The Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM) Discussion Thread

[Jew]

With Thomas Town, the emphasis is on the brand and not the rides. Which I think is a great supplement for Bugs Bunny World (where the emphasis is more on the rides and less on the theme). As long as the land is well done (Tim Burkhart claimed that it will be better than Gotham City was), kids will still eat it up.

[ebl]

I did ask about Metro during the tour. Of course, Tim Burkhart knew about Universal Mobility having long since gone out of business, and when I asked about a replacement, he said that trying to overcome issues such as accessibility would make it very hard to do.

 

So, no more Metro. Too bad because that really was a good way to get around SFMM when you're tired.

 

Eric

[Jew]

^Bombardier bought the assets of Universal Mobility.

[PURE]

^^So he didn't say "Metro is NOT coming back"? He just said it'd be "very hard to do"?

 

*crossing fingers*

[Astat]

^I think him saying that bringing back Metro would be "very hard to do" is about the equivalent of Six Flags saying that "Flashback may be put in storage and relocated within the park at a later date" when they first announced they were dismantling it and Psyclone.

[shawn_b_c]

I am very sad that metro will not be returning... Back in the day of my first MM visit, Metro was instrumental in my traversing the park. I hope that someday MM will be able to replace it.

 

That being said - I am very sad that I was not able to make the tour. I would have loved to have met everyone, and certainly would have loved the backstage MM stuff. It is good to know, though, that the GM is taking things very seriously, and that he listens to us. I think the biggest frustrations all of us have is that sometimes we feel like we are not being heard. I am glad to hear that is not the case (at least in this instance).

 

Cant wait for West Coast Bash - I am going to do my best to be there!

[ebl]

"Bombardier bought the assets of Universal Mobility." (Jew)

 

Yeah, I knew about that, but I believe that what Tim was trying to say was that overcoming ADA requirements and doing a retrofit or installing a brand new system installed just wasn't worth the effort. A shame, really.

 

Eric

[Jew]

^I would beg to differ. For a park that is trying to improve the guest experience, I think it would be money very well spent. I would imagine that saving guests some walking time is sure to be something that would reap immediate guest satisfaction results.

 

The problem really is that it is something that can't be marketed. So that makes it 1000000x harder to get a return on their investment...

[ebl]

^ I agree. Sadly, "return on investment" is top priority nowadays.

 

However, for some reason, very few tend to think that adding little perks that satisfy customers is what brings them back, which makes even more money in the long run.

 

But no one seems to think of "the long run." Investors want their money big and RIGHT NOW.

 

Eric

[Jew]

^That's actually something I look forward to watching SFMM deal with. It's very obvious heavy investment will be required both in the park and behind the scenes in order to really improve the park, with a lot of that investment needing to be things where the ROI won't be obvious...

 

Jay seems like he's committed to balancing both, so hopefully the park really does improve.

[alexinla]

According to the L.A.Times, X2 Trains will arrive at the park late next week

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1255

[trcg721]

Circus wheel is no longer standing.

[PURE]

^Thats a shame.

 

A couple trips ago it was open and I had the opportunity to ride. Missed the cycle by 2 guests and was gonna have to wait. I skipped it and never went back.

 

Oh well!

[astroworldfan1]

What was the reason for taking out Circus Wheel?

[SharkTums]

They are taking out old rides that cost a lot to maintain and did not give a large 'ROI'. My follow up question when they listed all of the rides that were coming out was, "Well, do you have any plans to put a new flat ride in?" The answer was sadly no. Flat rides do not get a big ROI and are not nearly as marketable as a coaster.

 

It's sad, but they're totally right.

[astroworldfan1]

What is RO1? That's sad because there won't be many flats at MM anymore.

[Jew]

Return on investment.

 

BTW, the park is now listed as closed for tomorrow. Busted a KBF. Understandable, but lame.

[SharkTums]

^Yeah, I mean, they are a business!

 

We went today, it was bright sunny and 62 degrees. There were less than 5 rows of cars in the parking lot!

