GAcoaster

Far too many people are suggesting stripper names Always go with a classic name...I'm with the people who suggested Sarah and Elizabeth, and I would go with "Sarah Elizabeth Alvey".

At what age do you stop believing every sarcastic comment posted on the internet as gospel?

I think "I haven't figured out what I like yet" could fit...everyone has some sex drive once in a while.

Wow, this is great news! Prepare for the world as you know it to change (mostly for the better!)

It doesn't say parking is included with the pass, just that if you purchase a Season Parking Pass (for an additional $40-$50) you can use it at ANY Six Flags park now. It's no longer a window sticker, just either a sticker on your pass or a letter "P" printed on your pass, so you always have it with you.

I remember it vaguely, but it was VERY high up over the creek. Also half the cars were painted with German style decorations (kind of like a wave swing), and the other half were painted as ore carts.

That's why I posted it here. After seeing the adventures of R&E for all these years it's obvious they're very open minded and wouldn't tolerate any bashing on here...just a free flow of ideas and opinions (and orientations!). Plus I was curious if it was just something unique to ACE or if it was coaster fans in general that had this uniquely high percentage of queer interest.

Go on Saturday. The Hispanic concerts are HEAVILY promoted on the spanish language radio stations, and draw huge crowds from the cities.

Nothing yet, but I'm expecting some kind of announcement any day now, either about a sale agreement or plans to continue operations.

Preparations have begun at SFGAdv for Fright Fest 2006. The lineup of attractions for FF has not been finalized yet, but the park has started decorating and bringing out the set pieces: The webs are going up all around the park: The torches now line Dream Street from end to end: Show stages are taking shape all around: It looks like the spiders are taking over Chiller...not much chance it's returning this season: I'll be posting updates every week through Fright Fest here and I'll have even more pictures over on my site AmusementPics

Thier not? I wounder how the Las Vegas monorail was built then. Let me clarify...PARK monorails are not being built anymore. For a while there were manufacturers building them for parks/zoos everywhere, but they have since gone out of business.

It always comes down to money. Steam locomotives need to have their boilers replaced every few years. They also require licensed boiler operators and for a seasonal park that's really hard to staff. It requires a lot of personnel to operate a railroad, and they are subject to lawsuits when people fall out of them stupidly, twist their ankles on the tracks, etc. Monorails are no longer being manufactured, so parts need to be custom made and cost a fortune. Skyrides are subject to closure due to wind and weather, and require a lot of maintenance and personnel to operate. Besides the cost of maintenance for these transportation rides which is sizable, it also is a case of people riding a train, monorail or skyride are going past the shops, games and restaurants in a park without spending money. If they walk past those things, they are likely to spend money. The games, food and merchandise are where the parks make the money--not admissions. Admissions generally have to cover the cost of the ride operations and staffing, so if a park want to make money they need to get the guests on the streets and spending the money. Gliding by on a transportation ride only costs the park money.

Multiple layers of wood, which were prefabricated off site and assembled on site...just like any other woodie bit the rails were built ahead of time instead of being fabricated on the structure:

This was actually the second park proposed for that area which the locals blocked. Marriott was supposed to build a third Great America park in Manassas, but local protests over increased traffic made them cancel their plans. Great America III was scheduled to open in 1978 but construction never began.

They won't be spending any of that $100 million on SFMM, SFEG, SFDL, WWEV, or any of the other parks for sale. They are expecting to have them sold long before the 2007 season begins. The coasters purchased are most likely Pandemonium clones and going to SFFT and SFStl since both parks have already begun construction. Everyone else will be getting family rides and attractions. The fact that all the rides have bene ordered means SOMEONE at each park knows whats coming and will be spilling the beans soon enough.

My notes from the conference call: They announced there are parties interested in the parks for sale and they will be turning over the books (financial info) on them to the qualified interested buyers next week. $100 Million (nothing more) Capex for 2007...all family rides with 2 coasters. All rides will be ready to open with EVERY park. The rides are already on order from the manufacturers. October 1st, the 2007 Season Pass sales begin. There will be a HUGE campaign with a contest to kick off the Season Pass sales. Right now EVERYTHING is coming together for the 2007 season (instead of January/February like this year). Both SFMM and SFGAdv set per capita spending records at over $50 per guest (the company average is about $37) The company has no plans to CLOSE any of the parks which were mentioned as potential sales. They are trying to sell them as a group and not individually. Most of the potential buyers are specifically looking to run the parks as parks, and would be interested in taking over with time to plan the 2007 season. The SFNO park is still up in the air, and they are in discussions with the city. El Toro is Shapiro's favorite ride, but Great Adventure is the biggest challenge of all the parks because of the years of neglect under the old leadership combined with the sheer size and number of employees, etc. It sounds like the REAL details for the 2007 season are coming in the November conference call... The Press Release:

Well rumors around today's conference call are already interesting. I can't wait for 5:00 to see what happens...

Is that specific to SFGAM? I checked out La Ronde and they have a $50 mid season pass, and it specifically states that it's good at all parks. Link Thinking of heading up to La Ronde, and if I got that pass I could use it at SFOG if I spring for that. I'm hearing it's the same for all parks issuing "Anniversary Pass"es, which the website says is ALL Six Flags branded parks.

I just got more info... They are ONLY good at the park that issues them. As for the $15 parking, I don't think that's the cause of the attendance decline. Cedar Fair just came out with their Q2 numbers and their attendance and revenues are down despite LOWERING ticket prices this season. It sounds like they are all suffering from the high price of gas more than anything.

Screamscape reported a rumor that the last day of operation for the Freefall ride at SFGAdv was Sunday, and while at first I was doubtful since it had just been brought back online after an extended rehab/downtime, I just received a couple of "unofficial" confirmations from people in the know at the park that it is down for the rest of the season, and probably for good. Farewell old friend:

Sounds like you've planned well!

Six Flags has just rolled out the "Anniversary Pass" offering the rest of the 2006 season for the cost of a single day admission. I sense desperation to bring in guests for the rest of the season... This is going to mean Fright Fest will be EXTRA crowded.

SFGAdv tickets are $39.99 online through their website: http://www.sixflags.com/parks/greatadventure/TicketInfo/index.html There is also a buy-one-get-one-free offer with Coke cans. You can pickup a marked Coke can at the Wawa (convenience store) on the way in to the park (it's right off the interstate, and everyone stops there before going into the park). You may want to pay a few extra dollars and get the VIP deal if you only have a day to do the park though:

I'm so shocked...Reichen is WAY out of Lance Bass's league. Lance bass is definitely a trade down from Chip:

The problem with theme elements like that here in the US is lack of cheap labor to build them combined with government regulations (like requiring vehicular access to all parts of a ride in case it has to be evacuated). The park looks really impressive all around, though it seems to be mostly off the shelf rides (SUF clone, Kumali clone, Disk-o, Giant Frisbee, etc.) with elaborate scenery.