Six Flags St. Louis (SFStL) Discussion Thread

[prozach626]

I'm boycotting SFSTL until they step up to the plate with a new big boy ride.

Wow. How stupid of you. I hope that SFSL doesn't ever get something that pleases you, just to spite you.

Starve their attendance numbers and they will do one of two things:

1) Bring a new major addition or two to bring numbers back (just as WOF did)

2) Close their doors and someone private will more than likely buy the park a couple years down the road.

Really? That is your master plan? Your brain child? What you think will work, huh?

 

You *actually think* that closing the doors on a park that has a B&M invert, a decent GCI woodie, an awesome Premier launched coaster, a still decent some-what classic woodie, a fun spinner and mine train, a classic dark ride, and a half-way decent water park is the BETTER option? You want them to go Astroworld on your park???

 

Yeah, you're RIGHT! Boycott that crappy park! SHOW THEM WHO'S REALLY THE BOSS!!!

 

*shakes head*

 

--Robb "Embarrassed that TPR members could be this dumb." Alvey

 

First, thank you for your humble point.

 

 

But the reality is this - SFSL certainly has seen it's better share of capital in the last ten years at both the rides and water park. And yes, that might include a re-located coaster and some new love for an older ride, but so what? Would you rather they be doing NOTHING instead?

--Robb

 

In many instances, including the addition of the boomerang, absolutely. Many people on this site, money paying customers, have said on multiple occasions that they would rather see some of the rides and park area get more off season TLC, rather than another mediocre attraction for the park. How much does the Batman have to rust, before it gets a new paint job? How dilapidated does the queue have to get, before something is done? Do they have to turn the trains backward, before the ride can get a makeover?

 

Why does SfStl continue to add small to mid level attractions, while Hannibals remains SBNO?

 

I could go on, but it's more of the same, throughout the park.

 

Boycotting may have been a poor word, but I will not spend my money on a park that refuses to maintain their current product, while at the same time, they have yet to bring anything to the park that has really excited me since Mr. Freeze. (I'm not a fan of most wooden roller coasters) In addition to this, I have not referred anyone to our park. Instead, I make suggestions to other close parks, that people seem to enjoy much more.

[SteveStL]

[

The reason the Moon Cars are still in the park is people would complain if they were gone. The park decieded that it would be better have them shorter rather than completely gone.

 

I guess so but I think they could do a better job than where is currently operating. Is it that difficult to move the attraction, maybe over by the Joker/Batman area?

Living in STL all my life (90% of it anyway), I guess I am getting tired of seeing other parks get these awesome new rides/coasters while SFSTL gets used rides from Texas.

[robbalvey]

^^ To be fair, I'm not the biggest fan of SFSL myself, but I also understand the realities of what it costs to operate an amusement park, what is marketable and what isn't, especially at a company that seems to have almost no money to spend, even though they are doing a bit better than they were five years ago.

 

Will it take turning Batman around backwards to paint it? Absolutely! And while it might be something gimmicky and not a fan favorite of everyone, it may at least bring some new love to an old ride and give them something to market.

 

The park can't market just "We painted an old ride, come check it out", and they most likely don't have the money in their budget to do it without doing something else to a ride to be able to market it. What you're not seeing are the very costly things it takes behind the scenes that HAVE to be done every year in order for a park to simply open. Water treatment upgrades, POS systems, buying employee uniforms, etc, etc....

 

Those are all things that *HAVE* to be done for the gates to open and they aren't cheap. In any business you have your "must fix" and "could fix" list of things that need to be done. The park can open without Batman being painted, but the park cannot open without making sure all the electrical to every facility in the park is up to code. Every year SFSL will spend millions of dollars on things you never see, but HAVE to be done for the park to function.

 

I wrote what I did to you because, yes, as much as I would love to see a park like SFSL get the next big Intamin hyper coaster or iSpeed clone or whatever, I also realize that they have to just "open their doors" every year. And as unfortunate as it might seem to some people, perhaps getting a used Boomerang is a baby step to bigger and better things as the company struggles to fix what was more than ten years of financial trouble, that they still aren't in the clear from.

 

Does that make some sense?

 

--Robb

Edited July 14, 2013 by robbalvey

[Sammy*]

Totally agree with you Robb. Some enthusiast have to accept that every park is just not gonna be Cedar Point or whatever park that's considered top notch and that's okay. Besides things could always be worse. Ive seen way worse.

[prozach626]

Will it take turning Batman around backwards to paint it? Absolutely! And while it might be something gimmicky and not a fan favorite of everyone, it may at least bring some new love to an old ride and give them something to market.

