APA being represented in the Six Flags Fan Call

[Shayne]

So just as a small bit of teaser info, APA will be represented at the Six Flags Fan Call. For anybody who hasn't heard about this, it will be an interview with Mark Shapiro. I'm going to now open this thread up for you guys to help post questions that may be asked at the Fan Call.

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Update 3/22/10

Here's are chat about the Fancall...

Welcome! You have entered [General Discussion] at 6:40 pm
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has entered at 6:42 pm
[nitrofan] 6:42 pm: any updates so far?
[Jp] 6:42 pm: hi
[Jp] 6:42 pm: yea
[nitrofan] 6:42 pm: hey
[Jp] 6:43 pm: 1) Spring Break @ SFOT and SFFT had record crowds. Snow closed
...the park on Saturday
[nitrofan] 6:43 pm: what?
[Jp] 6:43 pm: 2) Great Adventure opens on Friday and Mark Shapiro will be at the park.
[Jp] 6:43 pm: 3) Glow in the Park parade and new coaster at SFGam.
[Jp] 6:43 pm: that it so far from Mark..
[nitrofan] 6:44 pm: is someone from APA keeping a list of all this?
[Jp] 6:44 pm: I AM
[Jp] 6:45 pm: 4) SFA is getting largest Thomas Town
[Jp] 6:45 pm: He is now discussing some of the concerts this year. Bamboozle Road
...Show, also Mitchell Musso, Kris Allen and others coming to Starburst Concert Series
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has left at 6:46 pm
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has entered at 6:46 pm
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has left at 6:46 pm
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has entered at 6:46 pm
[Jp] 6:46 pm: 5) 2011 50th anniversary will be a rebirth of the company
[Jp] 6:48 pm: Questions have begun, first question coming from Texas and Fiesta
...Texas
[Jp] 6:48 pm: Rennovating rides is that the future and will theming be returning to
...the parks?
[Jp] 6:50 pm: are u still here?
[nitrofan] 6:50 pm: ya, sorry
[nitrofan] 6:51 pm: ya, sorry
[Jp] 6:51 pm: ok
[nitrofan] 6:51 pm: what was the answer?
[Jp] 6:51 pm: They have not told me yet. so far.
[nitrofan] 6:52 pm: ok
[Jp] 6:54 pm: OMG they are taking forever!!
[Jp] 6:54 pm: Next question... What are the things that he sees at the park and
...doesn't like.
[Jp] 6:56 pm: sorry my comp is lagging
[nitrofan] 6:57 pm: Maybe they will post a recording to their site like they do with investor calls
[Jp] 6:57 pm: That what I was lookin for to.
Things he can't stand when he is at the park.
[Jp] 6:58 pm: (Mark)
[Jp] 6:58 pm: Cleanliness is an issue for him and he wants to see the park employees
...hustling.
[nitrofan] 6:59 pm: he attends SFGAdv regularly and he doesn't think his employees hustle? haha
[nitrofan] 6:59 pm: he should see SFOG
[Jp] 7:00 pm: lol
[Jp] 7:00 pm: Now: A guest is requesting the parks be more accomodating of food
...allergies.
[Jp] 7:01 pm: The guy told me that this call is fast paced so I'm leaving out a lot of
...information.
[Jp] 7:01 pm: (he)
[Jp] 7:03 pm: Says this isn't going to happen
[Jp] 7:03 pm: Apollo buying Six flags
[nitrofan] 7:04 pm: haha
[Jp] 7:06 pm: Question: Does the company have a plan for flat rides?
[nitrofan] 7:07 pm: A: no
[Jp] 7:07 pm: Just in SFMM water park is gettin Mr. Six Splash Island.
[Jp] 7:08 pm: The company will be looking to add flat rides in the future
Mark Shapiro's son just ask why they don' t have flash pass for water
...rides.
[nitrofan] 7:09 pm: That's the water park expansion they've been talking about for 2 years?
[Jp] 7:09 pm: I guess. LOL
[nitrofan] 7:09 pm: his son asked on the call?
[Jp] 7:10 pm: Yea
[Jp] 7:10 pm: He has like 3 kids
[nitrofan] 7:12 pm: and they can't just ask him in person?
[nitrofan] 7:12 pm: they are taking up our time to talk to him! lol
[Jp] 7:13 pm: Yea, that what I am thinking to, and that we could of been on if they wasn't.
[nitrofan] 7:15 pm: did you apply for the call?
[Jp] 7:15 pm: yea.
[Jp] 7:17 pm: This other guy told me that The call is going well.. I'm doing my best to keep all of you informed.
[Jp] 7:21 pm: This other guy told me, "Stay tuned everyone... I haven't forgot about, I'm concentrating on the
...conference call and making some notes. I'll provide all of you a recap when the call is
...over."
[Jp] 7:23 pm: Some interesting things about Intellectural Property in response to a
...question from Lance Hart and Screamscape
[nitrofan] 7:23 pm: hmm
[Jp] 7:23 pm: Great Adventure is now a standard by which many parks are
...measured
[Jp] 7:24 pm: Lots of comments about Great Adventure
