Six Flags America (SFA) Discussion Thread

[Yamez]

^ You really don't get it do you? Sigh. This is pointless.

[ericm95]

^^Why do you put some words in parentheses?

[CardCraze]

^^ He only understands the posts that agree with his fantasies that Six Flags America will add about thirty coasters over the next two-three years. After all, those monsters at Six Flags removed a coaster, without immediatly replacing it with something 5x the size and cost.

[djbrcace1234]

Hence the name Six Flags America Regular.

[Converging]

If SFA fanboys want a great home park then why dont they move? Or got to Kings Dominion?

 

What I really don't understand is why someone would dedicate all their energy and time for something as relevent as a Six Flags park in Maryland... I mean... c'mon!

 

I'm not saying give up all interest your home park-- just realize it's not the only interesting patch of grass on planet earth--or in the D.C area for that matter.

[djbrcace1234]

The fact is Sixflags is stuck with this property. Nobody wants it.

[Converging]

I understand the concept of favoring your home park and all-- but not at this level where people(SFA Fanboys) void all logic and accountability in their points just so people will "agree" with them.

 

It's just kind of.... I don't know...silly?

[djbrcace1234]

^

I know what you mean, but A reputation is a hard attribute to regain, and just plopping down rides will not solve anything. That is what got Six Flags in this mess to begin with. They built anything they could put thier hands on, and the overall investments did not equal to the demand they thought they would achieve. Of course SFI will not invest in a park they can't truley fix, but it will take time to see some much needed reinvestment on the themepark side.

[netdvn]

By adding a major new ride,be it a flat or coaster & advertising it to the local market people would begin to return to the park. parks like SFGRADV didn't get where they are from their first season after all & ONLY get people through the gates by offering a new ride expereince at least every other year....this is something that the owners have failed to realize with the smaller parks in the chain & if given enough time & money SFA could grow to become a park of the same caliber as SFGRADV.

 

No....

 

Adding rides doesn't do anything but put the park into more debt. On top of that, you need to build the right ride for the park in order to keep churning people through the gate. And the park needs to figure a way to make money off of this investment (whether its jacking up food and parking or something else).

 

Again... Look at my Magic Kingdom example... The park hasn't gotten anything major since Splash while the other Disney parks get all kinds of E-Ticket attractions, yet MK is still ONE OF THE MOST VISITED PARKS IN THE WORLD. Not just the US, not just North America, but the world.

 

Until SFA can get its reputation straight, I don't see a new major ride bringing anybody in.

[Wes]

If you guys keep arguing with and talking about a certain poster that you all seem kind of annoyed with, he isn't going to stop. You are only prodding him to continue posting.

 

Just saying.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

A couple pages back, you guys mentioned that SFA is a small park and that they cannot add huge new attractions because there aren't as many people. SFA is in the Washington Metro area which has millions of people living here and more to come. If SFA added a huge coaster like Intimidator, people would flock to the park in droves.

 

Yeah if it weren't for the max height restriction of 200 ft they could add a giga.

 

Now I mentioned SFWOA in my last post because,like SFA they recieved new rides through the 01 season but when the 02 season came around Burke & co. focused all of their efforts on the so called "big four" parks & the rest got next to nothing.Anyone recall how adding Scream to SFMM 7 years ago didn't produce the attendance increase they were looking for?That was a prime example of money wasted on a ride that would've been better off going to a smaller park.

 

By adding a major new ride,be it a flat or coaster & advertising it to the local market people would begin to return to the park. parks like SFGRADV didn't get where they are from their first season after all & ONLY get people through the gates by offering a new ride expereince at least every other year....this is something that the owners have failed to realize with the smaller parks in the chain & if given enough time & money SFA could grow to become a park of the same caliber as SFGRADV.

 

I agree with you. A ride like (Scream) would work well at SFA. If not that, something like (The Voyage) or (Lighting Racer). Anything that is unique would do well at SFA. The park has the more than enough space for anything you can think of. In my opinion, if we were owned by a company that made good investments in us, our park would be one amazing place and a must see attraction in the MARYLAND area.

 

I wonder if Paramounts would do well buying SFA and turning it into a movie park? They could keep the top coasters there and knock down some of the buildings so that the layout of the park could be modified.

 

Unfortunately Paramount parks as it was in the US market no longer exists...remember they sold KI,KD,GA,CWL & CW to CF because they were looking to get out of the theme park business.

