Six Flags Darien Lake (SFDL) Discussion Thread

[Haymaker]

-- I wasn't sure that I would renew my season pass at the park, but once there I was talking myself into it. I had questions, and while the guy at the season pass center wasn't a jerk, he wasn't helpful and I left without renewing for now. I asked about the membership tiers and his answers were a lot of, "oh, yeah, um, basically like, okay, so it depends, but you're good."

 

Huh? I don't have a season pass for next year and I see there's a sale going on (I'm making it very easy for him). It says here that I'd also get a golden ticket that can be used like a bring a friend on most days next year...

 

"Oh, it's not most days. It's just, like, bring a friend sometimes, that's all."

 

What are the restrictions?

 

"Uh, you don't have to do anything for it, you'll just get it, so you're good."

 

Huh?

 

I ended up educating myself from an info sheet and wall signs in the pass center while the guy sat there. He didn't engage me at all, ask me about what I'm looking for or how often I visit, explain any perks I might enjoy, etc. I knew I wasn't going to be talked into Diamond Elite, but when I walk in willing to give more money to Six Flags then and there, someone with communication skills should be eager to reel me in. I couldn't get clear answers about whether some perks would kick in that same day, on my next visit, or not until next season, and I left confused and without a renewal.

 

Sounds like the same guy when I went to process my upgrade and was told that nothing kicks in until the 29th even though I was already paying for it.

[SbSteveZ]

^ not so sold on this only being a Darien Lake issue. The other 3 Six Flags parks I’ve visited have all struggled with the membership stuff this season. Darien Lake seems to have made some form of improvement since May, but it really isn’t competent yet in handling memberships.

 

Not sure if it’s a lack of training, lack of training retention or both; but it’s a shame that you can learn more about these benefits from a brochure than the people that have been hired to help make the process easier.

 

The ONLY reason I bought the pass in park was because last year Darien Lake wasn’t on the online system until after the season was kicked off. Any other memberships I bought after my own I got online. It’s just easier and a lot less confusing / you don’t have to worry about if you’ll get a supervisor who sort of knows the deal over a new employee who had no clue what “diamond elite” means over “diamond” or “platinum”

[LegendLover]

I feel like the rebranding of the water park to Hurricane Harbor is a sign that we are about to see this park go full "Six Flags." I'm predicting a Looney Tunes kids area for 2020 and then a DC themed Giant Discovery in 2021 in between Tantrum and Mind Eraser. I also predict that Mind Eraser will get new trains, a repaint, and a new name. I haven't visited Six Flags Darien Lake since it was being managed by Herschend, and my visit was lackluster back then. The park really did just seem stagnant at the time. I'm so glad that Six Flags bought it back. At least for the time being, that guarantees a new ride every year and I love that.

[AmyUD06]

Once again, Six Flags is the leased operator for the park. They own nothing.

[TheAmericanKnight]

Once again, Six Flags is the leased operator for the park. They own nothing.

That is the case for the majority of Six Flags parks. I believe Six Flags St. Louis is the only park that they fully own (correct me if I'm wrong, of course).

[AmyUD06]

Owned Outright:

1. America

2. Discovery Kingdom

3. Fiesta Texas

4. Great Adventure

5. Great America

6. Great Escape Lodge

7. Magic Mountain

8. Mexico

9. New England

10. St. Louis

 

Management and Operating Agreements:

1. Over Georgia

2. Over Texas (Six Flags also has 53% ownership here)

 

Operating Agreements:

1. Darien Lake

2. La Ronde

3. Frontier City

[DarienPoint]

Does anyone know when the contracts for things like Pepsi/Perry/Sahlen's going to end? I highly doubt Six Flags would renew those because no other parks (except Pepsi at Frontier City) have those.

[SbSteveZ]

Owned Outright:

1. America

2. Discovery Kingdom

3. Fiesta Texas

4. Great Adventure

5. Great America

6. Great Escape Lodge

7. Magic Mountain

8. Mexico

9. New England

10. St. Louis

 

Management and Operating Agreements:

1. Over Georgia

2. Over Texas (Six Flags also has 53% ownership here)

 

Operating Agreements:

1. Darien Lake

2. La Ronde

3. Frontier City

 

So Six Flags owns the Great Escape Lodge outright, I’m assuming you also include the park itself in that mix? I would’ve thought that would be an operating agreement park with how they brand it.

