there's no plan to make
an all access as in like a forty
30
00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:23.120
two park pass is not in the
works for twenty twenty four, but it
31
00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:29.639
might be a possibility in the future, and most of the executive team will
32
00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:35.039
be comprised of current Cedar Fair leaders, and the company's headquarters will be relocated
33
00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:38.400
to the Cedar Fair's' current HQ in
Charlotte, North Carolina, as opposed to
34
00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:43.759
the Texas kind of base that Six
Flags was previously. So yeah, it
35
00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:46.639
is a really interesting movement around.
To me, the things that stand out
36
00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:53.960
the most, fortunately or unfortunately,
are that no real mention of live entertainment
37
00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:58.879
was really brought to the forefront.
It's clear that they were focusing on the
38
00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:02.039
rides, which makes sense because Cedar
Fair has been you know, well,
39
00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:07.599
I think six Flags both of those
parks have been really toting the thrill capital
40
00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:10.960
of the whatever whatever. So I
think it's clear they have an eye towards
41
00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:15.400
the rides, and they have an
eye towards technology, which we have talked
42
00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:20.560
about in many stories over the years, like about the walk in and walk
43
00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:24.800
out chios and the scanning that some
of them are piloting. So you could
44
00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:30.159
see where they could really integrate all
the parks together and make a much more
45
00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:39.240
guess comfort level experience at these parks
if they can get the staffing to figure
46
00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:42.319
that out, and if they can
get the line jumping all those kind of
47
00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:46.000
things under control, which we also
talked about. So there's a lot of
48
00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:52.960
challenges I think to making it what
they say here about about making it a
49
00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:57.319
good experience, because so many of
them have just wildly different experiences paying where
50
00:03:57.319 --> 00:03:59.000
you are, and that's going to
I think it's going to be a big
51
00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:02.759
problem. I also think the other
big flag is the intellectual property. I
52
00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:06.680
mean, we know that Cedar Fair
and six Flags have different ips, and
53
00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:12.080
so it seems like they're hinting here
that there might be the ability to move
54
00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:16.480
those between the whole portfolio, so
that you're gonna start to see, you
55
00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:19.120
know, like a DC thing at
Knots or something, you know, where
56
00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:24.160
they can able to move stuff around. So Scott, what do you think?
57
00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:26.959
Well, I think there's a couple
things I think are very interesting about
58
00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.519
this. Number One because you and
I both have friends who work for both
59
00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:34.839
of these companies and well now the
single company, but former separate companies,
60
00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:40.360
and based on what I have seen
them post publicly, so I'm not sharing
61
00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:44.480
any I'm not betraying any internal trust. This is all stuff that has been
62
00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:49.759
shared publicly. Everyone seems to be
very enthusiastic about the merger, and people
63
00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:54.560
who have come from both sides,
both from the former six Flag side and
64
00:04:54.639 --> 00:05:00.120
the Cedar Fair side. I will
say that both parks been struggling, so
65
00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:04.600
to bring them together, to bring
them together, they're looking at it as
66
00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:11.800
here's here's another potential savior of the
industry, or not the industry, but
67
00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:16.720
of this corporation or these corporations.
I think it's interesting too because with the
68
00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:23.160
number of parks I mean, obviously
they now have pretty much the just as
69
00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:26.480
far as numbers of parks, if
we're just talking numbers, they're if not
70
00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:29.319
the top in the US, they're
very close to it. I mean they
71
00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:34.399
have saved significantly more parks than Disney
or Universal have, and significantly more parks
72
00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:44.560
than than than the former SeaWorld Parks
and Entertainment has. So their business models
73
00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:46.560
I think going to be interesting.
I'm curious to see it should be.
74
00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:53.360
In my opinion, they should focus
on the the non tourist. They should
75
00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:57.000
focus on the local. I would
think that part of the reason that they
76
00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:01.120
don't want to do a grand and
glorious season pass everybody is, because it's
77
00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:05.680
not their business model, at least
not at the moment. And I would
78
00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:12.560
think that they would want to remain
as the purveyor of everyone's quote unquote hometown
79
00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:17.199
theme park because you know, I, like I grew up with with well,
80
00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:20.839
it was Paramount when I first started, but what eventually became six Flags
81
00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:25.399
Great America in Gurnee, and I, you know, I would have a
82
00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:29.360
season pass every year and I would
go multiple times, and that was that
83
00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:30.000
was what we did in the summer, you know, that was it was
84
00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:33.959
a seasonal park. That's what we
did. So it seems to me that
85
00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:40.720
that would be instead of making it
an ultimate destination because they are so spread
86
00:06:40.720 --> 00:06:43.959
out. You know, obviously with
Disney, they want to get you to
87
00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:47.040
Florida or California because that way,
every time you spend goes back to them.
88
00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:50.600
But if six Flags is planning to
follow this business model, which it
89
00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:55.560
doesn't seem as though they are,
I don't think that's a wise choice because
90
00:06:55.639 --> 00:07:00.480
you know, you've got if you've
got these now now six Flags parks all
91
00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:05.199
over the country, your focus is
not let's bring people across the country.
92
00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:11.639
Your focus is let's own, let's
have six Flags Great America, own the
93
00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:16.720
Chicagoland market, you know, let's
have And so it's interesting because when you
94
00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:19.759
have that mindset, when you have
that business model of we're going to own
95
00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:25.920
the local market, but you are
national or international. Really you're international,
96
00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:30.959
and you have the clout and the
opportunity to get some of those things that
97
00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.079
you wouldn't be able to have as
a small park, but you can focus
98
00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:39.800
them into a small park mentality.
That could be a very very interesting and
99
00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:44.600
profitable business model. So let's see
how that shakes out. Because again,
100
00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:49.120
I would not expect to see here
in Florida, for example, I would
101
00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:54.639
not expect to see a marketing campaign
that says, come to Gurney, Illinois
102
00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.759
for six Flags Great America. I
just don't see that happening, and nor
103
00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:00.600
do I think it should. So
I think it's going to be the small
104
00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:03.279
town park with the big town cloud, and I think that could be a
105
00:08:03.399 --> 00:08:07.079
very interesting business model for them.
We'll see how that works. I really
106
00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:13.079
like the idea of pointing out that
this is a business model we really maybe
107
00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:16.839
have not seen before in the industry. You know, to because, like
108
00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:22.439
you said, the scale of this
is so different that I think us maybe
109
00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:28.879
trying to apply the Disney universal lens
is flawed because we have not seen this
110
00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:31.879
model before, you know, I
mean, so it you know, like
111
00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:37.159
we've talked a lot about how like
initially it was like just clicks of the
112
00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:39.639
turnstile and then it became like upsals
for Disney and you know, expanding your
113
00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:43.600
inventory with night events and all that. We don't really know what this business
114
00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:50.080
model is because they have so many
locations, right, So I think the
115
00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:52.919
question is, like you were saying, the question is what do they need
116
00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:58.600
to own the local market? So
do they need and if they've got the
117
00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:03.559
power and the cloud to get the
ips that you know, the local parks
118
00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:07.360
that are not underneath the six Flags
umbrella. And to be completely honest,
119
00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:11.960
this is not new. Six Flags
tried to do this several years ago.
120
00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:16.679
Six Flags went on a huge expansion
program. Unfortunately, their pockets weren't deep
121
00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:22.559
enough and they didn't have I'm speculating
here for some reason, I'm assuming they
122
00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:28.480
didn't have the cash turnaround. They
bought a ton of parks and then ended
123
00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:31.200
up selling them off because they didn't
have the money to renovate them and bring
124
00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.440
them up to their bring them up
to a consistent level across the country.
125
00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:37.000
Now, with the two parks coming
together, they didn't have to buy them.
126
00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:41.799
Nobody had to buy parks. They
just merged and all of a sudden,
127
00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:50.679
in essence, doubled their power within
the industry. And so I'm curious.
128
00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:52.559
It may work, it may not. But as you say, we
129
00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:56.480
cannot look at this through a Disney
lens, We cannot look at this through
130
00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:03.000
a universal lens, because that's clearly
not the situation they're in. You know,
131
00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:07.200
just imagine if there were twenty seven
Disney parks around the country, you
132
00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:11.159
wouldn't have the push to come to
Walt Disney World, you wouldn't have the
133
00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:18.360
push to visit Disneyland in California Adventure. And I find it interesting, you
134
00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:22.159
know, looking at the differences even
between the two Disney models, because they
135
00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:26.480
are very different. You know,
Disney Disney California is much more like a
136
00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:31.519
local or regional park, even though
it does have a strong pole from outside,
137
00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:35.960
it operates significantly more like a local
park. Walt Disney World in Florida
138
00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:41.360
is a destination period it is,
you know, the locals. Yes,
139
00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:43.960
they they pander to locals, but
they will cut back. They will cut
140
00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:48.759
back local benefits like that because that's
not the that's not their bread and butter.
