A few episodes ago, we talked about our wishlist for the new Enchanted Parks – a good listen if you haven’t listened yet! – and we jokingly said on the episode that we’d love someone from Enchanted Parks to come on the podcast to talk about their own wishlist.
Funny how things happen, because just two weeks later, Andrew was able to grab a few minutes with Enchanted Parks’ CEO, James Harhi – a longtime industry veteran who is working with the rest of the Enchanted Parks team to breathe some new life and excitement into the six properties that the company will manage.
The interview has a little bit of everything – James’ background in the industry, why those parks, the vision for the future, and if you listen all the way to the end, the “Dining Plan” discourse from the original announcement is addressed.
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Thanks to JM Entertainment for providing our theme song. For more on them, check out jmentgrp.com
Thanks for the podcast. I have always wondered who owns the attractions. If they are only operations and they put in the coaster do they own it or does EPR own the upgrades. Does it feel like doing a kitchen renovation in a rental. Granted they get to use it for 40 years so that would be close to the life span of these upgrades.
I have the best wishes for these parks. I believe there is a local family thrill market is untapped. My home park is Cedar point and it is not always the place I want to go with my family because it is a large destination. Where Waldameer is a bit further but can be a more reliable value. There are economies of scale with these parks but I feel then need to be a quality experience over a great value. I know that is a hard thing to balance.
James Harhi you are living my dream and again I wish you luck. I hope you look to have relationships like a Costco and not Walmart. You have a lot of not glamorous fires to put out to get though the first year or maybe 2. I hope the chain’s name reflects the character of visiting the parks, that guests are enchanted into a shared adventure worth repeating.