Sk610

I was at the park today and have to say that it seemed extremely busy. Maybe because it was a Saturday or a concert day, but it was busy. It does however look like the park is terribly understaffed. Lines for food were 45 minutes or more. They also appeared to have some rides on a rotation program where certain flat rides were not open but then opened an hour or so later.

I am happy to see Pirate back up and running. It's a good ride and the setting over the lake is awesome

^ Yes that is correct, but also remember that SFDL draws people from Canada that don't want to wait in the lines at CW. I think it will be an average year with average wait times and crowds

I know this will sound crazy, but the size of the plot of land Grizzly Run sits on could allow them to create a new area where they can add into for a long time. Plus they can tie Mind Eraser in with that area too. I am going out on a limb to say Gotham City with a S&s Free Spin Batman and new restraints and paint for ME to convert to Riddler

I think it's awesome that they are finally going to do something with Predator. It needs it badly. The problem I see is in the cost vs what they get in return. If they do the whole thing they should go big like RMC so they can advertise a whole new ride experience. My guess is that they will do the rough spots like the 540 turn and a few of the other valleys that are bad. I would actually love to see this as I think the overall layout is really good. If you can smooth out the rough spots it may become very rideable again

Are you talking about Six Flags Darien Lake? Yes. That is the park this thread is about...

I hope the park used this season to take care of the small things while the park was closed. Things like paint and blacktop repair don't cost a ton and are difficult to do with people in the park.

Haymaker is correct. The campgrounds have been open, which is what I was referring to. With the campground being open, they did bring in money that is almost 100% profit

It appears that SF is making their 2021 announcements on Thursday. Does anyone think we get anything other than the slide we were supposed to get this year? I would like another flat ride for next year, but am not holding out hope considering that the park did not technically open this year

I agree with Phase on this one. Social distancing at a theme park is going to be very difficult. It will be pretty much every other seat on the coasters and flat rides. TBH, the only true ride at the park i can see running at full capacity is Moose on the Loose

Haymarket is right that SF is paying to lease the park. They are also paying for any new attractions moving forward. In return for this, EPR gives them a break on the lease typically

I think we could actually see no parks open here in New York State this summer. I love going to theme parks but it is extremely easy to spread germs quickly in a place like SFDL. I am not sure how much Joe public is interested in being at a place like that now. I am an enthusiast, but I wouldn't go to SFDL until there is some sort of COVID treatment or vaccine.

You do know DL is owned by six flags right? I would say other than a few waterslides, there are probably 5 rides at Fantasy Island that meet SF standards. Most of the rides at FI were the portable models and not the permanent versions a chain like SF wants. Silver Comet could end up elsewhere, but it is almost as costly to move that as it would be to build new.

It would be very sad if Fantasy Island were to close. I could see some parks trying to buy the rides but even if SF were to buy the rides, they would be distributed through the chain. My guess is that they individually go on an auction website. It would be easy to keep Silver Comet local but the cost to tear down and rebuild is almost the same to build new

Kinda stupid is being kind. This is like saying CF had disputes with Intamin over Dragster, so now CF is going to remove Maverick, Millie and all other Intamin coasters in the chain. It makes less than zero sense. Most major industries do not work based on spite.

The other side of the water park makes alot more sense. The grammar could have been better there to make it more obvious.

They said it is going between the wave pool and Big Laguna. Not sure where this idea of it being on the other side of the park is coming from

Obviously coasterbill was not around for the flying bathrooms conversation of 2005. My year may be off on that, but the conversation definitely happened.

^Agreed 100%. Hoping a water slide will allow them to focus on some of the "dry ride side" needs that cannot be announced. I'm talking about a roof on Sleigh ride, second trains for ROS and MotoCoaster as well as some lights on the giant wheel. I am going to put those in the general park improvements category that happen every year.

One of the Instagram accounts I follow had some leaks. Nothing for SFDL, but I did see at least one or two water coasters for next year. That would make sense for us as it is one of the few things we do not have in our water park area

I went to the park today after not going at all last year. Here are a few thoughts. First off, I think the park is looking pretty good. I noticed some fresh paint on the bathroom buildings as well as a few rides. Sky Screamer is awesome! Other than the few complaints about one train ops and the roof on the sleigh ride, my only complaint was on some of the landscaping. There were a few spots that were just weeds right next to parts that were very nicely landscaped. Overall, I thought things looked pretty good. I also want to say that most of the ride ops were very good and really seemed to enjoy their jobs. The girl operating the giant wheel was constantly interacting with guests on and off the ride. There were two others who also made things more fun with banter and interaction. That is how CP ops are, and I thought it was great to see at DL The only rides not running were boomerang and Pirate. I could not tell if Red Hawk was closed or nobody paid to ride. A few concession stands were closed also. No signs of any construction at all

I was thinking the same thing today. Maybe no teasers means no new major attraction

Hi Matt. Welcome to the group.

I am going to throw two things out there. First they could easily move MotoCoaster and everyone seems to forget all the land past ROS to route 77. They could move it there and retheme it to some super hero motorcycle chase and rename ROS back to superman. Add a used flat ride and a food stand and you have the makings of a DC Universe section. Also, it appears some of the other SF parks are starting to creatively drop hints for next year. SFFT has a phone number that gets updated weekly. SFNE put something on their theater marquee saying 252 with 082919 which is the date of the chain wide announcements. Just be on the lookout for subtle yet creative hints around the park

I agree with the ops manager that infrastructure investments take time and money and do not happen overnight. My big question is has attendance this year warranted two train ops? If so, will they be ready for two train operations if it does? That will be the big tell