[Jp] 7:25 pm: That is Mark's comments. Comments about missing Flat Rides at
...Great Adventure
[Jp] 7:26 pm: A parent is commenting that the Great Adventure Parent Pass is not
...standard across the chain. Mark just said it will become a standard at all parks!
[Jp] 7:27 pm: The comment about Flat Rides is they are a nice tie between the
...smaller kids rides and the bigger rides.
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has left at 7:28 pm
[Jp] 7:28 pm: Parent Pass is like Kiddie Swap. When a parent comes off a ride the
...parent will swap places while the other parent rides
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has entered at 7:32 pm
[Jp] 7:33 pm: The other dude just asked his first two questions.
[Jp] 7:35 pm: Thomas Town will open around Memorial Day
[Jp] 7:36 pm: He (Mark) feels the opportunity at SFA is the family
[Jp] 7:36 pm: Bringing in new rides into.....
[Jp] 7:37 pm: the thrill side of the park
[Jp] 7:38 pm: A new coaster in the next couple of years for the family. (SFA)
[Jp] 7:40 pm: The park saw the largest increase in guest satisfaction scores last
...year. (SFA)
[Jp] 7:40 pm: Another caller asking about SFMM suggested attractions that appeal
...to all ages.
[General Discussion]: coasterguy3014 has entered at 7:41 pm
[Jp] 7:41 pm: hey
[coasterguy3014] 7:42 pm: hey
[coasterguy3014] 7:42 pm: just so you know ill probably be flakey since its still ongoing
[coasterguy3014] 7:43 pm: its a good chat
[Jp] 7:43 pm: yea, we got some stuff in about SFA and SFMM
[coasterguy3014] 7:43 pm: yea, are you listening too?
[Jp] 7:44 pm: No, I am getting the info from somebody else.
[coasterguy3014] 7:44 pm: oh nice
[coasterguy3014] 7:44 pm: gotta love networking
[nitrofan] 7:45 pm: @coasterguy: how was the call?
[coasterguy3014] 7:45 pm: its going well, still listening
[nitrofan] 7:45 pm: @Jp: Sorry I left the chat room, I had to go for a minute
[Jp] 7:45 pm: Its okay.
[nitrofan] 7:47 pm: have they said anything notable yet?
[Jp] 7:47 pm: So far I just know about SFMM and SFA
[coasterguy3014] 7:43 pm: yea, are you listening too?
[Jp] 7:44 pm: No, I am getting the info from somebody else.
[coasterguy3014] 7:44 pm: oh nice
[coasterguy3014] 7:44 pm: gotta love networking
[nitrofan] 7:45 pm: @coasterguy: how was the call?
[coasterguy3014] 7:45 pm: its going well, still listening
[nitrofan] 7:45 pm: @Jp: Sorry I left the chat room, I had to go for a minute
[Jp] 7:45 pm: Its okay.
[nitrofan] 7:47 pm: have they said anything notable yet?
[Jp] 7:47 pm: So far I just know about SFMM and SFA
[nitrofan] 7:48 pm: where are you getting your info?
[coasterguy3014] 7:49 pm: no my questions up
[Jp] 7:49 pm: The Mr. Six Splash Island will be at the location of the existing kid structure with the big skelton on the top to make way for this addition.
[Jp] 7:49 pm: Nothing new coming fro BnM and Six Flags rights now
[Jp] 7:50 pm: Working on a 5D Product
[Jp] 7:50 pm: They haven't given up on the Prototype rides.
[coasterguy3014] 7:50 pm: that was something i was curious about
[coasterguy3014] 7:50 pm: i think i got a prety decent answer from him
[coasterguy3014] 7:51 pm: he didnt really sidestep it
[Jp] 7:51 pm: I am getting my source from SFAFANS.com and some from Theme Park Review..
[nitrofan] 7:51 pm: @coasterguy: so he basically said no large coasters for a while
[Jp] 7:52 pm: Yep.
[coasterguy3014] 7:52 pm: no i dont believe so
[coasterguy3014] 7:52 pm: although your right no B&M
[coasterguy3014] 7:52 pm: which isn't a killer for me
[Jp] 7:53 pm: Yea me to!!
[coasterguy3014] 7:53 pm: i'm an intamin guy lol sorry
[coasterguy3014] 7:54 pm: effects for congo rapids at sfgadv sound good
[Jp] 7:54 pm: wat effects.
[nitrofan] 7:54 pm: I've only been on a few Intamins, but I've been impressed with them
[nitrofan] 7:54 pm: SFA could DEFINATELY use a B&M though
[coasterguy3014] 7:55 pm: well theres only 3 in the us and 2 are clones
[coasterguy3014] 7:55 pm: ive been on 2 of the 3
[coasterguy3014] 7:55 pm: all 3 are air time machines
[Jp] 7:55 pm: SFA is getting a family coaster in a couple years!!
[coasterguy3014] 7:55 pm: even the sfa ones have massive ejector
[coasterguy3014] 7:55 pm: prob a wild mouse like what was rumored
[Jp] 7:56 pm: thats what I think to. cough cough Tony Hawk
[coasterguy3014] 7:57 pm: but i think sfa should get something mid sized like that
[coasterguy3014] 7:58 pm: nothing major cause ive been there and they need to improve on park operations first
[nitrofan] 7:58 pm: ya, SFA is a much better park than the reviews make it sound
