My Six Flags Rant

[Galvan]

JackLuver, I think your related to Bob O because, just like him you always have some terrible attitude about anything and everything the park does. Example: "I hate Iron Wolf, I hate Batman, I hate Wiggles, I hate hate hate hate...."

Its a reoccurring theme with you.

Seems like the only thing you actually like at the park is LAFF.

[Chitown]

JackStalker has proven my point.

I am a jerk? I have nothing nice to say?

You have proven to me that you are the most selfish enthusiass on these boards. SFGAm is a family park. It will never survive as a thrill park. Marriott created this park as a family park and things went sour when they sold it.

If you don't like my opinion of you, oh well, deal with it. I am actually a mod that tolerates B.S. on this site but you have gone to a new level with all of your posts saying you hate this, and you hate that.

Keep stalking Jack from Love at First Fright. You are very creepy.

[Coaster Justin]

I don't even Know what this topic is about but most likely, it's about how Shapiro is giving 4 coasters in 5 years to other parks as Opposed to Great America.

Well...

Yeah, Magic Mountain and Great Adventure get Coaster after Coaster but Like Shapiro said when you spend 20 Million on a Coaster, You don't have much left for the park. That's Probably why (I AM ONLY GUESSING) Those 2 Parks have lots of Rides Closed because of Maintenance, Staffing, Or Budget Problems; Very Dirty Midways; And Lack Of General Upkeep.

As much as I want a Major Coaster at the Park (I Consider Dark Knight a Family Coaster), I would rather have a Quality park than a Magic Mountain.

I think Mark Shapiro should do a plan idea that I've thought up of, to Prevent These Forums from Coming Up.

This Would Be A Masterplan for Each Park (Must add Each One Any Year as they see fit)
1: Family Ride (Non Coaster) OR Waterpark Attraction
2: General Park Improvements
3: Major League Thrill Coaster (Something for Thrill Seekers)
4: New Kids Attractions and/or New Shows

That Way, each park can add/do something and not feel left out or OverLoved and can make the Company A Quality Company as Opposed to a Quantity Company.

[UWW-10]

^ The list thing would kind of work with the exception that general park improvements (paint, building upkeep ect.) are done on a yearly basis, and some projects take more than just a year to complete.

Shapiro knows each parks market in terms of guests and visitors. This is why Magic Mountain gets the attractions it gets. They have tried to go more family friendly at Magic Mountain, but the entire SoCal area is "flooded" with family parks, and people in that market and across the country have always associated MM with being a coaster/thrill park and nothing will really change that notion.

But when you constantly build and spend but fail on the upkeep of the things you currently have, problems arise. Keep in mind...CP and MM were at competition too at one time...and while CP had an off-season, there's still much maintenance and upkeep that has to happen during the season as well, which MM is finally starting to realize.

[Jackluver18]

Both of you can think what you want about me, I still like Six Flags in general there is a few things I hate and believe me, I'm not the only that hates a few things about the park. If you don't like my opinion then ignore it. I honestly don't care what you say about me because I have had far worse things said about me so I've learned to brush it off. Now enough about saying stuff about me and focus on something more important.

[ben_the_bear]

BB looks kind of cool. When I first heard about it I thought it was going to be like indiana beach's with no theming and just stock in a concrete block. I just saw the theming for it recently and I think it looks really cool. I'll probably only ride it a few times because it's a new ride and it'll probably have a long line, but still I think it looks like fun.

For all the people that are just looking for different coasters to ride, SFSTL, SFKK, CP, and Valleyfair are all within 7 hours of driving.

I think they're just trying to get a good mixture of things for everyone to do. I do agree that Wiggles World isn't for all kids, it's more of a baby ride area than a kiddie ride area. They're gunna end up with a bunch of cool rides in the end and it'll be fun to go to the park again. Sometimes it's nice to have medium sized rides and other rides besides coasters at a park, especially when you go there 10 times a year.

