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8-K - 8-K - CEDAR FAIR L Pd284326d8k.htm
Investor Presentation
January 19, 2012
Exhibit 99.1


2
Forward Looking Statements
Some slides and comments included here, particularly related to estimates,
comments on expectations about future performance or business conditions,
may contain “forward looking statements”
within the meaning of the federal
securities laws which involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-
looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,”
“project,”
“might,”
“expects,”
“may,”
“will,”
“should,”
“seeks,”
“approximately,”
“intends,”
“plans,”
“estimates”
or “anticipates”
or similar expressions that concern our
strategy, plans or intentions. These forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and could cause actual
results to differ materially from those that we anticipate. While we believe that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we
caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of unknown factors, and it is
impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.
Important factors, including those listed under Item 1A in the Partnership’s Form
10-K could adversely affect our future financial performance and cause actual
results to differ materially from our expectations.


Investor Presentation
January 19, 2012


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5
AGENDA
Company Overview &
Key Investment Considerations
Matt Ouimet
Park Review
Richard Zimmerman
Financial Review
Brian Witherow
Strategic Growth Opportunities
Matt Ouimet
Financial Goals
Matt Ouimet
Summary
Matt Ouimet
Q&A


Net Revenue 2011E:
~$1,028
2011E Adj. EBITDA
(a)
~$375
Market Capitalization
(b)
$1,283
($ in millions)
Headquartered in Sandusky, OH
Full-Time Employees
~1,700
Seasonal/Part-Time Employees
~35,000
Facilities:
11
Best-in-Class Amusement Parks
1   Amusement Park Under Contract
6   Separately Gated Water Parks
5   Hotels
(c)
-
~1,700 Rooms
5   Campgrounds, including deluxe RV sites and cabins
2
Marinas
850+ rides and attractions
120+ roller coasters
(a)
As defined on slide 39
(b)
Based on $23.18 unit price as of January 13, 2012 and 55.4 million units outstanding
(c)
One hotel with indoor water park
We entertain more than
23 million guests
annually, generating
more than
$1 billion in revenue
Company Overview
6


7
People Have Choices…
Entertainment of Choice
Deliver the “best-day-of-the-year”
experience for our guests
Employer of Choice
Respect, value and appreciate
our employees
Investment of Choice
Drive attractive total return
Our Approach


8
Smooth leadership transition
Record year in 2011, on top of
record 2010
2010 refinancing created significant
financial flexibility
Restoration of meaningful unit
distributions
Building Positive Momentum


9
Favorable Industry Dynamics
Significant barriers to entry
Compelling value compared with
other forms of entertainment
Recession resilient
Loyal, high-repeat customer base
(75%+ repeat visitation)
No comparable at-home digital
experience
North American focus
Key Investment Considerations


10
Proven Ability to Deliver
Results
2010 and 2011 –
Record
attendance and Adjusted EBITDA
Decades-long, industry-leading
Adjusted EBITDA margins
Stable and diversified cash flows
Experienced management team
Key Investment Considerations


11
Attractive Strategic Growth
Opportunities Exist
Enhanced guest experience
Improved consumer messaging
Dynamic pricing and advance
purchase commitments
Premium product offerings
Strategic alliance fees and
promotional leverage
Capital and expense productivity
Key Investment Considerations


12
Total Return Investment
Anchored by attractive
distribution yield
Unit price appreciation driven by
earnings growth
Balanced approach to allocation
of excess cash
Key Investment Considerations


Capital Costs
Estimated cost of approximately $500+ million to construct a quality
regional park
Limited visibility on return on capital at inception
Real Estate
Requirements
Minimum requirement of 100-150 acres for park
Additional
land
generally
required
for
construction
of
roads
and
local
businesses that are complementary to the park (i.e., lodging and
restaurants)
Transportation infrastructure in close proximity to the park
Zoning Restrictions
Local governments often believe the negative impact of increased
traffic and environmental effects outweigh promise of increased tax
revenue and job creation
Long Development
Times
Generally requires approximately three years
One year used for planning process—feasibility analysis, public approval
process, design development and financing
Two years used for construction—procuring and installing rides, show
facilities and other equipment
Few Viable Markets
First mover advantage already taken in key domestic markets
Favorable Industry Dynamics
Significant Barriers to Entry
13


Industry-Leading Adjusted EBITDA Margins
Adjusted
EBITDA
Margins
The Company has some of
the highest Adjusted EBITDA
margins in the industry
We maintain strict cost controls
Carefully manage seasonal
staffing levels
Minimal corporate overhead
Pricing integrity
Strategic use of marketable
discounts to create urgency
Value-enhancing special events
and offerings
14
(a)
Source:  SEC filings for 2007 –
2010
(b)
Information not available for Six Flags
(a)


