Six Flags selling Astroworld

Wow, color me suprised.

It wouldn't even take a Cedar Fair or Disney stepping in. Any major Houston investor (I'm looking at you, mattress mac or George Mitchell family) could open up a small park on some of the super-cheap land around tomball or conroe with only a few rides to begin with and he'd still rake it in. Capital is minimal, and I bet SF would sell a coaster or two at a decent price. I don't think XLR-8 is salvagable. Way too much upkeep will probably dissuade any potential suitors. Cyclone is firewood unless some guy with deep pockets and a personal affliction for the coaster steps up.
*** This post was edited by IntrepidationAW 9/12/2005 10:59:16 PM ***

I suspect this won't be the only park being sold and/or changing hands. Someone here argued that selling off parks wouldn't be "easy". Easy has nothing to do with it. It MUST be done, which is now what we're starting to see.

Maybe SFMM will get some flat rides now...;)

Sorry, I never could stand that park, or the haphazard way SF managed it.*** This post was edited by DWeaver 9/12/2005 11:01:39 PM ***

"My question? Could the rides as SFAW be moving to SFNO"

Now how likely is it that people will be allowed to move back to NO anytime soon? What would make you think this park would be the most obvious to get any of these rides. Personally I think they'd be smart to spread these rides around and not give them to GAdv, GAmerica, or MM. Darien Lake, Great Escape etc are all small parks that haven't had anything put in recently. Better yet, there's a park down the opposite direction on I-10 that could use some of these rides - Fiesta hasn't installed any coasters since 2000. I'd love to see the Cyclone put in where the old Jokers Revenge was. Greased Lightning would be great too, you guys can fight over the rest.

This park hadn't installed any coasters since Serial Thriller. The park was landlocked and it's parking situation had gotten pretty bad so while I hate that the first amusement park I ever went to is being closed, I can't say that I'm all that surprised. SFOT and SFFT got a lot more attention in the past 5 years than this park did.*** This post was edited by VRotel1026 9/12/2005 11:15:30 PM ***

So whick park's next after SFNO? SFEG?

Given its location and the value of its real estate, I wouldn't rule it out...

-'Playa

I wouldn't hold my breath on SFNO reopening. The park has been a problem for them since it was purchased and they've been fighting with the city over water issues for a water park. From a business standpoint it would make more sense to take the insurance write off now and move on.And putting SFMM on a list of parks they won't let go probably isn't a safe bet either. :)

The list of parks either "shutting down" or being sold is going to grow pretty soon.
*** This post was edited by Red Garter Rob 9/12/2005 11:34:25 PM ***

I couldn't agree more Rob. Been saying close to the same thing for awhile now.

So the reason that I got into coasters is now going to be destroyed. I think it had to be the parking issues, as they were going to lose alot of money on fright fest when there were Texans games. It isnt as if there isnt enough parking at Reliant Center. And it isnt as if the city doesnt make enough money on parking. Let's do the calculations. A parking ticket in the "red" lot at a Texans game costs $35. The parking lot was made in the 60s. They are pretty much getting entirely profit. Trams could have solved this problem as well, if you use parking near the Reliant Arena, Reliant Center, etc. But alas, it is pointless to argue anymore. I just wish that Texas Cyclone could be saved. It's really the reason I went to the park. Time to schedule one more trip...

Paging Dick Knoebel. Another Texas woodie is in need of your help.

I made the exact same comment about SFNO as Rob earlier today -- I would not be surprised if they just take the insurance writeoff.

daniel2003 wrote

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Six Flags care more about the money than the people and thats sick

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That's business. You don't have to like it, but if there was ever a chain that needed to make tough decisions, Six Flags is it. This isn't a charity that's out looking for poor deprived amusement park goers. I'll lament the loss of places like Miracle Strip or (heaven forbid) Conneaut Lake, too, but sometimes you have to face cold reality.

Maybe SFA will be getting that stand-up they wanted after all... ;)

*** This post was edited by BullGuy 9/13/2005 1:26:53 AM ***

How is this not caring about anything but money? They are getting rid of debt, which will pave the way (hopefully) for something better eventually. Well, at least if they get rid of current idiots running SFI.

It's funny how when its announced that AstroWorld is being scrapped and marketed to real estate developers that a bunch of you jump to conclusions as to which Six Flags park is "next" on the sale/chopping block. I quote CEO Kieren Burke:

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"While we continually review our properties in order to determine the best allocation of resources, it is important to note that a unique set of circumstances applies to the AstroWorld property and this action should not be considered indicative of our intentions for any of our other parks."

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Six Flags AstroWorld was caught in a web of perdicaments in which the best solution for it and the entire company was to close it. The tight battle for guest parking rights with the Reliant Complex; heavily declining attendance figures over a period of many years; and a lack of space for future expansion. With this solution resolved, Six Flags benefits in many ways from the closure of this one park that asked to be closed. The debt load is reduced, stock shareholder value rises, and pretty much it's one less park to worry about. This looks to be an isolated incident (as commented by the CEO) and doesn't mean other parks are lined up for sale.

Quote source: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3350688

SFAW rides going to SFNO? You guys are too funny.

It's a funny thing Krax, Burke made similar comments after the overseas properties were sold. Also, keep in mind the first part of that statement:

“While we continually review our properties in order to determine the best allocation of resources" Um, yeah...

Burke is a talking "head" at this point and I would venture to say his comments were exactly what he *should* have made under the circurmstances. And perhaps he's right, Astroworld had it's own, unique situation....as do several other SF parks... That's all I'm going to say.*** This post was edited by DWeaver 9/13/2005 2:23:33 AM ***

I will say it is unfortunate to be losing the Texas Cyclone, a very underrated woodie, and all SF bashing aside, it never makes me happy to hear of any park closing. As crappy as that park became IMO, it's still someone's homepark and I'm sure a place of many fond memories for some.

It's many, many people's homepark. Houston is a huge city. This is really deplorable. Yeah I expect many of the rides to get spread around the SF chain, but Texas Cyclone is one woodie I truly believe's getting an undeserved early death.

The Astroway is also the last skycar ride in the state, considering San Antonio and San Marcos closed theirs years ago.

That's really heartbreaking for all of the people of Houston. Wow, just amazing. I know AW wasn't the greatest park in the world, but just seeing your homepark disapear just like that...wow. Amazing. I just can't imagine.

And is Texas Cyclone definately gone for good?

I recall Burke saying something along the lines of "The park in Ohio will be one of our crown jewels in the Six Flags chain" when speaking to him at IAAPA one year.

Never take anything someone says in this industry at 100% face value. Especially when you've put your company up for auction to avoid what is basically a hostile takeover.

"...MM. Darien Lake, Great Escape etc are all small parks that haven't had anything put in recently."

Great Escape has had a significant invest in recent years.

" Maybe SFA will be getting that stand-up they wanted after all..."

Uh, to my knowledge, SFA has never said they wanted a stand up. To my knowledge only BatwingFan has said he wants a stand up and once he rides one he will probably want to send it elsewhere.
*** This post was edited by coasterguts 9/13/2005 8:01:21 AM ***