Possible Additions for SFNO ??

Any thoughts on any possible additions for the SFNO park. Just returned from Orlando and Water Parks look like the Big thing. Does anyone think the Long awaited Possibility of a Water Park for SFNO is still Viable for 2006..Would any word be given during the Conference call in August..Hopefully the Gulf Islands Water Park in Gulf port ,Mississippi new opening would not be a factor in any decision?

SFNO needs NOTHING on earth like they need a waterpark. In fact, absolutely no Six Flags needs a water park more than New Orleans does. That heat down there is ridiculous.

I really like the park though, if you can subtract about 40 degrees every day from the heat index.

It's obvious Six Flags is afraid of risk in this market (I guess because of two waterparks within 100 miles, one of which is well established and the other has two masterblasters). I don't understand WHY they are so afraid though. A waterpark would do extremely well despite the other waterparks. Hell, I think the waterpark would have still done well at Six Flags if Zephyrland was built. Coincidentally, the new waterpark built this year aprox. 60 miles away from Six Flags (Gulf Islands) was built by the same company that proposed Zephyrland. It is critical for that park's success to build a waterpark. I'm not a huge fan of waterparks and I'd much prefer a coaster, but I KNOW the waterpark is the smart move.

However, I have no faith that Six Flags will build one anytime soon, I think corporate will let Six Flags New Orleans rot in terms of any additions. At this point I believe Six Flags will not sink the kind of capital a waterpark requires in such a small park. Minor/cheap additions will go to the smaller Six Flags parks and extremely expensive and huge additions will go to the larger ones. The closest thing I can see Six Flags New Orleans getting is a spinning raft ride like Diablo Falls at SFAW and Penguin's Blizzard River at SFA.

They never really kept their promise to totally transform the park in my eyes. Last year really sucked and I was furious with the way they treated people. It's obvious they lost customers in a way similar to Six Flags Ohio/Worlds of Adventure going from 2004-2005. Things are much better in 2005 from an operational stance (there are several outstanding employees who really care about things), but attendance will never be the same.

*** Edited 7/25/2005 6:38:18 PM UTC by Cameraman***

CrazyB I was just thinking about you, this topic and when you would start it the other day.;)

You'll be able to get a pretty good idea what SFNO will get next year from the August Conference call. Cap ex was $125mil for 2005 an increase in Cap ex for 2006 would be a good sign of something new, a decrease could be a bad sign.

If they were to build a water park, when would they want to open? I mean, do you time it for a Memorial Day opening or with the weather in New Orleans nicer earlier in the spring, do you time it for opening day.

With the success of SFGam's HH and SFA's remodeled HH, I expect SFNO will be a prime target for HH next season and I don't think nearby competition will be nothing more than a bug. HH's are extremely nice water parks.

In general, I think SF has structured projects in a different way so bigger projects hit their books over a longer period of time instead of all in one quarter. That's the reason you see SFoG, SFMM, SFGadv already preparing for new attractions in 2006. If this is true, it leaves a little more room for the rest of the parks to start new projects in the first quarter of 2006. *** Edited 7/25/2005 6:31:05 PM UTC by coasterguts*** *** Edited 7/25/2005 7:57:27 PM UTC by coasterguts***

A good operational season for a waterpark in this region would be Late April-Early October. October can often be warmer than usual or colder than usual. So it's kind of iffy. Last year October was extremely warm up until the end.

Well if they make it a 2fer park much like SFGAm or SFStL then THAT waterpark would have something that Schlitterbahn(s) don't have - coasters. :)

Still possible. We have not reached the date to have construction start as to be able to finish for 06.

Untill then, If ever, There is Blue Bayou or that fantastic new W.P. in Gulfport.

Personally, I'm not *seeing* the risk involved in building a waterpark in Nawlins...the only REAL risk I can think of is having it immediately OVERRUN by patrons....

"Waterparks - build 'em big, the people ARE coming"...paraphrased from Field of Dreams... :)

I just returned from Vacation to Orlando and while at Universal, During the daytime hours many people just rode the Water rides to cool off, we opted to split our days at the wet and wild water park during the daytime/ mid morning and theme rides for cooler part of day. The water park was open until 11 on weekends and packed..If and I assume If SFNO gets in the running for a water park for 2006.My family would do the same water park daytime and rides later in the day..People in ouir area are and have been prone to hit the beach during the summer month and boating, which is what I have opted to do this summer so far. I would much rather prefer to a lazy pool and slides than Salt water but water skiing is good enough for now..Hopefully our management team can convince Corporate that a Water park is a Profitable Venture. I understand a full Blown HH would not ? Could Not be possible but a start would be nice. A announcement in the Conference call would also be nice, ussually they don't change their minds once it is officially announced unlike our Ride additions announcement at the park last season..

I don't think you will hear any annoucements, other than how much their planning for cap-ex, in 2006 during the conference call in August. You may hear something about Great Adventures new coaster since it's already been well publicized. You willn't hear anything official until January/February.

I don't how big the plot of land would be for a water park at SFNO, but the one at SFGam has lots of attractions in a medium sized area.

Speaking of waterparks I think we can expect yet another addition to HH before we even see a coaster coming our way.....or so I heard on my last trip back in june.

At least PKD will get something good,BTW I rode TR:FF down there & it was one intense(& scary) experience.