Close Magic Mountain? Residents Aren't Thrilled

Sadly, Shapiro mentioned earlier this year that the $21 million spent of Tatsu would have gone a long way towards fixing some of the park's problems. Now that money is already invested, and SFMM isn't due for another large budget like that for several years. This should give a pretty good idea of where Burke and co's heads were at, and how often they actually visited their parks (never).

DWeaver said:
This should give a pretty good idea of where Burke and co's heads were at...

Can't spell bum or Burke without B-U.... ;)

BFSFA, we're not thinking in terms of what to do NOW, pretty sure Snyder/Shapiro are doing the right thing for the company *at this point*. More of an exercise in "Monday morning quarterbacking"... ;)

Hey!!!!!!1!!!1!!one!!!!

Psyclone is a fun coaster if you don't mind getting bashed around and can take a punch. I like riding it because there never is a line longer then 10 minutes when I go there.

DBJ said:
I just don't see the big financial upside SF would gain from making possibly 200 million, even tax free, one time versus the money making potential of a park with millions of people pouring in through the gates.

You don't see it because that's not the point.

It's not about the financial upside of selling, it's all about the financial downside of keeping the park and attempting to 'fix' it.

coasterimage - lordgonchar

Exactly LG. I used to rag on my friend several years ago when he sold his car, invested that money into paying off his overdue bills, and took public transportation. It made no sense to me. Why would anyone sell a 25,000 car and take the bus to work everyday?

Well, today he has NO debt, doesn't have to worrry about gas prices and car maintainance, and he's in the best physical shape of his life! Sure he misses his car, but he'll rent one for the weekend if it's ever really needed, and he rides his bike alot.

Imagine a SF, where you don't have to worry about SFMM and all the headaches that come with that park? *** Edited 7/3/2006 4:45:08 PM UTC by DWeaver***

Burke sure does get a lot of bashing suddenly, but let us not forget most of this is really Gary Story's (un)doing. Burke was just the crony apprentice most of those years.

I've heard Shapiro wanted to block Tatsu but it was too late and too much work had been done, contracts, etc.

I was speaking specifically on the Tatsu situation. Gary Story began the demise, and his replacement sealed the deal. Together they almost killed the company entirely.

"Psyclone is a fun coaster if you don't mind getting bashed around and can take a punch. I like riding it because there never is a line longer then 10 minutes when I go there."

I guess you just answered why it doesn't have a line. Most people like to avoid pain.

coastin' since 1985

Moosh, I have not listened to the investor podcast since I don't really want to sit and listen to a bunch of corporate speak. Maybe they are being more forthright or blunt and to the point in the investors podcasts than I would expect. I listened to some of these back when I was in college and needless to say I was bored to death so I haven't listened to the ones for Six Flags. But I do like what I hear in the paper and see so far at GAdv. I am willing to bet he might be more blunt and to the point during the teleconfernces since I have talked with area supervisors at GAdv and they tell me he's that way with them.

Maybe I will download the last one and get even more flavor for the new leader of Six Flags.

But it seems that everyone else has also stated what I was also trying to say about the amount coming in minus the amount to run the park may not be worth the troubles and costs of trying to fix it to what you want it to be.

Watch the tram car please....

It's funny, cause I didn't need to listen to the podcast to know exactly why they were making these decisions, all I needed to look at were the numbers and the parks themselves.

I said back in February that SFMM would never be a family park, and quite frankly, would never survive as a family park.

And I'll say this as well, the park does not *need* to be about families. It needs solid, consistant operations, good cutomer service, heightened security, accountability for the park rules by employees and guests alike, and some diversified attractions. And the park needs to be cleaned up. Bringing more attention to Hurricane Harbor wouldn't hurt either.

If the park is to survive, it needs an operator capable of doing these things consistantly. Families don't hate or avoid thrill-parks. SFMM just needs a makeover, and some clever marketing.

Amen DW! Can I get a witness? ;)

DWeaver said:
Families don't hate or avoid thrill-parks.

They DO hate filthy run-down dumps where operations are a nightmare and the employees hate their jobs...whether that's a restaurant, an amusement park, a hotel, or any other place of business... ;)

I guess that's an "amen"... :)

I gave the amen...you'd be the witness, Gator ;)

Witness to the devastation? :(

You spend 21 Megabucks on a new Coaster, only to close the park the same year? If this happens Six Flags will almost certainly be the recipient of my 2006 DOH! Award! :(

Witness to the devastation, or perhaps a re-birth?

I maintain that SFMM could go the way of Atrosityworld, or could be given new life like GL. Perhaps I'm being beyond optimistic (given the property value and so forth), but I'd love to see the park somewhat restored, and cared for by someone with the time and money to do it. I honestly can't think of a reason why anyone would want to invest that type of money with only modest returns, but stranger things have happened.

Paramount's Great America now a Cedar Fair park? Who would have thought that was EVER possible.

Most of the folks who think it would be a wise business decision to liquidate Magic Mountain live on the other side of the country. What's up with that? Maybe there is entrainment value in seeing parks dismantled from a distance?

If your are buying Shipiro's creative strategy of improving parks by selling them off to land development projects, then you can't call your self a true advocate of amusement parks. This would be the second park liquidated during Shapiro's short watch. My guess he has never had any plans to improve Magic Mountain. This has been seen as a big money making land deal by new management for some time I bet, and I think blaming unruly teenagers is an excuse to keep people investing in Six Flags.

I'd say from the look is things Six Flag's aggressive park take overs and ensuing billion dollar dept has now been followed by the worst possible outcome. Management scrapping these parks for slightly higher profit margins rather then selling to alternate park management wanting to keep the parks running for the fans. I guess if Six Flags can't have these parks no one will. And if that doesn't piss you off, then what the hell is up with you dude?!

For coaster fans it should be unforgivable for Six Flags to tear down the Mountain... Is that just my opinion?

If they close SFMM then a lot of people in Arizona will be mad because a lot of people in Phoenix go to SFMM since it is the closest thrill park. They always have ad in grocery stores, Coke cans, and commercials for there new ride.

*** Edited 7/4/2006 3:04:11 AM UTC by Hamster Boy***

Not at all. Remember I live in so-cal and SFMM and Knott's have been my homeparks for the last 10 years. Most people I speak to who actually live here are shocked and outraged that we may lose that park. I should also add that these same people haven't actually been to the park in years. I'm ceratinly not going to get any entertainment value in seeing the park sold off to more greedy ass land developers, who'll over-price it like they've done everything else in that area. But I can understand the thought process behind the decision, and I don't fault Shapiro for wanting to move away from a park with such a bad reputation. It's business, and it's sometimes cold and hard.

I've always said I hope the park finds a new owner, even though I think it's doubtful, it certainly could happen, and that would be an awesome senario, as the park itself still holds loads of potential. *** Edited 7/4/2006 5:34:14 AM UTC by DWeaver***

DBJ said:
? They sold off their parks in Europe, Ohio, Astroworld, Omaha and the are still in trouble.
Am I the only one lost as to what 6flags park was in Omaha? I'm not sure but mad I never knew existed.