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CEDAR FAIR L P - Quarter Report: 2013 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013
OR
o
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  o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
 
x
  
Accelerated filer
 
o
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
 
 
 
Title of Class
 
Units Outstanding As Of May 1, 2013
Units Representing
Limited Partner Interests
 
55,519,784


Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
INDEX
FORM 10 - Q
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
  
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
  
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
  
41
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
  
41
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
  
42
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
42
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
42
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
  
43
 
 
  
44
 
 
  
45



Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
 
3/31/2013
 
12/31/2012
 
3/25/2012
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
(As restated)
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
10,038

 
$
78,830

 
$
7,319

Receivables
 
13,342

 
18,192

 
6,693

Inventories
 
39,063

 
27,840

 
44,486

Current deferred tax asset
 
36,022

 
8,184

 
15,120

Income tax refundable
 

 

 
9,013

Prepaid advertising
 
16,396

 
1,086

 
11,139

Other current assets
 
11,319

 
6,974

 
10,258

 
 
126,180

 
141,106

 
104,028

Property and Equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land
 
301,469

 
303,348

 
314,133

Land improvements
 
338,777

 
339,081

 
334,087

Buildings
 
587,603

 
584,854

 
580,121

Rides and equipment
 
1,446,904

 
1,450,231

 
1,423,360

Construction in progress
 
63,509

 
28,971

 
62,951

 
 
2,738,262

 
2,706,485

 
2,714,652

Less accumulated depreciation
 
(1,167,410
)
 
(1,162,213
)
 
(1,073,784
)
 
 
1,570,852

 
1,544,272

 
1,640,868

Goodwill
 
243,653

 
246,221

 
245,808

Other Intangibles, net
 
40,323

 
40,652

 
40,607

Other Assets
 
34,648

 
47,614

 
54,193

 
 
$
2,015,656

 
$
2,019,865

 
$
2,085,504

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
6,300

 
$

 
$
15,921

Accounts payable
 
37,443

 
10,734

 
28,212

Deferred revenue
 
66,184

 
39,485

 
50,754

Accrued interest
 
8,339

 
15,512

 
10,314

Accrued taxes
 
9,000

 
17,813

 
8,820

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
 
20,182

 
24,836

 
33,562

Self-insurance reserves
 
23,557

 
23,906

 
21,754

Other accrued liabilities
 
7,867

 
5,916

 
6,104

 
 
178,872

 
138,202

 
175,441

Deferred Tax Liability
 
154,587

 
153,792

 
130,727

Derivative Liability
 
31,031

 
32,260

 
32,280

Other Liabilities
 
7,685

 
8,980

 
2,235

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving credit loans
 
96,000

 

 
155,004

Term debt
 
623,700

 
1,131,100

 
1,140,179

Notes
 
901,255

 
401,080

 
400,373

 
 
1,620,955

 
1,532,180

 
1,695,556

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
 

 

 

Partners’ Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Special L.P. interests
 
5,290

 
5,290

 
5,290

General partner
 

 
1

 
(1
)
Limited partners, 55,712, 55,618 and 55,424 units outstanding at March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 25, 2012, respectively
 
36,550

 
177,660

 
73,814

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(19,314
)
 
(28,500
)
 
(29,838
)
 
 
22,526

 
154,451

 
49,265

 
 
$
2,015,656

 
$
2,019,865

 
$
2,085,504

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

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Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
 
 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
Net revenues:
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
(As restated)
Admissions
 
$
20,023

 
$
11,670

 
$
620,422

 
$
597,100

Food, merchandise and games
 
16,692

 
12,532

 
346,374

 
350,186

Accommodations and other
 
5,084

 
3,996

 
115,259

 
82,515


 
41,799

 
28,198

 
1,082,055

 
1,029,801

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues
 
5,037

 
4,087

 
95,998

 
92,032

Operating expenses
 
76,657

 
71,285

 
456,775

 
437,008

Selling, general and administrative
 
21,039

 
17,984

 
141,366

 
137,495

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,786

 
4,079

 
127,013

 
125,892

(Gain) on sale of other assets
 

 

 
(6,625
)
 

Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
600

 
92

 
30,844

 
11,251


 
108,119

 
97,527

 
845,371

 
803,678

Operating income (loss)
 
(66,320
)
 
(69,329
)
 
236,684

 
226,123

Interest expense
 
25,763

 
26,803

 
109,579

 
142,876

Net effect of swaps
 
9,211

 
(970
)
 
8,689

 
(15,976
)
Loss on early debt extinguishment
 
34,573

 

 
34,573

 

Unrealized/realized foreign currency (gain) loss
 
8,958

 
(8,192
)
 
8,152

 
8,605

Other (income) expense
 
(40
)
 
(16
)
 
(92
)
 
(126
)
Income (loss) before taxes
 
(144,785
)
 
(86,954
)
 
75,783

 
90,744

Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
(35,659
)
 
(21,539
)
 
17,638

 
5,937

Net income (loss)
 
(109,126
)
 
(65,415
)
 
58,145

 
84,807

Net income (loss) allocated to general partner
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 
1

Net income (loss) allocated to limited partners
 
$
(109,125
)
 
$
(65,414
)
 
$
58,144

 
$
84,806

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(109,126
)
 
$
(65,415
)
 
$
58,145

 
$
84,807

Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
 
301

 
(1,169
)
 
1,839

 
1,050

Unrealized income (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives
 
8,885

 
339

 
8,685

 
(7,958
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)
 
9,186

 
(830
)
 
10,524

 
(6,908
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(99,940
)
 
$
(66,245
)
 
$
68,669

 
$
77,899

Basic earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding
 
55,854

 
55,378

 
55,694

 
55,353

Net income (loss) per limited partner unit
 
$
(1.95
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.04

 
$
1.53

Diluted earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average limited partner units outstanding
 
55,854

 
55,378

 
56,056

 
55,847

Net income (loss) per limited partner unit
 
$
(1.95
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.04

 
$
1.52

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 THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013
(In thousands)

 
Three months ended
 
3/31/13
Limited Partnership Units Outstanding
 
Beginning balance
55,618

Limited partnership unit options exercised
1

Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation
93

 
55,712

Limited Partners’ Equity
 
Beginning balance
$
177,660

Net loss
(109,125
)
Partnership distribution declared ($0.625 per limited partnership unit)
(34,820
)
Expense recognized for limited partnership unit options
235

Limited partnership unit options exercised
28

Tax effect of units involved in option exercises and treasury unit transactions
(127
)
Issuance of limited partnership units as compensation
2,699

 
36,550

General Partner’s Equity
 
Beginning balance
1

Net loss
(1
)
 

Special L.P. Interests
5,290

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment:
 
Beginning balance
(2,751
)
Current period activity, net of tax ($175)
301

 
(2,450
)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedging derivatives:
 
Beginning balance
(25,749
)
Current period activity, net of tax ($1,554)
8,885

 
(16,864
)
 
(19,314
)
Total Partners’ Equity
$
22,526







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
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
(As restated)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(109,126
)
 
(65,415
)
 
$
58,145

 
$
84,807

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from (for) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
4,786

 
4,079

 
127,013

 
125,892

Loss on early debt extinguishment
 
34,573

 

 
34,573

 

Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
600

 
92

 
30,844

 
11,251

Gain on sale of other assets
 

 

 
(6,625
)
 

Net effect of swaps
 
9,211

 
(970
)
 
8,689

 
(15,976
)
Non-cash (income) expense
 
13,867

 
(3,109
)
 
22,127

 
25,240

Net change in working capital
 
7,057

 
(12,228
)
 
18,152

 
(9,337
)
Net change in other assets/liabilities
 
(29,635
)
 
(4,381
)
 
5,029

 
(1,348
)
Net cash from (for) operating activities
 
(68,667
)
 
(81,932
)
 
297,947

 
220,529

CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sale of other assets
 

 

 
16,058

 

Capital expenditures
 
(35,829
)
 
(27,468
)
 
(103,262
)
 
(97,355
)
Net cash for investing activities
 
(35,829
)
 
(27,468
)
 
(87,204
)
 
(97,355
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit loans
 
96,000

 
155,004

 
(59,004
)
 
27,890

Term debt borrowings
 
630,000

 

 
630,000

 

Note borrowings
 
500,000

 

 
500,000

 

Derivative settlement
 

 
(50,450
)
 

 
(50,450
)
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties
 
(1,131,100
)
 

 
(1,156,100
)
 
(23,900
)
Distributions paid to partners
 
(34,820
)
 
(22,151
)
 
(101,482
)
 
(73,070
)
Exercise of limited partnership unit options
 
28

 
48

 
57

 
53

Payment of debt issuance costs
 
(23,491
)
 

 
(23,491
)
 
(723
)
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense
 
(127
)
 
(437
)
 
1,519

 
(437
)
Net cash from (for) financing activities
 
36,490

 
82,014

 
(208,501
)
 
(120,637
)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
(786
)
 
(819
)
 
477

 
(2,473
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) for the period
 
(68,792
)
 
(28,205
)
 
2,719

 
64

Balance, beginning of period
 
78,830

 
35,524

 
7,319

 
7,255

Balance, end of period
 
$
10,038

 
$
7,319

 
$
10,038

 
$
7,319

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for interest expense
 
$
31,291

 
$
30,471

 
$
102,703

 
$
139,126

Interest capitalized
 
516

 
752

 
1,086

 
2,188

Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds
 
1,952

 
138

 
3,597

 
6,207

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 MARCH 31, 2013 AND MARCH 25, 2012
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 are not 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 March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012 to accompany the quarterly results. Because amounts for the fiscal twelve months ended March 31, 2013 include actual 2012 season operating results, they may not be indicative of 2013 full calendar year operations.

(1) Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies:
The Partnership’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012 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, 2012, which were included in the Form 10-K/A filed on May 10, 2013. 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 (the Commission). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K/A referred to above.
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 generally capitalized. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The unit method is used for all individual assets.
Change in Depreciation Method
Effective January 1, 2013, the Partnership changed its method of depreciation 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 from the composite method to the unit method.
Historically, the Partnership had used the composite depreciation method for land improvements, buildings, rides and equipment for the group of assets acquired as a whole in 1983, as well as for the group of like assets of each subsequent business acquisition. The unit method was only used for all individual assets purchased. Under the composite depreciation method, assets with similar estimated lives are grouped together and the several pools of assets are depreciated on an aggregate basis. No gain or loss is recognized on normal retirements of composite assets. Instead, the net book value of a retired asset reduces accumulated depreciation for the composite group. Unusual retirements of composite assets could result in the recognition of a gain or loss. Under the unit method of depreciation, individual assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, with gains and losses on all asset retirements recognized currently in income.
In order to improve comparability and enhance the level of precision associated with allocating historical cost, the Partnership had determined that it was preferable to change from the composite method of depreciation to the unit method of depreciation for all assets. The Partnership believes that pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, changing from the composite method of depreciation to the unit method of depreciation is a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle, which should be accounted for prospectively. This prospective application resulted in the discontinuance of the composite method of depreciation for all prior acquisitions with the existing net book value of each composite pool allocated to the remaining individual assets (units) in that pool with each unit assigned an appropriate remaining useful life on an individual unit basis. Assigning a useful life to each unit in the various composite pools had an insignificant effect on the weighted average useful lives of all assets that were previously accounted for under the composite method.
The change in depreciation method had an immaterial impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Future asset retirements could have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the periods such items occur.




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New Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-01, “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities,” which clarifies that ordinary trade receivables and receivables are not in the scope of Accounting Standards Update 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. Specifically, Update 2011-11 applies only to derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse purchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with specific criteria contained in the FASB Codification or subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2013 and it did not impact the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income - Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires an entity to present information about significant items reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by component either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or as a separate disclosure in the notes to the financial statements. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2013 and it did not impact the Partnership's consolidated financial statements. The Partnership has elected to present movements out of OCI via an additional disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date,” which requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the following:

The amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors
Any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors

The guidance in this Update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as other information about those obligations.

The amendments in the Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, however early adoption is permitted. We do not anticipate this guidance having a material impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, “Parent's Accounting for CTA upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity.” When a reporting entity (parent) ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in Subtopic 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment (CTA) into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided.

Additionally, the amendments in this Update clarify that the sale of an investment in a foreign entity includes both events that result in the loss of a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity and events that result in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately before the acquisition date (sometimes also referred to as a step acquisition). Accordingly, the CTA adjustment should be released into net income upon the occurrence of those events.

