I doubt we'll see anything aside from maybe construction equipment near PI to indicate anything taking place prior to the end of the season,too bad I'll be out of town on the weekend of the 23rd so I'm gonna be taking a big chance on possibly getting rained out on closing weekend but I'll be in VA Beach on the 23rd so there's not much I can do.
When construction begins I just hope they'll be nice enough to post a webcam so we can keep up with all the construction activity once it begins,as for the waiting they do say good things come to those who wait although the suspense is killing me already.
GRAM's webcam is pretty satisfying in that it's fairly near the construction (unlike CP's usually aren't). One of those would be a real stress releaser. *** Edited 10/12/2004 12:40:12 AM UTC by CoasterFreak55***
It was pretty warm at 3:00 on Saturday, I would say lower 70's. I've seen JJ run in a lot colder weather. My guess would be the that LIMs misfired for some reason.
As for what we could be getting, as far as I can tell, it's going to be something small, such as a single attraction, or something really big like a full water park make over or a completly seperate admission water park and here's the support I can think of either way...
From what we know right now, the only thing confirmed right now is that we are going to get a water based attraction in 2005 that has something to do with a hurricane.
Arguements for a Smaller attraction:
-SFI isn't in the best finincal shape, lets face it, and considering SFA brings in less people than SFDL (as of 2003), would SFI really risk upwards of $20 million on SFA for the waterpark?
-in 2003, the former SFWOA built a waterslide complex called "Hurricane Mountian," it technicially fits all the descriptions from the hints on the webpage, and while the complex is impressive, it's hardly the new water park SFGAm is getting let aloone the renovation that SFNE's waterpark got, the name could always be recycled for another water slide or slide tower.
-SFA needs to get all projects approved, but I never heard of them getting a water park expansion or anything of the like approved and it seems the planning board meeting sign that coincidentially showed up in front of the park right when the hints started showing up, supposidly has nothing to do with SFA, which seems strange all in its own
Arguements For Something Bigger:
-SFA hasn't even hinted at a new attraction this far in advance since back in 1998 when they announced that AW would be converted to SFA
-if it was something other than a large addition, would they really by hinting this far in advance?
-the current name of the water park is "Paridise Island," would it really make sense to build a water ride themed to a hurricane in a water park that's supposed to be themed to "paradise"?
-SFA is in a high potential market, there's something like 16 million people within 100 miles of the park and they only pull in about 1.42 million a year, so there's PLENTY of new locals to draw from.
-they now have the same hints on the page where you can buy season passes, it seems like the're really trying to hype this up and I don't think they'd hype things too much unless they had a big surprise, the last thing you want to do is sell a lot of people season passes who are expecting something big based on the hints only to find the addition is going to be small
I really don't know what to expect right now. I think the announcement is going to be big, but I'd rather keep my hopes low just in case it isn't. My guess is we'll see the announcement either sometime this week-so they can have a center set up in the park for the last three weekends of the season advertising the addition like they're doing at SFGAdv and SFGAm, the first week in November-right after the park has closed for the year, or the first week in January-when the price of season passes goes up. I'd think though it will probably be in November though. By the end of this week is too soon, and January is too far.
If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.
I wouldn't rule out a small water park for SFNO just yet. Is it going be a $25 mil HH. I doubt it. But the possibility exists they could start a small one with a few water slides or an adventure activity area. You could build a decently small water park in the neighborhood of $5-$10mil. Think of flat packages that you could easily get for $2-3 mil. Also, keep in mind Dorney Park's floorless is being builtfor $13mil.
SFI is not known for making announcements for the upcoming season this early.
There is still plenty of money in the budget for an attraction or two for SFNO.
Ex: The wall at the front of Monsoon Lagoon wasn't painted this past off season, nor did it receive any sort of sign. Nor was Paradise Lagoon. Perhaps they will be this off season. Of course I could speculate and say we will see a signifcant rehab of both of these, possibly a new (longer) lazy river, possibly Paradise Lagoon completely taken out in favor of a more interactie verison of it. But I would be speculating so I will leave it at that.
At first, it seems there might be some clues. The picture was taken in 2002, so I'm pretty sure not much has changed since then, but the clues almost point to the fact that SFA had a seperatly gated attraction in the works since they paved the third lot and the roads around in back in 1999. Zoom in on that main road leading out of the third lot. At first, you might think that this road would just be used to get people out of the parking lot faster at the end of the night, and that's what I thought at first, but if you zoom in on the road, two of the three lanes have arrows headed INTO the park and one of the lanes is headed out of the park. You wouldn't have this many lanes just for a maintenence road. And what about where this road connects to the main road? (rt 214). There's a stop light there now, which makes sense because of the residential development, but what doesnt make sense is that there is a turning light into this road that leads to the third parking lot that never comes on. Factor in the fact that there is the completly clear and never paved overflow fourth lot, and both north and south of this lot are SFA owned feilds clear of trees, and it seems like they already have the PERFECT place set up for a seperatly gated attraction.
