Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

 

 

FORM 10 - Q

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 29, 2008

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             .

Commission file number 1-9444

 

 

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   34-1560655

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky, Ohio 44870-5259

(Address of principal executive offices)

(zip code)

(419) 626-0830

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

 

Large Accelerated Filer   x   Accelerated Filer   ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller Reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

Title of Class

 

Units Outstanding As Of

July 1, 2008

Units Representing Limited Partner Interests   55,048,792

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

INDEX

FORM 10 - Q

 

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1.

   Financial Statements    3-11

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    12-18

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    18

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    18

Part II - Other Information

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    19

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    19

Item 6.

   Exhibits    19

Signatures

   20

Index to Exhibits

   21


Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     6/29/08     12/31/07  
ASSETS     

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 32,911     $ 5,501  

Receivables

     45,248       16,516  

Inventories

     47,517       26,884  

Prepaids and other current assets

     55,712       13,847  
                
     181,388       62,748  

Property and Equipment:

    

Land

     341,654       344,688  

Land improvements

     326,235       317,811  

Buildings

     583,108       582,654  

Rides and equipment

     1,334,140       1,270,852  

Construction in progress

     14,272       33,997  
                
     2,599,409       2,550,002  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (663,024 )     (616,440 )
                
     1,936,385       1,933,562  

Goodwill

     323,882       325,418  

Other Intangibles, net

     64,906       66,098  

Other Assets

     23,080       30,842  
                
   $ 2,529,641     $ 2,418,668  
                
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY     

Current Liabilities:

    

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 17,450     $ 17,450  

Accounts payable

     62,539       18,566  

Deferred revenue

     79,654       18,844  

Accrued interest

     10,225       660  

Accrued taxes

     10,181       15,836  

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits

     20,296       18,276  

Self-insurance reserves

     20,944       21,539  

Other accrued liabilities

     12,022       11,537  
                
     233,311       122,708  

Deferred Tax Liability

     158,186       158,304  

Other Liabilities

     104,706       117,103  

Long-Term Debt:

    

Revolving credit loans

     123,451       34,086  

Term debt

     1,697,013       1,701,375  
                
     1,820,464       1,735,461  

Partners’ Equity:

    

Special L.P. interests

     5,290       5,290  

General partner

     —         —    

Limited partners, 55,049 and 54,248 units outstanding at June 29, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively

     259,738       334,740  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (52,054 )     (54,938 )
                
     212,974       285,092  
                
   $ 2,529,641     $ 2,418,668  
                

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per unit amounts)

 

     Three months ended     Six months ended     Twelve months ended
     6/29/08    6/24/07     6/29/08     6/24/07     6/29/08     6/24/07

Net revenues:

             

Admissions

   $ 163,647    $ 150,154     $ 181,246     $ 161,486     $ 571,905     $ 541,008

Food, merchandise and games

     112,156      106,160       129,852       120,133       369,774       355,677

Accommodations and other

     20,431      17,700       25,538       22,394       77,917       69,343
                                             
     296,234      274,014       336,636       304,013       1,019,596       966,028
                                             

Costs and expenses:

             

Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues

     27,836      26,650       33,242       31,040       94,828       91,617

Operating expenses

     124,731      124,177       193,016       182,281       429,957       415,331

Selling, general and administrative

     41,859      37,375       58,791       51,444       142,549       123,503

Impairment loss on fixed assets

     3,265      —         3,265       —         58,163       —  

Depreciation and amortization

     44,089      45,653       50,272       49,971       130,924       118,982
                                             
     241,780      233,855       338,586       314,736       856,421       749,433
                                             

Operating income (loss)

     54,454      40,159       (1,950 )     (10,723 )     163,175       216,595

Interest expense

     34,262      36,193       67,063       69,598       142,864       143,513

Other expense, net

     167      179       (448 )     299       (1,482 )     4,075
                                             

Income (loss) before taxes

     20,025      3,787       (68,565 )     (80,620 )     21,793       69,007

Provision (credit) for taxes

     5,337      (1,743 )     (39,471 )     (31,026 )     5,784       15,680
                                             

Net income (loss)

     14,688      5,530       (29,094 )     (49,594 )     16,009       53,327

Net income (loss) allocated to general partner

     —        —         —         (1 )     1       —  
                                             

Net income (loss) allocated to limited partners

   $ 14,688    $ 5,530     $ (29,094 )   $ (49,593 )   $ 16,008     $ 53,327
                                             

Basic earnings per limited partner unit:

             

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding

     54,995      54,208       55,407       54,170       55,343       54,096

Net income (loss) per limited partner unit

   $ 0.27    $ 0.10     $ (0.53 )   $ (0.92 )   $ 0.29     $ 0.99
                                             

Diluted earnings per limited partner unit:

             

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding

     55,603      55,048       55,407       54,170       56,125       54,946

Net income (loss) per limited partner unit

   $ 0.26    $ 0.10     $ (0.53 )   $ (0.92 )   $ 0.29     $ 0.97
                                             

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29, 2008

(In thousands, except per unit amounts)

 

     Six Months
Ended
06/29/08
 

Limited Partnership Units Outstanding

  

Beginning balance 12/31/07

     54,248  

Limited partnership unit options exercised

     758  

Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation

     43  
        
     55,049  
        

Limited Partners’ Equity

  

Beginning balance 12/31/07

   $ 334,740  

Net loss

     (29,094 )

Partnership distributions declared ($0.955 per limited partnership unit)

     (52,223 )

Expense recognized for limited partnership unit options

     (7 )