The amendments in the Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, however early adoption is permitted. We do not anticipate this guidance having a material impact on the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.

(2) Interim Reporting:
The Partnership owns and operates eleven amusement parks, four separately gated outdoor water parks, one indoor water park and five hotels. 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. Knott's Berry Farm is open daily on a year-round basis. Castaway Bay is generally open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, plus a limited daily schedule for the balance of the year.

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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) Long-Lived Assets:
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment upon the occurrence of events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. 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. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in equity price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of these assets and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

The long-lived operating asset impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step is a comparison of each asset group's carrying value to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets, including disposition. Projected future cash flows reflect management's best estimates of economic and market conditions over the projected period, including growth rates in revenues and costs, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates and assumptions include terminal value growth rates and future estimates of capital expenditures. If the carrying value of the asset group is higher than its undiscounted future cash flows, there is an indication that impairment exists and the second step must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. The amount of impairment is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the asset group to its carrying value in a manner consistent with the highest and best use of those assets.

The Partnership estimates fair value of operating assets using an income, market, and/or cost approach. The income approach which uses an asset group's projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that is discounted using a weighted-average cost of capital reflective of current market conditions. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The cost approach is based on the amount currently required to replace the service capacity of an asset adjusted for obsolescence. If the implied fair value of the assets is less than their carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference.

Non-operating assets are evaluated for impairment based on changes in market conditions. When changes in market conditions are observed, impairment is estimated using a market-based approach. If the estimated fair value of the non-operating assets is less than their carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference.

At the end of the third quarter of 2012, the Partnership concluded based on 2012 operating results and updated forecasts, that a review of the carrying value of operating long-lived assets at Wildwater Kingdom was warranted. After performing its review, the Partnership determined that a portion of the park's fixed assets were impaired. Also, at the end of the third quarter of 2012, the Partnership concluded that market conditions had changed on the adjacent non-operating land of Wildwater Kingdom. After performing its review of the updated market value of the land, the Partnership determined the land was impaired. The Partnership recognized a total of $25.0 million of fixed-asset impairment during the third quarter of 2012 which was recorded in "Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net" on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.


(4) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
In accordance with the applicable accounting rules, goodwill is not amortized, but, along with indefinite-lived trade-names, is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Partnership's annual testing date is December 31.

The Partnership tested goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment on December 31, 2012 and no impairment was indicated. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other,” which gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step goodwill impairment test. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting

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unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step goodwill impairment test is required. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2012 and it did not impact the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment,” which allows an entity the option to first assess qualitatively whether it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, thus necessitating that it perform the quantitative impairment test. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the asset is impaired. The revised standard is effective for annual impairment testing performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, however early adoption is permitted. We adopted this guidance during the third quarter of 2012 and it did not impact the Partnership's consolidated financial statements.
A summary of changes in the Partnership’s carrying value of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is as follows:
(In thousands)
 
Goodwill
(gross)
 
Accumulated
Impairment
Losses
 
Goodwill
(net)
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
326,089

 
$
(79,868
)
 
$
246,221

Foreign currency translation
 
(2,568
)
 

 
(2,568
)
March 31, 2013
 
$
323,521

 
$
(79,868
)
 
$
243,653

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and March 25, 2012 the Partnership’s other intangible assets consisted of the following:
March 31, 2013
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Value
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
 
$
39,858

 
$

 
$
39,858

License / franchise agreements
 
834

 
369

 
465

Total other intangible assets
 
$
40,692

 
$
369

 
$
40,323

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
 
$
40,222

 
$

 
$
40,222

License / franchise agreements
 
790

 
360

 
430

Total other intangible assets
 
$
41,012

 
$
360

 
$
40,652

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 25, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trade names
 
$
40,163

 
$

 
$
40,163

License / franchise agreements
 
775

 
331

 
444

Total other intangible assets
 
$
40,938

 
$
331

 
$
40,607

Amortization expense of other intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012 was $9,000 and $9,000, respectively. The estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2013 is $27,000. Estimated amortization expense is expected to total less than $50,000 in each year from 2013 through 2017.

(5) Long-Term Debt:

In July 2010, the Partnership issued $405 million of 9.125% senior unsecured notes, maturing in 2018, in a private placement, including $5.6 million of Original Issue Discount ("OID") to yield 9.375%. Concurrently with this offering, the Partnership entered into a new $1,435 million credit agreement (the "2010 Credit Agreement”), which included a $1,175 million senior secured term loan facility and a $260 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The net proceeds from the offering of the notes, along with borrowings under the 2010 Credit Agreement, were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the previous credit

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facilities. The facilities provided under the 2010 Credit Agreement were collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership.

The Partnership's $405 million of senior unsecured notes pay interest semi-annually in February and August, with the principal due in full on August 1, 2018. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to August 1, 2014 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. Prior to August 1, 2013, up to 35% of the notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at 109.125%.

Terms of the 2010 Credit Agreement included a revolving credit facility of a combined $260 million. Under the 2010 Credit Agreement, the Canadian portion of the revolving credit facility had a limit of $15 million. U.S. denominated loans made under the revolving credit facility bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 400 basis points (bps) (with no LIBOR floor). Canadian denominated loans made under the Canadian portion of the facility bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 400 bps (with no LIBOR floor). The revolving credit facility, which was scheduled to mature in July 2015, also provided for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit. The Amended 2010 Credit Agreement required the Partnership to pay a commitment fee of 50 bps per annum on the unused portion of the credit facilities.

In February 2011, the Partnership amended the 2010 Credit Agreement (as so amended, the “Amended 2010 Credit Agreement”) and extended the maturity date of the term loan portion of the credit facilities by one year. The extended U.S. term loan was scheduled to mature in December 2017 and bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 300 bps, with a LIBOR floor of 100 bps.

In March 2013, the Partnership issued $500 million of 5.25% senior unsecured notes, maturing in 2021, in a private placement, with no OID. Concurrently with this offering, the Partnership entered into a new $885 million credit agreement (the "2013 Credit Agreement"), which included a $630 million senior secured term loan facility and a $255 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The terms of the senior secured term loan facility include a maturity date of March 6, 2020 and bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 250 bps with a LIBOR floor of 75 bps. The term loan amortizes at $6.3 million annually. The net proceeds from the notes and borrowings under the 2013 Credit Agreement were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the previous credit facilities. The facilities provided under the 2013 Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership.

Terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement include a revolving credit facility of a combined $255 million. Under the 2013 Credit Agreement, the Canadian portion of the revolving credit facility has a sub-limit of $15 million. U.S. denominated and Canadian denominated loans made under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 225 bps (with no LIBOR floor). The revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature in March 2018 and also provides for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit. The 2013 Credit Agreement requires the Partnership to pay a commitment fee of 50 bps per annum on the unused portion of the credit facilities.

The 2013 Credit Agreement requires the Partnership to maintain specified financial ratios, which if breached for any reason, including a decline in operating results, could result in an event of default under the agreement. The most restrictive of these ratios is the Consolidated Leverage Ratio which is measured quarterly on a trailing-twelve month basis. The Consolidated Leverage Ratio is set at 6.25x consolidated total debt- (excluding the revolving debt) to-Consolidated EBITDA and will remain at that level through the end of the first quarter in 2014, and the ratio will decrease each second quarter beginning with the second quarter of 2014. As of March 31, 2013, the Partnership’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 3.89x, providing $148.2 million of consolidated EBITDA cushion on the ratio as of the end of the first quarter. The Partnership was in compliance with all other covenants under the 2013 Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2013.

The 2013 Credit Agreement also includes provisions that allow the Partnership to make restricted payments of up to $60 million annually, so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing. These restricted payments are not subject to any specific covenants. Additional restricted payments are allowed to be made based on an Excess-Cash-Flow formula, should the Partnership’s pro-forma Consolidated Leverage Ratio be less than or equal to 5.00x. Per the terms of the indenture governing the Partnership's notes maturing in 2018, which is more restrictive than the indenture governing the Partnership's notes maturing in 2021, the ability to make restricted payments in 2013 and beyond is permitted should the Partnership's trailing-twelve-month Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio be less than or equal to 4.75x, measured on a quarterly basis.

The Partnership's $500 million of senior unsecured notes pay interest semi-annually in March and September, with the principal due in full on March 15, 2021. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to March 15, 2016 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on

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the date redeemed. Prior to March 15, 2016, up to 35% of the notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at 105.25%.

As market conditions warrant, the Partnership may from time to time repurchase debt securities issued by the Partnership, in privately negotiated or open market transactions, by tender offer, exchange offer or otherwise.

(6) Derivative Financial Instruments:
Derivative financial instruments are only used within the Partnership’s 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.
In September 2010 the Partnership entered into several forward-starting swap agreements ("September 2010 swaps") to effectively convert a total of $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. As a result of the February 2011 amendment to the 2010 Credit Agreement, the LIBOR floor on the term loan portion of its credit facilities decreased to 100 bps from 150 bps, causing a mismatch in critical terms of the September 2010 swaps and the underlying debt. Because of the mismatch of critical terms, the Partnership determined the September 2010 swaps, which were originally designated as cash flow hedges, were no longer highly effective, resulting in the de-designation of the swaps as of the end of February 2011. As a result of this ineffectiveness, gains of $7.2 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) through the date of de-designation are being amortized through December 2015.
In March 2011, the Partnership entered into several additional forward-starting basis-rate swap agreements ("March 2011 swaps") that, when combined with the September 2010 swaps, effectively converted $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. The September 2010 swaps and the March 2011 swaps, were jointly designated as cash flow hedges, maturing in December 2015 and had fixed LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.46%. For the period that the September 2010 swaps were de-designated, their fair value decreased by $3.3 million, the offset of which was recognized as a direct charge to the Partnership's earnings and recorded to “Net effect of swaps” on the consolidated statement of operations along with the regular amortization of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” balances related to these swaps. No other ineffectiveness related to these swaps was recorded in any period presented.
In May 2011, the Partnership entered into four additional forward-starting basis-rate swap agreements ("May 2011 swaps") that effectively converted another $200 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. These swaps, which were designated as cash flow hedges, mature in December 2015 and fixed LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.54%.
As a result of the 2013 Credit Agreement, the previously described swaps were de-designated as the spreads of the 2013 Credit Agreement decreased to 75 bps from 100 bps in the Amended 2010 Credit Agreement. The May 2011 swaps remain de-designated as the amount of variable rate debt decreased to $630 million, and accordingly, the May 2011 swaps are now over hedged. On March 4, 2013, we entered into several forward-starting swap agreements ("March 2013 swaps") that were not designated as a cash flow hedge on that date. On March 6, 2013, the March 2013 swaps were combined with the September 2010 swaps and the March 2011 swaps, and designated as cash flow hedges, effectively converting $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates. The September 2010 swaps, the March 2011 swaps, and the March 2013 swaps were jointly designated as cash flow hedges, mature in December 2015 and fix LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.331%. At the time of the de-designation, the fair market value of the September 2010 swaps, March 2011 swaps, and March 2013 swaps was $23.8 million, which will be amortized out of AOCI into expense in "Net effect of swaps" in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income through December 2015. At the time of the de-designation, the fair market value of the May 2011 swaps was $7.8 million and was immediately recognized into expense in "Net effect of swaps" in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The fair market value of the September 2010 swaps, the March 2011 swaps, and the March 2013 swaps at March 31, 2013 was a liability of $23.4 million, which was recorded in “Derivative Liability” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The May 2011 swaps had a fair market value of $7.6 million as of March 31, 2013 and was recorded in “Derivative Liability” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
In 2007, the Partnership entered into two cross-currency swap agreements, which effectively converted $268.7 million of term debt at the time, and the associated interest payments, related to its wholly owned Canadian subsidiary from variable U.S. dollar denominated debt to fixed-rate Canadian dollar denominated debt. The Partnership originally designated these cross-currency swaps as foreign currency cash flow hedges. Cash flows related to these swap agreements were included in interest expense over the term of the agreement. These swap agreements expired in February 2012.

