Six Flags Discussion Thread

[SFNE Expert]

Thats what I'm thinking, or just cut as much liscencing as they can and turn TGE into a really profitable "Disney away from Disney." TGE is in fact profitable and it doesn't need much to keep guests coming.

[Jp]

I just saw the Flash pass thing online wow, can't wait what else these parks have to offer in 2011!!

[Truth Seeker]

Notice his experience with Brightpoint, which just happens to be a former employer of Mr. Anderson...

[Truth Seeker]

It would be silly for Six Flags to cut TGE. It's small, profitable, and possess that family friendly crowd that Six Flags so desires. If anything this just represents that Six Flags is trying to maximize it's profits and further it's control over the family market. Looney Tunes are over and out. If I was CEO of Six Flags I would stage a prompt termination of any connections to the Looney Tunes brand name and either go generic or seek a more well known company name, such as, "Nickelodeon."

[Austin]

Hmm.. did he replace a member or is he entirely new?

[Truth Seeker]

From what I've read he's entirely new.

[David]

The thing is, Six Flags has DC and Hanna Barbera as IPs. And I believe they own Looney Tunes.

So, Looney Tunes just adds to the profits.

[Truth Seeker]

No, as I understand it Warner Brothers owns Looney Tunes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looney_Tunes

[David]

And Warner has some huge stake in Six Flags, don't they? I might be all confused.

[Austin]

They might own the rights to them but idk if thats the same as full ownership or not.

[David]

Six Flags no longer shows ANY of the Looney Tunes areas at GAm. Suspicious. I call Six Flags dropping Looney Tunes.

I'd also like to add that The Little Dipper is now listed in Yukon Territory, as opposed to Bugs Bunny National Park.

[David]

Don't see the point of this. Just another idiot to pay?

[Jp]

I'd also like to add that The Little Dipper is now listed in Yukon Territory, as opposed to Bugs Bunny National Park.

Little Dipper was never in Bugs Bunny National Park, and the rides from that section hasn't been up since November!

[Austin]

Board members dont usually get paid. Its very uncommon for them to be paid actually

[nitrofan]

The members of a Board of Directors are paid in cash and/or stock

http://www.investorwords.com/511/Board_of_Directors.html

[SFNE Expert]

Ever since Little Dipper was added the Looney Tunes area has been off the website. I highly doubt SF dropping that IP. I tnk TGE is entering a transition period, and if they don't do well this year they get dropped, sqame with SFA.

[David]

If they drop both of those parks, then they can say goodbye to their whole, "Biggest Regional theme park operator"

[SFNE Expert]

I can confirm that Thomas Town from SFNE is gone. I have seen it. All that is left is the buildings and the track for the train...

[Austin]

They don't need that title. I would rather be a strong regional chain of parks than the biggest national chain. SFA I think they will keep for a little while longer but TGE and SFA are the only ones I could think of they would sell off.

And to add more to the possible sell of TGE, its opening 2 weeks later than is usually does. Lance at Screamscape even thinks they're prepping for a sell off.

[David]

They'll probably sell off SFA and TGE as a deal to someone like CNL.

[Jp]

I can confirm that Thomas Town from SFNE is gone. I have seen it. All that is left is the buildings and the track for the train...

You should of token some pictures!!

[SFNE Expert]

I wish the pictures could be posted but people would get in trouble. As for the parks being sold off right now, I don't think so right now.

I think they're doing the right thing by cutting all the IPs also. What I think SF should do is leaseTGE off to some other company so SF doesn't have to worry about adding to it, the person leasing it does, all they get is the rent money which is good.

[Jp]

Wiggles Water World has been renamed to Buccaneer Bay.

The biggest adventure of all can be found at Buccaneer Bay. This interactive area spans several acres and includes water slides, a pop-jet and spray area and a 25-foot tall interactive play ship.

http://www.sixflags.com/whiteWater/rides/KidsRides.aspx

[Austin]

At least theyre getting rid of Wiggles World

[David]

Is Mr. Six's Splash whatever still going to keep the Mr. Six branding?

[Austin]

Probably unless they get rid of him once and for all

[SFNE Expert]

Mr. Six is staying forever, in the parks and in the commercials (as cameos) but he won't be on rides at the parks. Mr. Six's Splash Island is just Splash Island now.

[slr]

as a former employee for a lesse at TGE, since the beginning of last seaons I've been saying we're probably going to be sold off. if I could go into detail without possibly causing major trouble I would but let's just say thinks don't look good at all. We lost a lot of good staff in upper management and seemingly have been ignored by SF for years.

Honestly I hope the park is sold off. It was nice in the early years when six flags bought us, but since then it's turned into a complete mess. We were never going to be officially branded although SF loves to refer to us as Six Flags Great Escape. Someone needs to step in and bring the park up just a few steps from the "family park" because the demographic I've seen over the last two years is a very good mix of young kids and teenagers.

[SFNE Expert]

Welcome to the site.

You also lost a great coaster coming to you're park when new management took over. It would be bittersweet to see TGE sold, but it will be good for the park in the long run.

[Austin]

Hmmm... Interesting:

(12/28/10) I did a little digging and found out that the plain and simple reason the WB owned characters are all being removed from The Great Escape is that Six Flags doesn’t have a general blanket license to use them, but instead pays individual fees for every park who uses them. Obviously, The Great Escape is a very different park than the other larger Six Flags branded parks like SF New England or SF Great Adventure.
I would view this as more of a plus for The Great Escape in this case, as this little park has a charm of it’s own and really has no need for big corporate branded characters. People visit The Great Escape for The Great Escape... not for the Looney Tunes characters. So by not having to pay a huge license fee to WB, this money could be put to much better use improving the park itself.

Looks like theyre maximizing profit while keeping one of their more underrated parks.

[David]

SFA: :smashfreakB:

[Jp]

You can now see a what Thomas the Tank Engine looks like now after the transformation!!
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/20_241.jpg

You can see all pictures of the trip:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26782&view=unread#p979535

---------------------

I think the trains look nice IMO!!

[Austin]

Its not entirely bad. Could be a little better

[David]

I think it looks good!

Just wondering why they couldn't give KIDZOPOLIS a better theme..

[Jp]

Tony Hawk's Big Spin has a new sign stating "Big Spin".
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/sfot_1_13.jpg
Entrance, the tony hawk videos are gone, replaced with park advertisement, more specifically, TG
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/files/sfot_1_15.jpg
and the back panels look to have been removed and painted removing any resemblance to it's former self

To see more pictures:
http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=57433&start=230#p980589

[nitrofan]

Come on, can they at least put new banners up at the entrance? I'm still waiting for Weber to be as good as people made him out to be.

[SFNE Expert]

It does look bare, but just wait. It might not be finished yet. We'll see in March though.

[David]

Come on, can they at least put new banners up at the entrance? I'm still waiting for Weber to be as good as people made him out to be.

When I see the chain striving and all the parks getting new additions regularly, then I'll thank the guy. right now? we're not on good terms. :mad2:

[Truth Seeker]

When I see the chain striving and all the parks getting new additions regularly, then I'll thank the guy. right now? we're not on good terms. :mad2:

You can't expect Weber to give out new additions left and right when the company he is running is broke. Weber just came in at a bad time, he's doing his best. Several SF parks still got additions, some of which were even coasters. You can't blame Weber for something Shapiro and Burke caused. They made the hole, Weber is the man attempting to dig out of the hole. So please, don't throw dirt at him until you've given him a fair chance.

[DejaVu2001]

^ Um, Burke made the hole. Maybe Shapiro could have been slightly more effective, but he was definitely heading in the right direction and not digging deeper.

[SFNE Expert]

I wouldn't say that.

[Truth Seeker]

I would say he attempted to fix the problem but, only towards the end did he actually do anything positive. If he had taken more precautions preventing bankruptcy he could have stopped the problem. Only towards the end of his term did he do anything financially positive.

[Austin]

Bankruptcy was good for the chain. Without it they would not have been able to get rid of almost 2/3 of their debt.

[Truth Seeker]

They would not have had that debt if they had not gone bankrupt in the first place.

[Austin]

Bankruptcy was a necessary evil for Six Flags. Yes it dropped their credit rating but if they keep staying positive and making debt payments they can raise their rating. If they didn't go into bankruptcy they would still have that gigantic $2B debt and not have enough to make payments, and add rides. Not with the debt at $700M they can afford to build new rides, improve parks and make their payments in addition to paying off debt as well. Plus it gives them more money to spend by eliminating part of their debt payments.

