Kinzel is Gone. Ouimet Says Change is Coming.

Today marks the end of Richard (Dick) Kinzel's reign as CEO of Cedar Fair. He is retiring after 39 years of service. Matthew Ouimet is taking over as CEO for Cedar Fair effective immediately. Changes are in store for Cedar Fair's parks and it seems like they will take time to start. Though it seems that one change is starting right away, if it hasn't already started. That is the "Fast/Fright Lane" which, like at other parks, is a pay extra "skip the line" pass.

Read more on Kinzel's look back at his Cedar Fair tenure via the link below. From seasonal food stand operator to CEO, his is undoubtedly a success story. Thank you Mr. Kinzel for your service to Cedar Fair. Enjoy your retirement.

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/1 ... -ride.html

---

As far as the other changes, well, get ready for some magic! Mr. Ouimet is a 17 year Disney veteran and I'd suspect we see more Disney-esk experiences in the Cedar Fair line up. Hopefully this means dark rides and other thing but it is a step away form the Cedar Fair norm. This could be good or bad for Cedar Fair but I would suspect more good comes of this. We might see Cedar Fair become the next chain into the massive in-depth themes that was see from Disney and Universal already. One thing is certain though, Six Flags needs to get on the theme train. Otherwise they will likely be on the outside looking in.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... d440ab9a87

That sounds awesome to me. Kinzel did a good job, but I have always wanted to see some kind of mix of a disney and cedar fair park, Cedar Point thrills with themes like disney parks would be amazing to me. I'd even like to see some disney esque mountains in the Cedar Point skyline. haha Hopefully this brings some new rides to the CF parks that have been neglected recently as well. Anyways, looking forward to seeing what changes are made exactly.

That's kind of cool.

One thing is certain though, Six Flags needs to get on the theme train. Otherwise they will likely be on the outside looking in.

Outside of what, looking in on what?
Why do you find themed parks so vital for succeeding? I don't think there's a huge difference between themed parks and parks without a common theme, varying rides, etc. Apart from the family viewpoint, is there really a correlation between being themed and being successful? I'm actually curious.

Originally posted by Tetsu

more Disney-esk experiences

Achoo

We saw Mr. Ouimet walking around CP employee facilities end of last season... He told a few people change is coming for the employees too! He hates our living situation and our cafeteria. I hope change is near!

I saw him at Dorney during our Haunt event. Didnt get to speak with him though, but if thats the case, I hope its a chain wide change.

Once I process in in May I will post changes that he has made... I'm sure I will meet him at CP Leadership seminars (during training week)...