 

Now look at the thomas town addition this year,most of the "new" rides in that section are just relocations from elsewhere in the park...apparently SFI went the cheapo route once again rather than invest money in rides that were new to the park & in the process has left a few more bald spots in place of rides that were once there.

[cfc]

If you guys keep arguing with and talking about a certain poster that you all seem kind of annoyed with, he isn't going to stop. You are only prodding him to continue posting.

 

Just saying.

 

Quoted for emphasis.

[SFA Regular]

Good point that you put there KDCOASTERFAN. I had no idea that they relocated most of the rides. Where did you find that out?

[CoasterNERD502]

Whats wrong with liking SFA? I mean its no Cedar Point or SFMM, but it has some fun coasters and a good waterpark. I don't really care if everybody else hates the park for whatever reasons they have, but you don't have to call it "silly" for someone to have pride in their homepark. Besides this is a forum. People type what they think about whatever subject it is. If a SFA Fanboy thinks SFA needs 500 million coasters to be sucessful, let them think it.

 

The main question to all the people that hate SFA is; Why are you even in this thread talking down to people? Are you getting a thrill out of it? I don't understand

 

But anyways, I went to the park today and it was great! All coasters were running two trains except Joker's Jinx and I think Batwing. Joker's Jinx purple train was on the transfer track. The park was packed today as well. I had to park in the last lot and take the shuttle to the gate. Didn't see anything break down and it was all around a great day. Only problem was that the crew on Roar was extremely slow today.

 

Ride Count:

Roar - 1

Superman - 2

Joker's Jinx - 1

Wild One - 3

Mind Eraser - 2

 

I didn't ride Batwing because I don't really like how it feels like you can fall out at any minute. lol.

 

Anyways, great day SFA! I really enjoyed my visit and I'll be back soon!

[djbrcace1234]

Again... Look at my Magic Kingdom example... The park hasn't gotten anything major since Splash while the other Disney parks get all kinds of E-Ticket attractions, yet MK is still ONE OF THE MOST VISITED PARKS IN THE WORLD. Not just the US, not just North America, but the world.

 

I don't think any Disney Park should be added in this discussion. Those parks have the reputation that brings people back, and I see the point you are bring, but comparing SFA over a Disney park don't weigh in equalness.

 

It's unfortunate that SFA competes with so many parks in the region, so while other parks expand, expanding SFA may bring guest into the park, but for a long term investment, it won't go up so well. I have to agree with SFA Regular that they need to add something on the Park end, but anything outrageous in cost is just not likley.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

Good point that you put there KDCOASTERFAN. I had no idea that they relocated most of the rides. Where did you find that out?

The convoy ride was once in LTMT & the balloon ferris wheel was once in olde boston. I'm not sure if any of the other attractions are new or not aside from the thomas train that loops around that area of the park though.

 

Now even if they start adding new rides to the park it will take a few more management/operational changes to get me to return....first off getting rid of flashpass would be a good start & make everyone wait in line as equals.Things really got bad over at superman with the ops being forced to run one train for flashpass riders the last season I visited the park(three years ago) & if no flashpass users showed up they ran the train completely empty.The "you know what's" are the next thing that HAVE to go,with Snyder & his greedy money making motives out of the way there's simply no real need for them as KD doesn't force their guests to use them when riding their attractions but SF parks(not just SFA) do which effectively turns them into pay per ride attractions.

[Capitalize]

When did anyone say they wouldn't like a thrill ride? Most people are simply content with the likelihood of the next attraction being something like a spinning coaster.

 

I wasn't saying that it wouldn't be good. There have been some people I spoke to that said "SFA, would not be able to keep it working". So that goes for all the people that think that. It's like anything else; you increase the size of your park, you have to increase the number of staff.

 

But what would you think about an all year haunted house?

I'm not sure about a haunted house, maybe a Sally shooter dark ride? That could be a nice addition to the park, maybe a western themed one over in coyote creek.

 

A shooter dark ride might satisfy people's urge to fire weapons and keep gun violence out of the parking lot, as well...

 

 

The fact is Sixflags is stuck with this property. Nobody wants it.