Limited partnership unit options exercised

     4,538  

Tax effect of units involved in option exercises and treasury unit transactions

     819  

Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation

     965  
        
     259,738  
        

General Partner’s Equity

  

Beginning balance 12/31/07

     —    

Net loss

     —    
        
     —    
        

Special L.P. Interests

     5,290  
        

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment:

  

Beginning balance 12/31/07

     12,755  

Current period activity, net of tax ($582)

     (1,080 )
        
     11,675  
        

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedging derivatives:

  

Beginning balance 12/31/07

     (67,693 )

Current period activity, net of tax ($121)

     3,964  
        
     (63,729 )
        
     (52,054 )
        

Total Partners’ Equity

   $ 212,974  
        

Summary of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  

Net loss

   $ (29,094 )

Other comprehensive income

     2,884  
        

Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   $ (26,210 )
        

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.

 

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CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Three months ended     Six months ended     Twelve months ended  
     6/29/2008     6/24/07     6/29/2008     6/24/07     6/29/2008     6/24/07  

CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

            

Net income (loss)

   $ 14,688     $ 5,530     $ (29,094 )   $ (49,594 )   $ 16,009     $ 53,327  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (for) from operating activities:

            

Non-cash expense

     46,071       49,948       54,247       54,655       135,723       128,019  

Impairment loss on fixed assets

     3,265       —         3,265       —         58,163       —    

Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense

     (1,380 )     (57 )     (1,433 )     (356 )     (1,442 )     (889 )

Net change in working capital

     32,285       20,279       17,264       4,064       (13,647 )     (23,279 )

Net change in other assets/liabilities

     1,027       (581 )     (1,216 )     (2,617 )     19,342       2,218  
                                                

Net cash from operating activities

     95,956       75,119       43,033       6,152       214,148       159,396  
                                                

CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

            

Acquisition of Paramount Parks, net of cash acquired

     —         —         6,431       —         6,431       (1,253,058 )

Capital expenditures

     (35,467 )     (31,782 )     (60,738 )     (53,181 )     (86,231 )     (74,955 )
                                                

Net cash (for) investing activities

     (35,467 )     (31,782 )     (54,307 )     (53,181 )     (79,800 )     (1,328,013 )
                                                

CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

            

Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit loans

     (14,340 )     (500 )     89,365       105,762       (23,199 )     (49,950 )

Term debt borrowings

     —         —         —         —         —         1,745,000  

Term debt payments, including early termination penalties

     (4,362 )     (4,362 )     (4,362 )     (4,362 )     (17,450 )     (384,140 )

Distributions paid to partners

     (26,410 )     (25,748 )     (52,223 )     (51,180 )     (103,733 )     (101,942 )

Termination of interest rate swap agreements

     —         —         —         3,867       —         3,867  

Exercise of limited partnership unit options

     4,085       (1 )     4,538       11       5,210       370  

Payment of debt issuance costs

     —         —         —         (2,000 )     —         (28,310 )

Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense

     1,380       57       1,433       356       1,442       889  
                                                

Net cash from (for) financing activities

     (39,647 )     (30,554 )     38,751       52,454       (137,730 )     1,185,784  
                                                

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH

     15       498       (67 )     524       141       234  
                                                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

            

Net increase (decrease) for the period

     20,857       13,281       27,410       5,949       (3,241 )     17,401  

Balance, beginning of period

     12,054       22,871       5,501       30,203       36,152       18,751  
                                                

Balance, end of period

   $ 32,911     $ 36,152     $ 32,911     $ 36,152     $ 32,911     $ 36,152  
                                                

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

            

Cash payments for interest expense

   $ 32,789     $ 35,988     $ 54,658     $ 59,795     $ 136,594     $ 136,938  

Interest capitalized

     390       945       855       1,343       1,633       1,901  

Cash payments for income taxes

     2,752       8,543       4,318       9,368       14,974       17,126  

The accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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CEDAR FAIR, L.P.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIODS ENDED JUNE 29, 2008 AND JUNE 24, 2007

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the financial records of Cedar Fair, L.P. (the Partnership) without audit and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the results of the interim periods covered in this report.

Due to the highly seasonal nature of the Partnership’s amusement and water park operations, the results for any interim period may not be indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Accordingly, the Partnership has elected to present financial information regarding operations and cash flows for the preceding fiscal twelve-month periods ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007 to accompany the quarterly results. Because amounts for the fiscal twelve months ended June 29, 2008 include actual 2007 peak season operating results, they may not be indicative of 2008 full calendar year operations. Additionally, the fiscal first six months of 2008 includes an additional week compared to the fiscal first six months of 2007, and the fiscal twelve-month period ended June 29, 2008 includes an additional week compared to the fiscal twelve month period ended June 24, 2007.

On June 30, 2006, Cedar Fair, L.P. completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Paramount Parks, Inc. (“PPI”) from a subsidiary of CBS Corporation at an aggregate cash purchase price of $1,243 million, prior to direct acquisition costs and certain adjustments per the purchase agreement related to working capital. In the first quarter of 2008, the Partnership received $6.4 million plus interest due to the final settlement of the working capital adjustment. Upon closing of the transaction, the Partnership acquired, indirectly through Magnum Management Corporation, its wholly owned subsidiary, the following amusement parks: Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto, Canada; Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio; Kings Dominion near Richmond, Virginia; Carowinds near Charlotte, North Carolina; and Great America located in Santa Clara, California. The Partnership also acquired Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure in Las Vegas, and a management contract for Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California. The results of operations of PPI since June 30, 2006 are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Further discussion of this transaction can be found under Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, which was included in the Form 10-K filed on February 29, 2008.

