Ask Mark Shapiro a Question!

[robbalvey]

Hey everyone at Theme Park Review!

 

We have been invited to interview Mark Shapiro tomorrow at Six Flags Magic Mountain and I will have some time to ask him a few questions.

 

I'd like to get some input from our TPR readers as to which questions you would like to see asked.

 

Please keep in mind that I won't be able to ask everything. I will pick a handful of the best questions for the interview.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

--Robb

[Team Thriller]

Hey Robb,

 

May you please ask what their plans are with the land that Psyclone was on, or if the plans they do have are 'it WILL happen' or if they are just ideas.

 

Thanks.

 

--James

[GriffyTiffy]

How about:

 

What will you do with the smaller parks, like The Great Escape? Will you keep it at a smaller scale, or transform it into an enormous mega park?

[coasterdude5]

Something like this:

 

How well do you feel the Six Flags family of parks (as a whole) has progressed towards your goal since you began?

[Teacups Make Me Sick]

What should be the noticeable differences a guest should notice when entering a park in '08?

[BuddyChrist]

Park have been getting family friendly rides such as coasters, but will parks like Great Adventure ever get an influx of flat rides? They are in serious need of non-coaster rides and I'm wondering if there is a plan to purchase smaller rides for the parks to combat coaster lines.

[CoasterGuy06]

Of all the new "ideas" Six Flags has implemented, which was the most difficult to put in place and why was it so difficult?

[SharkTums]

Now that you've been at the head of Six Flags for a bit, what do you think of the Theme Park business?

 

Is it what you expected? What were some unexpected pros and cons you've learned?

 

Some of us have noticed that you've been sending Jay Thomas to parks that need a bit of 'help'. Is he your 'go to guy' for sprucing up underperforming parks?

 

A lot of people saw SFGAd's amazing turn around, is that what you intend to do with SFMM this season? What park is next?

 

It was mentioned that some parks may still be on the chopping block, can you comment on that any further?

[SharkTums]

Park have been getting family friendly rides such as coasters, but will parks like Great Adventure ever get an influx of flat rides? They are in serious need of non-coaster rides and I'm wondering if there is a plan to purchase smaller rides for the parks to combat coaster lines.

 

LOL! I don't think SFGAd will ever get another flat ride package! Remember the 'War on Lines!'? How many of those are left!?

[MRHS Falcon]

Heres two questions i would ask him;

 

Which parks in the Six Flags Chain have improve to fight his image, and which ones still need work?

 

Will we see live shows, fireworks, or entertainment improvements in the near future?

 

The most important one to me is the entertainment because in my opinion theirs not enough for people who ride thrill rides to do at most park.

 

thanks Rob

[robbalvey]

Which parks in the Six Flags Chain have improve to fight his image, and which ones still need work?

Sorry, this question didn't make any sense to me. Can you elaborate a bit more?

[MRHS Falcon]

I miss spelled a word sorry about that

 

Which parks in the Six Flags Chain have improve to fit his image, and which ones still need work to improve this image?

 

If you remember when he was name CEO he had certain image for the parks, My question would be what is the most improved park abd which still needs work. Sorry about the spelling error.

[downunder]

What is your level of comfort with where Six Flags is financially as a corporation at the moment?

 

Will Magic Mountain get electronic flash passes (like Great Adventure etc) in the future?

 

What is the minumum percentage return on capital that parks need to have to continue to justify their existence or to at least fit your minimum profitability model?

 

Where do you see the main areas that your competitors in the industry will be seeking to stand out in the market in the next 10 years and what are six flags plans?

[montezooma]

I would love for you to ask him his feelings on the closure of AstroWorld. What honestly were the main reasons for this park to be suddenly closed down...

 

-Was it the parking issue?

-Was it the value of the land?

-Or was the park simply getting old and to expensive to refurb?

 

Also I would imagine that Houston is still a huge market. Would Six Flags ever consider building a "New Improved AstroWorld" in an area further outside of Houston where the land is much less expensive. It seems that AstroWorld was loved by Houstonians and I would think they would love to see something like this happen.

 

Also it would be fun to know what his favorite regional, non Six Flags is?

[Vffreak07]

Many Halloween events at amusement parks across the US have become very popular, yet all of the Fright Fests have yet to be noticed strongly. Are there going to be any significant changes in the halloween events at SF parks, or are they going to stay the same?

[Wes]

can u ask him why people arent equal in the parks no more cuz flash pass is evil

 

Actually, real question.

Is the current trend of reproducing attractions such as Tony Hawk's Big Spin, The Dark Knight, and Thomas Town across multiple parks a permanent fixture, or will parks also receive unique marquee attractions as well?