I think its the contrary, who WOULDN'T want it? You're looking at a park with the incredible position of sitting with in 30 minutes of DC on a massive area of land. The DC area is a bustling region that is constantly growing as more and more people move here and job growth continues, most of these people with considerable disposable income. To me it has the potential to be among the most successful parks in the nation if developed properly.

 

Now look at the thomas town addition this year,most of the "new" rides in that section are just relocations from elsewhere in the park...apparently SFI went the cheapo route once again rather than invest money in rides that were new to the park & in the process has left a few more bald spots in place of rides that were once there.

AND Six Flags weant the "cheapo" route with SFNE and SFGAdv!!! They advertised this new "Bizarro" ride, but all they did was re-paint Superman/Medusa and throw in some fire! Jeez, you'd think they were just trying to get out of bankruptcy or something with the way they aren't spending hundreds of millions of dollars on massive new roller coasters anymore! I for one am outraged, I want NO improvements unless they cost at least tens of millions of dollars, otherwise all it does it prove how little they REALLY care!

[SFA Regular]

Good point that you put there KDCOASTERFAN. I had no idea that they relocated most of the rides. Where did you find that out?

The convoy ride was once in LTMT & the balloon ferris wheel was once in olde boston. I'm not sure if any of the other attractions are new or not aside from the thomas train that loops around that area of the park though.

 

Now even if they start adding new rides to the park it will take a few more management/operational changes to get me to return....first off getting rid of flashpass would be a good start & make everyone wait in line as equals.Things really got bad over at superman with the ops being forced to run one train for flashpass riders the last season I visited the park(three years ago) & if no flashpass users showed up they ran the train completely empty.The "you know what's" are the next thing that HAVE to go,with Snyder & his greedy money making motives out of the way there's simply no real need for them as KD doesn't force their guests to use them when riding their attractions but SF parks(not just SFA) do which effectively turns them into pay per ride attractions.

 

I have to say that me and KDCOASTEFAN agree upon the same thing. I have never liked the flash pass and the lockers. I think everyone should have to wait in the same line, unless they want to try and single rider kind of thing. I've noticed a lot with SFA rides, that there are always trains that leave with empty seats. Make a single rider lines for the rides and let the empty seats be filled. It would get more people coming there on weekends if they did not have to wait an hour and a half just to take one of the empty seats. And getting rid of lockers would be a good start. I like how KD just lets guests put their things in the cuby boxes, guests sit down and then it's on to checking seats. Not to mention their rides can fit a lot of bigger people in. I've noticed a lot with SFA rides, that they only seat small people. I feel sorry for the bigger people who can't ride, which is why I think more people end up at Kings Dominion.

 

And KDCOASTERFAN, Dan Snyder lost his seat as chairman some time ago. Not sure what kind of position he has with the company now, but I don't think he is in any position to make decisions for the company. So the best thing for Alexander Weber to do is to get a chairman that he use to work with in Paramounts. That would make a great team up. If not that, replace the whole board of directory with his former Paramount buddies.

[CardCraze]

^ King's Dominion has cubbies, but it also makes loading the trains a lot slower. Lockers, while annoying, allow for Six Flags to load the trains at a reasonable rate. Cubbies just slow things down.

 

As far as the Flash Passes, I have never seen massive amounts of people using them, especially at SFA. It provides the park with yet another source of income. And besides, everyone has the ability and the option to purchase a "Flash Pass". If you do spend your good money on it, you deserve the extra perks entitled with it. If you choose not to buy one, than you wait in line for a couple extra minutes, it shouldn't kill you.

[SFA Regular]

^ King's Dominion has cubbies, but it also makes loading the trains a lot slower. fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo, while annoying, allow for Six Flags to load the trains at a reasonable rate. Cubbies just slow things down.

 

As far as the Flash Passes, I have never seen massive amounts of people using them, especially at SFA. It provides the park with yet another source of income. And besides, everyone has the ability and the option to purchase a "Flash Pass". If you do spend your good money on it, you deserve the extra perks entitled with it. If you choose not to buy one, than you wait in line for a couple extra minutes, it shouldn't kill you.

 

Believe it or not. Kings Dominion still lets you put your things and cubbies and loads trains faster than SFA. The reason why they are able to do this is because they have more than just a ride op and ride attendants in the station. Notice on Volcano how they come by with the kart and collect peoples belongings before they got on the ride and then you are given them back when you get off. Flight of Fear is the same way.

 

SFA should experiment with this with newer rides. An unloading station would make load times even quicker.