[yamcha]

he's right you know. There are more important things to do then talking about people.

No one is ever going to agree with every thing. there are two types of people here

the group that is open with what they expect from the park

and the group that sees how it is and still sees the good in it.

[Jackluver18]

^ first off I am a girl and 2nd yes there are far more important things to talk about besides how stupid and creepy and annoying I am. Thank you yamcha

[demonbulleagle]

Here is my out look of the park, and the words are brought on by the Christmas season

Think of the people who DON'T have a major park any near them, like Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and many other states out there.

So in short Be happy with what we have, I would love a new coaster, but just think if we could give that joy to someone who has never ridden a B&M.

so I rest my case.

Until more pissy adrenaline drugged people come along.

[Coastermonkey61]

This thread has turned into a argument fest again between the young, thrill-seeking crowd and the rest. It just so happens that the young, thrill-seeking crowd doesn't seem to understand a shred of how business and finances work. Six Flags made money this past season off of transition to family-based attractions and ad revenue, the first time the company has made money in years.

To the thrill-seekers, Six Flags will turn back to thrill rides in time. But in their financial situation, and the country's financial situation, it's incredibly stupid to try and do that now.

[demonbulleagle]

Just so you know im 15

[Coastermonkey61]

I'm aware. And you are wise beyond your years in terms of economical situations.

[Demon_07]

Adding family ride after family ride will not mean families will be spending more time at Great America and their hard earned money on a place with sky rocketing prices and so many areas of the park that are a complete eyesore. Forget thrill seekers and families for a moment. Think about EVERYONE and what EVERYONE wants to see are stabilized prices and a beautiful park. If someone likes Great America and can afford it, chances are they will return year after year no matter if something is added or not.

But in this area, a beautiful park really doesn't mater. Where else can people go? You have Kiddieland that is a glorified carnival with a small coaster and log flume. Other then that, you are 2 hours away from another park. Look at Cedar Point. The park looks like crap (theme and looks wise, not saying the park is crap) compared to places like Holiday World or Busch Gardens, but people go. Why do they go, they go for the rides. Six Flags is NOT a theme park, it is an amusement park. Busch Gardens, Universal, Disney, Holiday World are theme parks, this is an amusement park. No matter what the place is now, that is what it is. The land names at this point are nothing more then ways to find a location easier.

Well, to be completely honest, Theme parks are what people talk about and are known nationwide. A little TLC goes a long way.

For the returning no matter what, don't be so sure on that. I am willing to bet that families that go to Six Flags fall into 3 groups. The first one is season pass holders that basically use Six Flags as a day care for their kids. Group two comes 1-2 times a year max and spends 200-300. Group 3 is the group that goes every few years. Group 3 may enjoy the place and have the money, but it is not a priority. I have not lived in this area long, but most people I know have always been group 3. They were this way as they would go to Disney one year or a trip to a national park, which basically eliminated Great America for a year. With one day for a family of 4 costing 200-300, that was a chunk of their trip. What Shapiro is doing now if throwing tons of family things at the park to convince those people that the park is worth the money along with or even over a trip. From the financial reports, it seems like it is working.

[Ilovthevu']

Starting with Superman, obviously that is not a kids ride, and a "major" coaster. For 2004, you have rides that weren't for kids including a ride which I think is boring King Chaos, and Revolution. I don't consider Ragin Cajun a wimpy ride. I consider it a ride I don't like, but I don't consider it wimpy. It's not your type, and not mine, but adults if they like that ride might like it. It can be for kids, but it also can be for adults. You know the other rides in the area could be strictly for kids even though I like the balloons.

You said 2005 was a good year. It's a waterpark, and with it you have thrilling rides such as speed slides (if you like that), the one family raft ride is fast and thrilling, the bowl slides, wavepool, and the tube slides to me are thrilling to me. So for, there are a bunch of thrilling rides. Now, whether you don't like it or not, that's your choice. For 2006, it was the Tornado addition. Yet, another thrilling ride if you like water attractions. For 2007, they had something purely for the kids which was Wiggle's World. Even that Zamperla Spring Ride stinks in my opinion. Moser is so much better in my opinion, but that's another topic.