 

Out of the three you mentioned, Darien Lake is the only one branded as a Six Flags Park, and will soon have the Six Flags branded Hurricane Harbor too. I find it hard to believe they would be branding the park for no reason, they have to see something in the park. Otherwise they could’ve easily left it as “Darien Lake: A Six Flags Theme Park” and saved some cash keeping all the signage and marketing the same.

 

I also don’t think with two fairly decent attractions coming to the park with SkyScreamer (a fan favorite at the park) and the new Wahoo Wave and water park refresh were an accident or flukes. To me I see it as they got the dry park updated into the world of Six Flags in 2019, now they’re bringing the water park into that world in 2020, and it’s a great year to do so considering that water attractions seem to be the popular choice for parks this upcoming season.

 

I’d be surprised if we didn’t see some form of return of DC comics and Looney Toons in the near future. If I’m not mistaken, Six Flags Darien Lake is the only Six Flags branded park without those. Seems odd for them to want the brand recognition without the actual brands there. Right?

[AmyUD06]

You may be right, and I honestly wish nothing but the best for you amusement park deprived western NYers, just trying to keep people from getting their hopes up too much.

[SbSteveZ]

"New" info about Fright Fest.

 

Looks like everything is returning with the addition of that Corridors of Chaos thing (signage already up on the theatre)

 

Not sure what the other "9 new attractions" are. I assume they're just talking about the remaining Fright Fest offerings - the houses, scare zones, two shows etc.

[y2lukin]

10 new attractions is pretty solid. Looks like they're trying. I know they find it hard to staff these events. It's not like Wonderland where there are millions of people that like a few km from the park. Very impressed with a new light show and food options.

[LegendLover]

You may be right, and I honestly wish nothing but the best for you amusement park deprived western NYers, just trying to keep people from getting their hopes up too much.

 

[Haymaker]

Viper's exit is re-routed and Rowdy's Ridge is closed. Some pavement markings in front of Viper's entrance appear to be infrastructure work. FF prep is in full swing of course.

[Haymaker]

FYI save the straw from your 2019 drink cup because SF is going "straw-less" in 2020. This is all you get:

[SbSteveZ]

Save the turtles! Go strawless!

 

It’s easier to clean these anyways, really shouldn’t be a huge deal. Plus it’s more convenient to drink it like a coffee cup anyways.

 

Now if only they’d implement a paper cup plan like cedar fair... then I’d be content.

[Haymaker]

Except theres nothing to seal the top, so spillage is an issue. And how do you have an ICEE without a straw?

[michaellynn4]

Skip the ICEE. Save your intestines.

[coasterbill]

Except theres nothing to seal the top, so spillage is an issue. And how do you have an ICEE without a straw?

 

You’ll survive.

[Haymaker]

More for my kids. Hence saving the straw.

[Wagon127]

I guess spoons. Not sure how straws are worse then plastic-ware to the environment. Somebody will have to explain that. How many of those straws on the reusable cups were found littered around the park? I can definitely ssy i've found plastic-ware littered more often.

[SbSteveZ]

^ in all honesty its probably just Six Flags penny pinching and likely has nothing to do with environmental anything.

 

If they wanted to be environmental they'd retire the plastic "reusable" cups and use compostable paper cups like other chains. Its easier, better for the environment and more convenient! (don't have to worry about someone stealing your compostable single use cup in the ride station or whatever)

 

I will probably die on this hill but so be it. Paper Cups > Souvenir Bottles

 

IN THE MEANTIME:

 

I'm one of those losers that got the new iPhone with the wide angle lens, so here's some photos for your viewing pleasure:

Night Mode is great. I'm glad iOS finally has it.

[DarienPoint]

^ That is AMAZING! I'm really hoping to snag one of those iPhone 11s lol, I'm on a 6 right now. xD

[Haymaker]

Kings Island is removing their Arrow looper. Makes you wonder if Viper's years could be numbered, although different chains have different priorities. My last two rides on Viper have been very smooth though, seems to be running very well this year.

 

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2019/september/kings-island-to-retire-vortex-after-33-seasons

[SbSteveZ]

^ Vortex has been on the chopping block for years. Viper for as long as I can remember has been a much smoother experience with a much better reputation being one of Western New York’s classic roller coasters. It may be 37 years old but you wouldn’t necessarily believe it based on how it runs.

 

Kudos to Darien Lake for keeping an arrow looping coaster in such good shape over the years. Here’s to hoping for many more.

[coasterbill]

They're drastically different rides and one of them runs 3 trains every single day while the other runs one. Never dispatching your ride is a great way dramatically increase it's longevity. So... yay?