Six Flags, Why is it so bad ?

[rosscoe]

Hey guys,

Being a "Aussie" and not having a six flags park here ( Last time i went to one it was "Magic Mountain" in 1994, and had a blast ). Now i know there are up for sale, but it seems like everybody hates them. Why ?

 

If i had a choice, i think i would go to a six flags park over say cedar point..

 

(And sorry one last thing, what is a donkey ( not the animal )?

[SonOfBeastSucks]

Six Flags has a lot of parks that are great, but they own some that are just really bad. SFKK (Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom) is an example. They don't take care of there rides and operations are not good. Some other Six Flags parks are also run like this. Also, Six Flags builds a lot of clones throughout the chain and while thats fine for the general public who don't travel the country visiting amusment parks, its not fine for enthusiasts who encounter the same ride in CA that they just rode in IL.

[ParkTrips]

Can someone tell me why every one hates six flags?

 

Because enthusiasts think its what the cool kids do or something..

 

There are bad SF parks, but then there are good and even a couple of great ones. People just generalize the whole chain as being bad when in fact its not.

[Musical Pete]

I found Elitch Gardens and Magic Mountain to be brilliant, despite what I've been lectured about by bitchy enthusiasts all my life previously as an enthusiast. I've also been to Marine World, and though there was nothing bad there (apart from Roar, OUCH! - spine adjuster, baaaaaaaad GCI ) I didn't enjoy myself as much as at the other two, though that was more a personal thing due to being knackered after an intense two week trip across the west coast, and there only being one woodie there which wasn't great, to me. I much prefer Magic Mountain's Psyclone! (yes, I really do - despite the turn crawling I found it to have excellent old style character with great airtime too.. perhaps another "fashionable to hate" coaster..!)

 

I've been to three SF parks and three Cedar Fair parks (Dorney, CP & Knotts) and found SF to be the better parks so far, with better staff and better procedures (like letting me film onride, and letting me stand actually at a loading gate rather than three feet behind it, when it's already three feet from the track!). Funny that - shouldn't I be admonishing SF while droolfully praising CF.. or is that simply because I don't give a feck what others think and don't follow trends?

[GAcoaster]

The silent majority likes Six Flags, it's really only spoiled enthusiasses who feel the need to bash the chain. They have more than 33 million guests come through their gates every year, so the GP obviously has no problem.

 

Frankly, I love Six Flags. They have done more to innovate the theme park industry than anyone besides Disney. Have they lost their way over the years, yes. With all the changes of management, the changes in guest expectations and tastes, and the pressure form Wall Street, they have not always made the smartest moves, but overall they offer one of the best entertainment values for your dollar, and keep bringing us some of the best rides and attractions year after year.

 

It infuriates me to hear the constant bashing by the ungrateful "community" of park enthusiasts...

[disneyfan1313]

I don't hate six flags but it is not my fave chain of parks either. It's kinda the Wal-Mart of theme parks. There are a lot of them, they have poor service, they are not very themed, they all cary similar products (er rides..), they have long lines because they purposely lower capacity to save money (one train operation, 5 registers at wall-mart with huge lines at 5 pm) - but in a pinch they will get you your coaster fix and can sometimes be amusing.

[BuffaloCoastin]

^ Interesting analogy.

 

I'm going to take a different viewpoint here, as I consider myself an enthusiast", but I have only been to 1 SF park, being Darien Lake (my home park). SFDL is the reason I don't like Six Flags. Horrible maintainence, unenthusiastic staff, broken down rides, new attractions are few and far between (last coaster: SROS in 1999). It was so bad the one time I went this year that I don't plan on going back, and I gladly didn't get a season pass. The park gets worse and worse every year.

 

Maybe some SF parks are great, but shouldn't they all be held to the same standard? I'm not going to compare them to any other chain until I've been to enough parks to do so, so now my general review is this: Six Flags blows.

[kenshinmac]

Yeah it isn't that Six Flags is really that bad... It just doesn't shine really at all. I mean remember parking lot the coaster? Oh wait there are like 3 of those... I think that kinda sums up Six Flags altogether. It seems that they have thought that the only thing necessary to keep people coming is throw them a few new rides once in a while.

 

Oh and to the person complaining about DL... Hey at least you guys have a hyper... At Elitches sure we have gotten some new coasters since then... Oh Flying coaster and Halfpipe... I would trade them in 2 seconds for a decent hyper. Both can be fun but are hardly compensation for not getting a unique ride. Heck Halfpipe is kinda more of a flatride... (I'm still counting it... at least until I hit 100...)

