Jon Sabo

Awesome photos! I wish I had most of those scenes in my backyard for the grandkids to play in (and charge them a fee of course..lol) Looks like the weather is holding out there fairly well. Is it hot/humid?

As a past employee and a shareholder, expect a mention something on an 07 announcement date from the webcast. Information released to the regional BEC operations regarding upcoming dates for 07 project (aka-BGE 07 coaster date). I have projected the date to be around mid-August and the announcement date is suggested to be August 18th. Credit: http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=bud&script=2100

Any rumors or information regarding A-B "considering" to be a player in any of the forementioned Six Flags parks an announcement could be made as early as July 26. I am a past employee and a shareholder and hope they mention something on the matter from the webcast. Also, on an unrelated note expect information released to the regional BEC operations regarding upcoming dates for 07 project (aka-BGE 07 coaster date). I have projected the date to be around mid-August and the announcement date is suggested to be August 18th. Credit: http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=bud&script=2100

Now another news media report has a potential buyer interested in the purchase of 6F-Elitch Gardens Credit Link: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/real_estate/article/0,1299,DRMN_414_4798653,00.html

MMM, yummy eggs! LoL Looks like the length of the ride may be quite large from recent construction photos over at Pointbuzz. I can only hope it is something the park/guests need and not just another "red" coaster.

Darien Lake already have a buyer? "Assuming" 6Fl may sell of some/all of its parks listed, DL may already have an intetrested party (in the event that the sale does happen). Credit Link: http://www.wben.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=05246

A newspaper report (from the LV area) reported that the new trains for M-E are now on track and testing. A possible July 4th re-opening is scheduled. I cannot confirm the report, due in part that I had lost the link to the news report, but www.screamscape.com has also posted something along the same lines.

That pic has been posted for quite awhile (on several sites). As a suggestion, just post either the pic or the link so everyone won't have to speculate or ask repeated questions on the source of the information. And be sure to credit that source (which is fair, since no one else should take credit for the information-unless it is your "own" work).

Yes. The news article interview sure made it sound more serious than an "average" failed-launch. I could guess a similar incident about the brake fin having a mis-alignment, but if that was the case, there would certainly be more injuries and extensive train & chassis damage. The quotes I had posted were directly from the newspaper (and an earlier post before that was a message from PKD-rep herself; I had left a message regarding the incident and they actually called back-albeit having a 6hr time variation from Hawaii-to-East coast). I think/believe maintenance/engineering will have a better feel on the cause(s) on the incident perhaps by Tuesday. (Going off a general rule in gathering information, looking over maintenance logs, interviews, parts history, etc.).

And apparently some of them do not even take time to read the rules that Robb/Elissa post on the site....lol http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21962

I don't wish to mention names here, because I do not have the proof if they said the comments or not, but didn't someone mention that the ride was reprofiled in some sections about 2 yrs ago? I already knew about the magnetic-brake installation, but did they also reprofile some track section(s) as well?

Where is the information from? Can you support that with a link from the information/confirmation? There are so many stories floating around about the incident, it really is hard to believe who said what and what are the facts (regarding the incident). And when I say "stories" there are about 3-4 who say "100%" they are correct and cannot back-up the information. Just providing a synopsis of the event is not much information unless it can be backed-up with some facts. Do you work maintenance at the ride?

The 2 million figure was off of the actuall press release. For some odd reason, I would have thought that figure would be quite a bit higher (say around 3-3.5M). But perhaps their ride capacity is quite weak and factoring in downtimes, seasonal operations and hourly capacity-that figure could make sense (smack to management/operations for not boosting those PPH-Capacity).