[Truth Seeker]

It would have been much smarter for Shapiro to avoid bankruptcy and keep the good credit.

[Austin]

Yes but that would be an almost 50/50 chance of working. Now they are coming back strong again financially and are on track to really take off alot of debt in the next few years if they dont mess things up.

[nitrofan]

I personally am very pleased with Shapiro. He dug the chain out of a hole of debt and raised guest experience to an all time high at the same time. Yes, Shapiro had his faults, lack of coasters and mass of kiddie areas for example, but he produced the best themed coaster in the chain to date and cleaned up all of the parks. IMO Weber is cutting costs, but at the expense of the guest experience. If I held a 2010 Season Pass, I would not be happy about the hours and benefits cut. I am not happy about 2011 cuts and seeing things like what THBS is right now! If it is rethemed to a skateboarding ride (or really anything decent), then I really won't care, but the current state of THBS and many other things are unacceptable IMO. If I have some extra time in a city near a Six Flags park, then I may go for a little while, but I will not be going out of my way to go to a Six Flags park in 2011.

[SFNE Expert]

Hours weren't cut by much. They (don't blame Weber for everything) cut uneeded hours. And you said what THBS looks like right now. You don't know if anythings going to be added back to it, but I guarantee you it will.

Shapiro did some great things but he didn't know what he was doing. The new guys will continue to be doing great things WHILE actually knowing what they are doing.

And benefits cut? Like what? Six funatic rewards? I know that they're also planning some things for season pass holders throughout the season that will be equal, if not better to the stupid funatic rewards.

Cutting all the restaurants = good thing. If you know how the restaurants are run, it doesn't really matter. Six Flags was just paying to use Papa John's name, ovens, and "special sauce." Everything else was SF stuff. Similar thing to other places except Panda Express I think. Its useless and it saves money towards better things.

[Austin]

Ok let me clear things up about how I feel about Shapiro. Its a love/hate relationship with him. I like that he made moves to improve the parks with the repairs and repainting but then again I hate him for cutting KK when it could have been a good park because the potential was there. And then again also, I like that he made the right beginning moves to help the company get out of debt by the bankruptcy proceedings and yes by cutting the lowest performing park which really inst fair since the potential was there.

[nitrofan]

Ok let me clear things up about how I feel about Shapiro. Its a love/hate relationship with him. I like that he made moves to improve the parks with the repairs and repainting but then again I hate him for cutting KK when it could have been a good park because the potential was there. And then again also, I like that he made the right beginning moves to help the company get out of debt by the bankruptcy proceedings and yes by cutting the lowest performing park which really inst fair since the potential was there.

KK always had potential, but with the exception of SFGE and possibly SFStL, it was in the smallest market giving it the lowest potential for profit. Combine that with the fact that SFKK would have cost the most money to reach its potential and they had huge lease payments to pay the fairboard, it just made the most sense to cut it. If anything, Shapiro cutting SFKK was the best situation for the park.

[Austin]

But Ed had the same lease and he still does and he was able to turn profit every year and only had one year of negative growth in attendance and then he rebounded from that.

[David]

Six Flags has their business model fixated on in-park spending, and parking. Not being able to profit from parking, and having in park spending plummet, they just couldn't withstand the park in the chain. They were in a bad situation. Why does everything have to turn around to KK. be happy that Ed is back. Stop moping around about the past!

[nitrofan]

Well, I guess that's the rude way of saying what I've been trying to say for months. You could have your home park closed and having no signs of ever re-opening again, like me.

[David]

I'm just tired of the moaning that the park wasn't what they wanted. You wanted Ed Hart, now you have him, please appreciate it and stop complaining.

[Changsucks]

You wanted Ed Hart, now you have him, please appreciate it and stop complaining.

Stop complaining about Weber and they'll consider. :p

[David]

Stop complaining about Weber and they'll consider. :p

I don't think anyone would have selected Weber as their top pick for SF CEO/COO. Ya'll wanted Ed.

I would probably chose to keep Shapiro. And I barely ever start the Weber convos. Except that rant in chat...

[SFNE Expert]

You have every Six Flags CEO david. You hated Shapiro, until he got let go.

SF needed change again, he wasn't taking the company in the right direction. Give Weber and Reid-Anderson a chance. They actually know what they're doing. I'm looking forward to what they have to do in 2011.

[Austin]

David you need to pick what you want. You hated Shapiro and you even made that signature to show just that. Now you like him?

[SFNE Expert]

David here's a good reason to show how bad Shapiro was.

Dan Snyder Protege Mark Shapiro to Work His Magic on the NFL?
Posted by Dave McKenna on Jul. 29, 2010 at 9:36 am

There goes the NFL!

Sure, the league is flying higher than ever now — TV coverage of the NFL draft drew a bigger audience than the NBA playoffs this spring. But mark down July 28, 2010 as the day everything started rolling downhill.

That's the day the reports surfaced that the NFL has brought in Dan Snyder protege/partner-in-debacles Mark Shapiro.

Yesterday, the web site Sports By Brooks told us that Shapiro "is now consulting for the league on television matters – including NFL Network games and studio shows."

Good news for the NFL: The reliability of the Sports By Brooks' report is suspect. When giving Shapiro's bio, we're told, "Shapiro is currently running Six Flags after being lured away from Bristol by Redskins Owner Dan Snyder."

Well, now....As both my readers know well, Shapiro WAS running Six Flags — until he and Snyder ran it straight into the ground. With CEO Shapiro and Chairman of the Board Snyder calling the shots, Six Flags filed for Chapter 11 more than a year ago.

When he was hired by Snyder in 2005, Shapiro said his salary would be tied to the value of Six Flags stock. He and Snyder then took Six Flags stock price from $11.93 per share down to nothingness. So during bankruptcy proceedings, Snyder and Shapiro wrote up an unbelievable golden parachute that gave Shapiro millions upon millions of dollars — one $3 million payment was labeled a "success bonus," though Shapiro and Snyder's only success in four-plus years at the helm of Six Flags came in bankrupting the company – while stockholders lost everything.

Snyder was bounced brutally from his chairmanship during the reorganization proceedings, while Shapiro got his comeuppance from the newly installed Six Flags board shortly after the company emerged from bankruptcy.

So while, sorry Sports by Brooks, Shapiro isn't running Six Flags, he is still Snyder's partner, and is now president of Dick Clark Productions. That's the company that Snyder bought for $175 million with money from his Red Zebra investment fund, then used the cash of Six Flags stockholders to defray the purchase price by 40 percent.


Like Snyder, Shapiro was conflicted out the wazoo while Six Flags and Dick Clark hammered out deals. Shapiro was Six Flags CEO and president of Dick Clark Productions, which is also a major vendor for Six Flags, at the same time.

That arrangement's shaky enough to register on the Richter Scale, ain't it?

Six Flags isn't the only place that Shapiro showed he's got the Midas Touch...in Opposite Land! On May 9, 2008, Shapiro was elected to the board of directors of the Tribune Company. On the following Dec. 9, that corporation also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Great move, NFL!

Lol, love that article.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2010/07/29/dan-snyder-protege-mark-shapiro-to-work-his-magic-on-the-nfl/

Thats for you Shapiro lovers.

Oh and theirs also this one that has to do with how he got the mayor of Agawam, MA axed. Yup. Read it, its good.

http://www.sbnation.com/2010/5/5/1646873/who-knew-mark-shapiro-is-terrible

Theres probably some more articles about what he's doing now, at the NFL, ruining stuff behind the scenes also.

[DarienLake:D]

Lol like the title for the second article...

[David]

Whoever is writing this is an idiot. Why is he constantly blaming Shapiro for Chapter 11? If Shapiro didn't declare bankruptcy, who knows, we might not have the chain as we know it today.

[SFNE Expert]

You're idol has the reverse midas touch. Look at what he's touched. Everything has went into bankruptcy. If he didn't give himself so many bonus' and spend so much, they wouldn't have had to submit to Chapter 11.

[Truth Seeker]

Whoever is writing this is an idiot. Why is he constantly blaming Shapiro for Chapter 11? If Shapiro didn't declare bankruptcy, who knows, we might not have the chain as we know it today.