They already have the cleared lot to build on, they already have the enterance road into the new attractions area complete with stop light at the intersection on the main road, they never completly use the third lot so that could be the main lot for the new seperatly gated attraction, plus there's plenty of area in the vacinity to build more parking if ever needed. All they really need to do is build the rides, put a new sign out on Rt 214, and build a few parking fee boths on the road in and you got yourself a seperatly gated water park.
Factor in the fact that the fenced in field is in the field just north of the third parking lot, which is about equidistance from the old water park or the vacent lot I'm saying they could build it on, and there's a possibility that it could be a seperatly gated attraction. The infastructure is there, they just need to build it. I guess it's a matter of what SFI approves/funds. *** Edited 10/12/2004 7:39:11 PM UTC by Coaster Lover*** *** Edited 10/12/2004 7:40:14 PM UTC by Coaster Lover*** *** Edited 10/12/2004 7:42:00 PM UTC by Coaster Lover***
If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.
Jeesh!
I believe what you're saying is that they could build the new attraction/expansion in the field just to the west of the overflow lot basically in the field behind ME...once that is done they could in theory begin removing older parts of PI near the front gate thus leaving that area open for future ride expansion.
The only other time the park has dropped hints of new rides this early was at the end of the 97 season when Roar was about to be announced....they had printed a drawing of Roar's layout on the inside of the park map with the slogan "coming in 98 the worlds most twisted wooden rollercoaster period!" or something like that.
It'll be easier to sell combo passes or seperate waterpark/themepark passes while the park is still open for FF rather than selling themepark passes now only to announce in november/december or january that waterpark addmission will no longer be free with general addmission/season pass entry don't you think?
SF really seems to be going big on their waterparks this coming season,not only are SFGRAM & SFA getting waterpark additions in 05 but SFDL may be seeing something as well.....yet another proslide tornado,which will make the 5th one added so far.
Coaster Lover said:
Arguements For Something Bigger:
-SFA hasn't even hinted at a new attraction this far in advance since back in 1998 when they announced that AW would be converted to SFA
-if it was something other than a large addition, would they really by hinting this far in advance?
-the current name of the water park is "Paridise Island," would it really make sense to build a water ride themed to a hurricane in a water park that's supposed to be themed to "paradise"?
-SFA is in a high potential market, there's something like 16 million people within 100 miles of the park and they only pull in about 1.42 million a year, so there's PLENTY of new locals to draw from.
-they now have the same hints on the page where you can buy season passes, it seems like the're really trying to hype this up and I don't think they'd hype things too much unless they had a big surprise, the last thing you want to do is sell a lot of people season passes who are expecting something big based on the hints only to find the addition is going to be small
Your first and second "arguments" are the same. Maybe they are hinting this early as part of their new marketing techniques.
In regards to your third "argument"...How pleasant are monsoons?!?!
Your third "argument" has some validity, but that same argument holds true every year, so that doesn't necessarily indicate something big next year.
Your fourth argument...They want to sell as many season passes as possible and as they have shown in the past, they will do whatever it takes to sell, sell, sell. If it means mis-leading people a little, I don't think it will stop them.
Honestly, I have no clue what they are doing other than something relating to water...and until they announce it, I am not going to expect anything big or small. Frankly, I don't really care that much since I don't really care for water attractions that much (other than the fact that it keeps people away from the other attractions..LOL).
Sean
On the combo passes, I hear ya BatwingFan. The only reason I can think of is their not ready to announce anything yet and may still be trying to make that decision. Hence the reason why we don't have an official announcement yet. I'm sure this information will come clear in due time.
SFA's research & marketing staff have proably done their homework over the past season & have come to realize that the waterpark is a big hit with the crowds & why stop when you've got a good thing going?just focus on how better to improve the experience & it'll keep them coming back for a good long while & as Coasterguts has mentioned it's great for the family demographic as well because it'll offer something for nearly every member of the family.
If/when SFA does get Hurricane Harbor, if it is ANYTHING like SFGAdvs, SFNE, or how SFGAm's is going to be, I WILL make a special trip to it at least once or twice in 2005 whether it is included with admission or seperate admission. I've been to SFGAdv's HH and I've seen plenty of pics of SFNE's HH and both are STELLER waterparks with beautiful themeing and plenty of atmosphere. The lush landscape makes them feel much more relaxed than the concrete jungle that is Paradise Island.
And I thought of another option for Hurricane Harbor...currently we have...