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In May 2011 and July 2011, the Partnership entered into several foreign currency swap agreements to fix the exchange rate on approximately 75% of the termination payment associated with the cross-currency swap agreements that expired in February 2012. The Partnership did not seek hedge accounting treatment on these foreign currency swaps, and as such, changes in fair value of the swaps flowed directly through earnings along with changes in fair value on the related, de-designated cross-currency swaps. In February 2012, all of the cross-currency and related currency swap agreements were settled for $50.5 million.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:
(In thousands):
 
Condensed Consolidated
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value as of
 
Fair Value as of
 
Fair Value as of
March 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
March 25, 2012
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Derivative Liability
 
(23,388
)
 
(32,260
)
 
(32,280
)
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
$
(23,388
)
 
$
(32,260
)
 
$
(32,280
)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Derivative Liability
 
$
(7,643
)
 
$

 
$

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
$
(7,643
)
 
$

 
$

Net derivative liability
 
 
 
$
(31,031
)
 
$
(32,260
)
 
$
(32,280
)
 

The following table presents our September 2010 swaps, March 2011 swaps, May 2011 swaps, and March 2013 swaps which mature December 15, 2015, along with their notional amounts and their fixed interest rates.
 
Interest Rate Swaps
($'s in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
Notional Amounts
 
LIBOR Rate
 
Notional Amounts
 
LIBOR Rate
 
$
200,000

 
2.27
%
 
50,000

 
2.54
%
 
75,000

 
2.30
%
 
30,000

 
2.54
%
 
50,000

 
2.29
%
 
70,000

 
2.54
%
 
150,000

 
2.43
%
 
50,000

 
2.54
%
 
50,000

 
2.29
%
 
 
 
 
 
50,000

 
2.47
%
 
 
 
 
 
25,000

 
2.30
%
 
 
 
 
Total $'s / Average Rate
$
600,000

 
2.33
%
 
$
200,000

 
2.54
%
 

Effects of Derivative Instruments on Income (Loss) and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012:
 
(In thousands):
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in  Accumulated OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)
 
Amount and Location of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount and Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on Derivative
(Ineffective Portion)
Derivatives designated as
Cash Flow Hedging
Relationships
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
 
 
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
 
 
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
Interest rate swaps
 
$
2,266

 
$
120

 
Interest Expense
 
$
(2,797
)
 
$
(2,793
)
 
Net effect of swaps
 
$
435

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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(In thousands):
 
Amount and Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivative
Derivatives not designated as Cash Flow
Hedging Relationships
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
Cross-currency swaps (1)
 
Net effect of swaps
 
$

 
$
(4,999
)
Foreign currency swaps 
 
Net effect of swaps
 

 
6,278

Interest rate swaps (2)
 
Net effect of swaps
 
(1,471
)
 

 
 
 
 
$
(1,471
)
 
$
1,279

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The cross-currency swaps became ineffective and were de-designated in August 2009.
(2)
The May 2011 interest rate swaps were de-designated in March 2013.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, in addition to the $1.0 million loss recognized in income on the ineffective portion of derivatives and on the derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges (as noted in the tables above), $7.8 million of expense related to the write off of OCI balances on our May 2011 swaps and $0.4 million of expense representing the regular amortization of amounts in AOCI was recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the quarter. The effect of these amounts resulted in a charge to earnings of $9.2 million recorded in “Net effect of swaps.”

For the three-month period ended March 25, 2012, in addition to the $1.3 million gain recognized in income on the ineffective portion of derivatives noted in the tables above, $0.5 million of expense representing the amortization of amounts in AOCI for the swaps and $0.2 million of foreign currency gain in the quarter related to the U.S. dollar denominated Canadian term loan were recorded in “Net effect of swaps” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The net effect of these amounts resulted in a benefit to earnings of $1.0 million recorded in “Net effect of swaps.”


Effects of Derivative Instruments on Income (Loss) and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012:
(In thousands):
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Accumulated OCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount and Location of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount and Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on Derivative
(Ineffective Portion)
Derivatives designated as
Cash Flow Hedging
Relationships
 
Twelve months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
 
Twelve months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
 
Twelve months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
 
 
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
 
 
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
Interest rate swaps
 
$
2,286

 
$
(36,088
)
 
Interest Expense
 
$
(12,031
)
 
$
(5,816
)
 
Net effect of swaps
 
$
435

 
$
33,493

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(In thousands):
 
Amount and Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivative
Derivatives not designated as Cash Flow Hedging
Relationships
 
 
 
Twelve months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
 
3/31/13
 
3/25/12
Cross-currency swaps (1)
 
Net effect of swaps
 

 
12,911

Foreign currency swaps
 
Net effect of swaps
 

 
(7,387
)
Interest rate swaps (2)
 
Net effect of swaps
 
$
(1,471
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
$
(1,471
)
 
$
5,524

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
The cross-currency swaps became ineffective and were de-designated in August 2009.
(2)
The May 2011 interest rate swaps were de-designated in March 2013.
In addition to the $1.0 million of loss recognized in income on the ineffective portion of derivatives and on the derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges (as noted in the tables above), $7.8 million of expense related to the write off of OCI balances on our May 2011 swaps and $192 thousand of income representing the amortization of amounts in AOCI for the swaps was recorded during the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2013 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The net effect of these amounts resulted in expense for the trailing twelve month period of $8.7 million recorded in “Net effect of swaps.”

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For the twelve month period ending March 25, 2012, in addition to the $39.0 million of gain recognized in income on the ineffective portion of derivatives noted in the tables above, $22.7 million of expense representing the amortization of amounts in AOCI for the swaps and a $0.3 million foreign currency loss in the twelve month period related to the U.S. dollar denominated Canadian term loan was recorded during the trailing twelve months ended March 25, 2012 in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The net effect of these amounts resulted in a benefit to earnings for the trailing twelve month period of $16.0 million recorded in “Net effect of swaps.”
The amounts reclassified from AOCI into income for the periods noted above are primarily the result of the Partnership’s initial three-year requirement to swap at least 75% of its aggregate term debt to fixed rates under the terms of the Amended 2010 Credit Agreement.
 
(7) Fair Value Measurements:
The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) relating to fair value measurements emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions (inputs) that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable, and valuation techniques used to measure fair value should maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the FASB’s ASC establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework that ranks the quality and reliability of information used to determine fair values. The hierarchy is associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring fair value and defines three levels of inputs to the fair value measurement process—quoted prices are the most reliable valuation inputs, whereas model values that include inputs based on unobservable data are the least reliable. Each fair value measurement must be assigned to a level corresponding to the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The three broad levels of inputs defined by the fair value hierarchy are 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.


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The table below presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and March 25, 2012 on a recurring basis:
 
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
March 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements (1)
 
$
(23,388
)
 
$

 
$
(23,388
)
 
$

Interest rate swap agreements (2)
 
(7,643
)
 

 
(7,643
)
 

Net derivative liability
 
$
(31,031
)
 
$

 
$
(31,031
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements (1)
 
$
(32,260
)
 
$

 
$
(32,260
)
 
$

Net derivative liability
 
$
(32,260
)
 
$

 
$
(32,260
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 25, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements (1)
 
$
(32,280
)
 
$

 
$
(32,280
)
 
$

Net derivative liability
 
$
(32,280
)
 
$

 
$
(32,280
)
 
$

(1)
Designated as cash flow hedges and are included in “Derivative Liability” on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(2)
Not designated as cash flow hedges and are included in "Derivative Liability" on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
Fair values of the interest rate swap agreements are determined using significant inputs, including the LIBOR forward curves, that are considered Level 2 observable market inputs. In addition, the Partnership considered the effect of its credit and non-performance risk on the fair values provided, and recognized an adjustment decreasing the net derivative liability by approximately $0.9 million as of March 31, 2013.
There were no assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2013 or March 25, 2012, except for as described below.
At the end of the third quarter in 2012, the Partnership concluded based on operating results, as well as updated forecasts, and changes in market conditions, that a review of the carrying value of long-lived assets at Wildwater Kingdom was warranted. After performing its review, the Partnership determined that a portion of the park's fixed assets were impaired. Based on Level 3 unobservable valuation assumptions and other market inputs, the assets were marked to a fair value of $19.8 million, resulting in an impairment charge of $25.0 million during the quarter.
The fair value of term debt at March 31, 2013 was approximately $637.1 million based on borrowing rates currently available to the Partnership on long-term debt with similar terms and average maturities. The fair value of the Partnership's notes at March 31, 2013 was approximately $950.1 million based on public trading levels as of that date. The fair value of the term debt was based on Level 2 inputs and the notes were based on Level 1 inputs.



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(8) Earnings per Unit:
Net income (loss) per limited partner unit is calculated based on the following unit amounts:
 
 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
 
(In thousands except per unit amounts)
Basic weighted average units outstanding
 
55,854

 
55,378

 
55,694

 
55,353

Effect of dilutive units:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unit options and restricted unit awards
 

 

 
63

 
2

Phantom units
 

 

 
299

 
492

Diluted weighted average units outstanding
 
55,854

 
55,378

 
56,056

 
55,847

Net income (loss) per unit - basic
 
$
(1.95
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.04

 
$
1.53

Net income (loss) per unit - diluted
 
$
(1.95
)
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.04

 
$
1.52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The effect of unit options on the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2013, had they not been out of the money or antidilutive, would have been zero and 16,000 units, respectively. The effect of out-of-the-money and/or antidilutive unit options on the three and twelve months ended March 25, 2012, had they not been out of the money or antidilutive, would have been 2,000, and 47,000 units, respectively.
 
(9) Income and Partnership Taxes:
Under the applicable accounting rules, 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 quarterly income (loss) of the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries. 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 (benefit) for taxes includes amounts for both the PTP tax and for income taxes on its corporate subsidiaries.
As of the first quarter of 2013 the Partnership has recorded $1.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits including interest and/or penalties related to state and local tax filing positions. The Partnership recognizes interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision. The Partnership does not anticipate that the balance of the unrecognized tax benefit will change significantly over the next 12 months.

(10) Contingencies:

The Partnership is a party to a number of lawsuits arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, none of these matters is expected to have a material effect in the aggregate on the Partnership's financial statements.

(11) Restatement:

We have made two separate corrections relating to our use of the composite depreciation method.

The first correction, which impacts the Balance Sheet at March 25, 2012 and the Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income for the 3 and 12 month periods ended March 25, 2012, related to a misapplication of the composite depreciation method. Upon the normal retirement of an asset within a composite group, our practice generally had been to extend the depreciable life of that composite group beyond its original estimated useful life. In conjunction with the preparation of our financial statements in 2012, management determined that this methodology was not appropriate. As a result, we revised the useful lives of our composite groups to their original estimated useful life (ascribed upon acquisition) and corrected previously computed depreciation expense (and accumulated depreciation).

The second correction, which impacts the Balance Sheet at March 25, 2012 and the Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income for the 12 month period ended March 25, 2012, reflects a subsequent determination that a disposition from our composite group of assets was considered to be unusual. In certain situations under the composite method, disposals are considered unusual and, accordingly, losses are not included in the composite depreciation pool but are rather charged immediately to expense. In 2013, the Partnership's initial determination of whether a specific asset retired under the composite method of depreciation in 2011 was normal was reviewed in connection with responding

17

Table of Contents

to an open SEC comment letter. We ultimately concluded that such disposition was unusual and that a $8.8 million charge should be reflected in the 2011 financial statements.

The tables below reflect the impact on the financial statements of the corrections as described above. The "As originally filed" amounts represent amounts as filed in the Partnership's 1st quarter 2012 Form 10-Q . The "As restated" amounts in all columns represent amounts after restatement for the first correction which was disclosed in the Partnership's 2nd quarter Form 10-Q and the second correction which was disclosed in the Partnership's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on May 10, 2013.


