Waterslides replacing coasters?

Could you imagine the wedgie from that slide.Ouch!!

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crazy horse said:
I think cedar fair reported that attendance was down at worlds of fun waterpark, and also six flags has blamed the weather on attendance at waterparks as well.

So if this is the case, how could this be a wise buisness decision?

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Uh, because the weather isn't bad every year, it requires low cap ex to build water parks, and the margin is high. Any more questions?

I understand that Jeff, but what I am trying to get at is this.

Do you think in the near future it will be more common for parks to build waterslides over coasters?

Look at PKI. Because of their waterpark they are the largest seasonal amusement park in the world.

Come again? I doubt that PKI is larger then Cedar Point.

Largest? No.

Highest attendance? It's either PKI or SFGAdv, depending on the year.

I thought that cp was one of the highest, along with pki?

Really? Wow. Does anyone actually have figures on attendance for the top parks? That's something I haven't seen that'd be really interesting.

Somebody posted estimated numbers for 2003 sometime last season.

Crazy horse- When you think about the fact that PKI and SFGAdv are open for about a month longer than Cedar Point you can see why Cedar Point isn't #1 in attendance. Cedar Point still has very high numbers, but IIRC PKI and SFGAdv both edge it out.

^ Actually, by some estimates PCW beat out CP (3.4 mil to 3.1) and it runs a shorter season. Of course you have to take any attendance numbers with a grain of salt.

Well, the thing is, when extremely few parks actually release their attendance figures it's all just guesswork anyway.

Let's just say this.

The average family goes to an amusement park, mommy and daddy, and on average what, two to three kids? You need something in your park that targets the whole family, thus bringing them into your park. When there, they usually go about happily--unless it's a Six Flags park, then it can vary. I speak for myself when I say that while I'm in the park, I think "Hell, I'm only here once in a while, might as well do it!" and I ride everything in sight. This introduces the family to heavier rides, they mature, coasters become good investments, and more familes come in.

End Crazy Theory #2.

--Adam

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Michael Darling said:
Somebody posted estimated numbers for 2003 sometime last season.

Crazy horse- When you think about the fact that PKI and SFGAdv are open for about a month longer than Cedar Point you can see why Cedar Point isn't #1 in attendance. Cedar Point still has very high numbers, but IIRC PKI and SFGAdv both edge it out.

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Pki is open for 3-4 weekends in april. CP has more operating days thorughout the year though:)

I love waterslides, however, wait times compared to actual ride time makes me shy away...

I liked the days of darien lake and the free access to SP holders only. most parks that have free waterpark access, the lines are horrendous.

That is my only beef w/ the water parks.

== alan jacyszyn

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Odd Todd said:
^ Actually, by some estimates PCW beat out CP (3.4 mil to 3.1) and it runs a shorter season.

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And do they or don't they have a complimentary waterpark?

See how that works?

-'Playa

When comparing parks attendance with CP, do you include Soak City's attendance if you're comparing it to a park with free waterslides? That would be a more "apples to apples" comparison...

Then why not combine attendance at WDW's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom and MGM Studios?

Cuz they're all separate gated attractions, that's why.

-CO

CoastaPlaya, I like the way you think.

But then would you count someone in attendance who just goes in the park to ride your Skycoaster(which is another fee)? That is another gated attraction. ;)

If you did that you'd probably have to count out people who just go in the park to eat. Hmm. Guess I wouldn't be counted then. :)

That's half the idea behind a readmittance stamp--counting you once.

The lines at separately-gated waterparks can be just as horrendous as those that are "free". Without block zones, waterslides are still one-at-a-time.