This is all said in hindsite, of course, but here are some mistakes I think the park made (and just FYI, I'm not mad, and I don't think there's a scam or anything, I think they're perfectly well-meaning but just made some mistakes:
-They should have started building earlier.
-Once they postponed it past the initial Memorial Day date, they should have waited to set a new date or set a date a little farther in the future. Clearly they didn't give themselves enough wiggle room (and if they had set a date for June a month ago and then finished early, I doubt they'd get too many complaints).
-They took too long with the last change. It seems hard to believe that they were confident enough to announce the commericial but then it took until Sunday or Monday for them to realize they were going to be late
-They probably should have used a few more "date may change" disclaimers. It should go without saying, but it might have given some upset people a bit less ammunition.
anewman35 wrote:-They should have started building earlier.
Six Flags never/rarely starts building early. I do have a thought as to why...it's just a guess and is probably wrong, but it's possible. Some parks do have a method to their madness.
For example, people wonder why Cedar Fair would buy Intamin rides year after year when the previous Intamin product didn't work as..how shall we say, as expected? Cedar Fair would buy an Intamin, have multiple issues with it, and use those issues as leverage to get a discount on a new Intamin. Guess what would then happen w/ the new Intamin? Issues! Sooo...when it's time to get the next Intamin, they would use those issues to get a discount on another Intamin. Repeat, repeat, repeat! There was a method to CF's madness. (Though, to CF's credit, they try to start construction early enough to get most of their new rides ready for opening day).
I wonder if Six Flags philosophy is to push manufacturers into starting construction as late as possible (Great America never starts early). Why? Perhaps, knowing that winter is often awful in many of their parks, Six Flags pushing back construction is to try to get a deal on the ride, and that deal would occur when the coaster comes in completed and ready to go after the due date on the contract. I have no idea how much of a discount the park would get for a ride being delivered late, but I'd bet Great America has gotten a discount on most of the new attractions they've installed over the years (not including B&M coasters) because of them coming in late. Of course, this is just speculation.. I have no idea if Six Flags does this intentionally or not, but it is a consequence of having construction start so late.
Another option is that Six Flags really doesn't care about trying to have a ride ready for opening day/early in the seasion as they only/mainly market for summer. I guess we'll never really know.
Finish pouring the grout into the rest of the track. Installing the chain, the breaks, the electrical systems and other systems. Getting the trains put on the track. Testing the systems and the ride itself. Op Training.
TwistedSTEEL666 wrote:So, what is left for RMC to do?
Finish pouring the grout into the rest of the track. Installing the chain, the breaks, the electrical systems and other systems. Getting the trains put on the track. Testing the systems and the ride itself. Op Training.
Everyone is crying over spilled milk for nothing...The ride is delayed because it is simply not ready! Apparently, an unexpected delay happened that caused them to push the date back. The chain is not even installed yet so they can't possible test the ride.
Secondly, the ONLY SCHEDULED dates were the Media Day, Commercial Shoot and the Golden Ticket event. They never officially said a date of Season Pass Preview...that was assumed. The initial plan to have it ready by the 24th was scrapped a long time ago and as NEVER an official date.
Let's hope they can get it ready for June 6th. They will still do a commercial shoot because they need it for advertising. I rather the ride be delayed a few weeks and be safe and ready, then it be rushed to completion. RMC is doing the best they can!!
WGN Chicago just had the story as well, but said that media day is tentatively June 6th...opening day is still unknown at this time. If this was already posted, ignore.
anewman35 wrote:-They should have started building earlier.
Six Flags never/rarely starts building early. I do have a thought as to why...it's just a guess and is probably wrong, but it's possible. Some parks do have a method to their madness.
For example, people wonder why Cedar Fair would buy Intamin rides year after year when the previous Intamin product didn't work as..how shall we say, as expected? Cedar Fair would buy an Intamin, have multiple issues with it, and use those issues as leverage to get a discount on a new Intamin. Guess what would then happen w/ the new Intamin? Issues! Sooo...when it's time to get the next Intamin, they would use those issues to get a discount on another Intamin. Repeat, repeat, repeat! There was a method to CF's madness. (Though, to CF's credit, they try to start construction early enough to get most of their new rides ready for opening day).
I wonder if Six Flags philosophy is to push manufacturers into starting construction as late as possible (Great America never starts early). Why? Perhaps, knowing that winter is often awful in many of their parks, Six Flags pushing back construction is to try to get a deal on the ride, and that deal would occur when the coaster comes in completed and ready to go after the due date on the contract. I have no idea how much of a discount the park would get for a ride being delivered late, but I'd bet Great America has gotten a discount on most of the new attractions they've installed over the years (not including B&M coasters) because of them coming in late. Of course, this is just speculation.. I have no idea if Six Flags does this intentionally or not, but it is a consequence of having construction start so late.
Another option is that Six Flags really doesn't care about trying to have a ride ready for opening day/early in the seasion as they only/mainly market for summer. I guess we'll never really know.
I disagree with this theory, for 2 reasons, 1. A brand new Intamin ride that gives the park problems, costs the park money. Maintenance costs, bad PR, and the GP thinking said ride is unsafe.
2. If you bought Milk from a store, and after 2 days like clockwork, it spoil I'm pretty sure that regardless of the price being $1 less than anywhere else you'd stop buying that milk from the specific store.
We can sit here and speculate and think we know the answers. But the truth is we don't.
Just received the following email so I guess they are saying: there is still a chance... for my mug to be in a commercial!
Hello, Thank you for your interest in participating in the Goliath commerical shoot. Unfortunately the final touches on Goliath are taking longer that originally anticipated and we have decided to cancel the commercial shoot originally scheduled for Friday, May 30. Stay tuned to the Six Flags Great America Facebook page for information on a new date and time when it becomes available.
franksilk32 wrote:Just received the following email so I guess they are saying: there is still a chance... for my mug to be in a commercial!
Hello, Thank you for your interest in participating in the Goliath commerical shoot. Unfortunately the final touches on Goliath are taking longer that originally anticipated and we have decided to cancel the commercial shoot originally scheduled for Friday, May 30. Stay tuned to the Six Flags Great America Facebook page for information on a new date and time when it becomes available.
Thank you, Six Flags Great America
I received that email yesterday as well. Everyone who entered to be a part of the commercial shoot had that email sent to them.
According to Robb Alvey at TPR, media day has been indefinitely postponed. No new date was given. From the message he sent, it seems like a distinct possibility that media day will be cancelled in lieu of getting the ride to the public as fast as possible.
Jodon wrote:According to Robb Alvey at TPR, media day has been indefinitely postponed. No new date was given. From the message he sent, it seems like a distinct possibility that media day will be cancelled in lieu of getting the ride to the public as fast as possible.
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I don't think they would cancel Media Day. Every coaster needs one for advertisement purposes.
CoasterMike wrote:They could always choose to do media day and the commercial shoot on the same day .
Not sure if this would be a option. While shooting a commercial there are times when the ride is down for extended periods of time so they can move cameras around and check footage. When media is there they want the coaster running now stop so all media outlets can ride it and do their reports for the publicity. Plus I'm guessing there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony as well during the day to highlight the opening.
CoasterMike wrote:They could always choose to do media day and the commercial shoot on the same day .
Not sure if this would be a option. While shooting a commercial there are times when the ride is down for extended periods of time so they can move cameras around and check footage. When media is there they want the coaster running now stop so all media outlets can ride it and do their reports for the publicity. Plus I'm guessing there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony as well during the day to highlight the opening.