The latest at SFNO

I just love all those that are in the know. ;)

Read this.. it seems like the festivals are actually goign to happen this year and the city will recover over time:)

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Dear Friend of New Orleans:

For more than 300 years, New Orleans has thrived on the banks of the Mississippi. And despite centuries of challenges—hurricanes, wars, epidemics—this city has proven to be strong and resilient. Like the centuries old oak trees that line our streets, New Orleans bends, but does not break.

In the weeks since Katrina landed on our soil, much has improved. Katrina’s damage is in the process of being repaired faster than any of us expected. Each day we see restaurants opening, and businesses and museums welcoming patrons. The mood in the city is optimistic: we will rebuild New Orleans to be a stronger and better city.

One lesson that New Orleanians take to heart is the incredible generosity they have experienced while living in other cities. In all 50 states, schools, churches, families and even strangers have welcomed the evacuees of Katrina. The outpouring of concern has been remarkable, and we are most grateful.

Another lesson we have learned is the unswerving dedication of our National Guard, emergency workers from all 50 states and countless church, medical and social service volunteers who have come to the city to help with the restoration efforts. To each of them we send our sincerest appreciation.

Christmas New Orleans Style will take place, albeit in an abbreviated form from past seasons. Mardi Gras will roll again on February 28, celebrating its 150th year. Plans are underway for French Quarter Festival (April 21-23) and Jazzfest (April 28-May 7)—all these celebrations will be more festive than ever. They will tell the world that New Orleans is welcoming visitors and celebrating life as never before! Mark your calendars and join the fun.

New Orleans has always been a city that is loved by many. You just can’t keep a good city down. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Sandra S. Shilstone
President and CEO
New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation

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Well it's a lot easier to put in paper than build with bare hands! ;)

There are so many struggles that Louisiana and New Orleans have yet to see. With the budget cuts Louisiana is facing due to the amount the government says Louisiana needs to pay, times will be rough. A broke state and city is hardly the best atmosphere for a quick recovery in my opinion! Hopefully all will work out and these budget cuts won't create further problems. But you know they just will!

The flats that've been relocated thus far appear to be the only rides actually remaining in the SF chain,the rest including the coasters(with exception of the SLC) are at least semi confirmed to be headed for the scap pile or sold to parks outside the chain.

Just look at the conference call to see that only 4 coasters(the ones we've already known about for a few months) are the only ones planned for 06....the remaining parks either get more family/waterpark attractions or nothing at all.

As for SFNO I honestly don't see this park reopening next year...if at all & like someone already said SF could easily try to get out of their contract to run the park if they determine it to be less feasible to rebuild given their financial situation.

As Cameraman stated the park is not supplied by guests just from N.O city limits but more from surrounding suburbs.Would I if I was a Park Developer build the park where it is now,NO. Would I build it near the center of the city, You must be crazy with the crime rate as high in the inner city as it is, I live just north of N.O and having been raised in the suburban area there is still places where I would not even take a chance to drive in. If the park was built inside city limits it would have been shut down a long time ago. No body wants to take that kind of chance. If the park where to be or have been built on the North shore along the 1-10 or I-12 corridor the park would be extremely successful not unlike what the BB/DL park is doing know. For people not from the vicinity the area which the park now lies is not the best of areas, granted 15 years ago it was a grand area until it was overrun and some what destroyed by unsavorable individuals. they had a huge shopping mall and as the area became inundated it was trashed and companies fled the area. They are trying to revitalize the area but as I see it, it will never happen, too much crime and just a bad area to frequent..Too many strikes against it to emerge from a steady decent into oblivion. Do I think the park will reopen this year, doubtful. In the grand theme of things would SF be better off if it wrote the park off and moved to a better location, yes but i doubt that will ever happen. If another company would invets time and money to build on the northshore would they do well, I believe yes, hoping BB/DL would have that courage. Time will tell what the options for the area hold.

