Dells owners express little concern with Six Flags water park

While I know it wouldn't cripple the Dells waterparks, they have to be thinking it will take away some regular visitors.

Guess we will see what happens this summer.

They'll just have to market harder in Minnesota--a state with exactly one wave pool.

I really see these two waterparks marketing to two different audiences. Six Flags will be marketing to a group of people that will be driving two hours or less to get to the park and spending the day there. The typical visitor won't be staying in a hotel and won't be doing anything besides Six Flags during their visit.

On the other hand, the Dells markets to the extended weekend or vacation goer. Noah's Ark et.al. will be marketing to people that will be spending time in the Dells area as an "attraction" in the sea of other "attractions". Noah's, et.al., main competition is businesses in the Dells. People don't come to the Dell's just to do Noah's as a rule. They come to do the Dells. They come to ride the boat rides, shop downtown, go go-karting, do putt-putt at all the putt-putt courses around, and to do water parks. Just because Six Flags has a waterpark doesnt mean less people are going to take a vacation in the Dells.

Even with a waterpark, it's hard to see SFGAm being seen as a "Destination" park. While it comes closer, the destination parks are the Disneys and Universals. It's hard to compete with that.

d8

Even though it isn't a destination park, you now get the 2 birds with one stone in that you don't need to drive all the way to the Dells or Rockford for a water park. I think it could take away a little buisiness from the Dells in the people who were on the verge of going, but not really wanting to commit a weekend or vacation.

I don't know about that, onceler. Most people around here (Milwaukee area) go to the Dells for the Dells and just happen to hit Noahs as one of the many things they do while they are out there. They don't plan their trip JUST to go to Noahs or <insert waterpark name here>.

Now, if any of the waterparks in the Dells are crapping their pants about anything, it's the fact that Family Land just added a handful of go-karts, coasters, and a ton of new slides to their admission.

I've got nuthin' but love for our cheesehead friends up north but I don't think the summer vacation habits of Wisconsinites are much of a concern to the Dells, anyway.

From yesterday's News..

"Citing an economic impact study of Wisconsin Dells tourism, officials said Chicago-area residents accounted for about $600 million of the Dells’ $840 million in tourism-related income in 2003, which translated into $39 million in lost tax revenue for Illinois."

Of the folks I know who head up to the Dells for a day or two every summer, waterparks are the ONLY reason. Of course, my experience just might not be the rule. Mini golf all over the place here. Go-Karts, too. What do we lack? Yep, waterparks.

Worry? Mybe just a tad?

Kick The Sky - I was referring more to the Illinois residents as IBsteve pointed out; Paticularly the ones where the water park is a big reason they go. I don't think it will take away major attendance, but I think there will be those people/families who might goto SFGAm for a day, then goto the Dells for a weekend.

I dont think this will affect the Dells at all.. You may have some people visit SFGAM too see the how new waterpark is and i think season passholders will visit more often, but it wont lead to people not going to the Dells for a vacation.

The Dells offer much more than the Gurnee area does and also has numerous indoor water area's which is very imnportant as one never knows how the weather will be.

And once people visit SFGAM, things are likely to go down hill unless the park greatly improves customer service,food quality & price,clamps down on unruly guests.. If the waterpark is popular IMHO you will find people waiting in long lines to get in due to capacity issues which will make many upset many quests who dont have those problems in the Dells water park's . I have seen this firsthand at SFT SL which isnt anywhere as busy as SFGAM.

My son and I go to Noak's Ark 2 or 3 times a season and we go just to Noak's ark. The rest of the Dells is a rip off. But now with gas prices being so high and SFGrA now with a Waterpark and just 1 hour away compaired to the Dells at 2.5, I think I'll keep my money right here in ILL.

Also Noak's Ark is no Disney of Waterparks.

SCHLITTERBAUN IS!

This is like the 2 atlanta water parks. Sf just built another one now they have "skull island" and white water.