Balance Sheet
 
(In thousands)
3/25/2012
Accumulated depreciation
 
As originally filed
$
(1,046,162
)
Corrections
(27,622
)
As restated
$
(1,073,784
)
Total assets
 
As originally filed
$
2,113,126

Corrections
(27,622
)
As restated
$
2,085,504

Deferred Tax Liability
 
As originally filed
$
135,746

Corrections
(5,019
)
As restated
$
130,727

Limited Partners' Equity
 
As originally filed
$
96,417

Corrections
(22,603
)
As restated
$
73,814









18

Table of Contents

Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income
(In thousands except per unit amounts)
 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
3/25/2012
 
3/25/2012
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
As originally filed
 
$
3,846

 
$
123,861

Corrections
 
233

 
2,031

As restated
 
$
4,079

 
$
125,892

Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
 
 
 
As originally filed
 
$
92

 
$
2,461

Corrections
 

 
8,790

As restated
 
$
92

 
$
11,251

Income (loss) before tax
 
 
 
 
As originally filed
 
$
(86,721
)
 
$
101,565

Corrections
 
(233
)
 
(10,821
)
As restated
 
$
(86,954
)
 
$
90,744

Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
 
As originally filed
 
$
(21,539
)
 
$
9,897

Corrections
 

 
(3,960
)
As restated
 
$
(21,539
)
 
$
5,937

Net income (loss)
 
 
As originally filed
 
$
(65,182
)
 
$
91,668

Corrections
 
(233
)
 
(6,861
)
As restated
 
$
(65,415
)
 
$
84,807

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
As originally filed
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.66

Corrections
 

 
(0.13
)
As restated
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.53

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per limited partner unit:
 
 
As originally filed
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.64

Corrections
 

 
(0.12
)
As restated
 
$
(1.18
)
 
$
1.52



(12) Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component:

The following tables reflect the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to limited partners' equity for the period ended March 31, 2013:



19

Table of Contents

 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (1)
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Losses on
 
Foreign
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow
 
Currency
 
 
 
 
 
Hedges
 
Items
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
(25,749
)
 
$
(2,751
)
 
$
(28,500
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
income before
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
reclassifications
 
1,940

 
301

 
301

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts reclassified
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
from accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
other comprehensive
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
income (2)
 
6,945

 

 
8,885

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net current-period other
 
 
 
 
 
 
comprehensive income
 
8,885

 
301

 
9,186

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2013
 
$
(16,864
)
 
$
(2,450
)
 
$
(19,314
)

(1) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
(2) See Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income table below for reclassification details.

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (1)
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
 
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income is Presented
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Interest rate contracts
 
$
8,174

 
 
Net effect of swaps
 
 
 
$
8,174

 
 
Total before tax
 
 
 
(1,229
)
 
 
Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
 
 
$
6,945

 
 
Net of tax

(1) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

(13) Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantors and Issuers:

Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada's Wonderland Company ("Cedar Canada"), and Magnum Management Corporation ("Magnum") are the co-issuers of the Partnership's 9.125% notes and the 5.25% notes (see Note 5). The notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by each 100% owned subsidiary of Cedar Fair (other than Cedar Canada and Magnum) that guarantees the Partnership's senior secured credit facilities. There are no non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The following consolidating schedules present condensed financial information for Cedar Fair, L.P., Cedar Canada, and Magnum, the co-issuers, and each 100% owned subsidiary of Cedar Fair (other than Cedar Canada and Magnum), the guarantors (on a combined basis), as of March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and March 25, 2012 and for the three and twelve month periods ended

20

Table of Contents

March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012. In lieu of providing separate unaudited financial statements for the guarantor subsidiaries, we have included the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements.

Since Cedar Fair, L.P., Cedar Canada and Magnum are co-issuers of the notes and co-borrowers under the 2013 Credit Agreement, all outstanding debt has been equally reflected within each co-issuer's March 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and March 25, 2012 balance sheets in the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements.

The consolidating financial information has been corrected for the information described in Note 12.
  

21

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
March 31, 2013
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
732

 
$
4,125

 
$
5,181

 
$

 
$
10,038

Receivables
 
682

 
79,472

 
67,302

 
436,595

 
(570,709
)
 
13,342

Inventories
 

 
3,645

 
3,032

 
32,386

 

 
39,063

Current deferred tax asset
 

 
31,543

 
816

 
3,663

 

 
36,022

Other current assets
 
207

 
9,630

 
1,618

 
16,260

 

 
27,715

 
 
889

 
125,022

 
76,893

 
494,085

 
(570,709
)
 
126,180

Property and Equipment (net)
 
457,484

 
1,003

 
262,941

 
849,424

 

 
1,570,852

Investment in Park
 
419,501

 
714,013

 
115,401

 
21,689

 
(1,270,604
)
 

Goodwill
 
9,061

 

 
123,374

 
111,218

 

 
243,653

Other Intangibles, net
 

 

 
17,470

 
22,853

 

 
40,323

Deferred Tax Asset
 

 
34,890

 

 
90

 
(34,980
)
 

Intercompany Receivable
 
877,336

 
1,165,652

 
1,211,522

 

 
(3,254,510
)
 

Other Assets
 
14,581

 
10,291

 
7,473

 
2,303

 

 
34,648

 
 
$
1,778,852

 
$
2,050,871

 
$
1,815,074

 
$
1,501,662

 
$
(5,130,803
)
 
$
2,015,656

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
6,300

 
$
6,300

 
$
6,300

 
$

 
$
(12,600
)
 
$
6,300

Accounts payable
 
103,654

 
215,425

 
3,891

 
285,182

 
(570,709
)
 
37,443

Deferred revenue
 

 

 
6,679

 
59,505

 

 
66,184

Accrued interest
 
1,444

 
916

 
5,979

 

 

 
8,339

Accrued taxes
 
4,790

 
390

 
331

 
3,489

 

 
9,000

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
 

 
13,483

 
1,095

 
5,604

 

 
20,182

Self-insurance reserves
 

 
5,324

 
1,696

 
16,537

 

 
23,557

Other accrued liabilities
 
589

 
5,161

 
133

 
1,984

 

 
7,867

 
 
116,777

 
246,999

 
26,104

 
372,301

 
(583,309
)
 
178,872

Deferred Tax Liability
 

 

 
62,700

 
126,867

 
(34,980
)
 
154,587

Derivative Liability
 
18,594

 
12,437

 

 

 

 
31,031

Other Liabilities
 

 
4,185

 

 
3,500

 

 
7,685

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving credit loans
 
96,000

 
96,000

 
96,000

 

 
(192,000
)
 
96,000

Term debt
 
623,700

 
623,700

 
623,700

 

 
(1,247,400
)
 
623,700

Notes
 
901,255

 
901,255

 
901,255

 

 
(1,802,510
)
 
901,255

 
 
1,620,955

 
1,620,955

 
1,620,955

 

 
(3,241,910
)
 
1,620,955

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
22,526

 
166,295

 
105,315

 
998,994

 
(1,270,604
)
 
22,526

 
 
$
1,778,852

 
$
2,050,871

 
$
1,815,074

 
$
1,501,662

 
$
(5,130,803
)
 
$
2,015,656



22

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2012 (As restated)
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
25,000

 
$
444

 
$
50,173

 
$
3,213

 
$

 
$
78,830

Receivables
 
4

 
101,093

 
71,099

 
498,555

 
(652,559
)
 
18,192

Inventories
 

 
1,724

 
2,352

 
23,764

 

 
27,840

Current deferred tax asset
 

 
3,705

 
816

 
3,663

 

 
8,184

Other current assets
 
563

 
17,858

 
530

 
5,490

 
(16,381
)
 
8,060

 
 
25,567

 
124,824

 
124,970

 
534,685

 
(668,940
)
 
141,106

Property and Equipment (net)
 
439,506

 
1,013

 
268,157

 
835,596

 

 
1,544,272

Investment in Park
 
485,136

 
772,183

 
115,401

 
53,790

 
(1,426,510
)
 

Goodwill
 
9,061

 

 
125,942

 
111,218

 

 
246,221

Other Intangibles, net
 

 

 
17,835

 
22,817

 

 
40,652

Deferred Tax Asset
 

 
36,443

 

 
90

 
(36,533
)
 

Intercompany Receivable
 
877,612

 
1,070,125

 
1,116,623

 

 
(3,064,360
)
 

Other Assets
 
22,048

 
14,832

 
8,419

 
2,315

 

 
47,614

 
 
$
1,858,930

 
$
2,019,420

 
$
1,777,347

 
$
1,560,511

 
$
(5,196,343
)
 
$
2,019,865

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
147,264

 
$
213,279

 
$
16,101

 
$
286,649

 
$
(652,559
)
 
$
10,734

Deferred revenue
 

 

 
4,996

 
34,489

 

 
39,485

Accrued interest
 
98

 
64

 
15,350

 

 

 
15,512

Accrued taxes
 
4,518

 

 
6,239

 
23,437

 
(16,381
)
 
17,813

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
 

 
17,932

 
1,214

 
5,690

 

 
24,836

Self-insurance reserves
 

 
5,528

 
1,754

 
16,624

 

 
23,906

Other accrued liabilities
 
1,110

 
2,502

 
140

 
2,164

 

 
5,916

 
 
152,990

 
239,305

 
45,794

 
369,053

 
(668,940
)
 
138,202

Deferred Tax Liability
 

 

 
63,460

 
126,865

 
(36,533
)
 
153,792

Derivative Liability
 
19,309

 
12,951

 

 

 

 
32,260

Other Liabilities
 

 
5,480

 

 
3,500

 

 
8,980

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Term debt
 
1,131,100

 
1,131,100

 
1,131,100

 

 
(2,262,200
)
 
1,131,100

Notes
 
401,080

 
401,080

 
401,080

 

 
(802,160
)
 
401,080

 
 
1,532,180

 
1,532,180

 
1,532,180

 

 
(3,064,360
)
 
1,532,180

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
154,451

 
229,504

 
135,913

 
1,061,093

 
(1,426,510
)
 
154,451

 
 
$
1,858,930

 
$
2,019,420

 
$
1,777,347

 
$
1,560,511

 
$
(5,196,343
)
 
$
2,019,865


23

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
March 25, 2012 (As restated)
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
397

 
$
119

 
$
6,803

 
$

 
$
7,319

Receivables
 

 
82,892

 
59,911

 
370,246

 
(506,356
)
 
6,693

Inventories
 

 
3,321

 
3,678

 
37,487

 

 
44,486

Current deferred tax asset
 

 
11,014

 
772

 
3,334

 

 
15,120

Other current assets
 
359

 
5,907

 
11,851

 
12,293

 

 
30,410

 
 
359

 
103,531

 
76,331

 
430,163

 
(506,356
)
 
104,028

Property and Equipment (net)
 
464,394

 
1,035

 
279,255

 
896,184

 

 
1,640,868

Investment in Park
 
459,339

 
661,166

 
115,401

 
25,758

 
(1,261,664
)
 

Intercompany Note Receivable
 

 
104,165

 

 

 
(104,165
)
 

Goodwill
 
9,061

 

 
125,528

 
111,219

 

 
245,808

Other Intangibles, net
 

 

 
17,776

 
22,831

 

 
40,607

Deferred Tax Asset
 

 
47,646

 

 

 
(47,646
)
 

Intercompany Receivable
 
889,442

 
1,239,210

 
1,294,302

 

 
(3,422,954
)
 

Other Assets
 
26,323

 
16,288

 
9,608

 
1,974

 

 
54,193

 
 
$
1,848,918

 
$
2,173,041

 
$
1,918,201

 
$
1,488,129

 
$
(5,342,785
)
 
$
2,085,504

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
 
$
15,921

 
$
15,921

 
$
15,921

 
$

 
$
(31,842
)
 
$
15,921

Accounts payable
 
60,297

 
232,001

 
26,302

 
215,968

 
(506,356
)
 
28,212

Deferred revenue
 

 

 
5,413

 
45,341

 

 
50,754

Accrued interest
 
3,089

 
1,706

 
5,519

 

 

 
10,314

Accrued taxes
 
4,925

 
340

 
261

 
3,294

 

 
8,820

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
 

 
26,989

 
781

 
5,792

 

 
33,562

Self-insurance reserves
 

 
4,212

 
1,716

 
15,826

 

 
21,754

Other accrued liabilities
 
462

 
3,312

 
226

 
2,104

 

 
6,104

 
 
84,694

 
284,481

 
56,139

 
288,325

 
(538,198
)
 
175,441

Deferred Tax Liability
 

 

 
58,762

 
119,611

 
(47,646
)
 
130,727

Derivative Liability
 
19,403

 
12,877

 

 

 

 
32,280

Other Liabilities
 

 
2,235

 

 

 

 
2,235

Intercompany Note Payable
 

 

 

 
104,165

 
(104,165
)
 

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving credit loans
 
155,004

 
155,004

 
155,004

 

 
(310,008
)
 
155,004

Term debt
 
1,140,179

 
1,140,179

 
1,140,179

 

 
(2,280,358
)
 
1,140,179

Notes
 
400,373

 
400,373

 
400,373

 

 
(800,746
)
 
400,373

 
 