141
00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:54.240
So, like I said, I'm
curious. I'm really curious to see
142
00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:58.840
how this new model works or if
this new model works. I'm kind of
143
00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:03.080
hoping it does, because you know, we've got we've had because you also
144
00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:11.480
mentioned rides and not and not live
entertainment, We've got Disney Universal focusing on
145
00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:20.919
very specific types of world building experiences. Six Flags has never been known for
146
00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:24.080
that. They will they will pick
up ips and apply them sort of kind
147
00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:31.360
of and create but create rides.
They are the coaster parks, Cedar Fair,
148
00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:35.440
same thing. They are the ride
parks. So if they become that
149
00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:37.960
part of the market, if they
carve out that part of the market that
150
00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:41.159
you don't have to travel for that
you can get your your adrenaline junkie rush
151
00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:46.240
at any of these parks. It
sounds like it could be successful to me.
152
00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:52.240
Then lay layer on top of that
the IP and if they're if they're
153
00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:54.919
going down that route, then the
IP will be layered on in the form
154
00:11:56.039 --> 00:12:01.879
of rides versus shows. But still
you know they could they could carve out
155
00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.840
their own little niche here and uh
and be pretty darned successful at it.
156
00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:13.000
Yeah, I think earlier, I
do think they could be successful. I
157
00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:15.919
think that, you know, like
like we we've been saying like, well,
158
00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.960
you know, what are they need
to do to capture the local market.
159
00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:20.080
But I think earlier you talked about
the concept of it being like a
160
00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:26.759
savior or not or like this,
and I think the money is Like I
161
00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:31.559
think that's also why he hinted at
that. You know, he hinted at
162
00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:35.240
them having the capital to you know, to to count almost like he knew
163
00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:39.080
people were gonna remember like you did
about like the previous and he was like,
164
00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:41.919
Okay, well you know it's different
this time, guys, because we're
165
00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:46.159
merging together and there's more money.
So right, well, I didn't have
166
00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:48.879
the didn't have to buy the other
parks. Yes, yep, that they
167
00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:52.440
had a better financial position, yeah, exactly, exactly, yes, And
168
00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:58.919
we didn't have to deplete their their
their cash their cash resources to purchase the
169
00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:03.600
other parks first. Now they just
have to take that those resources and use
170
00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:11.679
them to either unify which and unify
in their own unique way because you know,
171
00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:13.960
even they say we're not going to
change the names, We're not going
172
00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:20.720
to change the branding of the individual
parks. It's it's it's almost like and
173
00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:24.440
this is this is a this is
a flawed analogy, so forgive me,
174
00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:30.840
but it's it's almost like it's almost
like franchising. There's a there's a main,
175
00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:33.480
there's a main corporate control that gives
you the power of the clout,
176
00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:41.360
the financial benefit, the negotiating power
on a very large level. But each
177
00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:45.679
park still is going to, from
what they are claiming here, is going
178
00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:50.159
to maintain its unique individuality. And
I think that's also an important part of
179
00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:52.039
this plan, or should be,
because if they all become the same,
180
00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:56.039
then you know, you're never going
to get anybody to visit any of the
181
00:13:56.039 --> 00:14:03.600
other parks out of loyalty. So
it's I think it is wise to maintain
182
00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:07.600
the diversity of the park brands,
and even though they're their target, in
183
00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:11.840
my opinion, should not be the
long distance traveler, but the day trippers.
184
00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:16.200
Yes, well, I actually really
agree with that. I think that
185
00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:22.759
again we're postulating, because you know, we don't we haven't seen this model
186
00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:28.639
before. But I think both of
us would agree that our hypothesis for this
187
00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:31.399
model is that they need to own
the local market, and in order to
188
00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:35.720
do that, they need to be
a little customizable, you know, so
189
00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.720
you don't really want to change a
name or I mean, you know,
190
00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:41.559
you need the park to have enough
leeway to do incorporate local flavor, you
191
00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:46.000
know, like allow a performance of
the local bands and the local schools and
192
00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:48.480
you know, bring in some of
the local performer. You know, you
193
00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:52.600
need to be able to become the
locals park, and you can't do that
194
00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:56.000
if it's you know, if it's
too standardized. So keeping the names would
195
00:14:56.080 --> 00:15:03.519
track with that. But I also
think but back to the the you know,
196
00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:07.720
the savior point or the challenges you
know, money on all that aside,
197
00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:13.039
do not like whenever companies get larger
like this, it's always a question
198
00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:18.759
of whether or not they can iron
out all of the little the little things
199
00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:22.000
like can you create an even even
with franchises, it's always a question,
200
00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:28.759
you know, can you create at
least a minimum standard experience across the line.
201
00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:31.519
And I think it might be a
little bit closer because you know,
202
00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:33.679
kind of you know again, Cedar
Fair and like they've been operating for a
203
00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:37.200
while, so it's a little bit
closer, but that's gonna, in my
204
00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:41.840
mind, be the biggest challenge really
is like even down to the internal staffing,
205
00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:45.519
like how are they you know,
making sure all the internal processes and
206
00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:48.879
and the i mean even the stories
we've covered. We we see wildly different
207
00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:54.159
issues at the different parks, you
know, and maybe they'll be given,
208
00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:58.360
you know, maybe it's possible to
have enough locally way and different parks even
209
00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:03.000
within the the two separate Yeah,
well the two separate companies. You know,
210
00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:10.440
when you compare, when you compare
a guest experience at Knots versus Caroins,
211
00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.000
I'm not saying one is better,
one is worse. I'm saying they're
212
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.919
different. And so now you add
on top of that all the six the
213
00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:22.159
former six Flags properties that were that
are now part of the new six Flags.
214
00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:27.360
It's it's interesting, it's interesting to
see. It's a it's a good
215
00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:30.840
point, Philip. I'm curious to
see if they are going to be able
216
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:37.360
to establish and maintain a standard of
excellence across the entire corporation. Yep,
217
00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:41.279
yep, I'm sure they're sitting in
a room thinking that same thing. Oh
218
00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:45.440
my guess is they've been sitting in
a room thinking that same thing for quite
219
00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:48.320
some time, and now that the
merger is now, they can Now the
220
00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:53.919
merger has officially been announced, approved, stamped, a done deal, then
221
00:16:55.480 --> 00:17:02.799
it's like boom done yep. The
last piece to add on this story before
222
00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.559
we leave, because we've got a
mid on to our next stories. But
223
00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:10.880
the last piece of ad is just
that they have opened a Roadblocks metaverse experience.
224
00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.440
You know, in the middle of
all this, I think this news
225
00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:18.000
got buried a little bit because the
merger. I think definitely it's more headlines
226
00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:21.640
and then this thing kind of just
fell. I think awful lot of news
227
00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:26.400
outlets, radars. But basically they
launched a experience on Roadblocks. So essentially
228
00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:33.279
on Roadblocks there's like now there's six
Flags like areas where there's six Flags virtual
229
00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:40.559
coasters and mazes inspired by Freightfest and
games and all that, and basically users
230
00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:45.880
can collect little coaster coins and then
what's interesting is they can collect them and
231
00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:52.519
they can redeem them at physical six
Flags parks. So this is another one
232
00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:56.720
of those things where I'm like,
oh, I think when they mention those
233
00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.119
innovation, well, like this is
more what I think they're talking about that.
234
00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:03.279
He's hinting at that. And I
think the reason this got buried because
235
00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:07.000
there's the thing is six Flags wanted
it to everyone talk that they would,
236
00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:11.160
so I think it's more of like
a testing. And I think it's interesting
237
00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:15.160
because this would be the market,
right, like the people, the gamers,
238
00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:18.079
the kids, the younger people that
are playing these, you know,
239
00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:21.839
if they can engage them again,
so they have forty two parts, right,
240
00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:25.920
so much wider so and their gamers
everywhere, like in every city.
