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SFGAm to announce 2011 addition on September 1st
If capacity is an issue, then I'd bet Benjamins that if the announcement really is an expansion, then Hurricane Harbor will be separate charge. Having the waterpark as a separate charge will mean you'll have people being made to choose between dry and wet, and that'll cut overcrowding on both ends.
I think there's a few factors here that have to be considered 1) Shapiro's Plans vs Weber's Plans: I don't think anything that Shapiro intended to do was ever carried out by Weber (with the exception of things that were already in progress). While nothing has been "officially announced" but rather leaked, it's hard to say "leaked stuff" was something brand new (from Weber), or if this was an old idea now being sent elsewhere (from Shapiro). The only people that know this stuff are probably not posting on these kinds of forums anyways....so we'll never know 2) I don't think you can base new capital improvements based on previous capital. If that were the case, then we shouldn't have got coaster after coaster back in the 90's because we just got one 2 years prior...no need for another coaster-related attraction. Although it may seem like Corporate throws darts at a board to decide who gets what, it's just not so. You might not find the reasoning behind their plans....but they obviously see something others don't or it wouldn't have happened the way they are carrying things out.
This is my utter opinion on this issue. The Facebook page is blowing up with people telling them how either A: Angry they are, or B: dissapointed they are. I am disappointed. Not angry, because it was inevitable. But Weber, with all his experience, messed up something with this. He just killed the Go-Karts. They are basically jammed into that corner, the only real option now for them to survive is for them to be moved somewhere else around the park. Something tells me Mr. Weber has yet to visit Great America and actually see the area he's expanding, because The Go-Karts are now obsolete. I just think they should either A: move the go-karts. or B: kill them. And then make STT's entrance into Carousel Plaza.
DEATH TO AL WEBER!!!
Oh, that's sarcasm
I'm not trying to start an argument, I just simply asked a question. Sorry
SF trips 09 = 15
SF trips 10= 11 SF trips 11 =7
Is it too much to ask that we have one topic on this forum that isn't lead astray on tangents of whim by such ignorance? I don't think Joe Schmoe who brings his family to the park is too concerned about getting a new B&M next year, i'm pretty sure he's more concerned with enjoying a day with his family and getting his money's worth. Regardless of whether they get a new multimillion dollar coaster next year I guarentee that you will all probably buy season passes anyway, and if theres high demand for HH expansion (meaning too small to handle the crowds it attracts, which it often is), how does it not make sense to expand it?
Also quit whining about SFGAm not getting anything new, they have invested more updating Great America it seems than any other park over the past decade. 2004 = updated an area of the park with flat package and mouse + another flat in the back of the park, 2005 = new large, beautiful waterpark, 2006 = large new waterslide, 2007 = new kids area replacing a really crappy/ugly area of the park, 2008 = indoor family coaster, 2009 = water ride, 2010 = new nighttime parade and relocated a small wooden coaster. You know what SFMM, the "spoiled park," has gotten in those years? 2006 = B&M flyer, 2009 = tiny re-done kids area & GCI coaster. No new entertainment, no new waterpark attractions, no real upgrades to the park other than a lot of paint (and that's just because those rides had been neglected for years), and Thomas Town is tiny and doesn't have as much to do as Wiggles World. SFGAm has gotten more new things than SFMM. In my opinion, Great Adventure needs more attention than Great America. They may have El Toro, Kingda Ka, and Nitro, but what they don't have is any type of atmosphere at all and the facilities are far superior at SFGAm. Some areas of SFGADV look like they were built on a Wal Mart budget.
in my opinion B unless the answer to A is to another park
LOL! Thank you. Ha 
So, who cares about the Go-Karts anyway? Take them out. "I've been staring at the world, waiting. All the trouble and all the pain we're facing. Too much light to be livin' in the dark. Why waste time? We only got one life. Together we can be the CHANGE. So go and let your heart burn bright"
^Really, does it even bring in any good amount of revenue?
On a day with Raging Bull having 45 minutes or less, the Go-karts usually have a one to two run wait. They are pretty popular. And I have to say, They can make your day with friends great.
 But, I doubt they would just get rid of an up charge attraction if they could move it, or just keep it and make a few bucks.
Yeah, i dont think the go-carts will be leavin our park anytime soon if they bring in good money. But i have never actually riden in one at SFGAm, i just think theres beter stuff to do. Dont get me wrong though, i love go carting. I save all my cartin time for when im up in the dells.
