| Archive for RCCGB FORUM Message Board for Members of the Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain to discuss club events and all things theme park related. |
| coastergraham |
Six flags consider more cuts.According to reports in a St Louis business paper the deeply troubled six flags chain are looking into selling more parks and making more cuts.It has to be said the future at this moment in time looks very grim for a very major player in the theme park business. http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html |
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| Magic |
I don't think things are that bad for them in the current climate, just bad decisions were made by the previous management that are still being resolved. Plus I gather they are working on projects outside the US, so this might be a time for them to sell off some parks that are either not performing as well as others or will generate the biggest net profit from being sold or can't be developed further, thus they have more disposable funds with which to plough in to these newer and more exciting projects.
If a particular park has reached its saturation in terms of size, attendance and therefore revenue then there is no point keeping it. They may as well sell it off and invest that money in to a new project that can expand and see a profit growth. |
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| bluea61 |
I did hear they had the best quarter for many years just recently. Also the new projects were rumoured to be Dubai? | ||||
| Magic |
Amongst others, yes. |
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| krusty_the_clown |
from Amusement Trade newsletter
Six Flags plans fuel bankruptcy speculation Company executives for Six Flags Inc have further fuelled speculation that the US theme park operator is on the verge of bankruptcy by filing plans with the US Securities and Exchange Commission calling for "huge spending cuts". The plan, which includes the possible sale of more parks, is to cut operating expenses by as much as $60 million in 2008 by slashing media spend and personnel. |
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| Rough Rider |
I'm sure if all the 6 Flags parks would invest in decent woodies like the "RATTLER" they would have no worries at all.  
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| Magic |
The only worries they wouldn't have is maintenance costs, as no one would want to ride such a hideous, rough, obscene piece of firewood, therefore it wouldn't get any wear and tear to need maintaining. Of course they could also reduce their heating bills by burning said oversized bonfire. Oh how I've missed our friendly banter in which you pretend that Rattler is a half descent coaster. At least they seem to be building Renegade style woodies, like Cedar Fair. Now they are woodies worth riding. But we could do with them building a few more Balders. |
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| Rough Rider |
Wow just had a thought
Just imagine a new woodie built with all the elements of Rattler and Voyage rolled into one.....................Ah!! HELL
MODERATOR EDITED: Clearly Rough Rider mistyped and used the word HEAVEN, to save his embarrassment I've kindly gone in and corrected it to use the word HELL instead.  
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| Magic |
Yes Ryan you're quite correct that combination would be hell, so glad we agree.
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| Rough Rider |
Opps! 
Should have read Ah! Heaven!
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| c anderson |
I have always suspected that Ryan could not tell the difference between heaven & hell. After all he likes the Rattler but not Son of Beast, but they are both terrible so why the difference.
Colin |
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| USfriends |
Yea !! Its the return of the Rattler thread! 
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| Rough Rider |
Well "Son of Beast" initials backwards is B.O.S. and you know what that means. But never let it be said of the glorious Rattler
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| Magic |
See there's the mad thing, S.O.B. was fun and thrilling and not even that rough. It's got high speed, banked turns and it use to have a loop which made it that bit more exciting. Meanwhile Rattler is slow, sluggish, incredibly dull especially on that carousel section sat up on the cliff face and one of the roughest wooden coasters on the planet. One ride gave me a migraine that put me out of action for most of the morning. Rattler is to woodies what Gouderix is to steelies.
Six Flags need to celebrate 4th July in style with the Worlds Largest Bonfire. They'd get massive media attention and pull in the crowds all around as they come to watch the pile of firewood called Rattler burn down. Heck I'd even consider doing the firework display for them for free just to be a part of such an historic event. The only draw back might be that Nurofen would see their profits fall as less painkillers would be sold after the demise of Rattler. |
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| krusty_the_clown |
Magic, you are a misery guts at times lol!