(1) Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies:

The Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007 included in this Form 10-Q report have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, which were included in the Form 10-K filed on February 29, 2008. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K referred to above.

(2) Interim Reporting:

The Partnership owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six separately gated outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. In order to more efficiently manage its properties, management has created regional designations for the parks. Parks in the Partnership’s northern region include Cedar Point and the adjacent Soak City water park in Sandusky, Ohio; Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio; Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto, Canada; Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom near Allentown, Pennsylvania; Valleyfair, near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom near Cleveland, Ohio; and Michigan’s Adventure near Muskegon, Michigan. In the southern region are Kings Dominion near Richmond, Virginia; Carowinds near Charlotte, North Carolina; and Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri. The western parks include Knott’s Berry Farm, near Los Angeles in Buena Park, California; California’s Great America located in Santa Clara, California; and three Knott’s Soak City water parks located in California. The Partnership also owns and operates the Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky, Ohio and Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure in Las Vegas, and it operates Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California under a management contract. Virtually all of the Partnership’s revenues from its seasonal amusement parks, as well as its outdoor 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 third quarter during the peak vacation months of July and August.

 

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To assure that these highly seasonal operations will not result in misleading comparisons of current and subsequent interim periods, the Partnership has adopted the following accounting and reporting procedures for its seasonal parks: (a) revenues on multi-day admission tickets are recognized over the estimated number of visits expected for each type of ticket and are adjusted periodically during the season, (b) depreciation, advertising and certain seasonal operating costs are expensed during each park’s operating season, including certain costs incurred prior to the season which are amortized over the season, and (c) all other costs are expensed as incurred or ratably over the entire year.

(3) Derivative Financial Instruments:

Derivative financial instruments are only used within our overall risk management program to manage certain interest rate and foreign currency risks from time to time. The Partnership does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

During 2006, the Partnership entered into several interest rate swap agreements which effectively converted $1.0 billion of its variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate of 7.6%. Cash flows related to these interest rate swap agreements are included in interest expense over the term of the agreements, which are set to expire in 2012. In January 2008, the Partnership entered into three interest rate swap agreements which effectively converted an additional $300 million of its variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate of 4.7%. Cash flows related to these rate swap agreements will be included in interest expense over the term of the swap agreements, which are set to expire in July 2009. The Partnership has designated the 2006 and 2008 interest rate swap agreements and hedging relationships as cash flow hedges. The fair market value of these agreements at June 29, 2008 was recorded as a liability of $58.0 million in “Other Liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. No ineffectiveness was recorded in any period presented.

In February 2007, the Partnership terminated two cross-currency interest rate swap agreements, which were effectively converting $268.7 million of term debt related to its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary from variable U.S. dollar denominated debt to fixed-rate Canadian dollar denominated debt. As a result of the termination of the swaps, the Partnership received $3.9 million of cash. The swaps were hedging the functional-currency-equivalent cash flows of debt that was re-measured at spot exchange rates. Accordingly, gains were previously reclassified out of “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” (AOCI) into earnings to offset the related FASB Statement (FAS) No. 52 transaction losses on the debt. This offset the value received on the terminated swaps and resulted in an overall deferred hedging loss in AOCI of $7.1 million at the termination date, which is being amortized through August 2011 (the original hedge period and remaining term of the underlying debt).

The terminated swaps were replaced with two new cross-currency swap agreements, which effectively converted the variable U.S. dollar denominated debt, and the associated interest payments, to 6.3% fixed-rate Canadian dollar denominated debt. The Partnership designated the new cross currency swaps as foreign currency cash flow hedges. The fair market value of the cross-currency swaps was a liability of $43.6 million at June 29, 2008, which was recorded in “Other Liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. No ineffectiveness was recorded in any period presented.

(4) Contingencies:

The Partnership is a party to a number of lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these matters will not have a material effect in the aggregate on the Partnership’s financial statements.

(5) Earnings per Unit:

Net income per limited partner unit is calculated based on the following unit amounts:

 

     Three months ended    Six months ended     Twelve months ended
     06/29/08    06/24/07    06/29/08     06/24/07     06/29/08    06/24/07
     (In thousands except per unit amounts)

Basic weighted average units outstanding

     54,995      54,208      55,407       54,170       55,343      54,096

Effect of dilutive units:

               

Unit options

     355      634      —         —         548      659

Phantom units

     253      206      —         —         234      191
                                           

Diluted weighted average units oustanding

     55,603      55,048      55,407       54,170       56,125      54,946
                                           

Net income (loss) per unit - basic

   $ 0.27    $ 0.10    $ (0.53 )   $ (0.92 )   $ 0.29    $ 0.99
                                           

Net income (loss) per unit - diluted

   $ 0.26    $ 0.10    $ (0.53 )   $ (0.92 )   $ 0.29    $ 0.97
                                           

 

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The effect of unit options and phantom units for the six months ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007, had they not been antidilutive, would have been 718,000 and 805,000 units, respectively.

