Six Flags expects huge attendance increase at SFGAM in 2005

[Galvan]

In the confrence call recently, Six Flags Management is "extremely excited" in the addition of Hurricane Harbor at SFGAM.

Citing recent addtions at other theme parks Upper management expects at least a 400,000 to 600,000 increase in attendance.

Noting the addition of the Nitro Coaster at SFGadv in 2001 yielded an 11% increase in attendance and that was with the horrible events of 9/11.

[SammyTheSparerib]

When someone asked if Nitro was the last major addition to Six Flags Great Adventure, management conveniently didn't mention Superman: Ultimate Flight which couldn't stop a 3% attendance decline in 2003. Great America had a 5% attendance drop that year too. I guess the GP just didn't want to go to a park without Shockwave. But the waterpark seems like a surefire money-maker.

[Chitown]

in my opinion, I believe SFGAm will hit the 3 million attendance mark or come very close to it in 2005 now that the theme park and waterpark are one admission price.

[sixflagsguy5]

That's great for the park, because they get money. And with money they buy new rides. But that also meens the lines will be pretty bad on average.

[CoasterDude12-2]

YaY! More ugly butts in front of me in line!

[Galvan]

YaY! More ugly butts in front of me in line!

Or look at it like this, Nice wet female butts in front of you in line

[Bob O]

Increased attendance isnt going to be that great for SF if it comes mostly from season passholders visiting more often. The park needs families coming several times paying close to full admission and buying food/trinkets to have a major increase of revenue.
The waterpark itself will cost money to run, be it lifeguards which will likely be paid more money than food vendors, running the water rides and then paying for the waterpark itself. A company run as badly/incompetently as SF needs a decade of perfect weather to help them out of there financial hole!!!
"Six Flags Inc., the parent company of two theme parks in Arlington, reported its worst annual loss ever on Wednesday.

The theme-park operator lost $110 million, or $1.24 a share, on revenue of $109 million in the fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31. That compares with a net loss of $80 million, or 92 cents a share, on revenue of $98 million for the same quarter in 2003.

For all of 2004, the company lost $464 million, or $5.23 a share, on revenue of $1 billion. That compares with a net loss of $61 million, or 90 cents per share, on revenue of $1 billion for the same period in 2003."
(from the star-telegraph newspaper in forth worth TX)

[Chitown]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have the cut and paste king on our hands. Good job Bob O.

Bob O.

Season Passholders aren't going to make that significant increase in attendance.

Either it's going to be families paying one day admission or families that buy passes for the waterpark that otherwise wouldn't have bought one.

It seems to be working for PKI so why wouldn't it for SFGAm?

[w00dland]

Even if season pass holders attendance increases is that bad for the park overall? For the most part they are still goign to make money on food and games.

[Ilovthevu']

When someone asked if Nitro was the last major addition to Six Flags Great Adventure, management conveniently didn't mention Superman: Ultimate Flight which couldn't stop a 3% attendance decline in 2003. Great America had a 5% attendance drop that year too. I guess the GP just didn't want to go to a park without Shockwave. But the waterpark seems like a surefire money-maker.

For SFGAm, I think this more had to do with the disappointments in the previous years. Since the park was having trouble with D Vu' and V2 earlier, people might have thought that this rollercoaster (SUF) might also have problems. However, in my opinion SUF has made up for Shockwave's short lines by far. I can compare no line to an hour and a half line which is a big change.

You also have to realize that during this time half of New Orleans was becoming a dump with the dismantling of Power Dive, and Cajun Cliffhanger being shutdown.

The problem with SF are two things: the management, and dumping all their money into the big parks. In my opinion, we are very fortunate to have some of the best rides, and best management while a park like SFOG has great rides, but poor management.

A place like SFStL does not have enough rides. SFMM has too many rides that they can't even manage. In my opinion, SFKK has some poor rides, and also does not have enough. To me, the parks should be more similar. Otherwise, you have people going to the big parks, and forgetting about places like SFKK, and SFStL. Management can make the best ride selection terrible.

[Mr. D.T.]

He's right. Orleans was the worst section before Mardi Gras came in. Nothing to do. Power Dive and Cajun Cliffhanger were vacant for the last three seasons. Management was among the worst in my opinion. But things may be improving. I hope so.

I still would've kept Power Dive in that spot, though I do like the King Chaos. I'd like it better if it ran one of 20 random ride programs.

[Bob O]

Just because something works for one park doesnt mean the same formula will work for others!!! SFGAM cant compete with PKI when it come to family entertainment and while the waterpark will help it still falls way short when you comapre the kids area's/attractions. Sf as a company has to realize the money will be made when they become more family friendly and not a babysitter for teenagers.
SF has no history of running there parks in a profitable maner, unless one considers a loss of 464 million to be a sign of good management, i guess these numbers show Mr Six is no answer to any problem

[CoasterDude12-2]

At least the attendance will probally be in the waterpark. I can't say that for certain, however, but hopefully so.

[planea380]

--delete--

[CoasterDude12-2]

Yo, P!?


Are you back???

[TheAllKnowing]

I think consumers as a whole are getting better (since 9/11) and will want to indulge in attending amusement parks more. I predict they at least match their expectations.

[Coasterchick92]

I think they will match there expectations, i mean my family is the ultimate example of the GP and they think that HH is a great addition this year, as a matter of fact, they were thinkin of goin to the dells this year instead of SFGAm( ), but they reconsidered.

[w00dland]

You all have to remember that probably 85/90% of SFGAdv's operating days were already over when 9/11 happened. I think we'll see an increase, hopefully more than expected.

[coastermadness05]

They did say though that our park is one of the "hero" parks for Six Flags, and I believe that. We have a good mix of coasters compared to most of the Six Flags parks, aside from Magic Mountain.

[SammyTheSparerib]

The exact term they used was "most significant markets" to describe New York and Chicago, and that was just spin. Magic Mountain's attedance is usually ahead of Great America's. They just didn't want to admit that they were only adding "show product" to their true 2nd most significant park, which has other problems to work out. But yes, SFGAm gets great coaster expenditure.

[FParker185]

SFMM operates 365 days a year though, or damn close to that(not sure if they close X-mas or not), which is why their attendance is higher, if you were to scale it, SFGAm still generates higher attendance in the same timeframe

[DejaVu The Ride]

Actually, SFMM is closed most weekdays during the winter months. But it is still sad that they are still open a considerable amount longer and still has very similar attendance as SfGam. I'm still trying to figure out what their new for 2006 coaster will be.

BTW, a 2-day pass for SfGam in 2005 will be about $55 I believe. Just in case you wanted to know.