When good parks go bad

[viperchick85]

So hi everyone. I'm just a girl from around the chicago area. Thought I'd put my two cents in with a new name since my other name got deleted somehow...

So everyone's enjoying this new season at Great America? I've been there a couple times with my season pass and it was good times. If I could change some things I would though. For instance, how they have those smoking areas now. Its pretty lame, I felt like I was in jail at the one in southwest territory. It almost deterred me from smoking for a good majority of the day. A very good thing about that new rule is that there is less garbage to look at on the ground. I consider myself to be a couteous smoker.

Anyway, another thing I would change would be the way that Batman kills me everytime I ride it. Pretty rough.

Other than that, good job this year, minus the price gouging, although I noticed soda went down from the $3.50 that it used to be.

[kahmooza]

You think Gam's smoking areas are bad? I had to use Holiday Worlds a couple weeks ago and they are WAY off the beaten path. But yes, like you said, there were no cigerrete butts anywhere in the park. Although they are no big deal to me either way. At least I can still smoke wherever I want at CP...

Batman isn't rougher than most other coasters, can't help you out there.

And yes, SixFlags is raping people this year. It will catch up to them in the end though. Less people will visit with the price of EVERYTHING involved in a trip to the park going up. Even stuff beyond sixflags control.

[Director_Guy]

Disney stopped smoking many years ago and they overcharge more than Six Flags. Still, they bring in the crouds. I don't think people will stop visiting.

[viperchick85]

I don't mind the smoking thing, I think its a good idea, except for the "cage" by Southwest Terr.

[Trailblazer Tony]

Disney stopped smoking many years ago and they overcharge more than Six Flags. Still, they bring in the crouds. I don't think people will stop visiting.

True, but the catch with Disney is that it has been built up since the beginning of time as the ultimate in the theme park industry, Six Flags doesn't have that environment, so it might be different. I heard someone mention it while at the park too, she said "for this much money, we should just go to Disney every year". Nevertheless, prices are still worse at a sports venue, so I consider us lucky.

[rb1]

Compare to Disney Great America is a much better deal. Since gas prices are high and airfare went up I guess more people would likely go to SF than spend all that money on high airfare and gas because its closer to their home and they have more thrill rides. Besides youll be too busy riding all that rides and enjoying your day at GA you might forget about lighting that cigarette and at least they have smoking areas compare that to other parks who dont have any.So it aint that bad.

[Bob O]

There is no comparing SFGAM to wdw at all, be it the experience one has in the park or the value one receives for the price of admission.
Now if Shapiro is successful with his plans and pours alot of money into the park then SFGAM will be much improved. He has good ideas, lets see how they are implemented.

[Ilovthevu']

What would Shapiro really have to pour alot of money into??? I don't see it. Maybe, adding more money into maintenance is about the only thing I see important. The other thing I see is adding handrails which shouldn't cost that much to put in. This is our park I'm talking about, and not others.

[CoasterDude12-2]

Hmm..I personally like the idea of designated smoking areas. I have no problem with smokers (but I don't smoke), but I know people get sick from cigarette smoke, so in my opinion its a good idea.