GP's reaction to Wicked Twister

Before I start, let me say that I love Intamin Impulses and can't wait to ride Wicked Twister.

However, at least here in Ohio, I find the public's reaction to the announcement kind of annoying. Most of my co-workers know I love coasters, and they are coming up to me in droves, asking if I've heard of WT, and they are so wowed by it. When I try to explain that it's a variation of another ride at SFWoA, most say they've never heard of that park, or they think that "Geauga Lake" has no rides. Mind you, my co-workers and I all live about the same distance from both parks.

It just bugs me that SFWoA went all out last year and barely got noticed by the GP. Any other Ohioans experienced the same thing?

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You can't spell "dishonorable" without "honorable."

Well my co-workers are barely aware that Cedar Point exists. I'm Kings Island and Geuaga Lake are barely a blip on the scrren either. Forget about anything small and traditional. I try to avoid even bringing up the sunject of amusement parks. I get the "shouldn't you have grown out of that by now" attitude.

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everything's better with a banjo

This is exactly the "enthusiast superiority" thing I mention in another thread. I think this proves exactly how many enthusiasts are "out of touch".

See this thread:

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=11&TopicID=16014

Most of the people I talked to think that Wicked Twister looks lame. Also they have never heard of S:UE, problaby becuase I never saw any direct advertising around here for that paticular coaster in 2000, just the park.

*** This post was edited by Joe E. on 11/26/2001. ***

I told my roommate about CP's new ride. he lives in MI, but goes to CP all the time 'cause its close enough. when all the buzz before the announcement was around, I tried to explain to him what the ride might be like. I used the example of S:UE at SFWoA and he asked me if that was Geeauga Lake. I said yes, only it was taken over by a big company. anyway, he thought I was talking about S:TE. I guess he heard about it from a TV show or something. when the announcement came, I showed him the videos and stats and stuff and told him that CP is just a copy cat of SFGA as was mentioned in another thread. I was joking 'cause I'm trying to mess with him and convince him that CP isn't that great, but he didn't seem to mind that other parks had similar rides. he isn't an enthusiast, but he's a little more educated than the GP so take that reaction how you will.
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Knott's Berry Farm Cuba ~South Park

See, this illustrates the point I've made time and time again. They're in trouble over there in Aurora and brand identity is in the dumper. It'll only get worse with Cedar Point's obvious marketing push for next year. They didn't have to build another Millennium Force, their reputation is what it is!

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I showed my friends (who are dumb as a bag of leaves when it comes to coasters) the picture of WT and they thought it was the same thing as that boring ride we rode at Marine world (Their words..not mine)

I will say Cedar Point's media relations is *incredible.* I work at a newspaper, and we ALWAYS get detailed, multiple-page press releases, with lots of glossy art, on the same day that announcements are made. Wow. PKI has good press releases, with lots of gimmicks, but it's spotty. We've never seen a single press release from SFWoA. You're right, Jeff. They are screwing themselves up there.
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You can't spell "dishonorable" without "honorable."

Jeff said:
"They're in trouble over there in Aurora and brand identity is in the dumper."

It's my opinion here that no one here will have *the* answer, but I'd like to hear a few comments. Now the question:

How was this "Brand Identity" supposed to *really* help SFWoA? I mean really, before the conversion, how many Ohioans had even *HEARD* of a "Six Flags"? I can see where it would work out here in Maryland. Many people from this area *DO* know of the Six Flags name because of that park just to the north (SFGAdv). Similarly, I can see that working for Fiesta Texas as SFAW and SFoT *may* be known to locals. But what folks in Ohio/ Western PA know SF? With CP, PKI and Kennywood around, I doubt many traveled to SFGAm or SFGAdv. Now with the mediocre experiences people are (supposedly) getting at SFWoA and SFKK, do they truely believe that is a good thing for their *name*?

I dont know, perhaps it was good thing to use the name where the locals would have the possibility of knowing it (e.g. SFA, SFFT, SFMW, SFNE) but some of the other places seem 'extraneous'.
ciao,
moi
--*still* an SF brat

Basically all I hear from the GP and stuck-up "expert" (self-proclaimed that is) coaster enthusiasts is a lot of whining. Whine, whine, whine. Give me a break. Most, if not everyone who has been on an impulse loves it. CP wanted one, and put a new spin on it--no pun intended.

I like it. Those who don't can build their own Beemer or CCI in their backyard. Stop complaining already.

Danimales, I agree with you, but I really don't want this post to go that direction. There's another whole thread of posts like yours.
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You can't spell "dishonorable" without "honorable."

It will be a good addition 2 CP, however, I wish it could've been at least 250ft in height, sorry!

moi - My family lives in Pittsburgh, and while none of them have ever been to a Six Flags park, my Aunt and Uncle were pumped when they heard Six Flags bought Geauga Lake. Six Flags does have a national "brand identity," that most people associate with quality.

That being said, no one in my family has made the trip yet because of bad press and bad word of mouth from neighbors/friends. We'll rectify that this spring, though. :)

So, it's a "Catch 22" in the case of my family. Brand recognition brought high hopes, but reports of SFWoA not living up to the standards of that brand recognition has kept them from reaping the benefits. I don't know how applicable this scenario is to the rest of the poplulation in Ohio/Western PA, but it may be something to consider.

Oh yeah, even my grandfather knew about Wicked Twister when I was in Pittsburgh for Thanksgiving, and nobody in my family had ever heard of S:UE.
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"you're better off talkin bout your wack puma sneakers." -KRS ONE

*** This post was edited by chris on 11/26/2001. ***

They will probably say that its 1,999 ft tall and goes 150 mph. They will also say theres a taller one somewhere else.

Hey chris, you do know that SF didn't exactly buy Geauga Lake, more like the Lake bought them.
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CP! Still the coaster capital of the world in 2002!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

The GP's reaction will be "Oh, there's a new coaster at Cedar Point next year? Cool! Hey pass the Doritos, what's on TV tonight?"
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Kicking screamin' Gucci little siggy.

I should add that when WT was announced, a friend whom I haven't seen for almost a year, from Beaver, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh), called to tell me. She had never heard of S:UE, even though she's closer to SFWoA.
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You can't spell "dishonorable" without "honorable."

Really? I was always under the impression that 6F bought that park. Please fill me in.
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"you're better off talkin bout your wack puma sneakers." -KRS ONE

2Hostyl -

My grandparents live about 2 minutes away from SFWoA and when they heard that Six Flags was buying Geauga Lake and what was going to happen to the park, they were really mad about the brand name coming to town and all... point being, I was surprised they had even heard of Six Flags, they don't even own a TV!!

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-Keith "Badnitrus" McVeen

Medusafanatic said:
They will probably say that its 1,999 ft tall and goes 150 mph. They will also say theres a taller one somewhere else.

Don't forget about it sinking. ;)
I dont see why CP has much of a reason to be woried about competition. There's about as good of a chance of SFWOA getting a new coaster nay time soon as CP having a space problem. The citizens of Aurora are to stubborn to give in.

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"It's always great for us to put the newest and the best rides into the roller coaster capitol of the world" Sandor Kernacs 11/20/01