Six Flags [FUN] Corporate Discussion Thread

I wonder if the metal detector replacements at the gate are millimeter-wave scanners or the old backscatter x-rays that the TSA got rid of?

Doesn't look like it's either of those, this is a video from the company Evolv and has a clip that is in the six flags video. Looks like a way better way instead of having to wait on a line and take everything out of your pockets...

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I guess it is not millimeter wave technology like TSA currently uses but uses computer-based AI instead of people reviewing the images. I was a little lost in the science.

https://www.securityinfowatch.com/perimeter-security/threat-detection-imaging-inspection/article/21125832/checkpoint-security-evolved

Evolv has two flagship products, the Edge and Express. The Edge is based on millimeter wave technology and looks much like theft detection paddles at a library or retail store. Edge captures a single millimeter wave image in one-hundreth of a second. As a pedestrian walks through, the device captures enough images to eliminate motion blur and produce clear and reliable sensor imagery to the central processor. The processors interpreting the sensor data have been trained to ignore harmless objects – so keys, cell phones, and jewelry stay put. Purses and jackets can be carried through. While only one person can walk through at a time, the company says up to 800 people per hour can be processed through the Edge, as compared to approximately 200 through an airport security lane.

Evolv’s newer product, the Express, operates using advanced magnetic field sensing. In this scenario, multiple people can walk through at the same time – such as a mother holding hands with a child. A free flow of people through the sensor permits up to 3,600 people to be screened per hour. A red light indicates someone has violated the sensor, and security guards are prompted with an image of the violator overlaid with a box showing the exact location of the perceived threat on that person, enabling rapid secondary screening.

^Sadly many Americans only medical problem is the mental illness of entitlement and privilege. And too many companies cave to it.

As somebody who's been a mental health worker for 22 years now, and has extensive hands-on experience with actual mental illness, I can assure you, the people displaying "mental illness" are not likely the ones you're referring to.

I've said this elsewhere in response to this topic, and I'll say it here. It's not up to you, anybody on TPR, a rando on the internet in general, a neighbor, or anybody at Six Flags, or any other amusement park, to determine what is, or is not a valid medical problem for another individual. You (speaking collectively in the sense of "the royal we") don't get to decide that for somebody else, and if you are trying to, then you are the one who is exhibiting anti-social, narcissistic, and other mentally ill tendencies. Just saying...

^^ I tried to reserve as well and I’m not able to at this moment. It just keeps telling me reservations are not available for this group yet please try again later latter. I have a good season pass.

Edit: It works for me now.

Half of the toilets were taped off during my last visit to a Six Flags park... Hopefully they'll still have metal detectors on hand for when the security scanners break. Likewise with thermometers.

What will the capacity limit be capped at? For example, let's say a park can hold 1,000 guests, but even on a busy day they only have 500 guests in the park. Despite that, the parks claim to be limiting their capacity to 50%, because it sounds good. I'm wondering if the limitations are based on maximum allowed capacity or attendance averages. Otherwise, you could be visiting on what would normally be a busy day with all of the restrictions in place, including possible limited dining space and rides at potentially less than half capacity. (Trains are half full, but the ride 'sanitation' measures are still in place.) I wonder if the park will even serve alcohol, since it's definitely 'non-essential.'

Good luck to Six Flags parks. As someone else said, Six Flags parks suck at enforcing their existing rules. Go to another large corporation, Walmart, and see how the mask policies work. They were strictly enforced for about a week, until they basically gave up. It's the same with all of the businesses in my area. At least a third of consumers aren't following the rules. This is in Illinois where we have some of the most strict policies in place. Sadly, it's exactly why Coronavirus is continuing to spread, including the 3 people out of 262,000 in our county who were infected yesterday.

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This is legit awesome technology. I can't wait to see it or something similar picked up across the board. Here in Vegas we've been known to have lines literally wrapped around and through casinos to get into venues and have had to delay start times because it's taking so long to screen people.

The Company Man uploaded this video on Six Flags recently. I feel as though its a bit out of date though despite being uploaded yesterday.