[Jew]

What was the real story behind announcing the return of Metro?

 

Now that Disney is introducing the Idol attraction, what are your plans for integrating the DCP brands?

 

The topic of food seems to come up as a common complaint amongst SF parks (quality of food, price, etc.): what are your thoughts on the food offerings at SF parks? Where do you see the food offerings heading (more chains, unique signature offerings, etc.)?

[shawn_b_c]

Great Questions Guys, here are mine:

 

Fright Fest is, in my humble opinion, one of the most un-tapped resources of the chain. What improvements to this event are planned?

 

Concerts with big names have been scarce here at MM for the last several years - The Jonas Brothers were a good start, but what do you have planned for future concert venues?

 

I see a greater focus on the family in the parks, which is a very good thing. However, my fear is that Six Flags will be catering to two very different demographics - Families with Small Children, and Rolller Coaster Riders. Magic Mountain is already showing this, in part because of all the rides that have come out, or will come out, in the past few months. Are there any plans to balance this out, and fill the "intermediate" zone for amusement park guests? Let's face it, there is not a lot of transition rides - Goldrusher is the only one I can think of here at MM.

 

If I think of more, I will post them later!

[Six Flags Addict]

I would like to ask him,

 

 

Does Six Flags have a gameplan for 09 already? (for 07 is was family friendly while 08 was more about thrills) And if so ,what is it?

 

 

What is your opinion on the lockers that are currently in use/going up that some parks have at some their main attractions and why doesn't every Six Flags parks use the effective method that Six Flags St. Louis uses and just have large FREE storage bins/containers in the major ride's stations where guests can put their belongings as they board and take them as they leave?

 

What is your personal outlook on the 2008 season?

 

 

Is the company considering selling off more parks withing the next six months?

[spaceace12]

I would love for you to ask him his feelings on the closure of AstroWorld. What honestly were the main reasons for this park to be suddenly closed down...

 

-Was it the parking issue?

-Was it the value of the land?

-Or was the park simply getting old and to expensive to refurb?

 

Also I would imagine that Houston is still a huge market. Would Six Flags ever consider building a "New Improved AstroWorld" in an area further outside of Houston where the land is much less expensive. It seems that AstroWorld was loved by Houstonians and I would think they would love to see something like this happen.

 

Also it would be fun to know what his favorite regional, non Six Flags is?

I don't know if he would eb able to anser this question because he wasn't the head at the time the decision was done.

[Hilltopper39]

I'd like to know if Six Flags plans on doing anything with the Superman ride in Louisville besides tear it down as a result of the accident. Rebuild it anywhere else? Modify it like The Giant Drop at Dreamland or make it into an observation tower or something? Make a giant Sky Coaster?

 

Also does Six flags have anything 'unique' planned for the GCI Evil Knievel coaster as far as special theming for the ride, any special effects, or cool opening day festivities? Maybe an airtime hill through a flaming hoop suggest that Robb haha!

[Olsor]

I'd like to ask him what was behind the decision to refurbish X when the same amount of money could have purchased multiple smaller, higher-capacity rides, paid down company debt, or gone into revitalizing the park (or any SF park) as a whole.

[jackskellington101]

What do you see as the brand differentiation between the Six Flags parks and your competitors, namely Cedar Fair? How do the projects coming up in the future continue that message?

 

What affect does negative stigmas, and the negative publicity around it, have on an individual park? What do you think is the best way of turning that negative perception around?

 

How important, in your view, is park individuality?

[Scaparri]

-Is there any park(s) that is your inspiration for future development of the current Six Flags properties? Are there any parks within the Six Flags chain that you feel are examples for what the other properties should strive to be like?

 

-Six Flags seems to really be striving to improve current rides (X), or remove rides that are problematic (Deja), which I really admire. Any hints at other attractions that might see similar treatments?

 

-How important is an atmosphere produced from theming? A few 2008 attractions such as the Dark Knight coasters and the Thomas Town additions appear to be heavily themed. Will this level of theming be a trend for the future?

 

-What type of attractions might we see Six Flags properties invest in for the near future (say, five years)?

 

-It was reported that Six Flags may have an interest in building new parks in India and the Middle East. Can you give us any insight on this proposal? Down the road, will Six Flags ever take an interest in possibly building a new park in North America?

 

I'd also like to echo Joey, Ross, Wes' questions. I'd really like to hear his answers to those.

[jamesdillaman]

This is just something that I've wondered, and probably shouldn't be asked because it has nothing to do with the business side of thing, but is there any ride in the Six Flags chain that Mark doesn't ride because it's too thrilling, or what is his favorite roller coaster that he's been on?