Shapiro Visits SFMM

Six Flags Magic Mountain, which averages around 3 million guests each year, is expect to hire 300 full time and part time personnel to join their staff of 2,200 and add parades, a fireworks show, as well as a Chinese Acrobat performance this year along with Tatsu this year at Six Flags Magic Mountain park. He Also Comments on Tatsu in this article.

http://www.dailynews.com/santaclarita/ci_3509623

I think it's a great move for SF. I'm really liking what Shapiro is doing so far.

Shapiro said: "If you're 10 years old, you can't get on Tatsu - you're not tall enough," he said, referring to Magic Mountain's new coaster slated to open in April. "So what are you doing to keep them here?"

Hmmm. Most 10 year olds at normal height range for their age can get on Tatsu. I know he was just making a general statement but I had to say it. :)

I know you're 'just saying', Chitown, but it made me curious. I did a quick search.

The general consensus seems to agree that the average height for a 10 year old is right around 55 inches. That being the average (or median or 50th percentile or however you choose to word it) would mean the half the 10 year olds are shorter and half are taller.

Realistically, a little over 1/2 of 10 year olds would meet the height requirement.

And thus concludes the useless fact for the day. :)

Maybe where you live but not all over the US. I see a lot of people near me that wouldn't be able to ride that I look like they are over 10.

Then again there are 15 year olds that look like they are 18 also ;)

Dang it LG you beat me to it! *** Edited 2/15/2006 4:54:51 PM UTC by dragonoffrost***

More kids need to eat their Wheaties and lay off the junkfood and they to will be able to ride Tatsu. :)

Thanks for the consensus Gonch. I didn't realize the average was 55' for 10 year olds. *** Edited 2/15/2006 5:10:06 PM UTC by Chitown***

I'm a dork like that. :)

It's fantastic... who would have thought they would put as much money into SFMM?
One can only hope that they won't end up totally endepted after that.
It really seems like Six Flags is making an effort to change its image.

While I do think a lot of the recent focus and moves are the right moves.

Im wondering if it isn't too little too late.

2.5 billion in long term debt, IMHO its about at the point where even the companys Assets wouldn't cover it.

The fireworks and parade existed at the park in 2005, that's not new. What would be new is if they were enhanced for 2006 into better shows on a more frequent schedule, so maybe that's where the extra employees will come in. Acrobatic acts have been featured in the Magic Moments theater previously as well. Last year it was "Hot Ice" instead of acrobats.

So when he says...

"If you're 10 years old, you can't get on Tatsu - you're not tall enough," he said, referring to Magic Mountain's new coaster slated to open in April. "So what are you doing to keep them here?"

What indeed? Apparently, the same thing as 2005.

Possibly, but maybe he was thinking more long term. Maybe he is thinking about what he is going to do next year.

Well, Superman, with $2 billion dollars of loans outstanding, they already are indebted to the banks that lent them the money.

Remember a lot of 10 year olds would be scared of riding Tatsu.

Shows would be a great idea but only if they are quality shows. Batman is one of my favorite comic book heros, but the Batman begins stunt show was really lack luster in terms of quality. I guess I should add that I saw it once, the first day it opened and many of the stunts weren't pulled off as they should have, just loads of errors: hopefully it wasn't like that for the rest of the summer. Acrobatic shows are usually great, at least all the ones I've seen: I just hope they construct a new stadium and for this. Running all the shows consistantly will, also aid at keeping some of the crowds down, should that become a problem this year.

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DBJ said:
The fireworks and parade existed at the park in 2005, that's not new.

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What fireworks and parade are you talking about? I live 30 minutes from SFMM and have seen none of what you mention.

And give the guy time. As you even mentioned in another thread, all the attractions for 2006 had already been set by the last regime. Shapiro is VERY clearly talking about the future.

(shakes head)

The fireworks ran at night occasionally during the summer months. It was a short show and launched from behind Viper (Sky Tower will be an awesome view of it this year). The parade was pretty short too, ran during summer at night, like near closing pratically 8 or 9pm. Most of the floats had some kind of light package, so it was a decent enough night time parade.

