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Talk about anything that has to do with Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor here.
Postby Imeanbusiness on September 12th, 2005, 3:45 pm
I would like to start of by saying this post is in the eyes of the general public, not the enthusiast.

Six Flags Great America really needs a really needs a reality check. I as a corporate hatter can say that Great America management can do more than they are currently doing. So much needs to be done outside of the rides/aquatics division, it sad to see potential drop like it currently is. So much money can be made if the park where to focus on the small things instead of the big picture. The difference between those that succeed and those who do not, is details. As a major business it is the parks duty to know what guest think, and to read forums such as this one, It’s business 101. See what people think outside the guest relations office. It is more of a comfort zone for the general public and enthusiast to post their opinions.

Details is being lost in many ways, Six Flags Great America is a park with an extreme amount of potential, that is being lost in the smallest way, such as bathrooms. Yes, Six Flags Great America does have more bathrooms than most theme parks, the problem is that they are not kept clean to a high standard. The park generally waits for a complaint before dispatching someone to a bathroom. A park that is truly “100% committed to playtime” would have bathroom checks every half hour. Now this is only one field that can be improved upon.

Another way details is being lost, is in the rides department. Six Flags Great America no longer runs two person ops on flats. The only flats that is ran with two person is the ones required to do so. Now, many may be thinking “What’s the big deal?” The big deal is that you are slowing down the interval of loading/unloading which makes a longer line. Now if they were to run two person ops again, the actual ride cycles can be longer. Faster moving lines and longer cycles would be the true way to make guest happy, not saving money by hiring less people to operate. By hiring, more people the park would actually make more money in the long run, the happier the guest the more they spend.

The biggest loss to the park is the charm and general feel. Six Flags Great America used to be renowned for having charm like none other. Six Flags Great America has been taken over by corporate office and literally stricken of all charm. It is not all corporate’s fault though. The landscaping can be a whole lot better, the themes can be a whole lot better, and the atmosphere can be a whole lot better. The landscaping in the park is my personal pet peeve. The department has so much to work with, but you see overgrowth all over the park, such as county fair and the America Eagle queue. The less visited areas of the park should landscaped just as well as the most traveled areas. The themes has a lot of potential also, you are working with the theme of America. Great things have come out when it has been tired, such as Hurricane Harbor; but then you look at Superman: Ultimate Flight and the modern day Yankee Harbor, and it makes one feel sick. The atmosphere has gone down the drain also, Corporate is mainly to blame at this level. This is a detail that should be added back in. Custom uniforms, make the park look and feel another level up. Custom uniforms are a substance that separates the world class theme parks from the mediocre theme parks. As a side note painting, the park needs to be more inviting. From re-sealing viper to painting eagle and buildings. This can make a whole world of a difference.

On a final note, I would like to touch on the queue lines. The queue lines have broken hand rails from many years ago, blasting tv’s, and no entertainment. Guest spend more time in queue lines than any other area of a park. Guest need to be entertained more. Dj’s are not necessarily the answer, the park can and should come up with more creative answers to entertaining guest while in queue.

As a theme park/leisure destination the park should be more focused on taking care of the guest through details. The above statements is there to point out some problems that can and should be addressed and fixed. The park should be focused on making itself a resort, and if the park does not focus on the details listed above before hand, the park will not be a popular destination.
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Postby rctfan1556 on September 12th, 2005, 4:01 pm
Imeanbusiness wrote:Details is being lost in many ways, Six Flags Great America is a park with an extreme amount of potential, that is being lost in the smallest way, such as bathrooms. Yes, Six Flags Great America does have more bathrooms than most theme parks, the problem is that they are not kept clean to a high standard. The park generally waits for a complaint before dispatching someone to a bathroom. A park that is truly “100% committed to playtime” would have bathroom checks every half hour. Now this is only one field that can be improved upon.

I'd have to agree. When I've gone to the bathroom at SFGAm, I've either seen it decent or just not good at all. It wouldn't be that hard either to have people check the bathrooms every 30 to 60min. Heck, you could make that a job itself for someone.
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Postby Binks Drake on September 12th, 2005, 4:11 pm
Actually, they do. Each park services employee is required to check their bathroom frequently, and keep it clean at all times. This is not necessarily done, but they try. It is more often then not a lazy seasonal employee's fault if a bathroom isn't clean, not corporate SFI.