241
00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:29.920
So if you can get those kind
of local gamers and they're playing their games
242
00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:32.440
and then they get some coins and
you can incentifie them to go to their
243
00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:36.839
local park and exchange them for some
stuff, that could be a real strategy,
244
00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:41.440
I mean, a real, very
interesting strategy. It becomes it becomes
245
00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:48.920
an immersive, fully engaged marketing strategy. Yep. It's it's it's brilliant and
246
00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:52.680
you know, and we've talked about
that the IP the gaming eyps are significantly
247
00:18:52.720 --> 00:19:00.000
more robust now than even the film
and television eyepis. So yeah, it's
248
00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:03.960
I hate to say it, but
it's it's sort of like, hey,
249
00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:06.240
I'm going to collect all my ski
ball tickets and then I'm going to go
250
00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:10.960
redeem them and come home with a
plastic piece or something or other. But
251
00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:14.720
but it gives you the it's it
takes that concept and just builds it.
252
00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:18.359
I mean, when I was a
kid vacationing on the Jersey Shore, every
253
00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:21.759
night we'd go to the Skiball parlor
and collect those tickets and collect those tickets
254
00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:25.079
and collect those tickets. And it's
not because you know, we couldn't just
255
00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:27.000
go and buy whatever it was that
we were going to get at the end
256
00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:33.160
of the vacation. It was because
it became well, we gamified the experience,
257
00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:37.240
and that's exactly what this is doing. And it's gamification that will lead
258
00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:40.680
to an actual physical appearance in the
park. Smart I was gonna say,
259
00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.599
it's god. I think the word
you're looking for is it was fun.
260
00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:49.319
Yeah, exactly exactly. It was
fun. Yeah, yeah, And that's
261
00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.720
yeah. Anyway, so that's another
story, like we could you know,
262
00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:56.319
we'll be watching to see how that
works out. And I also think it's
263
00:19:57.039 --> 00:20:02.599
so fitting that it's not a thinging
that too many people are talking about because
264
00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:06.839
who, like, if you think
about the echo chamber of media, they're
265
00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:10.799
generally older people, right, So
like, this is not for us,
266
00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:14.480
and so we didn't see it,
right most of the Allison c because it's
267
00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.440
not for us. But we don't
need to see it because we are not
268
00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:18.519
the target market anymore. Well,
this and once it becomes and once it
269
00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:23.960
becomes to mainstream, the people who
are engaged with this are no longer interested
270
00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:27.640
because they haven't found something cool.
Correct. Yeah, so we'll see a
271
00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:34.039
lot of potential here. Our next
story, I think is of equal maybe
272
00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:37.039
potential in terms of you know,
things that are that are really interesting,
273
00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:45.119
and that is that Hershey Park has
announced their Halloween plans, So I really
274
00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:48.359
like what is going on. I
think that I think, you know,
275
00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:52.480
the Hirshey Park team has always been
excellent and they have always you know,
276
00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:56.119
really delivered on quality and really maintained
you know, that standard at their parks.
277
00:20:56.119 --> 00:21:00.640
But I think that is showing even
more with their new Dark Knights event,
278
00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:03.680
which is only three This is a
third year. It's only three years
279
00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:07.039
old, right, so it's this
this will be the third season, so
280
00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:11.880
like we're going to the thirties and
so they announced the return of Dark Knights
281
00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:15.880
and Hershey Park Halloween. It's going
to start on September thirteenth this year and
282
00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:19.799
go through November twenty November third,
so that is twenty five nights, including
283
00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:23.279
Halloween Nights. So that's an expanded
schedule. And this year there's going to
284
00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:26.640
be five hundred houses, including a
new one that they've added called a State
285
00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:30.880
of Evil. There's three scare zones
and one of them is new. Plus
286
00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:34.200
they you know, you get access
to the fifty attractions and dark coasters and
287
00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:40.039
the trick or treat trails and whatnot. The eight weekend event will also feature
288
00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:45.119
exclusive Colony creations and they have a
tasting path. Plus they have a new
289
00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:48.920
avenue of the Afterlife Path with it, which is like a scare free path
290
00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:53.119
as well. It's integrated into the
event. So the thing that always blows
291
00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:57.799
me away, I think people hear
that and they just think, oh,
292
00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:00.559
it's a smaller version of Halloween hor
Nights or it's like, you know,
293
00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:06.400
it's like the locals version of whatever. Okay, except this is included for
294
00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:10.200
all passholders. So if you are
a passolder, you just get access,
295
00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:12.759
you know, to all of the
Halloween festivities and everything. And then if
296
00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:18.559
you buy any one day ticket even
it includes like the day and all the
297
00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:21.920
way through the Halloween night. So
the thing about this which I think is
298
00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:25.440
so interesting is they are adding a
haunt, so now we have five haunts,
299
00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:32.039
but they're keeping it included for passholders. So it's just value add for
300
00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:37.160
you know, their their current fans
and locals and of course the tasting card
301
00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.400
and you know, of course they're
trying to get people in to do the
302
00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:41.359
upsells and all that. But I
mean, I don't know, Scott,
303
00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:45.480
you and I know how difficult it
is to you know, convince a board
304
00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:48.440
or we're going to add a haunt. And so you know, they're asking.
305
00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:52.000
So you're telling me we're adding entertainment
and you're like, yes, and
306
00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:55.920
how much are we charging for it? We're not, It's free, and
307
00:22:55.960 --> 00:23:00.640
they just stare at you. And
also, well, what they're doing is
308
00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:03.640
they're running a Halloween event the way
most parks run Christmas events, correct,
309
00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:08.279
and that is that you know,
the the idea being we're going to get
310
00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:11.240
an extra meal lot of people,
or we're going to get a second day
311
00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:15.359
out of people. Even though it's
not a second day of admission, it's
312
00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:23.200
a second day of potential merchandise.
It's a second day of potential culinary that
313
00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:29.640
you know, Christmas events pretty much
throughout the theme park industry run this way.
314
00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:34.799
It is it is added value.
I've often said that, you know,
315
00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:40.480
if you're going, it's it's very
difficult in most cases to go from
316
00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:44.359
an added value to a separate ticket
that usually has a lot of pushback.
317
00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:47.519
So they seem to have a great
excuse me, a great deal of confidence
318
00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:52.480
that excuse me that this is going
to work for them, which is great.
319
00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:55.079
And I have heard nothing but good
things about this event, and I
320
00:23:55.160 --> 00:24:00.039
unfortunately have not been up there to
see it. But yeah, I I
321
00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:06.119
think it's you know again, is
it Is it the local version of Halloween
322
00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:11.079
Hornites? Well? No, is
is California's version of Halloween Hornites Florida's version
323
00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:17.720
of Halloween Hornites? No, it's
not. There are there are unique qualities
324
00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:22.359
to each, just like Bush Gardens
Tampa and Bush Gardens Williamsburg and SeaWorld's San
325
00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:26.720
Diego are all different Hollow Screams even
though they all have the same name.
326
00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:29.920
So I think we have to take
it at face value and recognize that this
327
00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:33.240
is a great value add for for
people going to Hershey Park. And you
328
00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:36.519
know, I would even go so
far as to say, if you are
329
00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:40.079
a Haunt fan, and I know
a lot of Haunt fans who are kind
330
00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:42.519
of shying away from the larger parks
just simply because they've gotten so crowded and
331
00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:48.119
so expensive, this might be a
location you know that you want to you
332
00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:52.160
want to stop at just to kind
of check out. Maybe it's maybe it
333
00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:56.839
is it does become a tourist destination. Yeah, because I mean, let's
334
00:24:56.839 --> 00:25:00.200
face it, we have friends who
just travel around the country and and go
335
00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:07.480
see haunts and such. So what
I'm going to add to that is that
336
00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:11.160
it is it is an incredible event. Y'all just can't trust me because I
337
00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:15.119
think I know a little bit about
haunts, So it is an it is
338
00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:19.599
an incredible event objectively speaking, and
you know, just guest feedback, I
339
00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:25.200
mean, it's you know, Scott
Scott has many times talked about, you
340
00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:27.079
know, the best way to open
it and consultant on new events, and
341
00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:30.599
I think they followed everything one hundred
percent according to the book, So it's
342
00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:34.559
it's done really well. What I
think about this though, as an overall
343
00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:38.960
trend, is exactly what the you
mentioned mentioned for Christmas, which is I
344
00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:45.160
think Potentially this could signal a little
bit of a pendulum shift, because we
345
00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:48.599
talk about we talk about theme parts
being you know, the whole cultures being
346
00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:52.359
pendulums and things going back and forth. To me, this might signal that
347
00:25:52.640 --> 00:26:00.279
shift to going moving back towards having
it be included, you know. And
348
00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:03.079
if you tie this back to our
previous story, I could I could see
349
00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:07.119
I'm just hypothesizing here, but I
could see a world in which the new
350
00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:12.119
six Flags branch rolls out, you
know, like an ip from Netflix at
351
00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:17.400
you know, for the twenty seven
of their parks countrywide, and they say
352
00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:19.720
that FrightFest is going to be included
for pass holders, and they use that
353
00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:23.039
as a lit lever you know,
to getting a lot more new passes and
354
00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:30.119
blah blah blah. And then suddenly
you have an environment where it is being
355
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:33.920
pushed back to the norm being that
it's included, which also could create a
356
00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:38.839
lot more competition for the local haunted
house, you know, because I think
357
00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:44.559
for so long, local hont houses
have been competing against that concept of like,
358
00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:47.480
well we're cheaper and we're better,
you know than going to a theme
359
00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:49.640
park where you have to pay for
everything, and it's so expensive, and
360
00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:56.559
there's lines and they congoline you.