[coasterguy3014] 7:58 pm: i liked the feel and ride selection but they need to run it better
[Jp] 7:59 pm: yea.
[coasterguy3014] 8:00 pm: like that water coaster was a really cool ride which was quite the surprise
[nitrofan] 8:01 pm: The staff was great on JJ, but not so much everywhere else
[coasterguy3014] 8:01 pm: i loved how jj didn't have the midcourse break run like fof at pkd
[Jp] 8:01 pm: He is wrapping the call up for the evening
[Jp] 8:02 pm: A new iPhone app is coming in April.
[coasterguy3014] 8:02 pm: im impressed that he took an hour and 40 mins
[Jp] 8:03 pm: Okay, the conference call is over.
[nitrofan] 8:03 pm: I rode JJ 37 times, it was awesome
[coasterguy3014] 8:03 pm: ok who out of you actually got to listen if any?
[Jp] 8:03 pm: not me
[nitrofan] 8:03 pm: i didn't get accepted to the call
[coasterguy3014] 8:04 pm: ok, we'll talk about the topics then
[coasterguy3014] 8:04 pm: about 95% of the people i guess were site people
[Jp] 8:04 pm: I just copied this hole thing to be put on the forms
[coasterguy3014] 8:05 pm: they had like 2 general guests and then everyone else ran a site or blog etc
[nitrofan] 8:05 pm: I thoght it would be like that
[coasterguy3014] 8:05 pm: yeah, and that was a good thing
[nitrofan] 8:05 pm: I'm going to be sending SF an email about that...
[Jp] 8:05 pm: Coasterfusion, Great Adventure Online, Great Adventure Outpost are
...all sites that were asking for questions but never got to ask a question.
``[coasterguy3014] 8:06 pm: oh yeah i bet
[coasterguy3014] 8:06 pm: we had 75 people on the call
[nitrofan] 8:06 pm: I can understand how that can seem good, but don't call it a "Fan Call" if you're only accepting sites and blogs, it should have been called a
"Blogger Call"
[coasterguy3014] 8:06 pm: i feel priveleged lol man that sounds geeky for a 22yr old
[General Discussion]: Austin has entered at 8:07 pm
[Jp] 8:07 pm: hey austin
[Austin] 8:07 pm: Alright im back from the game
[coasterguy3014] 8:07 pm: hey austin
[Austin] 8:07 pm: hey
[Austin] 8:07 pm: anything major announced yet?
[Jp] 8:08 pm: SFa is getting a coaster in the future
[coasterguy3014] 8:08 pm: we were just talking
[nitrofan] 8:08 pm: Mr Six Splash Island at SFMM's HH for 2010
[coasterguy3014] 8:08 pm: i guess they followed the chat on another site
[Jp] 8:08 pm: yea
[coasterguy3014] 8:08 pm: can you change the green?
[Austin] 8:08 pm: I got a feeling i know what SFA is getting
[coasterguy3014] 8:08 pm: i cant read it
[nitrofan] 8:08 pm: Jp was posting for me
[coasterguy3014] 8:08 pm: oh gotcah
[nitrofan] 8:08 pm: sorry
[nitrofan] 8:09 pm: I'll use this color
[Austin] 8:09 pm: Considering they need a major ride thats in good shape, SFGAM seems to have one if you catch my drift
[coasterguy3014] 8:09 pm: he said i had a voice for radio lol
[Austin] 8:09 pm: unless it comes back
[Austin] 8:09 pm: lol
[coasterguy3014] 8:09 pm: i actually dont think its going to sfa to be honest
[nitrofan] 8:09 pm: well SFKK's not opening for 2010
[Jp] 8:10 pm: Supermand Batman Sequels are coming out and they may do
...something with those
[Austin] 8:10 pm: guess nothing was said about sfkk?
[coasterguy3014] 8:10 pm: yeah, i think we all saw that coming
[Jp] 8:10 pm: Other Possibilites include Green Lantern, Flash and Justice Leaque
...rides.
[Jp] 8:10 pm: He said several times Flat rides are coming in the future and that was
...a big topic of questions.
[nitrofan] 8:10 pm: hopefully soon
[nitrofan] 8:10 pm: many fans would rather have flats than coasters right now
[Austin] 8:10 pm: I dont see how they can afford all these new rides when they can barely manage their debt
[Jp] 8:11 pm: Lance (Screamscape) asked if the bankruptcy settlement would change plans for
...Kentucky Kingdom.
[coasterguy3014] 8:11 pm: he said that they should have a strong balance sheet now
[Jp] 8:11 pm: Unfortunately it will not.
[coasterguy3014] 8:11 pm: although he said that the rides would stay
[Jp] 8:11 pm: He also said they are not removing rides right now while the fair board
...looks for a new operator.
[Austin] 8:11 pm: well this settlement plan is rediculous
[Austin] 8:12 pm: why would you borrow 1.1B to pay off 1.1B
[Jp] 8:12 pm: Six Flags does not have a formal ride swap program.
[Austin] 8:12 pm: thats jsut putting you back in the same hole
[nitrofan] 8:12 pm: @Austin: well, it looks like it's going to go through according to Screamscape...
[Austin] 8:12 pm: Another problem, Dan Snyder should not be kept
[coasterguy3014] 8:12 pm: i kinda like where shapiro is going