They also had Operation Spygirl. Was this show truly for kids? It's a stunt show. You have shows like Indiana Jones at Hollywood Studios that are in the same category. It wasn't that great of a show in my opinion though for anyone.

In 2008, you have a PG-13 rated movie in which the Joker is on a rampage hurting people to become a mouse coaster. Hide the coaster, and put in a box to allure teenagers without spending a Dive Machine, or Mega Coaster money.

For 2009, we don't have a Sally Dark Ride so this is basically it except it's outside probably because they are too cheap to build another building for it.

The thrills are still there in the park in my opinion. If you hate the waterpark, that's 2 years of additions you didn't like. Than after that year you had a kids area, and now you have another water ride coming into the park. All I can say is that the park is playing it cheap for good reason (They might not make it through this year.). I think it would be better for them to skip years of new attractions, but they aren't going to listen.

[Galvan]

^

The posting does not make any sense what are you trying to talk about?

[demonbulleagle]

^ It made perfect scene to me.

[onyxhotel08]

Yes, we have gotten something every year lately. Far too family-oriented but we still got something. As long as the park is really benefiting with attendance and spending increases good for them. If not, well, stop adding rides every year. You have winners (HH) & you have clunkers (Spygirl). I 110% believe they should have stopped after Wiggles to replace the Deja Vu AND SWF area all in one season but oh well. We did not absolutely need Dark Knight since that Theater Royale wasn't nearly as big of an eyesore as SWF will be AGAIN in 2009. I'm happy we get something but I would rather wait in between big purchases and get something better to improve views in the park. "What is that by Dare Devil Dive?" "Um, it is an old dried up "pond" where an old water ride used to be." "So is it just a rock display now?" "I think yes so get used to it"

[Demon_07]

I think they might try to block the area from view in the future. My prediction is 2009, a flat/s or a smaller coaster will be put there.

[Bob O]

Having just returned from a trip tp FLA, it was nice to see parks properly run with GREAT customer service.

As for this topic, I think Shapiro is on the right track in going after families as they spend far more money than teens w/season passes who spend little money but clog lines and offend many families with there behavior. But sadly with the debt load that SF has, the best chance they have is to go bankrupt and emerge from that hopefully with the company intact as much as possible. It is hard to run a company when you have to service a debt that is over 2 billion.

But the company badly needs to improve customer service, escpecially when it comes to food service, food quality and the pricing. And also improve there merchandise mix so people will want to spend more money in the park which will also improve cash flow. As for BB, IMHO it is a bad addition for a park with the weather we have in that many times in the operating season it wont be open or hardly used. And having seen that the longest line of all the park's in FLA was for Toy Story Mania (by the way a GREAT attraction that can be ridden all day)SFGAM should have used what capital it has, even if it went a year or two with little new additons and added a themed interactive sally dark ride that would be enjoyed by the whole family and be big enough to have a great hourly capacity.

SFAGM has great potential, but I dont think the SF company will have the money to let it reach its potential and with the lousy food offering's/prices and awful merchandise in the park there is little reason to spend money in the park.

[Demon_07]

^

Bob, you tend to bring up controversy every post you make. let me make myself quite clear. NOT ALL TEENS ARE MORONS. I'll admit, a good majority are, but you can't just go saying "teens w/season passes spend little money but clog lines and offend many families with there behavior." If they're that much of a nuisance to you, report it to an emplyee and quit complaing.

[Jcoaster95]

Families=money

Thrill seekers=season pass+burger king

Families=park staying open

Only thrill seekers=park closing

Here is the answer to all our problems... Close down the burger king across the street!

