SFGA-Family or Thrill Seekers?

[jbujwit10]

Alright, we all go to SFGA for what? Roller coasters or family fun?

We have the loving parents taking their 4 annoying children to spend the day at SFGA. We all know they payed about 30 bucks a kid and about 30 bucks a parent. We also know that sweet old Mom is probably going to be stuck with 2 of the 4 kids at Wiggles World all day, while dear old Dad runs off with little Timmy and Suzie to ride on the "Big Kid "rides. While Mom and the 2 younger kids spend quality time with each other, they also lack time with Dad and Suzie and Timmy. Should SFGA continue to make improvements and upgrades off our ticket expense for kiddie areas when we, thrill seekers, want more "Big Kid" rides?

I respect all responses and encourage all remarks. Thank-you, jbujwit.

[Bethania22x]

Dear jbujwit10,

In my opinion, I think we should get rid of all Kiddie rides, lands, areas, etc. I believe if I am paying 30 bucks a ticket for a day at SFGA as a thrill seeker, I would like that money to go towards new roller coasters, or as you say "Big Kid" rides, and not little kiddie rides, lands, areas, etc. I want to experience the full effect of only roller coasters and exhilarating flat rides at SFGA. If parents want to take thier annoying little brats to amusment parks, how about they try Haunted Trails, Boomers, Navey Pier, or Odessy Fun World and not a park dedicated to thrill seekers and adrenaline druggies!!!

See you this Saturday at SFGA Jake, born 3-26-92 at Palos Hospitol,
Bethania22x

[CoasterDave316]

I respect both of your opinions, and I thank you for actually using proper spelling and grammar in your posts. That's something most new people can't seem to grasp.

Now I can either take this time and write out a big long message why I disagree with the majority of what your saying or I can sum it up in a few words.

Ill choose the later.

You're both insane.

That is all.

[Luxornv]

They need a fair mix of both kiddie rides and thrill rides. Though they should not alienate the thrill seekers so that more and more kiddie rides can be added. I really didn't like it when Wiggles World was added. We already have two kiddie areas, one of which has a kiddie coaster. We did not need another kids area. As of now, there seems to be a good amount of kids rides spread throughout the park. There are only so many kiddie rides that can be added though. The park has a bunch of them now, and SFGAm needs to get back to adding thrill rides and roller coasters.

[Chitown]

Dave: While these new posters possess proper spelling and grammar, it doesn't take away the fact that they need to get their heads out of their asses. I will add insane as you stated also.

SFGAm is meant to be for both thrill seekers and families with small children. Guess what? They have accomplished that.

If you as a thrill seeker can't find thrill in a park having 13 coasters, numerous flats, and a waterpark included with admission, then find another park to patronize or figure out another form of getting an adrenaline rush.

[Chitown]

Dear jbujwit10,


See you this Saturday at SFGA Jake, born 3-26-92 at Palos Hospitol,
Bethania22x

O.k. I am sorry , but that statement is kind of creepy.

[Dmrbug]

Six flags through out the years have done a great job of keeping a good balance for kids and thrill seekers. I am a thrill seeker and spend lot of time on coasters, but I will tell you my favorite days are the days I bring my god daughters or nieces to the park. Watching them enjoy the same rinds that I enjoy when I was there age bring the most rewarding experience that you can not explain. I can not wait till the day I can bring my own children to the park. If you have the chance, take someone young to the park like a cousin or something (under the age of 8.). I will guarantee you will have a fun day even if you don't get a big kid ride in. Also for those who do not know they do offer Thrill swap program. If mom and dad want to wait in line with little Timmy and Jane they can and swap turns riding at the big kid coasters and rides. Ask any operator for more information.

[Mr. SFGAm]

The thing is, is that Six Flags already tried the "Lets only add big rides" idea, and has since found themselves millions of dollars in debt; partially because of the cost of "big" rides, and partially because the thrillseekers don't line up at the gates like families do. Seems kind of like those thrillseekers that think their $30 should only go towards massive roller coasters every other year didn't outweigh those who want a well rounded park experience. Like it or not, these parks were not built to be a haven for the extreme thrill seeker. When Great America opened there was probably a reason why of all the rides, only three of them were roller coasters. A kiddy coaster, a family coaster, and a thrill coaster. Wow, what a concept... something for everyone to do!

[rct2wizard360]

Ahhh you know theres one little bit of input I have for this.

In the morning, the people with PDA's come up to you and get your ticket information, and they ask you a few questions. Theres the one that says, "Do you only care about the big rides? or rides for families too." No matter how much I wanna be "cool" and say the big rides, I ALWAYS answer that the rides for the families are important too.

I haven't been a thrill seeker forever. It wasn't too long ago that I was deathly afraid of rollercoasters, and this was when Premier still had the park, so there wasn't too much family friendly rides going on. Six Flags was boring to me, as I went on all the rides that appealed to me before 1 or 2.

All theme parks need to be well rounded. End of discussion.

[jbujwit10]

Hi Mr. SFGAm,

Thanks for all of you replies! However, you said that only the families line up at the gates, and I completely disagree! The last 2 times I went there with bethania22x, we were waiting to run off to Raging Bull as well as Superman: Ultimate Flight.