(6) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

As further described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, goodwill acquired during 2006 was the result of the completion of the acquisition of PPI. In accordance with FAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis. During the second quarter of 2008, we completed our annual impairment test on goodwill and other non-amortizable intangibles related to PPI, which did not indicate any impairment. A summary of changes in the Partnership’s carrying value of goodwill is as follows:

 

(In thousands)

      

Balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 325,418  

Purchase accounting adjustment

     (529 )

Translation adjustment

     (1,007 )
        

Balance at June 29, 2008

   $ 323,882  
        

At June 29, 2008, the Partnership’s other intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

(In thousands)

   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net
Carrying
Value

Other intangible assets:

        

Trade names

   $ 53,827    $ —      $ 53,827

License / franchise agreements

     13,738      2,779      10,959

Non-compete agreements

     200      80      120
                    

Total other intangible assets

   $ 67,765    $ 2,859    $ 64,906
                    

Amortization expense of other intangible assets for the six months ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007 was $680,000 and $658,000, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2008 is $681,000. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is $1.4 million annually.

(7) Income and Partnership Taxes:

Under FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” income taxes are recognized for the amount of taxes payable by the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries for the current year and for the impact of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which represent future tax consequences of events that have been recognized differently in the financial statements than for tax purposes. The income tax provision (benefit) for interim periods is determined by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate to the year-to-date income (loss) of the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries. For 2008, the estimated annual effective rate includes the effect of an anticipated adjustment to the valuation allowance that relates to foreign tax credit carry-forwards arising from the corporate subsidiaries. The amount of this adjustment has a disproportionate impact on the annual effective tax rate that results in a significant variation in the customary relationship between the provision for taxes and income before taxes in interim periods. In addition to income taxes on its corporate subsidiaries, the Partnership pays a publicly traded partnership tax (PTP tax) on partnership-level gross income (net revenues less cost of food, merchandise and games). As such, the Partnership’s total provision for taxes includes amounts for both the PTP tax and for income taxes on its corporate subsidiaries.

(8) Fair Value Measurements:

The Partnership adopted FAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. FAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The standard outlines a valuation framework and creates a fair value hierarchy in order to increase the consistency and comparability of fair value measurements and the related disclosures. Under GAAP, certain assets and liabilities must be measured at fair value, and FAS No. 157 details the disclosures that are required for items measured at fair value. Under FAS No. 159, entities are permitted to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Partnership did not elect the fair value measurement option under FAS No. 159 for any of its financial assets or liabilities.

 

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In February 2008, the FASB issued two Staff Positions (FSPs) on FAS No. 157: FSP 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement Under Statement 13”, and FSP 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157.” FSP 157-1 excludes fair value measurements related to leases from the disclosure requirements of FAS No. 157. FSP 157-2 delays the effective date of FAS No. 157 for all non-recurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Partnership is applying the deferral guidance of FSP 157-2, and accordingly, has not applied the non-recurring disclosure to nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities valued at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

FAS 157 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

   

Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

 

   

Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The table below presents the balances of liabilities measured at fair value as of June 29, 2008 on a recurring basis:

 

(In thousands)

   Total    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3

Interest rate swap agreements

   $ 57,980    $ —      $ 57,980    $ —  

Cross-currency swap agreements

     43,640      —        43,640      —  
                           

Total (1)

   $ 101,620    $ —      $ 101,620    $ —  
                           

 

(1) Included in Other Liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

Fair values of the interest rate and cross-currency swap agreements are provided by the counterparty. The significant inputs, including the LIBOR and foreign currency forward curves, used by the counterparty to determine fair values are considered Level 2 observable market inputs. The Partnership does not consider credit risk to be an input that is significant to the measurement of fair value for the interest rate and cross-currency swaps.

(9) Other New Accounting Pronouncements:

FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”—In March 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”. FAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosure related to derivatives and hedging activities and thereby seeks to improve the transparency of financial reporting. Under FAS No. 161, entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures relating to: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; (b) how derivative instruments and related hedge items are accounted for under FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS No. 133”), and its related interpretations; and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. FAS No. 161 must be applied prospectively to all derivative instruments and non-derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments and related hedged items accounted for under FAS No. 133 for all financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, which for the Partnership begins with its 2009 fiscal year, with early application encouraged. The Partnership expects that FAS No. 161 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

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FASB Statement No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”—In May 2008, the FASB issued FAS No. 162 “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. FAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. FAS No. 162 is effective sixty days following the SEC’s approval of PCAOB amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of ‘Present fairly in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles’”. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of FAS No. 162 on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business Overview:

We generate our revenues primarily from sales of (1) admission to our parks, (2) food, merchandise and games inside our parks, and (3) hotel rooms, food and other attractions outside our parks. Our principal costs and expenses, which include salaries and wages, advertising, maintenance, operating supplies, utilities and insurance, are relatively fixed and do not vary significantly with attendance.

In order to more efficiently manage our properties after the acquisition of Paramount Parks, Inc. (PPI) in 2006, we created regional designations for our parks. The Northern Region, which is the largest, includes Cedar Point and the adjacent Soak City water park, Kings Island, Canada’s Wonderland, Dorney Park, Valleyfair, Geauga Lake’s Wildwater Kingdom and Michigan’s Adventure. The southern region includes Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun. Finally, our Western Region includes Knott’s Berry Farm, California’s Great America and the Soak City water parks located in Palm Springs, San Diego and adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm. This region also includes Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive adventure in Las Vegas and the management contract with Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California.

Critical Accounting Policies:

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions during the normal course of business that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. The following discussion addresses our critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and operating results and involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity (See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, as included in the Form 10-K filed on February 29, 2008, for a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies).

Accounting for Business Combinations – Business combinations are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The amounts assigned to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with acquisitions are based on estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition, with the remainder, if any, recorded as goodwill. The fair values are determined by management, taking into consideration information obtained during the due diligence process, valuations supplied by independent appraisal experts and other relevant information. The valuations are generally based upon future cash flow projections for the acquired assets, discounted to present value. The determination of fair values requires significant judgment both by management and outside experts engaged to assist in this process.

