What parks will survive?
I agree with CoasterFanMatt. The word is that a lot of the "dead" space in DCA is going to be reworked. As we already know two big name eateries are gone with possible one or two more on the way,to be replaced with in house operations. The realization that it needs to be friendlier to preteens has sunk in also. It will take a little time to rectify, but it will be done. The current investment is just to great to shutter it.
I don't really see any big parks closing in the next 15 years. I can only see smaller parks near bigger parks such as Williams Grove (Hersheypark), Quassy (Lake Compounce), and Camden Parks (SFKK) fading away in the shadows of bigger parks near by. Thats why I think many of us need to stop and support these smaller parks now before it's too late.
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SFA owns an additional 350+ acres (400 before Batwing) behind the park. Six Flags has plans to make it one of the largest Six Flags parks in the chain. However, since the park sits right outside of Washington DC, then I hope the recent attacks haven't caused attendance to fall.
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So...you can't handle a rollercoaster huh? Well...you ARE the Weakest Link! Goodbye!
Number 1 Batwing Fan!
how do a majority of the post seemed based in fantasy, Intamin Fan? Many of the comments seem to be very rationale and intelligent. anyways, I believe that for many of the amusement parks the future is uncertain due to political and economic situations. however, i will be willing to bet that many of the small independent parks will actually thrive in the upcoming years due to the fact that these smaller parks offer cheaper entertainment and have a solid consumer market.
I disagree with PT300, I do think that SFEG will surive for a few years, and Mind Eraser does draw long lines, but it is not a classic ride, people will aventually get sick of it. I think that Six Flags will try and sell it in the next ten years. There is absolutly no land to add any more full-curcuit coasters, and not even enough for any other kind for that matter. This is why they moved six years ago, but it doenst seem to have done them much good.
I also hope that Lakeside in Denver does stay open, it is really un-fortunate what has happened to it sense Elitches move in 95, everybody likes the new rides and are afraid to ride a old coaster. It is very sad that the park is as run-down as it is. I hate to say it, but I don't know how much longer Lakeside can stay a float. And I also think that Cedar Point will be around for a long time, they are gonna be land locked soon, but they will think of something, they will remove old rides or go into the parking lot, build a parking garage and take space from the remaing part of the parking lot(someting that SFEG desperatly needs to do!) These are just some things that both SFEG and Cedar Point could do to get some new attraction even though Cedar Point is currently under way in adding a new ride.
Maybe so, maybe not, Alex R. If, for example, Six Flags decided it was going to concentrate on creating "destination resorts," (keeping only the bigger parks like Magic Mountain, Great America, etc), the company might well decide to sell smaller parks, no matter how profitable those smaller parks might be. In other words, if a company's priorities change, than the company may reconsider it's holdings. Who knows what the future holds?
Well, I also find Lakeside's Mouse to be quite fun. Twister II, while it doesn't offer but one spot of air, is always fast and fun. I even love the Mind Eraser, and look at all the great coasters I've been on! I really do hope they keep Sidwinder for a long time, as it is a smooth, unique, great ride (also my first coaster). Boomerang is always good for a ride, but I see know reason why they didn't give us an invertigo. :(
Long live SFEG!
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Don't look down-Oblivion
Matthew said:
With Six Flags' neglect of some of the smaller SF parks, I would not be surprised if Six Flags tries to sell of some of the smaller parks that do not perform as well.
In many other industries, it is common business practice to purchase property, make an investment, and sell it later for a price far greater than what was originally paid. I am sure that Six Flags didn't have to shell out an unbelievable amount of money for parks like Darien Lake, Elitch's Gardens and Kentucky Kingdom, and I am sure that they would be able to sell any one of those parks today for much more simply because they are now "Six Flags" theme parks. Even though most enthusiasts aren't crazy about some aspects of the Six Flags corporation, they do have a reputation and that alone adds value to their parks, even without new rides.
*** This post was edited by Rob Ascough on 10/24/2001. ***
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