1. Hurricane Harbor will be built completly new as a seperate admission waterpark somewhere west of the third (west) parking lot using the west enterance as it's new enterance. This will free up the current PI plot for a headline coaster to go at the front of the park in future seasons. The old slides will be scrapped, moved to another park (maybe SFDL?), or incorporated in the new park. Much of the rest of the water park is so old that it could be replaced anyways.
2. Hurricane Harbor will be a remodeled version of Paradise Island and will still be included with park admission. The park will be spruced up with new attractions, new changing facilities, more landscapping, and a fresh coat of paint.
3. Hurricane Harbor will remain included with park admission, but will be moved to a location elsewhere in the park (such as behind Gotham City) freeing up the valuable space in the front of the park.
But how bout this option that combines the first and second option...
4. Hurricane Harbor will be a remodeled version of Paradise Island, but the current park area will be expanded behind the wave pool and a new enterance will be built off of the third (west) parking lot. A turnstyle/ticket gate will be placed on the midway that is currently between the main park and water park. Here, people with "combo passes" can pass freely between the two parks. Those wishing to go to just the park can park in lot 1 and enter through the main gate. Those wishing to go to just the waterpark can park in lot 3 and enter through the new Hurricane Harbor main enterance. Those wishing to go to both parks can park in whichever lot they prefer. However, doing this I'm sure would cause some problems from the people used to going to PI through the main park free with park admission who'd now be stopped and told they need to pay.
I don't know, any of the four choices seem possible. Any of you think one of these cases is more likely than the other? Consider this..SFI is looking for money...SFGAm's waterpark is being adding for about $35 million (the cost of two coasters), but will be a completly new source of income...SFGAdv's, SFMM's, and all of the Disney waterparks are proof that water parks can keep attendance for a LONG time without adding anything...of ALL the Six Flags parks left with significant room to build a 15+ acre seperate admission waterpark without removing significant amounts of the current park or waterpark...the ONLY parks that don't already have a seperate admission waterpark are SFDL (594 free acres), SFA (384 free acres), SFStL (365 free acres, but already has Hurricane Harbor makeover), SFNE (128 free acres, but already has Hurricane Harbor makeover), Frontier City (54 free acres), and Great Escape (43 free acres)...SFA already has the cleard plot, the available parking lot space, and the enterance roads in place for a seperately gated waterpark...research has shown that 80% of people that come to SF water parks come from within 50 miles of the park...SFA has the 4th highest population within 50 miles of the park of ALL the SF parks (7.3 million) (the 3 parks above ALL have seperate admission water parks (SFGAdv, SFMM, SFGAm)).
It just seems like if SFI really wanted to make a buck, they'd take the oppertunity to make SFA's Hurricane Harbor a seperate admission park as it is one of the last SF parks where a seperate admission waterpark could be done easily and still make a huge profit. The only problem is, is you'd have to convince a public that has had the water park included in park admission for the last 14 years or so that the new water park would be worth paying extra for and that the current park would be worth going to even without the waterpark. For the part about the park alone being worthwhile, I've been to the park PLENTY of times early in the season and late in the season when the waterpark was closed, but the crowds in the park were HUGE, so it can be done.
Any guesses on which of those four cases we'll get? Possibly not that at all? Feedback welcome!
If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.
Coaster Lover said:
the ONLY parks that don't already have a seperate admission waterpark are SFDL (594 free acres), SFA (384 free acres), SFStL (365 free acres, but already has Hurricane Harbor makeover), SFNE (128 free acres, but already has Hurricane Harbor makeover), Frontier City (54 free acres), and Great Escape (43 free acres)
You missed SFFT
I think it's a good possibility that SFA waterpark will be a seperate admission in 2005, and perhaps SFNE's. Anything that is a Hurricane Harbor might become a seperate admission price.
I think my scenario of taking a loan out to refurbish/convert Paradise Island into a Hurricane Harbor and use the gate money to pay off the loan, and then add an additional attraction to the main park to make sure interest is maintained in the main park and to make sure people don't have a good reason to cry foul is a plausible idea.
carlo18, if you look at the pick-a-park map:
http://www.sixflags.com/pick_a_park1.asp
you will notice the blue dot next to Six Flags Chicago, if you hover over that blue dot, the blue dot pops up and says Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Chicago. Just like the ones for all the seperate admission Six Flags Water Parks. Now SFNE has a Hurricane Harbor inside of the park, but doesn't have a blue dot. It seems to me that Six Flags intends on charging seperately for that water park since they make a distinction between inside the park water parks and seperately gated water parks. Also, if you go to the Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago website, they have a link for a season pass page, that takes you back to the Six Flags Chicago Season Pass page and it says 2005 Season Pass Pricing Information is coming soon. *** Edited 10/14/2004 12:14:35 PM UTC by coasterguts***
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