15
Historical Adjusted EBITDA Margin


16
(d)
Acquisition of Geauga Lake in 2004
(e)
Acquisition of Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Kings Dominion, Carowinds and California’s
Great America in 2006
(f)
As defined on slide 39
Note:  2007 to 2011E Adjusted EBITDA represents Consolidated EBITDA as defined in the 2010 Credit   
*Agreement
(a)
Includes attendance for amusement parks and separately-gated outdoor water parks   
(b)
Acquisition of Knott’s Berry Farm in December 1997
(c)
Acquisition
of
Michigan’s
Adventure
and
Knott’s
Soak
City
Palm
Springs
in
2001
Stable and Diversified Cash Flows
We generate consistent revenue and cash flow


Stable and Diversified Cash Flows
17
Resilient performance during recessions
(a)
Acquisition of Knott’s Berry Farm in December 1997
(b)
Acquisition
of
Michigan’s
Adventure
and
Knott’s
Soak
City
Palm
Springs
in
2001
(c)
Acquisition of Geauga Lake in 2004
(d)
Acquisition of Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Kings Dominion, Carowinds and
California’s Great America in 2006
(e)
As defined on slide 39


Stable and Diversified Cash Flows
The Company has a national footprint that mitigates
regional economic and weather risk
18


Stable and Diversified Cash Flows
We are not dependent on any one park or region
19


Experienced Management Team
Management team with proven experience both with
Cedar Fair and in the leisure and hospitality industry
Name
Position
Years with
Cedar Fair
Years In
Industry
Matt
A.
Ouimet
(53)
President and Chief Executive Officer
6 mos
22
Richard
A.
Zimmerman
(51)
Chief Operating Officer
21
25
Brian
C.
Witherow
(45)
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
17
17
H.
Philip
Bender
(56)
Executive Vice President
33
40
David
R.
Hoffman
(43)
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
6
6
Craig
J.
Freeman
(58)
Corporate Vice President of Administration
32
32
Duffield
E.
Milkie
(46)
Corporate Vice President and General Counsel
4
4
Robert
A.
Decker
(51)
Corporate Vice President of Planning & Design
13
23
Lee
A.
Alexakos
(55)
Corporate Vice President of Marketing
33
33
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21
AGENDA
Company Overview &
Key Investment Considerations
Matt Ouimet
Park Review
Richard Zimmerman
Financial Review
Brian Witherow
Strategic Growth Opportunities
Matt Ouimet
Financial Goals
Matt Ouimet
Summary
Matt Ouimet
Q&A


Leading operator of high-quality,
well-maintained parks
Balanced mix of families and thrill
seekers
Innovation leader
Seasoned, dedicated management
22
Our Core Strengths


23
Our Cornerstones


Industry-leading attractions with
long useful lives
Thrill rides are unique content that
drive attendance
Family rides appeal to all generations
Minimal IP royalty payments
Capital investments average 9% of
net revenues
Excludes annual maintenance
expense (included in operating
expense on income statement)
Combined, capital expenditures and
maintenance represent approximately
18% of revenue spent annually to
maintain and improve asset base
High-Quality, Well-Maintained Parks
24


Innovation Leader
25+ years of record-breaking rides
Introduced the world’s first 200-foot,
300-foot and 400-foot-tall coasters
Introduced the world’s first corkscrew
element and magnetic launched
coasters
First Halloween Haunt event
Successfully rolled out to other parks
within our portfolio
Develop new attraction concepts
Low-cost laboratory
Dinosaurs Alive!
Wind Seeker –
300-foot-tall swing
ride
25
Create and dominate entire
categories of new rides and
attractions


Provide the best and highest value
family entertainment in each market
Strong regional identity
Multi-generational appeal
Lifetime guests
Extensive presence of classic and
timeless PEANUTS characters
High guest satisfaction and repeat
visitation
Balanced Mix of Families and Thrill Seekers
26


Seasoned, Dedicated Management
Our park General Managers have an average of 25 years of
experience with Cedar Fair and 27 years within the industry
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Name
Park
Years with
Cedar Fair
Years In
Industry
H.
John
Hildebrandt
(62)
Cedar Point
38
38
Raffi
Kaprelyan
(49)
Knott’s Berry Farm
33
33
Norm
Pirtovshek
(57)
Canada’s Wonderland
32
32
Greg
Scheid
(48)
Kings Island
23
24
Bart
Kinzel
(45)
Carowinds
21
21
Pat
Jones
(50)
Kings Dominion
32
32
Jason
McClure
(41)
Dorney Park
11
11
Raul
Rehnborg
(42)
California’s Great America
25
25
Larry
MacKenzie
(55)
Valleyfair
34
34
Frank
Wilburn
(46)
Worlds of Fun
17
21
Camille
Jourden-Mark
(45)
Michigan’s Adventure
11
24