Shapiro might have eliminated most of Six Flag's debt during bankruptcy but, he also brought near poverty to his many shareholders. During his pathetic tenure as CEO stock prices went from 11.93 to nothing. He depleted his shareholders savings to save his own ass. Running a company straight into the ground to save it is not a good strategy. Shapiro annihilated his shareholders savings, nearly destroyed Six Flags, tore Kentucky Kingdom apart, and caused the job loss of thousands. Need more proof he was acting under the cape of greed? Just look at his, "success bonus," Shapiro received over three million dollars in bonus money while hundreds of his employs received pink slips and his shareholders went straight to the poorhouse. Shapiro is by all means a HORRIBLE CEO.

[SFNE Expert]

Plus Shapiro left himself. Lmao, whats bolded is thing's that have been erased from Six Flags. Here's his biography from his other company that he let go under. :biggthumpup:


Dynamic and forward thinking best describe Mark Shapiro and his leadership style in television, sports and entertainment. Currently a Partner and CEO of Dick Clark Productions as well as a network media consultant for the National Football League, Shapiro served as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the world's largest regional theme park company from 2006 -- May, 2010. Shapiro brought extensive experience in consumer entertainment, brand building, marketing, television programming and digital media to a public company (NYSE) with over 30,000 employees, 14 North American locations, and over $1B in annual revenues.

Shapiro energized and re-invented the Six Flags brand -- making it more family-friendly, while still maintaining its signature reputation for record-breaking thrill rides. The strategy struck a chord with consumers and the business community. Six Flags recorded all-time high guest satisfaction scores in each of his four years as the company broadened its product offerings through the introduction of rides and themed areas for younger children based on popular franchises like Thomas the Tank Engine and The Wiggles, considered the most popular children’s entertainers in the world. Inspired by the 25 million guests who visit Six Flags’ network of 19 parks, Shapiro developed a Corporate Alliance Division to attract premium consumer brands like Papa John’s, Nintendo, Mars Snackfood, Johnny Rockets, Cadbury and Discover Cards. Such initiatives resulted in a 20% increase in revenue per guest (in-park spending, corporate sponsorship and licensing fees). Shapiro directed the launch of Six Flags Media Networks which provided advertisers with comprehensive, multi-platform media opportunities via a variety of media touch points that went beyond that of traditional advertising. The division included Six Flags Television Network, a collection of digital assets that delivers nearly 100 million annual impressions, with approximately 20 million per month during peak season.

Shapiro also spearheaded Six Flags’ international development, having announced a historic agreement with Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, to develop Six Flags DUBAILAND®, the first exclusive Six Flags theme park outside of North America.

The Six Flags Entertainment portfolio grew and diversified under Shapiro’s leadership. In 2007, the company acquired Dick Clark Productions, [where do you think they got that money from a few months back, they dropped it] a leading independent producer of perennial hit television franchises such as the Golden Globe Awards, the American Music Awards, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, the Academy of Country Music Awards and So You Think You Can Dance. Six Flags had management oversight of the company, exploring logical synergies within its stable of parks to create a fully integrated entertainment platform. DCP's annual EBITDA performance jumped 40% in two years with Shapiro at the helm.

After engineering an operational restructuring in just three years and leading Six Flags in 2008 to its best earnings performance (EBITDA and Free Cash Flow) in the company's 48 year history, Shapiro guided the company through a chapter 11 financial restructuring in 2009, shedding $1.7B in legacy debt. This 11 month process was successfully completed in April, 2010 and cut the company's leverage ratio from nearly 13x EBITDA to just 5x EBITDA. Upon emergence from chapter 11, Shapiro left the company.

To read more about you're hero, go here. http://www.tribune.com/about/bios/shapiro.html

I didn't know he was Thomas Cruises' partner.:tongue2:

[nitrofan]

Shapiro might have eliminated most of Six Flag's debt during bankruptcy but, he also brought near poverty to his many shareholders. During his pathetic tenure as CEO stock prices went from 11.93 to nothing. He depleted his shareholders savings to save his own ass. Running a company straight into the ground to save it is not a good strategy. Shapiro annihilated his shareholders savings, nearly destroyed Six Flags, tore Kentucky Kingdom apart, and caused the job loss of thousands. Need more proof he was acting under the cape of greed? Just look at his, "success bonus," Shapiro received over three million dollars in bonus money while hundreds of his employs received pink slips and his shareholders went straight to the poorhouse. Shapiro is by all means a HORRIBLE CEO.

I'm sorry, but anyone who invests everything in a single company to the point where they become poor when the company's stock tanks is just as bad as the people responsible for the stock tanking. It's the biggest strategy that everyone says about investing!

And Weber continues to cut jobs, so don't blame that solely on Shapiro. He didn't bring back any of the lost jobs and he just cut more. Ya, Shapiro shouldn't have done a lot of things, but if he didn't go through bankruptcy, they would still be over their heads in debt and the company wouldn't be in a position to move forward like they are now. Shapiro brought the guest experience to an all time high, which in the long run is what will raise attendance and in park spending. Right now, it appears that guest experience is going to go right back down.

From personal experience of visiting Carowinds during the Paramount ownership, that park was dirty, had rides operating under capacity with slow staff, and the Paramount parks went for deals on new attractions rather than quality. There are so many reviews about the Paramount parks being much improved after a few years of ownership by Cedar Fair, and I tend to agree.

[nitrofan]

It's been a while since we've heard anything about this. I would guess that Weber cut this since it's a partnership, but I never even heard more about the helicopters in the park. Did anyone actually see one of these helicopters at a Six Flags park?

[SFNE Expert]

I think they started it at SFOG, like you said. But as soon as Weber came thats one of the first things he cut. And don't think of he's cuts like "cuts." He's streamlining the company. Was this needed?

[nitrofan]

I think they started it at SFOG, like you said. But as soon as Weber came thats one of the first things he cut. And don't think of he's cuts like "cuts." He's streamlining the company. Was this needed?

This wasn't needed, but if it makes money, why cut it? I guess I have no clue the financials behind this, so I can't make a jusgement on if it was a good or bad cut.

[SFNE Expert]

I'm sure they had to pay rent for the copter, gas for the copter, paid for different licenses, and paid the pilot. All while getting little income back.

[nitrofan]

I'm sure they had to pay rent for the copter, gas for the copter, paid for different licenses, and paid the pilot. All while getting little income back.

This may be how it works already, but when they have deals like this, SF should have the company handle everything and they just pay SF some of the profits and a fixed amount to have the rights to offer their services in the theme park. Then it would be ideal for the park, they have nothing to lose. Is it possible that it's done this way already?

[SFNE Expert]

I wasn't sure how it was done, I was just guessing. If that was the way it was done then it was ideal. We'd have to check their website, which is probably on here somewhere and see what the cost is.

[David]

It's possible that use of the service was so low that It didn't make sense to keep it.

[Austin]

Don't know if this has been brought up recently since I've been busy but I found this as I was going to the rides list at SFFT's website:

http://www.sixflags.com/fiestaTexas/index.aspx

http://amusementparkauthority.com/park_index/parks/sfft/images/payments.png

[nitrofan]

I found the catch. If I understand this correctly, you have to pay their $5 service fee for each payment. So they're making $10 extra.

I wonder how many extra passes this promo will sell. It seems kind of odd even though a lot of companies are doing plans like this now.

Btw, what browser is that you're using?

[Austin]

I'm using Firefox. I got the Aero Fox theme on it to blend in with Windows and make it look more consistent.

Hopefully people will realize this is more expensive.

[nitrofan]

^Oh, well I can't stand Firefox. I didn't recognize it with that theme.

I always thought the service charge was ridiculous the first time, but 3 times?

[SFNE Expert]

It's not more expensive. All online charges have that $5 fee. You pay it just the first time, and that allows you to print the voucher. The buy now...pay later had it too. Regular tickets have it. Anything you buy has it. It's been like that for years. I've read everything. You don't pay $5 each time the payment is made.

Most of the parks are doing this. They're essentially doing a bunch of deals to sell more season passes this season.

[Austin]

Still, I can get a cheaper pass from AAA.

[SFNE Expert]

A lot of people don't have AAA or don't remember they can do that until after they buy the pass. The point is to make already affordable passes, even more affordable.

[DarienLake:D]

I know Darien Lake and all the ex PARC Parks are doing this..

