Sharpio Visits SFEG

Here's Sharpiro's response on his 18th stop of the 30 park tour to SFEG. Tomorrow he will be visitng SFMM.

Edit: Heres the link.. my bad

(EDIT - fixed spacing, shortened link - LG :) )

*** Edited 2/9/2006 10:44:09 PM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

Where is Shapiro's response?

I like "Sharpio" better....just seems smarter for some reason... :)

"Sharpio" Sounds like something I write with!

Here is the Denver Post article. *** Edited 2/9/2006 10:27:31 PM UTC by J.***

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...the company's new honcho explains how he plans to reposition 30 theme parks, shifting their customer base from penny-pinching teenagers to kid-toting families - who usually spend more when they visit.

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:) :) :)

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Increase revenue through corporate sponsorships, including selling naming rights to its rides, à la sports stadiums and bowl games.

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:( :( :(

I know this sort of thing goes on already, but it's one of the few things that irk me. Doesn't really change the experience, but it does feel tacky at times.

As long as it remains more of a footnote, I guess. I'd rather have Fed Ex 'presenting' a coaster as opposed to riding The Fed X at SFMM. ;)

Why is he returning to SFMM? That was one of the first parks he visited.

Cause it needs twice the work as the others? :)

That was before he started firing GMs, though... ;)

What other parks does he have to go??

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Chitown said:
Why is he returning to SFMM? That was one of the first parks he visited.

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I wonder if his visit ended with a message to management about having certain things fixed / addressed by the time he got back.

"This room better be clean when I get back home or you're grounded!" ;-)

Word on the street is that Del Holland [SFMM GM] is "retiring" at the end of this year.

We should follow ol' Sharpiro around like the Greatful Dead! We could be his groupies!

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Mamoosh said:
Word on the street is that Del Holland [SFMM GM] is "retiring" at the end of this year.

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Best news since the return of costumed characters...sorry if anyone's offended, but as many times as I've visited SFMM, it always seemed to be the biggest *underperformer*. If you have an NFL team that has all the talent of a 12-4 team, but consitently goes 4-12, doesn't the head coach *eventually* find his way into retirement (or the unemployment line)?

I'd say "it needs twice the work of other parks" is actually an understatement...

As far as the sponsorship deals, yeah it DOES detract somewhat from the idea of "a day outside the real world", but it'll help struggling parks survive, and that's a good thing.....mixed blessing?

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Word on the street is that Del Holland [SFMM GM] is "retiring" at the end of this year.

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Hallelujia and pass the peas!

I'm not that annoyed by the sponsorship thing, especially when it's done tastefully. In any event, maybe they can sign someone with deeper pockets than Corn Nuts.

This is interesting..

"Focus on attracting families instead of teenagers by bringing more kid-friendly characters into the park, such as those from Weinstein's film "Hoodwinked."

That explains Weinstein's involvement on the board, self-promotion of his company. I hope they stick with the actual Looney Tunes & WB characters to draw in the family audience. Going with characters from a sub-par animated, mild box office peformer as the focus of any marketing effort would be a mistake.

I find the remark about "penny pinching teenagers" uninformed. If the food & retail products were priced accordingly to their level of quality, their results would have been different. Really, it's basically McDonalds (or lower) quality at Outback prices. The combo of low quality, small size, and high price doesn't really work when they are superior alternatives minutes away. Maybe they should do some focus groups & taste tests to see why people choose not to eat there?

My prediction is that families will not eat in the parks either just as the teens have learned, instead snacking their way, and then spend the same or less money elsewhere for better food. One ray of light is the possible Papa John's deal which certainly would make the pizza concessions a huge improvement.

Does Shapiro have a blog or something?

I have no idea how to keep track of this guy. One day he's in Kentucky's Kingdom, the next day he's at the opening for Great Escape in New York and then he's over in Denver at Elitch Gardens.

Is he taking the scenic route for all these parks or something?

What parks HAS he visited that we know about thus far?

DBJ: I'm guessing that you don't have kids. It's one thing for you and your friends to walk out, hop in the car, grab some Mickey D's, and come back. It's quite another for a parent (or two) with two kids (or three or four or...), one of whom is in a stroller, plus the associated diaper bags and other cruft you have to schlep around when you have younger kids. All that to save $20? Most people just don't bother.

That's why I think there will be more of a snacker family crowd - churros, fries, italian ices, occasional sodas, funnel cakes, odv or food brought in with the strollers - than families eating full meals at the park. I think in general families who are going to eat dinner out will choose to do it somewhere else. And if a family is trapped by incovenience at the park as you suggest, then get a expensive yet bad meal, the park loses a possible return customer.

Mooseburger for a family of four is more expensive and of considerably less quality than Hamburger Hamlet which is on the way into the park, just as one example. With the new retail center opening across from SFMM in 07/08, the competition for the food dollar will be even higher.

It does say a lot though when part of your customer base is willing to go hungry, or walk down to Wendy's to eat. They should have been working on providing reasons for guests to remain in the park and spend money on their concessions, not driving them away.

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rollergator said:

Best news since the return of costumed characters

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Or... best news since Bugs Bunny decided to take up residence at the top of Elitch's tower ;)