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On Screamscape today:

(3/18/09) In the wake of news outlets across the country trying to peck away at Six Flags' image, Mark Shapiro issued his own memo to all of the parks Monday morning to bring all of the positive changes they have made to the chain over the last three years, accomplishing what they intended to do in that period of time. Changes like cleaning up the parks, creating a huge increase in park sponsorship deals, getting guest PerCaps over the $40 mark and the big one… becoming "Free Cash Flow positive" for the first time in company history.

With all those tasks accomplished, they can now begin the process of taking on the companies huge debt issue… something the current management inherited from the previous one. Under what would pass as a normal financial environment, Six Flags stock should be doing well and they would have no problem refinancing some of their debt issues, but the world isn't quite itself at the current time so like many other companies, they are forced to look into any and all other strategic plans to fix their problems. One of their plans is to look into various possible "debt for equity exchanges" with their debt holders.

The employee letter mentions that while they have had positive meetings thus far with many of them, there is one key player who holds a senior number of the notes due in 2010 who has been refusing to meet with them and has, "refused to even meet with me in person." I have to mirror Shapiro's next comment here, that this just "Makes zero sense." Right now they ended the 2008 year with over $200 million in cash, and speaking to their partners and vendors, "Your bills are being paid and will continue to be paid."

He goes on to mention their attraction ties to major entertainment features like Terminator Salvation, The Mummy, The Dark Knight and also mentions something about an tie to the upcoming new version of "Fame". The parks will have new sponsors this year as well in the form of T-Mobile, Mars and in-park M&M Emporiums. He also indicated that the Everyone Pays Kids Pricing promotion will return this season as well.

Flashing forward with hints about the 50th Anniversary plans in 2011, he does mention that every single park will launch a new "major attraction" that season. Again, I've got a hunch that this could be a really good season for Six Flags… given the chance to shine instead of all the newspapers being so quick to slam them at every opportunity.

That's awesome! I prefer the red but the speakers are cool. I hope Medusa gets speakers like those on the trains. I have to get myself to SFNE this year.

What if a new coaster meant removing an existing coaster? Would it be worth it to lose something like GASM and get a Tony Hawk in its place?

 

I'm hoping for something like the Buccaneer Battle at SFGAm...a good themed family attraction bringing a new water ride to the park.

I was being non-realistic. I'm more than satisfied with all the coaster we have. I 100% agree we need flats and family attractions more than anything else.

I agree 100%, Dan; we're coaster-heavy and light on the family stuff: flats, dark rides, good show venues...

We can never be too coaster-heavy!

This is great news! It's also a really good sign if they already started planning things in the future! I'm really excited now.

I wish I can be positive but I feel this is Six Flag's last year. I'm sure and I hope the parks will remain in good hands such as GADV, MM and so on.

I believe we have heard that Houdini was not opening this year, but i found this on the Official Site just now in the Themed Area section under the Fantasy Forest. " Be enchanted by a 150-foot Ferris wheel, feel tiny in spinning tea cups or be amazed by Harry Houdini's magic tricks." I hope this is not a section of the site that hasn't been updated in awile, but sound's to me that Houdini may be re-opening after all.

Excellent Find! Maybe that is what the "surprise" is.

It's has to be something about Medusa! I think...

That ride draws enough of people anyway somehow.

Medusa update from the off-season tour hopefully?

i have a quick question. Will the season passes be $89.99 at the gate on opening day?

It should be. I just checked the web site and it still says $89.99 for season passes. That price should be the same at the gate unless that is a sale price and it ends on a certain day which I don't think it is.

I totally forgot to ask also if they mentioned about re-opening the bridge too?

I have a feeling Medusa is going to turn out well (I hope)

Did they say anything about Medusa such as what effects are going in or if the name is 100% staying? Nice pics and thanks for sharing btw!

Nice! Thanks for sharing! The pictures look different than last year. I also see Fantasy Fling on the map unlike last year. Also the bridge is on the map by Medusa which is a good sign.

Thanks for sharing and the info!

Thanks for the update! I'm happy that/if it will be the same name. I like that name and plus if they did change the name it could be something worse! If Medusa does get sound and or fire like X^2 I'll be a happy person.

Thanks for sharing! I'm looking forward to riding this again now!

Alright thanks. I went the 2nd weekend the park opened last year and every ride was a walk on except KK. That was a great day.

Does anyone know how the crowds been lately on opening day? I've never been to the park on opening day before.

Mr.Six is back on the park's homepage!

They can track me all they want when I'm at Six Flags if they are willing to throw me some discounts on food, re-new my season pass for next year or some exit passes. Heck I'll carry a GPS in my pocket if they want when I'm at the park.

Medusa maybe 10 years old but it was also the first floorless roller coaster...