SF Worlds of Adventure may be in trouble.
Six Flags' plan dump major capitol into Geauga Lake turning it it into a maga park competitor in Ohio, I think this plan is failing. This could all collapse in on itself. Sure they built a few new coasters, but that doesn't suddenly make it a great park. There are hardly any trees, or drinking fountains, and not much of an atmosphere. It still is just a small park trying to be big.
And who are they kidding taking on Cedar Point? Maybe if Universal's Islands of Adventure were built next door, Cedar Fair would have something to be concerned about. Kings Island had the right idea adding more themed rides, something Cedar Fair doesn't have. But I don't think Six Flags can be that creative. They are building bridges spanning across the lake to join the newly acquired Sea World park to the main park, but with this recent fatal, heat stroke victim, pending law suit with someone being hit on the Villain, and now lay offs, Six Flags may loose this battle, and a ton of money.
*** This post was edited by coastermad on 7/11/2002. ***
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N.U.T.S. - National Union of Thrill Seekers! Be a member and tell everyone you're NUTS! [Brought to you by the maker of LoCoSuMo! NOTE: NUTS is not a real club; void where prohibited; your mileage may vary; where's the beef?]
Here we go again ...
I don't think WoA will fail - I think they're going to have to realize they have to scale back and work on their customer service - go for making the park a nice place to visit rather than immediately jump into competition with PKI and CP. They should put the money they're spending on this hyper into improving the park grounds instead.
WoA has the right idea, it just grew up WAY too fast - S:UE, BKF, Xflight, they're all great coasters, and even though I rarely admit it, the water park and animals are a good touch - but they need to work on the themeing and scenery and service of the park - its like trying to take an RCT game, using all your money to build 4 massive steel twisters, then wondering why people complain that its crowded, the paths are disgusting, there are no bathrooms, etc etc. (and why you can't make any money ... )
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Steel - #1 Mantis, #2 Millie, #3 Wicked Twister
Wood - #1 Thunderbolt, #2 Beast, #3 Blue Streak
"The key to a happy life is moderation" -- Jon Stewart
Hardly surprising that a park is empty on a thursday in June. The park isn't going anywhere.
What you have to realize is that in any business, you will operate at a loss for at least 2 years, and maybe longer. I'm sure that Premier Parks planned to run in the red for two, three years, maybe even longer.
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No love for the whiners
Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla
And they are putting in a anew hyper next year. They are getting Killer Whales again. There are trees everywhere except over by Superman and X-Flight. Etc Etc.
Most parks aren't like CP but they should be. I beleive SFWOA has great atmosphere and a great collection of rides. With a little work they could definiely be a top notch park. I do not think they are in trouble or they would not be getting whales again or putting in a hyper next year.
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The Beast and Night, They go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly
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N.U.T.S. - National Union of Thrill Seekers! Be a member and tell everyone you're NUTS! [Brought to you by the maker of LoCoSuMo! NOTE: NUTS is not a real club; void where prohibited; your mileage may vary; where's the beef?]
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I just want to ride as many coasters as posible
*** This post was edited by coastermad on 7/11/2002. ***
I'm not saying I had a great time at the park last night, but I will say that the park was pretty crowded. The Rides side parking lot was about 80% full, many of the FLAT rides had lines, and depending on the coaster, there were decent sized waits for them as well. And the WildLife side was the busiest I have seen it since SF took over. The 7:00 pm "Killer Comeback" whale show was playing to a very enthusiastic crowd that nearly filled the stadium.
I don't think Six Flags will let this park "fail". In the past 3 years, over $200 million has been poured into this place. Unfortunately, the management didn't seem to have any "focus" or direction in running such a large complex. I say get a management crew and operations staff that actually care about the place, add the hyper, bring in a second killer whale, promote the fact that you can spend more than a day here, and maybe the crowds will start to return. Otherwise, the park will continue to be seen as what I like to call a "Poor Man's Cedar Point". They'll have the rides and attractions, but the service and operating procedures will make guests want to "drive right past Six Flags to get to Cedar Point".
