IS SIX FLAG'S LOSS CP'S GAME OR SIGN OF WHAT'S TO COME?

OOPS-TITLE SHOULD HAVE READ "CP'S GAIN"

I read this morning that Six Flags is considering selling Magic Mountain and several other parks to developers for housing/retail. The reason? Too many coasters bringing in obnoxious teenagers who don't spend $ and cause problems.

Initially, I figured Big Dick had to be rubbing his hands in glee, particularly with the Paramount acquisition. But, given further thought, it seems as though CP may have the same problem soon.

With WWL removed, The Mill Race gone, Berenstein Bear Country,sky slide, Paddle Wheel Excursions neglected and decaying, etc., and project 2007 looking more and more like a MUCH NEEDED roller coaster and all of the newer rides having Guiness Book of World Records credentials and mechanical problems, will CP eventually have the same issues?

Think about it, there are very few family rides now. There are kiddy rides and adult rides but not much for families to do together. (Particularly if dad or mom is over 250 pounds.) You do see more and more groups of basketball tossing, foulmouthed delinquents on the midways. Also, CP management responds to the word "theming" like they respound to the word "Vertigo".

Will Magic Mountain's problem eventually hit CP in the wallet? *** Edited 6/25/2006 2:33:11 AM UTC by cptedsdisciple2*** *** Edited 6/25/2006 2:33:49 AM UTC by cptedsdisciple2***

Do you even know what SFMM's problem is?

Even more, do you understand why CP is doing so well? *** Edited 6/25/2006 3:09:41 AM UTC by Gomez***

What does theming have to do with anything? There are also tons of rides at CP that are family friendly: CP & LE RR, Disaster Transport, Iron Dragon, Giant Wheel, Troika, Blue Streak, Antique Cars, Cedar Downs, etc. I don't see CP having any problems at all.

I agree with MillenniumMan. CP has over 65 rides, and only about 15-20 would be considered "intense" or "thrill rides" (not even all of the coasters fit into this category!). So I don't think that the "no-longer-family-oriented" train of thought has much merit, if at all. And no; I don't see CF ever going anywhere close to what SF is going through now. The people in Sandusky know what they're doing. I hope.

I'm so tired of the posts complaining of the lack of family attractions. Take a look around the park, not only the rides, but the people on the midway. Families everywhere, trying to squeeze enough time in the day to get everything done. Its pretty much a well balanced park. If the park was filled with only "family friendly" rides these same people would complain the rides are too mild. Watch any family exit MF, or TTD, etc. and see if they are disapointed.

cptedsdisciple2 said:

... will CP eventually have the same issues?

I dont see anyone complaining, I just see someone starting a conversation and asking a question for others input.

I would agree, CP does have a ballance of family stuff (notice the strollers everywhere!).

Cedar Point has a good pulse on what is needed, but everyone thinks there needes to be a focuse on something different.

I know I enjoy it when i'm there!

Greg

There certainly are growing problems for all amusement parks, problems of demographics and societal change. Along with the movie industry, museums, campgrounds, and fine arts, parks face a public that is increasingly less inclined to go 'out' and that now prefers to get its entertainment from a computer monitor. (Present company OBVIOUSLY not included.)

That being said, SFMM's problem is perplexing. Given this fundamental shift in American life, there ought to be fewer obnoxious teens at the parks, not more -- as teens are by far the biggest users of the Internet.

Also, this is a year-round park, that ought to be more profitable than seasonal parks because of improved operating efficiencies. Look at Knott's Berry Farm's success. No, I think that SFMM's primary problem is extreme mismanagement. That's why SF is shrinking faster than... well,you supply the metaphor.

I only hope they don't shut it soon. With luck I'll be in LA in August, and I was hoping to rack up another 15 or 16 coaster credits.

cptedsdisciple2 said:

Too many coasters bringing in obnoxious teenagers who don't spend $ and cause problems.

If you have ever been to SF GrtADv you can totally understand this statement. The park is FULL of gangs, thugs and teens who have no respect for children or families with their language and bad behavior :(
One of their own security guards said to us, "this park brings in a tough, tough crowd and they constantly have problems"
Growing up in NYC (our senior trip was to GrtAdv!)
I am used to this kind of crowd, but to someone else who is used to CP, GL or even PKI, it can be very intimidating.
In this instance, has nothing to do with whom owns the park, it is the location.

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 1113 :)
Lifetime Nitro rides: 21 :)

Ensign Smith said:
I was hoping to rack up another 15 or 16 coaster credits.

Yeah. Good luck with that.

Took me 3 years to eventually ride everything there.

What are you saying, that Six Flags doesn't keep a significant percentage of their coasters running at any given time? I never heard of such a thing. Why, the nerve of those people!

Crowds, ride reliability, etc.

Ensign Smith said:
What are you saying, that Six Flags doesn't keep a significant percentage of their coasters running at any given time? I never heard of such a thing. Why, the nerve of those people!

Hahaha. Yeah, pretty much.

I went for 3 straight years and the days I went were pretty dead, so we didn't have much to deal with in the way of crowds, but on any given visit, there were only like, 9 of the 16 open.

I eventually DID get them all, though.

Hmmmmmm, I had no trouble getting in 15 coasters in a 2 day trip to SFMM... 9 is a little bit of an exageration, no, its ALOT of an exageration.

A coaster is "much needed" at Cedar Point? There aren't enough today?

Dude, why would six flags give up their best park, i mean im not saying i like them or anything but why would they sell sfmm if they are building Tatsu this year huh?

The Tatsu decision was made before Snyder made his purchase. He's cutting the fat and making it to where these parks can survive. If he has determined that MM isn't a good investment, I'm sure it will be on the chopping block with any of the other parks that aren't up to par or trying to get there.

How is SFMM the company's best park? If you read the trip reports on CoasterBuzz, people think it's a dump. They get fewer visitors in an entire year than SFGAm does in three months.

Listen to Jeff, he knows what he's saying. Just read what [edit]Lance said[/edit] at screamscape about SFMM.
http://www.screamscape.com/html/six_flags_magic_mountain.htm

*** Edited 6/27/2006 3:57:01 AM UTC by TTD 120mph***

That's not an "article," it's Lance's opinion, which is totally off the wall, if you ask me.

I've never been to SFMM. Part of the reason is that I haven't heard anything good about it, and the only ride that peaks my interest there is Goliath, and perhaps Tatsu (though I generally am not a fan of flying coasters). I wouldn't make a special trip, that's for sure.

Goliath is really a bore. The only worthwhile coaster out there is X.