Also, you mentioned that the thrill seekers only go there every other year, which is completely wrong, and I disagree. Bethania22x and I go there atleast once a summer, usually twice.

Thanks for all of you continuous replies,

-jbujwit10

[Bethania22x]

Good Morning!

Dear Fellow Forumers,

I still hold my same opinion in my mind, but I also agree with JForceFC014 on the fact that I also hated when SFGA constructed the whole Wiggles World thing. He is right. There was already two other kiddie areas when the Wiggles World area was built and I strongly felt that was unnecessary considering Wiggles World is on the Disney Channel and not apart of the Loony Toons Cartoons. Even though I do not like the fact that some of my money goes to areas I do not even set foot in, I guess I can make some sense and understand families with young children want a fun experiance at SFGA even without going on any "big kid" rides.

Thank-you for your time.

Bethania22x

[Bethania22x]

Dear Chitown,

I would like to say, the statment I made earlier about jbujwit's birthday is NOT creepy. Maybe, I am just his best friend in the whole entire world and I would know those types of things!!! But thank-you for you thoughtful remark.

With much appreciation, Bethania22x

[jbujwit10]

Dear Bethania22x,

Hi, again, see you Saturday!However, I disagree with you. Even thought that families take their children to SFGA, they should have a separate side of the park for that sort of things. I think that would be the best idea in order to still keep a somewhat "family" orientated place around the park.

Sincerely to the person that I am going to SFGA Memorial weekend,

-jbujwit10

[rct2wizard360]

Alright you two think about it this way.
Add up all the thrill rides. In my own opinion, thats around 25.
Add up all the extremely moderate rides. In my own opinion, thats around 22.

Now obviously theres more thrilling rides. Not by much, but the point is it shows the majority.
It should be the other way around.

When my family goes to Cedar Point, it's me, my mother and father, and my little brother.
My mom and I prefer the thrill rides, while my dad and brother aren't so risky.
We're in the park till closing.
Their day ends at around one, and they're running around trying to find something else to do.

The majority should always be towards something that EVERYONE can go on. Sure you may not like the less intense rides, but you can still handle them. Not everyone can tolerate a huge roller coaster.

Along the lines of what Mr. SFGAm was saying, the whole outlook of BIG HUGE RECORDBREAKING rides got the company no where. Teenagers try their hardest to spend the least amount of money possible at the park. A lot of them will just head out of the park to get food, and they don't buy souvineers. Families have screaming little kids, asking for every little thing. They buy the souvineer cups, they buy the big meal deals in the park, they buy souvineers.

Without the families coming into the park, you aren't going to get those big roller coasters you all love.

[jbujwit10]

Hi rct2wizard360,

Thanks a lot for your post,

You brought up some good points. You definitely thought outside the box by mentioning souvenirs. I like you explanation, and I do agree with a lot of it. But, I have this new idea of that the park could of split it half and half, I mean split it with the "kiddie lands and rides" and the thrill seeking rides. However, you are right about that if the families do not come, that is not good because most of their revenue comes from the families.

-jbujwit10

[Aero737]

Dear Chitown,

I would like to say, the statment I made earlier about jbujwit's birthday is NOT creepy. Maybe, I am just his best friend in the whole entire world and I would know those types of things!!! But thank-you for you thoughtful remark.

With much appreciation, Bethania22x

I respectfully disagree with this statement.

But, I have this new idea of that the park could of split it half and half, I mean split it with the "kiddie lands and rides" and the thrill seeking rides.

Why would you think this would ever work? Would your family like being separated and not seeing each other all day? Your money would all still be going to six flags and since your kiddie park idea would never be able to pull a profit, your ticket money would likely still go to kiddie rides just as it does now.

-Yours Truly
Jason born 9-1-85
SSN# 335-45-6671

[CoasterDude12-2]

Personally, I don't agree with the park being split into two. It doesn't bother me that a fmaily ride like the Whirlygig is right next to a big, thrill-seeker esque ride like V2 or Batman. I'm just fine with that. In fact, occasionally I like to ride flat rides like the East River Crawler, Triple Play, and the Hometown Fun machine. I would hate to have to walk all the way to another half of the park to ride thrill rides and flat rides. In fact, I don't think a single person in their right mind would promote that.

[jbujwit10]

Hi everyone,

I continue to read all and every post written here. There are some very good points being brought up! I do understand that completely splitting the park is not exactly the best idea, because I do understand that I too like to take a ride on the Giant Drop. However, they should split the park by the "kiddie rides" and the "thrill seeking rides." Some kiddie rides would include the tea cups in Wiggles World, and all other rides in there. Also, the rides in all other kiddie lands. I do think that flat rides should be kept throughout the park, however, the extremely "kiddie rides" should be splitted. And if they are, I am NOT suggesting a idea of that you would have to buy a seperate ticked for Six Flags Great America thrill park and kiddie park, but just having it be one ticket, and the same price as it is right now.

