Six Flags America (SFA) Discussion Thread

[SFA RegularYou can just skip over my posts.]

The theme park business is booming during the recession - it's a daycation that isn't far from home, and that's exactly what people need. Just like the theater back in the 30s.

And if you think Six Flags needs to get their feet "wet" before adding a big new ride...I'd say their feet are soaked and wrinkly by now.

Well I have been criticized in the past for thinking up these big coaster ideas, so I started thinking more of the smaller ideas. Still, I doubt they will give us a big coaster anytime soon.

[Geauga DogThe only thing better than a naked woman is a naked donkey!]

If the past is any indication generally when an attraction is closed mid-season it's usually a coaster or other large project that is planned for that site. Removing GASM at Great Adventure is one example.

While I have never visited SFA yet and following its history on the Net I wouldn't say that the park is neglected, IMO, as it has seen some investment but given what has been added to the other regional parks in the last couple years maybe it's time to add something much more significant. With SFGAdv and Kings Dominion more than likely not getting anything big next year the park could finally add something to grab more attention to the park.

^ While SFGAdv and KD probably aren't getting anything, Hershey, Dorney, and BGE are all getting coasters (two of which will probably get some national attention). It's essentially impossible for SFA to catch a year where NONE of their competitor add anything major...

[nitrofanI teach at the school of donkey!]

After reading a few of the posts, especially the fanboy posts, I'm a bit discouraged.

The park hasn't had a major attraction addition since 2003- and I'm stretching that quite a bit with PBR. The park has REMOVED a coaster, and yet to replace it with something (ANYTHING) to make up for it's loss. The waterpark has had a HANDFUL of changes and additions- and has just recently renovated their oldest slides in the park for re-use.

And you're not seriously suggesting adding a small theme area with a couple of flat rides?

A modern-era park needs to add a 'heavy' class of ride every three to four years in order to stay competitive in a market. When you have: A 305 foot tall, 94 MPH speed-monster with great coverage to the south, and a park adding it's 12th coaster to the north, you'd better be ready to handle the competition. To add a small re-themed area with a handful of attractions would be suicide in this market.

SFA has made changes in the past few years to prepare for major works (I'm being optimistic here and giving the benefit of the doubt) such as a new coaster. The park doesn't need a new theme area with some flats. It needs a hard-core, bring them in through the front gate and make them wait an hour or two coaster. SFA needs to make a statement that says "We're here, and we mean BUSINESS."

Anything less, and they should just send in the bulldozers now and get it over with.

Well, I had an idea that could get the parks feet wet before we just add a big coaster. I was trying to take into consideration that less people could be attending SFA right now, based on the economy. If things are worst in 2012, they may not get the return on it that they were expecting. Of course their expectations on money return for such an investment should be spread over a longer period of time, give or take the condition of our economy. But check out this next idea I have.

Now here is where I get back to an old idea. I still think it would be a cheaper investment in this economy to remove Tower of Doom and install a Drop Zone Tower in Gotham City. Yea the park could use another monster to top Superman, but wouldn't a new drop tower get SFA's feet wet before we add another rolling monster? Again, it's only a suggestion for a 2013 attraction. They could just fill Tower of Doom's old spot with a few flat rides while the new monster tower is in Gotham City. The flats, would be family oriented so that nobody gets neglected.

So you're suggesting that SFA take out their drop tower so they can build a different drop tower? I don't understand why SFA would waste their money on that. Their current drop tower is perfectly fine, there is no reason to build a new one. What the park does need is a new coaster, and there is no reason to wait any longer.

[Thom25Don't let this donkey melt you with its laser eyes!]

You make a good point about removing coasters and how that usually means a new one is coming. Given SF's financial position and their past comments, a Zac Spin would the cost effective solution, while it's uniqueness would potentially motivate people to visit them over Hershey and Dorney, which are a good four hours away from SFA. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a new Beemer at SFA, but you can't ignore the rumor that more Zac Spins are coming if Green Lantern is a success.

[MrSum1_55I just swallowed a whole donkey!]

^PLUS the capacity of a Zac Spin is only 800 riders per hour, on par with a wild mouse. So its perfect for SFA! (Well, and SFMM too, actually the entire chain at that)

[CoasterNERD502Does Jeff Johnson count this donkey as a credit?]

Zac Spins are complicated rides that im sure SFA is not ready to handle yet. I can see the downtime now..

[cwsrThis B&M donkey is so smooth!]

Noted from Screamscape

2012 - New Attraction - Rumor - (6/13/11) I’m really not too sure about this particular rumor… so take this with a grain of salt, but one e-mail sent in claims that Iron Wolf may be moved from SFGAm and sent to SFA as the new coaster for 2012, where I believe it would fit into the site rather easily. I’m just not sure if SFGAm is ready to let go of another coaster just yet, unless they’re getting something better to replace it, so for now just keep this one in the back of your mind.

[deathbydinnI eat bugs.]

I hope thats completely untrue, as I don't see how that would benefit either park. Great America has room as well for a new coaster, (especially if its something that can fit in IW footprint) and I don't see something like IW being able to pull in good crowds for SFA, because it really can't compete with the coasters near by parks are adding. Plus, I just don't want to lose it

[jps2942 + 2 = donkey!]

I hope not either, they can just save Skull Mountian and save up more money to add a new coaster!!