Place your bets. SFGAm beats out CP,PKI,SFGADv.

That anyone would even put MF and Italian Stunted Trick in the same sentence leaves me. . .floorless.

Funny, I had an Italian Trick once and it was a really, really good time. . .and the police didn't chase us nor did we get shot at with machine guns. . .

BJW

If you don't think MF is the greatest ride ever, thats just fine. But it is definitely in the top 10, which I would consider pretty close.

And its easy to throw stones at CP, with their habits of breaking records, but at least they let their rides speak for themselves, as opposed to having to name them all after movies. Yay, Top Gun! Woo-hoo! No gimmick there!

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kRaXLeRidAh said:
You are forgetting that Six Flags Great America on average, statistically pulls in between 2 - 2.3 million guests annually.

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Uh, check again. SFGAm has *never* been below 2.3 million guests per year in the past ten years. Before 2000, SFGAm consistently pulled in over 3 million guests annually.

SFGAm's average yearly attendance since 1999 comes out to about 2.7 million.

The attendance figures we know so far are:
SFGAm: aprox. 2.8 million
SFGAdv: approx. 3 million
Cedar Point: approx. 3.1 million

So while SFGAm didn't beat out CP or SFGAdv, it's nice to finally see attendance approaching the levels they used to be at.

-Nate
*** Edited 11/2/2005 7:37:08 PM UTC by coasterdude318***

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djDaemon said:
But it is definitely in the top 10, which I would consider pretty close.

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Everybody has a different POV. It sure doesn't show up in my top 10...but that's just me.

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And its easy to throw stones at CP, with their habits of breaking records, but at least they let their rides speak for themselves, as opposed to having to name them all after movies.

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See, that's where you're wrong. They've hauled out the same sorta Star Wars-robot-outer space-FYOOTURE quasi-theming for Gemini, Magnum, MF, DT and I may have even forgotten a few. Then everything kinda sits and rots a few seasons before finally (and thankfully) disappearing.

Everybody's got their hang-ups!

-CO

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They've hauled out the same sorta Star Wars-robot-outer space-FYOOTURE quasi-theming for Gemini, Magnum, MF, DT and I may have even forgotten a few.

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So, yes, DT is themed in a space motif. But what are you talking about regarding the others? Are you referring to the FONT they use on their signs? The architecture used on the stations? If so, then you have NO idea what the word "theme" means.

So, I suppose you are right - the "top 10" thing is a matter of opinion. But, how can a steel coaster with NO THEMING be considered a gimmick? Explain that one to me.

Were you even around for Gemini's debut? Tall enough for Magnum's? Old enough to understand what those silly thingies painted on the queue signs were? Cuz otherwise, you have no clue what I'M talking about. The fonts are all that remains. Next?

-CO

Kingda Ka comes to mind.

Yes, it has a theme, but the gimmick isn't the theme. It's the record. The ride lacks substance but pretends it's awesome because of its record. It's a gimmick, plain and simple.

I feel the same way about MF.

Gemini's debut. No.

Maggie's debut. Of course.

So, you're talking about the character signs? Please... You can't be serious.

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Kingda Ka comes to mind.

Yes, it has a theme, but the gimmick isn't the theme. It's the record. The ride lacks substance but pretends it's awesome because of its record. It's a gimmick, plain and simple.

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Right, but TTD & KK are only coasters on technicality of definition. If I had things my way, they would be thrill rides, NOT coasters.

. *** Edited 11/2/2005 8:06:51 PM UTC by djDaemon***

Just because it's low-budget, barely-maintained theming doesn't change the fact that it IS theming. Sorry.

You can stop changing parameters in an attempt to support yourself now. Just because it's an argument in retreat and full of holes doesn't stop it from being a losing argument either.

-CO

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But, how can a steel coaster with NO THEMING be considered a gimmick?

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See: TTD, Kingda Ka, etc.

Nevermind. Andy explained it already.

Personally, I don't necessarily see MF as gimmick, as it does something more than break the record. However, questioning it's placement as a top 10 ride is entirely valid.

