Magic Mountain 2/18/06---Sheep to the Slaughter!
Associated parks:
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I was ready to counter-argue your post, BUT my son just ran by naked waist-down, wearing a cowboy hat, vest, and carrying a bandana! I forgot what it is I did not like about your take! :-)
CD said:
Another thing that I think ,that apearentaly no one agrees with me about, Is that X is one of the worst coasters ever.
I won't disagree. I think X is a horrible ride. When you get over the novelty (which took about five seconds), you're left with a painful pile of sh**.
About varying trip reports...
It's true, you can hit a Six Flags park on a good day or a bad day. I've had generally positive experiences at my home park (Great Adventure) but other people absolutely hate the place. I guess I've hit it on good days while others have hit it on bad days. The thing that Six Flags has to work on is eliminating the bad days- they need consistency.
When I go to a Disney or Busch park, I know exactly what I'm getting. Clean grounds, polite employees, all rides open and running at capacity- there is no unknown variable there regardless of what the weather or crowds are like. Six Flags parks, on the other hand, offer an experience that largely depends on an number of things. In order to play the game, you have to offer "greatness" each and every day. Only then will the arguing over park experiences come to an end.
I haven't been to SFMM since 2001, but I can tell you, the two times I was there, I experienced pretty much the same thing: closed rides, stupid employees, stupid policies, and filth everywhere.
I'm leaving for my third trip to LA tomorrow and I'll be spending my money at KBF this time.
Jeffrey R Smith said:
Moosh:I was ready to counter-argue your post, BUT my son just ran by naked waist-down, wearing a cowboy hat, vest, and carrying a bandana! I forgot what it is I did not like about your take! :-)
...and just like when Bugs, Daffy, or Taz stops for a photo op, all is forgiven... ;)
Seriously, though, the price changes have gone into effect, SFMM is a year-round park, and while I don't expect *miracles* overnight, it IS about time to see TRs that show consistent, friendly, efficient operations throughout....that IS what we were promised along with the price hikes, right?
BTW, I took the "sheep to the slaughter" title as the joke it was intended to be... :)
...Good Old Rocky Top...whew..
...thanks for the sense of humor. I thought that went over everybody's head!
I didn't get too excited about starting 17-0, I can't get too upset about wins and losses until they really COUNT....that'll be in a few weeks (and traditionally under Donovan, we get worse as the year progresses).
How this relates? My poor beloved gators went against the Vols, and "competed" much like SFMM does against DL/DCA...not too well... ;)
I suspect the demo in the park only confirms my earlier assessment that the price really doesn't matter. People pay what it costs.
I never find myself in a sour mood at the park, so it's really surprising I hear all of these unfavorable reports, although your opinions are still your opinions - that's noted. It's only those that go to the park and don't self-enforce some good times and fun and expect employees to make eye contact and wave at you on a ride in order to be satisfied really expect way too much. It's the truth.
And this rude employee and trash everywhere talk is really all myth. It trickles down the vine and everyone assumes that's it's always the case. Not. I have never seen garbage lying in the midway at the park. Where is it that you guys see this stuff? I just don't understand how so many people have come to dislike the park SO much. I have a great time, everytime, and I do feel like I get my money's worth (well, I have a pass this season, but regardless). :) It really all comes down to your own attitude and the way you make the best of your enjoyment at the park.
If you go to the park not fully realizing that you're nitpicking at everything that could be better, you're the one responsible for dragging down the amount of fun you'll have at the park that day, not the park. Sure, there are some instances where that's not always the case, but most of the time it is. When you're having a great time with family and friends, you're not going to notice (or even remember at the end of the day) that there was a bubble gum wrapper lying at the base of a tree, or if the parking ticket booth employee only gave you a half-hearted "have a great day." And it's only the ones that go the park by themselves or don't socialize with their friends and have a great time are the ones that will notice that the operators don't finish the ending spiel or don't have a diabetes-inflamed smile plastered on their face.
I think you are right on in analysis Gonch as far as people paying what it takes. In my opinion the parks are rediculously underpriced (especially the passes) in terms of what most people are WILLING to pay. At seven to tenfold increase is when you might start seeing the demographic changes...
Anybody see the prices of daycare these days? At $60 for the year, the parents get out of their obligations and allow Six Flags to raise their teenagers.
Seriously though, my thought is to simply limit the number of visits you can make on a SP...."up to five (or ten) visits per year" as opposed to the LIMITLESS number of visits currently allowed...
Of course, I'm biased, I probably only get 7-8 visits/year on average, usually no more than two at any given park...
kRaXLeRidAh said:
If you go to the park not fully realizing that you're nitpicking at everything that could be better, you're the one responsible for dragging down the amount of fun you'll have at the park that day, not the park.
Hate the arguement. It holds no water. Essentially what you're saying is, "Ignore the problems and they don't exist."
When you're having a great time with family and friends, you're not going to notice (or even remember at the end of the day) that there was a bubble gum wrapper lying at the base of a tree
True. But...
or if the parking ticket booth employee only gave you a half-hearted "have a great day."
Untrue. If anything, the better time I'm having and the more people with me, the more I notice employees with piss poor attitudes.
And it's only the ones that go the park by themselves or don't socialize with their friends and have a great time are the ones that will notice that the operators don't finish the ending spiel or don't have a diabetes-inflamed smile plastered on their face.
Again, I find the exact opposite to be true. The more people in the group and the more fun we're having - that one moron employees who doesn't understand common courtesy, let alone understand it's essentially his job as a theme park/hospitality industry employee, stings even harder.
Edit - formatting.
*** Edited 2/24/2006 9:07:48 PM UTC by Lord Gonchar***
I do think though, that a simple courtesy like a choice of rice at a theme park or any place for that matter should be granted.
Heck, I once asked for a scoop of panda, and the guy went to back to get it for me.
Here's To Shorter Lines & Longer Trip Reports!
Lord Gonchar said:
or if the parking ticket booth employee only gave you a half-hearted "have a great day."Untrue. If anything, the better time I'm having and the more people with me, the more I notice employees with piss poor attitudes.
I'm going to go with the minority and agree with Krax as well. Usually the last thing I'm thinking about are the employees (of course there are exceptions good and bad).
I'd almost rather have that half-hearted "have a nice day" than a cheesy, fake one. Surely there's a happy medium in there somewhere. :)
"Would you like to buy a photo of you boys enjoying the Line Ride?"
So, fan boy, you're telling me I made up the stories about Amy & Kelly and others? I was not at SFMM alone that day...I have three other witnesses. Heck, I haven't been to an amusement park alone in about 10 years!
Everything I reported was true and factual without any agenda. If you or anyone chooses not to believe me that's your choice.
mOOSH
*** Edited 2/25/2006 2:41:33 AM UTC by Mamoosh***
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