Magic Mountain's future as extreme park after Tatsu?

[TriboElectric]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if we can get a overview from anyone in the know about what the future of Magic Mountain holds as an "Extreme Park" Of course we are all very happy about Tatsu and all the refurbishments going on at the park. I am curious to know from those who have heard all the new CEO's talks regarding the future of the park. Do we believe that all the family freindly fair will really be a sell with the general public? It would be sad to lose Magic Mountain as a roller coaster capital of the world, do we really believe this might happen in the future in regards to much less capital for new coasters?

 

P.S I cannot view the Mark S video on my computer and I have not been able to find a transcript, just incase you were going to tell me to watch the video. Thanks,

[robbalvey]

^ It's not a video, it's an MP3 interview. I have a link so you can either stream the audio or download it and listen to it on your computer. Did neither one work for you?

 

And as far as what the future will hold, I think it's a bit too early to tell. They have only started to implement some of the "family friendly" things they've talked about a few short weeks ago.

 

Give it some time and by the end of this season and certianly by the end of next, I think everyone will have a better idea of what the direction for the company and the parks is going to be.

 

--Robb

[ECZenith]

Didn't Shapiro say he wanted to keep SFMM as the record holder for most coasters? I'd imagine something small would be added next with the huge wave of recent luck they've had.

[Guy T. Koepp]

What do you mean by huge wave of recent luck?

[UberBeavis]

Well, nobody died at the ACE Event...

 

Weather has been ok, for the most part.

 

People are paying $30 for valet parking

[Ed]

I hope they put in some more child-themed areas.

 

I thought Shapiro said he would've pulled the plug on the Tatsu project and focused on the families if he could've done. But I think it was already too far along the line with money being passed over etc. So I don't know if he wants to keep SFMM as the record holder. Although if they put in a couple of kiddie coasters that still boosts the count up!

 

I'm Very impressed at some of the other parks and how they are shaping up to be family friendly. Hopefully MM will keep getting better (Open Freefall!)

 

Haha this reminds me of a Rct2 thing i've done recently. Taken out half of rides on the Magic Mountain scenario and i'm working on making it a nicer park to look at. (SkyTower has been given a nice shiney red paintjob!)

[coasterboy76]

Im not only wondering about the future of Magic Mountain, but as Six Flags as a whole. I like the directions that Shapiro is taking, adding the superheros, parades, adding new kids areas.. The teenagers do bring the money into the park, and they always have and will--and they come for the Coasters and all the thrill rides.. But them kiddies need to be able to have some fun too, since they aren't big enough to ride the Coasters, and the new attractions/themed areas are a wonderful start.

 

I think Six Flags in general will always be on top, and trust me, as much as Shapiro is wanting to add these "family attractions" the coasters will still come, they will always be built! I don't think you have anything to worry about at all, Magic Mountain will always be top for rollercoasters!

[jamesdillaman]

Well, nobody died at the ACE Event...

 

Weather has been ok, for the most part.

 

People are paying $30 for valet parking

 

From someone who was at SRM2003, I don't think that comment was very cool, but yeah...

[haiderodes]

Like Robb said, I think its a totally wait and see kind of thing.

 

I'm giving Shapiro the benefit of the doubt right now. I mean, we have 17 coasters right now at SFMM, but what is the newest flat ride not including the Bugs Bunny World stuff? I'm hoping he realizes that in addition to the characters, name brand pizza, and other stuff, SFMM needs a variety of attractions that are not coasters. Just because you go after the family market doesnt mean you cant build rides. Just because you are the Xtreme Park doesnt mean you only focus on the most extreme of thrills. There has to be a middle ground.

 

I wonder why SFMM didnt get any of those attractions from Astroworld?

[COASTER FREAK 11]

Lucky for me, I was there with Robb at the intreview. Shapiro address all the issues of SFMM being a thrill park and still family friendly at the same time. All he is going to do is revamp the park and make it nice again before he dds anymore coasters. I like his policy of either open it or get rid of it. He will be going through the park and applying this to the old rides. If ity stays, it is revamped. If it goes then...it goes.

 

The park needs to grow into a family park again before anything elese. We have 14 rideable coasters (excluding 2 kiddie and flashback). It could use some dark rides and more flat rides to evely spread the crowds throught the park.

 

That is what I got from the intervie. And I hope he follows through!