I am not trying to induce flames here, and I do say this with respect to the crew who moderate these forums (I am sure you have quite a job on your hands this year) .. but it seems to me that here, unlike other message boards, people really cannot voice their opinion without being "attacked" so to speak. This is the internet, and it is a message board, and people come to these boards to voice their opinions and in most cases people only voice their opinion when they feel displeased about something. So naturally, people come here to discuss roller coasters and thrill rides, and yet when people voice their opinion against continuous water and family related expansion to the park..people are charged by the moderators by being told to "stop whining", "you will still pay", "the park needs nothing," or their threads are locked up etc.
This isn't my website, and I do not pay to use it, so therefore I have no right to say how it should be run, i appreciate the resources and conversation it provides, but this year above ALL years there is unprecedented arguing going on. Look, we all understand that the park has been treated well in terms of getting an addition each year, but this site attracts thrill seekers. I don't know if I would consider a Glow in the Dark parade much of an addition if i may add. What percentage of park goers do you really think actually took advantage of a short parade at 9:00 at night? With respect to Dark Knight, who in the main demographic of roller coaster riding folk actually respects that poor thing? I enjoy themed rides, but nobody cares about it and it seems to have gathered the title of "Ride to Waste Time On". Buccaneer Battle, can anything really be said? Defend it all you want, but the thing is empty 75% of the time. All of that queue space they made for it cracks me up every time, considering they could have built another bathroom there or Johnny Rockets. I like it because there is never a wait, and I can cool off...but it seems that 90% of the crowd could care less and not even kids care. I really do apologize for going on a tangent, but I just don't see why we aren't entitled to discussing a little discontent without being told that we are "whining." Rides like X-2, Kingda Ka, Diamondback, Intimidator, and Maverick are built...and our last coaster going on 7 years ago... a copycat Superman? I guess I just don't see these amazing annual additions like some claim... Either way, I guess I am beating a dead horse here... I am sure I will get flamed or told to "move on elsewhere." I just think everyone is entitled to vent without being told their idea is idiotic essentially. We may be "annoying" or not understand the economics, and sure we will continue buying, but its because there is no competition nearby and we all need our fix in the summer. We will just have to keep hoping I suppose. /end rant... please don't kill me moderators.
 I think you summed up everything I have been thinking for the past nearly 12 months. Thank you!
I just joined SFGAm world pretty much just a week ago so i have no say in this... lol
This is my main point
Take a look at how much $ a dad will spend taking his family of 4 to the park Parking: $15 Admission (using the Coke can discounts): about $150 Flashpass for him and oldest kid: $120 Lunch at Farmers Market: $40 Dinner at Johnny Rockets (they stay to watch the parade): $60 Misc random candy they buy throughout the day: $10 Youngest kid plays 2 game: $9 Souvineers (lets say the 2 kids want a t-shirt each): $35 This guy has just spent almost $450 to spend a day with his family at SFGAm and to be honest with a family its very easy to spend more than that. Granted this assumes that they eat dinner in the park, which is the whole reason the parade is there is to keep people in the park and sell more food (and even if he doesn't eat at JR, he still will probably buy hot dogs or equivelant which isn't exactly cheap either). Now think of Six Flags' thought process when they add attractions. You are critical of the Dark Knight Coaster addition, but considering they have a bunch coasters with 48" and 54" height requirements, what big ride is this guys 44" kid going to go on? If there kid likes big rides but is not tall enough to go on the coasters, why even bring him? Plus Sprockets and Whizzer (and Ragin Cajun, which is 48" but still a friendly ride for kids that are scared of other coasters) both go down in light rain. TDK stays open in all weather so the kids still have at least one coaster they can go on when it's raining. So when people like david say "we need a new B&M management is terrible with additions" blah blah blah...he needs to realize they don't care about him. They know they will make the measly $75 or however much from his season pass and probably get dropped off in the drop off area anyway so probably won't even buy a parking pass. Plus having kids wandering around the park unsupervised is bad for their reputation with people they actually want to be attracting (I spent almost my entire teenage existence at SFGAm, however as we know not all people that age are mature or treat the park's property as well as we do). I'm not saying they should never add thrill rides, they obviously should because that's what they are known for. But there was a period of several years where it was not a very friendly place for people with kids to visit so now they are still trying to get that crowd back.