 

The Company Man uploaded this video on Six Flags recently. I feel as though its a bit out of date though despite being uploaded yesterday.

I'll have to check it out, I like watching his videos on various businesses

Not good news for Six Flags. Six Flags shares were initiated sell at Goldman, which said the park operator is exposed to areas with the highest rates of coronavirus infection

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/six-flags-shares-off-after-goldman-initiates-coverage-at-sell

The Company Man uploaded this video on Six Flags recently. I feel as though its a bit out of date though despite being uploaded yesterday.

What I took from the video is that Six Flags likes to borrow too much money in good times and bad. Their debt level is approaching what it was before the last time they filed for bankruptcy. If their interest rates go up because of further credit downgrades; they are screwed.

Damn. I did a lot of research on my own and took some advice from friends as far as SIX goes. We went with a lot of FUN and some SEAS, among other investments. I'm glad we didn't go with SIX. I looked beyond the 52 week high.

Just got a survey from Six Flags asking for thoughts on full park virtual queues, with a $5 skip the line pass option.

I think its a good idea in theory, but I dont think the execution would be done right.

Am I missing something on the reservation portal or is there not a way to cancel a reservation? I couldn't find a way to cancel them (just move them), so I pushed mine for the Texas parks way out in the future to avoid the penalty.

Am I missing something on the reservation portal or is there not a way to cancel a reservation? I couldn't find a way to cancel them (just move them), so I pushed mine for the Texas parks way out in the future to avoid the penalty.

I don't think you are missing anything. I pushed my SFOG reservation out because I could not find a way to cancel.

I tried the Live Chat and the representative was shocked there wasn't a cancel for the user. The rep was able to cancel my reservations for me.

Got a survey from Six Flags. . and it reads to me like they are considering going to "Virtual Queue" for EVERY ride in the parks

(the survey specifically says, you still wait the same amount of time, but you won't have to stand in the queue - you can eat, or play games, or walk around. . but what you CAN'T do while waiting? Go on any other ride, as EVERY ride will have virtual queue, and you can only book one at a time. You have to exit a ride, before you can book the next one).

I do not like this idea at all. and I responded as such - and gave them the comment: maybe a Virtual queue on big/popular rides, with these restrictions, but I want to be able to go to a flat ride (such as a Carousel) with a short line, and ride it while waiting to go to the ride I have in queue).

And yes, I realize, if I were to stand in a queue as things are now, I wouldn't be able to "go ride something else" during that period.

oh. . it also offered a couple of "upgrade" options: such as paying $1 per ride to skip to the front of the queue at each stop.

or paying for Flash Pass to cut the time in the virtual queue (gold and Platinum level were given as examples).

I TOTALLY get they are trying to find ways to entice folks back into the parks, sooner rather than later (there are several questions about Covid, and feelings on waiting in queues for rides). . but yeah. . . I don't like the idea of *EVERY* ride in the park going to virtual queue, and it likely WOULD get me to visit less.

just sharing that I got a survey.

$1 to skip to the front of the line? OK. $20 is 20 rides a day... That's insanely low. I'd even gladly shell out $5/ride, but $1 seems crazy. Every season pass hold would bring a crisp $10 bill on each visit.

$1 to skip to the front of the line? OK. $20 is 20 rides a day... That's insanely low. I'd even gladly shell out $5/ride, but $1 seems crazy. Every season pass hold would bring a crisp $10 bill on each visit.

I got the idea they were just dangling that as an option.. I suspect they much more likely would be pushing the gold/platinum Flash Passes.

I like the idea of virtual queues for all major/popular attractions. That sounds fantastic. But I agree Bert, having some smaller or less popular rides to ride while waiting is also nice. Having every ride in the park on virtual queue would be extremely irritating.

$1 to skip to the front of the line? OK. $20 is 20 rides a day... That's insanely low. I'd even gladly shell out $5/ride, but $1 seems crazy. Every season pass hold would bring a crisp $10 bill on each visit.