But if the equation switches to it being
361
00:26:56.599 --> 00:27:02.920
included, if you're a passolder and
then you also get Christmas, that's just
362
00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:06.000
saying may not happen. That's just
kind of one of my thoughts. But
363
00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.559
that's what that's kind of what I
think when I see stories like this.
364
00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:11.759
Well, and if you've ever if
you've ever taken a seminar from me,
365
00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:15.160
or listened to this or listen to
Scott in the Dark or whatever, you
366
00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:21.039
will hear me say that seasonal seasonal
activations are their primary goal should be to
367
00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:25.920
make a pass, a season pass
worth more, whether it is whether it
368
00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:29.279
provides you with early access, or
provides you with a discount for a separate
369
00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:33.720
ticketed event, or just includes the
event itself. That's the purpose of seasonal
370
00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:37.519
events is to to do it really, to do two basic things. To
371
00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:44.079
elevate the value of a season pass, and to encourage repeat visitation. Yep,
372
00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:48.319
it puts a fews on your visit. Locally, people will say,
373
00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.839
eh, yeah, yeah, I
live here, I'll go to the park
374
00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:52.119
someday. And then all of a
sudden, you do a concert series that
375
00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:55.759
has somebody that you want to see
and it gives you a reason to go
376
00:27:56.039 --> 00:28:00.200
that weekend. So Halloween, Christmas, Spring, Summer food, all of
377
00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:06.000
these events do exactly the same thing. Yeah, Okay, we're gonna do
378
00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.640
a really quick story here because I
don't think there's much to talk about other
379
00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:11.960
than it's a terrible idea. So
SeaWorld in Orlando has instated a no re
380
00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:18.039
entry policy. What the heck?
So they just just really just threw it
381
00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:22.079
up there last minute. This was
originally the story was originally broke by Attractions
382
00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:26.279
magazine. The editor, actually Matt
you know, saw this and questioned a
383
00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:30.119
few of the ambassadors about it,
and even the staff, according to his
384
00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:33.400
reporting, is unsure about again,
whether this even applies to season pass holders.
385
00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:37.839
Some of the staff says season pass
holders even are not allowed back in
386
00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:41.599
after they come in once a day, So I don't know. It's just
387
00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:45.119
a no re entry you know,
you can't leave the park to go back
388
00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:48.480
for hotel breaks or lunch or anything
in the car if you forgot something or
389
00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:52.400
whatever. One other thing I'll add. Theme Park Insider also picked up the
390
00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:56.359
story after a Tractions magazine and they
ran a poll asking if that was a
391
00:28:56.400 --> 00:29:02.920
deal killer for you, and of
the over thirty two hundred people who replied
392
00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.920
for that, sixty five percent said
that yes, that was a deal killer.
393
00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:11.480
Yeah again, is it a deal
killer that? I don't know.
394
00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:15.240
What I will say is I think
it is. In my opinion, based
395
00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:21.039
on my experience in the industry,
it is a very poor choice. I
396
00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:25.720
understand why it is being done.
I understand all the things that look really
397
00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:30.000
good on paper, but ultimately the
guest experience is going to suffer, and
398
00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:34.799
that is dangerous. On paper,
it looks great because it means well,
399
00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:41.440
that means we capture additional culinary revenue. That means we capture it means we
400
00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:45.680
have less excuse me, we have
less security issues. We have less people
401
00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:48.680
going out to It used to be
that people would go out to their cars
402
00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:52.720
and drink or smoke pot and then
come back in. That's part of the
403
00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:56.200
reason that Halloween events never allowed you
to go to leave and come back.
404
00:29:56.319 --> 00:30:00.319
I mean, that's been common practice
for Halloween across board. There is no
405
00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:04.039
leaving, there is no re entry. So that's something that has been part
406
00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:11.559
of a Halloween event just ongoing since
Halloween events started in theme parks. But
407
00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:15.240
I think this is just a poor
guest choice that to me, this is
408
00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:18.160
the same this is the same mistake
that looks good on paper with like a
409
00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:23.359
Santa photo where you can say only
you can't take photos on your own camera,
410
00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:26.839
only we can take photos. And
what that does is it makes it
411
00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:29.319
pisses people off, so they just
leave. They don't even look at the
412
00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.839
photo, even though it's far better
than anything that you could get on their
413
00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:36.960
camera. So it becomes it becomes
detrimental overall. And yeah, I agree
414
00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.039
with you, Philip. I think
this is a poor choice and I'm hoping
415
00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:42.759
that that Seer World Orlando recognizes this. But I do understand the logic behind
416
00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:47.319
it, the logic behind it on
paper, and that is, you know,
417
00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:52.319
it means that we're going to get
more more culinary revenue. And based
418
00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:57.359
on the time that I spent in
Orlando not too long ago, the culinary
419
00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:03.920
culinary could you additional oomph there?
So, speaking of oomf, we're about
420
00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:08.119
to be oofed off the air because
we have hit our thirty minutes and wow,
421
00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:12.880
that was the lamest transition I have
ever done. Hashtag lame transition.
422
00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:18.200
Anyway, that's all the time we
have for this episode of Green Tag theme
423
00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:21.880
Park in thirty. We hope to
see you all again here next week on
424
00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:26.279
behalf of Philipernandez with Gantam Lighting and
the on A Detraction Network and myself Scott
425
00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:29.240
Swinson with Scott Swins and Creative Development. This is Green Tag Theme Park in
426
00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:32.799
thirty and we will see you and
every single human being that you know next week
1
00:00:02.640 --> 00:00:06.679
From our studios in Los Angeles and
Tampa. This is Green Tag Theme Park
2
00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:09.919
in thirty. I'm Philip and I'm
joined as always, I'm my glorious co
3
00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:15.400
host Scott Swinson of Scott Swinson Creative
Development. Here for another week breaking down
4
00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:20.879
the top theme park news and discussing
why it should matter to you. So
5
00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.559
this week we will talk about something
we hinted at last week, but it
6
00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:30.359
has finally been approved, the six
Flags and Cedar for a merger. This
7
00:00:30.399 --> 00:00:33.240
has been a story we talked about
when it was first announced, and then
8
00:00:33.240 --> 00:00:37.520
we hinted at it last week with
the IP integration that six Flags is doing.
9
00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:42.560
And now I am here to tell
you that the DOJ has approved the
10
00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:47.359
merger and we've gotten a few more
details but not many, about how it's
11
00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:50.840
all going to operate. But as
these things are, as we've talked about,
12
00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:53.920
you know where, it's going to
be a little bit of news now
13
00:00:54.000 --> 00:00:57.679
and then you're going to see really
the changes over the next several years as
14
00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:00.159
they reorganize everything. And I think
a lot of changes we're not going to
15
00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:06.719
see externally. But we'll start off
with what the current CEO of the Cedar
16
00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:11.519
Fair Parks has Richard Zimmerman about what
he gave. In the statements that he
17
00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:15.799
gave, he said that with an
anticipated pro forma enterprise value of approximately eight
18
00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:21.319
billion, the combined company is well
positioned to drive future growth. Our enhanced
19
00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:26.719
financial flexibility will enable us to invest
in new rides, attractions, food and
20
00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:30.439
beverage options, and state of the
art consumer technologies, ensuring continuous improvement and
21
00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:36.000
innovation, and that each park visit
is more exciting and memorable than the last.