Definitely a good point. But now, let me overview my family's trip in 2005.
Admission: about $200 with discounts from OCC. In-Park Spending: $0 We were smart enough to bring a cooler and such. Flashpass: $0 I was about 8 and wasn't about to ride Raging Bull, so there was no use for a flash pass. Basically, I believe that is what the regular family (of 5) would put. Around $200-300.
That sounds like a coaster enthusiast family, not a normal Joe Schmoe family which was the point he was making.
Good point 
Not one bit in my opinion i can't tell you how many posts ive been working on and i think someone might say something bad aboout them and just hit Board Index and move on.
Why does everyone seem to focus on one or the other? The park needs ALL types of attendance to succeed. While I agree the family that makes a once a year (or once a lifetime) trip and shells out $500 in a day is great for the park, you can't argue that these are the same people who show up day in and day out -- that just doesn't make sense. I can't imagine even a large family spending more than ~$1500 a year at the park unless they are EXTREME enthusiasts, and I doubt anyone that fits in that category would not at least like to see improved thrill rides.... The bottom line is if a family is going to show up frequently, they're going to buy "junk" once a year, and likely eat from a cooler the other trips.
On the other hand, there are a lot of people like myself who go once a year, or once every few years because we're sick of not seeing any new rides we would actually ride in the park. Sure if I had kids things would be different, but not everyone who goes to a thrill park has kids.... I usually buy around $20-50 in junk when I go to the park, plus parking, plus admission... they make a decent chunk of money off of me (all in all ~120 per trip). You have to take a step back and ask yourself -- what have they done to draw me there since 2001 (my first trip)... They built superman in an attempt to make up for tearing down shockwave... and I guess V2 and superman are about equal to shockwave so we'll call that an even... Of course they tore down deja vu for a lame kids water ride that even kids don't ride.... SSA is gone -- everyone seems to forget this was actually at lest somewhat amusing as it was a motion simulator ride (and a family ride at that -- why remove a family ride if that is their focus?) The built rajin cajun -- a dull mad mouse that I really don't like.... So they've added two thrill coasters, and added a mild one since my first trip in 2001, and in exchange removed my favorite.... I'd say rajin cajun is equal to SSA in value to people like me, so I'd call that an even at best for me since 2001. As far as flat rides go... I don't touch them with a 20 foot pole. There are a few that are really good, and they tend to be the simple, low cost ones... tea cups, etc... and I really wouldn't mind if they went crazy with flat rides that were less "extreme" and more thrill.... some people love thrill rides but don't like spinning rides or flat rides that invert you, and the park has nothing to offer in a thrilling flat ride that doesn't invert you or spin you for forever, leaving a lot of possibility here that can meet thrill and family demands. Now where does the park stand with coasters? We were once a flagship park -- whizzer was unique, demon was actually pretty bold, american eagle was the tallest/fastest, iron wolf was the tallest/fastest, batman was the first of its kind, viper was a a clone of a classic -- and is a great ride, shockwave was the biggest, fastest, mega looper but is now gone... raging bull was a great ride and others seem to like it so I won't bash it -- but it isn't in my top 8 coasters in the park, superman is a clone, but I think it is a great ride (one of my favorites) TDK was an A on effort, F in everything else, even kids get off that ride unimpressed. So where did things go wrong? The park has been CORRECTLY focusing on what brings in money for the last 10 years now... and that has helped SFGAM stay profitable. The problem is that it has lost its flagship appeal, and has been feeding money to other money pit parks.... I say return this park to its glory and actually add a new flagship ride. We don't need one of the biggest, baddest rides out there, but why not give us a mega looper again? Give the guys at B&M the reigns and let them do everything to be original again -- this park went from being truly original and developing EPIC rides by being unique... to buying cookie cutter rides and going downhill. Maybe I'm the only one who noticed... but all the rides we all complain about are the same ones families complain about -- they're all the rides that are cookie cutter rides. Nobody wants to ride on a clone of a ride they've been on at 3 other parks.... or a ride similar to one they've been on at 3 other parks. wild mouse rides (TDK and RC) are overdone everywhere, V2 and deja vu were clones, and SUF is a carbon copy... to be honest I could care less if the next coaster we get is 120 feet, 90 feet, or 250 feet... all I want is a coaster with a lot of inversions, and something that is a true one of a kind.... So how does this tie into the water park expansion?? If people had not BEGGED for new things, and if deja vu hadn't ripped a gaping hole in the center of the park... the BB money, and TDK money could have been put to a HUGE HH expansion -- and we wouldn't need this expansion now.... I say the park needs to start saving more for bigger expansions, and stop throwing loose change at the park -- if you save it up you can actually please lots of people by giving them TRULY original, top notch rides....