Parks that entertain ~3.0+
million guests on an annual
basis include:
Cedar Point –
Sandusky, OH
Knott’s Berry Farm –
Buena Park, CA
Canada’s Wonderland –
Toronto, ON
Kings Island –
Cincinnati, OH
28
Our Parks


Parks that entertain ~1.5+
million guests on an annual
basis include:
Carowinds –
Charlotte, NC
Kings Dominion –
Richmond, VA
Dorney Park –
Allentown, PA
California’s Great America –
Santa Clara, CA
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Our Parks


Parks that entertain ~1.0
million or fewer guests on an
annual basis include:
Valleyfair –
Shakopee, MN
Worlds of Fun –
Kansas City, MO
Michigan’s Adventure –
Muskegon, MI
30
Our Parks


Cedar Point
31
Sandusky, Ohio
Super regional draw –
largest seasonal
amusement park in the U.S.
Named the “Best Amusement Park in
the World”
for 14 consecutive years
(a)
Features five of the top 25 steel roller
coasters in the world
(a)
, four hotels,
two marinas and an upscale campsite
Serves a six-state region in the
Midwest that is home to approximately
26 million people
(a)
Source:  Amusement Today, September 2011


Orange County, California
32
Year-round park with renowned
seasonal events including one of the
top-rated Halloween events in the
country
(a)
Includes three separately gated water
parks in California and an adjacent
320-room, full-service hotel
Located in Southern California serving
a market of approximately 20 million
people with a large tourism industry
(a)
Source:  Amusement Today, September 2011


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One of the largest seasonal
amusement parks in the U.S.
Features a children’s area named
“Best
Kids’
Area
in
the
World”
for
eleven
consecutive
years
(a)
Local market includes approximately
15 million people
Cincinnati, Ohio
(a)
Source:  Amusement Today, September 2011


34
Toronto, Canada
Largest amusement park in Canada
Hosts several cultural festivals per year
in the park
Serves diverse Toronto metropolitan
market of approximately nine million
people
One of the “Top Three”
destinations in
the world for coaster quantity


Broad and compelling rides,
attractions and events
Investing ~$90 million across all of
our properties
Leviathan
306-foot-tall, 92-mph roller
coaster at Canada’s Wonderland
One of the tallest and fastest roller
coasters in the world
Stinger
138-foot-tall inverted shuttle
coaster at Dorney Park
WindSeeker
300-foot-tall thrill ride
providing guests with panoramic views at
Carowinds and Kings Dominion
New Fun For 2012
35


Focus on balancing family
attractions and thrill rides
Dinosaurs Alive!
coming to Cedar Point,
Canada’s Wonderland, Dorney Park and
Kings Dominion
Soak City Water Park
rebranding and
expansion of water park at Kings Island,
including the addition of a new wave pool
“Luminosity -
Ignite the Night!”
a new
night time celebration at Cedar Point
More than 25 new live entertainment shows
General infrastructure improvements and
upgrades include resort refreshment, new
point-of-sale system, and premium guest
experiences
36
New Fun For 2012


37
New Fun for 2012
Leviathan Video


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AGENDA
Company Overview &
Key Investment Considerations
Matt Ouimet
Park Review
Richard Zimmerman
Financial Review
Brian Witherow
Strategic Growth Opportunities
Matt Ouimet
Financial Goals
Matt Ouimet
Summary
Matt Ouimet
Q&A


39
Updated Guidance
Preliminary results project Net Revenues of ~$1.028 billion
Preliminary
results
project
Adjusted
EBITDA(a)
of
~$375
million
Both net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA at the high end of previous
guidance
Highlights
Entertained
a
record
23.4
million
guests
up
3%
year-over-year
Average in-park guest per capita spending increased to $40.03         
up 2% year-over-year
Costs in line with our expectations
2011 Financial Highlights
(a)  Adjusted
EBITDA
represents
earnings
before
interest,
taxes, depreciation,
amortization, other non-cash items, and adjustments as defined in the
Amended 2010 Credit Agreement. 


