DBJ

A permanent Cirque theater would be really nice. Read the rumor that Avatar may take the place of T2 in time for the sequels. I can only hope they go with Intamin for their Soarin clone ride system. In general though, I do disagree with their vision plan to convert a large portion of their backlot into sure to be overpriced condos. It's not like any expansion of USH is going to create high paying jobs, but a series of part-time service jobs. So the new residents on the backlot are likley to be on the upper end of the middle class, and it would likely lead to more nimby fights, in addition to the ones the park currently faces.

Is it possible that some parks may keep their specific themes? Would it cost less for the chain if the Thomas Town theme for example was only in one park, and not all of them? I don't think Terminator @SFMM would be affected - even Universal is dumping Terminator in the next couple of years as it is. I agree with the movie in general to not pay for a license that does not increase park attendance. Is the DC license exclusive to SF? Also read they are looking at removing the chain restaraunts / food franchises from the park, like Papa Johns & Johnny Rockets. Also a good move. They really should not be paying for these common strip mall eateries to be in their park. I can see having a couple of established brands, but not have those be the primary food options. In the short term, it did provide a temp fix for the food quality issues in the park, but long term for the chain financially, it's better to have primary ownership of the concessions.

Looks like an interesting concept. Although I have to question the logic of attempting to replicate the grand canyon and hoover dam, just because of the cost. It does to me seem like the theme is overwhelming the entertainment aspects of the park. For example, the artificial lake they are creating with the dam has no entertainment value exceptfor scenery? It would be great if the replica of the dam actually had a mack flume going down the center of it. I don't see a river raft ride anywhere in the plan, and that's a common experience in the real canyon. Also, a drop ride off the edge of the faux Canyon would be great. A swing that goes out over the ledge or something. Just looking at the attractions planned, none of the rides really need / interact with the grand canyon (height/depth) setting. It will be interesting to see the park develop and what the scale of the natural wonders of the world that they create.

Certainly seems like it kind of gives the same ride experience as a Toronado. It is quite visually striking though. I would like to see them do a slide complex that feature multiple lifts and drops into the various bowl-esque elements.

I personally would like to see a wood coaster that plays with the sight lines. Usually, when you are on a wood coaster, you can see what's coming next. I would imagine enclosing a entire coaster is too costly, so how about a tunnel that visually turns to one direction, but actually sends the riders to the opposite direction? And an unexpected drop in a tunnel could be a great element. With tunnels on most coasters, there isn't much of a suprise when it comes to the motion experienced while in the tunnel. You know you are entering into it at high speed, probably doing a banking motion of some degree and exiting at high speed. But a sudden drop? Awesome.

I think it makes sense to have C-3PO because guests will have a emotional connection to him from the movies, whereas Rex would not have the same appeal. In an attraction based on Star Wars, it's more logical to feature characters from the film & tv series, rather than new creations.

I would expect the area around the Slaughterhouse to be spruced up with landscaping, but as far as a whole new themed area, I would be completely suprised. As it is, that area by Batman is one of the most unused parts of the park, and for the majority of people it will feel like a "new" themed area.

I like the new location for "Kids Coaster", but they should not take out an attraction to do it. They already took out the meager petting zoo didn't they? The coaster would be a much better fit there, and drive kids towards Thomas Town, or maybe make them notice it. They could save some money by not tearing out Sierra. I can think of many other things SFMM could spend the money rather than tearing down a nice looking kids ride. I think in general the area next to Vu is too small to squeeze in any coaster of size, and they should go the flat ride direction in that spot in the future. Or as previously mentioned, the "Disk-O coaster" - a brilliant cost effective soultion for coaster #19.

