Six Flags Article on Front Page of Wall Street Journal Today

[RCFreak]

My point is that if SF wants to increase there attendance...they have to make it worthwhile for a family. Especially if they are going to travel more then 2 hours to get to the park.

 

Definitely makes me wonder how Great Escape is doing with Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark open.

[Bolliger&Mabillard]

I've been to three CF parks and Three SF parks. So far what Iv'e noticed about all six is this:

Cedar Fair parks have nearby hotels, and other attractions nearby. The two Six Flags parks in Texas have other entertainment venues and/or destinations that can attract people to spend more than one day in the area. The only park that I've been to in this category that does not have viable business in the same sense is Magic Mountain. Would a Citywalk-esque venue help?- I don't see how it could hurt. adding a heavily themed strip will help at least MM get out of the "coaster haven" all So. Cal residents know it to be. I think it helps move the park in the direction they want it to go. If you don't want to ride coasters all day, that gives people another option other than leaving. You could go right outside the park, find something to eat, watch a movie, or pick up that last souviner for somebody at home. Seems like DTD and Citywalk in California still attract a decent amount of locals in the area, so why not try it?

[JDo217]

I only read a few of the posts but here is my take on the situation.

 

I've been to SF Great Adventure, New England, and Darien Lake. Darien lake was a really long time ago so I don't remember too much but at the other two parks, the environment is generally unfriendly and I actually feel unsafe in the park. This partly has to do with the crowd that the parks attract. Contrary to how "family friendly" Shapiro wants to make the SF, the park guests were basically either obnoxious teens or equally obnoxious adults I'm sorry to say. On just about every ride I went on, security would catch at least one group of people cutting in line.

 

The ride ops in general basically do everything but pay attention to their ride. Talking on their phones, eating, etc. Makes me feel really unsafe when they do the harness checks.

 

Before they build anymore rides, they need to focus on training the ride ops and staff and enforce the rules more. However, I concede that SF can't really control the demographics of the areas surrounding SF parks.

[Philrad71]

^ Just to clarify...Darien Lake is no longer a Six Flags theme park.

 

But, I did observe a couple of ride attendants there that were more content on goofing off rather than dispatching riders. On the other hand, there were some excellent ride ops on the Boomerang coaster and Tornado water ride.