Six Flags Posts Strong 1st Quarter Results

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050504/46027.html?.v=1

Highlights:
-"Revenues for the 2005 quarter were $54.4 million, representing a 21.3% increase from the 2004 quarter."
-"The increase reflects an attendance increase of 330,000, or 25.1%..."
-"Revenue per capita declined by 3.0% for the quarter, reflecting primarily the larger percentage of operations in the quarter from our Mexico City park, which has lower per capita revenues than our domestic operations."
-"Attendance year to date through last Sunday is 4.2% ahead of the prior year and park level revenues are up by 3.3% year over year." *** Edited 5/4/2005 9:07:17 PM UTC by Coaster Lover***

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

The lion's share of that comes from the Morgan hyper in Mexico...but there's still good signs for the American parks (strong season pass sales and hard ticket bookings).

Just keep in mind that besides KK and SFGAM's HH, the other park's gains will be from waterslides and mid-sized coasters.

-'Playa

NOTE: Severe fecal impaction may render the above words highly debatable.

^But if you play your cards right, waterslides and mid-sized coasters can be as good as any investment.

It's good to see SF trying that for a change.

Absolutely, expecally the waterslides, which are very popular with the general public.

Rarely updated, but that is OK; [url="http://www.penncoasters.com"]Penncoasters.com[/url]

My point exactly!

It's great that there is a great 1st quarter, and let's hope that this continues through the rest of the year. It sounds like the Superman hyper in Mexico is really doing a great job for attendence there. Does anyone know what kind of attendance SFMexico gets? I don't ever hear anything about its attendance.

Six Flags Mexico is one of the highest attended parks in the entire chain. Attendance was close to 2.5 million in 2003, don't know what is was in 2004.

The park is open almost every single day of the year (more than SFMM) and is located in a highly populated area of Mexico City.

black sabbath said:Does anyone know what kind of attendance SFMexico gets?

I'm not sure of a number, but I do know they have more than 30 million people within 100 miles of the park, which is more than ANY other SF parks have within that radius. (SFGAdv has 28.1 million within 100 miles) So the park has the local population base, and they're the largest park in the area, so it could be huge numbers.

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

I expect that the HH at SFA will bring in some stronger numbers than in past years. It doesn't hurt that two coasters will have paint jobs also (Mind Eraser is already done. Joker's Jinx looks like it still needs work).

You'd also have to consiter one thing, if their doing this well already for only the 1sy quarter, have all the parked opened for the 05 season yet? Or is Darien Lake one of the last of the bunch to open or at least it seems that way. Hopefully these good numbers for this year keep up and will see one heck of a 2006 season.

"the only thing I know is that life is short and the only time you've got left is luck"

The good news seems to be showing. As of 1:03 PM EST, PKS stock is up $0.14 (a 3.53% increase; price has ranged from $3.96-$4.25 throughout the day). Guess we'll have to see how it holds out over the next quarter...

Highlights from today's conference call:
-"First quarter results are not very meaningful... attendance accounts for only about 5% of the total season attendance."
-"Looking for early trends...we are encouraged with the start of our 2005 season."
-"Season pass sales are up 19% over 2004"
-"Group bookings up 1.2% over 2004"
-LOTS of stress on how well SFM and it's new Superman coaster are doing
-"The best work our company has ever created" (talking about the extensive themeing of SFGAdv's Golden Kingdom)
-"Hypercoaster in Mexico City has CLEARLY exceded our espectations"
-(refering to stress on customer service)"Guest reactions to our efforts in person and on INTERNET POSTINGS have been very positive system wide, especially in our NJ, TX, and CA parks" ;) (I liked that one)
"Group bookings are sluggish in school groups... should increase over the season as new attractions open as these groups tend to reserve at an almost walk-up basis"
"Attendance per opperating day up 14.5% compared to 2004"
-Selling land at SFA for homes over (expected) the next 12 to 18 months; working on a joint venture relationship with a home builder; selling plotted parcles instead of just raw land; "home building market remains extreamly strong in the Washington, DC market"
-A hotel IS in the planning process for the SFNJ park, but it's still in the works and there are no set dates on when to expect the hotel to start construction; only the very initial studies have begun.

If you can't stand the heights, get out of the line.

Seems like their off to a good start in 2005.

A day at the park is what you make it!

I wonder if this means the parks that are left to open will actually have good customer service.

Wow I can't wait. A day at SFDL with fast employees, 2 train operation, all rides open, it'll be great.

Random thoughts

1) Seems like SFI is monitoring Coasterbuzz....(and other sites)

2) OMG they are thinking of building a hotel in NJ?
talk about a great idea!

Watch the tram car please....

Coaster Lover said:

-(refering to stress on customer service)"Guest reactions to our efforts in person and on INTERNET POSTINGS have been very positive system wide, especially in our NJ, TX, and CA parks" (I liked that one).

I'll agree with that. There has been a remarkable difference in NJ so far this season. And they seem serious with continuing this plan. This level of service I also think is why the reaction by the GP has been so positive even with GK and Ka not being ready. I've heard more positive remarks than negative when walking through these areas even though nothing is open yet.

Thanks for taking the time to post this info. It's nice to see some positive light on SFI for once.

problem is, it seems that every year they are greatly improved in the begining, i remember making this same post last year at this time... everyone is like, "wow, this six flags park is doing great! all the employees are happy! rides are working! yay!" type attitude... the parks JUST opened

... then 2 months later, the complaints roll in, the rides are all down, employees are boring and lifeless, etc.

Hopefully the trend will actually continue for once.

-- alan "deja vu from one year ago" jacyszyn

He'd make a plan and he'd FOLLOW THROUGH.....that's what Brian Boitano'd do...:)

Stick with it, SF, and in 2-3 years your stock will hit, or surpass, $12. I am not kidding, nor am I insane....well, I'm not kidding. ;)

The hotel near GAdv is the smartest thing to come out of SF since....well, since the GAm waterpark. Not sure if the leadership has decided to start listening, or if there's been a change in who's REALLY running the show, but I am seeing lots of positive signs...

If this continues, 8-10/share isn't unreasonable by the end of the season. If not, well, we can have this same discussion next year, LOL....

I actually don't think you are too far off. The stock can't get much worse and they certaintly seem to be improving in a lot of areas so $8-12 in 2-3 years isn't impossible.

The hotel is a no brainer that I hope can get through all of the crazy NJ regulations. It will be a home-run the moment it opens.

Good job SFI, keep up the good work!!!!

Coaster Lover said:

-Selling land at SFA for homes over (expected) the next 12 to 18 months; working on a joint venture relationship with a home builder; selling plotted parcles instead of just raw land; "home building market remains extreamly strong in the Washington, DC market"

So they already sold the land? How much land were they selling? I really like to see something else build on that land besides homes. What types of homes are these (more senior citizens homes like across the street, million dollar homes, etc.)? I rather see federal government move over there or Six Flags property buildings. *** Edited 5/5/2005 10:43:31 PM UTC by SF Critic***

I don't know ALL the Facts!!!!!!

"As of 1:03 PM EST, PKS stock is up $0.14 (a 3.53% increase; price has ranged from $3.96-$4.25 throughout the day)"

OMG...that's about what SF parks charges for a large soda! Maybe their restaurants should start selling stock, too:

"I'll have the Moose Burger with fries, a coke, and 5 units of stock, please."

BWA HA HA HA HA! ;)