[Jp]

If the rumors are all, all of the Six Flags parks that used to feature the Glow in the Park Parades for the past few years will not have them in 2011, as the parade budgets were cut. No word on if they were cut to be replaced by something else (like what is happening at SFOT), cut to return in the future, or cut never to be seen again. Time will tell.

http://screamscape.com/html/industry_news.htm#SixFlags


I would hate if all parks got this cut that had this show, becuase I really enjoyed it at Six Flags St. Louis..

--------------------------------------------
In regards to the Glow In The Park rumor, Six Flags Great America has just confirmed on their Facebook Page that Glow In The Park will be returning for 2011.

http://www.facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica#!/SFGreatAmerica

--------------------------------------
Another park to keep Glow In The Dark!!
@Roller_Coaster @Screamscape Glow in the Park will be @SixFlagsMexico exclusive. Still tons of great shows on tap for 2011 in the US parks!

http://twitter.com/SixFlags/status/24577454744014850#

[nitrofan]

I really hope they keep them. Does a parade that already is existing really cost that much? It's a really cool way to end the day for guests rather than a "Six Flags is closing now, we hope you enjoyed your day" announcement.

[David]

The problem is. THE PARK CLOSES AT 6PM. IT IS BRIGHT AT 6PM.

At least Shapiro made sure there was a purpose. Don't exactly see a purpose in a LIGHT SHOW in the LIGHT.

Just gotta let out some frustration..

[SFNE Expert]

The park closes at 6:00 on weekdays only, and thats before the main season kicks up... And the schedules were made at park level anyways.

[nitrofan]

The park closes at 6:00 on weekdays only, and thats before the main season kicks up... And the schedules were made at park level anyways.

They may have been made by the park (i have no way of knowing this though), but they clearly had some influence. I would like to see the Chicago school schedule before making an opinion, but the park schedules besides SFGAdv don't appear to be based on school years.

[Austin]

I know that Kentucky Kingdom's was when it was Six Flags. To me it looks like closing at 6:00 pm on the weekday during normal school days is that they based their schedule on the school districts schedule. Hell at least the park will be open at all on weekdays.

[SFNE Expert]

Per Glow in the Park Parade @ SFNE:


The parade is not coming back in 2011. We are introducing a new show package that will run Memorial Day – Labor Day. We will be announcing details soon so stay tuned…

[darienlake]

I think its a good Idea.

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Buy your Season Pass using 3 Easy Payments and we’ll charge your credit card with three monthly payments – with no interest fees. The first third of the Season Pass price will be charged today, along with all of the taxes and the regular $5 online service fee. One month from today, we’ll charge your credit card for another third of the Season Pass price. Two months from today, we will charge the final third of the Season Pass price. You can begin using your Season Pass on Opening Day, even if all payments have not been charged yet according to your payment schedule.

The 3 Easy Payments Plan can only be used for select Season Pass purchases. If you choose to add other items to the order, those products will be charged to your credit card in full today.

Purchase is non-refundable and non-transferable. Failure to complete the payments as indicated upon purchase will result in the suspension of the Season Pass and the purchaser may not use the Season Pass until such time when payment is made. If any payment is not received for any reason, the Season Pass will be deactivated, will not be valid for admission and no refund will be issued.

All 3 Easy Payments Plan payments will be billed to the initial credit card (or approved payment method) on a recurring monthly basis until payment is made in full two months from the day of the initial purchase. Payments declined for processing for any reason will be retried once after a 2-day waiting period. The purchaser will be contacted if payment is declined. Should Six Flags be unable to confirm payment method, the account and Season Passes will be suspended. A suspended status notice will be sent to the purchaser with instructions on how to reinstate the Season Passes. To reactivate the account, the purchaser will be required to make payment by logging into the payment portal at sixflags.com/payments.

Any applicable taxes and the online service fee will be added to the first payment. If the price of the Season Pass is not evenly divisible by three, then the remaining cents will be applied to the first payment. The second and third payments will be the same amount. Park rules apply to all Season Passes purchased through the 3 Easy Payments Plan. Season Passes are only good for the 2011 Season. The 3 Easy Payments Plan is a limited time offer, available online only. Availability of Season Passes through the 3 Easy Payments Plan is subject to change at anytime and the 3 Easy Payments Plan may be discontinued at anytime without notice. If the 3 Easy Payments Plan is discontinued, it will not affect Season Pass holders who have already purchased using the 3 Easy Payments Plan. Election to use the 3 Easy Payments Plan constitutes the purchaser’s agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
Link: http://www.sixflags.com/national/footerNav/3easypaymentterms.aspx

[darienlake]

What if they are Removing the light parades to add a 50th Anniversary Parade instead?

[SFNE Expert]

Only SFOT is celebrating the 50th though.

[nitrofan]

I don't see why not. I guess IMO if it takes you 3 months to come up with $60 to buy a season pass to an amusement park, you probably shouldn't be going in the first place, but that's not for me to judge and it gets Six Flags more business.

[Austin]

I wish Holiday World would do this haha. 100 + for theirs is a little beyond my monthly spending and 3 payments could really entice me to buy one.

[Jp]

A quote from Six Flags Great America
I am 100% positive that Glow in the Park will be happening here. I can't exactly speak for all of the other parks.
http://www.facebook.com/SFGreatAmerica

[Changsucks]

Only SFOT is celebrating the 50th though.

I don't really get this... It's still the company's 50th anniversary and that's something to celebrate and advertise everywhere.

[SFNE Expert]

There might be little mentions of it, but it won't be as in you're face as it was in 2006/2007.

[David]

The 'EPIC' campaign is a part of 2011. I can confirm this will be at nearly all the parks in due time.

Just think though, isn't it possible that Mike made a little mistake and assumed all the parks were removing it? Just a possibility.

Nonetheless I hope that they return in 2012, as the GITP is extremely awesome!

[SFNE Expert]

I think things are still being planned out. SFNE's confirmed that they're not bringing it back but they're bringing in a show package to replace it.

And SFNE's also started using the EPIC campaign also.

[Jp]

Nonetheless I hope that they return in 2012, as the GITP is extremely awesome!

It is alsome, I have only seen it at SFSTL thought but I fell in love with it. My baby sister loved it the most. Everytime I tell her I going to Six Flags she say's lets go see Batman from the parade.

[David]

It's actually, dare I say, one of the best additions Great America has seen since Deja Vu. The parade really does end the day on a high note, and I'm sure there are a few improvements for this season.

Just something to throw out there: This past summer, I asked one of those guys with the popcorn trays what happens with the left over popcorn, and he told me that they simply toss it out. I understand how they can't re-use it for it's original purpose, popcorn, but can't it still be used to be put out to feed birds, and couldn't they make those popcorn balls and glaze them, making the stale-ness not matter?

Instead of cutting fun at the park, let's cut WASTE at the park.

[SFNE Expert]

If you go to the Six Flags Mexico site, this has been here for months, not sure why i didn't post it, you can see a Spanish version of the new commercials.

http://sixflags.com.mx/

¡Vive al MÁXIMO! GO SIX FLAGS!

I'm sure the English version will be a little different, plus the Venga Boys will be playing in the background. Even if you don't understand Spanish, you should still get the gist of the commercial.

[David]

Being in Spanish helps understand it, I'll brief it.

At the beginning, the guy is saying something like, "Looking for intense thrills?! Go, Six Flags!" When the dophins show, he says, "Trying to find some spectacular shows? Go Six Flags!"

Then he begins the usual, "Visit all year long, with a Six Flags Season Pass!"

Vive el Maximo directly translates "Go to Bigger"

I sort of like the new commercials, showing off what that park actually has to show, not all Magic Mountain. lol

Nice Find!

[Jp]

I love how they speak in spanish!!

[David]

I just realized the announcer in that video is the same guy that does the audio activities in our spanish class. I will never hear that voice without thinking "Go Six Flags!"

[nitrofan]

It's actually, dare I say, one of the best additions Great America has seen since Deja Vu. The parade really does end the day on a high note, and I'm sure there are a few improvements for this season.

Just something to throw out there: This past summer, I asked one of those guys with the popcorn trays what happens with the left over popcorn, and he told me that they simply toss it out. I understand how they can't re-use it for it's original purpose, popcorn, but can't it still be used to be put out to feed birds, and couldn't they make those popcorn balls and glaze them, making the stale-ness not matter?

Instead of cutting fun at the park, let's cut WASTE at the park.

That's an interesting point, but cutting popcorn stock means they may run out and that is basically what they're doing already. I'm sure there are many small wastes they could cut that they aren't though.