[Token Yankee Guy]

I personally never had problems at Six Flags parks. But some things did make me angry...mostly this one at SFNE

 

From: www.rcdb.com

 

as you can see, in 2001 they modified the first drop and since then the ride has been going to hell. Even I can't keep my hands up throughout the duration of the ride because it's that violent. It doesn't help when they put PTC trains on it (when the park got flagged) and ditched the Morgans.

[YoshiFan]

The one thing I don't like about Six Flags is that some of their parks have little to no family rides. Take Great Adventure for example, no dark ride for families (Houdini to me could be considered a thrill attraction), no slow moving vehicle rides like antique cars, a train, monorail, boat etc. and very few flat rides. Six Flags is great if you want to ride coasters.

[Bubba Z]

Here is that debate about being a family park

http://www.gadvcentral.com/boards/index.php?showtopic=2004&view=findpost&p=19744

 

 

I have been on both ends, to poor service, closed rides, stacking trains, one train operations and so on. To some days when I'm at the park nothing can go wrong. It just happens that the first one seems to happen more often which leaves a poor image of the chain. This is why people often bad mouth them.

[Musical Pete]

I personally never had problems at Six Flags parks. But some things did make me angry...mostly this one at SFNE

 

From: www.rcdb.com

 

as you can see, in 2001 they modified the first drop and since then the ride has been going to hell. Even I can't keep my hands up throughout the duration of the ride because it's that violent. It doesn't help when they put PTC trains on it (when the park got flagged) and ditched the Morgans.

I wonder what it was like back when it used to have the three-row PTC "flexicars" then..! (they'd infact likely ride softer than the newer heavy articulated ones, regardless of the extra row)

 

For some reason I don't seem bothered by the check brakes at SFMM, or the retrofitted Revolution OTSRs, or the poor maintenance, especially that of Colossus. I just had a great time there! - I suppose I had a great time at the CF parks too really. Tell you what, let's all stop being typical arsey enthusiasts and just be thankful for what we have availible. There could be much less!

[rosscoe]

Thanks guys and girls,

Only having two parks over here, i don't think i would care if every ride was cloned...I just was i had your choice...

[Sir Clinksalot]

The truth is, we are spoiled.

 

For those of us who grew up with Disney and saw the best in parks, and operations and employees (Cast Members) it's hard to not try and compare.

 

Even Magic Mountain, back in the day, had decent operations, a pretty clean park and nice employees. While never "Disney" quality the park wasn't perceived as bad as it is now.

 

I have had the 'pleasure' of going to 6 Six Flags Parks (SFMM, SFMW, SFOT, SFAW, SFFT and SFOG). Some are very good (SFOG, SFOT, SFFT). Some are just 'okay' (SFAW) and some are bad (SFMM, SFMW).

 

For me, when it comes to SFMM, I see it the way it 'used' to be which may be unfair. Sometimes I can go to the park and it will be great. Good ops, nice people, fun times. Other times we go and it's just ... crap.

 

But, we go there at least once a month so I guess it can't be ALL bad. But when you get in for free, and free parking, and free FastLane it's kind of an easy option for a day out, even if it's not the best place to go.

 

Even looking at SFMW. The day we were there I wouldn't consider 'bad'. Only 1 ride had crappy operations, Medusa. But that honestly ruined the whole experience. There was graffiti in the queue, the ride ops were the worst I have EVER seen and after the ride we couldn't wait to leave. Even with an hour wait for Medusa we still only spent 3 hours at the park. That's sad.

[FlyingScooter]

I loved 6flags when they bought GL and SeaWorld. Granted, I hated the way they kept up with the seaworld side, but they still had animals that were cool.

They sold SFWOA to Cedar FAir, took the animals (CF did not want them) and split.

That put 'em on my sh!tlist....

[Real]

Can someone tell me why every one hates six flags?

 

Because enthusiasts think its what the cool kids do or something..

 

There are bad SF parks, but then there are good and even a couple of great ones. People just generalize the whole chain as being bad when in fact its not.

 

Ding ding ding! We have a winner!

[ParkTrips]

^ So, where's Johnny to tell me what I won?

 

They have more than 33 million guests come through their gates every year, so the GP obviously has no problem.

 

That's a pretty good point, and they keep coming back year after year.

[phazan]

i dont understand why people get mad at clones because six flags is just out to make money. they are not trying to please enthusiasts.