As far as your complaint about two ops for flats, I find it unnecesary. One, their flats, an extra two seconds in line isn't going to kill you. Two it's also not necessarily their fault, they can't make people show up to be hired, they only have to deal with whoever shows up, they can't just pull people out of a hat.
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Postby twixmix0303 on September 12th, 2005, 4:17 pm
Imeanbusiness wrote:As a major business it is the parks duty to know what guest think, and to read forums such as this one, It’s business 101. See what people think outside the guest relations office. It is more of a comfort zone for the general public and enthusiast to post their opinions.


Well, most GP does not post in these forums. If they have a complaint, they will go right to Guest Relations. This is an unofficial forum that Six Flags may not even no about. (yeah right :lol: ) Anyways, print it out and send it to:

Ron Sevart, general manager
Six Flags Great America
542 North Route 21
Gurnee, IL 60031-5902
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Postby Imeanbusiness on September 12th, 2005, 4:19 pm
I have done my research before I started posting. Yes they are heading in the right direction, but they are not doing enough.
Last edited by Imeanbusiness on September 13th, 2005, 2:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Raging_Bull on September 12th, 2005, 4:20 pm
These forums represent enthusiasts for the most part, a subculture that represents probably less than 5% of park attendees. You can't expect management to make any decisions off of what's said in these forums. The families who bring 4 kids and buy 6 hot dogs 5 drinks funnel cakes and play games are the people who pay for our new rides. Not the enthusiasts (nothing against us :lol: )
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Postby twixmix0303 on September 12th, 2005, 4:21 pm
Delete

And if someone wants to argue with me for using the edit button to delete a post, go right ahead. I have a good reason.
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Postby Galvan on September 12th, 2005, 6:37 pm
While, Id like to take this time to welcome you to the site,

I have to point out a few things that make your gripes unrealistic:

First, Six Flags is deeply in debt, which means that while it would be welcomed surely at SFGAM, The new paint jobs, re-dos of que areas, and other need improvements will take a backseat to new attractions in the park

Second, i completely disagree with your notion that the park lacks atmosphere, your wrong the atmosphere at SFGAM is as good if not better then any of the parks that i have been too, and alot of people on this site will agree.

Lastly, you mentioned that SFGAM should be a leisure park, No, Six Flags are Amusement parks and not resort locations like Disney World etc. Again this goes into the issue of who is running the company i.e. Six Flags.


Your improvements are intriguing but pretty unrealistic from where i sit.
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Postby Chitown on September 12th, 2005, 7:14 pm
And the park has seen gallons upon gallons of paint applied to it the last few seasons. If you don't notice it, it is time to hit up your local eye doctor.

And as was stated, if the park is hurting to hire staff, how on earth are they going to 2-man a flat ride?

Landscaping is quite impressive in the park if you ask me. Just look at what they do surrounding the reflection pond at the front gate. So what if you see an occasional weed sitting someplace where most wont even notice it.

I don't know. You just seem like the type that visits a park and right away focuses in on the negatives.

Resort park? These parks are meant to be regional amusement parks. Elaborate theming costs big bucks. When you can pull in 15 million people a year like Disney or Universal, you can afford to put in that type of theming.

Think realistically before posting.

Bathrooms? Crowded days= nasty, Less crowded days= not so nasty.
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Postby FreghtFestFreak3 on September 12th, 2005, 7:14 pm
Galavan's right, the park is great where atmosphere comes in. I, personally, have never been to other parks but i've seen pictures and heard stories. Someone i was talking to at FF last year said GAm is the best where atmosphere is.

i do agree with you where the washrooms are concerned. They do try and keep them clean but they're still dirty. and walking around spraying Oust doesnt really count as keeping it from smelling as bad as it does.
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Postby Ilovthevu' on September 12th, 2005, 7:35 pm
I don't really see anything wrong with the bathrooms or the landscaping. As for ALL flats having two employees, I would very much disagree. I think East River Crawler is the only ride that needs another person during the busy times.

It is also okay for various other flats to have two people (or more) such as Revolution, Condor, Merry-go-round, Stargate, and so on. For ride cycles, I do think that the Big Easy Balloon cycle is still too short. Only enthusiasts care about Yankee Harbor being Yankee Harbor.
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Postby pennyroyalest on September 12th, 2005, 10:12 pm
The truth is everyone here would love to be able to tweak everything in the park to meet their own personal standards, but it's just not possible. The best you can do is write to general management. There's nothing we can do. We don't have the authority, and like Raging_Bull said, we only represent about 5 per cent of park attendees. The needs of the many, sadly, outweigh the needs of the few.
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Postby rct2wizard360 on September 12th, 2005, 10:28 pm
I noticed that you said that if you double up on flat crews you can have a longer ride cycle. Now wouldn't that just keep the same length of the line with one ride operator and a short cycle?