[Austin] 8:13 pm: He spent 100 Million dollars on a 8 year contract for 1 player last year for the redskins
[Austin] 8:13 pm: and the bad thing is, he didnt do anything so he just flushed 100M down the toilet
[coasterguy3014] 8:13 pm: of course with a company of this size you cant do everything correct and please all people but i think he's a large
improvement over other operators
[nitrofan] 8:13 pm: I agree
[Austin] 8:13 pm: so why would you keep him in charge of money?
[coasterguy3014] 8:13 pm: are you talking to me
[nitrofan] 8:14 pm: Because he's a HUGE investor of the company
[Austin] 8:14 pm: no im talking about dan snyder and everything
[Austin] 8:14 pm: well he picks bad investments if you ask me
[nitrofan] 8:14 pm: @coasterguy: I said I agree with you, but that last post was at Austin
[coasterguy3014] 8:14 pm: he is a huge investor but still an idiot
[Austin] 8:14 pm: haha yeah
[coasterguy3014] 8:15 pm: im surprised its just us mods here
[Austin] 8:15 pm: well six flags officially closed another park
[Austin] 8:15 pm: well six flags officially closed another park
[Austin] 8:15 pm: American Adventure
[Austin] 8:15 pm: http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2010/03/american-adventures-closed-for-good.html
[coasterguy3014] 8:16 pm: yeah but eh.... if you know what i mean
[nitrofan] 8:16 pm: Maybe the flats can get a good home...
[Jp] 8:16 pm: But, they sold american adventures to somebody else in 2007
[coasterguy3014] 8:16 pm: we can only hope
[nitrofan] 8:16 pm: That park really didn't make any sense
[coasterguy3014] 8:16 pm: oh duh
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has left at 8:16 pm
[coasterguy3014] 8:16 pm: lol blonde moment
[Austin] 8:16 pm: had a nice logo tho
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has entered at 8:16 pm
[Austin] 8:16 pm: lol
[coasterguy3014] 8:16 pm: its lateish here so thats my excuse
[Austin] 8:17 pm: I beleive that the park was on SFOG property and was being leased
[nitrofan] 8:19 pm: AA is not on SFOG's property
[coasterguy3014] 8:19 pm: im not sure
[coasterguy3014] 8:20 pm: nitros got the answer for that i believe
[nitrofan] 8:20 pm: IDK where in Atlanta AA is, but it's not close to SFOG
[Jp] 8:20 pm: I herd its like a 20min ride from SFOG
[coasterguy3014] 8:21 pm: AA was leased land?
[coasterguy3014] 8:21 pm: leased land never goes well with amusement parks
[nitrofan] 8:22 pm: I don't think SF owns SFOG, I think SF is just operating it
[Jp] 8:22 pm: yea and in 2007 they sold the park to a differnet company
[Jp] 8:22 pm: AA
[Austin] 8:22 pm: Idk where it is but I thought i read off one of the npn that its some where near SFOG
[Austin] 8:22 pm: like a hours drive or less
[nitrofan] 8:22 pm: ya, it's in Atlanta, just not the immediate area of SFOG
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has left at 8:23 pm
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has entered at 8:23 pm
[Austin] 8:24 pm: ok so he said the rides were staying for sure at SFKK?
[Austin] 8:24 pm: if they are I'll make a facebook post
[coasterguy3014] 8:24 pm: whats with all the in and out of the chat?
[coasterguy3014] 8:25 pm: he said the rides were staying until a new operator was found but whether or not that means the new op has to make
an offer for the rides wasn't mentioned
[nitrofan] 8:25 pm: I'm going to other sites
[Jp] 8:25 pm: Yea like coasterguy said
[Austin] 8:27 pm: thanks
[Austin] 8:27 pm: this should make alot of people happy
[Austin] 8:27 pm: lol
[Jp] 8:27 pm: yea
[coasterguy3014] 8:27 pm: i mean at least you've got a foundation
[Austin] 8:27 pm: But if we let go T2, We could buy a new one
[coasterguy3014] 8:28 pm: its better than if they stayed and you only had a water park
[Austin] 8:28 pm: the supports will still be there
[Austin] 8:28 pm: and on the upside
[Jp] 8:28 pm: Just to let yall no I have copied this whole chat and posting it on SFKK!!!!!!!!!!!
[Austin] 8:28 pm: 1. It wont be a prottype
[Austin] 8:28 pm: prototype*
[Austin] 8:28 pm: 2. We will probably get the new trains
[coasterguy3014] 8:28 pm: eh, let me just post my notes tomorrow instead
[Austin] 8:28 pm: but idk if the supports will have to be busted up
[coasterguy3014] 8:28 pm: it'll be more organized
[General Discussion]: nitrofan has left at 8:29 pm
[coasterguy3014] 8:30 pm: next fancall we'll have to be more organized
[Austin] 8:31 pm: i hope I can attend it to
[Jp] 8:31 pm: me to.
[coasterguy3014] 8:31 pm: yeah, im sure we both could
[coasterguy3014] 8:31 pm: next one i hope to record

