SANDUSKY, OHIO, May 3, 2007 --
Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional
amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today
announced results for the first quarter ended March 25, 2007. The
2007 figures include the results of the Paramount Parks since their
acquisition from CBS Corporation on June 30, 2006.
Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer,
explained that virtually all of Cedar Fair’s revenues from its
seasonal amusement parks, water parks, and other seasonal resort
facilities are realized during a 130 to 140-day operating period
beginning in early May, with the major portion concentrated in the
peak vacation months of July and August. Only Knott’s Berry Farm,
Castaway Bay and Star Trek: The Experience are open year-round, with
Knott’s Berry Farm operating at its lowest level of attendance in
the first quarter of the year. Cedar Fair’s other first quarter
revenues have historically been minimal.
Together, the combined operations, including the acquired parks,
generated revenues of $30.0 million in the first quarter and a net
loss of $55.1 million, or $1.02 per diluted limited partner unit.
For the same period last year the company reported a net loss of
$26.5 million, or $0.49 per diluted limited partner unit, on
revenues of $23.9 million, excluding the newly acquired parks.
Operating results for the first quarter include normal off-season
operating, maintenance and administrative expenses at the
Partnership’s seasonal amusement and water parks, and daily
operations at Knott’s Berry Farm, Castaway Bay and Star Trek: The
Experience. On a combined basis, the operating loss for the first
quarter increased to $50.9 million from $27.7 million in 2006,
reflecting the first quarter pre-season operating costs of the newly
acquired parks. Cash operating costs were $76.5 million versus $48.2
million in the prior year, while interest expense totaled $33.4
million, up from $7.2 million a year ago. The increased interest
expense primarily reflects higher borrowings required to fund the
Paramount Parks acquisition.
Same-Park Comparison (excluding acquisition)
Excluding effects of the acquisition, Cedar Fair’s first-quarter
results on a same-park basis improved from the same period a year
ago. For the first quarter, same-park net revenues increased 7%, to
$25.5 million, due to improved per capita spending and attendance at
our Western Region parks in the quarter.
On a same-park basis, the first quarter operating loss was $25.1
million, or 9% lower than the same period last year. Cash operating
costs were 2% lower at $47.1 million, reflecting our continued focus
on controlling expenses during the off-season. This decrease was
somewhat offset by increased operating costs at our Western Region
parks due in part to the increase in attendance at those parks.
2007 Operating Season
Commenting on the upcoming season, Kinzel said, “The integration of
the newly acquired parks continues to go well. With the new parks,
our overall operating season begins much earlier than it has in the
past. To date we have six of our eleven seasonal amusement parks
open and Dorney Park is prepared to open this weekend.
“Our capital projects have been completed or are scheduled to be
completed on time and on budget, our marketing programs are in
place, and guest comments have been positive,” continued Kinzel.
“While our first quarter is not a meaningful part of our full-year
financial performance, we are pleased with the level of public
interest in our new rides and attractions thus far.”
The company will host a conference call with analysts today, May 3,
2007, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, which will be web cast live in
“listen only” mode via the Cedar Fair web site (www.cedarfair.com).
It will also be available for replay starting at approximately 5:00
p.m. ET, Thursday, May 3, 2007, until 11:59 p.m. ET, Thursday, May
17, 2007. In order to access the replay of the earnings call, please
dial 1-877-519-4471 followed by the access code 8701482.
Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in
Sandusky, Ohio, and one of the largest regional amusement-resort
operators in the world. The Partnership owns and operates 12
amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and
six hotels. Amusement parks in the company’s Northern Region include
three in Ohio: Cedar Point, consistently voted “Best Amusement Park
in the World” in Amusement Today polls, Kings Island, and Geauga
Lake & Wildwater Kingdom; as well as Canada’s Wonderland, near
Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan’s Adventure,
MI. In the Southern Region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC;
and Worlds of Fun, MO. Western parks in California include: Knott’s
Berry Farm; Great America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed
under contract. Also included in that region is Star Trek: The
Experience, a Las Vegas-based interactive adventure.
Some of the statements contained in this news release constitute
forward-looking statements. These statements may involve risk and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those described in such statements. Although the Partnership
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors,
including general economic conditions, competition for consumer
leisure time and spending, adverse weather conditions, unanticipated
construction delays and other factors could affect attendance at our
parks and cause actual results to differ materially from the
Partnership’s expectations. In addition, risks and uncertainties
concerning the acquisition of the Paramount Parks include, but are
not limited to the ability of the Partnership to combine the
operations and take advantage of growth, savings and synergy
opportunities.