Six Flags stock up under new leadership

I would bet all SF parks are going to be undergoing a major overhaul over the next five years, and adding new themeing and landscaping and painting and things like that instead of spending huge amounts of money on new coasters. I would still look for attractions at the parks on a yearly or bi-yearly basis, just not huge coasters like we have become accustomed to. Look for more family oriented rides, and flat rides to make a comeback.

I tend to agree with you. Just one additional note, after the rennovations are complete they will add a major new attraction to get the GP back into the park to show they have changed.

Edit: I can hear the promo now... This is the first roller coaster xxx park has opened in 10 years and follows on the hill of a complete rennovation, upgrading and replacement of the parks infrastructure.

*** This post was edited by coasterguts 1/24/2006 12:02:46 PM ***

In all fairness, it's not all "hot air" Jeffrey. In just 2 months time they've already made several changes that have caused major ripples and debates right here on this very board. Whether we agree with all of those changes is one thing, but they have gone in gangbusters, and don't seem to be holding back at all. As a stockholder and critic of the past SF regime, Snyder has had lots of time to formulate a plan of what he thinks needs to happen to get the company back on track, and he's wasting no time putting his plan into action.

I have to say that it seems to me, at least on the surface, the only plan Snyder has formulated is how to put more money in his pocket as well as investors. Now, as an investor myself, I'm not saying that is a bad thing, but I think before we start erecting shrines in his honor, we should wait and see what happens after this season. Some of his ideas do appear to translate into "family friendly" such as his no smoking policy. But increasing the gate and parking in the same year, when we have yet to see any tangible improvements to the parks or service yet, looks to be somewhat "family unfriendly". Let's see how things pan out at the end of this season.

Just out of curiosity, do we definately know that SF is rasing gate prices and parking prices at every single park? I kow the prices went up @ SFMM, but is that going to be across the board?I also agree that Mr. Snyder is implementing his plan to turn the chain around and make more money for himself and the investors, but the only way that can happen is if people come to the park and enjoy their experience enough to show up again, and tell their friends to go too. That is what Mr. Snyder is trying to make happen. In the end, it will be a profitable company for everyone, and the parks as a whole will all be better for it.

BTW, I am not currently a SF stockholder, but am planning on purchasing the stock soon while it is still cheap.
*** This post was edited by SK610 1/24/2006 2:07:34 PM ***

Everyone's focused on this Season Pass/Gate Price thing when prices are $10 cheaper online. In all actuality, the price for my homepark (SFA) has went up $3 if I purchase my ticket online. Parking increased $5. Net total increase $8. If you purchase tickets at the window your going to pay more, way more. The whole thing is designed to push you into buying a Play Pass instead of a one day ticket. That way, you come back to the park a second time.

If investors are going to push the price of the stock up based on "announcements" without any definite plans, why should Mr. Snyder go out and invest in so much as a gallon of Sherwin-Williams?

Doesn't it sound like Mr. Snyder's turning his board into a locker room though? Between all the ESPN boys and now the ex-NFL-ers (Staubach and Kemp) getting involved, I bet they're all snapping wet towels across each other's butts. And I can't help but wonder if the emperor is actually wearing any clothes.

It doesn't really matter at this point. Businesses are about bottom lines, not making best friends. And the bottom line is, Snyder so far is delivering what he promised. Whether it's smoke and mirrors, early good will or blatant greed, so far it's working. If I hired this guy, this is exactly what I'd want to see at this point. Obviously we can't judge his performance "inside" the parks until the end of the year.

This isn't a mom and pop's store, otherwise I might feel differently. This guy is trying to rescue a sinking ship and you can't do that playing all nice, "yeah let's keep the prices down and pretty up the parks". Someone's has to pay for it, and a company deep in debt unfortnately is going to have to raise prices.

I still blame Burke and co for this mess. Cleaning it up isn't going to be pretty, especially for our wallets.

*** This post was edited by DWeaver 1/24/2006 3:25:53 PM ***

What they've done so far amounts to little more than a re-org and some new policies. That happens with any leadership change and doesn't indicate success. A lot of idea, some good and some bad so far, but I'm not going to start buying up stock yet.

It doesn't indicate success "or" failure Jeff.

People are jumping the gun on both sides.*** This post was edited by DWeaver 1/24/2006 5:54:19 PM ***

It is not possible to just sell SFMM to a landdeveloper for housing. There are several large housingprojects planed in the same area that are not able to being build because of enviromental issues, lawsuits and in one case, water issues.

So if someone would buy this land to use it for housing, that would be rather speculative and not feasible in the near future, making the land a lot less valuable

Plus i am sure SFMM makes still a ton of money for the company

There's a difference between revenue and profit. I'm sure they bring in revenue, but how much profit? Little to none, I bet.

- JR, who thinks people use the term "make money" too loosely.
*** This post was edited by Jophish 1/24/2006 4:46:47 PM ***

I think SFMM helps keep the volume up, albeit at a decidedly lower margin than some of the other parks (SFNE, GAm, GAdv).

The profit margin may shrink, but larger volume typically means lower costs...which explains the ubiquitous Batman and Superman merchandise, it's *virtually free* to SF... ;)

As Jim Cramer says, "Bulls make money, bears make money, and hogs get slaughtered!" If I owned any of this stock during its dun from $5 to over $11, I'd be ringing the register right now - before the season actually starts and the numbers continue to disappoint.

Sell sell sell! :)