Six Flags to reduce spending after capital intensive program

Six Flags are really starting to impress me again. I was worried that they were just not going to make the money back. I am also sure that the larger population parks will continue to get expansions.. You can bet we will see more Boomerangs..or at least relocated ones to parks like Enchanted Villiage and Frontier City. I think they will also be redesigning walkwys to handle the crowds a little better, rather than building large ride after ride.
And I hope park operations gets a little attention as well.
Its about time they became more conservative. I hope their stock goes up.

What are you saying Mamoosh! Are you saying SF didn't build Goliath just for me??? ;)

Well, if what the article and what you all say is really true, and 2002 becomes a slow-spending year...

It looks like Six Flags Darien Lake, New England, & The Great Escape may get the shaft again for another year.

But, maybe 2001 was the last major spending for the larger market parks... but the smaller market parks may get more capital improvements (it just won't cost so much to upgrade it since they more or less won't buy 3 coasters or an entire marine park!) as it is needed (such as one single major attraction).

yall always surprise me on these discussions. brought up a lot of points i didn't think of. i just hope six flags doesn't forget about their customer's satisfaction. don't get me wrong, they need to back off a little but i just don't want to see the quality of the parks deteriorate.
Dawg, i am feeling your sarcasm!
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clash of the TITAN, 2001! *** This post was edited by giant rider on 3/21/2001. ***

Here is my prediction for 2002, SFA will get one coaster, SFMM will get 2, SFNE will get a coaster, SFFT will get 2 coasters, and some other small improvements throughout the other parks.

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What is life with out coasters, geniuses, and/or SFA

Aren't they supposed to make like a new monorail for Six Flags Worlds of Adventure?

To the first poster of this thread Bass

I don't know if it's fixed b/c I haven't rode it but Psyclone at SFMM has been Re-tracked and it looks great. So hopefully it will ride as great as the new track looks,so in other words I think it's fixed.

I don't know about the REV. but Colossus is suppose to be getting it's re-tracking in 2002(this is not confirmed )

SFMM will always get a coaster when they want b/c of the high profits SFMM makes. If SFMM decides to take off a year it's b/c they want too not b/c SF INC. says there no budget this year .

IMHO SFMM & SFWOA will continue to get the bulk of the budget b/c there the STAR parks

A few comments...

To Dawg Byte: How can you say SFNE is getting shafted "again" ?? They got what most consider THE BEST steel coaster on the planet, S:ROS, last year as well as a Boomerang and some flat rides. Yes, *we* know the boomerang is used and to us it's old hat but to the average park-goer who does not travel or know a lot about coasters a new boomerang is a new boomerang. As for SFDL they got S:ROS and a top spin recently. Great Escape is experiencing major problems with the surrounding community putting a damper on their expansion plans. I don't mean to flame you here, Dawg Byte, but to say these parks are getting "shafted again" sounds awfully spoiled to me. If you were only kidding I apologize.

John Peck: I think you're right about seeing more clones being built. I happen to see nothing wrong with that at all. They're cheap, popular, and a good way to bring in some added capital so SF can spend even more in following years.

Everyone, I'll repeat this again: we are enthusiasts and so naturally we know just about every single coaster that exists. We know there are almost 30 Boomerangs or how many B&M Inverteds there are. But do you honestly think someone in line for Flashback at SFNE is gonna care that KBF has Boomerang, LC has Zoomerang, or that SFWoA has Mind Eraser?

I'm really glad we can have these kinds of discussions without people resorting to flaming or bickering. Let's try to keep the positivity going ;-) *** This post was edited by Mamoosh on 3/21/2001. ***

My prediction for SF in 2002 is that SFMM will get a roller coaster to keep their record, SFNE will geta new roller coaster, SFastroworld will get its needed expansion, SFEG will definetly get one possibly two coasters next year, and I know my home park SFMW will get a huge expansion for 2002 with the purchase of the Solano County Fairgrounds next door, lifted height restrictions to 200 plus feet, a new monarail to connect the two areas, and a hypercoaster to go with that.

