I don't know if this topic has been done before, but here are two questions for everyone.
1976-1984 : Marriott
1984-1986 : Bally
1987-1990 : Wesray
1991-1995 : Time Warner
1995-1998 : Boston Ventures
1998-2006 : Premier Parks
2006-????? : RedZone Capital
1 : Who do you think was the best owner of Great America?
2 : If Great America were to ever get sold, who would you want to have as a new owner?
In My Opinion,
1 : I hate to say it, but Premier Parks was great in terms of what they added, and how they treated our park. It looked liked they loved Great America. Also all the companies, with the exception of Marriott, have either not added significant attractions, or only focused on one demographic (RedZone with Wiggle's World). Finally the Premier Parks era was exciting as you didn't really know what was going to be added next
2 : If it were to get sold, Herschend would be great as owners (Can you imagine Mystery Mine or Thunderhead or Timber Tower at the Park?). Also the food would be better and lower priced. Finally, my friend wants Cedar Fair to buy the park. Personally, I would want more at Great America than just Hurricane Harbor (Geauga Lake, sorry to all GL Fanboys).
Discuss It, Or Lock It.
Last edited by Coaster Justin on November 2nd, 2007, 11:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
1. Tossup between Marriott and Time Warner, also Boston Ventures only had a stake in SF, that Boston Ventures era would technically still be considered Time Warner.
2. Private owner who can take care of the park and get it back to where it once was, though I guess Herschend isnt a bad option either, I cant wait to see what they do with Wild Adventures in GA, see if they leave it as a plot of land with mediocre rides or turn it into an actual theme park.
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073
Sure , the coaster collection is mediocre, but they do have a large selection of kids and family rides along with animals and a waterpark included with admission.
They also have a few thrilling flats.
I finally retired the Sarah Palin signature because she is now 100% irrelevant.
No offense Mr. Parker (By the way, thanks for the info on Season Passes, it really helped me out and got me on coaster 153, Tony Hawk) but according to theme park timelines (google it, thats not the real website title) under the Six Flags/ Premier Parks corporate, in 1995, Time Warner sold 51% to Boston Ventures, which would technically make them owner as they had the largest share (Like Daniel Snyder is now).
1. I would say Time Warner because thats one of the Eras I lived in. We got great additions, and our star ride Raging Bull.
2. Cedar Fair, just because it is the next best thing to Six Flags....as of BIG companies. We need a big company to run the park because it gets a lot of people.
1- Marriott They started it all and really cared about the theming, the quality of food, and added great rides like the Eagle, the Tidal Wave, and the Edge- all cutting edge rides for their time. Plus, they felt they could make an already great coaster like the Turn of the Century even better by turning it into the Demon. All this leads you to believe they really cared about the park and staying on top of things. Plus, the park was immaculate- no weeds, dirty bathrooms, or paint peeling. They probably felt that the park reflected on the quality of their hotels and vice-versa.
2 - After Marriott owning it again (it would be fun to be able to call it Willard's Whizzer again!), I would say the owners of Dollywood, Busch Gardens, or Universal Studios. However, with the latter, Universal, I would be afraid of them even going away from the original theming even more than Six Flags has done, and make it one big marketing park for Universal properties, and we would lose Bugs Bunny. I would've said Cedar Fair, but after how they uncerimoniously closed Geauga Lake, I'm not sure I trust them anymore.
Time Warner Owned the park from 1991-1995. Raging Bull was added in 1999.
About Cedar Fair and Geauga Lake. They would never do that to Illinois's Great America (Can you imagine it being called that). Look at SFWOAd for example: The only reason why they closed it was because it threatend Cedar Point's attendance because they had 1.5-2 Million guests and their attendance was going downhill and Dick Kinzel said he wished that he could have purchased Geauga Lake when it was available in 1995.
SFWOAd and Great America are very different. Its not like Great America is a park that gets good attendance and is in the market region of Cedar Point and Dick Kinzel saying he likes the park and wants to buy it... Oh wait, never mind (Gildra Radner for you 70s SNL Fans).
Can you imagine Cedar Fair buying Great America. They would pretty much dominate the entire Midwest. Facts:
Valleyfair : Minnesota's Largest Amusement Park Cedar Point : Do I really need to spell this one out for you Kings Island : Highest Attendance in any USA park Worlds of Fun : Maybe this one's a bad example Great America : Illinois's Largest Amusement Park Michigan's Adventure : Michigan's Largest Amusement Park
Last edited by Coaster Justin on October 29th, 2015, 9:48 am, edited 2 times in total.
1. I would say Time Warner cause they really got our park noticed with Batman! I think that was the unofficial turning point between big park and just your average theme park.
2. I would definitely vote for the Herschend company, since Hersheypark and Dollywood are two of the most amazing parks i've been to. Every year (with the exception of this year at Hershey) i've been more than pleased and even surprised with the ideas they have come with for their parks, and i'd like to see that carry over here (even though i think TDK is pretty cool too).
I also wouldn't mind have one the members of the Koch family buy this park...although, that might make Hurricane Harbor 3 times bigger...
RIP: Trailblazer and Deja Vu...heck, even Alien Encounter
No offense Trailblazer Tony, but Hersheypark is owned by Hershey Entertainment Resort Corportation, the same company that owns Dutch Wonderland.
Herschend owns Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, Dollywood, and the recently purchased Wild Adventures.
Here's a tip for anyone going to Dutch Wonderland : NEVER ASK THEM FOR DIRECTIONS!!!!!!!! My hotel this year was about two hours south of Dorney and they sent me to the Pittsburgh Airport area. You can quote me on this.
Sure , the coaster collection is mediocre, but they do have a large selection of kids and family rides along with animals and a waterpark included with admission.
They also have a few thrilling flats.
I love Wild Adventures!!!!! My idiot comment for the day.
CoasterBoy wrote:No offense Trailblazer Tony, but Hersheypark is owned by Hershey Entertainment Resort Corportation, the same company that owns Dutch Wonderland.
Herschend owns Silver Dollar City, Celebration City, Dollywood, and the recently purchased Wild Adventures.
Here's a tip for anyone going to Dutch Wonderland : NEVER ASK THEM FOR DIRECTIONS!!!!!!!! My hotel this year was about two hours south of Dorney and they sent me to the Pittsburgh Airport area. You can quote me on this.
My mistake, why do the names have to be so similar?
RIP: Trailblazer and Deja Vu...heck, even Alien Encounter
Things they did still live at the park today and they cared more about the overall guest experience (from rides to shows to entertainment to food) than any owner has since.
^How in the hell is there an intact (i assume full) pool under the Wilderness stage??? If they cant keep the waterfall for demon running, how is pool full of water (deep water btw) still there?????
Oh wait, never mind (Gildra Radner for you 70s SNL Fans).