It's coorperate SFI, I can't expect much, but this year they have done a hell of a job.
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Postby SixFlagsChick on September 13th, 2005, 10:37 am
^^ ride cycles are pre programmed and they run the same amount of time unless an operator hits the kill switch (on flats). The load time is just going to be longer with one op and that means the wait in line will be slightly longer. God forbid your already five minute wait to get on a flat ride be any longer.

I always see people in the batrooms checking them and cleaning them. yea sometimes they do smell, but people have to go #2 you know lol. Can't really help that. Not to mention that people are PIGS! how do you think those bathrooms get so dirty to begin with. They throw toliet paper on the floor and water everywhere not to mention they pee all over the seats of the toliets and it gets on the floor. People make a mess because it is a public bathroom...not their own bathroom at home... and then turn around and complain because they aren't 100% clean 100% of the time.

The landscaping this year has been top notch as compared to previous years, so leave the landscaping team out of this. I am sure most of their time was devoted to primping Hurricane Harbor which had NO LANDSCAPING whatsoever a week before it opened. They pulled off an amazing job and still kept the rest of the park looking fairly decent. As for things overgrowing....there are not too many areas where things are out of control, and if they are, they don't stay that way for long.

As for broken handrails...my question is where? I don't see any. And for entertaining purposes.... if they want to be entertained, go see a show and don't stand in line. Those TVs are there to help give guests something to listen to or watch while in line if the want. Not to mention there is the occasional wandering performer (like the magic guy) who goes up to guests in line.

I can honestly say that Imeanbusiness has to fricken clue what he is talking about. SFGAm is one of the top rated parks in the system because their park is clean, their staff is friendly and effiecent, and they cater to their guests as much as possible. If you really feel your experience was not up to par, go visit another smaller Six Flags park. I doubt they do half as good as job as SFGAm does in all aspects (not to knock the other parks or anything, they still do a good job).

I have to stop my rant now.....because if I don't someone is gonna get hurt lol!
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Postby Shockwavegirl on September 13th, 2005, 2:37 pm
Imeanbusiness wrote:Brinks, I have done my research before I started posting. Yes they are heading in the right direction, but they are not doing enough.


Well I worked there 8 years ago and my friend Tia worked in park services. They were required to do rounds in the bathrooms in their section every 15-mins to a half hour. But when the park is busy, they often times do not get to the bathrooms because 1. someone threw up in the midway(that's a #1 priority), which require them to go to the nearest dock box (supply closet)and retrieve so Voban(scented wood shavings) and clean it up, then put the supplies back or 2. there are garbages that are overflowing, and they have MANY other jobs to do.

But I agree more often than not, the bathrooms are gross, if I can at all avoid it, I do not use the facilities at Great America.
Last edited by Shockwavegirl on September 13th, 2005, 6:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Imeanbusiness on September 13th, 2005, 2:48 pm
SixFlagsChick wrote:I can honestly say that Imeanbusiness has to fricken clue what he is talking about. SFGAm is one of the top rated parks


Now are you sure I have no fricken clue....You positive?

And guest dont care about other parks, all they care about is the one they are at...so don't bring other parks into this.
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Postby SixFlagsChick on September 13th, 2005, 3:26 pm
ok well your a craphead. And I have a valid point. If you want to complain about one of the top-rated parks in the area, then fine. But you won't find the level of service or anything else you feel is lacking at other parks.
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Postby SixFlagsChick on September 13th, 2005, 3:36 pm
^^ on another note Imeanbusiness.... Take your complaining elsewhere. This is a fansite for Gam...you aren't happy with a large portion of the way Gam is run, so go complain on an anti-SFGAm site...not on a fan site.

And to be honest, what you are doing is pretty childish. If you think you can do so much better at running the park, then make sure your comments are heard and follow through with them AT THE PARK. Besides, your just complaining to a large amount of people under the age of 18.
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Postby twixmix0303 on September 13th, 2005, 4:24 pm
I wouldn't call this a fansite in the sense that we are 100% (wow I've heard that number way too much that season :) ) happy with it. We'd all like to change something about the park, but everyone has differences of opinion when it comes to the smallest details like what type of soap they should use, whether Six Flags should use blowers or paper towels, etc.