*Sorry for the double-post, but another newspaper reported an update as well. Credit link: http://www.bgescape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=65 Story: BY BILL WASSON TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Jun 25, 2006 Virginia Commonwealth University student Amanda Zumbrun got more excitement than she bargained for on Paramount's Kings Dominion's Volcano roller coaster. "We all thought we were going to die," the 21-year-old from Yorktown said last night. "I really feared for my life." Zumbrun and a friend, also a VCU student, were among 15 riders stranded when the roller coaster at the Hanover County theme park malfunctioned about 5:15 p.m. Friday. The friend asked not to be identified. A rider injured in the incident remained hospitalized yesterday, according to Kings Dominion public relations manager Susie Storey. Zumbrun said the car she and her friend were in was ascending the Volcano when the car suddenly began to travel backward very fast. They came to a stop in a spray of sparks and debris as the car's brakes took hold, the students said. Zumbrun estimated the car was traveling more than 60 mph as it rolled backward. Her friend said she was afraid their car would collide with another car. The students said a first set of brakes failed and the car was stopped by a second set of brakes. They said they and other riders were hit with debris as the car came to a stop. Zumbrun said she received a small cut on her left arm. Her friend said she got a small burn on her neck when she was hit by what she described as a hot piece of copper. The injuries were minor and the young women did not seek medical attention, they said. However, they said they heard a man riding behind them cry out that he had been blinded. Storey said she could not comment on the two students' accounts of what happened and said she did not how fast the car was traveling as it went backward. Storey said last night that the roller coaster experienced what is termed a roll back. She said a rider from Utah was cut above the right eye in the incident and remained hospitalized yesterday at VCU Medical Center. She said she did not know the extent of his injury. A 12-year-old boy from North Carolina who complained of a sore leg was treated Friday night at St. Mary's Hospital and released, Storey said. She said a state inspector and a representative of the ride's manufacturer were at the park yesterday to determine what caused the malfunction. The ride will remain closed until the cause has been identified. More than 2 million people have ridden the Volcano since it went into operation in 1998, according to Storey. Hanover firefighters and Kings Dominion workers took about two hours to bring the 15 stranded riders to safety. Zumbrun and her friend said they were the last to be brought down.

I am having vivid flashbacks of the movie "Vacation" (Chevy Chase). 6F next proxy statement to shareholders: "Sorry folks, we're closed. (Marty) Moose out front should have told you!"

Most parks "may" already have them, but do little to actually "enforce" them. So there is a lack of consistency among park management. I know some parks have them, but doesn't mean they actually 'remove' the guilty party(ies).

Yayyyyyy! Another goofball busted for ignorance. I wonder how long it will be before management at some/most parks will start implementing a rule about video-taping rides and be excused from the park (w/o a refund).

I received a response from the park and the only statement that was issued is similar to the newspaper reports. "There appeared to be a technical problem with the Volcano rollercoaster attraction. There were reports of several injuries, but cannot comment any further on the release as to the extent of those injuries. We have our maintenance and engineers inspecting the ride for the cause of the incident and hope to have it open as soon as possible. Safety is our main priority and we would like to take the time to find out the cause of the malfunction. Thank-you for your concern in this matter." *Perhaps it was a mechanical and/or computer error/glitch. As far as the injuries, perhaps the rollback caused those incidents (especially the person with facial injury as he may have been wearing glasses).

Awesome PTR! Looks like typical FL weather....rain comes when it wants too..lol *I love the idea how IOA actually had the Suess ride que rails all "curvy" to incorporate the same theming as the rest of the park with "no straight lines". It would have quite possibly looked wierd if they kept the que-railings straight (if that makes any sense..lol). Looks like it was a fun day, except the wait times. *How did the DD paint job look?

New ride for 07....PKD. "REVENGE OF SMURFS!".

I agree. He and I will just get some popcorn and Donkey-flavored Lentil Soup and watch the "movie"..lol

I think the thread(s) are getting out of hand. Most of the posts are already believing that the park chain has already put up a "For Sale" sign for its parks. I would challenge anyone on here to post where they have seen that "official" word from park executives. For all we know it may NOT even happen. No one knows at this point.

Come on now. Just as a courtesy, please use proper punctuation and actually use capital letters when starting a new sentence. Some of the posts now appear to be "lazy" and I find it difficult to follow what the person is actually saying. Just take a couple of moments to look over your post(s)-please. Then others won't ask what you are saying and repeat each other over and over. Just as a common courtesy. I don't feel it would be right to "call-out" any specific name(s) here, because they already have posted their comments. Check #4: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21962