[nitrofan]

So you got accepted under the site's name. I was going to write that I am on the staff of APA but I thought it might work against me right now.

I'm hoping that I get accepted from my personal application.

[Shayne]

Yup, Mike was very nice about it. Good luck on getting in nitro.

[Shayne]

So any questions any of you would like to hear. Keep in mind that I may only get a question or two.

[Jp]

If he starts talking about Fiesta Texas still me, but I have no questions for him right now because I can't think of anything and most of the questions are going to be asked!!

[Shayne]

Last hour before the fan call, some site participation would be nice!

[Austin]

If no one asks, ask about Kentucky Kingdom and the latest on that. I'm sure they will but you never know. Jp brought up the idea of a live chat session to discuss the latest updates but I wont be there and it was kind of a last second idea so maybe next time? Good luck on the call though.

[Jp]

I would like you to listen and write down what people ask about Fiesta Texas or ask a question about it, because I have a feeling about that no one will say anything about the park!!! It would be cool to do the chat but if you don't, then you don't!!

[Austin]

Yeah maybe when he does the Blogger call later this year and if he does a second fan call, we could do the chat thing. If you can, just like take a brief list of notes and then post them when your able to and then go more indepth on them so we can get an idea of what he wants to do this year at the parks.

In case you all are wondering, I'm unable to attend because I'm going to a volleyball game because I might have to play.

[nitrofan]

Please take very good notes. I'm interested to see what he says.

Can you ask this:

I understand that you can't be building Mega Coasters every year, that's what got the company into trouble, but is there a point when you may start building coasters like El Toro or Nitro on a more moderated basis?

[Jp]

I will be in the chat room tonight because people will be giving me updates and you can give updates to!!!

[hardie1010]

^ what time tonight?

