Arrow's Bankruptcy

I've heard people state in posts here as well as on other message boards that the building of X precipitated Arrow's financial decline. They said the reason for this was that Arrow did not realize how expensive X was really going to become to create and build.

To me, this sounds odd. I mean, was SFMM aware of the cost of erecting and creating this coaster? SF isn't hurting financially by their decision to purchase X........so they must have been at least somewhat aware of how much money this thing was likely to cost.

Now if a theme park chain knew what to expect.........why in the world didn't the people who have been creating and building coasters for different parks for years and years realize what the costs were going to be for X? It just doesn't seem to make much sense, does it?

SF has ALOT of money. I'm sure they weren't expecting it either but they had the finances to support it.

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"Tea & Cake Or Death?-Eddie Izzard"~My No Limits Designs...http://coastergames.net/author.php?author=BKF%20Master

That's part of my point, though. I'm sure Arrow wasn't exactly destitute either. I'm sure they had millions of dollars in their own right, plus, as I've mentioned, years and years of coaster-building and coaster-financing experience behind them. So what happened? Did someone misplace a decimal point along the way of X's creation or something?

Well I am not totally sure...but I think that the major finance problems came from having to re-design the trains...which was un-forseen. As to why they couldn't predict how much stress the cars would endure...I really don't know. You'd prob. have to ask someone on the "inside".

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"Tea & Cake Or Death?-Eddie Izzard"~My No Limits Designs...http://coastergames.net/author.php?author=BKF%20Master

Arrow was rushed through the R&D process for the 4th dimension specifically by Gary Story. He was so intent on getting X ready for the 2001 season and Arrow wanted to get back into the game with the big boys (Intamin, B&M, etc.) Both companies took a gamble with it and both lost in one way or another. Arrow worked very hard to deliver X on time and within budget but obviously some of the engineering design was overlooked. SF basically did the same thing with Vekoma's GIB. They too rushed through its R&D process and look at the problems it has.

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WCUSA-The World's largest theme park is coming!
Theme parks will NEVER be the same!

Is it possible or is it occurring that the myriad of problems relating to X and Deja Vu have some major stockholders and/or investors and/or directors taking a couple glances at Gary Story and his management policies and practices, or maybe at least the method in which Six Flags acquires major rides? Is it known if any of the major ride manufacturers are taking these lessons to note and maneuvering against these possibilities against themselves concerning Six Flags? What are the attitudes and perspectives out there, anyone know? Kinda like a 'Geez whizzers, I don't wanna end up like those Arrow or Vekoma guys over there no sirreee!' ?

*** This post was edited by coderGirl on 6/7/2002. ***

Arrow was in serious trouble even before the X. The employees were told that Arrow might not be able to pay the health insurance premium and to fend for themselves. Alan Harris in his own words was "tired of taking the begging bowl to the investors" there was a struggle for power and Alan Harris and his secretary along with the new VP that alan had appointed, left the company. Fred then took control and convinced the investors to infuse one last chunk of money to keep it afloat. soon after that was when six flags financed the x proto on the Fast Track.

*** This post was edited by coasterdummie on 6/7/2002. ***

That is fascinating, coasterdummie............What is the source of that information? I'd like to hear more about that.