Snoopy ousts SpongeBob as Cedar Fair replaces Nickelodeon with Peanuts in its theme parks

SpongeBob out, Snoopy in at Cedar Fair theme parks

SANDSUKY, Ohio — Move over, SpongeBob and Dora. Make way for Snoopy.

North America’s third-largest amusement parks chain says it’s putting Charlie Brown, Snoopy and other Peanuts characters into five more of its parks next year.

The Peanuts gang will replace the Nickelodeon characters and themed rides at Canada’s Wonderland near Toronto and Kings Island near Cincinnati. They’ll also be added at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Va., Carowinds in Charlotte, N.C., and Great America near San Francisco.

Ohio-based Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. says its contract with Nickelodeon was up and it has had success with the Peanuts characters in its other parks around the country.

The company operates 11 amusement parks, seven water parks and five hotels.