Easily try and easily succeed are two different things. The city of New Orleans drafted this lease agreement with the sole purpose in mind for "assurance" from a buyer that would not try to drop the park. After being duped by Alfa Alfa, they didn't want something like that to happen again. However, these are much different circumstances. I would bet this agreement didn't take into account a devastating hurricane! But still, the city of New Orleans has a lot to lose if Six Flags finds a way out and I'll bet they will do whatever possible to secure its future.

CrazyB could tell you very well that politics weigh extremely heavily in this matter, he knows how it is as do I. These politics are a prime example of why Zephyrland was shut out, and the politics will be in Six Flags' face if they try to find a way out.

*** Edited 11/15/2005 7:42:28 PM UTC by Cameraman***

Cool, another bich board to complain in!

No one is "Rushing" to get it cleaned up and open because the procecss is moving just as it should. Maybe slow for you, but surely moving forward.The process is in motion and not at the point of gutting and clean up yet. I know because i am going to be gutting and cleaning when it starts. Hmmm, sounds like i might be "in the know" !

SFI may not have an interest in the community but our SF Park did. Internally we have and will continue to build and donate funds to select charities. We also volunteer for different comunity services. ALL employees are engouraged to participate. most did and will continue to do so. How many locals know that? I dunno but now you do. Does our park get any points for that now? Maybe not being bashed for a week or so? After the storm our park looked for our employees to make sure every one was ok and if they needed any help. We were also offered work in other states if we chose to do so. When you post that SFI does not care about community and Pride, please add that our park does or else speak only for what you really know about. Which seems to be SFI not SFNO.

Whats up with the "people in the know that are not talking" ? I saw that statement a few times. Is that partly direceted at me? Six flags is gonna tell what and when they want.Those "in the know" maybe know more than most and they should not be telling you either. Plain and simple.

I just don't understand why you are so angry and waste so much negative energy on the park. Why not just go to DL/BB and have stress free positive time with family and be a part of internet community supporting that park?

It is your right to post and say what you feel, thats cool. I just think you could enjoy other things more instead of our park which seems to always have you upset.

The most important reason for this post was so everyone understands that the park and employees have been a beneficial force in our community. Not as an employee making excuses for SFI, but someone who donated money, time and energy into our community along with hundreds of other employees.

You know how i am posting. I am done. you won't see me on local N.O. boards for a while. I am hanging out where people have fun and interact with each other and yes they do bich but it soon gets lost in the continuing fun and good time. Thats where i want to be and the people i want to surround myself with right now. Why you think i like working at an amusement park?

By the way, RUMOR has it that opening for 06 is unlikely. *** Edited 11/16/2005 8:32:41 PM UTC by calcajun***

The popular saying around here is, "Those who know, don't tell and those who tell, don't know"... or something like that. If you saw a reference or two to that, it's probably because it's a popular saying around here. Nevermind the fact that there are a lot of people around here that claim to know stuff that really don't...

Calcajun, you said it well... maybe SFI has no interest in the city of New Orleans but that doesn't include the hundreds of people that worked at the park- people who probably did take a lot of pride in it. The people who worked at the park and the people that visited the park were part of the region that was devestated by the hurricane and I'm sure that after their houses and the region's most important infrastructure gets rebuilt, there is going to be a big push to get secondary things like Bourbon Street, the Superdome and SFNO rebuilt and reopened.

The rumors I've been hearing point to a 2007 reopening and from what I can see, that makes the most sense. There are probably precious few resources available to get the park reopened for 2006 and considering the state of things in the area right now, why bother?

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Apparently we have another literacy critic. But the Bottom line is you understood what I said if not you wouldn't have replied.

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I'm replying, but the quoted post is the only one I really read. I tried your first one, but after 2 sentences, and it not being broken into paragraphs, as well as your other posts, I decided you didn't deserve my time.

Paragraphs are your friend.

As for SFNO, My best guess would be 2007. Are they wanting to Hold Mardi Gras next year there?

