Small parks or parks with no competition?

I live in Canada, about a 35 min drive from PCW. Now, this park has not gotten a single good thrill coaster since 94.. a SLC.. (im sure you have heard many Canadians complain...) But is the reason for the lack of expansion due to a lack of competition? I mean we don't really have a competing park, so does that acount for it?


CP has lots of competition therefore = lots of expansion?

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I think so. Elitch is the classic example of that. Darien Lake and Worlds of Fun also fit into that category.

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Home Park: Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO

Kind of funny you one of you mention Paramount Canada's Wonderland and the other mentions Darien Lake as 2 parks who don't have any competition when the fact is... both compete with each other!

Truth is, they aren't all that far away from each other. If most of Darien Lake's locals live in the general Western New York area, which consists of Buffalo & Niagara Falls, then you are only a mere 30-45 minutes from Darien Lake and a 90 minute drive from Canada's Wonderland.

That's competition right there!!
It's a little distant from those who travel from Toronto or it's northern suburbs, but not all that far especially if they stay at Darien Lake's campground for the weekend!

Anyway, both of those parks not only compete against each other, but they also go against other smaller/medium sized parks such as Marineland, Canada... Martin's Fantasy Island... Seabreeze (as sad as that may seem)... and to a much lesser extent, Waldameer Park (for SFDL)... Wet 'N' Wild (PCW & SFDL have a water park. Why pay full admission just for waterpark when you got WNW?)!

It may not be competition as much as just the park operators and CEO plan of attack and seeing if it's the right time for expansion.

Maybe the owners think that their crowds (and percentage of increase/decrease from the years past) are good enough that they don't need to add any significant improvements, despite what others may want.
I wish it wasn't true, but that's my guess.

When the time is right, they'll use their capital investments on something good.

Actually, parks without competition doesnt necessarily mean no new thrill rides. SFGAm has absolutely no competition but continues to add coasters and thrill rides. They usually add some type of thrill ride every 2 years. I dont know if its the Chicago/Milwaukee market that demands these new additions but I will say that we here in this market are usually pleased with what goes on here. I have been happy with this park since it opened in 1976. (Thankyou Marriott for starting something special!!!!!)

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Competition doesn't have to come from other parks. It can come from other entertainment options. Adding new attractions keeps the place fresh in people's minds and gets people to go there instead of the multi-plex at the mall.

For one thing I understand, I was so pissed off when PCW added more kids rides, sure they got coasters, but they're from like the eighties, except for the fly, but then again, that get's boring pretty fast! Why can't we get a B&M? Anyways, I did hear that Darien Lake competes with PCW somewhere, but I don't really see it right now. Does anyone know what Darien Lake got for the 2001 season? I know wonderland got a topscan, and 7th portal, but no coasters! Dah well, all I know is maybe things will change when Sixflags LaRonde kicks in Quebec.

Do you guys think Lake Compounce is competition for SFNE? I thought about this. Some people think the reason SFNE didn't get anything was because of lack of competition, but I consider Lake Compounce plenty of competition.

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StandUpFan said:
"I think so. Elitch is the classic example of that. Darien Lake and Worlds of Fun also fit into that category."

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I would disagree that WOF doesn't have any competition. While the competition is definitely not as fierce as the Ohio parks, Missouri has three quality parks that are within about 250 miles of each other. Many people live in reasonable driving distance from each, and choose one based on the different things they offer (WOF and SFSL for ride quantity and coasters, or SDC for atmosphere and family fun). The three parks may not present an immediate threat to each other, but I'm sure they all keep an eye on what the others are doing.

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