Bolliger&Mabillard

Me:(Coming back from lunch at Oasis, I decided to take Orient Express back to Tatsu) Guest:Where's Tsunami? Me:(confused) I'm sorry ma'am, come again? G:Tsunami? Where is it? M:I don't think we have an attraction here called that...is it a water ride you're looking for? G:No! The big red one where you sit doggy style! M:(Laughing)Oh! You mean TATSU!, I'm headed up there now, you can follow me. ___________________________________________________ I had just left Oasis one day and as soon as I walked on stage someone asked me how to get to Goliath. I turned around, then turned back to look at the woman, she still was puzzled. I turned back around and then gave her the same look. Anyone who works in rides at SFMM knows why this is funny.

^I completely understand that, but I'm glad you mentioned demographics, because that's a huge factor in the matter, but I will admit we're both just going to have to agree to disagree with no hard feelings? I might go to the park today, and If I do expect a detailed trip report. I'm at my girlfriends house and did not think to bring my camera so there won't be any pictures, but i'll illustrate with words!

This TR makes me want to ride a Superman flyer clone all the more, just to see how they ride. TDK...not so much.

Pony Express last Thursday...three rides back to back.

I am no expert in marketing, I don't base my conclusion on working at a theme park. I base my conclusion on studying business management and economic studies Though we may not access to SFMM sales and marketing records, anyone who knows how to run a business can figure certain things out. No bad mojo intended, It's just that I base my imput on logic and not speculation.

Cool thing about Xcelerator IMO is that though not as fast as Dragster, the launch is slightly more intense. You'll notice a difference

I'm a little confused as to how these boards are supposed to work. It seems you get flamed if you comment without knowing about a subject, if you know about a subject, or if you know a lot about a subject. So from this point on, I will leave my "expert" opinions to myself. As for the variating degree of employee morale- Sure Disney ride ops may take home a higher hourly rate than anybody else, but Disney also bases their hours on seniority, and parks like Knott's and Magic Mountain will give you a surplus of overtime. I've been around, and I personally have made more money working at Knott's and MM during peak, but of course for everyone it's not about the money. I liked working at MM because I liked the atmosphere and I really got into the rides I was certified for, so I was quite happy with the work, It didn't matter how much I made, but not everyone shares that philosophy. I guess that the park is getting a well enough result with the way things are now. When I did work for MM, I talked with one of the higher ups and he explained to me one of the main reasons staffing is the way it is. It's hard to make a seasonal job union. Of course there are other ways to increase morale, but thats just one of the things they're going to have to figure out.

^One key factor no one has adressed is an issue of simple economics. Stagflation occurs when a products price reaches a level so high it stops being consumed. Will coaster nerds pay 200 bucks for a season pass? Absolutely, but the average American consumer, and not just "GP", is always looking for a bargin. 200 bucks for a few more perks than a regular pass is illogical in a business sense. Once worked in a theme park box office, I can tell you the number one technique to selling above ticket is to upsell lower ones. It's hard to tell someone who's looking for the best deal he can get won't care that "for $140 more, you'll get..." It's just not marketable at $200. Will a coaster nerd pay $200 for a season pass to Thrillville? Maybe. Will Joe Localman? I doubt it.

^Everything else? What else is left?

While at Panel for Riddler's one day, some young girl getting in the front row asked me, "This ride doesn't go upside down, does it?" I laughed a little because aside from the fact that the entire queue for the ride goes through the ride, you can see the vertical loop and second dive loop from the station. I told her "only on the weekends" (it was thursday) Her response: "Crap, I came on the wrong day"

Dropping the Six Flags moniker is a double edge sword. Sure there might be a little less flack the park may catch, but without Six Flags as a sponser, how could they expand on the thrill end in the future? I don't see too many family parks adding any B&M flyers or Intamin hypers. As for 200 bucks for a season pass. I cant tell anyone through experience that it is difficult to get people to pay full price admission, much less upsell them anything. I bought a regular Play pass this year with a parking pass which came out to 95 dollars. Paying 105 more for a few flash passes and a 10% discount makes you straddle the fence at best.

