That was the problem...the OLD management had no 5-year plan...more like a 5-month plan. It's now that Shapiro is in charge he is asking for the parks to submit plans for 2-years, 5-years, etc.
Shapiro stated on the conference call that El Toro was ordered 3 months later than it should have been, opened later than expected and was $3 million over budget.
The original plan was the bridge was not re-opening to the public (creating 2 dead ends), then Sevart told tour groups over the winter the bridge WOULD re-open. Since then he has been replaced, but with the cost over runs they may not be able to afford to add some kind of safety nets or something that would allow the bridge to re-open.
After talking in depth with several highly placed employees, they really are trying to make changes, but the old management blew the budget even before the season started. That's why Shapiro had to have a conference call and explain they were not going to make their revenue targets (due to increased expenditures).
Almost everything about this season was predetermined by the old management. It's tempting to rush to judge the "new" Six Flags, but it's not fair until they really have a chance to make a difference and really make the changes that matter. BIG things are in store for 2007.
Old management didn't have a plan at all. Whatever Cedar Point did, they tried to counter. They find one ride that worked, they duplicated it across their chain. That is also a mistake. Your parks are supposed to be different not the same.