Six Flags CEO says future looks bright

[GAcoaster]

From the Vallejo Times Herald:

 

SIX FLAGS CEO Mark Shapiro and his nephew are greated by a polar bear while on a visit to the Vallejo park Friday. (Stacey J. Miller/Times-Herald)

 

Six Flags CEO says future looks bright

By SARAH ROHRS/Times-Herald staff writer

Article Launched: 12/22/2007 08:16:36 AM PST

 

With Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo aglow with holiday lights, company President and CEO Mark Shapiro gave the theme park a rosy outlook Friday during one of his regular visits.

 

"I just walked in here 10 minutes ago, and the first sign that things are clicking is that the park is totally clean," Shapiro said as he took in the sights and sounds of Six Flags' inaugural Holiday in the Park celebration.

 

"We've made a lot of investments in the last 11 2 years. We've added employees and cleaned up the park and done a lot of deferred maintenance," he said.

 

The future of Vallejo's park is strong, he said, and it is a leader among the company's 21-park holdings.

 

It's been nearly a year since Shapiro changed the theme park's name, dropping Marine World in exchange for Discovery Kingdom, and also announced other operational and capital improvements.

 

As he visited the poinsettia plaza, the winter wonderland, Santa's workshop, holiday parade and other seasonal festivities, Shapiro said "guest satisfaction" is high and the name change has been successful.

 

Though the housing crisis and the sluggish economy are hitting families in their wallets, Shapiro and park president Martin Lathrop said attendance has been strong the last four months. During hard times, families tend to forego long trips to distance places, and opt for theme park visits to get away, Shapiro said.

 

Though Vallejo's reputation pales when compared to other Bay Area cities, Shapiro said the park doesn't suffer for it, and draws park-goers from across the area.

 

Animal and marine shows, plus the amusement park roller coaster and other rides will continue as the park's three main attractions, Shapiro said.

 

Next year, the park will get Tony Hawk's Big Spin, a new roller coaster, a Johnny Rocket's restaurant, plus costumed characters roaming the park, including Shouka, the killer whale; Merlin, the dolphin; Odie, the sea lion; and Odin, the white tiger.

 

With his sister Michelle and nieces and nephews accompanying him on his park tour, Shapiro took special note of the park's 125-foot tall Christmas tree - billed the biggest one in the world.

 

Seasonal festivities began Nov. 23 and run nightly through Jan. 6. Admission is $39.99 per adult, and $24.99 for kids. Adult tickets are available online only for $24.99

[GAcoaster]

From the Contra Costa Times:

 

CEO trumpets theme park's success

Flat economy hasn't affected Discovery Kingdom, Six Flags president says

By Sarah Rohrs

STAFF WRITER

Article Launched: 12/23/2007 03:02:45 AM PST

 

With Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo aglow with holiday lights, company President and CEO Mark Shapiro gave the theme park a rosy evaluation Friday during one of his regular visits.

 

"I just walked in here 10 minutes ago, and the first sign that things are clicking is that the park is totally clean," Shapiro said as he took in the sights and sounds of Six Flags' inaugural Holiday in the Park celebration.

 

"We've made a lot of investments in the last 11-and-a-half years. We've added employees and cleaned up the park and done a lot of deferred maintenance," he said.

 

The future of the Vallejo park is strong, he said, and it is a leader among the company's 21 park holdings.

 

It has been nearly a year since Shapiro changed the theme park's name, dropping Marine World in exchange for Discovery Kingdom. He also announced other operational and capital improvements.

 

As he visited the poinsettia plaza, the winter wonderland, Santa's workshop, holiday parade and other seasonal festivities, Shapiro said "guest satisfaction" is high and the name change has been successful.

 

Though the housing crisis and the sluggish economy are affecting families financially, Shapiro and park president Martin Lathrop said attendance has been strong the past four months. During hard times, families tend to forgo long trips and opt for theme park visits to get away, Shapiro said.

 

Though Vallejo's reputation pales when compared to other Bay Area cities, Shapiro said the park doesn't suffer for it. Discovery Kingdom draws visitors from across the area, he said.

 

Animal and marine shows, as well as the amusement park roller coaster and other rides will continue as the three main attractions, Shapiro said.

 

Next year, the park will get Tony Hawk's Big Spin, a new roller coaster, a Johnny Rockets restaurant and costumed characters roaming the park, including Shouka, a killer whale; Merlin, a dolphin; Odie, a sea lion; and Odin, a white tiger.

 

With his sister Michelle and nieces and nephews accompanying him on his park tour, Shapiro took note of the park's 125-foot-tall Christmas tree -- billed the biggest in the world.

 

Seasonal festivities began Nov. 23 and run nightly through Jan. 6. Admission is $39.99 per adult and $24.99 for children. Adult tickets are available online for $24.99

 

Interesting that they are adding their own costumed characters of the animals in the park. I wonder if we'll see Rip, Georgia, Kingda Ka, Kumai and friends as costumed characters at GA soon?