1,695,556

 
1,695,556

 
1,695,556

 

 
(3,391,112
)
 
1,695,556

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
 
49,265

 
177,892

 
107,744

 
976,028

 
(1,261,664
)
 
49,265

 
 
$
1,848,918

 
$
2,173,041

 
$
1,918,201

 
$
1,488,129

 
$
(5,342,785
)
 
$
2,085,504



24

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
4,317

 
$
8,371

 
$
289

 
$
41,510

 
$
(12,688
)
 
$
41,799

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues
 

 

 

 
5,037

 

 
5,037

Operating expenses
 
1,423

 
21,606

 
5,941

 
60,375

 
(12,688
)
 
76,657

Selling, general and administrative
 
1,292

 
16,613

 
711

 
2,423

 

 
21,039

Depreciation and amortization
 
475

 
9

 

 
4,302

 

 
4,786

Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
36

 

 
478

 
86

 

 
600

 
 
3,226

 
38,228

 
7,130

 
72,223

 
(12,688
)
 
108,119

Operating income (loss)
 
1,091

 
(29,857
)
 
(6,841
)
 
(30,713
)
 

 
(66,320
)
Interest expense (income), net
 
10,512

 
7,677

 
9,764

 
(2,230
)
 

 
25,723

Net effect of swaps
 
5,635

 
3,576

 

 

 

 
9,211

Loss on early debt extinguishment
 
21,175

 
12,781

 
617

 

 

 
34,573

Unrealized / realized foreign currency loss
 

 

 
8,958

 

 

 
8,958

Other (income) expense
 
188

 
(2,388
)
 
800

 
1,400

 

 

Loss from investment in affiliates
 
72,096

 
35,640

 
3,520

 
21,227

 
(132,483
)
 

Loss before taxes
 
(108,515
)
 
(87,143
)
 
(30,500
)
 
(51,110
)
 
132,483

 
(144,785
)
Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
611

 
(17,665
)
 
(9,254
)
 
(9,351
)
 

 
(35,659
)
Net loss
 
$
(109,126
)
 
$
(69,478
)
 
$
(21,246
)
 
$
(41,759
)
 
$
132,483

 
$
(109,126
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
 
301

 

 
301

 

 
(301
)
 
301

Unrealized income on cash flow hedging derivatives
 
8,885

 
2,535

 

 

 
(2,535
)
 
8,885

Other comprehensive income, (net of tax)
 
9,186

 
2,535

 
301

 

 
(2,836
)
 
9,186

Total Comprehensive Loss
 
$
(99,940
)
 
$
(66,943
)
 
$
(20,945
)
 
$
(41,759
)
 
$
129,647

 
$
(99,940
)



25

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Three Months Ended March 25, 2012 (As restated)
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
1,456

 
$
2,577

 
$
266

 
$
27,932

 
$
(4,033
)
 
$
28,198

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues
 

 

 

 
4,087

 

 
4,087

Operating expenses
 
1,335

 
20,436

 
5,657

 
47,890

 
(4,033
)
 
71,285

Selling, general and administrative
 
1,332

 
13,696

 
760

 
2,196

 

 
17,984

Depreciation and amortization
 
696

 
9

 

 
3,374

 

 
4,079

Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
82

 

 
10

 

 

 
92

 
 
3,445

 
34,141

 
6,427

 
57,547

 
(4,033
)
 
97,527

Operating loss
 
(1,989
)
 
(31,564
)
 
(6,161
)
 
(29,615
)
 

 
(69,329
)
Interest expense, net
 
11,158

 
6,615

 
10,403

 
(1,389
)
 

 
26,787

Net effect of swaps
 
173

 
332

 
(1,475
)
 

 

 
(970
)
Unrealized / realized foreign currency gain
 

 

 
(8,192
)
 

 

 
(8,192
)
Other (income) expense
 
187

 
(3,035
)
 
197

 
2,651

 

 

Loss from investment in affiliates
 
50,491

 
23,083

 
3,230

 
24,916

 
(101,720
)
 

Loss before taxes
 
(63,998
)
 
(58,559
)
 
(10,324
)
 
(55,793
)
 
101,720

 
(86,954
)
Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
1,417

 
(11,672
)
 
(2,334
)
 
(8,950
)
 

 
(21,539
)
Net loss
 
$
(65,415
)
 
$
(46,887
)
 
$
(7,990
)
 
$
(46,843
)
 
$
101,720

 
$
(65,415
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(1,169
)
 

 
(1,169
)
 

 
1,169

 
(1,169
)
Unrealized income on cash flow hedging derivatives
 
339

 
98

 
21

 

 
(119
)
 
339

Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)
 
(830
)
 
98

 
(1,148
)
 

 
1,050

 
(830
)
Total Comprehensive Loss
 
$
(66,245
)
 
$
(46,789
)
 
$
(9,138
)
 
$
(46,843
)
 
$
102,770

 
$
(66,245
)

























26

Table of Contents


CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2013
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
148,576

 
$
263,930

 
$
140,441

 
$
941,246

 
$
(412,138
)
 
$
1,082,055

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues
 

 

 
10,316

 
85,682

 

 
95,998

Operating expenses
 
5,468

 
177,526

 
48,147

 
637,772

 
(412,138
)
 
456,775

Selling, general and administrative
 
6,455

 
89,532

 
11,086

 
34,293

 

 
141,366

Depreciation and amortization
 
37,439

 
40

 
18,199

 
71,335

 

 
127,013

(Gain) on sale of other assets
 

 

 

 
(6,625
)
 

 
(6,625
)
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
25,089

 

 
474

 
5,281

 

 
30,844

 
 
74,451

 
267,098

 
88,222

 
827,738

 
(412,138
)
 
845,371

Operating income (loss)
 
74,125

 
(3,168
)
 
52,219

 
113,508

 

 
236,684

Interest (income) expense, net
 
47,879

 
30,390

 
40,231

 
(9,013
)
 

 
109,487

Net effect of swaps
 
5,324

 
3,365

 

 

 

 
8,689

Loss on early debt extinguishment
 
21,175

 
12,781

 
617

 

 

 
34,573

Unrealized / realized foreign currency loss
 

 

 
8,152

 

 

 
8,152

Other (income) expense
 
750

 
(8,860
)
 
2,623

 
5,487

 

 

Income from investment in affiliates
 
(68,417
)
 
(53,593
)
 
(14,307
)
 
(18,503
)
 
154,820

 

Income before taxes
 
67,414

 
12,749

 
14,903

 
135,537

 
(154,820
)
 
75,783

Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
9,269

 
(15,849
)
 
(3,507
)
 
27,725

 

 
17,638

Net income
 
$
58,145

 
$
28,598

 
$
18,410

 
$
107,812

 
$
(154,820
)
 
$
58,145

Other comprehensive income, (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
 
1,839

 

 
1,839

 

 
(1,839
)
 
1,839

Unrealized income on cash flow hedging derivatives
 
8,685

 
2,551

 

 

 
(2,551
)
 
8,685

Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)
 
10,524

 
2,551

 
1,839

 

 
(4,390
)
 
10,524

Total Comprehensive Income
 
$
68,669

 
$
31,149

 
$
20,249

 
$
107,812

 
$
(159,210
)
 
$
68,669




27

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Twelve Months Ended March 25, 2012 (As restated)
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
 
$
140,548

 
$
249,988

 
$
126,375

 
$
903,046

 
$
(390,156
)
 
$
1,029,801

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of food, merchandise and games revenues
 

 

 
9,932

 
82,100

 

 
92,032

Operating expenses
 
5,351

 
167,068

 
45,805

 
608,940

 
(390,156
)
 
437,008

Selling, general and administrative
 
7,963

 
83,355

 
11,151

 
35,026

 

 
137,495

Depreciation and amortization
 
37,309

 
45

 
17,325

 
71,213

 

 
125,892

Loss (gain) on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net
 
876

 

 
(51
)
 
10,426

 

 
11,251

 
 
51,499

 
250,468

 
84,162

 
807,705

 
(390,156
)
 
803,678

Operating income (loss)
 
89,049

 
(480
)
 
42,213

 
95,341

 

 
226,123

Interest expense, net
 
72,309

 
19,090

 
50,897

 
488

 

 
142,784

Net effect of swaps
 
(10,940
)
 
(243
)
 
(4,793
)
 

 

 
(15,976
)
Unrealized / realized foreign currency loss
 

 

 
8,605

 

 

 
8,605

Other (income) expense
 
716

 
(9,542
)
 
1,708

 
7,084

 

 
(34
)
(Income) loss from investment in affiliates
 
(67,272
)
 
(19,390
)
 
(2,601
)
 
16,074

 
73,189

 

Income (loss) before taxes
 
94,236

 
9,605

 
(11,603
)
 
71,695

 
(73,189
)
 
90,744

Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
9,429

 
(25,950
)
 
4,319

 
18,139

 

 
5,937

Net income (loss)
 
$
84,807

 
$
35,555

 
$
(15,922
)
 
$
53,556

 
$
(73,189
)
 
$
84,807

Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
 
1,050

 

 
1,050

 

 
(1,050
)
 
1,050

Unrealized income (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives
 
(7,958
)
 
(9,638
)
 
254

 

 
9,384

 
(7,958
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), (net of tax)
 
(6,908
)
 
(9,638
)
 
1,304

 

 
8,334

 
(6,908
)
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
$
77,899

 
$
25,917

 
$
(14,618
)
 
$
53,556

 
$
(64,855
)
 
$
77,899





28

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
$
(117,670
)
 
$
(49,663
)
 
$
(42,030
)
 
$
(12,767
)
 
$
153,463

 
$
(68,667
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates
 
65,636

 
58,171

 
(2,442
)
 
32,098

 
(153,463
)
 

Capital expenditures
 
(17,866
)
 

 
(600
)
 
(17,363
)
 

 
(35,829
)
Net cash from (for) investing activities
 
47,770

 
58,171

 
(3,042
)
 
14,735

 
(153,463
)
 
(35,829
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans
 
$
96,000

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
96,000

Term debt borrowings
 
359,022

 
256,500

 
14,478

 

 

 
630,000

Note borrowings
 
294,897

 
205,103

 

 

 

 
500,000

Payment of debt issuance costs
 
(14,763
)
 
(8,538
)
 
(190
)
 

 

 
(23,491
)
Term debt payments, including early termination penalties
 
(654,568
)
 
(462,054
)
 
(14,478
)
 

 

 
(1,131,100
)
Distributions (paid) received
 
(35,688
)
 
868

 

 

 

 
(34,820
)
Exercise of limited partnership unit options
 

 
28

 

 

 

 
28

Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense
 

 
(127
)
 

 

 

 
(127
)
Net cash from (for) financing activities
 
44,900

 
(8,220
)
 
(190
)
 

 

 
36,490

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 

 

 
(786
)
 

 

 
(786
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) for the period
 
(25,000
)
 
288

 
(46,048
)
 
1,968

 

 
(68,792
)
Balance, beginning of period
 
25,000

 
444

 
50,173

 
3,213

 

 
78,830

Balance, end of period
 
$

 
$
732

 
$
4,125

 
$
5,181

 
$

 
$
10,038

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

29

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 25, 2012 (As restated)
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
$
(184,504
)
 
$
10,151

 
$
(37,239
)
 
$
(6,697
)
 
$
136,357

 
$
(81,932
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates
 
62,103

 
60,369

 
2,208

 
11,677

 
(136,357
)
 

Capital expenditures
 
(8,374
)
 

 
(7,125
)
 
(11,969
)
 

 
(27,468
)
Net cash from (for) investing activities
 
53,729

 
60,369

 
(4,917
)
 
(292
)
 
(136,357
)
 
(27,468
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans
 
153,000

 

 
2,004

 

 

 
155,004

Derivative settlement
 

 

 
(50,450
)
 

 

 
(50,450
)
Intercompany (payments) receipts
 

 
(10,320
)
 

 
10,320

 

 

Distributions (paid) received
 
(22,225
)
 
74

 

 

 

 
(22,151
)
Capital (contribution) infusion
 

 
(60,000
)
 
60,000

 

 

 

Exercise of limited partnership unit options
 

 
48

 

 

 

 
48

Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation
 

 
(437
)
 

 

 

 
(437
)
Net cash from (for) financing activities
 
130,775

 
(70,635
)
 
11,554

 
10,320

 

 
82,014

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 

 

 
(819
)
 