22
00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:40.959
Our merger establishes a new six Flags
entertainment corporation with a highly diversified footprint
23
00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:47.400
and robust operating model, enhancing park
offerings and performance through the complementary portfolio of
24
00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:53.439
attractive assets and intellectual property from each
Cedar Fair and former six Flags. Following
25
00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:57.560
the merger, the combined company operates
twenty seven amusement parks and fifteen water parks
26
00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:01.079
across US, Canada and Mexico,
and six Flags stated that all forty two
27
00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:07.960
parks will retain their previous branding,
with no changes to park names currently currently
28
00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:14.639
asterisk there being planned or contemplated.
When asked about season passes, they did
29
00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:19.759
say that there's no plan to make
an all access as in like a forty
30
00:02:19.800 --> 00:02:23.120
two park pass is not in the
works for twenty twenty four, but it
31
00:02:23.159 --> 00:02:29.639
might be a possibility in the future, and most of the executive team will
32
00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:35.039
be comprised of current Cedar Fair leaders, and the company's headquarters will be relocated
33
00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:38.400
to the Cedar Fair's' current HQ in
Charlotte, North Carolina, as opposed to
34
00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:43.759
the Texas kind of base that Six
Flags was previously. So yeah, it
35
00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:46.639
is a really interesting movement around.
To me, the things that stand out
36
00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:53.960
the most, fortunately or unfortunately,
are that no real mention of live entertainment
37
00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:58.879
was really brought to the forefront.
It's clear that they were focusing on the
38
00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:02.039
rides, which makes sense because Cedar
Fair has been you know, well,
39
00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:07.599
I think six Flags both of those
parks have been really toting the thrill capital
40
00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:10.960
of the whatever whatever. So I
think it's clear they have an eye towards
41
00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:15.400
the rides, and they have an
eye towards technology, which we have talked
42
00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:20.560
about in many stories over the years, like about the walk in and walk
43
00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:24.800
out chios and the scanning that some
of them are piloting. So you could
44
00:03:24.800 --> 00:03:30.159
see where they could really integrate all
the parks together and make a much more
45
00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:39.240
guess comfort level experience at these parks
if they can get the staffing to figure
46
00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:42.319
that out, and if they can
get the line jumping all those kind of
47
00:03:42.319 --> 00:03:46.000
things under control, which we also
talked about. So there's a lot of
48
00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:52.960
challenges I think to making it what
they say here about about making it a
49
00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:57.319
good experience, because so many of
them have just wildly different experiences paying where
50
00:03:57.319 --> 00:03:59.000
you are, and that's going to
I think it's going to be a big
51
00:03:59.319 --> 00:04:02.759
problem. I also think the other
big flag is the intellectual property. I
52
00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:06.680
mean, we know that Cedar Fair
and six Flags have different ips, and
53
00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:12.080
so it seems like they're hinting here
that there might be the ability to move
54
00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:16.480
those between the whole portfolio, so
that you're gonna start to see, you
55
00:04:16.480 --> 00:04:19.120
know, like a DC thing at
Knots or something, you know, where
56
00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:24.160
they can able to move stuff around. So Scott, what do you think?
57
00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:26.959
Well, I think there's a couple
things I think are very interesting about
58
00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.519
this. Number One because you and
I both have friends who work for both
59
00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:34.839
of these companies and well now the
single company, but former separate companies,
60
00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:40.360
and based on what I have seen
them post publicly, so I'm not sharing
61
00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:44.480
any I'm not betraying any internal trust. This is all stuff that has been
62
00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:49.759
shared publicly. Everyone seems to be
very enthusiastic about the merger, and people
63
00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:54.560
who have come from both sides,
both from the former six Flag side and
64
00:04:54.639 --> 00:05:00.120
the Cedar Fair side. I will
say that both parks been struggling, so
65
00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:04.600
to bring them together, to bring
them together, they're looking at it as
66
00:05:05.319 --> 00:05:11.800
here's here's another potential savior of the
industry, or not the industry, but
67
00:05:11.839 --> 00:05:16.720
of this corporation or these corporations.
I think it's interesting too because with the
68
00:05:16.800 --> 00:05:23.160
number of parks I mean, obviously
they now have pretty much the just as
69
00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:26.480
far as numbers of parks, if
we're just talking numbers, they're if not
70
00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:29.319
the top in the US, they're
very close to it. I mean they
71
00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:34.399
have saved significantly more parks than Disney
or Universal have, and significantly more parks
72
00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:44.560
than than than the former SeaWorld Parks
and Entertainment has. So their business models
73
00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:46.560
I think going to be interesting.
I'm curious to see it should be.
74
00:05:47.120 --> 00:05:53.360
In my opinion, they should focus
on the the non tourist. They should
75
00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:57.000
focus on the local. I would
think that part of the reason that they
76
00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:01.120
don't want to do a grand and
glorious season pass everybody is, because it's
77
00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:05.680
not their business model, at least
not at the moment. And I would
78
00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:12.560
think that they would want to remain
as the purveyor of everyone's quote unquote hometown
79
00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:17.199
theme park because you know, I, like I grew up with with well,
80
00:06:17.240 --> 00:06:20.839
it was Paramount when I first started, but what eventually became six Flags
81
00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:25.399
Great America in Gurnee, and I, you know, I would have a
82
00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:29.360
season pass every year and I would
go multiple times, and that was that
83
00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:30.000
was what we did in the summer, you know, that was it was
84
00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:33.959
a seasonal park. That's what we
did. So it seems to me that
85
00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:40.720
that would be instead of making it
an ultimate destination because they are so spread
86
00:06:40.720 --> 00:06:43.959
out. You know, obviously with
Disney, they want to get you to
87
00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:47.040
Florida or California because that way,
every time you spend goes back to them.
88
00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:50.600
But if six Flags is planning to
follow this business model, which it
89
00:06:50.639 --> 00:06:55.560
doesn't seem as though they are,
I don't think that's a wise choice because
90
00:06:55.639 --> 00:07:00.480
you know, you've got if you've
got these now now six Flags parks all
91
00:07:00.519 --> 00:07:05.199
over the country, your focus is
not let's bring people across the country.
92
00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:11.639
Your focus is let's own, let's
have six Flags Great America, own the
93
00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:16.720
Chicagoland market, you know, let's
have And so it's interesting because when you
94
00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:19.759
have that mindset, when you have
that business model of we're going to own
95
00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:25.920
the local market, but you are
national or international. Really you're international,
96
00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:30.959
and you have the clout and the
opportunity to get some of those things that
97
00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.079
you wouldn't be able to have as
a small park, but you can focus
98
00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:39.800
them into a small park mentality.
That could be a very very interesting and
99
00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:44.600
profitable business model. So let's see
how that shakes out. Because again,
100
00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:49.120
I would not expect to see here
in Florida, for example, I would
101
00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:54.639
not expect to see a marketing campaign
that says, come to Gurney, Illinois
102
00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.759
for six Flags Great America. I
just don't see that happening, and nor
103
00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:00.600
do I think it should. So
I think it's going to be the small
104
00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:03.279
town park with the big town cloud, and I think that could be a
105
00:08:03.399 --> 00:08:07.079
very interesting business model for them.
We'll see how that works. I really
106
00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:13.079
like the idea of pointing out that
this is a business model we really maybe
107
00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:16.839
have not seen before in the industry. You know, to because, like
108
00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:22.439
you said, the scale of this
is so different that I think us maybe
109
00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:28.879
trying to apply the Disney universal lens
is flawed because we have not seen this
110
00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:31.879
model before, you know, I
mean, so it you know, like
111
00:08:31.960 --> 00:08:37.159
we've talked a lot about how like
initially it was like just clicks of the
112
00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:39.639
turnstile and then it became like upsals
for Disney and you know, expanding your
113
00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:43.600
inventory with night events and all that. We don't really know what this business
114
00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:50.080
model is because they have so many
locations, right, So I think the
115
00:08:50.200 --> 00:08:52.919
question is, like you were saying, the question is what do they need
116
00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:58.600
to own the local market? So
do they need and if they've got the
117
00:08:58.639 --> 00:09:03.559
power and the cloud to get the
ips that you know, the local parks
118
00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:07.360
that are not underneath the six Flags
umbrella. And to be completely honest,
119
00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:11.960
this is not new. Six Flags
tried to do this several years ago.