[Jp]

right now.

[nitrofan]

I'll be in the chat room too, at least for a little while.

[Jp]

I have posted the chat of SFKKO members about the Fan Call. Read about what park might be getting!!! Go to the first post of this Discussion!!!!

[nitrofan]

I have posted the chat of SFKKO members about the Fan Call. Read about what park might be getting!!! Go to the first post of this Discussion!!!!

Well at least you cut out all the nonsense off-topic stuff at the end. haha

[Jp]

I didn't even notice that! LOL.

[Jp]

Call Transcript (written during the call itself).

Mark Shapiro starts, welcoming everyone to the first “Super-fan Conference Call.” He defines the “super fan,” as those who continue to keep Six Flags alive and moving. Those guests that visit the parks as loyal customers, delivering feedback, ideas and staying up to date through their various social mediums. He describes how the idea of the conference call came to be—noting how he and his team thought about how to better connect with the fans. Shapiro wants to be very honest and direct with fans and reporters and he wants feedback including criticisms in order to improve its image, product, service and quality. He is very happy with his management team’s progress over the last four years. Pending tonight’s response, he wants this to be the first of what will hopefully be many calls of the sort to come, describes the importance of the fans.

On the topic of Six Flags’ pro’s and con’s, he “will not run from problems nor gloat about their progresses.”

Moving into the last part of his introduction, he does a quick overview of the upcoming season for the Six Flags parks.

The company has seen record crowds for Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Six Flags Over Texas during this Spring Break. He comments that many of the parks are going strong and are currently preparing to open soon. Mark himself will be out at Great Adventure on this coming Friday (3.26.10).

In looking forward, Mark Shapiro and his team want to bring variety to the parks. To do so, they will launch several new attractions across the chain.

Shapiro discusses the Little Dipper moving to Six Flags Great America, noting that he rode it as a child, and that when he saw it on sale he sent his team to the auction in order to save it. He is very happy to have saved it and is looking forward to seeing it open with the park this season. He also reminds us that Six Flags Great America will also get a copy of the Glow in the Park Parade, which has been a major success in the other parks.

A brief but simple note, he mentions that Six Flags is looking into fireworks as new options for the park.

This year, Magic Mountain will be getting Mr. Six’s Dance Coaster, and will also be expanding its water park with Mr. Six’s Splash Island. Six Flags New England and Magic Mountain will both get Mr. Six’s Splash Island, which include renovated and expanded water park areas.

Six Flags Great Adventure will be installing the “Tornado,” a new slide aimed at the tween and teen audience.

Six Flags America will be getting the largest Thomas Town yet. This will be the park’s largest expansion in over a decade, featuring eight new attractions, one new retail store and several characters new to the park. This is meant to be the first major kids offering expansion for the park.

La Ronde will be getting a 5-inversion coaster and will also open the Terminator Laser Battle this year.

The successful Starburst Concert series will be returning with big names like Mitchell Musso and Jordan Sparks this year. This series is included with standard admission to the parks.

The Bamboozle Roadshow is visiting several of the Six Flags parks, which is something that Shapiro is very excited about, expressing his pleasure with the artists on the tour. Tickets are now available for this up-charge event.

Shapiro makes a quite mention that many new shows will be coming to the parks in the years ahead.

Six Flags has lowered the price of season passes for its parks. They have also introduced the Play Pass, which has been getting off to a “pretty brisk start.” He uses the comparison between the price of a single day at Disney and the price of an entire season at the local Six Flags park. Season pass sales are way up and passholders are getting added rewards and benefits such as free soda and line-jump passes.

Looking forward to the 2011 season, Shapiro comments that things are “right on tap for 50th anniversary with bankruptcy behind us.” He says that they are already planning for 2011 and are employing the growing understanding that staying close to home has become paramount for their business.

The question and answer period begins.

Q: Is the trend of renovating and retheming current rides something to continue in the future? Will we see more theming returning to the park?
A: Mark says that we will continue to see improvements throughout the park, including theming and cleaning the park in order to set the proper tone for “what the parks are and what they will always be.” Getting out of bankruptcy is one of the greatest things to happen to Six Flags in its history, but earlier, the company was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, so they couldn’t take a chance on reinvesting in the appearance of the parks because former management didn’t recognize importance of atmosphere over new additions each year. Mark recognizes value of the proper balance between new additions and the appropriate park atmosphere and the balanced investments in both. “We will have a better balance sheet to invest in both areas and will spend more in getting these parks back to the way they should be with different sections themed to the areas they are in. We may openly retheme the areas we already have or may start over completely with certain areas. They may retheme rides like was done with Bizarro when moving forward. Shapiro would like to bring back more flat rides into the parks. He notes that, “its not about savings, but what’s best for the parks overall.”