 

 
(819
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) for the period
 

 
(115
)
 
(31,421
)
 
3,331

 

 
(28,205
)
Balance, beginning of period
 

 
512

 
31,540

 
3,472

 

 
35,524

Balance, end of period
 
$

 
$
397

 
$
119

 
$
6,803

 
$

 
$
7,319

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

30

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2013
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
$
188,221

 
$
(37,475
)
 
$
16,546

 
$
135,165

 
$
(4,510
)
 
$
297,947

CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates
 
43,043

 
(49,642
)
 
(2,479
)
 
4,568

 
4,510

 

Sale of other assets
 
1,173

 

 

 
14,885

 

 
16,058

Capital expenditures
 
(43,156
)
 
(8
)
 
(8,023
)
 
(52,075
)
 

 
(103,262
)
Net cash for investing activities
 
1,060

 
(49,650
)
 
(10,502
)
 
(32,622
)
 
4,510

 
(87,204
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings on revolving credit loans
 
$
(57,000
)
 
$

 
$
(2,004
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(59,004
)
Term debt borrowings
 
359,022

 
256,500

 
14,478

 

 

 
630,000

Note borrowings
 
294,897

 
205,103

 

 

 

 
500,000

Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts
 

 
104,165

 

 
(104,165
)
 

 

Term debt payments, including early termination penalties
 
(669,035
)
 
(472,267
)
 
(14,798
)
 

 

 
(1,156,100
)
Distributions (paid) received
 
(102,402
)
 
920

 

 

 

 
(101,482
)
Capital (contribution) infusion
 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of limited partnership unit options
 

 
57

 

 

 

 
57

Payment of debt issuance costs
 
(14,763
)
 
(8,537
)
 
(191
)
 

 

 
(23,491
)
Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation expense
 

 
1,519

 

 

 

 
1,519

Net cash from (for) financing activities
 
(189,281
)
 
87,460

 
(2,515
)
 
(104,165
)
 

 
(208,501
)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 

 

 
477

 

 

 
477

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) for the period
 

 
335

 
4,006

 
(1,622
)
 

 
2,719

Balance, beginning of period
 

 
397

 
119

 
6,803

 

 
7,319

Balance, end of period
 
$

 
$
732

 
$
4,125

 
$
5,181

 
$

 
$
10,038

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

31

Table of Contents

CEDAR FAIR, L.P.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Twelve Months Ended March 25, 2012 (As restated)
(In thousands)
 
 
Cedar Fair L.P. (Parent)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Magnum)
 
Co-Issuer Subsidiary (Cedar Canada)
 
Guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH FROM (FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
$
113,654

 
$
(89,658
)
 
$
14,102

 
$
182,798

 
$
(367
)
 
$
220,529

CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in joint ventures and affiliates
 
(16,818
)
 
(6,588
)
 
1,126

 
21,913

 
367

 

Capital expenditures
 
(40,662
)
 

 
(22,440
)
 
(34,253
)
 

 
(97,355
)
Net cash from (for) investing activities
 
(57,480
)
 
(6,588
)
 
(21,314
)
 
(12,340
)
 
367

 
(97,355
)
CASH FLOWS FROM (FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net borrowings (payments) on revolving credit loans
 
31,000

 

 
(3,110
)
 

 

 
27,890

Intercompany term debt (payments) receipts
 

 
166,023

 

 
(166,023
)
 

 

Term debt payments, including early termination penalties
 
(13,831
)
 
(9,763
)
 
(306
)
 

 

 
(23,900
)
Derivative settlement
 

 

 
(50,450
)
 

 

 
(50,450
)
Distributions (paid) received
 
(73,343
)
 
273

 

 

 

 
(73,070
)
Capital (contribution) infusion
 

 
(60,000
)
 
60,000

 

 

 

Payment of debt issuance costs
 

 

 
(723
)
 

 

 
(723
)
Exercise of limited partnership unit options
 

 
53

 

 

 

 
53

Excess tax benefit from unit-based compensation
 

 
(437
)
 

 

 

 
(437
)
Net cash from (for) financing activities
 
(56,174
)
 
96,149

 
5,411

 
(166,023
)
 

 
(120,637
)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 

 

 
(2,473
)
 

 

 
(2,473
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) for the period
 

 
(97
)
 
(4,274
)
 
4,435

 

 
64

Balance, beginning of period
 

 
494

 
4,393

 
2,368

 

 
7,255

Balance, end of period
 
$

 
$
397

 
$
119

 
$
6,803

 
$

 
$
7,319



32

Table of Contents

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.

Each of our properties is run by a park general manager and operates autonomously. Management reviews operating results, evaluates performance and makes operating decisions, including the allocation of resources, on a property-by-property basis.

Aside from attendance and guest per capita statistics, discrete financial information and operating results are not prepared at the regional level, but rather at the individual park level for use by the CEO, who is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM), as well as by the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the park general managers, and the Executive Vice President, Operations.


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.
Management believes that judgment and estimates related to the following critical accounting policies could materially affect our consolidated financial statements:
 
Property and Equipment
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
Self-Insurance Reserves
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Revenue Recognition

Income Taxes
In the first quarter of 2013, there were no changes in the above critical accounting policies previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2012 except as noted below.
Change in Depreciation Method
Effective January 1, 2013, the Partnership changed its method of depreciation 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 from the composite method to the unit method.
Historically, the Partnership had used the composite depreciation method for land improvements, buildings, rides and equipment for the group of assets acquired as a whole in 1983, as well as for the group of like assets of each subsequent business acquisition. The unit method was only used for all individual assets purchased. Under the composite depreciation method, assets with similar estimated lives are grouped together and the several pools of assets are depreciated on an aggregate basis. No gain or loss is recognized on normal retirements of composite assets. Instead, the net book value of a retired asset reduces accumulated depreciation for the composite group. Unusual retirements of composite assets could result in the recognition of a gain or loss. Under the unit method of depreciation, individual assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, with gains and losses on all asset retirements recognized currently in income.
In order to improve comparability and enhance the level of precision associated with allocating historical cost, the Partnership had determined that it was preferable to change from the composite method of depreciation to the unit method of depreciation for

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all assets. The Partnership believes that pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, changing from the composite method of depreciation to the unit method of depreciation is a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle, which should be accounted for prospectively. This prospective application will result in the discontinuance of the composite method of depreciation for all prior acquisitions with the existing net book value of each composite pool allocated to the remaining individual assets (units) in that pool with each unit assigned an appropriate remaining useful life on an individual unit basis. Assigning a useful life to each unit in the various composite pools had an insignificant effect on the weighted average useful lives of all assets that were previously accounted for under the composite method.
The change in depreciation method had an immaterial impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Future asset retirements could have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the periods such items occur.


Adjusted EBITDA:
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, and adjustments as defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement) 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 for the three- and twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012.
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
 
(13 weeks)
 
(12 weeks)
 
(53 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
 
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(109,126
)
 
$
(65,415
)
 
$
58,145

 
$
84,807

Interest expense
 
25,763

 
26,803

 
109,579

 
142,876

Interest income
 
(40
)
 
(16
)
 
(92
)
 
(92
)
Provision (benefit) for taxes
 
(35,659
)
 
(21,539
)
 
17,638

 
5,937

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,786

 
4,079

 
127,013

 
125,892

EBITDA
 
(114,276
)
 
(56,088
)
 
312,283

 
359,420

Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 
34,573

 

 
34,573

 

Net effect of swaps
 
9,211

 
(970
)
 
8,689

 
(15,976
)
Unrealized foreign currency (gain) loss
 
8,881

 
(8,249
)
 
7,949

 
8,502

Non-cash equity expense
 
2,933

 
1,700

 
4,498

 
1,689

Loss on impairment/retirement of fixed assets, net
 
600

 
92

 
30,844

 
11,251

(Gain) on sale of other assets
 

 

 
(6,625
)
 

Terminated merger costs
 

 

 

 
230

Refinancing costs
 

 

 

 
(34
)
Other non-recurring items (as defined)
 
805

 
1,721

 
3,264

 
6,823

Adjusted EBITDA (1)
 
$
(57,273
)
 
$
(61,794
)
 
$
395,475

 
$
371,905

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) As permitted by and defined in the 2013 Credit Agreement
 
 
 
 

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Results of Operations:

Restatement -

We have made two separate corrections relating to our use of the composite depreciation method.

The first correction, which impacts the Balance Sheet at March 25, 2012 and the Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income for the 3 and 12 month periods ended March 25, 2012, related to a misapplication of the composite depreciation method. Upon the normal retirement of an asset within a composite group, our practice generally had been to extend the depreciable life of that composite group beyond its original estimated useful life. In conjunction with the preparation of our financial statements in 2012, management determined that this methodology was not appropriate. As a result, we revised the useful lives of our composite groups to their original estimated useful life (ascribed upon acquisition) and corrected previously computed depreciation expense (and accumulated depreciation).

The second correction, which impacts the Balance Sheet at March 25, 2012 and the Statement of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income for the 12 month period ended March 25, 2012, reflects a subsequent determination that a disposition from our composite group of assets was considered to be unusual. In certain situations under the composite method, disposals are considered unusual and, accordingly, losses are not included in the composite depreciation pool but are rather charged immediately to expense. In 2013, the Partnership's initial determination of whether a specific asset retired under the composite method of depreciation in 2011 was normal was challenged by the SEC Staff. We ultimately concluded that such disposition was unusual and that a $8.8 million charge be reflected in the 2011 financial statements.

First Quarter -

Operating results for the first quarter historically include less than 5% of our full-year revenues and attendance. The results include normal off-season operating, maintenance and administrative expenses at our ten seasonal amusement parks and four outdoor water parks, as well as daily operations at Knott's Berry Farm, which is open year-round, and Castaway Bay, which is generally open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day plus a limited daily schedule for the balance of the year.
The following table presents key financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012:
 
 
Three months ended
 
Three months ended
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
$
 
%
 
 
(13 weeks)
 
(12 weeks)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Net revenues
 
$
41,799

 
$
28,198

 
$
13,601

 
48.2
 %
Operating costs and expenses
 
102,733

 
93,356

 
9,377

 
10.0
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
4,786

 
4,079

 
707

 
17.3
 %
Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets
 
600

 
92

 
508

 
N/M

Operating loss
 
$
(66,320
)
 
$
(69,329
)
 
$
3,009

 
(4.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
(57,273
)
 
$
(61,794
)
 
$
4,521

 
(7.3
)%

For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, net revenues increased to $41.8 million from $28.2 million for the first quarter of 2012. The increase between periods was primarily due to the strong first-quarter performance in both attendance and per-capita spending at Knott's Berry Farm, our only year-round property, compared with the first quarter a year ago, as well as an extra week of operations due to the earlier timing of Easter in 2013 compared to 2012. At the end of the first quarter, only five of our 15 properties were in operation. The other parks, including our larger parks, Cedar Point and Kings Island located in Ohio and Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, were in the final stages of preparing to open for the 2013 operating season.

Operating costs and expenses for the quarter increased $9.3 million to $102.7 million from $93.4 million in 2012 and were in line with expectations. Operating results for the first quarter include normal off-season operating, maintenance and administrative

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expenses at our seasonal amusement and water parks, and daily operations at Knott’s Berry Farm and Castaway Bay. The increase in first-quarter costs reflects a $5.4 million increase in operating expenses and a $2.3 million increase in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. The cost of food, merchandise and games revenues for the period increased slightly due to sales volume increases at Knott's Berry Farm in the first quarter of 2013. The $5.4 million increase in operating expenses was due primarily to the extra week of operations in the first quarter of 2013 compared with 2012. For the quarter, labor costs increased $3.8 million, maintenance expense increased $2.2 million and operating supplies increased $0.9 million. These increases in operating costs were somewhat offset by a reduction in insurance expense due to a prior-year, non-recurring public liability claim at one of our parks. The $2.3 million increase in SG&A expenses was due primarily to increases in first-quarter advertising fees and full-time labor costs, largely related to full staffing levels.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2013 was $25.8 million, representing a $1.0 million decrease compared to the first quarter of 2012. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the settlement of our Canadian swap in the first quarter of 2012.

