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NEWS
Competitors not a concern for Cedar Fair, says CEO Matt Ouimet
POSTED 16 Feb 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Ouimet said the company would continue to invest in Knott's Berry Farm, but that it does not need to compete with the likes of investments by the likes of Universal and Disney to be a success Credit: Al Behrman/AP/Press Association Images
With California’s hotbed of theme park attractions all making significant investment into new developments, Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet has said the company does not feel pressured to make the same commitment at Knott’s Farm following a record annual earnings report.

Speaking during an earnings call, Ouimet was questioned about about park investments and whether those would rise in the wake of increased competition. Last year, Universal Studios Hollywood launched its Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, while Disneyland California is preparing for the launch of its Star Wars land in 2019.

“We will not respond in capital to whatever Disney does or whatever Universal does, that’s not part of our playbook,” said Ouimet.

“What we will do is continue to position Knott’s as the community’s park and the expansion of our water park is a good example of where we can differentiate Knott’s from the other major players at a very modest capital investment.

“You'll continue to see us investing in Knott’s. We believe there’s still running a room, particularly when we’re priced at about $100 for a season pass and other players are well above $100 for a single day at this point.”

For 2016, Cedar Fair recorded its seventh straight year of record results, reporting a 4 per cent increase of US$53m (€49.8m, £42.4m) in net revenues to US$1.29bn (€1.21bn, £1bn). Figures were driven off the back of a 656,000 visitor increase to a record 25.1 million guests for the year.
RELATED STORIES
  Disney makes Rogue One additions to Hollywood Studios park


Following the release of Rogue One – the latest film to come out of the Star Wars universe – Disney’s Hollywood Studios has premiered a number of new features inspired by the film at the park, with plans for further Star Wars additions in 2017.
  Public backlash forces closure of Knott's Berry Farm halloween attraction


A temporary attraction installed for Halloween at Knott’s Berry Farm has been shut down after complaints from mental health advocates.
  Disney offers new look at upcoming Star Wars lands


Disney has revealed a new artist's impression for its Star Wars lands being built at its theme parks in Florida and California.
  Wizarding World of Harry Potter makes Hollywood debut


Universal Studios has officially debuted its new Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, with its Hollywood location the second to come to the US.
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Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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NEWS
Competitors not a concern for Cedar Fair, says CEO Matt Ouimet
POSTED 16 Feb 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Ouimet said the company would continue to invest in Knott's Berry Farm, but that it does not need to compete with the likes of investments by the likes of Universal and Disney to be a success Credit: Al Behrman/AP/Press Association Images
With California’s hotbed of theme park attractions all making significant investment into new developments, Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet has said the company does not feel pressured to make the same commitment at Knott’s Farm following a record annual earnings report.

Speaking during an earnings call, Ouimet was questioned about about park investments and whether those would rise in the wake of increased competition. Last year, Universal Studios Hollywood launched its Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, while Disneyland California is preparing for the launch of its Star Wars land in 2019.

“We will not respond in capital to whatever Disney does or whatever Universal does, that’s not part of our playbook,” said Ouimet.

“What we will do is continue to position Knott’s as the community’s park and the expansion of our water park is a good example of where we can differentiate Knott’s from the other major players at a very modest capital investment.

“You'll continue to see us investing in Knott’s. We believe there’s still running a room, particularly when we’re priced at about $100 for a season pass and other players are well above $100 for a single day at this point.”

For 2016, Cedar Fair recorded its seventh straight year of record results, reporting a 4 per cent increase of US$53m (€49.8m, £42.4m) in net revenues to US$1.29bn (€1.21bn, £1bn). Figures were driven off the back of a 656,000 visitor increase to a record 25.1 million guests for the year.
RELATED STORIES
Disney makes Rogue One additions to Hollywood Studios park


Following the release of Rogue One – the latest film to come out of the Star Wars universe – Disney’s Hollywood Studios has premiered a number of new features inspired by the film at the park, with plans for further Star Wars additions in 2017.
Public backlash forces closure of Knott's Berry Farm halloween attraction


A temporary attraction installed for Halloween at Knott’s Berry Farm has been shut down after complaints from mental health advocates.
Disney offers new look at upcoming Star Wars lands


Disney has revealed a new artist's impression for its Star Wars lands being built at its theme parks in Florida and California.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter makes Hollywood debut


Universal Studios has officially debuted its new Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction, with its Hollywood location the second to come to the US.
MORE NEWS
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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