"Thrillpark" became a taboo word when it stopped being profitable, or at least as profitable as they'd like it to be. If Shapiro is in fact chasing the family market then do what others do to make their mula. To quote Hank Hill, "Find the successful guy at work and copy him in every way." It would be nice to see some type of themeing go into MM. It isn't as charming to pretend you're on some whimsical train ride or actually walking the streets of Gotham City with everyone wearing highlighter yellow shirts. Walt Disney made it impearative that You can't see outside of Disneyland while you're inside because it dilludes the themeing. What's the point of putting in a $20 million dark ride if you're not going to theme it? Every Six Flags park is generic (and they are striving more to reach that by removing "California" from it's entrance) Disney and Universal parks do so well because they're clean, themed, and have above-par guest service. Six Flags has neglected most, if not all of that in their "thrill park" years, which is why they're in the position the'yre in now. Is it getting better? Yes. Rides are opening on time more often, they are running at more capacity, that CSI show isn't bad. Are there things they could do better than they are now? Absolutely. Ditch the generic shirts and have uniforms based on department, area, etc. Sure it may cost more, but if you spend money on a generic product you're going to get a generic result. I think the park is moving in the right direction, but there are still things that are left untouched.

I fail to see why everyone is so "family" crazy? I know everyone says thats where the money is, and I know people can come up with some nielson ratings to back up that claim. I'm not really giving an opinion either way, so I hope no one thinks I'm flaming anyone, there are just some things I'm unclear of. 1. Targeting children ages 1-5 doesn't seem all too business saavy if they get in for free up to age 3. 2. I can't see toddlers being a huge financial burden on mom and dad when their food doesn't cost as much as adult portions 3. Every park that has a steady family base in their attendence have either two of the following or both: A) Some type of resort B)No competition within striking distance Everyone makes the claim that people who buy season passes spend no money in that respective park. Okay, simple solution to that is target vacationing families, only problem is, where are they going to stay? Cedar Point has 4 hotels and no serious rivalry park within miles. Even Knott's has a hotel. No matter how anyone tries to add the numbers up, you're still going to end up with the same number of people in the park, and having a family of four visit once or twice a year on discounted coupons can't make significantly more money than four classmates with season passes that go every other weekend out of the year. Finally, I will now give my opinion There is nothing wrong with SFMM being the Xtreme park, in the same respect that they can put in a Thomas tank train to lull the youngsters. Does the park need a balance? I think not. If there were a few dark rides, more shows and friendlier service, Mark Shapiro and Jay Thomas would both be wiping their @$$es with $20 bills. And they can still build insane prototype coasters that mad and dad can ride with their teenage kids.

Us enthusiasts will breathe a little easier knowing the ride is expected for full operation Monday morning. Now, mistakes I'd expect a 17 year old to make: *Having sex without a condom. *Cheating on a test *"Borrowing" your parents' car when they're not home. *Flirting with two girls that both have the same class Things you should know by age 17: Heavy machinary (8 ton train plus riders) + High speed= ...well you guessed it. I just hope Six Flags can get AHEAD in their investigation.

I can't belive MM got rid of Psyclone but OT keeps Giant. I guess it's just because TG won a golden ticket award.

Tatsu- I was doing the safety ride on tatsu one morning. When ever I do the safety ride at Tatsu I always look for two things, how many people are at Six Flags plaza running to the ride and how crowded the parking lot is. As the train approched block brake I looked to the left and caught a glimpse of a train stopped on upper lift. I thought to myself, ..."hmm, that shouldn't be"...and as soon as I thought that I slammed into a stop. Deja Vu- It parked short. Vekoma boomerangs tend to do that. Restraints were stuck. Floor would not raise. Xcelerator- Timed out on top hat (failed to clear tower in 3 seconds) E-stopped while I was on train in waiting block Over travel. (notice a trend with Vekoma and Intamins?

Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles 50 miles away Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park 17 miles away Disneyland 20 miles away. With the way I drive to all these parks... SFMM 25-30 min. drive KBF 10-15 min. DLR/DCA 11-16 min.

Revolution-Six Flags Magic Mountain

^^Everyone says families are where the money is, but one question you have to ask is "what family feels comfortable shoving their kids through metal detectors." I'm not saying that they should slip back into their old ways and put in two prototype coasters every year, but half-assing family rides and poster board themeing isn't bringing in a flurry of guests either. Tatsu and X raised SFMM attendence. Even if you don't pay to return because of a season pass, you still have to park and eat. In addition to season pass purchases, getting people to pay full admission price with so many coupons in circulatin is hard enough. Trust me, I've worked in a theme park box office. Contrary to popular belief, a family of four wouldn't spend much more money than a group of four college kids with season passes. Perhaps Six Flags parks would make more money if they were resorts, hench why Disney parks make so much money. Let's see what happens.

One of my friends tells me Superman the Escape (SFMM) is haunted.

10 Riddler's Revenge...between normal park operation and waiting for a private party to start.

I've only ridden Riddler's and Mantis, and Riddler's is way better hands down

"Cockroach and rat free since 2002!"

Picture Of Me

I was wondering if there will be a TPR campout for the 2009 coaster at SFMM.