During the first quarter of 2013, the net effect of our swaps decreased $10.2 million to a non-cash charge to earnings of $9.2 million, reflecting the regularly scheduled amortization of amounts in AOCI related to interest rate swaps, the write off of amounts in AOCI related to de-designated interest rate swaps, as well as gains from marking the ineffective and de-designated swaps to market. During the first quarter of 2013 we also recognized a $9.0 million charge to earnings for unrealized/realized foreign currency gains and losses, $8.9 million of which represents an unrealized foreign currency loss on the U.S.-dollar denominated debt held at our Canadian property. Due to our March 2013 refinancing, loan fees related to our 2010 and 2011 financings were written off, resulting in a $34.6 million charge to earnings in the period.

During the quarter, a benefit for taxes of $35.7 million was recorded to account for publicly traded partnership (PTP) taxes and the tax attributes of our corporate subsidiaries, compared to a benefit for taxes of $21.5 million in the same period a year ago. Actual cash taxes paid or payable are estimated to be between $14-$17 million for the 2013 calendar year.

After interest expense and the provision for taxes, net loss for the quarter totaled $109.1 million, or $1.95 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with net loss of $65.4 million, or $1.18 per diluted limited partner unit, for the first quarter a year ago. The larger net loss for the period is due to the loss on early debt extinguishment and a change in the unrealized/realized loss on foreign currency exchange, offset somewhat by the increased first-quarter revenues.


Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2013 -

The fiscal twelve-month period ended March 31, 2013, consisted of a 53-week period compared with 52 weeks for the fiscal twelve-month period ended March 25, 2012. Operating days were virtually identical, as the current period had only one additional operating day.

The following table presents key financial information for the twelve months ended March 31, 2013 and March 25, 2012:
 
 
Twelve months ended
 
Twelve months ended
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
3/31/2013
 
3/25/2012
 
$
 
%
 
 
(53 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(As restated)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Net revenues
 
$
1,082,055

 
$
1,029,801

 
$
52,254

 
5.1
%
Operating costs and expenses
 
694,139

 
666,535

 
27,604

 
4.1
%
Depreciation and amortization
 
127,013

 
125,892

 
1,121

 
0.9
%
(Gain) on sale of other assets
 
(6,625
)
 

 
(6,625
)
 
N/M

Loss on impairment/retirement of fixed assets
 
30,844

 
11,251

 
19,593

 
174.1
%
Operating income
 
$
236,684

 
$
226,123

 
$
10,561

 
4.7
%
N/M - Not meaningful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
395,475

 
$
371,905

 
$
23,570

 
6.3
%
Adjusted EBITDA margin
 
36.5
%
 
36.1
%
 

 
0.4
%


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Net revenues totaled $1,082.1 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2013, increasing $52.3 million, from $1,029.8 million for the trailing twelve months ended March 25, 2012. Revenues for the twelve-month period increased 5% on the strength of higher attendance and in-park guest 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. The increase in per capita spending was largely due to the successful introduction of new premium benefit offerings and the positive impact of new customer messaging and dynamic pricing initiatives. Attendance increased year-over-year on virtually the same number of operating days as our season pass sales and visits increased during the comparable periods.

Meanwhile, out-of-park revenues, which represents the sale of hotel rooms, food, merchandise and other complementary activities located outside of the park gates, increased slightly in the comparable periods. The increase in net revenues for the twelve months ended March 31, 2013 also reflects the negative impact of currency exchange rates and the weakening U.S. dollar on our Canadian operations (approximately $4.5 million) during the period.

Operating costs and expenses increased $27.6 million, or 4%, to $694.1 million versus $666.5 million for 2012 and were in line with expectations. The increase in costs and expenses was the result of a $4.0 million increase in cost of goods sold, a $19.8 million increase in operating expenses, and a $3.9 increase in SG&A costs. The 4% increase in cost of goods sold is consistent with anticipated cost increases associated with our efforts to improve the quality of food and other product offerings at our parks. Operating expenses increased due to several factors, including higher employment-related costs, higher operating supply costs, and higher self-insurance expenses. Employment-related costs increased approximately $12.6 million due to normal merit increases, increases in health-related benefit costs, additional staffing levels associated with new premium benefit offerings and other initiatives aimed at improving the overall guest experience, and non-recurring severance payments. Operating supplies and expenses increased approximately $5.3 million due primarily to initiatives to expand or enhance live entertainment at the parks, as well as incremental costs associated with our e-commerce platform and higher attendance. These increases in operating costs were somewhat offset by a reduction in insurance expense due to a prior-year (first quarter of 2012), non-recurring public liability claim at one of our parks.

The increase in SG&A costs was due to an increase in employment-related costs ($4.5 million), operating supplies ($3.8 million), and agency advertising fees ($2.7 million), offset by decreases in professional and administrative costs ($5.9 million). The increase in employment costs was primarily the result of higher wages and benefits due to normal merit increases and full-staffing levels. Increases in operating supplies and advertising fees were due to the earlier timing of Easter, as well as incremental costs to support operating initiatives including general infrastructure improvements. Professional and administrative fees decreased primarily due to a reduction in litigation expenses and costs for SEC compliance matters related to Special Meeting requests. The overall increase in costs and expenses also reflects the positive impact of exchange rates on our Canadian operations ($1.2 million) during the period.

Loss on impairment/retirement of fixed assets, net, during the period totaled $30.8 million, which reflects a non-cash charge of $25.0 million for the partial impairment of operating and non-operating assets at Wildwater Kingdom along with losses on other retirements. During the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2013, two non-core assets were sold at gains totaling $6.6 million. During the twelve-month period ended March 25, 2012, a charge of $11.3 million for the retirement of fixed assets was recorded which includes the retirement of the asset as described in Note 11 to the financial statements.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the period increased $1.1 million compared with the prior period due primarily to an increase in capital expenditures for the 2012 season. After depreciation and amortization, as well as impairment charges and all other non-cash costs, operating income for the current period increased $10.6 million to $236.7 million from $226.1 million.

Interest expense for the twelve months ended March 31, 2013 decreased $33.3 million to $109.6 million, from $142.9 million for the same twelve-month period a year ago. The reduction in interest expense was primarily attributable to an approximate 300 basis point (bps) decline in our effective interest rate, the result of lower fixed rates on London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) within our interest-rate swap contracts. Additionally during the current period, $25.0 million of term debt principal payments were made, reducing our average debt outstanding.

During the current period, the net effect of our interest rate swaps was recorded as a charge to earnings of $8.7 million compared to a benefit to earnings of $16.0 million in prior period. The difference reflects the regularly scheduled amortization of amounts in AOCI related to the swaps and the write off of AOCI amounts related to de-designated interest rate swaps, which were offset by gains from marking the ineffective and de-designated swaps to market and foreign currency gains related to the U.S.-dollar denominated Canadian term loan in the current period. During the current period, we also recognized a $8.2 million charge to earnings for unrealized/realized foreign currency losses, which included a $7.9 million unrealized foreign currency loss on the U.S.-dollar denominated debt held at our Canadian property. Due to our March 2013 refinancing, loan fees that were paid as part

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of our 2010 and 2011 financings were written off, resulting in a $34.6 million non-cash charge to earnings recorded in "Loss on early debt extinguishment" on the consolidated statement of operations.

A provision for taxes of $17.6 million was recorded in the period for the tax attributes of our corporate subsidiaries and publicly traded partnership (PTP) taxes. This compares with a provision for taxes of $5.9 million in period ended March 25, 2012 for the tax attributes of our corporate subsidiaries and PTP taxes.

After interest expense and provision for taxes, net income for the period totaled $58.1 million, or $1.04 per diluted limited partner unit, compared with net income of $84.8 million, or $1.52 per unit, a year ago.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of our operating results (for additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, including how we define and use Adjusted EBITDA, as well as a reconciliation from net income, see Note 6 in Item 6, “Selected Financial Data,” on pages 15-16). For the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2013, Adjusted EBITDA increased $23.6 million, or 6%, to $395.5 million. Over this same period, our Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues) increased 40 bps to 36.5% from 36.1% for the twelve-month period ended March 25, 2012. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the increase in revenues resulting from the successful introduction of our new premium benefit offerings and dynamic pricing initiatives, as well as the successful expansion of our season pass base.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:
With respect to both liquidity and cash flow, we ended the first quarter of 2013 in sound condition. The negative working capital ratio (current liabilities divided by current assets) of 1.4 at March 31, 2013 reflects the impact of our seasonal business. Cash, receivables and inventories are at normal seasonal levels and credit facilities are in place to fund current liabilities.

In July 2010, we issued $405 million of 9.125% senior unsecured notes, maturing in 2018, in a private placement, including $5.6 million of Original Issue Discount (OID) to yield 9.375%. Concurrently with this offering, we entered into a new $1,435 million credit agreement (the "2010 Credit Agreement"), which included a $1,175 million senior secured term loan facility and a $260 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The net proceeds from the offering of the notes, along with borrowings under the 2010 Credit Agreement, were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under our previous credit facilities.

In February 2011, we amended the 2010 Credit Agreement (as so amended, the "Amended 2010 Credit Agreement") and extended the maturity date of the U.S. term loan portion of the credit facilities by one year. Under the Amended 2010 Credit Agreement, the extended U.S. term loan was scheduled to mature in December of 2017 and bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 300 bps, with a LIBOR floor of 100 bps.
The Amended 2010 Credit Agreement also included a $260 million revolving credit facility. Under the agreement, the Canadian portion of the revolving credit facility has a limit of $15 million. U.S. denominated loans made under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 400 bps (with no LIBOR floor). Canadian denominated loans made under the Canadian portion of the facility also bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 400 bps (with no LIBOR floor). The revolving credit facility, was scheduled to mature in July of 2015, also provided for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit.

In March 2013,we issued $500 million of 5.25% senior unsecured notes, maturing in 2021, in a private placement, with no OID. Concurrently with this offering, we entered into a new $885 million credit agreement (the "2013 Credit Agreement"), which included a $630 million senior secured term loan facility and a $255 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The terms of the senior secured term loan facility include a maturity date of March 15, 2020 and an interest rate of LIBOR plus 250 bps with a LIBOR floor of 75 bps. The term loan amortizes at $6.3 million annually. The net proceeds from the notes and borrowings under the 2013 Credit Agreement were used to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the previous credit facilities. The facilities provided under the 2013 Credit Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership.

Terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement include a revolving credit facility of a combined $255 million. Under the 2013 Credit Agreement, the Canadian portion of the revolving credit facility has a limit of $15 million. U.S. denominated and Canadian denominated loans made under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 225 bps (with no LIBOR floor). The revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature in March 2018 and also provides for the issuance of documentary and standby letters of credit. The 2013 Credit Agreement requires the Partnership to pay a commitment fee of 50 bps per annum on the unused portion of the credit facilities.
At the end of the quarter, we had a total of $630.0 million of variable-rate term debt (before giving consideration to fixed-rate interest rate swaps), $901.3 million of fixed-rate debt (including OID), $96.0 million outstanding borrowings under our revolving