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures made to maintain such assets in their original operating condition are expensed as incurred, and improvements and upgrades are capitalized. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The composite method is used for the group of assets acquired as a whole in 1983, as well as for the groups of like assets of each subsequent business acquisition. The unit method is used for all individual assets purchased.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – The carrying values of long-lived assets, including property and equipment, are reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss may be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset, including disposition, are less than the carrying value of the asset. The measurement of the impairment loss to be recognized is based on the difference between the fair value and the carrying amounts of the assets. Fair value is generally determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis. In order to determine if an asset has been impaired, assets are grouped and tested at the lowest level for which identifiable, independent cash flows are available.

The determination of both undiscounted and discounted cash flows requires management to make significant estimates and consider an anticipated course of action as of the balance sheet date. Subsequent changes in estimated undiscounted and discounted cash flows arising from changes in anticipated actions could impact the determination of whether impairment exists, the amount of the impairment charge recorded and whether the effects could materially impact the consolidated financial statements.

Self-Insurance Reserves – Reserves are recorded for the estimated amounts of guest and employee claims and expenses incurred each period that are not covered by insurance. Reserves are established for both identified claims and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims. Such amounts are accrued for when claim amounts become probable and estimable. Reserves for identified claims are based

 

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upon our own historical claims experience and third-party estimates of settlement costs. Reserves for IBNR claims, which are not material to our consolidated financial statements, are based upon our own claims data history, as well as industry averages. All reserves are periodically reviewed for changes in facts and circumstances and adjustments are made as necessary.

Revenue Recognition – Revenues on multi-day admission tickets are recognized over the estimated number of visits expected for each type of ticket, and are adjusted periodically during the season. All other revenues are recognized on a daily basis based on actual guest spending at our facilities, or over the park operating season in the case of certain marina dockage revenues and certain sponsorship revenues.

Derivative Financial Instruments – Derivative financial instruments are only used within our overall risk management program to manage certain interest rate and foreign currency risks from time to time. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

The use of derivative financial instruments is accounted for according to FAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and related amendments. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is reported as a component of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Derivative financial instruments used in hedging transactions are assessed both at inception and quarterly thereafter to ensure they are effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the related underlying exposures.

Adjusted EBITDA:

We believe that adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and other non-cash items) is a meaningful measure of park-level operating profitability because we use it for measuring returns on capital investments, evaluating potential acquisitions, determining awards under incentive compensation plans, and calculating compliance with certain loan covenants.

Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the discussion of results of operations that follows as a supplemental measure of our operating results and is not intended to be a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. The table below sets forth a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for the three, six and twelve-month periods ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007.

 

     Three months ended     Six months ended     Twelve months ended
     6/29/08
(13 weeks)
   6/24/07
(13 weeks)
    6/29/08
(26 weeks)
    6/24/07
(25 weeks)
    6/29/08
(53 weeks)
    6/24/07
(52 weeks)
     (In thousands)

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 102,136    $ 85,990     $ 52,045     $ 39,611     $ 352,933     $ 336,123

Depreciation and amortization

     44,089      45,653       50,272       49,971       130,924       118,982

Equity-based compensation

     328      178       458       363       671       546

Impairment loss on fixed assets

     3,265      —         3,265       —         58,163       —  
                                             

Operating income

     54,454      40,159       (1,950 )     (10,723 )     163,175       216,595

Interest expense

     34,262      36,193       67,063       69,598       142,864       143,513

Other (income)

     167      179       (488 )     299       (1,482 )     4,075

Provision for taxes

     5,337      (1,743 )     (39,471 )     (31,026 )     5,784       15,680
                                             

Net income (loss)

   $ 14,688    $ 5,530     $ (29,054 )   $ (49,594 )   $ 16,009     $ 53,327
                                             

Results of Operations:

Our results of operations for the three, six and twelve months ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007 are not directly comparable as the current periods include an additional week due to the timing of the fiscal second-quarter close. In addition, current period results are impacted by the restructuring of our Geauga Lake property from a combined amusement park and water park to a stand-alone water park beginning with the 2008 season. Since material differences in our statements of operations are largely due to the additional week in the current fiscal periods, as well as the impact of the Geauga Lake restructuring, we will also discuss operating results on a comparable-period and same-park basis.

Six Months Ended June 29, 2008 –

The fiscal six-month period ended June 29, 2008, consisted of a 26-week period and included a total of 1,162 operating days compared with 25 weeks and 1,046 operating days for the fiscal six-month period ended June 24, 2007.

The following table presents key financial information for the six months ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007:

 

    

Six months

ended

6/29/08

   

Six months

ended

6/24/07

    Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (26 weeks)     (25 weeks)     $     %  
     (Amounts in thousands except per capita spending)  

Attendance

     7,570       6,732       838     12.4  

Per capita spending

   $ 40.45     $ 40.68     $ (0.23 )   (0.6 )

Out-of-park revenues

   $ 40,479     $ 38,257     $ 2,222     5.8  

Net revenues

   $ 336,636     $ 304,013     $ 32,623     10.7  

Cash operating costs and expenses

     284,591       264,402       20,189     7.6  
                          

Adjusted EBITDA

     52,045       39,611       12,434     31.4  

Depreciation and amortization

     50,272       49,971       301     0.6  

Equity-based compensation

     458       363       95     26.2  

Impairment loss on fixed assets

     3,265       —         3,265     —    
                          

Operating (loss)

   $ (1,950 )   $ (10,723 )   $ (8,773 )   (81.8 )
                          

 

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Net revenues for the six months ended June 29, 2008 increased 11%, or $32.6 million, to $336.6 million from $304.0 million during the first six months ended June 24, 2007, primarily due to the extra week of operations in the current fiscal period. The increase in revenues reflects a 12%, or 838,000-visit, increase in attendance and a 1%, or $0.23, decrease in average in-park per capita spending. In-park guest per capita spending represents the amount spent per attendee to gain admission to a park plus all amounts spent while inside the park gates. Out-of-park revenues, which represent the sale of hotel rooms, food, merchandise and other complementary activities located outside of the park gates, increased 6%, or $2.2 million between years.