I assuming that I am the club member who went on this historic fabulous ride last! i was out there in June and can only say that like a fine wine this coaster has improved fantasticly with age! It is now the benchmark that all coasters should be set by. other Coasters can only dream of being half as good! Anyway better check back into the ayslum!
Barry |
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| Rough Rider |
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| Magic |
Ryan you've clearly ridden Rattler too many times because your last post is merely a quote of Krusty, you've not written any of your own words.
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| Rough Rider |
I know
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| Rough Rider |
Crusty.......I was hanging on every word till I read the last line
I actually thought there was another RATTLER fan out there besides me
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| Magic |
Come on you didn't seriously think such a hideous monstrosity would have more than 1 fan did you. |
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| krusty_the_clown |
I serioulsy think that the Rattler is a very unique ride but not as bad as Magic makes out! sure some of it is very very rough (noticable the bit between the top of the lift hill and the brake run) but in all seriousness the rest of the ride is a delight! | ||||
| Magic |
Krusty it's been less than 12 months since you rode it, clearly you are still suffering the effects from that experience for your positive comments to be taken in to account. Your negative comments can be. | ||||
| Coaster Police |
Well i've not scratched The Rattler yet ! So however good or bad it may be, noone can burn it until it's been done !
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| Rough Rider |
Again....I was hanging on every word Baz ,,,,,,,Till the last line
"STICKS & STONES". Anyhow, Matt you have got a fantastic experience awaiting you when you finally ride this "WORLD CLASS WOODIE"
Just keep thinking about what element was taken out of the S.O.B
Hmm!! Let me think.........was it made of steel
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| krusty_the_clown |
Im all seriousness I dont think the rattler is a bad as Magic makes out. I just love the banter between you two!
I do look at the ride as more of an endurance test than a roller coaster though! lol |
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| Magic |
That's right they removed the smooth highly re-rideable bit. Sadly Rattler doesn't have an inch of re-rideable track. |
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| Rough Rider |
Hmm!! just had a thought....
Just ask Mike Conklin (USA side trip organiser and ex coach driver) what he thinks of the RATTLER? He rode it with me at least 10 times on the trott "SAY NO MORE
OOOOPPPPSSSS!!! Just realised! At the time his lapbar was jammed, and I asked the ride operator not to let him free
Hilarious.............at the time
Ah well, there must be someone else to back me up? HELP!!!.......................NEV, where are you?
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| USfriends |
Yea , the Rattler was great until they removed a crucial bit........
I can't see the letters F U N anywhere in the Rattler! 
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| Magic |
See Ryan, the dislike of Rattler is truly an international one. Pete and Lisa appear ashamed to have such a painful monstrosity residing in their country. | ||||
| nemesis scribe |
Are you sure Pete??? I'm sure you can see the letters F U N if you study the following closely : r a F t t U l e N r Marvellous bit of wood the rattler!!!
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| Rough Rider |
The problem here is .....Pete and Lisa more than likely have ridden the "RATTLER" sooooo! many times they have forgotten how wonderfull the ride is with all its smooth elements (but not too smooth as Rough Riders Dont Do Smooth ) "Rough Riders Unite"
Hi Pete & Lisa 
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| Rough Rider |
Nice one N.S. Pete & lisa have obviously been spoilt in the USA with having one of the best woodies in their country. Oh how I wish Paddy is reading this and contimplating putting a "RATTLER" in good old Oak ..."WOOD"
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| c anderson |
The Rattler would be ideal for November 5th, what a bonfire it would make. What happened to Ryan's love of a great coaster, Shivering Timbers ? | ||||
| USfriends |
I think if Paddy is reading this he is contemplating cutting off your access
to a great woodie like Megafobia. |
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| Rough Rider |
Thought I would never say this but, Voyage is now my number 1......But Rattler is a very close number 2. Ha! Just realised what I have written  
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| c anderson |
Oh well, looks as if Ryan will not be welcome at Oakwood after those comments. | ||||
| USfriends |
So I guess # 5372 will be his last go on Meggy. ( Or something like that) |