ProgRay P. (who does enjoy visiting SFWoA.... but finds it to be still the most inconsistently run park I have ever been to)
In reference to the poor man's Cedar Point, I wholeheartedly agree and I think this is another place where WoA went wrong in the initial planning stages (or current management).
They should not have tried to be that competitive with Cedar Point. As is evidenced by the fanboys (including myself) on this site, those that feel that CP is the greatest park in the land will probably never have their minds changed. As long as CP never loses a significant amount of customer service or some other unforseen disaster (such as it sinking into to the lake) there won't be another CP.
But WoA could fill in that niche between the basically Thrill park that CP is, the Theme park that PKI is and the Traditional park that Kennywood is. That animal side and the water park are their "trump cards" so to speak. They should be satisfied with their already awesome coaster lineup which can easily compete with the other 3 parks (it doesn't look sad or anything - like geauga lake did). They should spend some money to give some parts of their park that traditional feel of Kennywood (lots of lights for nighttime - food stands with that '50s feel - water fountains, etc) - spend money on themed areas other than putting a batman logo over the sidewalk to give that theme feel of PKI and also, make the animal park and the water park a totally different experience from the rest of the park. Lots of trees, lots of shade, real relaxed - almost like a walk in the neighborhood park ... except there are killer whales, tigers and water slides around =). Six Flags shouldn't have tried to compete for the ultimate Ohio Valley thrill park title - they should have instead put money into defining a new way to build a park (which they might still do if they're smart... again, in my opinion)
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Steel - #1 Mantis, #2 Millie, #3 Wicked Twister
Wood - #1 Thunderbolt, #2 Beast, #3 Blue Streak
"The key to a happy life is moderation" -- Jon Stewart
*** This post was edited by PittDesigner on 7/11/2002. ***
Heck, I got to CP at 3:45pm on Sunday, June 2 and everything was a walk-on except MF and WT (about 45 min. wait for each).
Does that mean CP is going to fail? (I think not!)
I think they are doing a great job. They have a huge park, public name recognition, and a balanced and long list of attractions. Sure their operations and PR supposedly needs work (I've never been there), but I think in two years they will be fine (a hyper never hurts). PR and attendance will soon follow.
Also, the goal is not so much to take business away from Cedar Point and Kennywood. There is obviously a huge amusement park crowd in that area. Many people will probably visit both Cedar Point and SFWoA.
WoA won't be a world class park until they decided to hire world class management. I could build a coaster or two at my local F.E.C. but that won't automatically make it a world class park.
I agree with some of the sentiments above. They went crazy with capital projects the past few years without bringing the staff, infrastructure, policies up to snuff. It is time to slow down and do it the right way.
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The worst day at Cedar Point is better than the best day at work.
When we went to CP and PKI a few weeks ago..PKI's rides were all walk-ons ( and TR was maybe 30 min wait at the most)...CP had waits up until 6 then walk-ons for just about everything cept Mantis, WT and MF.
Hershey has had walk-ons also and I haven't been to Dorney this year but after conversing with friends in different states, parks have taken a dramatic decrease in guests since 9/11. Even CP's attendance is a little down.
People are afraid to go traveling..they are scared to travel far from home..we had NO problem getting rooms in CP and near Paramount and even got discounted.
So this isn't just SFWOA..this is everybody suffering until we feel safe again.
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http://www.thegrooveplace.com
I agree that the park isn't going to fail long term, but they're not exactly making very good decisions right now. Hyper or not next year, I don't think anyone will notice given what's going on down the road...
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"We used to hate people, now we just make fun of them. It's more effective that way." - KMFDM, "Dogma"
Ohhhh man I really do have to finish my CPlaya 100 SFWOA TR. Look for it tonight or tomorrow...
-'Playa
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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.
Yes the park is running much better this year. it had it share of growing pains ...I think there still will be a few more. But now they have ride ops in the que lines, more sweepers, people empyting trash bins, the whales are back, dolphins are in the cove, white tigers, more flat rides ..... the park is shaping up.but they do have to contend with last years customer service fubars and such. I'm still a season pass holder and will be next year hyper or not.
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You really need to get some more BRAN in your diet
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