Excluding depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses, operating costs and expenses increased 8%, or $20.2 million, to $284.6 million for the period ended June 29, 2008 versus $264.4 million for the same period in 2007, due to the additional week in the current year. As a percent of revenues, cash operating costs and expenses for the six-month period decreased to 84.5% in 2008 from 86.9% a year ago. After depreciation, amortization, a $3.3 million charge for impairment related to the sale of fixed assets at Geauga Lake, and all other non-cash costs, the operating loss for the period decreased $8.8 million to $1.9 million in 2008 compared with $10.7 million in 2007.

Interest expense for the six months ended June 29, 2008 decreased $2.5 million to $67.1 million, due to lower interest rates on our variable-rate debt and our ability to fix an additional $300 million of term debt at a favorable rate through an interest rate swap agreement entered into during the first quarter of 2008, coupled with a lower average daily balance on our revolving credit facilities compared with 2007, offset by an additional week of expense.

During the first half of the year, a credit for taxes of $39.5 million was recorded to account for the tax attributes of our corporate subsidiaries and publicly traded partnership (“PTP”) taxes. This compares with a $31.0 million credit for taxes for the same fiscal six-month period in 2007. To determine the interim period income tax provision (benefit) of our corporate subsidiaries, we apply an estimated annual effective tax rate to our year-to-date income (loss). The 2008 estimated annual effective tax rate includes the effect of an anticipated adjustment to the valuation allowance that relates to foreign tax credit carry-forwards arising from our corporate subsidiaries. The amount of this adjustment has a disproportionate impact on our annual effective tax rate that results in a significant variation in the customary relationship between the provision for taxes and income before taxes in interim periods. Cash taxes paid or payable are not impacted by these interim tax provisions and are estimated to be between $17-$20 million for the 2008 calendar year.

After interest expense and the credit for taxes, the net loss for the six months ended June 29, 2008 totaled $29.1 million, or $0.53 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with a net loss of $49.6 million, or $0.92 per unit, for the same period a year ago.

As mentioned above, it is important to note that the current six-month period benefited from an additional week of operations due to the timing of the second quarter fiscal close. In addition, attendance and net revenues were impacted by the restructuring of the Geauga Lake property. Comparing both 2008 and 2007 through the first full six months of the year, and on a same-park (excluding Geauga Lake) and operating week basis, total revenues would be down less than 1% on flat attendance, flat in-park guest per capita spending and a slight decrease in out-of-park revenues.

For the six-month period adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash costs), which management believes is a meaningful measure of the company’s park-level operating results, increased $12.4 million, or 31%, to $52.0 million compared with $39.6 million during the same period a year ago. Comparing both years through a full six months and on a same-park basis (excluding Geauga Lake), adjusted EBITDA would be down approximately $2-$4 million between years due primarily to soft early-season attendance at two of our largest parks, Cedar Point and Knott’s Berry Farm.

Second Quarter –

The second fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2008 and second fiscal quarter ended June 24, 2007, each contain a 13-week period, however, due to the timing of the fiscal calendar, the 2008 second quarter includes an additional 75 operating days when compared to the 2007 second quarter.

 

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The following table presents key financial information for the three months ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007:

 

    

Three months

ended

6/29/08

  

Three months

ended

6/24/07

   Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (13 weeks)    (13 weeks)    $     %  
     (Amounts in thousands except per capita spending)  

Attendance

     6,865      6,269      596     9.5  

Per capita spending

   $ 40.16    $ 40.49    $ (0.33 )   (0.8 )

Out-of-park revenues

   $ 29,534    $ 27,847    $ 1,687     6.1  

Net revenues

   $ 296,234    $ 274,014    $ 22,220     8.1  

Cash operating costs and expenses

     194,098      188,024      6,074     3.2  
                        

Adjusted EBITDA

     102,136      85,990      16,146     18.8  

Depreciation and amortization

     44,089      45,653      (1,564 )   (3.4 )

Equity-based compensation

     328      178      150     84.3  

Impairment on fixed assets

     3,265      —        3,265     —    
                        

Operating income

   $ 54,454    $ 40,159    $ 14,295     35.6  
                        

For the quarter ended June 29, 2008, which include the additional operating days, net revenues increased 8%, or $22.2 million, to $296.2 million from $274.0 million in 2007. This increase reflects a 10%, or 596,000-visit, increase in attendance and a 6%, or $1.7 million, increase in out-of-park revenues. Slightly offsetting these increases was a 1%, or $0.33, decrease in average in-park guest per capita spending during the quarter.

Excluding depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses, operating costs and expenses for the quarter increased 3% to $194.1 million from $188.0 million in 2007 due primarily to the additional operating days in the period. Slightly offsetting this was a reduction in second-quarter operating costs at our Geauga Lake property with its conversion to a stand-alone water park in 2008. After depreciation, amortization, the $3.3 million impairment charge, and other non-cash costs, operating income for the quarter totaled $54.5 million, up $14.3 million from $40.2 million for the second quarter of 2007.