Great news! Nice to see them go for the record next year. It's very important from a marketing standpoint for SFMM to have that angle next year, as there are 2 other major attractions next year locally, 1 a@ DCA, 1 @ Universal that will also stand out. The Zacspin looks cool with a great use of space (flip Tidal Wave to Aquaman and you have a chain of DC Heroes attractions) and money. I am wondering how much theme is going into the station? I hope they did manage to get some money out of WB to help offset the cost. Condsidering the Green Lantern character might be in upwards of 3 movies over the next 5 years, a great themed area for the movie franchise on each coast could be work out well for the park and the studio. In a way, SFMM could start assembling the "Justice League" and keep moving with that overall theme for that area of the park, and have it completed by the time the League hits the movie theaters. If anything, I think that is where SFMM will be transitioning the appearance of the park. Using more highly themed stations along the lines of Terminator, than say instead of a series of barely themed flats. I also consider Zac Spin to be a good mix of what one would want in a flat - height of a small drop tower combined with a spin element, but as a coaster. I hope that the generic name of Kid Coaster just means that they are currently looking for a sponsor of the attraction. I also agree that I hope that they don't lose sight of the infrastructure improvements that have made a big difference over the past few years.

I also went on the first. I did not have the Gate A pass and saw everything. Here was the "plan". We arrived early, 6:20. They let people into the park I think right around 6:45. Did the pre-show, and then dropped the ropes. Most of the crowd split either to Rob Zombie or Vampyre. We went straight to Jason. Wait time 5 minutes. Flew out of that, then hit Nightmare. 10 minute wait. Flew out of that. Simspons 10 minutes. Then, the lower lot. I knew from experience that the Terror Tram is a people eater in general. Lower lot. Forced friend to actually walk down the escalator instead of passively riding. Walked onto Mummy. Out of Mummy straight to King Kong (skip if you have seen it, as a stand alone, it does not hold up). Straight towards Saw. Then over to Jurrasic Park, walk on. Back up to upper lot, approx. 8:45 at this point. Went to ouse of the 1000 Corpses. 25 minute wait. Then back through towards the Terror Tram. 25 minutes, line never stopped. Finished that up, and then the signs read that Vampyre was closed, but headed towards it anyway. Browsed Kwik-E-Mart, then Vampyre opened, 10 minute wait. Hit the 11:15 show of Bill & Ted, completing the event. So my tips are to A.) move like the wind towards the lower lot. Ignore scare zones completely. B.) Walk down the escalators. C.) Don't stop to eat, unti your'e done with all attractions. Eat high protein and carbs prior to entering. Most importantly, arrive early. I would absolutely get the upgraded pass if arriving anytime after 8 or 9pm. Oh, the tickets also give great discounts on Citywalk for free food and drinks at select vendors. Used it for Yogurtland, great place.

That's more than likey the case with what is happening. They could just retheme a ride, and technically, it's a new coaster "experience". Very clever use of precise wording there SF. The only other outside thought is one of the old American Adventure rides from Georgia ( Ridgeline Racer), but that is likely remote.

So true. The line for Superman used to stretch down the hill! Sometimes, half way down. And boy did that line move slow.

Myself plus one for the night time only. Looking forward to it!

Thanks for organizing the event. A truly amazing deal. I will definately be attending, with a plus one. Looking forward to it!

Per the construction walls around it, the replacement is a "lush park" to stroll through. A park surrounded by screams from a roller coaster. Unless the park becomes a character meet and greet, I don't see a mad rush of people wanting to stroll through a park that is walled in by CA Screamin. Hopefully, before Carsland opens, they can figure out a good use of the space shortly. Personally, if Zephyr moved there, that would give another vantage point for WOC.

If you want to experience the flat rides, I would highly suggest checking out the LA County Fair. The problem with the spinning flat rides is that they become dull, quickly, compared to the coasters. They work in a fair setting because the coasters, for lack of a better word, suck. That said, I agree that they do need a focuse on diversity of attractions in the future. Maybe once they are on more solid financial footing? For now, SFMM really only gets a boost in attendance when they are marketing a new coaster. So for 2011, that's Superman redux and "Mr. Six". 2012 - Project 18. Maybe in 2013 we will see a non-coaster addition? Here's my conspiracy theory about Deja Vu. It's green. Just so happens that a movie is coming up in 2011 called Green Lantern. The Deja Vu theme is basically a painted sign. Add some decor to the line, and viola - a Green Lantern coaster. At least it would be another movie themed roller coaster next to Terminator, and the back half of the park is officially the expanded "movie district." Or more likely is that it is just a cost cutting measure to close the ride seasonally.