 

The rain scares SoCalers away, I don't blame them one bit.

 

I'd rather them take the money they would have wasted tomorrow and put it towards the park.

[trcg721]

Oh yeah, If anyone is planning to visit SFMM tomorrow. SFMM wont be open tomorrow.

[SharkTums]

^DID YOU READ THE LAST TWO POSTS???? THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!!!

[PURE]

In case anyone is wondering, due to inclement weather, Magic Mountain will not be open tomorrow, 1/27.

[Jew]

^I hope that was a joke...

 

I totally understand that if it rains like it is supposed to, there is no chance in hell of the park making money. Even if it doesn't rain, there is no chance in hell of the park making money. So in the business sense, it's totally understandable.

 

I just hope they keep some staff on hand (I imagine they would) to recover the guests that do come. Not nearly as big a deal if they are there to offer comps or refunds to the people who did decide to tough it out.

 

I also hope they don't plan to operate this way going forward as part of the "new" SFMM. the management team struck me as the type of people who would want to find ways to let guests make the most of their crappy rainy day (like USH does!---cheap plug!), not people who just want to save money.

[SharkTums]

Yeah but Joey, let's be honest here. USH is more about a movie studio with indoor attractions. SFMM is a roller coaster thrill ride park. Very few parks operate their coasters in heavy downpours, and almost no one wants to ride them in those conditions.

 

It's much easier to go to USH and do an indoor show or attraction, then get your umbrella out, get your free coffee and head to the next one!

[robbalvey]

^ Agreed. If SFMM had a selection of indoor attractions I could see the point of trying to stay open. But it's raining right now, and it's raining GOOD!

 

^^ Joey, I would say you would be right on the ball if it ends up being sunny and nice tomorrow. But if the park is taking the gamble that it will pour down rain all day tomorrow, then I can see the reason why they have posted that.

 

We went today and there were only two rows of cars in the parking lot. BUT, it was sunny and nice. The rain didn't start until about 7pm tonight (and it's been raining a LOT up here.)

 

Given that they had 2 rows of cars when it was sunny and nice I can't imagine that they would be turning away too many people if it was pouring tomorrow.

 

I also get the feeling that, based on your previous employment experience with them, you're looking for reasons to hate them right now. It makes sense. I don't like to see my former employers, whom I had a bad employment with, doing well either.

 

--Robb

[Jew]

I'm thrilled that they are looking to improve. I've already told you that I personally went to Jay to say how refreshing it was to see his enthusiasm and to wish him the best. I just don't see closing down in pouring rain as an improvement. The "old" management didn't even do that (at least while I worked there). Business wise, sure it makes sense. I totally understand it. But to me it just seems like a contradiction to what they are trying to do. I bet those "two rows of cars" in the parking lot had a GREAT experience, which is what SFMM wants, right?

 

It's just harder for me to buy the "we want to be the best! Better than Disney!" when they decide to close down to save some money. Perhaps I am over reacting, but seeing as how "saving money" was one of the biggest problems of the "old" management...it raises a red flag. I really hope that it is all just "for the greater good" to save some money here that can be used during a peak time, and I don't even really doubt that is the case with how enthusiastic the new management is, but it still raises a red flag for the time being until I see results.

 

Maybe it's because I've worked through pouring rain many times at both SFMM (with all the rides still open until it became a safety issue with rides overshooting in the station) and USH (which goes the extra mile to make the most of a rainy day for guests), that I just don't get it. IMO, SFMM should "take one for the team" and at least attempt to open. If it backfires, you send everyone home who is working and comp the guests who do show up. If it doesn't, you have 100-1,000 (my guess) guests having a great day at the park. Sure they are probably going to lose money, but they are building the goodwill that they seem to want to earn back.

 

As far as the USH vs. SFMM comparisons go...regardless of the different styles of the parks, they are still competing for the same local market with the same promotion (buy a day, get the year free). USH is even going as far as to make their rides the main focus of the radio ads I have heard so far.