Sincerely,

-jbujwit10

[cowboy1192]

I think its great that ever since Shapiro has been in charge, the parks are in EXCELLENT shape. BUT, I do think amusement parks are focusing WAY TOO much on families. Our last coaster iN SFGAM was Rajun Cajun, we finally get another one, what is it? The Dark Knight!!! COME ON!!!

[jbujwit10]

I think its great that ever since Shapiro has been in charge, the parks are in EXCELLENT shape. BUT, I do think amusement parks are focusing WAY TOO much on families. Our last coaster iN SFGAM was Rajun Cajun, we finally get another one, what is it? The Dark Knight!!! COME ON!!!

Hi, thankfully someone finally sees what I am seeing! I completely agree with cowboy1192. Six Flags Great America is focusing on family way too much!

WE WANT A DIVE COASTER, WE WANT A DIVE COASTER, WE WANT A DIVE COASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks a lot for your input!,

-jbujwit10

[Mr. SFGAm]

Hi Mr. SFGAm,

Thanks for all of you replies! However, you said that only the families line up at the gates, and I completely disagree! The last 2 times I went there with bethania22x, we were waiting to run off to Raging Bull as well as Superman: Ultimate Flight.

Also, you mentioned that the thrill seekers only go there every other year, which is completely wrong, and I disagree. Bethania22x and I go there atleast once a summer, usually twice.
-jbujwit10

To clarify, I stated that thrillseekers do not line up at the gates like families do, meaning in terms of attendance numbers, families and young children make up the majority of the parks yearly attendance, which is proven by the fact that when Six Flags was on their thrill ride only binge, a lot of families stopped coming, which made park attendance numbers fall through the floor. I thought I remember reading somewhere that the year S:UF was added, SFGAm experienced an attendance decrease.

I also never said that thrill seekers only visit every other year. I said that the thrillseekers are the ones who think that a new roller coaster should be added every other season. If you think that Six Flags is ripping you off because there hasn't been a big new coaster added to SFGAm every other year, why don't you go visit Six Flags America, which hasn't gotten a new coaster at all since 2001, or Six Flags Over Texas, which just got a family spinning coaster for the 2008 season... their first coaster at all since 2001.

Suddenly things don't seem so bad when we've gotten 5 coasters since 2001(granted one of those has been removed), an entire waterpark, two thrilling flat rides, two tame family rides, and one single year with a children's area addition.

I'm not trying to pick on anyone, just trying to get some people to see that things haven't really been as bad as it may seem.

[jbujwit10]

Dear Mr.SFGAm,

WOW is all I have to say! I am sorry for misunderstanding all of your points! I completely respect everything you said!

All though I am beginning to get on your side, there still have been a lot of mishappenings at the park. For example, Wiggles World, period! Also, the huge line for American Eagle, the removal of Splash Water Falls, and as you mentioned, the saddened removal of Deja Vu!!! However, as long as we get a new coaster or big ride every 2-3 years, I will continue to be happy and will always go to the park.

And, on a side note, do you agree with me than within the next 10 years Demon, Iron Wolf, and possibly Whizzer, although it's the last of its kind, should be removed and new coasters or big rides should be put in?

Thanks for your continuous replies!!!,

-jbujwit10

[diggerg56]

(snipped) Along the lines of what Mr. SFGAm was saying, the whole outlook of BIG HUGE RECORDBREAKING rides got the company no where. Teenagers try their hardest to spend the least amount of money possible at the park. A lot of them will just head out of the park to get food, and they don't buy souvineers. Families have screaming little kids, asking for every little thing. They buy the souvineer cups, they buy the big meal deals in the park, they buy souvineers.

Without the families coming into the park, you aren't going to get those big roller coasters you all love.

We have a winner!

[Cove26flags]

I think its important as a theme park to have all the elements that go into one: Extreme, Water, Kiddie, and family. A park like this one that has such a family oriented demographic needs to have all these areas in a park or else people simply wouldn't come. I think we need to put our money into thrill and family more than rollercoasters . We have 13 already, use what we have and it's not like they all suck. They're all great coasters and when the opportunity comes around to put in another coaster, they probably will. Six Flags should worry more about their demographics rather than a coaster count. But to the main question of this post, I think at one time SFGAm was a thrill seekers heaven and the directors soon found out that it wasn't the way to go. But it's slowly but surely turning around to be a family park as it should be and yeah the admission is high but its unlimited access to everything. If you were to go to a park that charged by the ride, its adds up to way more.

[jbujwit10]

Hi Cove26flags,

Thanks for another post! I do semi-understand what you are saying.

We have 13 already, use what we have and it's not like they all suck. They're all great coasters and when the opportunity comes around to put in another coaster, they probably will.

This, however, I disagree with. Out of the 13 roller coasters, here are the true good ones:
1. Raging Bull
2. Superman: Ultimate Flight
3. Viper
4. Batman the Ride
5. V2(I personally don't get much thrill out of this ride any more, but it counts)
6. Demon(very debatable)

So, 6/13 rides are good, that is less than half! Iron Wolf, Spacely's Sprocket Rockets, Ragin' Cajun, and Whizzer are all lack luster roller coasters!!!

Thus, we have ourselves 6 good rides, that's ok. It's not spectacular, but it's not horrifying. It's just ok.

-jbujwit10