Several Cedar Fair Theme Parks Are Switching from Nickelodeon to Peanuts Themed Areas in 2010
In 2010, the former Paramount Parks now run by Cedar Fair, will be getting re-branded kids areas and attractions. California’s Great America, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, Carowinds, and Canada’s Wonderland will be dropping their Nickelodeon-themed areas for a nod to everyone’s favorite animated dog, Snoopy of the Peanuts.
A Case of Classic versus Current
From a park guest perspective I don’t like the move. Of course, I can’t speak to the business implications and cost of licensing the Nick characters. While Snoopy is universally recognizable in the general population, I have to think that Nickelodeon’s stable of characters resonate much more with your average 8 year old. Think about it. How often do you see Snoopy and the Peanuts on TV these days? I’m not a huge Snoopy fan. Maybe someone can set me straight. Aren’t there just Christmas and Halloween TV movies? On the other hand, most kids know of Spongebob, Dora, and Diego. I can speak from personal experience as my 
2 year old daughter had her first star struck moment this year at Carowinds when she met a life-sized Dora and Diego.
The only opposing argument is that some of the Nick characters become less popular over the years. And if the kids didn’t grow up with them (or remember them) and neither did the parents, then you have a character that resonates with no one. Examples of dated Nick characters might be the Wild Thornberrys and Rugrats. Meanwhile, Snoopy is decades old. Still, overall I would take a Nickelodeon-themed kids area over a Peanuts-themed one by a mile. At least we got some deeply discounted Nick souvenirs at the park this summer.
UPDATE 1/24/10 – The San Jose Mercury and MercuryNews.com have featured this post. Read the article here: “Snoopy is in, SpongeBob is out at Great America theme park”.
What’s Your Take?
Obviously, the change is going to happen. But I am interested in hearing what others think. Which theme would you prefer? Leave a comment below.
October 23, 2009 at 04:07
Joel! I'm a little disappointed in you! I know I've commented on this subject before, but I think this is great news! First off, the Nick characters are played out when it comes to theme parks. They are all over the place! Plus, as you said…Cedar has to pay for these characters, I'm sure they got the Peanuts package alot cheaper.
I can only speak for Kings Dominion, as I haven't been to the other parks in a long time…but there is stuff installed at KD in the last 10 years that is already completly outdated. Of all the Nick characters that have been rolled out in the last 18 years, Spongebob and Dora/Diego are the only ones with possible staying power. And only time will tell. Charlie Brown and Co. have been around for 50 years. The Christmas and Halloween specials are holiday classics but there are also dozens more shows which are being released on DVD the comic strip and books.
I think Cedar is going to get much more out of it's investment with Snoopy. The Snoopy section at Knott's Berry and Dorney have been there for along time!
I'm curious what the change will do to the last surviving remnants of Hanna-Barbea at the Kings Parks!?
October 23, 2009 at 04:56
You would be surprised how much kids like Snoopy. The children could be playing that video game, one level to go, three steps to get there.. then they here "Guys! Charlie Brown Halloween Special is on" and that control is hanging in the air. Nickelodeon can be favored over Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and PBS morning cartoons. With Snoopy, there is nothing in its class. I'm always amazed how it never gets old too"I got tons of bubble gum! "I got loads of chocolate!"I got a rock."
October 23, 2009 at 11:10
Thanks for your comments. I guess it's good for Cedar Fair that there are people who feel like you both. I didn't know that there were Peanuts shows being released on DVD. The thought it is even a bit funny to me as it's such an old show. I still believe kiss would be more excited for Nick characters than Peanuts characters. I don't know a ton of kids though, so I may be wrong.
Can we get an elementary school teacher to take a poll? Judy in Pgh, are you out there???
October 24, 2009 at 06:21
Ask and ye shall receive! I work with high school-aged sp. ed. students and we have discussed this with some interersting comments on their part. They view Charlie Brown characters as "safe" and "nice people with good manners," along with "even my mom knows who they are!" They think SpongeBob is a bad role model and should only be for teenagers (like them!). "Dora is for babies!" They like characters who have staying power, as consistency is important to these young folks. That's the same response I got from the parents of my younger Special Olympics athletes … consistency is the key. I think I may pose this question to the Child Development classes as our high school to get their opinions on this matter. It could be interesting.