[djbrcace1234]

^

 

X at SFMM had a portion of the station where people would just unload, but of course this is a diffrent coaster might I add. However, with that station there, it still took just as long, but I can see how it could improve que times.

 

The whole Locker situation at all Sixflags parks are uneeded.

[thrillrider]

Is flash pass even needed at this park?

I have been to the park several times, and have never waited in a line longer than maybe 10 min.

[djbrcace1234]

The one time I went was in the summer of 07, and no one was there, either.

[KDCOASTERFAN]

Good point that you put there KDCOASTERFAN. I had no idea that they relocated most of the rides. Where did you find that out?

The convoy ride was once in LTMT & the balloon ferris wheel was once in olde boston. I'm not sure if any of the other attractions are new or not aside from the thomas train that loops around that area of the park though.

 

Now even if they start adding new rides to the park it will take a few more management/operational changes to get me to return....first off getting rid of flashpass would be a good start & make everyone wait in line as equals.Things really got bad over at superman with the ops being forced to run one train for flashpass riders the last season I visited the park(three years ago) & if no flashpass users showed up they ran the train completely empty.The "you know what's" are the next thing that HAVE to go,with Snyder & his greedy money making motives out of the way there's simply no real need for them as KD doesn't force their guests to use them when riding their attractions but SF parks(not just SFA) do which effectively turns them into pay per ride attractions.

 

I have to say that me and KDCOASTEFAN agree upon the same thing. I have never liked the flash pass and the fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo. I think everyone should have to wait in the same line, unless they want to try and single rider kind of thing. I've noticed a lot with SFA rides, that there are always trains that leave with empty seats. Make a single rider lines for the rides and let the empty seats be filled. It would get more people coming there on weekends if they did not have to wait an hour and a half just to take one of the empty seats. And getting rid of fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo would be a good start. I like how KD just lets guests put their things in the cuby boxes, guests sit down and then it's on to checking seats. Not to mention their rides can fit a lot of bigger people in. I've noticed a lot with SFA rides, that they only seat small people. I feel sorry for the bigger people who can't ride, which is why I think more people end up at Kings Dominion.

 

And KDCOASTERFAN, Dan Snyder lost his seat as chairman some time ago. Not sure what kind of position he has with the company now, but I don't think he is in any position to make decisions for the company. So the best thing for Alexander Weber to do is to get a chairman that he use to work with in Paramounts. That would make a great team up. If not that, replace the whole board of directory with his former Paramount buddies.

 

I know about Snyder being removed from the board,along with Shapiro...now it's time for Webber to start reversing some of his assinine polices & to start investing in all of the parks equally.

 

I feel that,had premier parks never purchased SF from Time Warner in 98 then SFA/(Adventure world as it was known then) would've recieved more attractions....attractions suitable for a park of it's size.They were on the right track in the years between 92 & 98 by adding rides that Wild world's owners couldn't afford but that went downhill once they took on the task of managing too many parks at once.

[Capitalize]

^ King's Dominion has cubbies, but it also makes loading the trains a lot slower. fluffy, fluffy bunnies filled with medicine and goo, while annoying, allow for Six Flags to load the trains at a reasonable rate. Cubbies just slow things down.

 

As far as the Flash Passes, I have never seen massive amounts of people using them, especially at SFA. It provides the park with yet another source of income. And besides, everyone has the ability and the option to purchase a "Flash Pass". If you do spend your good money on it, you deserve the extra perks entitled with it. If you choose not to buy one, than you wait in line for a couple extra minutes, it shouldn't kill you.

I don't buy the excuse that its for faster loading for a second. I just visited Dorney Park where they have cubbies for all the coasters, and there was barely any stacking at all. This is in strong contrast to the Six Flags parks where I see unbearably slow loading and unloading and stacked trains constantly.

 

I worked on Wild One the last year it was locker free; and when it was me, a manager operating, and another fast moving attendant we could move the trains extremely fast whether or not there were guests setting items to the side. I see the crews moving just as fast, or even slower than they ever did before lockers were put in at SFA.

 

Is flash pass even needed at this park?

I have been to the park several times, and have never waited in a line longer than maybe 10 min.

Only on a day like the 4th of July or the religious/hispanic festival days, even then the lines are barely longer than a typical day and I still don't feel flash pass is needed...