120
00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:16.679
Six Flags went on a huge expansion
program. Unfortunately, their pockets weren't deep
121
00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:22.559
enough and they didn't have I'm speculating
here for some reason, I'm assuming they
122
00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:28.480
didn't have the cash turnaround. They
bought a ton of parks and then ended
123
00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:31.200
up selling them off because they didn't
have the money to renovate them and bring
124
00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.440
them up to their bring them up
to a consistent level across the country.
125
00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:37.000
Now, with the two parks coming
together, they didn't have to buy them.
126
00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:41.799
Nobody had to buy parks. They
just merged and all of a sudden,
127
00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:50.679
in essence, doubled their power within
the industry. And so I'm curious.
128
00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:52.559
It may work, it may not. But as you say, we
129
00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:56.480
cannot look at this through a Disney
lens, We cannot look at this through
130
00:09:56.480 --> 00:10:03.000
a universal lens, because that's clearly
not the situation they're in. You know,
131
00:10:03.080 --> 00:10:07.200
just imagine if there were twenty seven
Disney parks around the country, you
132
00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:11.159
wouldn't have the push to come to
Walt Disney World, you wouldn't have the
133
00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:18.360
push to visit Disneyland in California Adventure. And I find it interesting, you
134
00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:22.159
know, looking at the differences even
between the two Disney models, because they
135
00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:26.480
are very different. You know,
Disney Disney California is much more like a
136
00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:31.519
local or regional park, even though
it does have a strong pole from outside,
137
00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:35.960
it operates significantly more like a local
park. Walt Disney World in Florida
138
00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:41.360
is a destination period it is,
you know, the locals. Yes,
139
00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:43.960
they they pander to locals, but
they will cut back. They will cut
140
00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:48.759
back local benefits like that because that's
not the that's not their bread and butter.
141
00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:54.240
So, like I said, I'm
curious. I'm really curious to see
142
00:10:54.279 --> 00:10:58.840
how this new model works or if
this new model works. I'm kind of
143
00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:03.080
hoping it does, because you know, we've got we've had because you also
144
00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:11.480
mentioned rides and not and not live
entertainment, We've got Disney Universal focusing on
145
00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:20.919
very specific types of world building experiences. Six Flags has never been known for
146
00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:24.080
that. They will they will pick
up ips and apply them sort of kind
147
00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:31.360
of and create but create rides.
They are the coaster parks, Cedar Fair,
148
00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:35.440
same thing. They are the ride
parks. So if they become that
149
00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:37.960
part of the market, if they
carve out that part of the market that
150
00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:41.159
you don't have to travel for that
you can get your your adrenaline junkie rush
151
00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:46.240
at any of these parks. It
sounds like it could be successful to me.
152
00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:52.240
Then lay layer on top of that
the IP and if they're if they're
153
00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:54.919
going down that route, then the
IP will be layered on in the form
154
00:11:56.039 --> 00:12:01.879
of rides versus shows. But still
you know they could they could carve out
155
00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.840
their own little niche here and uh
and be pretty darned successful at it.
156
00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:13.000
Yeah, I think earlier, I
do think they could be successful. I
157
00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:15.919
think that, you know, like
like we we've been saying like, well,
158
00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.960
you know, what are they need
to do to capture the local market.
159
00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:20.080
But I think earlier you talked about
the concept of it being like a
160
00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:26.759
savior or not or like this,
and I think the money is Like I
161
00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:31.559
think that's also why he hinted at
that. You know, he hinted at
162
00:12:31.559 --> 00:12:35.240
them having the capital to you know, to to count almost like he knew
163
00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:39.080
people were gonna remember like you did
about like the previous and he was like,
164
00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:41.919
Okay, well you know it's different
this time, guys, because we're
165
00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:46.159
merging together and there's more money.
So right, well, I didn't have
166
00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:48.879
the didn't have to buy the other
parks. Yes, yep, that they
167
00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:52.440
had a better financial position, yeah, exactly, exactly, yes, And
168
00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:58.919
we didn't have to deplete their their
their cash their cash resources to purchase the
169
00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:03.600
other parks first. Now they just
have to take that those resources and use
170
00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:11.679
them to either unify which and unify
in their own unique way because you know,
171
00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:13.960
even they say we're not going to
change the names, We're not going
172
00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:20.720
to change the branding of the individual
parks. It's it's it's almost like and
173
00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:24.440
this is this is a this is
a flawed analogy, so forgive me,
174
00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:30.840
but it's it's almost like it's almost
like franchising. There's a there's a main,
175
00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:33.480
there's a main corporate control that gives
you the power of the clout,
176
00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:41.360
the financial benefit, the negotiating power
on a very large level. But each
177
00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:45.679
park still is going to, from
what they are claiming here, is going
178
00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:50.159
to maintain its unique individuality. And
I think that's also an important part of
179
00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:52.039
this plan, or should be,
because if they all become the same,
180
00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:56.039
then you know, you're never going
to get anybody to visit any of the
181
00:13:56.039 --> 00:14:03.600
other parks out of loyalty. So
it's I think it is wise to maintain
182
00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:07.600
the diversity of the park brands,
and even though they're their target, in
183
00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:11.840
my opinion, should not be the
long distance traveler, but the day trippers.
184
00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:16.200
Yes, well, I actually really
agree with that. I think that
185
00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:22.759
again we're postulating, because you know, we don't we haven't seen this model
186
00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:28.639
before. But I think both of
us would agree that our hypothesis for this
187
00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:31.399
model is that they need to own
the local market, and in order to
188
00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:35.720
do that, they need to be
a little customizable, you know, so
189
00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.720
you don't really want to change a
name or I mean, you know,
190
00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:41.559
you need the park to have enough
leeway to do incorporate local flavor, you
191
00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:46.000
know, like allow a performance of
the local bands and the local schools and
192
00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:48.480
you know, bring in some of
the local performer. You know, you
193
00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:52.600
need to be able to become the
locals park, and you can't do that
194
00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:56.000
if it's you know, if it's
too standardized. So keeping the names would
195
00:14:56.080 --> 00:15:03.519
track with that. But I also
think but back to the the you know,
196
00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:07.720
the savior point or the challenges you
know, money on all that aside,
197
00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:13.039
do not like whenever companies get larger
like this, it's always a question
198
00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:18.759
of whether or not they can iron
out all of the little the little things
199
00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:22.000
like can you create an even even
with franchises, it's always a question,
200
00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:28.759
you know, can you create at
least a minimum standard experience across the line.
201
00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:31.519
And I think it might be a
little bit closer because you know,
202
00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:33.679
kind of you know again, Cedar
Fair and like they've been operating for a
203
00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:37.200
while, so it's a little bit
closer, but that's gonna, in my
204
00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:41.840
mind, be the biggest challenge really
is like even down to the internal staffing,
205
00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:45.519
like how are they you know,
making sure all the internal processes and
206
00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:48.879
and the i mean even the stories
we've covered. We we see wildly different
207
00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:54.159
issues at the different parks, you
know, and maybe they'll be given,
208
00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:58.360
you know, maybe it's possible to
have enough locally way and different parks even
209
00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:03.000
within the the two separate Yeah,
well the two separate companies. You know,
210
00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:10.440
when you compare, when you compare
a guest experience at Knots versus Caroins,
211
00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:12.000
I'm not saying one is better,
one is worse. I'm saying they're
212
00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:15.919
different. And so now you add
on top of that all the six the
213
00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:22.159
former six Flags properties that were that
are now part of the new six Flags.
214
00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:27.360
It's it's interesting, it's interesting to
see. It's a it's a good
215
00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:30.840
point, Philip. I'm curious to
see if they are going to be able
216
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:37.360
to establish and maintain a standard of
excellence across the entire corporation. Yep,
217
00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:41.279
yep, I'm sure they're sitting in
a room thinking that same thing. Oh
218
00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:45.440
my guess is they've been sitting in
a room thinking that same thing for quite
219
00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:48.320
some time, and now that the
merger is now, they can Now the
220
00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:53.919
merger has officially been announced, approved, stamped, a done deal, then
221
00:16:55.480 --> 00:17:02.799
it's like boom done yep. The
last piece to add on this story before
222
00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.559
we leave, because we've got a
mid on to our next stories. But
223
00:17:03.599 --> 00:17:10.880
the last piece of ad is just
that they have opened a Roadblocks metaverse experience.