I think the park will come back. Im not sure whether or not Six Flags will hold onto it, but I think it could be open by 2007.

Many of the rides were built up pretty high. There is the matter of replacing control boxes at lower levels, but I think at least half of those rides could be in pretty good shape still.

Of course, I am not an engineer, it's clearly an observation.

No, Most of the flats went totally under. Megazeph platform, trains and generator are built up and survived but the PLC room went under. same for batman the ride, trains and stuff ok but PLC room below and went under.

Someone somewhere pointed out some photos on the web taken inside the park quite a while back and if you were standing on the midway which is what is built up, you were still in waist deep or higher water. It was that way through the whole park. What made things worse was that everything sat underwater for a month or longer.

Even if somethings can be saved, being submerged for so long, they need to be totally striped down to the foundation and rebuilt. Not enough time to get this much work done plus add replacements or new additions, gut and rebuild buildings the computer network throughout the park ect for 06.

The place simply needs to be rebuilt.

Dang, I was so excited about how big frightfest was going to be this year. :-( *** Edited 11/17/2005 11:19:19 PM UTC by calcajun***

From what I've seen, it looks like Lex Luthor could be saved. Its computer room went under but the mechanics of the ride stayed dry (thought that thing was already a big pain before Katrina! May not be worth saving). The S&S towers probably will require extensive repairs but the control tower is probably in tact. Anyone know if Krazy Krewe was submerged? I know that ride usually parks elevated and much of its mechanical parts may have been above water. However, these are only a hand full of rides. I'm pretty sure the rides I'll list below are done for...

Catwoman's Whip
Mad Rex
Gator Bait
Pontchartrain Flyer
Beach Bang Up (Bumper Cars)
Joccos
Kiddie Rides
SimEX Simulators ( :( those were so cool, most comfortable seats of any simulator I've been on)
Zydeco Zinger? (Waveswinger) :(

^ any hope for 'The Big Easy'? What about The Jester, from the photos it looks as if that got it bad too.

Yeah I wanted to find out that as well. Did the water get into Jester's train? I know it looks like it got very close to the one on the transfer.

Also I'd imagine Joker's Jukebox is done for as well.

I think the Big Easy could possibly be fixed.

*** Edited 11/18/2005 3:48:51 AM UTC by Cameraman***

I weep over the Catwoman ride being lost. Only time I've ever been turned on by a flatride.

The statue survived. That's all I need!

As you have seen from the in park flood photos, The water was more than half way up doors on retail,first aid and sponge bob. As you know all theses buildings are built up on the pier(midway).

The photos of mardi gras are slightly missleading cause the water had gone down considerably. Look at the one with the large crane in front of joccos stage. the water looks low, but if you look at the shade structure posts and kings retreat stand in the back, you will see the water was quite high.

DC and Looney Toons Adventure are ground level. Keep in mind that the rest of the flats on the pier are built on pits that go deeper below the midway.

Case in point is The Bat. I know you like this ride and want it saved but the panel most likely was totally under. The control and electrical room went under as deep as any buildings and of course motor that rotated the whole ride and most of the hydrolics are located underneath. The hydrolic hoses and pistons are located above. I don't know this for fact but i am willing to betcha anything it will be replaced with something new or different and won't return.

Again, when you think about how deep rides went under, remember how high the water line on buildings are and thats the same depth rides in the raised pier also went.

Most of the Aviator's importand stuff was all pier level including the motors, control and electrical.

Well you get the point and you can see the pics. From what i understand, what makes it so much worse, was that everything sat underwater for a month or more.

I was looking forward to fright fest. As you recall how it grew and much more detail went all round the park last season, It was going to be huge this season!

This all just sucks.

Yes, I was very excited about the Fright Fest. Just that Friday before the storm (before I even knew it was coming to us! At that time it was still going to Florida!) I was telling a friend about how Batman and Mega Zeph were going to be in the dark (lights turned off) and how fun that would be. A lot can change in one weekend.