tmac031467

Back to Rolling Thunder, I think that depending on how the rehab of Texas Giant and subsequent Main't costs in it first few years (post rehab) we may see many Wooden Coasters getting this treatment. ie fitted with plug & play type track. I have a feeling that Cedar Fair may be waiting on Son Of Beast for this exact reason. So if this happens we may see Rolling Thunder in 2024 running as smooth as El Torro. The Safari makes me wonder today as to how close it could be to closing. Six Flags wants to save money. They may have saved some by closing off a very small area with the Old Country and half of Movie Town with closing off the live show buildings but who really knows. These small cuts most likely have saved them money but you can't tell me that feeding all of those animals, Having Vets on staff for medical needs, lawsuits from idiot guests who get bit by feeding the animals and constant maint in the area (there has to be a lot of poop to clean up all year round) wouldn't save them a whole lot of cash. The only reason I think that it hasn't been closed is that the general public would be in an uproar over such a dumb move. So as long Six Flags doesn't get stupid we will most likely see it still open although we may not see the Safari being owned and/or operated by Six Flags but by a different company that manages/owns Zoo type attractions.

With the closure of The Old Country Section the layout of that end of the park looks more like it did in 1975 when the fun forest area was added. Seems a shame that they are doing this for this year but maybe Six Flags new stratigic plans for upgrading areas in the park is to make it a two season upgrade. In the recent past sweeping upgrades to areas of the park was the norm. While this is great it is a big expense that may not provide the long term benefits. Six Flags new plans may be to split the expense, Market (very important) the new changes and upgrades and hopefully see an increase revenue. Why promote a new coaster without promoting the new area around it? So you promote the new coaster for 2008 and the New "X-area" for 2009. Just a thought. Anyway I hope to see good things in this area.

In all honesty I think that you should try to ride everything if you appriciate it. Things change. As much as I wish it could be that Great Adventure, along with all amusement parks in general were museums they are not. They are a businesses that are very organic in that every aspect. Every part of the park shelf life. Rides, shows, shops and even the general way the park is set up is all subject to change. There are rides, looking back that I wished I had one more chance to ride or photograph. There are areas of the park that I wish I could still remember as well as I remember them last year. Look at the Golden Kingdom area and the "El Toro" section of the park. They have changed a lot and in my honest opion for the better. We don't like change but it is important for any business to thrive. So my point is ride the Parachute. Enjoy the carousel. Take a Spin on the Ferris Wheel. Scream on Rolling Thunder. Photograph the Character Cafe because next year or the year after these icons may not be here for us to guess at there fates.

It bothers me also that they are removing these rides but lets take a step back and look at these rides. The Music Express was added to the park around 1977, The Fantasy Fling ( if still being removed) was from 1974, the Space Shuttle was installed around 1984, The Water Effect was from 1986, Free Fall was from 1983? and if the Wave Swinger goes it is also from 1974. All of these rides were between 20+ and 30+ years old. With the exception of the Chiller these flats have reached the end of the road where it is no longer feasable to run them. Also aren't the Six Flags Parks being run by an ex-Disney Exec? The Magic Kingdoms Growth has been slow, Animal Kingdom and MGM also slow. The Disney organization rarely adds something new without removing something old. ( of course there is exceptions for Disney) I am a traditionalist but I also understand that not just a Great Adventure but at all of their parks need to exchange out the old and upgrade. Some of the removals this year don;t make sence to me though although the dead area of the Old Country seems logical. Many times in the parks history they leave an area where rides have been removed and theme it to Ghetto'sville with its vacant lots and Trash themes. LOL. Anyway thanks for letting me put my two cents worth in.