Arie Force One purchased by Six Flags, location TBD

I refuse to believe "not letting Enchanted have it" wasn't at least part of the decision. Just a bad idea to let your newly minted competitor get a top-11 (GTA) steel coaster at a rock-bottom price.

I refuse to believe "not letting Enchanted have it"

A half price or so discount Top Ten coaster that’s fairly movable with a fanbase is a rare thing. They also have drastically spread out cap ex, and have debit to service, so them being the high bidder over enchanted is not surprising. I am surprised Hereschend didn’t bid because of their RMC ties and Silverwood or Lake Compounce could of used it. But they seem not yet ready to pull much from SDC and DW on the new aquisitions.

Enchanted is just barely a competitor of Six Flags; the closest overlap they have is probably Michigan's Adventure and Cedar Point. I don't think anyone in Charlotte and/or Arlington is quaking in their boots about Michigan's Adventure getting a poor imitation of Steel Vengeance.

Sea World, or whatever that company is called now, is more of a competitor. AF1 doesn't especially fit in Williamsburg, but they could probably drop it in Texas without much trouble.

But in any case, I don't think that was a major consideration. It was a good ride at a bargain basement price. Come on, don't overthink this.

Scott Allen:

Unless Six Flags leadership is completely incompetent

hambone:

Come on, don't overthink this.

At CoasterBuzz, in this economy?

hambone:

But in any case, I don't think that was a major consideration.

Exactly. I said it was part of the decision. Not the main reason, but you don't let your competitors get good deals if you can help it, especially if you can afford the bargain yourself.

I doubt it was considered all. As others have pointed out, exactly who is the competition here? In one post, SF leadership is completely incompetent and in another they’re playing Machiavellian 4D chess.

Before the merger, they competed in a few markets, but now, it's zero. Maybe SeaWorld San Antonio, but even that's a stretch.