http://www.hfecorp.com/about/HFE-CNLAnnouncement012511.pdf
Looks like HFEC will be managing both Darien Lake and Elitich Gardens, but will not have ownership in either park. They won't be in charge of expanding or really changing either park either.
As I said elsewhere: I don't feel like this partnership is going to improve the company at all. I hope this doesn't lead to a trend of increased bureaucracy and corporate feelings in the parks. Already SDC and DW are loosing the little things that make them special bit by bit. In recent years we've seen classic attractions shuttered, in-park advertisements spring up, and carnival games start to take root. These might sound like typical things for an amusement park, but that's just it - SDC and DW used to be so much more than amusement parks to the point that people didn't even really think of or call them amusement parks back in the day.
Darien Lake and Elitich Gardens are about as bland and typical as they come. It would be one thing if they were buying the parks and transforming them with the Herschend touch, but just handling the management contracts is something different entirely.
Bleh, progress...
I agree, don't know how this helps the Herschend family company, but, they always plan well ahead for anything they do, and even projects that don't last long...all the Whitewaters (except Branson)...Grand Palace/Grand Village...Celebration City...are examples of ideas that for one reason or another did not work out, but the company seemed to learn lessons and regear, and move in a positive direction which made the company stronger. I wish them the best of luck while I continue to scratch my head about this move. :)
i'm not up on all of the details as some of you are, But this move for HFEC sounds questionable..And i sure hope this does not effect SDC...
Steve Always has good points and as always great info,
Darien Lake is a wonderful park. I live by and work at the park as a Seasonal Member. For Info On the Park you can visit my Fansite www.darienlakeonline.com and visit the Official site at www.godarienlake.com
Darien Lake is made up of a Theme Park and Waterpark plus a Hotel and Campgrounds. CNL Lifestyle Properties is the Landlord and HFEC are the operators.
Questions you can always ask me!
welcome to the site DL>!
Sounds like Season Passholders may get discounted admission to both DL and EG this season. They still discussing it, but it is sounding promising.
that would be a nice bonus ;D ;D..
I wish they would offer a "real' discount at dixie stampede in branson. :o :o...
What would be nice is FREE admission with a DL or EG Season Pass to other HFEC Parks.
yeah that's not going to happen - if EG or DL passes even get discounted admission to anywhere else at all.
agreed swoosh....... that wont happen.
posted today:
http://www.facebook.com/notes/darien-lake-theme-park-resort/darien-lake-q-a/10150092290355842
QuoteHerschend signed a three-year deal with CNL to manage and operate Darien Lake.
Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2011/01/25/georgia-firm-to-manage-darien-lake.html (http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2011/01/25/georgia-firm-to-manage-darien-lake.html)
From what I'm hearing, it sounds like HFEC is hardly bringing the Herschend charm to DL or EG. It looks like they're being run much the same as they were under Six Flags. To be fair, Elitch Gardens is apparently cleaner and nicer-run than it had been, but I hear nothing but complaints about DL still being run down, overgrown, dirty, etc...
You really don't see any signs of Herschend influence looking at these parks. They haven't even given "Ride of Steel" a proper name yet.
Maybe they just haven't had time, seeing as they only signed the deal a few months ago, but at this rate they're going to go the way of PARC before long. I expected more from them.
My question is do they use their funds to upgrade the park or do they have to ask for money everytime. If that is the case that maybe why the lack of anything being done. Also to me it may be hershend entertainment but in all honesty is any of the family involved anymore. Especially at a with a park out of missouri.
Sounds like Darien Lake will open 3 new family rides for 2012. As I understand, CNL is the one who pays for these expansions, so they very well could be brand new rides, but I have a feeling something from CC might be in the mix. The Orbiter is still MIA, though it was taken out long ago so I assume it had a buyer. There are a couple of kiddie rides HFEC still wants to get rid of from CC though, plus the shot tower.
Either way, good to see the park expanding again - they've had some weird years recently, and the dry park needs a good kick start.
Found something interesting on screamscape today. The link says "Herschend management out of Elitch Gardens" but there is no detail in the link. Anyone else know anything?
what does that mean for Darien Lake.
Read on Parks World, that RMC has a partner in Europe. Guess Who, Vekoma. Wonder if Rocky Mountain Construction picks up the Vekoma stuff in America now that Vekoma no longer has a partnership with Chance Morgan.
I'm kind of glad the EL contract is gone. That property just doesn't seem like it fit with HFEC's portfolio, at least not as a management contract. DL is a little better because they've been able to do so much to bring it up to it's full potential. I wouldn't mind seeing them drop those obligations either though, so that the company can focus more on the properties they actually own.
Looking back on this thread, it seems time is running out on these contracts anyway, unless they've already been extended. I imagine CNL will start to shift everything to Premier soon, since Premier seems to know how to work the bottom line better.
I would like to see HFEC manage only the properties they own.. I realize they could probably manage 50 properties just fine.... BUT HEY!! just take care of "our" stuff/!!! LOL
Has anyone considered that HFE might purchase DL?
Quote from: Hollywood on November 24, 2013, 07:03:36 AM
Has anyone considered that HFE might purchase DL?
I suppose that was what I was getting at in my question. The rumor is that Magic Springs is getting a sky coaster, which is certainly not a water park attraction but an up charge item. That's a CNL property that competes directly with WhiteWater and quite frankly, wins on the waterpark battle.