SUF and V2 are two of SFGAm's most popular rides/biggest draws and a very small percentage of SFGAm's attendance has been on these at any other park and don't try to tell me they were not huge additions when they were built. I remember the years SUF and V2 opened very well and I went to both of their opening days, people just stood there in awe of V2, watching it saying "HOLY SH*T." And SUF also was an innovative addition at the time (how many people do you seriousley expect to go to Georga or New Jersey to ride a coaster?) and still sustains high popularity. I remember it opening to very good reviews on this site and you can't tell me it was a cheap addition for the park: SF could have sent one of those crappy poorly engineered, low capacity Vekoma flyers to SFGAm like they did with SFA and still would have been a popular ride. Instead they decided to spend the big bucks on SFGAm giving them a nice new well engineered B&M flyer at a way higher price tag.
Actually no. At that point, I was not a coaster enthusiast. And my whole family are not enthusiasts, quite frankly, they're scared of coasters.
It just seems to me like everything Six Flags has done with kids was basically a flop except for Little Dipper. Wiggle's World is just another Zamperla toddler area in which we have those areas already with similar rides already in the park, Spygirl didn't do good, Dark Knight is too scary for kids in my opinion, and Buccaneer Battle doesn't get the crowds. If the park invested money in a Sally dark ride themed to Scooby Doo, or some other revelant character, I think the kids would have been a lot more happy than the stuff they got. Even Ragin Cajun is a borderline beating you up ride.
I think the waterpark, the Big Easy Balloons, and the Little Dipper are the best kid additions they had since 1996. In my opinion, they could "plus" some things in the park already like the train, and the Antique Cars at the same time, and maybe add a smaller thrilling cheaper flat at the same time that would be good for the kids. For instance, at Cedar Point if you go on the train they have a bunch of animatronic skeletons when you are moving. Now, Six Flags could have Looney Tunes stuff, or Scooby-Doo stuff along the train. Treat it like it's a dark ride, but outside by having scenes, and what not. Even for the Antique Cars, you can even take something like Alice in Wonderland, and have speakers along the track that are triggered by sensors that tell you the story of Alice in Wonderland along with having some plastic figures, and shubbery along the way. And even though we are talking about a new attraction for 2011, why not bring back the Fright Fest train? They should just stop at the other station and have the scene there instead of the stupid thing they did last time when they had it. The last time they had it, they had it on a hill near the other station, and no one could hear them, and many people couldn't see them. Forget that, and bring something else. The train has become so popular during Fright Fest, and they can even run 2 trains because of how popular it was compared to during the summer, and how many people are really on it? Just because they failed one year, I don't think they should quit that. To me, it was one of the best attractions they have during Fright Fest, and I did like the Scooby-Doo story too on the train. "I've been staring at the world, waiting. All the trouble and all the pain we're facing. Too much light to be livin' in the dark. Why waste time? We only got one life. Together we can be the CHANGE. So go and let your heart burn bright"
I know that the times I'm at the park (and I've been almost 40 times this year, and counting), and its around 9:15 PM, hometown square is PACKED with people waiting to see Glow in the park. Not to mention, the people lined up along the trolley tracks to watch it as well. Trying to go from Whizzer to Batman via the front of the park between 9:15 and 10 PM is a very hard task. While I agree with you that everyone is entitled to their own view and should be able to voice it, please do some research before posting comments like that. Speaking of which, you should look at what time Glow in the park actually started. The show on the steps of the Hometown Square Train station started at 9:30 (not 9). That show would run from 9:30 till about 9:40 PM or so, with the parade going from 9:45 till park close. Sure, I may have only watched it once or twice but, I don't think it was a bad addition or a waste of money. I felt the park did a really good job with it. Would I watch it every time I visit? Probably not. Will I stop going because of it? No. --Brian
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