From Orlando … Judy P
P.S. Even MY mom knows the Peanuts Gang and she's 80 years old!
October 27, 2009 at 16:31
Yay! More ranting! But anyway, Nick has been going towards more "real life" shows than animated ones, so that is hard to acomplish. And then there is lisensing…it's a mone thing really. I'd imagine Nick would pcost more than Peanuts in expense. And kids don't care about theming to much- it's a kiddie section, there are pistures to be taken, and there are rides!
P.S. I'm watching Charlie Brown right now!
October 27, 2009 at 17:29
Well I think so many people know snoopy(and love him!) that cedar fair is going for something that would appeal to more people then somthing just mostly children would like. Also nick characters DO get outdated so they will have to buy new costumes every now and then and snoopy hasn't gotten outdated for something like 50 years.
October 27, 2009 at 19:57
I am very happy with the change from Nick to The Peanuts. I am a life long season pass holder for Cedar Point. I also go to Kings Island 4 or 5 times a year. I liked Kings Island better when it was Hanna Barbara. I will not miss Nick.
I used to be a fan of Nick, but now I do not let my kids watch the shows are the channel. Nick is nothing more than liberal propaganda, trying to indoctrinate our children. Most shows on Nick are no longer appropriate for kids.
My kids 5 and 7 love The Peanut characters.
October 27, 2009 at 20:19
Wow! I guess I'm on an island. Good move for Cedar Fair I guess. Um,… liberal propaganda? I get that Nick, the shows for older kids, isn't the most wholesome, but the Nick I'm talking about are the shows that rides are based on like Dora, Lazytown, Fairly Odd, etc.
I have a 2 year old and she loves Nick Jr/Noggin. They're fun, educational and I'm pretty sure they're propaganda free. I can't speak to the older kid stuff like iCarly etc.
Anyway, I was never arguing which was better in general or for kids. I just didn't know that any kids, not 30, 40, 50, and 80 year olds, KIDS really knew who Snoopy and Charlie B. were. It looks like the consensus is that kids DO know the characters. Must be passed down in their genes or something. Either that or those couple TV movies are appointment TV every year.
Thanks for chiming in everyone. This has been enlightening. The marketing department at the transitioning Cedar Fair parks can have a sigh of relief now.
January 26, 2010 at 03:12
actualy i was agreeing whith you, but i do think "I Carly" is funny even though it is a little offensive(stop making fun of Q!))
November 18, 2009 at 07:00
Great comments! While I agree that Snoopy has a wider audience from a marketing standpoint, I would have liked to see them get rid of Nick and stay with Hanna Barbera. My 4 year old has no idea who Snoopy is, but loves Scooby, Yogi, etc.
April 7, 2011 at 09:52
well duh snoopy world is like 4 to 8 but u really think they know who he is nick central is 2 to like to full adult ok some of the shows r mean and crude AT TIMES but a better history for kids and i know because im 11 yeah i love spongebob ive been here from the beginner i will fight for spongebob
January 24, 2010 at 10:07
Snoopy is classic and more know about him, and he's funnier than Spongebob. Spongebob is stupid, annoying, and a waste of time. I'm from Minnesota, and I grew up with a Peanuts park, and now it's a Nick park. Ugh.
April 7, 2011 at 09:42
dude snoopy is not funny only if u r 50 witch u r i guess
January 24, 2010 at 19:59
I have fond memories of reading the Sunday comics and the Peanuts were always the first. The TV specials that celebrated the holidays and seasons I remember well. Unfortunately, unless the Peanuts make more inroads into kid's daily TV programming I seriously doubt anyone under the age of 10 will care.
January 25, 2010 at 12:58
Snoopy is classic, fun, cool, and timeless. Who is Spongebob anyway?
January 27, 2010 at 03:08
spogebob is a stupid nick character who`s laugh makes your ears ring.
January 25, 2010 at 13:29
I'm just a little bit concerned about this move, because, if you recall, Cedar Fair changed all the rides in "Hanna-Barbera Land" when they originally bought the parks (I was brought up as Kings Island being my favorite park, and I used to be in that land quite often) they kept the lisencing for about a year and then changed it to Nickelodeon. Now they are changing it to Snoopy? Are you kidding me? Maybe every theme park should re-theme their kids areas every few years… (NOTE: Kings Island has been voted the best kids area for 9 years, even with the name changes.)