 

I'd be OK with that, as long as it wasn't a permanent solution, like Mr. Freeze. I really enjoyed that roller coaster, before they turned it backwards. Out of my count of almost 150, it was one of my favorite. I just feel like something was lost in the ride experience when they made the change. To me, it was the perfect launched roller coaster. (non full circuit) I'm still jaded over that change...

 

 

The park can't market just "We painted an old ride, come check it out", and they most likely don't have the money in their budget to do it without doing something else to a ride to be able to market it. What you're not seeing are the very costly things it takes behind the scenes that HAVE to be done every year in order for a park to simply open. Water treatment upgrades, POS systems, buying employee uniforms, etc, etc....

 

Those are all things that *HAVE* to be done for the gates to open and they aren't cheap. In any business you have your "must fix" and "could fix" list of things that need to be done. The park can open without Batman being painted, but the park cannot open without making sure all the electrical to every facility in the park is up to code.

 

I understand and couldn't agree more. I've always had the vague idea that operating costs far out weight the costs of new additions. I've always been under the impression that less can be more. With as large as the park is, I'm all for replacing rides, as opposed to adding rides, to keep the operating costs down, which is why I have also been opposed to expanding the area behind Tidal Wave. I'd rather have less better quality well maintained rides than the mid level quantity of mediocre thrills that the park has.

 

The problem is that SfStl almost seems to try to be both a large park with many thrills, but at the same time a quaint pleasant family park. However, it doesn't do either of those well.

 

I wrote what I did to you because, yes, as much as I would love to see a park like SFSL get the next big Intamin hyper coaster or iSpeed clone or whatever, I also realize that they have to just "open their doors" every year. And as unfortunate as it might seem to some people, perhaps getting a used Boomerang is a baby step to bigger and better things as the company struggles to fix what was more than ten years of financial trouble, that they still aren't in the clear from.

 

Does that make some sense?

 

--Robb

 

Makes sense to me. Your input is always appreciated, but your delivery can be a bit harsh. However... I'd be a hypocrite if I were to criticize that.

[ZeroGravity55]

Does that make some sense?

 

That totally makes a lot of sense!

 

I'm not the biggest fan of Six Flags St Louis either. For someone who lives the exact same distance between Six Flags St Louis and Holiday World, I rather make the trip to Holiday World. I will say, from the times I've been to the park. I think that management does a great job with what they have. It's not an easy business running an amusement park or waterpark. I'm not saying I know anything about it, but I remember getting a behind the scene tour of HW when I was in high school with one of my classes. I was amazed at the amount of work that went in to just getting the park ready for guests everyday. I imagine it cost quite a bit of money to pay those people to just get the park ready. I think when people think of running an amusement park, they think it's like sandbox mode in RCT where you can just drop a bunch of really cool rides down where you want them. It doesn't work that way, there is a lot more that goes into than that.

[megametal]

I was actually very pleasantly surprised by SFStL on my first trip there last year. I thought it was a very well rounded park that only lacked a newer marquee attraction. It still had a classic theme park feel that some other parks built in the golden years of the theme park (60s-mid 1970s) don't have anymore. Out of the trip last year (Holiday World, SFStL, WoF, and SFGAm) it was probably my second favorite after Holiday World. It may not be as big and thrilling as SFGAm or as all-around enjoyable as Holiday World, but it was miles better than Worlds of Fun. It just still has a lot of classic charm like SFoG has, which I love. Besides, the park has some great rides like American Thunder, Xcalibur, Highland Fling, Pandemonium, and Skyscreamer. It's a really good park for families, but maybe not for thrillseekers. I think they've decided that their prime market is families, and that's why they are getting the additions they've gotten in the last few years. For a park that Six Flags has never really seen as one of their top parks, I'd say it's doing well.

[robbalvey]

Your input is always appreciated, but your delivery can be a bit harsh. However... I'd be a hypocrite if I were to criticize that.

I understand that. I'm not a 'candy coat' type of person. I say what's on my mind without any filter. It gets me in trouble, sometimes, but that's a heat I'm willing to accept. End of the day, I'm not going to say something that doesn't come from my many years of experience or that I feel strongly about, so take it for what it's worth....

[TNT]

Deleted 

[Vonni]

I felt an energy in the park this year that I have not felt in years. It feels like my home park again, and I still have faith! I know we will get that ride we all have been waiting for very soon.

