strz

Love this chart "thingie" thing!!!!

That we are! And yes- there is (like most service/entertainment/retail businesses) a "fine line" relative to managing expenses to be profitable, while not harming customer satisfaction. On the subject of expenses/profitability- the General Manager's for each park are aware that long lines that often occur at concession stands, rides, etc. They also see the potholes in park lots, weeds in the landscaping, fresh paint needed, just as we do! With that- they do care, however- have an expense budget allocated to them, that cannot be exceeded....and with the right management team in place, the parks run well. SF margins do not allow everything to be a pristine as a Disney park.....different business model, and different expectations with the GP. Am I happy about that? No!- as I'd love a SF park to have the level of staffing and upkeep as a Disney, but again- the business model does not allow that.

Since you asked for feedback..... I think you objectively stated your POV, and right/wrong or indifferent- SF has strategically chosen the business model you (and others) have posted here: - use 8-9% of the profits for future capital projects, in order to keep their parks (across the country) exciting, and driving home the reason the GP should come back again; the "downside" to this is that (short-term) we can expect more carnival rides getting installed in parks (like the new one they are building on the lake at SFGA) vs. what we all speculate/hope for (the next El Toro, T-Rex, etc.) - use season passes as a "loss leader" to drive attendance, and offset the low admission margins through parking revenue, food, flash passes, etc. - like you, I'd prefer if they could meet their profitability expectations via higher season pass/daily ticket revenues (i.e.- Season passes at $100/each vs. $50/each).....however, not the route they are going- nor do I think the GP would be receptive to higher prices (most people say they'd pay more money to reduce lines, however- how come so many people don't purchase flash passes then???) - regarding low season pass costs.....you are correct- driving more people into the parks should help revenues, however- this comes at the risk that "customer satisfaction" hurts the brand long-term. Like you- I find that there is nothing worse than long lines for rides, and for food purchases! Living near SFGA my whole life (and have a season pass since the '80's), I too "root" for their success. I appreciate how other parks/regional chains run their businesses/parks.....but thrill rides are my #1 priority- thus there lives my loyalty with the SF brand. Good topic! Hope the comments keep coming......

You didn't even give me chance!

So now that I'm paying attention to details (missed the discussion thread title change!) Why are the time stamps on posts one hour ahead?????

Correct! And not to turn this into a food discussion for 62 pages today, however: - The "restaurants" are just fronts for the same fast-food you can get at any outdoor establishment (less a couple of menu exceptions for some like "Best of the West" - I agree that a better restaurant would be a welcome addition - I understand that creating something unique/"better" would be an additional expense in food cost/staffing/overhead....whose upside (i.e.- profit) may not be worth the risk! As I think about it more and more for SFGA: - I'd like the cleanliness and upkeep to be like a Disney park (well- ok, I'll be more realistic- better than it is today works too!) - I'd like the rides to continue to be focused on the "latest and greatest" thrill rides! - I'm willing to pay more $$$ for the upkeep (i.e.- season pass cost, daily ticket prices, food costs, etc.) however- I'd suspect that I'd be in the minority Bottom line- people are willing to "forgo" the aesthetic issues for the cheapness of the season pass and daily tickets!

Thank you to michaellynn4 for posting this picture on TPR today (originally posted on GA Roundtable FB page) So let the speculation begin on whose getting a T-Rex! Photo originally posted on GA Roundtable FB page

<------coming soon to SFGA in 2017.......

I highly doubt they'd even think of something that extensive because of one ride, too. They put Supes in the boardwalk and then added Green Lantern later but there's still no other themeing outside of the ride queues themselves. Hell, Supes only got some informational standees. Green Lantern at least got a plane. The park did away with cohesive themes a loooooooooong time ago. And the plane was an old prop from "The Right Stuff Mach 1" ('84- '99).....

<------so this forum blew up over a 12 hour time period- about........... Wait for it.... Wait for it..... NOTHING!!!!!!!