2011 Financial Highlights
Year-over-year record attendance
trends
Season pass visits up significantly
High perceived value
Strong “influence factor”
Group business improving
Successfully converted some front
gate admissions into season
passes
40
Attendance Breakdown


Cash Flow Outlook
41
Cash Flow Outlook
Capital Expenditures
~$75 million in 2011
~$90 million in 2012
~9% of net revenues going forward for organic growth
Cash Interest Costs
~$150 million in 2011
~$100 million in 2012 and beyond


42
Cash Flow Outlook
Cash Taxes
~$10 million in 2011
Modest increases through 2014 as revenues and income increase
Approaching ~$35 million in 2015 as NOLs are exhausted
One-Time Items
~$50 million for the termination of a Canadian swap
(February 2012)
~$11 million in retirement costs (mid-year 2012)


43
(in millions)
12/31/2011
Revolving
Credit
Loans
(due
2015)
$                   –
Term Debt:
Term loan averaging 4.0%
(due 2017)
1,156
Notes:
9.125% senior unsecured notes
(due 2018)
400
Less Current Portion
Total Long-Term Debt
$          1,556
Total Leverage Ratio
~4.2x
Senior Secured Leverage Ratio
~3.1x
Debt Profile


Debt Profile
44
Debt Profile
~$800 million of outstanding term debt has been converted to a
fixed-rate through the use of several interest rate swap
agreements
No debt maturities until our revolving credit facility matures in
2015
Revolver capacity = $260 million
Cost of debt is expected to be ~6.3% in 2012 down from 9.5% in
2011


Key Financial Considerations
We generate a significant amount of free cash flow (FCF)
Record guest attendance and financial results in 2011
Additional revenue and FCF growth opportunities in 2012 and beyond
Additional FCF from ~$50 million reduction of debt service costs
beginning in 2013
Capital structure provides substantial operating flexibility
No longer constrained by credit agreements
Staggered debt maturities
Predictable financing costs
45
Year-end
earnings
conference
call
on
February
21,
2012
at
10:00
am
ET


46
AGENDA
Company Overview &
Key Investment Considerations
Matt Ouimet
Park Review
Richard Zimmerman
Financial Review
Brian Witherow
Strategic Growth Opportunities
Matt Ouimet
Financial Goals
Matt Ouimet
Summary
Matt Ouimet
Q&A


Strategic Growth Opportunities
47
There are six key growth
drivers in our business
1.
Enhanced guest experience
2.
Improved consumer messaging
3.
Dynamic pricing and advanced
4.
Premium product offerings
5.
Strategic alliance fees and
6. Capital and expense productivity
purchase commitments
promotional leverage


Enhanced Guest
Experience
We deliver compelling value for
the price paid, at every park on
every day
48
“New Fun”
Compelling new rides,
shows and events at rational capital
levels
Balancing of thrill and family-friendly
offerings to sustain valuable
family
:
teen audience mix
Quality enhancements in food and
resorts to drive greater capture and
support pricing premiums
Extending length-of-stay through
evening events
“Luminosity –
Ignite the Night!”
at
Cedar Point in 2012
Highly marketable, reprogrammable
seasonally/annually
We deliver compelling
value for the price paid, at
every park, every day


Improved Consumer Messaging and
Relationship Management
49
Added resources and capabilities to
modernize our marketing and sales
strategy and execution
New agency of record –
Cramer-Krasselt
Internal resources added selectively
to support best practice transfer and
enhanced consumer insights
Incentive compensation program
implemented for sales force
We speak to consumers
with messages that break
through the noise and
create action within our
operating season       
(i.e., urgency)


Improved Consumer Messaging and
Relationship Management
50
Improve messaging to drive greater
emotional response
Leverages off existing, strong
emotional attachment and multi-
generation memories
Supports pricing growth in difficult
economy and re-invigorates lapsed
users
“Thrills Connect”
underpinning
designed to encourage larger party
sizes
Adapt media mix to evolving
consumer channels
We speak to consumers
with messages that break
through the noise and
create action within our
operating season       
(i.e., urgency)


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52


53


Dynamic Pricing and Advance Purchase
Commitments
54
We offer all consumers
the right price (and no
less), focused on true
incremental behavior
New “accesso”
e-commerce
platform installed
Common to other industry players
Provides real-time data and dynamic
pricing modification
Supports incremental programs
Season pass installment sales and
intelligent up-sell of benefits and
value
Reduces reliance on non-aligned
intermediaries
Multi-year migration to “Best Value
Guarantee”
on our site