Q: When you go to the parks, what are some of the things that you see and don’t like and want to change? And how do you go about changing them?
A: Mark cannot stand a messy park and wants to see clear paths in the parks. He wants Six Flags to be known for being clean. If he sees something, he will pick it up himself, but has also implemented a policy that all staff, including management, will walk around with “pickers” to keep the midways clean. His other pet peeve is with the ride operators themselves. If the operators or people behind the registers aren’t moving quickly, he is bothered. He likes to see efficiency and friendliness in his staff, not laziness and sloth. He can deal with the lines if the staff are being friendly, outgoing and smiling. “Accountability is paramount for Six Flags, and is a requirement for all staff. If you can’t be accountable, you won’t work for Six Flags.”

Q: Will Six Flags become more accommodating for guests with food allergies? Can food items be labeled with ingredients to help ensure that the ingredients are safely labeled for concerned families?
A: “We do have a food allergy policy in place by allowing families with food allergies to bring in their own special food and are very careful about cross-contamination issues.” At the end of the day, Six Flags has found difficulty addressing every individual allergy and has therefore created the above policy. Mark doesn’t think they’ll ever find a way to please everyone in their search, but is hoping to expand the existing offerings to better serve those affected.

Q: Is the Cedar Fair/Six Flags merger-through-Apollo rumor at all true?
A: “This is in no way true.” Apollo hasn’t even gotten Cedar Fair yet. “Apollo is a great company and will do great things with Cedar Fair and will continue to make Cedar Fair better.” “There have been no discussions of being bought out by Apollo or merging with Cedar Fair. We are just focused on preparing our parks with this upcoming season and our 50th anniversary. We are also planning for the 2011 season as well.”

Q: Does the company have a plan to bring in, renovate or add new flat rides to parks like Great Adventure that are short on such rides?
A: “Currently our surveys show that the lack of flat rides hasn’t hindered our growth or attendance, but we will very likely continue to add new flat rides as it fits in with our policy of shaping a varied experience for the family to enjoy. New flat rides may not be advertised heavily, but they need to be introduced beneath the big name attractions.” They will look at doing this in the coming years.

Q: Jack Shapiro (Mark’s son) asked “Why don’t we have Flash Pass for the water park?”
A: “This is an operational snafu for us because it is an electronic devise in a water-prone area” and is tough for existing attractions where “we don’t have anywhere to put them.”

Q: Is any change with the bankruptcy emergence going to change anything going on with Kentucky Kingdom?
A: Nothing will change. The park is currently sitting dormant. Six Flags has agreed to leave everything as is besides the removal of its inventory while the Kentucky State Fair Board looks at its potential future. Mark Shapiro hopes the park will live on for many years, even though it will be without Six Flags.

Q: Will you introduce any new brands into the Six Flags chain?
A: “We are very happy with our current brands like Thomas the Tank Engine which have done very well for us. Tony Hawk has also been terrific for us. Terminator Salvation and Evil Knievel have been hits for us as well. Dark Knight has been huge for us—we never aimed for the attraction to be a high-end thrill ride, but for it to be a family-friendly indoor coaster that worked for everyone. We have conversations with movie studios, television studios and different companies that want us to work with them to launch a new attraction. We won’t launch any new products unless we feel it will work. Warner Brothers wanted us to do a Speed Racer attraction but we didn’t feel it would work, and sure enough, it didn’t. Because of our hesitation to enter with that product, we didn’t end up making something that didn’t have the staying power. Expect us to do things with the upcoming Batman and Superman sequels, as well as some ideas with Green Lantern and the Justice League overall to come in the future. We are moving with DC Comics and Looney Toons, but will expand our brands in the coming years as well.”

Q: Will you expand your offerings for your adult audience with shows, food and attractions aimed at your older crowd?
A: “We have so many new offerings for food—we’ve got more choices than ever that are aimed to appeal to all. You can really choose between so many tastes now: Greek food, Johnny Rockets, sushi and even crepes! We’re diversifying our offerings to give more to everyone, but I don’t think everyone will ever be satisfied.” In terms of the shows, “if you don’t like Great Adventure, then you won’t like Six Flags.” “When you talk about entertainment, food and attractions, next to Magic Mountain, Great Adventure is the most varied and most of the other parks are measured up against it since it is a crown jewel in our chain.”

