[Cavey]

Posted from "Thursday Mail," an e-newsletter I subscribe to:

Originally Posted by Christian Camp & Conference Association

Further showing that a thinning out is necessary for the survival of some, Six Flags plans to close or sell some of its major theme parks, although it hasn’t said when. According to a June 22 report by Themeparkinsider.com, the parks that have for-sale signs include Magic Mountain and Six Flags Waterworld in California, Elitch Gardens in Colorado, Darien Lake in New York, Wild Waves and Enchanted Village in Washington, and Six Flags Splashtown in Texas. A report on About.com says that Six Flags executives had originally made plans to improve the company by stepping up customer service and selling some underperforming parks, but they then moved on to the decisions about the bigger, more successful properties. The leaders say that revenues and attendance were down, and that they’re seeking to obtain more corporate sponsorships. These decisions by Six Flags follows the purchase earlier this year by Cedar Fair, owner of Cedar Point and 11 other parks, of Paramount’s four theme parks.

[Andrea]

Magic Mountain's a pit. I certainly wouldn't cry if it goes away, but someone will probably buy it.

[DayDreamer]

Six Flags isn't doing well financially at all. I can see why they're going to close a few parks.

[WishUponAStar]

It's because they build these ridiculous mega-coasters like Kingda Ka that breakdown every 5 minutes and people are terrified of. Plus, any six flags I've been too all of the food in the park is terrible and the lines are TOTALLY outta control. They also sell seasonal passes here for REALLY cheap so I can see how they aren't making any money.

[GrumpyDad]

We are really close to Six Flags Great America and went this year, the service was HORRIBLE at all the food concessions (the food itself was no better), as pointed out several of the rides, were broken down, and the place was just less the cheerful. REALLY made me miss WDW!

[Tinkfan]

I can't stand going to Great Adventure in NJ. We went for the Halloween thingy about 8 years back . What a waste! Each of the coasters was a minimum of a 3 hour wait. The people were rude and the park was so dirty. They really do need to do something about park capacity. I did go for a concert a couple of years ago and not so much had changed. Very let down.

[dac921]

I will never go to ANY Six Flag park, it is always the same thing, the cost to get in is obscene, then you have to wait an ungodly amount of time to go on a ride. I remember back in 1995 waiting 2.5 hours to get on Batman the ride.

Approx 6 years ago, we went to Great Adventure in NJ for Halloween one night, early in the session. We purchased our tickets and stood in between the ticket counter and the turnstyle to get into the part for 1.5 hours, before demanding... (I MEAN I WAS YELLING AND SCREAMING DEMANDING TO SEE THE MANAGER) my money back.

I ended up writing a letter to Six Flags and they sent me 4 free passes to the park, but I gave them to a friend.

That was the last time I ever step foot in Great Adventure... I refuse to go there again.

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by Andrea

Magic Mountain's a pit. I certainly wouldn't cry if it goes away, but someone will probably buy it.

OMG, that was my first thought

[wdwspider]

BUT, Magic Mountain is a classic park of America. I'd hate to see it go completely. Hopefully someone who knows how to run it can pick it up and turn it around.

I have heard whispers about the Busch Parks looking at it. Of course that would take some major money to get it up to their standards and theming. But it is a good location for them.

[Goofy Daddy]

The SF/Magic Mountain in California was attracting nothing but teen age and early twenties aged crowds and they had constant problems with many of these being gang members and fights breaking out between rival gangs. The lack of "family vacationers" hurt them financially because they are the ones who spend $$$ in a theme park, not the local teens/gangs who go for the rides only.

It should have been a no brainer though. You build a park with nothing for families with younger kids to do and DUH you don't attract vacationing families and their $$$...ESPECIALLY when you are competing with DLR and Knott's right down the road.

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by Goofy Daddy

The SF/Magic Mountain in California was attracting nothing but teen age and early twenties aged crowds and they had constant problems with many of these being gang members and fights breaking out between rival gangs. The lack of "family vacationers" hurt them financially because they are the ones who spend $$$ in a theme park, not the local teens/gangs who go for the rides only.

It should have been a no brainer though. You build a park with nothing for families with younger kids to do and DUH you don't attract vacationing families and their $$$...ESPECIALLY when you are competing with DLR and Knott's right down the road.

Yep.

My Dh and I were just talking about this on our way home from WDW. We had been to MarineWorld in May and while not nearly as rough as the last time I had been to Magic Mountain, it's not a place I want to return to for the same price as a day at Disneyland.

[tink74]

We went up to Six Flags in Gurnee a couple of summers ago and swore we would never go back....long lines, broken down rides, disgusting people, terrible food, and they charge extra for things like a wall climb and thier version of Fast Pass.

The whole time we were there we just kept saying "I wish we would have put this money towards Disney".......

[chris24]

we went to great adventure for frightfest (in jersey) we were there for almost 11 hours and went on a total of 4 rides:

superman - 2.5 hours
kingda ka - 3 hours
batman - 1.5 hours
terror trail - 1.5 hours

althought kingda ka is hands down the most exciting roller coaster i have ever been on (128 mph - 458 feet high) and worth the wait, it is rediculous how little there is to do there. i go once a year for fright fest, and trust me, that is plenty.....

[quartz7]

Well, here in Colorado, no one is complaining. I really miss the old Elitch Gardens, when it was privately owned. It was just so beautiful and victorian. Great place to hang out When Six Flags took over, what a mess. Horrible lines, horrible food, and way to expensive. We just forget about going there during the summer. We save our money and go to a Denver Nuggets game instead with the kiddos.

[CathysCAT]

Originally Posted by Tinkfan

I can't stand going to Great Adventure in NJ. We went for the Halloween thingy about 8 years back . What a waste! Each of the coasters was a minimum of a 3 hour wait. The people were rude and the park was so dirty. They really do need to do something about park capacity. I did go for a concert a couple of years ago and not so much had changed. Very let down.

I live pretty close to Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ, and the last time I was there was I think about 18 years ago. Need I say more?