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credit facility, and cash on hand of $10.0 million. After letters of credit, which totaled $16.4 million at March 31, 2013, we had $142.6 million of available borrowings under the revolving credit facility under the 2013 Credit Agreement.
Our $405 million of senior unsecured notes require semi-annual interest payments in February and August, with the principal due in full on August 1, 2018. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to August 1, 2014 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. Prior to August 1, 2013, up to 35% of the notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at 109.125%. Our $500 million of senior unsecured notes pay interest semi-annually in March and September, with the principal due in full on March 15, 2021. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to March 15, 2016 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Thereafter, the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at various prices depending on the date redeemed. Prior to March 15, 2016, up to 35% of the notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at 105.25%.
In order to maintain fixed interest costs on a portion of our domestic term debt, in September 2010 we entered into several forward-starting swap agreements ("September 2010 swaps") to effectively convert a total of $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. As a result of the February 2011 amendment to the 2010 Credit Agreement, the LIBOR floor on the term loan portion of its credit facilities decreased to 100 bps from 150 bps, causing a mismatch in critical terms of the September 2010 swaps and the underlying debt. Because of the mismatch of critical terms, we determined the September 2010 swaps, which were originally designated as cash flow hedges, were no longer highly effective, resulting in the de-designation of the swaps as of the end of February 2011. As a result of this ineffectiveness, gains of $7.2 million recorded in AOCI through the date of de-designation are being amortized through December 2015.
In March 2011, we entered into several additional forward-starting basis-rate swap agreements ("March 2011 swaps") that, when combined with the September 2010 swaps, effectively converted $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. The September 2010 swaps and the March 2011 swaps, were jointly designated as cash flow hedges, maturing in December 2015 and had fixed LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.46%. For the period that the September 2010 swaps were de-designated, their fair value decreased by $3.3 million, the offset of which was recognized as a direct charge to earnings and recorded to “Net effect of swaps” on the consolidated statement of operations along with the regular amortization of “Other comprehensive income (loss)” balances related to these swaps. No other ineffectiveness related to these swaps was recorded in any period presented.
In May 2011, we entered into four additional forward-starting basis-rate swap agreements ("May 2011 swaps") that effectively converted another $200 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates beginning in October 2011. These swaps, which were designated as cash flow hedges, mature in December 2015 and fixed LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.54%.
As a result of the 2013 Credit Agreement, the previously described swaps were de-designated as the spreads of the 2013 Credit Agreement decreased to 75 bps from 100 bps in the Amended 2010 Credit Agreement. The May 2011 swaps remain de-designated as the amount of variable rate debt decreased to $630 million, and accordingly, the May 2011 swaps are now over hedged. On March 4, 2013, we entered into several forward-starting swap agreements ("March 2013 swaps") that were not designated as a cash flow hedge on that date. On March 6, 2013, the March 2013 swaps were combined with the September 2010 swaps and the March 2011 swaps, and designated as cash flow hedges, effectively converting $600 million of variable-rate debt to fixed rates. The September 2010 swaps, the March 2011 swaps, and the March 2013 swaps were jointly designated as cash flow hedges, mature in December 2015 and fix LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.331%. At the time of the de-designation, the fair market value of the September 2010 swaps, March 2011 swaps, and March 2013 swaps was $23.8 million, which will be amortized out of AOCI into expense in "Net effect of swaps" in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income through December 2015. At the time of the de-designation, the fair market value of the May 2011 swaps was $7.8 million and was immediately recognized into expense in "Net effect of swaps" in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
At March 31, 2013, the fair market value of the September 2010 swaps, the March 2011 swaps and the March 2013 swaps was a liability of $23.4 million, which was recorded in “Derivative Liability” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The May 2011 swaps had a fair market value of $7.6 million as of March 31, 2013 and was recorded in “Derivative Liability” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.


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The following table presents our September 2010 swaps, March 2011 swaps, May 2011 swaps, and March 2013 swaps which mature December 15, 2015, along with their notional amounts and their fixed interest rates.
 
Interest Rate Swaps
($'s in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
Notional Amounts
 
LIBOR Rate
 
Notional Amounts
 
LIBOR Rate
 
$
200,000

 
2.27
%
 
50,000

 
2.54
%
 
75,000

 
2.30
%
 
30,000

 
2.54
%
 
50,000

 
2.29
%
 
70,000

 
2.54
%
 
150,000

 
2.43
%
 
50,000

 
2.54
%
 
50,000

 
2.29
%
 
 
 
 
 
50,000

 
2.47
%
 
 
 
 
 
25,000

 
2.30
%
 
 
 
 
Total $'s / Average Rate
$
600,000

 
2.33
%
 
$
200,000

 
2.54
%

The 2013 Credit Agreement requires us to maintain specified financial ratios, which if breached for any reason, including a decline in operating results due to economic or weather conditions, could result in an event of default under the agreement. The most critical of these ratios is the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, which is measured on a trailing-twelve-month quarterly basis. At the end of the first quarter of 2013, this ratio was set at 6.25x consolidated total debt (excluding the revolving debt)-to-consolidated EBITDA. The ratio will remain at that level through the end of the first quarter in 2014 and will decrease each second quarter beginning in the second quarter of 2014. Based on our trailing-twelve-month results ending March 31, 2013, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was 3.89x, providing $148.2 million of EBITDA cushion on the ratio at the end of the first quarter. We were in compliance with all other covenants under the 2013 Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2013.
The 2013 Credit Agreement allows restricted payments of up to $60 million so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing. Additional restricted payments are allowed to be made based on an excess-cash-flow formula, should our pro-forma Consolidated Leverage Ratio be less than or equal to 5.0x, measured on a trailing-twelve-month quarterly basis.
At March 31, 2013, the notes maturing in 2018 have more restrictive covenants than the 2021 notes. The terms of the indenture governing our 2018 notes permit us to make restricted payments of $20 million annually. Our ability to make additional restricted payments in 2013 and beyond is permitted should our trailing-twelve-month Total-Indebtedness-to-Consolidated-Cash-Flow Ratio be less than or equal to 4.75x, measured on a quarterly basis.
In accordance with these debt provisions, on February 27, 2013, we announced the declaration of a distribution of $0.625 per limited partner unit, which was paid on March 25, 2013, and on May 8, 2013 we announced the declaration of a distribution of $0.625 per limited partner unit, payable June 17, 2013.
Existing credit facilities and cash flows from operations are expected to be sufficient to meet working capital needs, debt service, partnership distributions and planned capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.


Off Balance Sheet Arrangements:
We had $16.4 million in letters of credit, which are primarily in place to backstop insurance arrangements, outstanding on our revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2013. We have no other significant off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

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 Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities 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

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give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors, including those listed under Item 1A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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 fixed-rate long-term debt, interest rate swaps that fix a portion of our variable-rate long-term debt, and variable-rate borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Translation exposures with regard to our Canadian operations are not hedged.
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. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify as effective hedging activities are reported as “Net effect of swaps” in the consolidated statement of operations. Additionally, the “Other comprehensive income (loss)” related to interest rate swaps that become ineffective is amortized over the remaining life of the interest rate swap, and reported as a component of “Net effect of swaps” in the consolidated statement of operations.
As of March 31, 2013, we had $901.3 million of fixed-rate senior unsecured notes and $630 million of variable-rate term debt. After considering the impact of interest rate swap agreements, virtually all of our outstanding long-term debt represents fixed-rate debt. Assuming an average balance on our revolving credit borrowings of approximately $50 million, a hypothetical 100 bps increase in 30-day LIBOR on our variable-rate debt, after the fixed-rate swap agreements, would lead to a decrease of approximately $0.5 million in annual cash interest costs.
A uniform 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the Canadian dollar would result in a $4.4 million decrease in 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 March 31, 2013, the Partnership's management has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures under supervision of management, and with the participation of 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 were effective as of March 31, 2013.
 

(b)Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting -
As disclosed in Amendment No. 2 to the Partnership's Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, in connection with restating the Partnership's consolidated financial statements therein, management identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to the Partnership's fixed assets, resulting in a conclusion that the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2012. Remediation of this material weakness in internal control over financial reporting was accomplished through the conversion of all composite assets to the unit method of depreciation as of January 1, 2013. The conversion to the unit method eliminates the concept of normal vs. unusual as any and all asset retirements with a remaining net book value will be reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
There were no other changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 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 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Jacob T. Falfas vs. Cedar Fair, L.P.

On July 23, 2010, Jacob T. (Jack) Falfas, the former Chief Operating Officer, filed a demand for private arbitration as provided by his employment agreement. In that demand, Mr. Falfas disputed the Partnership's position that he had resigned in June 2010, alleging instead that his employment with the Partnership was terminated without cause. That dispute went to private arbitration, and on February 28, 2011, an arbitration panel ruled 2-to-1 in favor of Mr. Falfas finding that he did not resign but was terminated without cause. Rather than fashioning a remedy consistent with the employment agreement, the panel ruled that Mr. Falfas should be reinstated. The Partnership believed that the arbitrators exceeded their authority by creating a remedy not legally available to Mr. Falfas under his contract with Cedar Fair. On March 21, 2011, the Partnership filed an action  in Erie County Court of Common Pleas (Case No. 2011 CV 0217) seeking  to have the award modified or vacated. On March 22, 2011, Mr. Falfas commenced a related action in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas  (Case No. 2011 CV 0218) demanding enforcement of the arbitration ruling.  The two actions were combined into Case No. 2011 CV 0217, before Judge Roger E. Binette. On February 22, 2012 the Erie County Common Pleas Court issued a ruling partially vacating the arbitration award and declaring that Mr. Falfas was not entitled to reinstatement of his employment.  The ruling also provided that in accord with paragraph 2 of the arbitration award Mr. Falfas was entitled to certain back pay and other benefits under his 2007 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement as if the employment relationship had not been severed. In March of 2012 Mr. Falfas and the Company both filed appeals of the Court's ruling with the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals in Toledo, Ohio. On April 19, 2013 the Court of Appeals issued a ruling reversing the Erie County Common Pleas Court's  order regarding the reinstatement of Mr. Falfas' employment and  affirming the order regarding back pay and other benefits and remanding the case back to the Erie County Common Pleas Court for further proceedings.  The Company has until June 3, 2013 to file a notice of appeal with the Ohio Supreme Court.  The Partnership believes the liability recorded as of March 31, 2013 to be adequate and does not expect the arbitration ruling or the court order to materially affect its financial results in future periods.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On May 8, 2013, the Partnership announced that it had identified a historical classification error in the Partnership's initial determination of whether a specific asset retired under the composite method of depreciation was normal or unusual. The error resulted in the overstatement of Income before taxes of $8.8 million for the period ended December 31, 2011.

Under the composite method of depreciation, no gain or loss is recognized on normal retirements of composite assets. Instead the net book value after salvage of a retired asset reduces accumulated depreciation for the composite group. Abnormal or unusual retirements of composite assets would result in the recognition of a gain or loss. The error resulted in the Partnership's application of its qualitative policy used to determine whether an asset retirement is normal or unusual. The asset retirement being restated was originally classified as normal, thus reducing accumulated depreciation. Management identified that the Partnership had failed to consider whether the specific asset had a substantial net book value and/or if the retirement caused a deviation from the estimated composite depreciation survivor curve as well as other minor qualitative issues.

The restatement amount of $8.8 million is recorded in Loss on impairment / retirement of fixed assets, net in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filing to correct the previous error.

As disclosed in the Partnership's prior filings, the Partnership had determined that it was preferable to change from the composite method of depreciation to the unit method of depreciation with the change effective January 1, 2013. The Partnership believes that pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles, changing from the composite method of depreciation to the unit method of depreciation is a change in accounting estimate that is effected by a change in accounting principle, which should be accounted for prospectively. The change to the unit method of depreciation eliminates the qualitative judgment needed to determine whether an asset retirement is normal or unusual, as the net book value of all retirements will be recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.



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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit (4.1)
 
Rights Agreement between Cedar Fair, L.P. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Co., LLC, dated April 5, 2010. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2010.

 
 
 
Exhibit (4.2)
 
Indenture, by and among Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada's Wonderland Company, and Magnum Management Corporation, as issuers, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, dated as of July 29, 2010 (including form of 9.125% Senior Notes due 2018). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2010.

 
 
 
Exhibit (4.3)
 
Registration Rights Agreement, among Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada's Wonderland Company, and Magnum Management Corporation, as issuers, the guarantors named therein, and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as representative of the initial purchasers named therein, dated July 29, 2010. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2010.

 
 
 
Exhibit (10.1)
 
Cedar Fair, L.P. Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan dated July 18, 2007. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-09444) filed on August 3, 2007.
 
 
 
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)
  
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Exhibit (101)
  
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity and, (v) related notes
 

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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:
May 10, 2013
/s/ Matthew A. Ouimet
 
 
Matthew A. Ouimet
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 10, 2013
/s/ Brian C. Witherow
 
 
Brian C. Witherow
 
 
Executive Vice President and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit (4.1)
 
Rights Agreement between Cedar Fair, L.P. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Co., LLC, dated April 5, 2010. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2010.

 
 
 
Exhibit (4.2)
 
Indenture, by and among Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada's Wonderland Company, and Magnum Management Corporation, as issuers, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, dated as of July 29, 2010 (including form of 9.125% Senior Notes due 2018). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2010.

 
 
 
Exhibit (4.3)
 
Registration Rights Agreement, among Cedar Fair, L.P., Canada's Wonderland Company, and Magnum Management Corporation, as issuers, the guarantors named therein, and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as representative of the initial purchasers named therein, dated July 29, 2010. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed on July 29, 2010.

 
 
 
Exhibit (10.1)
 
Cedar Fair, L.P. Amended and Restated Executive Severance Plan dated July 18, 2007. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-09444) filed on August 3, 2007.
 
 
 
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)
  
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Exhibit (101)
  
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity and, (v) related notes
 

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