Dynamic Pricing and Advance Purchase
Commitments
55
New “accesso”
e-commerce
platform installed (cont.)
Data capture supports customer
relationship management
Advance purchase commitments
provide protection against visitation
disruption events and drives in-park
spending elasticity
We offer all consumers
the right price (and no
less), focused on true
incremental behavior


56
Fast Lane to be launched in all
parks; Fright Lane at Halloween
Early entry for resort guests and
strategic partners
Premium parking and dining
experiences
Others under development
Premium Product Offerings
We will continue to
expand our premium
offerings to benefit-
oriented consumers


57
Experienced business development executive added to drive
appropriate relationships
Develops over multiple years
Strategic Alliance Fees and Promotional
Leverage
Industry benchmarking indicates an opportunity to
expand our strategic alliances while still protecting
the integrity of the guest experience


Capital and Expense Productivity
58
Multi-year strategic plan for capital that protects the base and
supports new reasons to visit
Encouraging manufacturers to innovate at lower costs
Avoiding creep in the fixed cost base through removal of inefficient
capacity
IT system investments to reduce costs and drive revenue
:
labor
management, POS, financial reporting
Undeveloped land reserved for activities and investments that
leverage the installed asset base
“Strategic Admission Drivers”
We apply disciplined metrics to the prioritization of
capital and management of expenses


59
AGENDA
Company Overview &
Key Investment Considerations
Matt Ouimet
Park Review
Richard Zimmerman
Financial Review
Brian Witherow
Strategic Growth Opportunities
Matt Ouimet
Financial Goals
Matt Ouimet
Summary
Matt Ouimet
Q&A


60
Disciplined execution of our business plan
Solid balance sheet
FUN is a Total Return Investment
Total Return
1. Quality Distribution
2. Unit Price Appreciation
Reliable and Growing
Sustainable Earnings Growth
Achieved
by
Driving
An attractive distribution yield in a low yield environment
Record distribution target for 2013


Financial Performance Objectives
Target $450+ million in Adjusted EBITDA by 2016
~4% CAGR
Sustain margin discipline
Target total leverage ratio of <4.0x
Repayment of $25 million term debt in 2012
Opportunistic prepayments beyond 2012
61


Financial Performance Objectives
62
Adjusted EBITDA
(a)
Growth
Enhanced guest experience
Improved consumer messaging
Dynamic pricing and advance
purchase commitments
Premium product offerings
Strategic alliance fees and
promotional leverage
Capital and expense productivity
($ in millions)
Strategic Growth Drivers
(a)  As defined on slide 39


Distribution Outlook
Anticipate 2012 annual distribution of $1.60 per LP unit
Pay out in $0.40 quarterly cash installments
Implied yield of ~7% at $23 unit price
Target record
distribution in excess of $2.00 per LP unit in 2013
Considerations for future distribution growth
Growth of FCF
Investment opportunities
Capital structure opportunities
Distribution yield / unit price
63


Distribution Outlook
64
$1.29
$1.43
$1.53
$1.60
$1.66
$1.76
$1.80
$1.84
$1.87
$1.90
$1.92
$1.23
$0.25
$1.00
$1.60
More than
$2.00
$0.00
$0.50
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00
$2.50
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Restoring historical distribution commitment


65
AGENDA
Company Overview &
Key Investment Considerations
Matt Ouimet
Park Review
Richard Zimmerman
Financial Review
Brian Witherow
Strategic Growth Opportunities
Matt Ouimet
Financial Goals
Matt Ouimet
Summary
Matt Ouimet
Q&A


66
Favorable industry dynamics
Proven ability to deliver results
Attractive strategic growth
opportunities exist
Total Return Investment
Anchored by attractive
distribution yield
Unit price appreciation driven by
earnings growth
Balanced approach to allocation
of excess cash
Key Investment Considerations


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APPENDIX


EBITDA Adjustments
EBITDA Adjustments
($ in millions)
12/31/10
12/31/09
EBITDA
$247.6
$307.8
Plus: loss on early extinguishment of debt
35.3
--
Plus: net effect of swaps
18.2
9.2
Plus: unrealized foreign exchange (gain) on Note
(17.5)
--
Plus: equity-based compensation
(0.1)
(0.0)
Plus: loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles
2.3
4.5
Plus: loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
62.8
0.2
Plus: (gain) on sale of other assets
--
(23.1)
Plus: terminated merger costs
10.4
5.6
Plus: refinancing costs
--
0.8
Plus: licensing dispute settlement costs
--
2.0
Plus: class action settlement costs
0.3
9.5
Adjusted EBITDA
$359.2
$316.5
For years prior to 2009, a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) can be found in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for that year.