Also, SixFlagsChick, the ride time on flats can easily be changed by maintenance. Just like the change the ride program on King Chaos. And it's not really a "kill" switch in the sense that it cuts off electrical power. It just stops the ride cycle early. (But there is also a kill switch that will cut off power to the ride.) Anways, that was kind of pointless for me to say but just something I noticed...
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Postby SixFlagsChick on September 13th, 2005, 4:37 pm
i didnt mean to make it sound like we are 100% happy with the park. What I was trying to say is that we talk about positive things here (for the most part) and talka bout possible improvements..we dont just rag on everything that isnt 100% perfect
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Postby twixmix0303 on September 13th, 2005, 4:40 pm
Oh, I see. That's what I meant too. :)

Well, one thing I would like to see changed to is to get rid of the wood fencing around some of the flats and replace it with metal. The wood looks good for a while until it starts to rot and footings come loose. Also, when you are consistently applying coats of paint to the wood, you've got to scrape the old stuff off somehow! It looks like rubber on the outside of some of those fences and you can see 3 or 4 coats of paint under what bored guests have torn up. On a happier note, I really like Eagle's new fencing. Although stupid guests have torn it away from the supports on top. Seriously, are they so bored that they have to hang from fencing? God, immature junior high kids...j/k :lol:
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Postby sxflgshh14 on September 15th, 2005, 11:07 pm
The queue lines have broken hand rails from many years ago, blasting tv’s, and no entertainment. Guest spend more time in queue lines than any other area of a park. Guest need to be entertained more. Dj’s are not necessarily the answer, the park can and should come up with more creative answers to entertaining guest while in queue.

I agree..

The less visited areas of the park should landscaped just as well as the most traveled areas. The themes has a lot of potential also, you are working with the theme of America

I also agree..
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Postby Shockwavegirl on September 16th, 2005, 12:05 am
Since owning Six Flags Premeir Parks has done away with the subtle themeing that went so well with the park. Prior to their ownership every area had a signature costume to wear that fit the theme in that particular area, it was subtle but added character. Where it was EXTREMELY noticable was in Aunt Martha's Chicken, Crazy Buffalo Saloon, and Moose Burger Lodge, all the servers wore very elaborate period costumes.....I miss that.
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Postby Soxman on September 16th, 2005, 1:27 pm
Imeanbusiness,

I agree with what you state.

The majority of the people on this site believe that Six Flags can do no wrong. I rarely post anymore because of this. "They" want to talk about favorite coasters, coaster dreams, coaster rumors, and how great "their" coasters are. A casual poster comes in and gives an opinion and they are burned at the stake. These people think their park is perfect.

I have been going to Great America for 18 years and in my opinion the direction of the park is going the wrong way. Magic Mountain is a good example. MM has a lot of coasters, but look how they are used. People believe that you can just keep throwing coasters up and everything is fine. I understand the staffing issue with Great America, but why then are people talking about wanting more rides. If staff levels do not increase, but the ride count does the park will have rides SBNO.

When it comes to atmosphere I have seen the park much better. The park is better maintained than any other Six Flags park, but it could be a lot better. Yes the entrance is beautiful with the pond, but my complaint comes with the games. There seems to be games everywhere and it gives the park a junk feeling. I understand that some are money makers, but do they really need that many games? I have heard the statement: The games are open when no one is playing, but Eagle Blue will not be open for the day because of staffing. Train more ride ops and less carnival folk.

Yes the have painted some rides and fixed up others items, but they are moving at a snails pace. The Eagle still needs a lot of TLC, but I love the fact that they are trying. Batman was a waste of money when it comes to "paint expense". Demon looked great after its paint job and I give the park a lot of credit when it comes to Vu. It is up and running and a great ride.

I can go on about costumes, queue conditions, landscaping, and atmosphere, but people who have been going to the park as long as I have or longer should realize it has been better.

If Six Flags wants to charge Universal or CF type prices they need to keep up with those parks. Gate/Food/Service prices are up there and it is getting harder to bring a family of four to the park once a year. The park also needs to do something when it comes to season passes. Higher pass prices along with black out dates will work. It handles crowd control and it makes the Season Pass special again. It used to be a privilege to have a Season Pass, but now it is normal. Bring back the "Gold" pass with no black out dates, free parking, and a "Gold" pass night. People will give a little more if they get a little more. You can still keep a regular Season Pass, but it will come with black out dates and very little perks.

The park still has a lot of potential.

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Postby ihauntu2 on September 16th, 2005, 2:28 pm
Staffing levels have affected the games, just as much as the rides. I have been to the park five times this year all on weekends. The pool hall in SW territory has not been open during any of my visits. This is the only game that I play at SFGAM, and I have actually missed it. (If you knew the crap way they run the one at SFSTL, you might understand why I've missed it)

I have also noticed that the games near the Revolution tend to only have one side open or only half of the booths staffed.

As for Gate Prices - Universal is $59.75 vs. $44.99
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