[Austin]

It's actually, dare I say, one of the best additions Great America has seen since Deja Vu. The parade really does end the day on a high note, and I'm sure there are a few improvements for this season.

Just something to throw out there: This past summer, I asked one of those guys with the popcorn trays what happens with the left over popcorn, and he told me that they simply toss it out. I understand how they can't re-use it for it's original purpose, popcorn, but can't it still be used to be put out to feed birds, and couldn't they make those popcorn balls and glaze them, making the stale-ness not matter?

Instead of cutting fun at the park, let's cut WASTE at the park.

Because it would be a health issue if kept. All companies do that. If it was kept then you get into storing food and etc.

[David]

Ever had popcorn the day after? It tastes even better, it has more of a crunch. And not in a bad way.

What you're suggesting here is that they keep it over a period of more than one day. I only care for what's being wasted. And that's a lot of money that could be made rather than wasted.

That's all I'm saying. Let's cut waste, and not fun.

[Jp]

SFGAdv is now taking Wiggles Away!!:sad2::sad2:

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z263/jpp858/163101_502048033512_69421318512_6054262_4943464_n. jpg?t=1295046953

See more pictures in the SNOW!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=502047493512&id=69421318512&aid=262467

[Austin]

Blog post about the system:

http://blog.sixflags.com/2011/01/season-pass-3-payments-plan/

Season Pass 3 Payments Plan

So despite what that single, lone hair on my back might imply, it wasn’t so long ago that I was in high school. It at least wasn’t so long ago that I’ve forgotten the plight of the part-time job. I spent multiple summers as a lifeguard and wasn’t exactly making bank. A dinner and movie date was considered big spending. (Luckily, I wasn’t going on many dates anyways.) So as great a deal as a Six Flags Season Pass is, I recognize it’s still a decent chunk of change for anyone trying to stretch a dollar. That’s why I’m very happy to introduce the brand-new-never-before-offered-holy-crap-is-this-real Season Pass 3 Easy Payments Plan!

Starting now (but for a limited time, of course) you can split your 2011 Season Pass into three, monthly payments. With no interest fees! We’ll just split the price of your SP into thirds and let you make a payment every thirty days. We heard our guests asking for this last season so we’re really excited to put it into action. Which means each payment will come even cheaper than that dinner and movie date I mentioned early. And gentlemen, funnel cake and Green Lantern date > dinner and movie date. Trust me.

And the best part of the deal? You don’t have to wait till the Season Pass is paid off to use it. If you’ve only made two of the three payments but your park is open, you’re still getting in. So rather than sweat out the summer selling lemonade to finance a pass, you can pay it off gradually while still enjoying all the awesome new capital we’re bringing to the park. Speaking of new capital – wanna win some first rider passes? Stay tuned to our Facebook…

Oh, and while we’re on the subject of Facebook, how bout another incentive for the loyal fans?! We’ll be picking six winners who take advantage of this 3 Easy Payments Deal and knocking off Payment #3. Yup, the final third will be on us. Consider it part of the 2011 Thrills Stimulus Plan. This deal’s running at almost all U.S. parks so just choose yours from the drop down to get started. And, like I said, this one’s going to be around for a limited time.

Start getting excited, guys. 2011’s our year.

Mike

[Jp]

The Glow in the Park parade has received a new name at Six Flags Mexico this season. According to the official website, they are now calling it the Magic Light Parade (http://www.sixflags.com.mx/eventos/espectaculos.asp?SecID=eventos&OpcID=mlp).
http://www.sixflags.com.mx/img/eventos/mlp.jpg

Discuss it here!!!
http://amusementparkauthority.com/forums/showthread.php?t=812&page=2

[nitrofan]

I don't think it's that big of a deal having this name change, but I like the old name a lot more. Maybe "Magic Light Parade" translates better.

[SFNE Expert]

Its been called Magic Light Parade from the start at SFM. It's never had the Glow in the Park Parade name there. I think they had it the year before GAdv and SFNE got it. But like I said, it's always been the Magic Light Parade. Whoever sent that into Screamscape sent in false info...

You can even see by the picture of the float, that would be hard to photoshop out "Glow in the Park" for "Magic Light".

[nitrofan]

Well Screamscape confirmed that they were wrong today. I bet Magic Light just translates better than Glow in the Park. It's kind of like the pictures of weird english translations of signs of Chinese parks that you see sometimes.

[nitrofan]

I haven't heard much complaining about these in a while. Yeah, I know it's the offseason, but the complaining stopped even before the off-season. Does anyone know if they're still on at SFMM? Were they still on trains at the other parks in October?

[David]

From the TRs it looks like all the ad-wraps are off.

And from what I hear, Ad Wraps won't be back in 2011.

[Changsucks]

IIRC, Magic Mountain still had them on Viper in October. I don't recall seeing them anywhere else though.

[mattritch87]

Thank god. The worst thing that SFGADV did was keep the ad wrap for Axe Twist on GASM on her last night of operation. I was at the special event and we were all peeling it off the train! Worst of all, they had the eagle that was on the wall covered with the stupid Axe Twist banner! That was very Un-American!

[SFNE Expert]

Personally, I like the ads.

[Changsucks]

^You actually LIKE them, or you accept them and understand that SF needs the money?

[DarienLake:D]

The first time I rode El-Toro it was in the clown car!!!!!

[SFNE Expert]

^You actually LIKE them, or you accept them and understand that SF needs the money?

Both, honestly. The Karate Kid ad's looked terrible on all coasters they were on, but if done right they can look good. I thought all the Stride ads looked good. Yes, even on El Toro, IMO it fit the Plaza de Carnival theme. On all the boomerang's it fit perfectly.

[Austin]

I accepted them as I knew Six Flags needed the money. Although I would have personally kept them for an extra year if they do in fact get removed for 2011 just so Six Flags can have that extra little bit of revenue coming in. Extra money doesnt hurt haha.

[nitrofan]

I was ok with most of them. Not at first, but I came to accept them. Poltergeist's made me mad, but Stride looked on pretty much everything but Demon (that may have been the worst) and El Toro. Karate Kid looked good on Ninja, Axe Twist looked good on Mindbender and Shockwave. Pretty much everything else was tolerable. (As in, I accepted them since Six Flags needs the money).

[David]

But see, I wish they would just brand the resteraunt's like, ICEE presents, "Sticky Fingers."

That way, the rides don't have to look like utter sh!t.


And you can't say the STRIDE train on Demon looked good.. It was horrifying.

[nitrofan]

And you can't say the STRIDE train on Demon looked good.. It was horrifying.

I said it looked good on everything BUT Demon and I'm marginal on El Toro.

[David]

I mean really.. The coaster is supposed to have a spooky scary theme and they add a colorful train..

[David]

With all these cuts, I think it's safe to assume Magi-Quest at GAm is chopped. Probably will just be boarded up for opening day with a replacement soon.

[Austin]

Dude you need to chill. He hasnt even been COO for a year and your blaming him for things that haven't happened.

[nitrofan]

Dude you need to chill. He hasnt even been COO for a year and your blaming him for things that haven't happened.

He wasn't blaming Weber, he didn't even say it was a bad thing! He was just making a prediction, which I think is probably true. Is he not allowed to state his opinion just because you like Weber?

[Austin]

You all blmae him for everything in the world which is pretty damn unfair. There is no reason to bash the guy because hes running the company how it should be ran. Theres been nothing to support any kind of rumor that Magiquest is going to be gone. It should be gone but you and David do not know. When you do then you can post "Magiquest is gone :( Weber is the devil! :angryfire:"

Yes I said it should be gone. I couldn't think of a bigger waste of money than what was spent on this crap. And it was hardly even talked about. Not good for a major addition to a park. Pretty sad also that a old kids coaster overshadowed the Magicrap last year to.

[Shayne]

OK, relax now guys. I'm going to open a Weber discussion thread later tonight for you guys to bash and praise him. Do it there and only there and do it respectfully to others. No hurt feelings.

I'm an idiot, we already have the weber rant page. Go there to bash or this thread will be locked. Thank you.

[David]

I am all for the cuts of Wiggles, Thomas, and Magi-Quest.. I thought I made that known..

Anyways, I don't hate Weber, I just don't appreciate how some additions are tossed around.

[darienlake]

Although MagicQuest may be gone unless Six Flags has Updated there website yet. Go to http://magiquest.com/six-flags-il/ and Nothing is Updated.