On a different note, what is with Cedar Fair and their creative names? These marketing people must make a killing! I mean, Top Gun into Flight Deck, the Beastie into the Fairly Odd Coaster (strike that), the Woodstock Express? And now, Scooby Doo's Haunted Mansion into… Boo Blasters on Boo Hill? SERIOUSLY? Pay the money for the lisencing, and stop being cheap.
(Just to clarify, I love Cedar Fair parks, the rides to be exact, and while I don't always support their desicisions, usually they put that money saved into bigger and better things for the parks.)
January 25, 2010 at 15:53
Just remember, Cedar Fair isn't calling all the shots now, since Apollo took over. I don't know if this will change much, but Cedar Fair no longer speaks alone. Who knows? We may experience a similar change again with Apollo making the change.
January 26, 2010 at 07:06
Also remember that this Apollo deal may not go through at the proposed $11.50 price/share. They are currently in a standoff between Apollo and their shareholders. Thier biggest shareholder said they would vote NO on the transaction when the time arises. Many other investors are following suit.
Also note that Cedar Fair has continuely stated that this takeover is for finacial purposes only, and will not involve Apollo micromanaging park operations (that is Kinzel's job.)
January 27, 2010 at 05:07
Wonderful news for all of us grandparents who care for our grandchildren. Sponge Bob has been played out, as much as we love Dora, change will be welcome. Because of the seasonal specials on T.V. our grandkids love the Peanuts characters. They are ageless. Looking forward to buying a season pass.
January 27, 2010 at 15:29
YES! FINALLY! Another female … and one possibly in my age group, too. Hi, Cathy!
January 29, 2010 at 02:50
let`s start guessing the names of what some of the rides will be.
i`ll guesse the danny phantom ride at KI will become themed after that bird that nobody realy knows a thing about except that he follows snoopy, and runaway reptar will probably get swinging trains and be named the red barron.
January 29, 2010 at 13:10
Ya mean woodstock! woodstocks a classic! anyways theyve already anounced the names for the rides.
January 29, 2010 at 07:35
Names have already been released and will be as follows at Carowinds, I can only assume it will be the same style at all parks.
Rugrat’s Runaway Reptar = Flying Ace Aerial Chase
Hey Arnold’s Taxi Chase = Lucy’s Crabbie Cabbie
Fairly Odd Coaster = Woodstock Express
Nick-O-Round = Character Carousel
Backyardigans Swing-A-Long = Charlie Brown’s Wind Up
Boot’s Balloon Race = Flying Ace Balloon Race
Little Bill’s Cruisers = Peanut’s Yacht Club
Tommy’s Take Off = Red Baron
Nick Jr. Jets = Snoopy’s Space Race
Danny Phantom Flyers = Woodstock Gliders
Rocket Power Airtime = Snoopy’s GR8 SK8
TV Road Trip = Joe Cool’s Driving School
LazyTown Sporticopters = Woodstock’s Whirly Birds
Dora The Explorer’s Azul Adventure = Snoopy’s Junction
Now I know some rides at Carowinds don't exist at KI and vice-versa, but KI, as far as I know, has yet to release the names of their rides.
February 8, 2010 at 08:54
No! I love the Rugrats Toonpike! So many memories on that thing. I get so excited when I go there and see the Rugrats. They should be every bit as classic as the Peanuts, at least the old episodes, because they dealt with a lot of deep stuff that most other kids shows wouldn't even go near. It's disappointing Nick no longer airs Rugrats. I wonder what they're going to do with all the statues and stuff…
February 9, 2010 at 14:12
They might sell them to the new Nick park thats going to open in New Orleans.
February 9, 2010 at 17:26
good prediction schwarz.
February 10, 2010 at 03:38
wow… i remember going on the rugrats cars at KD, and it was… boring. it was fun for the first min. but u had to watch a safety vid. they chose ur car, and the cars were only out for like 2 min.
February 10, 2010 at 12:35
were they the ones where you drive them?
February 10, 2010 at 15:41
yeah… and little
February 11, 2010 at 02:47
they have alot of rides like that, but they allways seem to follow the terrain. (Besides those wiggles world ones, they`re all the same)
June 21, 2010 at 10:33
i agree. i loved rugrats. the old one, not all grown up.
March 11, 2010 at 07:01
Kings Island just released their names today.