Perhaps some people either cannot read, fail to read, or they cannot decipher word text..lol READ the information carefully and feel free to pass along ANY information where it states SPECIFICALLY "SELL/SOLD/Up-for-sale" Source: http://investors.sixflags.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=61629&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=875468&highlight= *** Press Release View printer-friendly version Back Six Flags to Explore Strategic Options for Six Properties - Buffalo, Concord, Denver, Seattle, Houston and Los Angeles; Company Provides Mid-Quarter Update on Operations NEW YORK, Jun 22, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Following a comprehensive review of the Company's assets, Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE: SIX) today announced its decision to explore potential strategic options with respect to six of its properties. The properties are: Six Flags Darien Lake (outside Buffalo, New York); Six Flags Waterworld (Concord, California); Six Flags Elitch Gardens (Denver, Colorado); Wild Waves and Enchanted Village (outside Seattle, Washington); Six Flags Splashtown (Houston, Texas); and Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor (near Los Angeles, California). Although the Company cannot predict when, or if, any specific transaction will occur with respect to these properties, potential options include a sale of the parks as going concerns in a single transaction or a series of transactions, dismantling and re-utilizing certain rides and attractions and selling the underlying land for real estate development purposes, as well as other potential alternatives. In March, the Company's new management indicated that a key strategic initiative was to evaluate the disposition of non-core assets in order to reduce leverage and focus management resources on the Company's parks that have the highest strategic value. Since March, the Company: -- Sold the land where Six Flags Astroworld was located for an aggregate purchase price of $77 million; -- Agreed to sell the assets of the Columbus, Ohio, water park to the Company's lessor, the Columbus Zoo, for $2 million at the end of the lease term (October 31, 2006); -- Exercised the right to terminate the lease of the Sacramento water park following the 2006 season and is currently in discussions with third parties to sell the rides and attractions at that park; -- Announced that it would be selling its two Oklahoma City parks, and has received multiple bids that the Company is currently evaluating; and -- Is actively marketing certain parcels of excess land at its parks in Gurnee, Illinois, and Eureka, Missouri. "We're making progress with our strategy to focus on the growth of our strongest assets, reduce the Company's debt, and generate increased value for our shareholders," said Mark Shapiro, who was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Six Flags in December 2005. Update on Operations(1) As previously scheduled, today the Company also provided an update on its business performance through the end of May and through June 18th, which includes the first three weeks in which all of its parks have been in full-time operation. For the period through May 31, total revenues were up approximately 1%, or $2.6 million, compared to the same period last year, driven by a strong increase in guest spending and offset by a decline in attendance. Per capita guest spending, which excludes sponsorship and other revenues not related to guest spending, was up approximately 15%, an increase of $4.47 per capita, due to increased spending on tickets, food, parking, merchandise, and games. Attendance declined by approximately 760,000, or 11%. For the period through June 18, which captures the most recent weekend in June, total revenues were down approximately 1%, or $3.2 million, compared to the prior year period. Per capita guest spending was up approximately 14%, an increase of $4.12 per capita, and attendance was down approximately 1.3 million, or 13%, driven primarily by reduced season pass attendance. "Increased guest spending is continuing at a strong pace - a clear indication that our strategy is working. The drop-off in attendance was driven primarily by an anticipated decline in our season pass sales, which we are no longer deeply discounting in an effort to restore price and brand integrity, and to wean ourselves from those teens who don't spend money in the park," said Shapiro. "What has been unexpected thus far is that the families we are targeting to replace those teens have been harder to attract than anticipated. Make no mistake about it, families are coming back - as evidenced by our solid increase in per capita guest spending - but not as quickly as we had hoped. We have to work even harder to regain their trust and bring them back to sample today's Six Flags." Shapiro noted that attendance was also negatively impacted by the season-long closure of the New Orleans park due to damage it sustained from Hurricane Katrina, reduced visits to the Six Flags park in Mexico City by school groups, reduced and delayed marketing expenditures, rides that came on-line late, and weather on the West Coast in the first quarter and on the East Coast in May. To accelerate the Company's turnaround with its target audience, Mr. Shapiro also said the Company plans to further increase its cash operating expenses by $15 million above prior guidance (to approximately $60 million) over the course of the year. These increased expenditures are primarily for additional staffing in the parks to further improve the guest experience. Given the Company's performance to date, recent attendance trends, and the additional $15 million of cash operating expenses, reaching the prior adjusted EBITDA guidance will be extremely difficult. And although the second quarter is not complete, the Company is at risk of not complying with certain financial covenants in its bank credit agreement. The Company is in discussions with the agent bank and intends to seek amendments to those covenants. Mr. Shapiro said, "We're investing more in our operations because the health of our business depends on bringing back families. Our first priority is to fix the operation and that is not going to happen overnight. We see this as a long-term investment."

"Please play all traytables in their upright position and have all seatbelts securely fastened. Your flight attendant will come by to ensure that all remaining trash will be collected as we prepare to land. Thank-you"....tbc on page.......(200)....