Then go to http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/tickets/magiquest.aspx and it saids "Page Missing"

This doesnt prove anything, Just wanted to point that out.

[nitrofan]

You all blmae him for everything in the world which is pretty damn unfair. There is no reason to bash the guy because hes running the company how it should be ran. Theres been nothing to support any kind of rumor that Magiquest is going to be gone. It should be gone but you and David do not know. When you do then you can post "Magiquest is gone :( Weber is the devil! :angryfire:"

Yes I said it should be gone. I couldn't think of a bigger waste of money than what was spent on this crap. And it was hardly even talked about. Not good for a major addition to a park. Pretty sad also that a old kids coaster overshadowed the Magicrap last year to.

He wasn't throwing blame or bashing Weber. He was speculating that a pattern presented by Weber would continue. I don't see anything wrong with that.

Weber wasn't blamed in this scenario, but when Weber gets blamed, it's because he is the decision maker! I don't see how that's unfair.

[David]

I do believe most people on here said that Weber would be the one calling the shots..

[Truth Seeker]

Has anyone here actually participated in Magi-Quest and enjoyed it? If not, then I believe the prior posts should be known as purely biased posts. It seems, some people, will jump at the opportunity to bash Al Weber, even if hes done nothing wrong. I'm not calling any out but, if you are doing this I beg of you to at least give Mr. Weber a fair chance. That's all, just a fair chance.

[nitrofan]

has anyone here actually participated in magi-quest and enjoyed it? If not, then i believe the prior posts should be known as purely biased posts. It seems, some people, will jump at the opportunity to bash al weber, even if hes done nothing wrong. I'm not calling any out but, if you are doing this i beg of you to at least give mr. Weber a fair chance. That's all, just a fair chance.

Nobody said cutting magiquest is a bad thing!

[SFNE Expert]

Well, its redone to a degree.

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/acquaz10/Screenshot2011-01-28at112758PM.png

[Austin]

Wow they made it orange.. wow

[David]

I reallylike the new design, but it's half-assed.


http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/2757/sixflagsgreatamerica.jpg


Come on Six Flags!

[Austin]

Please don't tell me they consider changing their background color to be a re-design.

[Jp]

I don't care for it, but I will get used to it!!

[SFNE Expert]

Please don't tell me they consider changing their background color to be a re-design.
No? I never said that and it's never implied.

David, what browser are you using? I'm using Chrome and it looks like that on Chrome. I know they've had multiple problems with their site and Chrome in the past. When I used Safari it was perfectly normal. On Monday, I bet you it'll be fixed. The change over was around 6:00 Friday night. Now no one is in the offices so it's like that 'til Monday.

[David]

I'm on Safari. Always have, always will be.

[SFNE Expert]

Safari sucks, extremely slow compared to Chrome or Firefox... Anyways thats weird its working perfectly on my Safari. Try another browser.

[Austin]

Firefox FTW! Haha Looking forward to the final release of F4

[David]

Safari sucks, extremely slow compared to Chrome or Firefox... Anyways thats weird its working perfectly on my Safari. Try another browser.

Safari on Windows sucks. Safari on my iMac is flawless. I really like Safari, always have.

[Jp]

Recently at the ACE event Winterfest, the park (SFOT) called out several changes for its 50th anniversary season, including:

■ Ride lockers will be optional rather than mandatory
■ Casa Magnetica will be returning for 50 days (!)
■ New employee uniforms
■ "Gold" souvenir bottles for season pass holders that will cost $40 but will have free refills all season
■ Mrs. Fields has been de-licensed to Mrs. Abby's (this change actually already occurred during the end of the 2010 season)
■ Papa John's is gone and the pizza places will be renamed (perhaps the return of Colonel's Pizza?)
■ Park is supposedly exploring options to expand menus (long overdue in my opinion)
■ Several other small, administrative-type changes

There will surely be other changes. This list came from Dwafen over at the SFoT Former Employee forums (http://www.sfot.net/sfot-forums/showthread.php?t=3209).

So what is everyone most excited about?

[David]

Recently at the ACE event Winterfest, the park (SFOT) called out several changes for its 50th anniversary season, including:

■ Ride lockers will be optional rather than mandatory
■ Casa Magnetica will be returning for 50 days (!)
■ New employee uniforms
■ "Gold" souvenir bottles for season pass holders that will cost $40 but will have free refills all season
■ Mrs. Fields has been de-licensed to Mrs. Abby's (this change actually already occurred during the end of the 2010 season)
■ Papa John's is gone and the pizza places will be renamed (perhaps the return of Colonel's Pizza?)
■ Park is supposedly exploring options to expand menus (long overdue in my opinion)
■ Several other small, administrative-type changes

There will surely be other changes. This list came from Dwafen over at the SFoT Former Employee forums (http://www.sfot.net/sfot-forums/showthread.php?t=3209).

So what is everyone most excited about?

I can see the parks botch this. I hope GAm reverts to the old names.

WAIT: What about Johnny Rockets?! I hope they get rid of that crap..

[Austin]

^How? Its new uniforms, a 40 dollar cup for season pass holders, optional lockers, a change that happened last year, renaming pizza places.

Johnny Rockets is really one of the best places to eat.

Anyway, I really love the idea of the 40 dollar cup. I would definitely consider it

[David]

Johnny Rockets at GAm is absolutely horrible. Bad smells, un clean. Just not a place I'd like to eat.

[Austin]

I've never been in a JR's thats been as bad as what you described. Its probably the best place to eat in GAm. Too bad Steak & Shake doesn't have locations in parks haha

[David]

Absolutely.. NOT. Everyone I know hates Johnny Rockets. We always either eat at Angelo's (pizza) or in The Farmer's Market.

[Austin]

Never heard of those. You obviously never been to Johnny Rocket's. Just go. Its impossible for the place to be open if its as dirty as you say. Every place you eat at is probably dirtier than JR so you really aren't getting any better service elsewhere

[David]

Uhm? wtf? I have bought food from a Johnny Rockets Express, and it's the same crap they served before Shapiro. Trust me, having visitd GAm dozens upon dozens of times, I think I would know what food is good or bad.. Sorry to break it to you, but not all the parks are the same.. You like Johnny Rockets. Great. I don't.

[Austin]

Dude thats an EXPRESS version. Its no where near the same as JR. They keep their places clean so yes, all parks JR's are clean so they are alike.

[Jp]

I have never aten at a Johnny Rockets, I don't even think there's on in Austin. The only thing I always ask Johnny Rockets employees at SFFT is for a free cup of water!!

[Shayne]

I usually eat at JR's when I'm at a six flags park.... ::watches as he pours gasoline on the fire:: :-p

[Austin]

^ Lol. If they ever add a Steak & Shake I would have a really hard time picking between them.

[Shayne]

I've never been to a steak and shake on any one of my trips. I've heard all about them though. Next long road trip, I think that will be a main stop.

[Austin]

I used to eat at this one like a mile from school every day but ive had to cut back to 2 times a month to help lose weight. I miss my steakburgers and chocolate milk haha. If you go to one dont forget the cheese fries. They put fries on a plate then take melted cheese and cover the fries. Its so delicious. I also recommend a Frisco Melt

[Jp]

I have never aten there also.

[Austin]

Its an experience haha. The people at mine know me by name and order

[David]

I guess I just know sh!t when I see it..

[Shayne]

^ Your i is upside down

[David]

That is an exclamation point... LOL!

[SFNE Expert]

"Have a Six Flags day will be replaced" yeah with "Have an epic day" ;) Hey just a hunch.

[Jp]

You can see some allsome pictures of Whistlestop Park!!
http://www.thecoasterguy.com/index.php/2011/01/30/whistlestop-park-signage-appears-at-six-flags-magic-mountain/
http://www.thecoasterguy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/SFMM_WSD2-1024x768.jpg

[Jp]

Fiesta Texas is the only park that has uploaded their 2011 park map!!

Fiesta Texas Park Map Notes:
* No New Rides or Resturants/shops
* Panda Express is still here
* All 3 Johnny Rockets are still here
* Yummy Yummy Cafe located at Wiggles World is now called "Little Kidz Cafe"
* Cold Stone and Ben & Jerry's are still there
* Lone Star Nights (New for 2011) is now located on map.