[SteveStL]

Knowing the park will probably never exceed 10 Coasters. I would be happy if they replaced the Ninja with a modern looper, even if was a transplant like Medusa/Bizarro (a rumor from a few years ago) and got a descent small custom coaster for the kiddos. Replace the Hannabarrels with a good flat would be nice as well. ...and do something with the Moons.

 

Steve

[Rollercoaster Rider]

Knowing the park will probably never exceed 10 Coasters. I would be happy if they replaced the Ninja with a modern looper, even if was a transplant like Medusa/Bizarro (a rumor from a few years ago) and got a descent small custom coaster for the kiddos. Replace the Hannabarrels with a good flat would be nice as well. ...and do something with the Moons.

 

Steve

 

 

I'd rather replace Ninja with a Dare Devil Dive clone.

[Vonni]

^ I'd rather not have anymore clones in the park. I'd rather have some custom layouts.

[prozach626]

Knowing the park will probably never exceed 10 Coasters. I would be happy if they replaced the Ninja with a modern looper, even if was a transplant like Medusa/Bizarro (a rumor from a few years ago) and got a descent small custom coaster for the kiddos. Replace the Hannabarrels with a good flat would be nice as well. ...and do something with the Moons.

 

Steve

 

 

I'd rather replace Ninja with a Dare Devil Dive clone.

 

Really? I thought Dare Devil was really lacking. I didn't find it fun at all.

[megametal]

^ You kidding?! That thing has some insane hangtime! And with only lap bars no less! It's a great coaster. If SFStL does get a eurofighter, I'd want it to be a custom design though, as Dare Devil Dive was for SFOG.

[Peeps28]

we rode dare devil when we stopped by six flags on our way to Disney world.my 5 year old loved it.we go to SFStl about 4 times a month and would love to see that at the park.went to waterpark sunday for the first time this year sunday.usually happy about the place but sat down at tables to eat in waterpark and flys all over the place cos tables were filthy.remained that way most of the day till enough people complained.the employee at top of wahoo racer could of been a little more polite explaining rules to my daughter who was going on for first time.think the ninja has run its coarse.time to go.

[prozach626]

To each his own, I suppose. I can see why a lot of people like it, but I'm more of a guy who likes forcefull positive G's and speed, rather than air time and hang time. I didn't feel this in Dare Devil, which is probably why it didn't impress me. It was one of those 'fun' rides that I didn't want to take the time to ride more than twice, even though we had a flash pass.

[The Westate]

we rode dare devil when we stopped by six flags on our way to Disney world.my 5 year old loved it.we go to SFStl about 4 times a month and would love to see that at the park.went to waterpark sunday for the first time this year sunday.usually happy about the place but sat down at tables to eat in waterpark and flys all over the place cos tables were filthy.remained that way most of the day till enough people complained.the employee at top of wahoo racer could of been a little more polite explaining rules to my daughter who was going on for first time.think the ninja has run its coarse.time to go.

 

Yeah I love DDD as well. It's easily my favorite Gerstlauer, but I've only been on 2 Eurofighters, the other being Mystery Mine.

[Peeps28]

i love the speed and the Gs more then the hangtime also.but it was the first time our 5 year old got to ride something dif the screming eagle or the mine train.hearing her scream and laugh the whole ride is why we enjoyed it so much.my daughter is a mega coaster freak at 5 lol.she loved the mind bender as well.rides the screaming eagle with arms up.i cant wait for the day i can sit next to her on top thrill dragster!

[prozach626]

I must be immune to DDD's G's.... I seriously thought it was forceless, but the popular opinion disagrees. I guess it's just me?

[SteveStL]

If it had great theming (Saw the Ride, London) then a DDD type of coaster would be good, I'd still prefer a transplanted B&M though.

[Zcev5454]

If it had great theming (Saw the Ride, London) then a DDD type of coaster would be good, I'd still prefer a transplanted B&M though.

Good theming and the lap bar cars would be best, imagine all the possibilities with the hillside near the Ninja(where the corkscrews are now)! Although, it would be great to get a Giant Frisbee in the place of Xcalibur, which is down every time I visit.

[prozach626]

^^ S&S Giant Swings! I think the giant Frisbee would be too similar to excaliber, in the eyes of the GP.

[Vonni]

I do not ride Excalibur, but I know a lot of people that just love it. I actually hope it stays, rather than gets replaced. Its very popular and a lot of the GP would be disappointed to see it go.

[Woodie Warrior]

After spending the money to buy new parts for a ride, I don't see it being replaced for another couple of years.

 

Also, considering how long the Boss is, it would be considerably cheaper to build a complete new coaster (like Outlaw Run), than to give the Boss Iron Horse treatment.