Shapiro visits Six Flags America while park has uncertain fate

Try this agan, I wouldn't worry too much about another park sale just yet. The money from the land sale of Astroworld and the Oklahoma properties hasn't hit the books. So I'm sure they will evaluate how much money they are actually getting in these sales versus the earning potential of the parks that might go up for sale.*** This post was edited by DBJ 2/25/2006 11:29:06 AM ***

I fan don't forget the spot in nantucket where all those buildings that are used for storage are at.

Perhaps in addition to all those shiny new trash cans Shapiro may see fit to add that much needed restroom over by supes within a year or so,I wonder if he did take note of that as Coasterguts mentioned?

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A maintenance worker asked about promised raises at the park, but Shapiro told him the company's coffers were nearly dry.

"The company has $2.4 billion in debt," he said. "We all have to make sacrifices."

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This is NOT the kind of thing you tell an employee who has a wife and two kids, making $30k a year while you're pulling in a multi-million dollar salary.

I can't imagine that his answer went over all that well.

Well, it depends on how you look at it. SFA is interesting as far as the maintenance department goes. Some of them are the greatest people you'll ever meet and who go the extra mile to take care of rides that they aren't even assigned to (they know how to fix them and all, but they are assigned to various other rides). Others wait 50 minutes to check out a broken-down kiddie train and blame the ride ops for the breaking-down of rides.

All in all, if SF reaches the success that it can reach, they'll get their raises. However, not every mechanic there deserves it, but I can think of a few good men who definitely do, and don't get the recognition they deserve for their hard work.

I definitely would be enraged being told I can't have a promised pay raise by someone who makes millions. That comment from Shapiro shocked me.

*** This post was edited by Cameraman 2/24/2006 10:35:55 PM ***

I will almost place a bet on the maintanrnce personel that made the comment about there pay increase and trust me he deseves it. if SFA could get it's supposedly high capacity rides running closer to capacity the park would be way better thought of. Batwing three trains instead of two, Seacoaster up to it's max of ten boats, and renegade up to at least 5 boats. after we fix the capacity problems and then spend some money fixing broken parts on rides example seacoasters main hill water pipes so the mountain could work again. The increases in costume characters are to much for such a small park and people are still going to flip out when rides go down.*** This post was edited by wheels00000 2/24/2006 11:46:53 PM ***

It's not like the costumed characters are going to mean all that much. People come to a park to ride. The rides need to be reliable with as close to 100% uptime as possible.

This push for family things is fine, but they need family rides where all ages can ride together. Costumed characters and parades may add some nice moments to your day, but they are not going to bring a lot of people to the park.

Man I don't want them to close. Im more worried about the fate of Wild One and Roar. It may just be easier to demolish them, than move them, don't you think?

It would be sad to see Wild One be demolished if SFA ever closed. That coaster has a rich history and I would hope that it could be preserved somehow. This season marks that coasters 20th year here in Maryland and 2007 will be its 90th birthday. Let's hope the old gal is around for her 100th.

Ok ok ok ok ok...whoever said that the park was going to close?! Just because Shapiro had a bad image or what ever you want to call it, of the park, dosen't mean its going to close.

To me it looked like he is going to try and make SFA a lot better, and keep it open. SFA is really the only place for teens in Prince George's County to go during the summer that is *usually* good clean fun. If they close the park, they will have really nothing else to do. I like how he said "More More More" a lot, because that park really does need more. Concerts sound fine to me, fireworks sound great also. Also they said they are trying to find ways to keep the parks open longer during the season. Thats always good to me.

*** This post was edited by Colin Fisher 2/25/2006 9:13:32 AM ***

Being a Marylander, I hope SFA doesn't close, but it wouldn't be a loss because the park just isn't good. I'd definitely rather go to PKD, BGW, HP, and now even CP even if it costs lots more money. Because SFA is just really horrible, and other than the waterpark they haven't had many major additions at all in the last couple of years.

As a SFNO passholder, I will hold my comment on the New GM at SFA. Seen his track record and hope it doesn't follow him at SFA. At this point I would be more concerned with Day and Hourly cuts, Greenspace, Ride removal and Extensive Concert Series. Haven't been to SFA but hope it has a lot of greenspace and a nice amphitheater. Looks like he is in like flint with Shapiro in that Photo Op. Only time will tell..I wish you all the best, on a additional note we have heard word that SF will rebuild SFNO , a lot of insurance issues and hopefully it will come back on line late this year for a trial period than back in full force for the 2007 season. Also according to Sixflagsneworleans.com some former SFAW people may be slated to be selected for positions at SFNO, Which in my eyes would be a awesome move if the right individuals are selected

SFA has plenty of greenspace. An amphiteater is something it lacks. We'll probably see more concerts, but we'll probably see them on the HH stage. I really hope SFA is one of the parks he visits frequently once the season opens. I'm concerned the fireworks are going to be a problem. They're permitted two fireworks shows a year. One on Labor Day, the other on Independence Day. That's county law. The Baysox (a minor league baseball team that plays in Bowie) Typically does fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights. As long as there are homes within ear shot of the park I think the fireworks are going to be a problem. Look for a laser show as a replacement.

Part of the problems that affected SFNO were with corporate management,not just the GM CrazyB...Burke & CO. just seemed fixated on SFMM,SFGRADV &SFGRAM so perhaps the same situation won't apply at SFA with the new GM but only time will tell.

If the park were closed by SFI that doesn't rule out the possibility of a sale first with demolition as a last resort,CF for example could be a contender & may take an interest in the park if it were put up for sale but for now lets just hope that they have a good sesaon this year & just go from there.

does it seem like six flags is a sinking ship as of late? why ponder the closing of yet another park if there isn't a problem? just a thought.

I wouldn't say that SFI is a sinking ship, more like a damaged ship that is trying to lighten it's load to stay afloat. It has to have crossed their minds about selling the land the park sits on, given its estimated value. I really think that if SFI decided to purge this property, it would be to redevelope the land and not another group to operate it as an amusement park. But, I think that if SFA can overcome some of it's downfalls, and have a couple of good seasons, then the park will be safe.

What really needs to happen is Shapiro needs to visit all the parks during the regular operating season so he can see the problems first hand.

I think some people are being a little too sensitive. First of all, you don't ask someone outright for a raise in a group of people. If you've been following the airline industry at all, then you know that there have been a lot of concessions on the part of the employees to keep some of airlines flying.There is also a lot of money being spent on fixing up the parks (which we don't know the total of yet) which naturally adds to the debt.

Austin, I was with you part of the way up until the Cedar Point comment. Sure, there is an abundance of parks to go to besides SFA if it were to close. You also missed Great Adventure and Dorney Park as other options, but just exactly how do you make a day trip to Sandusky, Ohio from Maryland?

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why ponder the closing of yet another park if there isn't a problem?

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$2,000,000,000 in debt isn't a problem?

What really needs to happen is Shapiro needs to visit all the parks during the regular operating season so he can see the problems first hand.I agree on that. But he shouldn't tell anyone that works at the park that he is coming. Because if they know, naturally they are going to work at there best, but when he leaves...they will go back to normal.

*** This post was edited by Colin Fisher 2/26/2006 10:13:48 AM ***

Honestly, there is a system setup for this. Whomever sees Shapiro first contacts their office, notifies them that Shaipro is in the park. Each office is notified and then each food stand, ride, game, show etc... is notified by there individual offices. Trust me. I know this happens. In the case of SFA, the parking lot staff notifies there boss and so forth. In all honesty, better to use undercover auditors that look like an ordinary person and have them walk into the park as regular customer and conduct an audit that way. No one is the wiser.