Six Flags reinstates park presidents

metallik:

Hambone: It's not a matter of surviving; rather, thriving. KI sells a ton of season passes to locals who treat a trip to the park like a trip to the movies.

This reminds me of something I've thought for a long time - the standardized approach to pricing (and I know it's not perfectly standard, but it mostly is) doesn't make sense given the variety of markets NSFW operates in. In Cincinnati, they can appeal to a market of customers who come out every week or two and buy overpriced Graeter's. In Richmond, if they don't have that, maybe the daily gate should be higher (the silver pass is about $20 lower).

Also: $45-55 just seems low to me for a daily ticket - I'm not saying they could charge Disney prices, but 1/3 of Disney's gate price?

We don't need KI for overpriced Graeters, there's a dedicated drive-thru at Jungle Jims now.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5kt...MA36KTfEG8

Tangentially related, they had to remove some of the relocated remains of KI's Monorail to install that drive thru.

hambone:

given the variety of markets NSFW operates in

I give up on this acronym. Does this mean anything besides Not Safe For Work anywhere?

I'm glad I wasn't the only one that couldn't figure that one out.

New Six Flags or Whatever.

The genesis was in one of the merger threads (credit I believe to Hambone, IIRC).

Yes it's mine, although I now think of it as New Six Flags Worldwide.

Kings Dominion has now re-introducted (or greatly expanded, depending on your verbiage choice) live entertainment for this summer. Hard for me to understand how much is an increase versus what just wasn't announced yet for the season, but it seems to be a pick up from where things last stood.

Interesting for me is the Splash parade, something that Tokyo Disneyland has touched on ("mist parade"), and that Hong Kong Disneyland has gone all-in ("Pixar water play parade"). HKDL's is a mini Thailand "Songkran"-style parade, with the crowds getting soaked. It will be interesting to see just how "wet" the KD Version will be.

Holding out hope (even though it is unlikely) that Kings Dominion brings back Winterfest. It was always a must-do on the way home from Williamsburg.

Well tomorrow morning there is something ("multi-market") being announced; supposed to be on websites/apps at 10:00 AM.

Revenge of the fifth.

Press releases drop at 3:30 ET to hit morning shows. West coast folks who stay up late can catch them at 12:30 Tuesday morning PT

Any guesses? It's got to be entertainment related as it's too late for any hardware for 2026, and it's too Upbeat of a tease to be a "we're selling FT, KD and Dorney"

Holiday in the Park back at Over Georgia and Great Adventure they are saying it's an expanded version. Not sure how true that is since I've never went.

Sucks that Winterfest wasn't reinstated at KD. KD might really be on the chopping block.

I'm curious if Great Adventure's will be similar to what it was before, or if it'll be more like Cedar Fair's Winterfest events with fewer open rides but more shows/entertainment.

Pretty dumb to think this needed some kind of pre-announcement-announcement when it only impacts two parks with vague details.

Don't think the announcements were meant for people who frequent this site (or PB).

but the announcements went out across the country as "Multi-Park" announcements. While true, that's a bit of an overreach.

Mr. Six:

I'm curious if Great Adventure's will be similar to what it was before, or if it'll be more like Cedar Fair's Winterfest events with fewer open rides but more shows/entertainment.

By what the report said, It's going to be different from HITP. Not huge details but 3 themed areas and trying to get as many rides available based on the hours and temperatures that rides can operate in for the event.

I picture rides early then close them as it gets colder and as it gets dark out the lights and shows become the attractions.

Great Adventure also is getting a bunch of flats, and a Mouse that can operate at pretty much any temperature.

but the announcements went out across the country as "Multi-Park" announcements. While true, that's a bit of an overreach

I have a feeling they will slowly update the other Holiday In The Parks and Winterfest, and I am sure some this year will get upgrades, particularly food and Live E. Judging by Magic Mountain construction and Fright Fest Great Adventure it looks like Fright Fest across parks will get much needed love too.

One thing that is abundantly clear is O’Reilly is definitely listening to the surveys about Live E, and probably the park presidents. Considering the business Disney and Hereschend and now Universal bring from Holidays and Special Events, and how it’s worked well at select CF parks, it’s something SF parks have been missing for decades, and the reaction at Great Adventure has been palpable, they just need Ops and Up time at the parks not to sour the rest of the good work.

Considering the timing of this announcement during the prime season pass selling window, I’m wagering that numbers at these two parks were down substantially.

Great Adventure crowds have been hit or miss the 11 times I've been to the park. Even on the miss days the midways aren't a ghost town. The crowd just spreads out to keep the waits to almost a walk on for most rides. The hits have led to 1-2 hour waits for El Toro and Flash and Nitro getting a 30 minute wait without Fast Lane.