Character Carousel = Nick O' Round
Charlie Brown Wind Up = Backyardigan's Swing-Along
Flying Ace = Runaway Reptar
Joe Cool's Dodgem School = Jimmy Neutrons Atom Smasher
Kite Eating Tree = Planktons Plunge
Linus' Beetle Bugs = Swiper's Sweepers
Linus' Launcher = Danny Phantom Flyers
PEANUTS 500 = Nick Jr. Drivers
PEANUTS' Off Road Rally = Go Diego Go
Race for Your Life Charlie Brown = Wild Thornberry River Adventure
Snoopy VS Red Baron = Blue's Skidoo
Sally's Sea Plane = Timmy's Airtours
Snoopy Surf Dog = Avatar: The Last Airbender
Snoopy's Junction = La Adventura de Azul
Snoopy's Splash Dance = Spongebob Squarepants Bikini Bottom Bash
The Great Pumpkin Coaster = Little Bills Giggle Coaster
Woodstock Express = Fairly Odd Coaster
Woodstock's Whirlybirds = Lazytown Sportacopters
No word yet on Scooby Doo other than they brought someone in to redo it. New names are on the left, old names are on the right.
March 11, 2010 at 12:16
peanuts 500, nice.
March 11, 2010 at 14:59
Yea, I know. I thought so too. These names aren't exactly as crappy as I thought they would be. They're not perfect, but they're above par for typical Cedar Fair names. Hopefully they don't mess it all up by naming the Scooby Doo Ride "Boo Blasters on Boo Hill" like some of the other CF parks.
June 9, 2010 at 22:03
I actually noticed this today while on Carowinds website. Me and my wifes aniversary is this Sunday and we're going to Carowinds because that was our first date. Anyways while on the site i noticed all the Nick-themed rides have gone peanuts? Really? I never really cared about the Nick-themed areas in the park. (and yes, whole area dubbed Nick) Actually i thought it would have happened sooner.
As you may allready know, Paramount parks were bought out by Cedar Fair recently. I cant say i like the change, the park entry fee went up quite a bit and all the rides with names liscensed by Paramount movies were renamed. (Borg Assimilater changed to Nighthawk; Top Gun changed to Afterburn.. ext..)
But for some reason, although Nick is liscensed by Paromount they kept the theme a good year after the buyout.
But why peanuts? Obviously it was not a legal issue to keep the Nick. But do you think kids of a Nick generation are going to relate to a franchise that was well before there time? Hell, im 21 and i can say its a wee bit before my time.
I grew up knowing one of the parks woodies called "Scooby Doos Ghoster Coaster". Thats what i remember it by, and thats what my parents remember it by since its launch in the late seventies if im not mistaken. But then two years ago they changed it to the "Fairly oddparents Farily odd coaster". I figured it was because they lost the rights to Scooby, but still had rights to Nick. I cant remember what they call it now, "Woodstocks flying coaster" or something like that.
I just think that the big executive guys at Cedar fairs needs to look at their key demographic. Us older kids come for the rides. Little kids come for the theming. And what current generation kid is going to relate to a franchise that belonged to an older generation. My nephew is going to be very dissapointed this year when he sees that Spongebob and Blue wont be posing for any pictures with him.
June 20, 2010 at 18:03
I loved the Snoopy theme! I loved the swings and some other rides but its not like a teenager would love to ride a Backyardigan's ride or something! I think Snoopy is more relateable and kids of any age would ride a Peanut's themed ride. I grew up not being allowed to watch Nickelodeon or Nick Jr so some of these rides I'm like' "Cool ride but, who is that?" Whenever I visit MN "Camp Snoopy" was on the top of the list of places to go. And now with Nick, it's so expensive too. Oh well. It's not like they can change it back. I can't wait to try the new Spongebob coaster!!! And go on the avatar airbender (who is that anyway??) if you get the chance… BYEE!!
June 21, 2010 at 02:20
uh, i think you've got things a little backwards, they're changing it from nick to snoopy, not the other way around.
July 1, 2010 at 08:55
Not in Minnesota. It was always Snoopy until a year or 2 ago. And I went on the Rock Bottom Plunge for my first upside down!!! Amazing! Now I gotta try every thrill ride ever!! Bye
July 1, 2010 at 08:57
Whatever, Snoopy is better no matter which way you turn it around…