Magic Mountain to get another coaster in 2010

Still, the idea that a park is getting "rewarded" when it gets a new coaster is just silly. Sure, if a park has showed signs that a new coaster would give a certain amount of ROI to make it worth it based on past investment, then that's all well and good, but that's something very different from rewarding the park with a coaster, as if that's some sort of gift.

Imagine the board meetings "Well, Park X did gangbusters with their per caps this year, let's drop $12 Mill over there just for a job well done, whaddya guys think? Let's put a bow on it and everything."

Wow, a lot of harsh words here. I thought it is known knowledge that Six Flags usually reward parks that did well in the prior season.

In regards of Magic Mountain, the park is doing fine and that is not coming from one visit, but visits all over the year. Being able to speak with Jay Thomas (Park President), i am confident that they have a great team in place that knows what the park needs and attractions that should be added

To not have Mamoosh in front of the line as he is boycotting the place with no knowledge of the changes that hapend in the past year, only will enhance my experience. So all is good!

^In a sense, yes, you could argue that the park is "rewarded" for higher attendance. But how that decision is made is that the park shows return on previous investment (making it easy to argue for future investment). But the future return....that's where the good investing is done. :)

Yes they are getting a new coaster next year its been confirmed. The problem is that thinking too far ahead may also cost the company loads of cash they dont really have to begin with.

You cannot base new attractions on a one year figure. There has to be continual growth for about three years or more to bank major attractions generally on that. Economically speaking, with people not spending as much does a new attraction warrent spending at SFMM a year later. The economy is not great we all know that, but spending money is supposed to help that. However, in a situation where you have a higher risk spending money such as a trip to an over priced amusement park does that fit into John Q. consumer's budget. I think that attendance will be down all over not just there, right now it is not a warrented move at all.

To not have Mamoosh in front of the line as he is boycotting the place with no knowledge of the changes that hapend in the past year, only will enhance my experience. So all is good!

I read the trip reports. I'm aware of the changes. But after years of spending my money there -- only to discover that having my teeth pulled sans novacaine would have been more fun -- I have simply decided to spend my money elsewhere. They have lost me as a customer. Do they care? I doubt it. But I feel better not giving them my hard-earned salary.

Sure, I could drive 20 mins up the freeway and spend about $100 (parking, admission, and food) to visit SFMM and get my coaster fix. But I'd rather spend hundreds of dollars to fly, rent hotel rooms and a car, and visit places like Knoebels, Dollywood, Waldameer, Silverwood, Kennywood, Silver Dollar City, Lake Compounce, and Holiday World where I'll get a good return on the money invested to get there.

If my opinion (and boycott) of SFMM bothers you then it says a lot more about you than it does about me.

No horse in this race, but a question: is there anything that could bring you back, or are you Just Done?

For example, there is a grocery store in my town that I will never set foot in again, for any reason whatsoever, because of one horrible service experience. The manager of that store could write me a personal note asking me to "come see their improved staff", and I wouldn't do it. Is that where you're at?

On the scale of 1-10, where 0 = "Willing to give them another chance" and 10 = "Just Done" I'd rate me at 9.5

EDIT - forgot this part of Brian's question: is there anything that could bring you back?

Yes, but it's not a shiny new GCI or any new coaster period. The park has enough coasters. In influx of new flat rides would be a step in the right direction but it's going to take a lot more than that.

Aw, Moosh, you better go back and edit to add Hershey to your list, boy! ;)

AlexInLA said:
Wow, a lot of harsh words here. I thought it is known knowledge that Six Flags usually reward parks that did well in the prior season.

That could be one reason they are trading at 35 cents right now. They don't understand how the ROI business model works. Hey, in the 90's MM was apparently doing so well they had to start putting their rewards in the parking lot.

One thing I don't understand is why park management is increasingly spilling the beans (way) ahead of time on investments. First, Waldameer announces attractions not only for 2009, but 2010 as well. And now Shapiro.

It just doesn't seem like the best way to market your park.

Well, I think it makes sense for marketing in that the perception is that people will be making much more deliberate and thought out decisions about their vacations and such. The thought could be that folks will be planning a couple years in advance and they want to let everyone know there will be something new to see at their park.

I personally don't believe consumer behavior will change that much, but it could be what the parks are thinking.

Well, when you are using rides as rewards, why would you want to spoil that by using them to draw guests in?

Carrie M. said:
Aw, Moosh, you better go back and edit to add Hershey to your list, boy! ;)

I haven't been to Hershey since 2001...I suppose it's time to return ;)

What...how...? *sigh* Storm Runner judges you... ;)

Storm Runner is kind of a dick like that.

Well maybe Storm Runner should get off his high hat . . . er, horse.

Carrie M. said:
What...how...? *sigh* Storm Runner judges you... ;)

Storm Runner Schmorm Runner...I'm a woodie fan! ;-)

(queue Gonch)

Lord Gonchar said:
Storm Runner is kind of a dick like that.

Wow... I read that three times and still thought you said "Storm Runner is the kind of **** that I like." I then thought that Moosh would be quite jealous, and also that I may need glasses.

See, this all goes back to my statement that people see what they want to see. What does that tell you? :)

Mamoosh said:
On the scale of 1-10, where 0 = "Willing to give them another chance" and 10 = "Just Done" I'd rate me at 9.5

So just out of curiosity, why the same "I'm not going back" line in every thread regarding SFMM? For the 1 or 2 people here that haven't gotten it yet? Just wondering...