Six Flags and Cedar Fair Merge

[BB1]

5 hours ago, CoasterJack said:

I've heard rumblings as well, but where I'm curious here is, if nothing is planned for that plot at the moment, why remove it. Sure it reduces the amount you have to pay for staffing, but I assume on the days it operates, they definitely make more in revenue than they spend on staffing. Assuming the $10-20 range, 4 employees being paid $18 optimistically. After payroll fees and taxes that's like 5-10 guests an hour to make a slight profit. Assuming we factor in a bit more for electricity and upkeep, but even then, I've seen them work through a lot of paying guests on the weekends, so I fail to see how reducing staff on an attraction that brings in additional revenue is necessarily a good thing for business long term. Unless of course the attraction costs more to operate and staff that it brings in.

 

Sure slingshot was removed, but they placed a new land and attraction within a year. I'm curious to hear thoughts from others...

It costs way more to maintain a large structure and keep staffing when you could be losing money vs having a plot of land ready to go for a new expansion opportunity. I'll say this now, I know there will be something being removed at KI without a doubt; as it's happening chainwide. Xtreme Skyflier's removal doesn't hurt any integral attractions, nor does it really affect the overall guest experience like an Invertigo removal or Congo Falls. I've been around the block enough to know people on the inside but also know how the park works. I don't see Koontz wanting to have a ride like Monster or Shake Rattle & Roll removed, this is a safe and effective move to cut costs and give the opportunity to have a sizeable expansion pad. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

On the bright side, surely all of these freshly cleared spaces at each park will allow for guests to get some food, go lay out their picnic blankets, and enjoy a nice meal under the sun! 

What's that you say? The open land will all be behind fences with no way to access it? Well shucks, that stinks. Yet another patch of grass they have to pay someone to mow, I guess.

 

On a more positive note, I feel like some of these removals will turn out to be painful but good cost cutting measures if the chain actually ends up investing the savings back into the parks like they should. We are still within the first year since the merger officially went through and I am mostly just hoping for myself and the economy to survive these next few years to see the reinvestments happen. 

[rlentless]

Unless the maintenance is just too extremely high, I do not want to see anything go unless it involves a new attraction for replacement.  Who wants to walk by and see an empty plot of land for the next 5 years?  I feel the same way about Congo Falls that everyone seems wants to have removed. They are in no hurry to put in a replacement on The Vortex lot.

Then what if they do start removing GF, Xtreme Flyer, Invertigo, The Bat, etc., then where does the next major attraction get built?  In Action Zone or Vortex plot??  Either way we will have to look at an empty plot of land for years.  I would guess AZ would get something new since it's in the front of the park.  So write off Vortex spot for another 5-10 years.

[mikejenkins1]

Vortex plot would have been a nice spot for Siren's Curse.......

[Diamondback_Is_King]

But alas, Cedar Point gets yet another thrill roller coaster worthy of a top 5 spot