Six Flags stock up on news of Snyder's power play

Where has synder spoke of spending additional money to improve SF???

What i have heard is a increase in sponsership/advertising and selling of park land, but nothing of spending extra money to increase guest satisfaction.

Why does he need to spend additional money to improve SF? Why not spend the existing money more wisely. He's talked about adding less thrill rides and more family rides. That alone is one way to spend money money more wisely.

This article gives a few details (not many) about what Snyder and Shapiro are thinking about doing:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/18/AR2005081801991.html

Here is a new article in today's Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081901700.html

...after all Burke refused to listen to some of Snyder's proposals about a year ago so what makes any of us think he'd be any more willing to do so now?

What Snyder is doing now is trying to take over Six Flags. Burke can refuse to listen all he wants, but if Snyder buys a majority stake in SFI, he can oust Burke, without Burke ever listening. That is what is different now.

I think(hope) Snyder may have more to him than just selling advertising/sponsorship deals. What cought my eye was reading that he is wanting to sell of land that SFI owns and isn't using. That is a great idea to make money and get rid of debt. And as for the Redskins, the team doesn't have to play well to make money. As long as the business side is successful and making cash, who cares if they suck at football? Of course, they'll make more if they play better, but as long as the business side is at least successful, that is really all you can ask for at this point.

I'm still not a Snyder 'fan', but I do think this is leaning a bit more positive. Or, at least I hope it is.

I care if they suck at football. ;)

Season ticket and parking pass prices aren't anything to laugh at. :)

What cought my eye was reading that he is wanting to sell of land that SFI owns and isn't using. That is a great idea to make money and get rid of debt.

I disagree with that! Let say he realy does very well and manages to turn the parks around! Excellent time for growth! Nope, we sold all the extra land.

You need to get rid of excess stuff if you want to get rid of debt. Besides, to turn the parks around and get to a point of growing (which nothing has been mentioned as of yet), you need to get rid of debt first. Selling land and making money off of it while unloading extra fees in taxes, etc. is nothing but a good thing. Besides, SFI hasn't built a new park since before I was born. I doubt it will happen anytime soon either.

Bob O, you seem to define the success of a football team by its win-loss record or by the lack of corporate sponsorships.

Snyder isn't perfect but if you go by this Washington Post article, the Redskins franchise is worth far more today than when he bought in back in 1999.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/19/AR2005081901898.html

The same can't be said of Six Flags' stock. Snyder isn't perfect but Snyder and Shapiro may be just what Six Flags needs at this juncture.

Another thing said:

"The first order of business is to address attendance, advertising, strategic alliances, to address customer service and brand-building. That's what this is about," Shapiro said. "How do you cater to people . . . and make it a great experience?"

At least they understand the main problem with Six Flags. Still not convinced that Snyder is the answer, but it is looking better. Sell the land not being used to make some money to pay down debt whilst getting rid of taxes and fees. Make some money with advertising to pay down debt. Up your customer service and customer experience.

The one article mentioned more than once that they want the parks to be more than regional. I dont' know if that means all the parks, which I think would be unrealistic, but SFGAM, SFMM, SFGAdv, and a couple others could potentially be resort destinations in the future.

The only thing that still concerns me, at least as far as SFA is concerened, is if excess property is sold off for housing development, that could cause problems in the future. If it is developed as commercial/retail, then I think it will be a non issue. Another thing is, does Snyder really care about how well the parks run or is he just concerned about taking control, making some fast cash and then jumping ship? And the last thing is, does he just have an interest in acquiring SFA to sell off some property for development and using part of it as expanded parking for the stadium? And I also agree that to think that all the parks in the chain could become destination parks, is unreasonable. Just my two cents.

I don't think Snyder would want to make fast cash, because he's already really rich from his aquisition of the red skins. I personally feel as if this would be a awsome personal credit to be able to say I was able to turn the Struggling Six Flags Inc. into a profitable company. Selling off some land is really a sketchy idea because it sorta limits your ability to expand or grow, so if you wanted to add new things on a large scale, you'd probably have to remove an existing attraction. I don't necessary believe that advertising is a bad idea, because Six Flags already have rides with brand names like Arrowhead falls at Magic Mountain. I just feel if they brand rides then it should be done with taste and not clash with other ride or themes of the park. Six Flags is just in need of some new ideas and anyone can do this, not just snyder, but I highly respect what he has done for his foot ball enterprise.