Q: Will the Six Flags Parent Pass (similar to Child Swap) be brought to the other Six Flags parks?
A: “I promise you that from now on, we will have the Parent Pass available at every park. I promise you that the first thing tomorrow morning, that pass will be available at every Six Flags park from now own. You are absolutely right and I will make sure that your feedback will be implemented immediately!”

Q: When will Thomas Town open at Six Flags America?
A: “It is supposed to be set for a Memorial Day opening, but hasn’t been officially announced thanks to the snow. They have fallen behind thanks to the weather, but I hold them accountable (including my park president) to make it open for that day.”

Q: What are the challenges that Six Flags America has and how will those be addressed in the future?
A: The opportunity in that park is directed at the family. The water park is a big part of the experience. “We are looking at putting in a new coaster in Six Flags America aimed at the tween audience in the next few years. We are planning on continued improvement and investment in the park and we are continuing to change the park from what it was when we first came in and have really done a great job so far. Across the board, we’ve done a management overhaul because we believe that this park could be one of our best if we just push it up to our standards and move it away from what it was four years ago. It was the most-improved park this year, and will likely be up for “best park” in the chain later this year.”

Q: How will Six Flags expand in the future? Will you implement a ride swap program like the one you used to have?
A: “We don’t have a formal “ride swap” program contrary to popular belief. If it works to move things, then we will do that, but there is no set procedure we follow to do so. “

Q: Will Six Flags TV expand in the parks?
A: “It has been very popular in our signature attractions and will be expanded (including the jumbotron system) in the coming years thanks to the positive feedback we’ve received. We want to keep people entertained while they wait in line. We will continue to invest in the queuing experience.”

Q: Why did they switch the lap bars on Bizarro?
A: “We received all new trains on Bizarro, and since then, people have said that they’ve experience more G’s on the new ride than they have before.” Safety procedures take priority before anything else.

Q: Why are the parking prices at the individual parks so varied and so high?
A: “Actually, most of our parking prices are the same, though we do have varied prices for differing options. We are continuing to invest in the parking lots as we do with the parks themselves; using much of the money we make charging for parking. We aren’t that much different (certainly cheaper) from basketball and baseball games with their parking pricing structures.”

Q: With all of the hassles of prototype models like X and the S&S Sky Swat, how do you feel about using prototype products in the future?
A: “If we don’t think out of the box, we aren’t doing things right. We’ve always slotted some money aside for innovation—prototypes have always been a part of our culture and will continue to be in the future.”

Q: Can you reveal anything about a prototype with B&M that you are working on?
A: “At this time, we have nothing prototypical going on with B&M. We are very much about delivering prototypes and unique products—testing the spectrum and delivering something fresh.”

Q: Are there any plans to fix the effects that are off on Congo Rapids?
A: “I wasn’t aware of those issues but will definitely work with my team to determine what effects can be turned on or added to make that experience the one you and I remember it to be. I’m making a note of that now!”

Mark Shapiro then closes by saying that the company is in a great place with the bankruptcy now behind them. The term “bankruptcy” will no longer be associated with their company.

Six Flags will be launching a new iPhone app that will feature all parks in the chain, an in-park GPS system and a “friend finder feature” that will allow users to see each other when they are in the parks. The app will launch in April.

Mark Shapiro delivers a final “thank you” to the listeners for keeping involved with Six Flags. He asks that guests please continue to send in their comments and criticisms, as they use them and will continue to do so as they move forward. It is at this point that the call ends.
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51113&view=unread#unread

[cory]

If Six Flags takes all Kentucky Kingdoms rides then there done for.

[nitrofan]

If Six Flags takes all Kentucky Kingdoms rides then there done for.

What are you talking about? Six Flags isn't taking any rides, Mark Shapiro said it himself.

[Austin]

Well at least for the time being they are playing the legal way but the way this is going is alot better then I anticipated. Maybe the lawsuit will be dropped?

By saying the legal way, I mean trying to buy the rides they want from the new owners and selling their property and rides(if they choose to) to the park. Which both are pretty fair to both the state and to Six Flags.

[cory]

See i am not the only one that thinks Six Flags plan this.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201002/1693/

Several of my friends and others are saying that Kings island operator is trying to buy Kentucky Kingdom but i dont believe it. The only person i know that has interest is the one screamscape reported.

[Austin]

Why do you want cedar fair to buy us? We will end up like Geauga Lake; Destroyed.

[cory]

I dont want them to if i want anybody to buy us it would be Ed Hart.