Is a water park an option for the area? It's good to see they are planning on expanding for the future. One can only hope they have learned the lessons from the issues faced by AK, DCA, Disney Studios, DLP, etc., when it comes time to plan the actual attraction and retail mix of the new park.

Thanks for the pics. Didn't realize it was that brown. On the bright side, at least they know now to have a back up filtration system in place in case of failure to prevent this from happening. Before WOC was installed, I don't ever recall seeing the water take on that color. Quite a stroke of bad luck to have issues with both the WOC and the water filters happen at the same time.

No, not a stupid question. The Bizarro name, or even a new name being used at all, has not been confirmed by SF. The assumption is that it's Bizzaro because of it's previous use by SF and the logic behind the use of the name for ride. It is SF, so sometimes logic does not apply. Time will tell.

Great pics. Love the TOT train. I'm wondering if the new config would allow for mutliple launches up the tower per ride? Start off going up 1/4 speed, then up 3/4 speed, then up to full speed?

The mural should either go on the back of Carsland that faces the Pier, or the Indy building on the exterior facing DD. Maliboomer's removal is a mistake, with nothing planned for the area. Any form of low rising flat would be appropiate, one that could be housed in a small structure in the same style as TSMM. It is amazing that they claim the removal is for the victorian look, when Mickey's Wheel has a bland station (certainly not victorian) as does CA Screamin.

My personal hope for Project 18, and all future Six Flags coasters being built, are the following things. 1.) Please, SF, build a dedicated line for the Flash Pass. Walking up an exit, against the crowds, sucks. Being dumped into the general pop. with a sea of angry faces, sucks. Being merged into the general line, prior to even reaching the station, sucks. 2.) People love to wait for specific rows, especially the front, so please design the station to handle that from a crowd control perspective. 3.) The sun does shine, so don't put build unshaded lines. 4.) Please dump the prison camp style of q lines. Waiting in lines surrounded by a chain link fence is not appealing. 5.) Two words: Air conditioning. Two more words: Ceiling Fans. It's about guest comfort. 6.) Fluffy bunny policy. Don't charge people to store merchandise they have bought in the park. Defeats the purpose of buying a souvenir cup or any other merch. if you are paying repeated Fluffy Bunny charges throughout the day. Maybe exempt in-park purchases from the fee?

I remember back in the day on the Peoplemover passing through a building and they had a little Tron segment promoting a Tron attraction "coming soon." I think that was 1990? So even back then, Disney was considering an actual Tron ride. Now with the coaster tech we have now, it would be possible I think to do a Tron ride that would deliver a great experience. I think they kind of missed the opportunity to have a Tron attraction ready the same year as the film opening, but they historically have been pretty slow in tying current film properties to rides. I think Carsland might be the first E-ticket in many years to open alongside a film property (Cars 2). Even if Tron turned out to be a poor movie, a well executed Tron coaster wouldn't suddenly be crap. I think for Disney, if Tron the movie failed, they wouldn't be able to move the merchandise in the exit gift store. In general, I think Disney views new attractions more as a vehicle for selling merchandising primarily. And if there is a risk of merch not selling, the attraction winds up on the back burner.

Well, I was glad to read that the new management does recognize that SFMM has unique competition and they have to deliver an attraction that stands out. SFMM is basically the only park in CA., especially southern CA, that doesn't have to deal with height restrictions, actually has space to expand beyond it's current borders, or deal with noise complaints, and the Nimby crowd is pretty minor.

The park icon is certainly unique. Like the twists on the Disney formula of Main Street and the hub system. It will be very interesting to see if this park ever does get built.