I have no problem with Shapiro talking about the future, but trying to pass off things that were in the park in 2005 as new family friendly entertainment is either a.) an example of just how unfamiliar the new board is with Magic Mountain, or b.)an attempt to change the image of Magic Mountain without actually creating anything and giving out misleading statements to the press. The park is just as family unfriendly/friendly in ride and show entertaiment as it was in 2005. Imagine families showing up in 2006 and the only change is the occasionally cleaner toilet and photo opp. with a costumer character, for a higher price.

Really, all he had to do was announce that the nightly parade will be done twice during the day - once at night / once during the day. That would be actually something new that they didn't do in 2005 that directly targets families.

If your talking about the parade featuring Mr. Six, that's a completely different parade than the one Shapiro has planned. And I don't find anything wrong with Shapiro playing up the family aspects of the park, that's what he was hired to do. What do you want him to say? "Yeah we're targeting families but we currently have nothing available right now so stay home". Give me a break. The guy has to work with what he has until his plans go into effect.

I totally "get" the cynical view of all this, which is obviously the way your going to look at every decision made by this group (probably till the end of time), but at least give credit where it's due, and give this new regime a chance to fail before you start sentencing and prosecuting every single ideal or thought they come up with.

I'm seriously starting to think that you just miss Burke and co. ;)

I'm a wee bit cynical of executives with no plans of action beyond generic statements that produce no tangible results as well as corporate takeovers of any kind. Burke & Co. did a lot wrong with the Six Flags brand, but they also did do quite a bit right, some of which is just starting to pay off like the Great Escape expansion. The coaster spree they went on was probably too agressive, but long term, it will pay off. Now, some of the parks are in a position where they have solid coaster collections and can turn to expand into other styles of rides/attractions, without losing a huge chunk of their previous audience.

But, after reading many of Shapiro's statements in the articles, I'm highly skeptical he has that kind of long term thinking mindset. Anyone who freaks out over the cost of painting a catering tent (SFKK visit), makes me wary of how committed into investing the capital they are to turning the parks around. Still, I hope for the best for the chain. I think they are in general diamonds in the rough.

The night time parade was called Looney Tunes Nites and concluded with fireworks every night. Is Shapiro referring to adding a new daytime parade? One of the reasons that I think that not a lot of families saw LTN was because it was very late in the day. Here's a link.

http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/june00/stories/062700_01.shtml

I know families are a huge draw, but parades and fireworks will not get me to visit a park. I may be the minority, but new rides is what attracts me. If its good sure Ill come back again and again. Synder is a joke if you ask me and I can easily see Six Flags in worse shape than it is now. And yes I am a family man, granted my son is only 18 months, but that is what trips to the zoo, Seasame Place and Disney are for. Amusement parks are for Dad and when he is tall enough, shouldnt be long as he is in the 90 percentile for height, he can come along.

Well I certainly won't argue with your skepticism over Shapiro, and now that you've added your feelings on Burke &Co. it explains your position alot more.

The coaster spree *probably* too agressive? There's no probably to it. And long term, it won't pay off when you've completely left out several of your other potential customer bases. Long term, these coasters would become just like the old ones under Burke. Faded pieces of un-maintained crap with poor capacity and low train operation. Please explain how that would work long term?

Your views on Shapiro freaking out over the cost of painting a catering tent makes me laugh considering the last team would green light $25 million dollar rollercoasters, and then cut the budgets to maintainance and staffing. So you'd have this shiny new rollercoaster that was understaffed and running with one train. You want to talk about short sighted?

I like what I'm hearing from Shapiro, and though they are mostly words at this point, even THAT is a hell of alot more than we got from the last team.

He's already 2 steps ahead.

And Sugart, not to be rude but you are *exactly* the type of guest that Shapiro wants little to no part of any longer. Let me guess how much you spend when you go to the park. ;) *** Edited 2/16/2006 1:13:51 AM UTC by DWeaver***