15$ Parking is worth it!

If this pays for better bathrooms then I'm all for it.

Arthur Bahl said:
I do feel that Six Flags parking pricing is out of line except at SFMM, SFGAdv and SFKK. Its just another part of that "get 'em for everything you can" attitude. The sad part is that so many continue to put up with it. Maybe it is just that in many regions, if you want a lot of really big coasters, Six Flags is your only choice. In Ohio, where CP is present, SFO (SFWOF) sank like a lead balloon. (even though this was for reasons that have nothing to do with parking).
Why do I make the exceptions? SFMM sits on that million-dollar-an-acre land and much of that is used for parking. SFGadv is close to New York City and prices in the region run high including parking. The above parks are also the biggest Six Flags parks. SFKK is unigue in that Six Flags doesn't own the parking so it is only $5.

Dude, SFKK parking is dollars. it's controled by the fair board and not SF.

Chuck, who thinks thats about right for any park.

Kennywood is another one of those parks where you don't lose your shirt. Free parking or $5 preferred parking close to the gate. Reasonable food and drink prices. Most games $1 or $2. No Q-Bots (they don't need them).

One of the great things about living in Pittsburgh is that the parks within daytrip distance all offer good value. Needless to say, none of them is a Six Flags.

Arthur Bahl

Parking was free anywhere at Phantom fright night last friday anywhere.

Parks I visited this year
HW Free parking
SFKK 4 dollars
Strickers 3 dollars on the fourth for fireworks parking and free on family day and Guest apreciation day.
Fun Spot, Free
IB Free
Kennywood Free
Knoebels Free

Not every Six Flags park charges $15 to park. For example, SFSTL only charges $10.

15$ is a lot of money to go to the park for just one day. Six Flags knows that though, and if you are a regular guest, thats what the 45$ pass is for. In three trips it pays for it self. Do the math, they are trying to save the regular costumers money! Even so though, 15 bucks is well worth a great day of coaster fun.

Heh, PKI gave away parking for SP renewals. Take your 45 and buy two tanks of gas and visit another park *** Edited 10/15/2006 1:22:14 AM UTC by Charles Nungester***

I pay $18 for parking at White Sox games, and just last Sunday $40 for a Bears game. When you look at it that way, $15 for a whole day's parking, including the ability to leave park grounds to grab a bite feels like it could be worse.

-Mark
Never Has Gravity Been So Uplifting.

I actually love paying the $20 (plus tip) to get the valet at busch africa. It is so worth not having to deal with the tram crap.

I just got my 2007 season pass today at Superhero Celebration at SFNE and they now stamp your pass with parking on it and it is good at all SFs parks.

The only reason SF is taking the heat for the parking rates is because some of their parks are the highest in the industry for parking.

It seems no-one *****es about 10 bucks anymore. Give it time and CF will have their parking rates at 15 bucks.

I love small scale parks with free parking just as much as the next enthusiast but I also love the corporate parks due to alot of variety in one park.

If a place like HW continues to expect increased attendance to the point of 2 million that they are predicting, they will have to increase their capital. That means something is going to have to give in the pricing.

A park with 2 million guests a year is considered a large scale park IMO.

My favorite MJ tune: "Billie Jean" which I have been listening to alot now. RIP MJ.

HW has been doing the big things that will allow their atttendance to grow. The big expansion this year with two signature attractions is evidence of that.

Next year they will be taking a bit of a breather with just a themed Tilt-A-Whirl and a new water attraction but bigger things should be on the way in the future.

Because the park is privately held, they don't have to answer to Wall Street. Neither do they have to worry about paying big salaries to someone like Shapiro. What is more likely to happen is that the profits in the park will go back into the park in the form of new investments.

There are likely to be major expansions for another reason as well, to attract vacationers from outside the daytrip distance. This means places like Chicago, Nashville, Memphis and St. Louis. This means that the park will want to have enough attractions to encourage 2 or 3 day stays. Of course, other factors that could help are the free perks and fair pricing (which might attract visitors that are unhappy with Six Flags parks) and the closure of parks such as Libertyland and Santas Village.

What new would be expected in the next ten years. First, hello Easter Bunny! That's right, another theme area. Also more coasters including some steel. A mouse of some kind would be a likely possibility to start with but other ones might come later. Super expensive ones, however will be avoided to help keep the park affordable but that doesn't rull out a fairly big one if it is done right (Kennywood is an example of this with Phantoms Revenge). Also the park could use several thrill rides to give the park a broader appeal and to take more business from parks such as SFKK and SFSTL. Meanwhile, a strong emphasis on family attractions would remain with more darkrides, transport rides, family flats, and shows. As for Splashin' Safari, that will grow as well. The goal here would be to become the best waterpark in the region (if it isn't so already) and to provide ample slide capacity.

One thing that is not in the plans, according to Paula, is a park owned hotel. Still, the park needs to encourage the building of more accommodations in the area to meet the needs of vacationers that want to stay near the park.

Arthur Bahl

Chitown said:
The only reason SF is taking the heat for the parking rates is because some of their parks are the highest in the industry for parking.
It seems no-one *****es about 10 bucks anymore. Give it time and CF will have their parking rates at 15 bucks.
I love small scale parks with free parking just as much as the next enthusiast but I also love the corporate parks due to alot of variety in one park.
If a place like HW continues to expect increased attendance to the point of 2 million that they are predicting, they will have to increase their capital. That means something is going to have to give in the pricing.
A park with 2 million guests a year is considered a large scale park IMO.

Variety yes. Large parks have that. Give me a park with a few good rides operated as they should and Im much happier.

Chuck, who hopes he don't see every coaster at HW some day with brakes all over them.

On many occasions, I have stopped in at Knoebels, rode Twister, Phoenix, Haunted House, the train, had an ice cream cone, and left the park far more satisfied than I ever am at a larger park and less than $10 had left my wallet.

$15 parking, $60 admission, $3 bottled water, 2 hour lines, commercial advertising everywhere...Sorry Six Flags. I'm no longer interested.

Parking Pass good at ALL Parks? What other chain offers that?

Busch

Sure $15 is worth it. What else could you do with $15 at a park? What have I done with $15 at a park?

1) Got 4 hours of ERT @ PPP, 2 slices of pizza and a soda.
2) Got all day admission to DelGrosso's AND had a delicious pasta dinner with bread, salad, and 2 drinks.
3) Same as #1 last year.
4) Same as #1 the year before that.

Anyone have any other alternatives?

I think i would complain less about the food prices if the parking prices were less....I am not going to a sporting event unless you count the running of the bulls in the morning.

Also if I had that extra $15 I probably would spend it somewhere in the park instead. Maybe I would eat in the park....maybe I would buy a souvenier, maybe I would pay for an upcharge attraction, maybe I would buy the lousy food just so I didnt have to leave. Maybe if I actually enjoyed myself more at most Six Flags parks (SFGAM - home park is different), I wouldnt complain about what I am paying to get in, paying to park, or paying to eat.

EDIT - additional comments. *** Edited 10/17/2006 12:22:00 AM UTC by beast7369***

Zero G Thrills

Daniel Northover said:
Busch

Yea but you need to shell out nearly $300 to get that priviledge and it's only offered for the platinum pass....

That $15 will get you an evening of riding at KW starting at 5 PM. If you are over 55, you will have enough left over to get some Potato Patch fries and a drink.

Arthur Bahl