I'd guess that they mean you still have to wait in the virtual queue, but when your time comes round, you can be first in queue for that slot, rather than the usual fastpass skip the whole waiting period idea

The Holiday World example where the big rides have a virtual queue and the less popular ones are listed as "Ride Now" seem to be the best compromise.

And yes, I realize, if I were to stand in a queue as things are now, I wouldn't be able to "go ride something else" during that period.

But so would everyone else, so fewer would do it. If upgrades are attractive such as $5 a ride, that probably would be required to get the same wait time as a physical line. Free would be really long.

Also, if every ride has a line all the time, they're letting too many people into the park. And hopefully less popular parks will have under-reserved days with less dense times -- although if they don't I guess we won't have to worry if they're making money.

Fully virtual queues and reservations may act in some park-goer's favor, depending on how they did it before. Myself, not even close, I had it so good, it really didn't seem like it could last. But still didn't expect this.

another day, another survey. . this time about food options.

sounds like they are considering selling "dining credits" at a discount that can be used inside the park.

there are a few "brand name" restaurants listed among the "choose your preferred menu" options section - but some of the prices are insane (either too high or too low).

but i'd love if they pre-sell dining credits (we have dining plan, but I get the impression that might be on chopping block for them selling these dining credits instead).

we shall see what comes, won't we?

Hello all, CNBC just dropped a really interesting video/article about Six Flags and how they plan to survive the current situation. "How Six Flags Plans to Survive Coronavirus"

In early 2020, the Six Flags theme park chain found itself facing extinction for the second time in about decade, this time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But investors say a recent influx of needed cash and a renewed focus on its core business have given it a solid chance of survival, and perhaps some good years ahead. 

Often overshadowed by the massive and famous destination parks run by Disney and Universal, Six Flags is the biggest player in the business of regional theme parks, with 26 locations across North America. 

Since its beginnings in Texas in 1961, Six Flags enjoyed a successful, though sometimes tumultuous rise, only to find itself bankrupt in the midst of the financial crisis. The company reemerged and has enjoyed several years of strong sales.

But by the time the coronavirus pandemic struck Six Flags was already struggling with stymied plans to expand internationally. 

After a $725 million debt offering in April to help weather the crisis, the company is focusing on gradually reopening its parks.

It is employing a number of health and safety measures. Park guests will have to make reservations ahead of time to keep attendance levels manageable. Most jurisdictions that are allowing businesses to reopen are limiting customer capacity to about 25% of a business's typical maximum capacity, said then-interim Chief Financial Officer Lenny Russ on a Oppenheimer investment conference call on June 16.

All guests and employees are required to wear face masks. They will also undergo temperature screening before they enter the park with a new fast thermal scanning technology. There are dedicated hand washing and sanitizing stations and cleaning teams. Markers inidcate how riders should line up to provide space between guests and the park will leave empty seats on rides to keep parties apart. 

Some parks were already open as of mid-June, Russ said. These include Oklahoma's Frontier City, a water park outside Phoenix and Six Flags over Georgia, among others. Six Flags' Great Adventure converted its safari in Jackson, New Jersey, back to a drive-thru attraction, and opened it on May 30.

More parks will be opened as local governments loosen restrictions. These decisions could allow the company to pull in some much needed revenue during what is normally its busiest season. With spikes in cases in parts of the country, there is still plenty of uncertainty.

Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and CNBC.

another day, another survey. . this time about food options.

 

sounds like they are considering selling "dining credits" at a discount that can be used inside the park.

 

there are a few "brand name" restaurants listed among the "choose your preferred menu" options section - but some of the prices are insane (either too high or too low).

 

but i'd love if they pre-sell dining credits (we have dining plan, but I get the impression that might be on chopping block for them selling these dining credits instead).

 

we shall see what comes, won't we?

I got the same survey. I was very specific in my comments that my main issue with dining was long lines and not enough staff. I remember one eat at fright fest I was in line over an hour to get food. Longer line then any of the haunts.

The new mobile ordering helps a lot but only because not may people are using it. If it become popular staffing is still an issue.

I also on the food survey selected as many options for "craft beer" included as possible. More craft beer is a good thing.