224
00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.440
You know, in the middle of
all this, I think this news
225
00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:18.000
got buried a little bit because the
merger. I think definitely it's more headlines
226
00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:21.640
and then this thing kind of just
fell. I think awful lot of news
227
00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:26.400
outlets, radars. But basically they
launched a experience on Roadblocks. So essentially
228
00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:33.279
on Roadblocks there's like now there's six
Flags like areas where there's six Flags virtual
229
00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:40.559
coasters and mazes inspired by Freightfest and
games and all that, and basically users
230
00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:45.880
can collect little coaster coins and then
what's interesting is they can collect them and
231
00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:52.519
they can redeem them at physical six
Flags parks. So this is another one
232
00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:56.720
of those things where I'm like,
oh, I think when they mention those
233
00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:00.119
innovation, well, like this is
more what I think they're talking about that.
234
00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:03.279
He's hinting at that. And I
think the reason this got buried because
235
00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:07.000
there's the thing is six Flags wanted
it to everyone talk that they would,
236
00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:11.160
so I think it's more of like
a testing. And I think it's interesting
237
00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:15.160
because this would be the market,
right, like the people, the gamers,
238
00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:18.079
the kids, the younger people that
are playing these, you know,
239
00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:21.839
if they can engage them again,
so they have forty two parts, right,
240
00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:25.920
so much wider so and their gamers
everywhere, like in every city.
241
00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:29.920
So if you can get those kind
of local gamers and they're playing their games
242
00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:32.440
and then they get some coins and
you can incentifie them to go to their
243
00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:36.839
local park and exchange them for some
stuff, that could be a real strategy,
244
00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:41.440
I mean, a real, very
interesting strategy. It becomes it becomes
245
00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:48.920
an immersive, fully engaged marketing strategy. Yep. It's it's it's brilliant and
246
00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:52.680
you know, and we've talked about
that the IP the gaming eyps are significantly
247
00:18:52.720 --> 00:19:00.000
more robust now than even the film
and television eyepis. So yeah, it's
248
00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:03.960
I hate to say it, but
it's it's sort of like, hey,
249
00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:06.240
I'm going to collect all my ski
ball tickets and then I'm going to go
250
00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:10.960
redeem them and come home with a
plastic piece or something or other. But
251
00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:14.720
but it gives you the it's it
takes that concept and just builds it.
252
00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:18.359
I mean, when I was a
kid vacationing on the Jersey Shore, every
253
00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:21.759
night we'd go to the Skiball parlor
and collect those tickets and collect those tickets
254
00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:25.079
and collect those tickets. And it's
not because you know, we couldn't just
255
00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:27.000
go and buy whatever it was that
we were going to get at the end
256
00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:33.160
of the vacation. It was because
it became well, we gamified the experience,
257
00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:37.240
and that's exactly what this is doing. And it's gamification that will lead
258
00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:40.680
to an actual physical appearance in the
park. Smart I was gonna say,
259
00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.599
it's god. I think the word
you're looking for is it was fun.
260
00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:49.319
Yeah, exactly exactly. It was
fun. Yeah, yeah, And that's
261
00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:52.720
yeah. Anyway, so that's another
story, like we could you know,
262
00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:56.319
we'll be watching to see how that
works out. And I also think it's
263
00:19:57.039 --> 00:20:02.599
so fitting that it's not a thinging
that too many people are talking about because
264
00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:06.839
who, like, if you think
about the echo chamber of media, they're
265
00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:10.799
generally older people, right, So
like, this is not for us,
266
00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:14.480
and so we didn't see it,
right most of the Allison c because it's
267
00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.440
not for us. But we don't
need to see it because we are not
268
00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:18.519
the target market anymore. Well,
this and once it becomes and once it
269
00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:23.960
becomes to mainstream, the people who
are engaged with this are no longer interested
270
00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:27.640
because they haven't found something cool.
Correct. Yeah, so we'll see a
271
00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:34.039
lot of potential here. Our next
story, I think is of equal maybe
272
00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:37.039
potential in terms of you know,
things that are that are really interesting,
273
00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:45.119
and that is that Hershey Park has
announced their Halloween plans, So I really
274
00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:48.359
like what is going on. I
think that I think, you know,
275
00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:52.480
the Hirshey Park team has always been
excellent and they have always you know,
276
00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:56.119
really delivered on quality and really maintained
you know, that standard at their parks.
277
00:20:56.119 --> 00:21:00.640
But I think that is showing even
more with their new Dark Knights event,
278
00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:03.680
which is only three This is a
third year. It's only three years
279
00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:07.039
old, right, so it's this
this will be the third season, so
280
00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:11.880
like we're going to the thirties and
so they announced the return of Dark Knights
281
00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:15.880
and Hershey Park Halloween. It's going
to start on September thirteenth this year and
282
00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:19.799
go through November twenty November third,
so that is twenty five nights, including
283
00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:23.279
Halloween Nights. So that's an expanded
schedule. And this year there's going to
284
00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:26.640
be five hundred houses, including a
new one that they've added called a State
285
00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:30.880
of Evil. There's three scare zones
and one of them is new. Plus
286
00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:34.200
they you know, you get access
to the fifty attractions and dark coasters and
287
00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:40.039
the trick or treat trails and whatnot. The eight weekend event will also feature
288
00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:45.119
exclusive Colony creations and they have a
tasting path. Plus they have a new
289
00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:48.920
avenue of the Afterlife Path with it, which is like a scare free path
290
00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:53.119
as well. It's integrated into the
event. So the thing that always blows
291
00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:57.799
me away, I think people hear
that and they just think, oh,
292
00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:00.559
it's a smaller version of Halloween hor
Nights or it's like, you know,
293
00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:06.400
it's like the locals version of whatever. Okay, except this is included for
294
00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:10.200
all passholders. So if you are
a passolder, you just get access,
295
00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:12.759
you know, to all of the
Halloween festivities and everything. And then if
296
00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:18.559
you buy any one day ticket even
it includes like the day and all the
297
00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:21.920
way through the Halloween night. So
the thing about this which I think is
298
00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:25.440
so interesting is they are adding a
haunt, so now we have five haunts,
299
00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:32.039
but they're keeping it included for passholders. So it's just value add for
300
00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:37.160
you know, their their current fans
and locals and of course the tasting card
301
00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.400
and you know, of course they're
trying to get people in to do the
302
00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:41.359
upsells and all that. But I
mean, I don't know, Scott,
303
00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:45.480
you and I know how difficult it
is to you know, convince a board
304
00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:48.440
or we're going to add a haunt. And so you know, they're asking.
305
00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:52.000
So you're telling me we're adding entertainment
and you're like, yes, and
306
00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:55.920
how much are we charging for it? We're not, It's free, and
307
00:22:55.960 --> 00:23:00.640
they just stare at you. And
also, well, what they're doing is
308
00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:03.640
they're running a Halloween event the way
most parks run Christmas events, correct,
309
00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:08.279
and that is that you know,
the the idea being we're going to get
310
00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:11.240
an extra meal lot of people,
or we're going to get a second day
311
00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:15.359
out of people. Even though it's
not a second day of admission, it's
312
00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:23.200
a second day of potential merchandise.
It's a second day of potential culinary that
313
00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:29.640
you know, Christmas events pretty much
throughout the theme park industry run this way.
314
00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:34.799
It is it is added value.
I've often said that, you know,
315
00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:40.480
if you're going, it's it's very
difficult in most cases to go from
316
00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:44.359
an added value to a separate ticket
that usually has a lot of pushback.
317
00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:47.519
So they seem to have a great
excuse me, a great deal of confidence
318
00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:52.480
that excuse me that this is going
to work for them, which is great.
319
00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:55.079
And I have heard nothing but good
things about this event, and I
320
00:23:55.160 --> 00:24:00.039
unfortunately have not been up there to
see it. But yeah, I I
321
00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:06.119
think it's you know again, is
it Is it the local version of Halloween
322
00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:11.079
Hornites? Well? No, is
is California's version of Halloween Hornites Florida's version
323
00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:17.720
of Halloween Hornites? No, it's
not. There are there are unique qualities
324
00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:22.359
to each, just like Bush Gardens
Tampa and Bush Gardens Williamsburg and SeaWorld's San
325
00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:26.720
Diego are all different Hollow Screams even
though they all have the same name.
