Six Flags shows $25 million loss after Sept. 11

Interesting. Six Flags doesn't normally release financial information like this. At least they are telling us. I'd also like to point out how Cedar Fair and Six Flags (Premier) handled the 9/11 situation. Cedar Fair re-configured their numbers and came up with new expectations. Not quite sure what Six Flags did, they don't tell us these things.

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Jes
Webmaster, Jes's Roller Coasters
"Thank You Jeff Putz"

You can get all of Six Flags Financial statements at http://www.sec.gov  Shows you all the previous information.

Hmm... 'The Six Flags chief says however that security is a priority, and that they've been operating parks in urban areas for a long time.'...

Then howcome there was NO front gate security whatsoever on my second entry to SFoG shortly after 9/11?

 

As for the finances, looks like it's time to begin SF's second ride rotation program... Man, I hope we get SFoG's Viper here at SFA!

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I don't have any numbers to prove it, but I thought SFA was just as crowded as usual after the attacks. I heard from others that some weekends were busier than normal.

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SFA 2002-What are they building?

Zero-G, no answer your question, Six flags cut back on expenses for next year new attractions. They are spending about $140 million next year for all their parks.

Do you think this is partially due to the delayed openings of several new rides?  I know that I held off and will continue to hold off on my annual SFMM trip until the new rides are entirely open. 

This is Six Flags overall exspenses, the info from Cedar Point, not Cedar Fair, was a gain.

I don't think that Six Flags will be adding much for next year.....

Yeah but I thought they were all ready in the hole 2 billion dollars at the start of this year and look at all they built!

Six Flag goes deeper into debt
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"The opposite of war isn't peace, its creation," Rent.

Nothing to do with the money loss on Six Flags..but every morning before opening at SFGAm, over the park speakers they would play the National Anthem.  It was only started after 9/11.  So, it does show that SFGAm has a heart.

Some parks have been doing that for decades.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

I'm not too sure, but I believe SFGAm has always played the Anthem just before the open the gates to Orleans and Hometown Square.

Raymon is correct.  Every day before the park would open its gates, there would be an announcement; something like "Ladies and Gentlement, Weclome to Six Flags Great America.  The park will be opening soon, but first we would ask that you all stand where you are during the playing of our Nation Anthem".

The National Anthem would then play, and the park would then open the gates.  And then the park would play "The Carousel Song".  Not sure if that is the official title or not, but its the one that goes like this:  "See the carousel, spinning round and round there,...."

To my knowledge, this was a normal occurance every day the park opened starting back in 1976.  But, I did notice that sometime last year or starting this year they quit doing it.  In fact, they did not do it all this year.  That all changed after 9/11 and the park went back to doing it again.

As far as attendance goes, I did not see any difference in the park crowd prior to 9/11 and after it.  I did notice, that we did have some really nice weather on a few Saturdays in October, and the crowds were very heavy on those days.  In fact the last day the park was open, (Sunday, Oct 28th) I would have to say that it was the most crowded closing day that I've been to in a long time (I've been closing that park now for the past 10 years).

--Brian

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Brian A. Plencner
E-Mail: saurses@home.com *** This post was edited by Brian A. Plencner on 11/12/2001. ***

The past few years of FrightFest have been crowded no matter what the weather. However, on the first weekend of this event when I went on a Sunday, it wasnt that crowded. Mind you, it wasnt empty either. I do remember the national anthem playing before the park opens but I havent gotten there in quite some time to hear it.

Just so everyone knows, if you read the article posted of Six Flags down attendance you will see that the village of Gurnee relies on SF's amusement tax. Let this be known that whatever Great America wants to construct they will get. Plain and simple. They have gotten their way since they opened in 1976 and they will get their way today. If you know about the "Welton" days, than you know that this park will always get what they want. 

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""An hour wait for a 2 minute thrill. Yes, we need our heads examined""

Brain, when I was there in August they played the National Anthem. Because I stopped infront of the carsousel to pay my resecpts to the flag.

I wonder how many companies are declaring losses "due to 9/11" when the losses had little to do with 9/11.  Not that this is the case with Six Flags but a lot of companies were not in good shape before 9/11 but are blaming that for their troubles...perhaps trying to soften the blow.

Just a thought.

mikerose2,

Well, I'm glad to hear that they were playing it then before 9/11. Do you remember what time it was when they played it?  I think my problem here is that when I arrive for opening, they open the park before 10 AM (like 9:30, or 9:45).  In those cases, they would not play the National Anthem until 10 AM, and at that point, I was normally on a ride by then.

 

So, they probably did not stop playing it, just changed the time that they did.

 

In responce to chitown and what he had to say about the article, he is 100% correct. A good chunk of the money that comes into the Village of Gurnee comes via the Amusement tax payed by SFGAm.  Now, it has changed in the past 2 or 3 years, but prior to that, SFGAm was the only business in Gurnee that had to pay that tax.  Of course, when that tax was set up back in 1976, there was nothing else out in Gurnee to tax as far as amusements go (unless you count watching the grass grow as an amusement! :-) )  Recently, businesses out at Gurnee Mills mall now pay that tax as well (The movie theater, the ice rink, etc).  But, SFGAm's part is still much more then the rest.  So, the village is really going to give the park whatever they want, as long as the park follows all the proper rules for getting new attractins. (height variances, building permits, etc). There is to much money at risk as far as the village goes for them to say no.

--Brian

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Brian A. Plencner
E-Mail: saurses@home.com *** This post was edited by Brian A. Plencner on 11/13/2001. ***

Hmmm, I always thought ALL major amusement parks play the National Anthem before the opening of the gates?
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Dayuum, Your HOT!