Papa Johns are NO MORE!!
* Papa Johns at Sangerfest Halle in Spassburg is converted back to the "Sangerfest Food Court"
* Papa Johns in Rockville is renamed to "Lou's Pizza"
* Papa Johns in White Water Bay is converted back to "Tidal Waves"

http://www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas/info/parkmap.aspx

[MadCard05]

Just some speculation here, but Papa John's is likely gone in some part thanks to Kentucky Kingdom being left out to dry by Six Flags.

Kentucky Kingdom got Papa John's for Six Flags. Papa John's started in Louisville, Kentucky and it's HQ is also here. When they were asked to bring their pizza to the parks they said they'd agree if Six Flags could prove to be up to par at the facilities at Kentucky Kingdom. So Six Flags had all the ovens dis-assembled, cleaned, and re-assembled as well as having every building that would house the pizza disinfected and cleaned from the ceiling down.

Papa John even came in to expect the progress and final product with every inspection until it was good enough and the deal was made. I know this because I helped do it.

[Austin]

Kind of sad they got rid of Papa Johns. I love their pizza. It's so much better than Pizza Hut.

[Truth Seeker]

Kind of sad they got rid of Papa Johns. I love their pizza. It's so much better than Pizza Hut.


It's a little to sweet for me.

[Austin]

I usually hate the crust on pizza but I love it on Papa John's. Oh I met the assistant GM of the Yum! Center today who sort of works with the KEC. You might know him Truth; Robby Valentine.

[SFNE Expert]

I'm surprised that no other maps have been posted yet.

[Jp]

Thats why I wonder, becuase SFOT opens the same day as Fiesta Texas!?!

[Jp]

Here are the 4th quarter results. Seems new management is doing good, I read the report. If they stay on track we can finally see them paying off the debt at some point instead of going crazy. It doesnt say when the debt gets paid off or anything, but shows they are doing good.

http://investors.sixflags.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61629&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1531111&highlight=

[Jp]

Six Flags Names Famous Famiglia Official in-Park Pizza Partner
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:SIX - News), the world's largest regional theme park company, today announced an exclusive three-year partnership naming New York-based pizza chain, Famous Famiglia, "The Official Pizza of Six Flags." The multi-faceted deal will span all of Six Flags' US-based theme parks, encompassing over 45 food locations and a strong in-park marketing platform slated to begin March 2011. Famous Famiglia is the leader in venue and stadium fresh-serve pizzerias with over 130 locations worldwide.

To launch the new offering, Six Flags has created a unique marketing program promoting Famous Famiglia through a variety of in-park Six Flags Media Networks channels including commercials on Six Flags Television and use of the parks' digital out-of-home assets. In addition, select parks will introduce a number of co-branded events including Famous Famiglia dough tossing and pizza eating contests. As part of Six Flags' new online retail promotion, guests will be able to pre-order Famous Famiglia meals prior to visiting the parks.

"We are continually evolving our partnerships to provide our guests with the highest quality of brands while using our innovative in-park media networks to support our partners' marketing objectives," said David McKillips, senior vice president of corporate alliances for Six Flags.

"We are very excited about the introduction of the Famous Famiglia brand into the Six Flags markets," said Paul Kolaj, company co-founder, President & CEO of Famous Famiglia. "Six Flags is a globally recognized and respected leader in the regional theme park industry, and we are honored to have been selected as their pizza partner."

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world's largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/sixflags

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/sixflags

About Six Flags Media Networks

Six Flags Media Networks provides the advertising community with comprehensive, multi-platform media opportunities via its media touch points that go far and beyond that of traditional advertising. For its local, regional and national advertising partners it offers: Six Flags Television Network, Six Flags Radio, Six Flags Print, Six Flags Outdoor, Six Flags Outdoor Spectacular, Six Flags Attraction Integration, Six Flags Experiential Marketing and Six Flags Online. Six Flags Television Network is part of Six Flags Media Networks' recently-launched digital out-of-home offering that combines a collection of digital assets to deliver nearly 100 million annual impressions, or approximately 20 million per month during peak operating season.

About Famous Famiglia

Famous Famiglia is a successful pizza company which was founded in 1986 in New York City. Today, the company operates in a variety of venues including airports, motorways, universities, shopping centers, casinos, military bases, theatres, theme parks, and streetscape locations across urban markets. The company has operations is the U.S., as well as Mexico and China.

Famous Famiglia is "The Official Pizza of The New York Yankees" and "The Official Pizza of Madison Square Garden".

Further, two New York City Famous Famiglia locations were used in filming the premiere episode of the upcoming Celebrity Apprentice show to air on March 6th on NBC.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Six-Flags-Names-Famous-prnews-202399927.html?x=0&.v=1

Link to Famous Famigila: http://www.famousfamiglia.com/

[Austin]

Who? They better have good pizza because you can't beat Papa John's. Especially a Papa covered in their garlic sauce <3

[nitrofan]

I've never heard of them, but it doesn't take much to be better than the Six Flags version of Papa Johns. The real one is good, but the Six Flags version left a lot to be disired.

[mrceagle]

I also have never heard of them. I have noticed form posted trip reports on other sites from already operating SFI parks that the prices have not come down despite the change of pizza supplier.

[mrceagle]

Looks pretty much the same to me. but very bright now.

[nitrofan]

Ya, the only difference I see is that it's orange. I like the blue better.

[DarienLake:D]

Ya, the only difference I see is that it's orange. I like the blue better.

I liked the site when it was blue too... But I really liked the site way back like 2004

[Jp]

I like the orange since it pops out more, you can still compare the two by checking the site right now and the La Ronde's website since they still use the blue scheme. But I like the Orange!!

[SFNE Expert]

The orange makes it a little more exciting and not boring IMO.

[David]

When Shapiro's guys designed the site in 2006, the goal was to have it easily changable to new marketing strategies. Like what's happening now, they just have to change the back splash, footers, and headers. That easy!

[David]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBp44uI0MXk&feature=channel_video_title

I must say.. This is the best thing Weber has done yet! hahah

[DiveMachine]

its pretty awesome to see what Weber was talking about when he said that the commercials would show stuff at THAT park, and not just park B-Roll like Shapiro did

[David]

I loved how there was so much Chang footage in it! LOL

[SFNE Expert]

Chang? I only saw Riddler's Revenge. Lol

[David]

At 0:06, 0:08. May be Riddler's, or Chang.

[Austin]

Looks yellow but I doubt it's Chang.

[DiveMachine]

thats bizarro back when it was medusa. I remember that exact footage from another SF commercial

[mrceagle]

It is a better commercial. will wait and see how SFNE's turns out. was always aggravating to see stock footage when every other park in NE was filming in park. Canobie lake even Hired a crew to do fly overs.

[David]

Last year, there was an ad that aired that had absolutely no footage of SFGAm except a S:UF roll that idk which park it was from.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R9AhwSJCUs&feature=channel_video_title

By far the best ad. ever.

[SFNE Expert]

That was a Fiesta Texas ad though.

[David]

That's not the ad I was referring to. LMFAO

Just saying that ad was EPIC. lol at GAm it said, "THREE FLAGS?!"

[nitrofan]

I just finished listening to the Six Flags 2011 Q1 conference call. Here are some notes that I took with some of the major points they discussed:

-About 5 minutes of disclaimers
-7% revenue growth in Q1 2011 over Q1 2010
-Attendance up with 19 less operating days than 2010
-Parks will return to more traditional schedules (shorter seasons)
-Discounts are reduced and will continue to be reduced
-“Go Big” is very successful, it highlights the parks instead of Mr. Six
-Increase in corporate sponsorships has happened and will continue
-Q1 attendance: 1.3 Million
-$896 Million current debt
-$75 Million cash on hand
-SFMM will reclaim the title of Roller Coaster Capital of the world
-SF is working to create shareholder value in a thoughtful manner

Q/A Notes
-Discounts are cut and prices are raised
-Improving economy helped attendance, new “Go Big” marketing strategy improved attendance, as well as new attractions for 2011
-Season Pass revenue up


They seemed to imply that shorter operating seasons are here to stay. They also made it sound like the SFMM coaster title is very important to them, and they stated that the "Go Big" campaign is very successful.

Feel free to comment or ask questions about the call. It was only about 20 minutes, so this would be a good one to go listen to if you want.

[Jp]

So are they cutting back on HITP at SFDK & SFFT?

[nitrofan]

So are they cutting back on HITP at SFDK & SFFT?

HITP wasn't mentioned at all on the call.