Interest expense for the second quarter in 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 decreased $1.9 million to $34.3 million. The decrease in interest expense is attributable to a combination of lower interest rates on our variable-rate debt, the new interest rate swaps that were entered into during the first quarter of 2008, and a lower average daily balance on our revolving credit facilities during the second quarter of 2008 versus the second quarter of 2007.

During the quarter, a provision for taxes of $5.3 million was recorded to account for the tax attributes of our corporate subsidiaries and PTP taxes, compared to a credit for taxes of $1.7 million in the same period a year ago. After interest expense and the provision/credit for taxes, the net income for the period totaled $14.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with net income of $5.5 million, or $0.10 per unit, a year ago.

For the quarter, adjusted EBITDA increased 19% to $102.1 million from $86.0 million a year ago. The $16.1 million increase was primarily attributable to the additional operating days in the second quarter of 2008, along with our continued efforts to control operating costs. On a comparable number of operating days and a same-park basis as discussed above, adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2008 would be essentially flat with last year.

 

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Twelve Months Ended June 29, 2008 –

The following table presents key financial information for the twelve months ended June 29, 2008 and June 24, 2007:

 

    

Twelve months

ended

6/29/08

  

Twelve months

ended

6/24/07

   Increase
(Decrease)
 
     (53 weeks)    (52 weeks)    $    %  
     (Amounts in thousands except per capita spending)  

Attendance

     22,954      22,434      520    2.3  

Per capita spending

   $ 40.52    $ 39.42    $ 1.10    2.8  

Out-of-park revenues

   $ 113,982    $ 105,102    $ 8,880    8.4  

Net revenues

   $ 1,019,596    $ 966,028    $ 53,568    5.5  

Cash operating costs and expenses

     666,663      629,905      36,758    5.8  
                       

Adjusted EBITDA

     352,933      336,123      16,810    5.0  

Depreciation and amortization

     130,924      118,982      11,942    10.0  

Equity-based compensation

     671      546      125    22.9  

Impairment loss on fixed assets

     58,163      —        58,163    —    
                       

Operating income

   $ 163,175    $ 216,595    $ 53,420    (24.7 )
                       

Net revenues for the twelve months ended June 29, 2008, were $1.02 billion compared with $966.0 million for the twelve months ended June 24, 2007. The increase in net revenues reflects a 2%, or 520,000-visit, increase in attendance, a 3%, or $1.10, increase in average in-park guest per capita spending and an 8%, or $8.9 million, increase in out-of-park revenues, including our resort hotels. Consistent with the periods above, the fiscal twelve months ended June 29, 2008 includes an additional week when compared to the fiscal twelve months ended June 24, 2007, which represents the largest portion of the increase in revenues between years in the period.

For the twelve-month period, operating costs and expenses, before depreciation, amortization and other non-cash costs, increased 6%, or $36.8 million, to $666.7 million from $629.9 million for the same period a year ago. For the twelve months ended June 29, 2008, we recognized a $58.2 million impairment charge on fixed assets due to the restructuring of Geauga Lake. After this impairment charge, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses, operating income for period totaled $163.2 million compared to operating income of $216.6 million a year ago. The twelve months ended June 24, 2007 includes the operations of the PPI parks since their acquisition on June 30, 2006 and therefore, does not reflect a full year of operations by four days, the result of our fiscal month close.

Interest expense for the twelve months ended June 29, 2008 decreased $649,000 to $142.9 million compared with $143.5 million for the same period in 2007. This decrease is the result of a lower average cost of debt over the period, offset somewhat by the additional week in the current twelve-month period. During the period, we recorded a provision for taxes of $5.8 million to account for the tax attributes of our corporate subsidiaries and PTP taxes, which compares with a provision for taxes of $15.7 million a year ago. The twelve-month period ended June 24, 2007, also reflected $4.1 million of other expense, of which the primary component was the recognition of a $4.7 million loss on the early extinguishment of debt during the period.

After interest expense, other expense and provision for taxes, net income for the twelve months ended June 29, 2008 was $16.0 million, or $0.29 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with net income of $53.3 million, or $0.97 per diluted limited partner unit, for the twelve months ended June 24, 2007.

For the twelve-month period, adjusted EBITDA increased 5%, or $16.8 million, to $352.9 million in 2008 from $336.1 million in 2007. This increase was primarily due to the additional week in the current year period, and on a comparable basis (excluding Geauga Lake), adjusted EBITDA would be essentially flat between years.

 

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July 2008 –

Based on preliminary July results, revenues for the first seven months of the year increased 2%, or approximately $11 million, on a comparable-park (excluding Geauga Lake) and operating week basis. This increase reflects a 3%, or 359,000-visit, increase in combined attendance through the end of July, slightly down in-park guest per capita spending, and a 2% decrease in out-of-park revenues.

Over the past five weeks, consolidated revenues, on a comparable-park and operating week basis, were up 5%, or approximately $14 million, largely due to a 6% increase in combined attendance, or 379,000 visits, and a $0.8 million increase in out-of-park revenues. Over the same four-week period, average in-park guest per capita spending was slightly down, consistent with the trend through the first six months of the year. Fueling the strong July attendance figures was the solid performance of our parks in the northern and southern regions, which saw attendance increases of approximately 388,000 visits and 37,000 visits, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

We ended the second quarter of 2008 in sound financial condition in terms of both liquidity and cash flow. The negative working capital ratio (current liabilities divided by current assets) of 1.3 at June 29, 2008 is the result of our seasonal business and careful management of cash flow to reduce borrowings. Receivables and inventories are at normal seasonal levels and credit facilities are in place to fund current liabilities.