But seriously, Six Flags cannot aford another major coaster right now. Have you seen their share price? $0.31 as of this sentence. This summer it was about $0.98. Like some people have said, you should BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE! Would you rather live in New Mexico with only a Galaxy and a CCI coaster? Some people are homeless and starving, while you're complaining about not getting that 500 foot tall, 15 inversion dueling B&M floorless coaster built in that imaginary lot some people think Great America owns! Also, I don't know why people are complaining about Wiggles World. It was built in a huge pile of nothing (a tent that was split between a partial food court and part of the American Eagle queue line) and paid for itself quickly.
Some of these people that are comlaning should spend a summer in the sahara desert, and come back apreciating the major theme park we have in our backyard.

[monsterfan99]

Having just returned from a trip tp FLA, it was nice to see parks properly run with GREAT customer service.

As for this topic, I think Shapiro is on the right track in going after families as they spend far more money than teens w/season passes who spend little money but clog lines and offend many families with there behavior. But sadly with the debt load that SF has, the best chance they have is to go bankrupt and emerge from that hopefully with the company intact as much as possible. It is hard to run a company when you have to service a debt that is over 2 billion.

But the company badly needs to improve customer service, escpecially when it comes to food service, food quality and the pricing. And also improve there merchandise mix so people will want to spend more money in the park which will also improve cash flow. As for BB, IMHO it is a bad addition for a park with the weather we have in that many times in the operating season it wont be open or hardly used. And having seen that the longest line of all the park's in FLA was for Toy Story Mania (by the way a GREAT attraction that can be ridden all day)SFGAM should have used what capital it has, even if it went a year or two with little new additons and added a themed interactive sally dark ride that would be enjoyed by the whole family and be big enough to have a great hourly capacity.

SFAGM has great potential, but I dont think the SF company will have the money to let it reach its potential and with the lousy food offering's/prices and awful merchandise in the park there is little reason to spend money in the park.

Bob, you tend to bring up controversy every post you make. let me make myself quite clear. NOT ALL TEENS ARE MORONS. I'll admit, a good majority are, but you can't just go saying "teens w/season passes spend little money but clog lines and offend many families with there behavior." If they're that much of a nuisance to you, report it to an emplyee and quit complaing.

I've had 3 large groups of teens start moshing and doing stupid stuff at Viper 3 times during Fright Fest. Every time people complained, including myself, nothing happened. This goes along with Bob's points on customer service needing to be improved. This is not an attack at teens but more of a compliment at customer service.

[tp41190]

I've had 3 large groups of teens start moshing and doing stupid stuff at Viper 3 times during Fright Fest. Every time people complained, including myself, nothing happened. This goes along with Bob's points on customer service needing to be improved. This is not an attack at teens but more of a compliment at customer service.

That would be so fun

But yeah, customer service is horrible. I lost a hat on raging cajun closing day right on the cement....I asked a Op is I could wait because there was a mechanic in the ride area a right by my hat. And they said I had to go to Lost and Found...UGH! I know they picked it up because it is in plain view. I call the park a few times already and they always told me the same thing "we dont not have any further information with your report". So they dont even bother to look or send it to me in the mail. I then called and asked if I could buy a new one...and they told me that I have to make purchases online, well they dont have ANYTHING from the Bayou Blowout store and theres no way for me to get a new one.

Also when I call the park I don't want to hear someone say "can you hold for a sec"? What is that...A "SEC"? "OK...1...a waited a sec". Seriously, they really need to train there staff to be more professional.

[Bob O]

Demon 07 I never said all teens are morons, but the statements I made ARE true and that is why SF is trying to get the park away from a thrill ride park that attracts season pass holding teens, and instead attract families that spend far more money.

And while I LOVE roller coasters, I think the reality is a park only needs 4-5 real good coasters and doesnt need a dozen coasters to be a good park. It needs a good mix of coasters/family attractions The parks that I enjoy the most like the ones you find in FLA, or BGW or HW/BW have far less coasters than alot of SF parks but provide IMHO a far better park experience in selection of rides/customer service/ambience etc.

[Demon_07]

^:roll: