Six Flags WoA... Enough is Enough
O.K. I have been reading all of these problems about SFWOA and I am trying to picture this. Take in account that I have never been there and I guess I am blessed to have SFGAm close to home so here are my questions.
1. When you say filthy, disgusting, etc, is the park that dirty? Does trash roll down the midway on a windy day like tumbleweeds?
2. Why the complaints about pricing? Most big corporate parks are within the same ballpark for pricing. Do you feel ripped off at this particular park because of the way they run things?
3. Are the employees at this park always rude and inconsiderate? Do they get attitudes with the public? I can understand maybe a few doing this(after all, we are human) but from what I have read in the past some people make it out like its a requirement when you apply for a job there.(I am beginning to think the drivers license facilities in Illinois require it).
4. Are the dispatch times on coasters that bad? Are the employees taking their sweet time loading and unloading? Dont the supervisors do anything about this?
Its just odd to me that a park that is striving to outdo CP would be this bad. Your feedback is appreciated.
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Chitown, who despite the negative comments of SFWOA still wants to experience it.
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Chitowns 6 year old daughter says "Daddy, Dippin Dots are nasty!!" I must say that I agree!!
1. When you say filthy, disgusting, etc, is the park that dirty? Does trash roll down the midway on a windy day like tumbleweeds?
2. Why the complaints about pricing? Most big corporate parks are within the same ballpark for pricing. Do you feel ripped off at this particular park because of the way they run things?
3. Are the employees at this park always rude and inconsiderate? Do they get attitudes with the public? I can understand maybe a few doing this(after all, we are human) but from what I have read in the past some people make it out like its a requirement when you apply for a job there.(I am beginning to think the drivers license facilities in Illinois require it).
4. Are the dispatch times on coasters that bad? Are the employees taking their sweet time loading and unloading? Dont the supervisors do anything about this?
Its just odd to me that a park that is striving to outdo CP would be this bad. Your feedback is appreciated.
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Chitown, who despite the negative comments of SFWOA still wants to experience it.
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Chitowns 6 year old daughter says "Daddy, Dippin Dots are nasty!!" I must say that I agree!!
I agree with "S" he said if you dont like Six Flags go to CP. So that is what I did this year! I was a season pass holder at sf for 3 years but as it became sf instead of gl the park went down hill! So now I have a pass at CP and drive an hour there instead of 5 min. to sf.
I can answer all four of your questions in one word, Chitown...
YES
Yes, the place can be disgusting at times.
Yes, I feel ripped off especially with food.
Yes, most of the employees have bad attitudes.
Yes, the dispatch is generally poor.
Now granted, I've been there a few times this year where I actually had a great time, that is with no incidents with the above issues. On the other hand, I've been there where I've encountered a little bit of everything and vowed not to return for a while. It's all one big crap shoot and it shouldn't be that way.
Most of the griping people do about SFWOA isn't about hatred, but more out of frustration. It seems that SFWOA is more worried about getting people in the gate one time rather than ensure that they want to return, hence all the shiny new rides and flashy commercials and lack of infrastructure to support the new "Super Park" crowds they want and get. A park with that many good rides should not be operated in that manner. The scary thing is that more and more SF parks are following the SFWOA model rather than the SFGAm or SFoG model.
It's a shame when I'd rather drive 75 miles one way to CP rather than 15 to SFWOA.
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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
YES
Yes, the place can be disgusting at times.
Yes, I feel ripped off especially with food.
Yes, most of the employees have bad attitudes.
Yes, the dispatch is generally poor.
Now granted, I've been there a few times this year where I actually had a great time, that is with no incidents with the above issues. On the other hand, I've been there where I've encountered a little bit of everything and vowed not to return for a while. It's all one big crap shoot and it shouldn't be that way.
Most of the griping people do about SFWOA isn't about hatred, but more out of frustration. It seems that SFWOA is more worried about getting people in the gate one time rather than ensure that they want to return, hence all the shiny new rides and flashy commercials and lack of infrastructure to support the new "Super Park" crowds they want and get. A park with that many good rides should not be operated in that manner. The scary thing is that more and more SF parks are following the SFWOA model rather than the SFGAm or SFoG model.
It's a shame when I'd rather drive 75 miles one way to CP rather than 15 to SFWOA.
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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
I agre with John Peck, SFWoA is not a new park, in fact, it has been there for over 100 years. Also, Premier Parks had several years experince running other parks, so it is not like they are newcomers or anything like that. They had a few years of ownership to plan the expansion that has taken place the last two years. They should be doing better. My own opinion is that smaller parks, with their small admission and small, or no parking fees are a better deal than the Six Flags parks anyway These parks are pretty reliable in having everything open and running when I go, much more so than say Wyandot Lake(a Six Flag park whose Frolic has only operated one out of the four times I have been there or Six Flags Kentucky Kingdaom, The Quake has only ran one time in my eight visits to the park. Athough I will go to the Six Flags parks, I think smaller parks are a better value. SInce everyone is unhappy with SFWoA, my advice is stay away and give some of the smaller parks a chance. When you do this, you will keep the smaller parks open and you will keep the large parks from making as uch money. Hit them in the wallet where it really hurts.
Darren Mullins
Darren Mullins
I agree with the original post entirely.
My trip report from June 19th:
http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=13&TopicID=8939
My trip report from June 19th:
http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forums/thread.asp?ForumID=13&TopicID=8939
Mark W. Baruth said:
"Some things to consider-
I'm not really sure why you have such hatred towards college graduates. I have a degree, and I make a decent living. Does that make me less qualified to judge how a theme park should be operated? You make some adequate points in your post, but your overtones of anger and feelings of inadequacy overshadow them. Yes, I'm 23, and I don't have the life experience that you have, but I pay my money at the gate just like you do.
If you don't like SFWoA, don't go. Simple."
You might want to reread what Scotty said, Mark. He mentioned no hatred towards college students. I also, agree with him about this.
Scotty's words were:
When I see so many very young college students in upper management positions that bothers me. Dont get me wrong, if they can handle the job, god bless them. But it is quite odvious, the job is not getting done. They need a guy like Dick Kinczel. You get knoledge from experience, not a book in a college classroom.
The park does have problems! not to mention that they DO HAVE a height restriction of 180 feet some friends went on yesterday and said the place was PACKED it was (1) of those day's you could bring someone FREE if you had a season pass - the park is VERY small (wild side) and parking is too high
$9 bucks
$9 bucks
Scotty, I agree with you 100% and I could add a little. But I won't, because you hit the nail right on the head!
Writing a report to the park is going to get you no where - I did this and never even got a reply, and I was constructive.
For anyone that missed it, you can check out a full review of the park. See my signature below.
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It's judgement day for SFWOA at http://www.coastergrotto.zzn.com
For anyone that missed it, you can check out a full review of the park. See my signature below.
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It's judgement day for SFWOA at http://www.coastergrotto.zzn.com
Yes GL is over 100 years old but if it was not for SF it might not be around anymore, just like dozens of other ohio parks that have disapeard.
You have to give this park a few year's, just like SFGAm it took them time.
Answer me this would you people rather have GL closed down No Coaster's, or have SF take over it put in 5 coaster's in 2 years(same amount that was there before SF bought)and slowly take care of the park, it will come in time.
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Army rangers lead the way *** This post was edited by supermandl on 8/16/2001. ***
You have to give this park a few year's, just like SFGAm it took them time.
Answer me this would you people rather have GL closed down No Coaster's, or have SF take over it put in 5 coaster's in 2 years(same amount that was there before SF bought)and slowly take care of the park, it will come in time.
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Army rangers lead the way *** This post was edited by supermandl on 8/16/2001. ***
Frankly, supermandl, since I probably won't ever go back to Geauga Lake, it's the same end result for me. If Geauga Lake had closed (and that's debatable; I don't think Six Flags/Premier represented the only chance for survival the park had), I'd have no coasters to go ride there. Geauga Lake, last year, was such a disappointment that I have no interest in going back and riding the coasters.
I agree that SFWOA has great coasters but coasters cannot be the only thing that makes a park. They have 10 coasters but if you go to Kennywood they have 5 coasters and the park is a lot better on Atmosphere and better prices. Kennywood on Sat. and Sun $26.00 week days $21.00 Parking free unless you choose to pay for preferred that is 4$. I understand that the park just wants to make money and they are thinking of every way to do that next you may have to use the restroom. You pay to get into the park you have to pay to park your car and then if you don't want to wait in long lines you pay again. When I go to a park I expect it to be clean. Every has some stuff that needs to be corrected but they at least attempt to correct those things. SFWOA it has not changed in the 3 years that I have been going to the park. Just my opinion I could be wrong
Just to throw my $0.03 worth (inflation and all):
I LOVE the rides at SFWoA. I've been there several times this year, and had a great time. I'll be going back at least once.
HOWEVER, SFWoA has serious problems with CONSISTENCY. Some days I've been there, and the park was clean, the ops friendly, and the lines moving. Other days, I could swear I'd died and gone to roller coaster hell.
This inconsistency problem isn't isolated to WoA. This year I went to KK (and had a good time even though the park has a not-so-great reputation), GAdv (and had a GREAT time, as I always seem to do there, in spite of various warnings), and SFA (and had a not-so-great time, even though I'd been there twice last summer and loved it both times).
The consistency problems manifest themselves from how the FastLane system is handled (last time I was there it was good on ANY coaster, but only Villain and X-Flight had reserved rows) to cleanliness to the bloody food prices (beer was cheaper than soda on the "Wildlife" side earlier in the year!)
The park has problems, and needs to start addressing them. SFWoA has become the place I make a quick stop at for a few rides on the way to or from Cedar Point, as opposed to a place I go for the park itself. And with the parking prices getting more and more obscene, I may stop doing even that (I have vouchers I bought earlier this year, when they run out I may not bother replenishing)
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--Greg
http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/
I LOVE the rides at SFWoA. I've been there several times this year, and had a great time. I'll be going back at least once.
HOWEVER, SFWoA has serious problems with CONSISTENCY. Some days I've been there, and the park was clean, the ops friendly, and the lines moving. Other days, I could swear I'd died and gone to roller coaster hell.
This inconsistency problem isn't isolated to WoA. This year I went to KK (and had a good time even though the park has a not-so-great reputation), GAdv (and had a GREAT time, as I always seem to do there, in spite of various warnings), and SFA (and had a not-so-great time, even though I'd been there twice last summer and loved it both times).
The consistency problems manifest themselves from how the FastLane system is handled (last time I was there it was good on ANY coaster, but only Villain and X-Flight had reserved rows) to cleanliness to the bloody food prices (beer was cheaper than soda on the "Wildlife" side earlier in the year!)
The park has problems, and needs to start addressing them. SFWoA has become the place I make a quick stop at for a few rides on the way to or from Cedar Point, as opposed to a place I go for the park itself. And with the parking prices getting more and more obscene, I may stop doing even that (I have vouchers I bought earlier this year, when they run out I may not bother replenishing)
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--Greg
http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/
I must say SFWoA was cleaner than Cedar Point when I visited a few days ago. And I also must say X-Flight and Batman Knight Flight are two of the best roller coasters I have ever been on. However, I did find the staff to be quite unfriendly and unhappy with what they were doing. Also, as a note the Fast Pass is gooid for more than just those 5 coasters... there is a list at the main gate. For one example it is good on The Deer Park Plunge.
Question:
Why does it seem that any negetive thread towards SFWOA tends to stay open. Negetive threads about CP always seem to close or disappear???
Why does it seem that any negetive thread towards SFWOA tends to stay open. Negetive threads about CP always seem to close or disappear???
My girlfriend Jill has suggested that Six Flags should change its logo/icon thing from the colored flags to an overflowing trash can. I know that employees are EXPENSIVE, but so are tickets to the park. By 7:00 pm, no matter what SF park you're in, you see trash on top of most cans, because they're OVERFLOWING - I guess taking out the trash 1x/day is good at home, but how many of you have thousands of visitors a day at your house? If my house looked like that, and visitors were treated rudely (not my experience at SFWoA, but HAS been at other SF parks), would I have the nerve to call them "guests"? I think NOT. One last point: How much extra does it cost to hire friendly employees? CP, HW, KBF - they all do it...Can I pay an upcharge (kind of like a Fastpass) to force employees to treat me appropriately - I'm not asking for a lifelong friend, just decent treatment...
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rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you *** This post was edited by gatorwoodie on 8/16/2001. ***
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rollergator - intent on improving the "guest experience" - coming soon to a park near you *** This post was edited by gatorwoodie on 8/16/2001. ***
Apollo15 said:
"Cleaness, All parks have this problem, and if people would use the "TRASH CAN" as desighn we would not have this problem, would we?"
It's hard to use a trash can when they aren't empty :)
(Not trying to start a war, but the trash cans need to be emptied so we can use them.)
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CDNSN
IOArules said:
"You guys need to stop your whining, because when it all comes down to it SFWOA is one of the best SF parks out there. "
...And that's saying something.
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Jes
Webmaster, Jes's Roller Coasters
www.jesms.cjb.net "Thank You Jeff Putz"
I think the reason six flags' parks are dirtier then Cedar Point is that every four feet at Cedar Point you hit a trash can and its only every thirty feet that you hit a trash can at Six Flags.
Its not Six Flags fault that their park is dirty they have trash cans for people to throw there stuff away. Its just that people on vacation are so LAZY that they don't care to walk to a trash can to throw their stuff away. At Cedar Point they make you feel guilty if you don't use the trash can as you always seem to have one right in front of your face.
I'm sure Six Flags wants to maintain cleanliness just as much as the next guy, but until they're as anal as Cedar Point with trash cans the park is going to be dirtier because of the laziness of vactioners.
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"And then you say oh what a lovely tea party."
-Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Its not Six Flags fault that their park is dirty they have trash cans for people to throw there stuff away. Its just that people on vacation are so LAZY that they don't care to walk to a trash can to throw their stuff away. At Cedar Point they make you feel guilty if you don't use the trash can as you always seem to have one right in front of your face.
I'm sure Six Flags wants to maintain cleanliness just as much as the next guy, but until they're as anal as Cedar Point with trash cans the park is going to be dirtier because of the laziness of vactioners.
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"And then you say oh what a lovely tea party."
-Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
I think you're imagining things. Negative CP threads are few and far between, and you wouldn't know about the countless anti-SFWoA threads that I have deleted over the last few months. This particular thread started in a fairly constructive manner, so I left it open.
Coaster Bob said:
"Question:
Why does it seem that any negetive thread towards SFWOA tends to stay open. Negetive threads about CP always seem to close or disappear???"
As I've said before. It's not that people don't like the rides or are too "in to" Cedar Point. SFWoA is managing to turn people off all on its own, and that frustrates those of us who live so close to such great rides.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
Watch the grass grow: http://www.sillynonsense.com/subdivision/
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