[nitrofan]

As a next step with the wraps, Six Flags Great Adventure has wrapped their famous, picture-esque fort.

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/x381/YoshiGADV/May%206%202011/IMG_1008.jpg

http://www.gadv.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18078&st=105

[Austin]

Just when I thought they were gone for good.. smh.

[nitrofan]

Just when I thought they were gone for good.. smh.

I don't think many of them were ever actually gone.

[Austin]

I guess I thought they were since I havent heard much about them. Oh well =/ But this crosses the line entirely. Bobbinbop had that great picture of it and El Toro. Just to think if he had taken it this year how bad that would have looked.

[Jp]

Boomerangs still have them.

[DejaVu2001]

What gets me is that there seems to be no communication with when these ads are coming. At Great America, all 3 Whizzer trains got new paint and logos this year only to be attacked by Kraft cheese. What a waste of money.

[Austin]

Yeah they just like finish making the rides look nice. Then immediately drop the ads on them. And Six Flags doesnt even need the money that bad now. Theyre out of like 2/3 of their debt from 2009 and have been constantly improving their finances since they left bankruptcy. I doubt these ads even contribute much revenue to.

[SFNE Expert]

They contribute a lot more than you think. The number is in one of their investor packets. I think its like 15% or something like that of their total revenue.

[nitrofan]

Yeah they just like finish making the rides look nice. Then immediately drop the ads on them. And Six Flags doesnt even need the money that bad now. Theyre out of like 2/3 of their debt from 2009 and have been constantly improving their finances since they left bankruptcy. I doubt these ads even contribute much revenue to.

There's no such thing as too much revenue...

[Austin]

At the expense of the guests? If it was my first time to a Six Flags park I would be so turned off at the ads that I would have a negative opinion about them and probably wouldn't come back unless theyre was a reason to. Theyre tacky.

[SFNE Expert]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't bother the GP as much as us.

[DarienLake:D]

the GP are just like ohh cool that looks good....
we are like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Not my beloved!!! lol!

[nitrofan]

the GP are just like ohh cool that looks good....
we are like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Not my beloved!!! lol!

Well the ads all look brand new, and some trains don't. I can kind of see why people would say that.

[SFNE Expert]

People really like the Stride wraps on the boomerangs. I can see why the GP would complain about them being on Demon and Ninja at SFStl.

[nitrofan]

Has anybody joined the Six Flags Advisory Board, or does anyone know anything about this?

[Austin]

I found out after my SFM survey. I wanted to join, because I would actually give them valuable input on how to improve the park, like adding something worthwhile, making the park cleaner, making sure park rules are followed etc.

[SFNE Expert]

You can join by going to their site. They send you survey's and stuff. It's just like how Universal sends out surveys.

[nitrofan]

You can join by going to their site. They send you survey's and stuff. It's just like how Universal sends out surveys.

I was in a park and we were asked to take a survey online, and the survey asked me to join, so I did. I was just curious if this was a new thing and how it all worked.

Does anyone know anything about the online discussion groups or in park focus groups?

[DiveMachine]

hey AcquaZ, do you have to go through the original survey to get to the other one, because thats what I'm getting

[nitrofan]

hey AcquaZ, do you have to go through the original survey to get to the other one, because thats what I'm getting

You can join the Six Flags Advisory Panel here:

http://sixflags.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3USVvyM0tyvpPso&j=12229666&e=GOYANKS34@MSN.COM&l=2369680_HTML&u=112560021&mid=29614&jb=0

They will send you a bunch of surveys periodicly and ask you to do other stuff to help them improve.

[DiveMachine]

I've already done that, but nothing happens and I haven't gotten any emails

[nitrofan]

I've already done that, but nothing happens and I haven't gotten any emails

When did you join?

[SFNE Expert]

hey AcquaZ, do you have to go through the original survey to get to the other one, because thats what I'm getting

I think if you weren't signed up previously it will take you through the "Last Visit" survey. Then when you go through that, go back to the "last visit" survey and HOPEFULLY it will take you to the naming one.

It's completely random I think. I tried to do it on another email last night, and it worked. Then I tried to do it on a third and it didn't work.

[nitrofan]

When you register, it asks which events you would be interested in participating in (in park focus groups, naming surveys, etc.). Does anyone know if there is a way to change the events you would be willing to participate in after you submit it the first time?

[SFNE Expert]

I don't think there is. I just checked off all of them.

[nitrofan]

I don't think there is. I just checked off all of them.

Ya, that's what I should have done. I didn't check the In park focus group thing, but it might be interesting to actually talk to them about how they could improve.

[Jp]

Six Flags has just filed for two new trademarks on what appear to be ride names: "Apocalypse" and "Bonzai Pipeline." Apocalype = SFA and Bonzai Pipeline = SFStL?

http://www.sfafans.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=671&d=1311881085
http://www.sfafans.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=672&d=1311881098

[DiveMachine]

Bonzai Pipeline will probably go to Gadv. There was a survey a while back about waterslide names at HH, and Bonzai Pipeline was an option:
http://www.greatadventurehistory.com/Forums/index.php?showtopic=2738

[Jp]

Happy 50th Birthday SIX FLAGS!!!

[Jp]

If you have been under the rock this past year and want to know what came to all the Six Flags parks this year; watch this video!

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[David]

Well, July was the first month where all the 2012 additions were up and running

[Austin]

2012?

[Jp]

I think he ment 2011!

[Jp]

If you missed it here it is!!

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[Jp]

<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m5-6aQ_IXwM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Jp]

I like how on their website (www.sixflags.com) they have a map of North America and has the parks listed on the map...But the cool thing is that they have the thing going in order from the first park they owned to the last!!

They show...
SFOT first
SFOG second
SFStL third
SFADv fourth
SFMM fifth
SFGAM sixth

and so on...

I think that is neat!

[Jp]

I like how on their website (www.sixflags.com) they have a map of North America and has the parks listed on the map...But the cool thing is that they have the thing going in order from the first park they owned to the last!!

They show...
SFOT first
SFOG second
SFStL third
SFADv fourth
SFMM fifth
SFGAM sixth

and so on...

I think that is neat!

[CSM0fficial]

Since this forum hasn't been updated in about 2 weeks, I thought I should get it going. I'm sure we've all noticed SF still hasn't announced the big things for La Ronde or SFM....
I think they definitely will have more announcement for 2012 coming....?

[CSM0fficial]

Since this forum hasn't been updated in about 2 weeks, I thought I should get it going. I'm sure we've all noticed SF still hasn't announced the big things for La Ronde or SFM....
I think they definitely will have more announcement for 2012 coming....?

[Thehawkman]

La Ronde already made an anncoument

[CSM0fficial]

That was on January 7th....

[Thehawkman]

In 2009 a secret annoucment not annouced to the genral public was made to start a Six Flags park in Nigeria. The park is going to be complete by 2013. Here is the article
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/28/six-flags-eyes-theme-park-in-nigeria/?page=all

[CSM0fficial]

Hmmm I wonder if that is safe.... Nigeria is an extremely unstable country with corrupt governments surrounding them. Does Nigeria have a corrupt government.

[Thehawkman]

This is twords the southern part of Nigeria if you read the article it says they know about the country's civil inrest

[Kyle]

No. Just no. It would have been announced by now, and it hasn't. Plus, there's another article made in 2011 that says there has been no ground breaking yet.http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/nigeria/110713/africa-amusement-parks-dakar-african-middle-class

[CSM0fficial]

Yeah I mean Nigeria is just so random. And dangerous. If they want to build a park in Africa, do it in a stable country like South Africa or Mali or Algeria? I'm not sure about the stability of those last two.

[Thehawkman]

I think South Africa as well but who knows if ground braking has started the only way to get Six Flags to fess up about this is email them a stuiped question that is almost common sence then ask about the park. And they have spilled this about SFN on Facebook about like 7 times they will be annoucing this at the end of the year

[Kyle]

No. They are not building 2 parks in Africa, a place that has unstable government, dangerous cities, diseases, and Joseph Kony. It would be the stupidest idea to build a park in Africa.

[Thehawkman]

No. They are not building 2 parks in Africa, a place that has unstable government, dangerous cities, diseases, and Joseph Kony. It would be the stupidest idea to build a park in Africa.

I said it would be better in South Africa and Joseph Kony is in South Sudan,Kenya and Congo

[nitrofan]

I'm pretty sure we would have heard something in the past 3 years if this were actually happening. No way is this opening in 1 year...