Oh, COME ON. ...you know damn well they would. I needed a good laugh today!!!!!! Well- done!!!!

<-------the most important thing I read in your post? Validation that this year's installation at SFGA is going to be a piece of crap......

<----thank goodness this ride is located in the high almighty place known as Cedar Point, so all is forgiven for wasting $10.5m on this piece of crap! If it was located in a SF....oh my- out come the haters!

<-------so would they run Nitro this weekend is what I'd like to know!

What I find interesting is that if Chiller was never built, and installed in 2016....people (I think) would be excited about this addition to the park! I (still) give the park credit for giving this ride a shot (fairly new technology for Premier at the time), thus I don't bash it like many others have. And yes- I rode it when it first opened, and each year it operated. At the time (for a SF park), I thought the theming was well-done too. RIP- in storage somewhere if I'm not mistaken! PS- spoiled brat local guy (who grew up in Monmouth County) still yearns for a launch coaster added to our collection of greatness (before you quote this, I'm aware that Kingda Ka is a launch coaster.....I'm referring to adding another one besides the one trick pony!) And this year's carnival ride being built as we speak is just that.....

Oh... well I guess you don't need my suggestion. Cool, I'm gonna go have a beer. Enjoy your trip to Knoebels! Line of the month!!!!!!

To clarify: (2/3/16) According to a reader the demolition crew that cleared out the show stadiums are still working inside Six Flags Great Adventure have are said to have begun work tearing down the old Chiller station structure. This was posted via screamscape.com: http://screamscape.com/html/six_flags_great_adventure.htm

Yawn............................................................................................................ I long for the days of bantering over ride name and track color changes!

It will be interesting to see what happens on this one, regarding removing 15,000+ trees near SFGA, in order to build a solar farm to power up the park: http://www.app.com/story/news/local/jackson-lakewood/jackson/2016/01/29/six-flags-solar-farm-jackson/79517312/

Maybe you need to leave a few more days and come back b/c I don't see all hell broke loose over the color change, from what I've seen it's welcomed. As is the name change, I've seen more people saying the original Total Mayhem name was lame and the colors being compared to Twix and McDonald's so yeah that's my suggestion js I think that is the whole point of a site like TPR. I like the freakout, dialogue, discussion, or what ever you frame it about the name change and color change. Where else can one have a discussion like that if not TPR? What makes TPR, TPR is that there are group of people that care about talking about the nuances and details about a park, or in case roller coaster. I totally agree!!!!

You bet!!!!

BTW- I thought the post that "someone" went off on coneyislandchris was stupid...... I'm like many "regulars" on this website- passionate/interested in Theme Parks, whom enjoy "taking a break" and reading opinions, posting news, etc......yes- sometimes we get carried away, bantering about a name change or color of a track, so be it! Just to add fuel to the fire- stating my opinion (again) on Total May- ahhh, I mean- The Joker in 2016: - If the majority of the GP likes it, and it drives profitability, then guess what- great! Even better if it shortens the lines for me to go on El Toro and Nitro more frequently! (as another "regular" posted earlier this week) - I LOVE speed and heights, not spinning rides! So this "announcement" was a letdown for me personally (blah! blah! blah!- "spoiled SFGA local", "I live and Guam and would kill for one of these"- WHATEVER!!!!) - And to really piss you off, this is as much a roller coaster as Looping Drag- ahhhh, I mean, El Diablo is! Good day!!!!!

Is all the a banter now done over color and name change? <-----if so, "now back to our regularly scheduled program"........

Holy banter Batman! I should have cracked open an adult beverage, before I got caught up on reading all of today's posts! My favorite post from today? The one a few pages back from the Leader of the "Intamin Indoor Roller Coasters Fanclub"......what was it again that he said? "And I am ecstatic we are getting a big new ride that will keep people occupied while I ride El Toro and Nitro." Ditto my friend on your quote!!!!!!

^^^^^^^^--------and take a spin on Nitro too!