[DATman]

I personally enjoy all my trips to MM. My one trip to HH was *GASP* phenomenal, and I think SCREAM is one of the best rides there. I do not care that it is on a parking lot, because it does not detract from the thrills in the ride. It may be somewhat ugly, but it shouldn't affect the ride experience.

 

I also went to SFGAm, and had a blast there too. Everything I wanted to do was up and running, except V2, which was in rehab. I personally enjoy SF, because I go there the most.

[Twister II]

I personally never had problems at Six Flags parks. But some things did make me angry...mostly this one at SFNE

 

From: www.rcdb.com

 

as you can see, in 2001 they modified the first drop and since then the ride has been going to hell. Even I can't keep my hands up throughout the duration of the ride because it's that violent. It doesn't help when they put PTC trains on it (when the park got flagged) and ditched the Morgans.

 

They also modefied Twister II's first "S" turn. But at least IMO its now better. Less intense, and less broken hips.

[socalMAN123]

I love SFMM! It's my favorite park I've been to! The coasters are awesome, I've never had a bad op, and the employees are nice. Some of the rides could use a little touch up (*COUGH* Viper *COUGH*), but that never effects my expierence at the park. I don't know why people hate SFMM, and the whole SF chain, so much.

---Brent 8)

[arrowfanman]

Viper isn't that bad. But then again, when I was 11, I hated it. I think you kinda have to grow into the restraints.

 

 

 

 

The trick is to not go expecting too much out of them. Then you might be surprised to find them doing things that they are supposed to be doing, and leave with a smile on your face...lol.

[USRoadTripper]

If you think people complain about Six Flags here, try reading a Disney board when someone posts a TR from Six Flags! You'd think the park was drowning babies and burning crosses everywhere! I have NEVER heard people complain about Six Flags the way some Disney fans do.

I really don't think Six Flags as a chain is bad. Each park handles their own staffing, so if ride ops are rude, it's the parks fault. If the individual parks held their employees to a higher standard, the reputation of the chain would improve. Six Flags has some great parks in their chain, and I've never been to one that I thought was terrible (eventhough Darien Lake was on down there, but that was because of rough coasters, not employee attitudes or bad ops). I get a season pass every year and will continue to get one because I think they provide a great service for a reasonable price.

 

-Julie

[AllisonY2K]

say huh?

Disney enthusiasts are super-critical of the Disney parks more than anything else. chipped paint, grumpy employees, no FP for Space Mountain, PSes filled up for Cindy's, Dole Whip stand closed for the season. I hear this the most about WDW trip reports: "the magic is gone". Disney isn't like what people used to believe it was and its depressing.

 

me? I'm just happy to get the suicide seat on Tower of Terror. yes! their ride ops rock for that! no lack of magic at the parks for me!

[USRoadTripper]

Here are three quotes I quickly picked out of Google Groups from rec.arts.disney.parks where people are talking about Six Flags.

 

"I consider going to Six Flags Great Adventure "slumming."

"Anyhow on most visits whenever we see something at SF that is "unDisney" We say " That's why they're #2""

"...before the shows begin & people are entering the theatre, they sell drinks & food! At Disney, there is no food allowed."

 

And this one was my favorite! Someone talking about going to SFoG and thinking it sucked, then saying why they liked Disney better...

 

"I mentioned to my husband that I would feel great about riding a Disney

coaster, like the Rock & Roller Coaster being built at the Studios, because a) I feel safe on Disney attractions and b) it would have a theme / story to it. The coasters at Six Flags didn't interest me in the least."

 

At least someone had the sense enough to respond...

 

" Believe it or not but Disney really has NOTHING to do with the design of the Rock 'N Roller Coaster at the Disney Studios. A little company called VEKOMA can claim 100% ownership. You said you just visited Six Flags over Georgia and of course one of that parks own coasters, which didn't interest you in the least, by the name of "NINJA" was also built by Vekoma. So you "Poo-poo" the Six Flags one, but the Disney one is great, huh?"

 

After years upon years of reading RADP, I've have never seen people react so adversely to Six Flags as some of those people did. These are the same people who think that Universal is horrible because they just have this big green coaster going everywhere all over one of their "unmagical" parks. Yes, they do complain extensively about Disney, but the complaints are much more caustic and insulting in regards to any non-Disney park. It got very old to tell people that you were going to go to a Six Flags park and to be told to get a tetanus shot before hand! None of the complaining here even comes close to there.

 

-Julie