How do theme park chains work?

[SeattleJosh]

Can anyone give a brief explanation about the type of collaboration that's involved between a chain's corporate headquarters and an individual park's management staff in regards to new attractions?

 

For example every Six Flags park obviously has its own staff of employees in charge of spearheading park development. I'd image they're largely responsible for determining all the attractions, as well as marketing campaigns for that individual park. Is it just a process where the park has to seek permission from the powers-that-be for approval and funding? Or does corporate leadership have much more of an influence about what each of it's parks get (Batman clones anyone)?

 

I've used Six Flags here as an example, however I'm interested in the structure of the industry as a whole.

 

Thanks!!

[TDR62]

I would assume that like most businesses each park is given a budget and the park management is allowed to do what they will with it. The advantage a chain would have however is that the corporate management would be able to make a deal with a manufacturer to get multiple coasters, etc for a cheaper price; so, if 3 of the parks came back saying they planned to use budget on a new ride it could be coordinated to get a better deal for all of them.

[Wes]

I would guess that each individual park has to make a case based on various numbers, obviously larger market parks would be given priority over smaller parks. Would be very interested to know the ins and outs though.

[larrygator]

^My guess would be similar.

Individual park make a case for capital improvements based on their revenue/profit/attendance.

Coroporate makes a determination of the capital improvemnet allocation for each park.

Park makes case for more increased dollars based on extenuating circumstances (history of recent installations, competition in the market).

 

Corporate then has to balance needs of all parks along with existing contracts. i.e.: Chains may have a vendor contract for a specified number of a particular ride or chain might have capital improvement agreements with parks they purchased (SFoT, SFoG)

 

Like, Wes I wish I knew more but parks have no obligation to share this info.