At the end of the quarter, we had $1.71 billion of variable-rate term debt and $123.5 million in borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. Of our total term debt, $17.5 million is scheduled to mature within the next twelve months.

In 2006, we entered into several interest rate swap agreements which effectively convert $1.0 billion of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate of 7.6%. In January 2008, we entered into several additional interest rate swap agreements which effectively converted another $300.0 million of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate of 4.7%.

In 2007, we terminated two cross-currency swaps, which were effectively converting variable-rate debt related to our wholly owned Canadian subsidiary to fixed-rate debt, and received $3.9 million in cash upon termination. We replaced these swaps with two new cross-currency swap agreements, which effectively convert $268.7 million of term debt, and the associated interest payments, from U.S. dollar denominated debt at a rate of LIBOR plus 200 bps to 6.3% fixed-rate Canadian dollar denominated debt.

We entered into these various swap arrangements as a means of reducing the risk associated with volatility in interest rates in order to keep our cash interest costs predictable. Although the fair market value of these instruments is recorded as a liability of $101.6 million in “Other Liabilities” on the June 29, 2008 condensed consolidated balance sheet with the offset reducing Partners’ Equity, this is expected to reverse over time as the swaps approach their maturity dates and continue to serve their purpose of leveling cash interest costs.

Credit facilities and cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet working capital needs, debt service and planned capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. Our cash flows from operations are also expected to be sufficient to meet regular quarterly cash distributions for the foreseeable future; however, our ability to maintain and increase our distribution payments is also governed by specific requirements of our credit agreement (see Item 1A – Risk Factors on page 19). Although we expect to meet these requirements for the foreseeable future, a downturn in business could have the effect of limiting or suspending distribution payments in the future.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements:

We have no significant off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

 

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Forward Looking Statements

Some of the statements contained in this report (including the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, including statements as to our expectations, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements may involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors, including those listed under Item 1A in the Partnership’s Form 10-K as well as this 10-Q, could adversely affect our future financial performance and cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks from fluctuations in interest rates, and to a lesser extent on currency exchange rates on our operations in Canada and, from time to time, on imported rides and equipment. The objective of our financial risk management is to reduce the potential negative impact of interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to acceptable levels. We do not acquire market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes.

We manage interest rate risk through the use of a combination of interest rate swaps, which fix a portion of our variable-rate long-term debt, and variable-rate borrowings under our revolving credit loans. We mitigate a portion of our foreign currency exposure from the Canadian dollar through the use of foreign-currency denominated debt. Hedging of the U.S. dollar denominated debt, used to fund a substantial portion of our net investment in our Canadian operations, is accomplished through the use of cross currency swaps. Any gain or loss on the hedging instrument offsets the gain or loss on the underlying debt. Translation exposures with regard to our Canadian operations are not hedged.

After considering the impact of interest rate swap agreements, at June 29, 2008, approximately $1.57 billion of our outstanding long-term debt represented fixed-rate debt and approximately $273 million represented variable-rate debt. A hypothetical one percentage point increase in the applicable interest rates on our variable-rate debt would increase annual interest expense by approximately $2.1 million as of June 29, 2008.

A uniform 1% strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar would result in an approximate $400,000 decrease in reported annual operating income.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures -

The Partnership maintains a system of controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in its reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Partnership’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of June 29, 2008, the Partnership has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures under supervision of management, including the Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting -

There were no significant changes in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting in connection with its 2008 second quarter evaluation, or subsequent to such evaluation, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following additional risk factor should be read in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Our debt agreement contains certain restrictions that if not met, may limit or suspend future distributions.

Our credit agreement governs, amongst other things, the amount of distributions we are permitted to pay. Certain restrictions exist when cash flow from operations, although positive, is not sufficient per the requirements of the credit agreement. Also, we are required to meet certain debt to EBITDA levels to maintain or increase our distribution. We expect to meet these requirements for the foreseeable future; however, a downturn in business could have the effect of limiting or suspending distributions in the future.

There have been no other material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The annual meeting of the limited partners of Cedar Fair, L.P. was held on May 15, 2008 to consider and vote upon: 1) the election of two Directors of the general partner for a three-year term expiring in 2011; 2) to consider and vote upon the adoption of the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan; and 3) to confirm the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following table summarizes the results for each proposal voted upon at the annual meeting:

Proposal I. The election of two class III directors to serve until 2011.

 

Nominee

   For    Withheld

Darrel D. Anderson

   47,270,592    1,060,776

David L. Paradeau

   44,747,042    3,584,326

Proposal II. The adoption of the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

For

   Against    Abstain

26,834,282

   3,418,087    750,741

Proposal III. The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

For

   Against    Abstain

47,403,964

   518,159    409,241

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit (31.1)

   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit (31.2)

   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit (32.1)

   Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
  (Registrant)
  By   Cedar Fair Management, Inc.
        General Partner
Date: August 8, 2008  

/s/ Peter J. Crage

  Peter J. Crage
  Corporate Vice President - Finance
  (Chief Financial Officer)
 

/s/ Brian C. Witherow

  Brian C. Witherow
  Vice President and Corporate Controller
  (Chief Accounting Officer)

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit (31.1)

   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit (31.2)

   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit (32.1)

   Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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