Wow ruffryder56, that's not a prediction, that would be a dream come true! ;) *** This post was edited by DWeaver on 3/21/2001. ***

SF should focus on service for a spell. If they keep dumping big bucks into parks without improving the overall experience, they will lose their guest base, they wont be able to maintain their expensive rides, and we'll start losing some great rides. I think (hope) they know what they are doing. Then again, I can't complain, I live within driving distance of SFMM...

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Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.

I think I can speak for almost all of us in saying that coaster enthusiasts are usually loyal to their home park. I know I am (SFot). We all want our home park to be the best but it is a fact that Six Flags can't continue to spend the money they have been recently. Unless you live near SFMM or CP, you kinda have to count on waiting a while in between coasters. It is a fact of (a coaster enthusiast's) life.

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clash of the TITAN, 2001!

I just read a article in todays Buffalo News Business section that outlined SF's financial condition. It was stated that they reported a loss of $52 million dollars. Kieran Burke, Six Flags Chairman, Cited the company faced its share of weather difficulties, rainy cool weather plagued the eastern us, while hot and humid affected attendance in the south and west. I think SF has taken on more than they can financially handle. If this summer is anything like last summer was, weather wise. You'll see SF scale back plans for any new attractions at their parks, in attempt to hold the line on spending. The article also explains the new contract that perrier has with SF parks.
I think it sucks that they are signing these contracts with these big corporations to supply their parks and leaving the local little business out in the cold. SF is just another example of corporate greed. They need to let each park run its operation individually, but under a guideline set down by the corporation.

Let's just clear this up.

Six Flags has spent a TON of money in the last few years. This year is seeing SF parks get a combined 11 (may be a bit off) coasters. That's divided between about 7 parks.

I think this little lull in the expendatures will be followed up by a strong showing at Six Flags' forgotten parks, as I like to call them, including Astroworld, New England (although SROS is a major force) and Elitch.

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Loopscrew.com
It's coming...

I agree with alot of what Mamoosh says, but I think this is a ploy...SF was showing profits before the "great" expansion of 1999. They now have negative EPS...This article may be a ploy to get investors excited about SF. Investors don't like big capital outlays without a return...This article may drive some interest in the stock and SF may turn around and do it again in 2002. Don't look for multi-coaster expansion ANYWHERE for a while. God I hope they spend some money on training!!!!

Also, in 2000 I was at CP the second day MF was open and took a survey...you know who they where worried about??? They asked me 4 different ways if I was going to Disney. That's why you see Snoopy camps and looney tunes everywhere. Mamoosh is right they want the parks more focused on families, which is smart.

Also, CF does have a small budget this year and will probably do "some things" in 2002. Don't look for 2 or 3 at CP, they don't have the room.

Finally, I really want to see what BGW and BGT do next year. They are both due and have a new influx of cash from SWO. Have any of you stayed at Kingsmill near BGW, that place is awesome, probably the best trip I've taken in a long time.

Ill tell you what... SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA better get A waterpark next year! Im sick of this,, like two years ago they said in 2000, wed have one,, but now I guess like a year or two? They should cause the Chi needs one!

why didn't I think of that, Mikeman?

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clash of the TITAN, 2001!

Well, I heard from many close sources that 2002 is supposed to be SFMW's biggest year. Why? To strike back at PGA for all the attractions they have built for 2001. I just have that great feeling that SFMW will have a big year depsite all the criticism put forth by animal rights acitivists on opening day.

MEDUSA(SFMW)-Best floorless in the World!

There are no conspiracies regarding who has the most coasters or whatever folks. The parks like the extra marketing angle, but need not depend on it. Heck, I don't even think the general public cares that much.

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

Dustijn: I had a long reply all written out but you know I realized I'd be wasting my time. I love your imagination and how you seem to know what each park is thinking and doing. Thanks for the humor...we need it here!

Matthew