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Are you referring to the FONT they use on their signs? The architecture used on the stations? If so, then you have NO idea what the word "theme" means.

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So if a ride like Dueling Dragons had a queue housed in a big metal box and the ride sign was done in a slick futuristic font instead of a medeval cursive font, it would be just as effective assuming all else remains the same?

You're right, CP doesn't theme it's coasters, but it certainly tries to give the impression of the cutting edge, almost futuristic technology with each unthemed record breaker. In fact, looking from Gemini, to Magnum, to MF gives a neat history lesson into our interpretation of 'futuristic design' over time.

Sorry, but 'Playa is spot on with that analysis.

And what parameters did I change?

Having a character on a sign that relates to the ride IS NOT theming. Gemini, Maggie and MF were all record-breakers when they debuted, meaning (in a sense) before their time, hence the futuristic characters on their signs.

I really can't understand how you could possibly consider a piece of wood with a character painted on it as theming.

P.S. You can't make it seem like you are "winning" the argument by pretending that I am changing the parameters.

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You're right, CP doesn't theme it's coasters, but it certainly tries to give the impression of the cutting edge, almost futuristic technology with each unthemed record breaker. In fact, looking from Gemini, to Magnum, to MF gives a neat history lesson into our interpretation of 'futuristic design' over time.

Sorry, but 'Playa is spot on with that analysis.

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Wow, I've never seen anyone agree with one person, followed immediately by disagreeing with the same person. Impressive.

. *** Edited 11/2/2005 8:28:38 PM UTC by djDaemon***

And just because you can YELL the loudest how great a ride is, doesn't mean it is.

MF doesn't show up in my top 10 either, and it's funny because I seem to hear time and time again from people I respect that MF is fun but not mindblowing like the fanboys demand. But all the YELLING would have you think otherwise.

But back on subject. I truly believe that SFGAm is the most profitable park in the chain, though I can't prove it. But to maintain nearly 3 million visitors a year with a solid coaster line up that *doesn't* include operating cost nightmares like TTD, KK, X or Superman:The Escape is pretty impressive.

It's been well known since August that Great America would have no problem passing the 3 million mark this year. How much it passed the 3 million mark remains to be seen, but with how well Fright Fest did this year. I would not be surprised if SFGAm has the highest attendence in the chain this season.

I also believe both SFGAm and SFGAdv. will have higher attendence then CP this year.

But we shall see I guess.

And they're still 2 billion in debt.

There's a kiddie coaster in the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania that I find more fun, intense, and thrilling than Millennium Force. It's not a top 10 coaster for me. It does its breathtaking drop and meanders less interestingly and just as aimlessly as Mean Streak.

+Danny

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djDaemon said:

I really can't understand how you could possibly consider a piece of wood with a character painted on it as theming.

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You've never seen Animal Kingdom's Primeval Whirl have you? What about DCA's Mulholland Madness? How about PKI's Reptar? I'd personally say that all of those rides are "themed" with not much more than a character on wood.

You disagree?
lata, jeremy

I liked stunt job. Fun little ride, nice pop of air, fun effects, and I could imagine riding with my family. Not a top-anything ride, but a really fine addition to the park.

MF is a good ride, but it's maybe my third or fourth favorite coaster.

At Cedar Point.

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CoasterDude316 said:
It's been well known since August that Great America would have no problem passing the 3 million mark this year.

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SFGAm would have to see an attendance boost of 30% this season to surpass the three million mark. I have no doubt that SFGAm's attendance will be relatively close to three million, but I highly doubt it will pass that level.

-Nate

But the thing is, that 23% increase was factored in back in August I believe. Fright Fest this year as Dave mentioned was ridiculous crowded so breaking the 3 mil mark at this point might just happen.

I have a feeling that people that bought season passes this year just for the waterpark that otherwise didn't purchase passes in the past took advantage of it by attending FF.

The 23% was also factored to date, not for the entire season. That is, in August of this year, year to date attendance at SFGAm was up 23% over year to date attendance in August of last year. Fright Fest crowds may have been up, but I doubt they were up any more than 23%.

-Nate