326
00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:29.920
So I think we have to take
it at face value and recognize that this
327
00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:33.240
is a great value add for for
people going to Hershey Park. And you
328
00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:36.519
know, I would even go so
far as to say, if you are
329
00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:40.079
a Haunt fan, and I know
a lot of Haunt fans who are kind
330
00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:42.519
of shying away from the larger parks
just simply because they've gotten so crowded and
331
00:24:42.599 --> 00:24:48.119
so expensive, this might be a
location you know that you want to you
332
00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:52.160
want to stop at just to kind
of check out. Maybe it's maybe it
333
00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:56.839
is it does become a tourist destination. Yeah, because I mean, let's
334
00:24:56.839 --> 00:25:00.200
face it, we have friends who
just travel around the country and and go
335
00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:07.480
see haunts and such. So what
I'm going to add to that is that
336
00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:11.160
it is it is an incredible event. Y'all just can't trust me because I
337
00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:15.119
think I know a little bit about
haunts, So it is an it is
338
00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:19.599
an incredible event objectively speaking, and
you know, just guest feedback, I
339
00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:25.200
mean, it's you know, Scott
Scott has many times talked about, you
340
00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:27.079
know, the best way to open
it and consultant on new events, and
341
00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:30.599
I think they followed everything one hundred
percent according to the book, So it's
342
00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:34.559
it's done really well. What I
think about this though, as an overall
343
00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:38.960
trend, is exactly what the you
mentioned mentioned for Christmas, which is I
344
00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:45.160
think Potentially this could signal a little
bit of a pendulum shift, because we
345
00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:48.599
talk about we talk about theme parts
being you know, the whole cultures being
346
00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:52.359
pendulums and things going back and forth. To me, this might signal that
347
00:25:52.640 --> 00:26:00.279
shift to going moving back towards having
it be included, you know. And
348
00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:03.079
if you tie this back to our
previous story, I could I could see
349
00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:07.119
I'm just hypothesizing here, but I
could see a world in which the new
350
00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:12.119
six Flags branch rolls out, you
know, like an ip from Netflix at
351
00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:17.400
you know, for the twenty seven
of their parks countrywide, and they say
352
00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:19.720
that FrightFest is going to be included
for pass holders, and they use that
353
00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:23.039
as a lit lever you know,
to getting a lot more new passes and
354
00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:30.119
blah blah blah. And then suddenly
you have an environment where it is being
355
00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:33.920
pushed back to the norm being that
it's included, which also could create a
356
00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:38.839
lot more competition for the local haunted
house, you know, because I think
357
00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:44.559
for so long, local hont houses
have been competing against that concept of like,
358
00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:47.480
well we're cheaper and we're better,
you know than going to a theme
359
00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:49.640
park where you have to pay for
everything, and it's so expensive, and
360
00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:56.559
there's lines and they congoline you.
But if the equation switches to it being
361
00:26:56.599 --> 00:27:02.920
included, if you're a passolder and
then you also get Christmas, that's just
362
00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:06.000
saying may not happen. That's just
kind of one of my thoughts. But
363
00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.559
that's what that's kind of what I
think when I see stories like this.
364
00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:11.759
Well, and if you've ever if
you've ever taken a seminar from me,
365
00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:15.160
or listened to this or listen to
Scott in the Dark or whatever, you
366
00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:21.039
will hear me say that seasonal seasonal
activations are their primary goal should be to
367
00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:25.920
make a pass, a season pass
worth more, whether it is whether it
368
00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:29.279
provides you with early access, or
provides you with a discount for a separate
369
00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:33.720
ticketed event, or just includes the
event itself. That's the purpose of seasonal
370
00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:37.519
events is to to do it really, to do two basic things. To
371
00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:44.079
elevate the value of a season pass, and to encourage repeat visitation. Yep,
372
00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:48.319
it puts a fews on your visit. Locally, people will say,
373
00:27:48.359 --> 00:27:49.839
eh, yeah, yeah, I
live here, I'll go to the park
374
00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:52.119
someday. And then all of a
sudden, you do a concert series that
375
00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:55.759
has somebody that you want to see
and it gives you a reason to go
376
00:27:56.039 --> 00:28:00.200
that weekend. So Halloween, Christmas, Spring, Summer food, all of
377
00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:06.000
these events do exactly the same thing. Yeah, Okay, we're gonna do
378
00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:07.640
a really quick story here because I
don't think there's much to talk about other
379
00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:11.960
than it's a terrible idea. So
SeaWorld in Orlando has instated a no re
380
00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:18.039
entry policy. What the heck?
So they just just really just threw it
381
00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:22.079
up there last minute. This was
originally the story was originally broke by Attractions
382
00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:26.279
magazine. The editor, actually Matt
you know, saw this and questioned a
383
00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:30.119
few of the ambassadors about it,
and even the staff, according to his
384
00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:33.400
reporting, is unsure about again,
whether this even applies to season pass holders.
385
00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:37.839
Some of the staff says season pass
holders even are not allowed back in
386
00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:41.599
after they come in once a day, So I don't know. It's just
387
00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:45.119
a no re entry you know,
you can't leave the park to go back
388
00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:48.480
for hotel breaks or lunch or anything
in the car if you forgot something or
389
00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:52.400
whatever. One other thing I'll add. Theme Park Insider also picked up the
390
00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:56.359
story after a Tractions magazine and they
ran a poll asking if that was a
391
00:28:56.400 --> 00:29:02.920
deal killer for you, and of
the over thirty two hundred people who replied
392
00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:04.920
for that, sixty five percent said
that yes, that was a deal killer.
393
00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:11.480
Yeah again, is it a deal
killer that? I don't know.
394
00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:15.240
What I will say is I think
it is. In my opinion, based
395
00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:21.039
on my experience in the industry,
it is a very poor choice. I
396
00:29:21.119 --> 00:29:25.720
understand why it is being done.
I understand all the things that look really
397
00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:30.000
good on paper, but ultimately the
guest experience is going to suffer, and
398
00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:34.799
that is dangerous. On paper,
it looks great because it means well,
399
00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:41.440
that means we capture additional culinary revenue. That means we capture it means we
400
00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:45.680
have less excuse me, we have
less security issues. We have less people
401
00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:48.680
going out to It used to be
that people would go out to their cars
402
00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:52.720
and drink or smoke pot and then
come back in. That's part of the
403
00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:56.200
reason that Halloween events never allowed you
to go to leave and come back.
404
00:29:56.319 --> 00:30:00.319
I mean, that's been common practice
for Halloween across board. There is no
405
00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:04.039
leaving, there is no re entry. So that's something that has been part
406
00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:11.559
of a Halloween event just ongoing since
Halloween events started in theme parks. But
407
00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:15.240
I think this is just a poor
guest choice that to me, this is
408
00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:18.160
the same this is the same mistake
that looks good on paper with like a
409
00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:23.359
Santa photo where you can say only
you can't take photos on your own camera,
410
00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:26.839
only we can take photos. And
what that does is it makes it
411
00:30:26.839 --> 00:30:29.319
pisses people off, so they just
leave. They don't even look at the
412
00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:30.839
photo, even though it's far better
than anything that you could get on their
413
00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:36.960
camera. So it becomes it becomes
detrimental overall. And yeah, I agree
414
00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:38.039
with you, Philip. I think
this is a poor choice and I'm hoping
415
00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:42.759
that that Seer World Orlando recognizes this. But I do understand the logic behind
416
00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:47.319
it, the logic behind it on
paper, and that is, you know,
417
00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:52.319
it means that we're going to get
more more culinary revenue. And based
418
00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:57.359
on the time that I spent in
Orlando not too long ago, the culinary
419
00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:03.920
culinary could you additional oomph there?
So, speaking of oomf, we're about
420
00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:08.119
to be oofed off the air because
we have hit our thirty minutes and wow,
421
00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:12.880
that was the lamest transition I have
ever done. Hashtag lame transition.
422
00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:18.200
Anyway, that's all the time we
have for this episode of Green Tag theme
423
00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:21.880
Park in thirty. We hope to
see you all again here next week on
424
00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:26.279
behalf of Philipernandez with Gantam Lighting and
the on A Detraction Network and myself Scott
425
00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:29.240
Swinson with Scott Swins and Creative Development. This is Green Tag Theme Park in
426
00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:32.799
thirty and we will see you and
every single human being that you know next week












