Great America - 4/25 (waste of time)

[Chanfan]

A great day to be at the park if you were a teenager, but not so good if you brought the kids.

The kids had been counting down the days to the Six Flags opening so we headed out on Sunday. We got our Season Pass processing out of the way in only about 10 min. so I thought that was a good start to the day... and then we went to go on some rides.

Pros
- The park was empty. We sometimes walked through entire sections and only saw 4 or 5 other people.

Cons
ALMOST ALL OF THE RIDES MY KIDS COULD GO ON WERE CLOSED
Whizzer / Karate Coaster - closed
Ricochet- closed
River Rocker - closed
Sprocket Rocket - closed
Ragin' Cajun - closed
Jester's Wild Ride - closed
Fiddler's Fling - closed

We got on Triple Play, Hometown Fun Machine, Scooby Doo, and East River Crawler and then headed home. I guess the only plus is that we got the pass processing out of the way. April and May were always the best times to go because of the light crowds, but now I'm wondering if it will be worth it if they are not going to have half of the rides going.

[onyxhotel08]

They were closed due to the weather and they knew very few people would be in the park anyway

[Soxman]

They were closed due to the weather and they knew very few people would be in the park anyway

Whizzer and Sprocket were open on Saturday and the weather was not all that great and the park was dead.

My brother went yesterday with his three year old daughter. He bought her a season pass this year and those are the only two coasters she can ride. He also had a five year old with him (also bought a season pass) and he isn't able to ride coasters except those two and Dark Knight. To have BOTH of those rides closed yesterday is not acceptable.

All the games were staffed (not being played) and B.B. was running (he said he maybe saw two people riding it). You should be able to complain and not be criticized when the "family friendly park" is not being operated correctly.

[UWW-10]

^ Sure you can complain, but you make it sound like the park can control the weather and what happens....the weather was crappy and obviously bad enough for certain rides to not open. They could have just closed all together...and we all know how many whines we'd have around here then

My point would be the following: if weather is questionable....crowds are going to be minimal and that's great....but then also think about the potential of certian rides/attractions to not be operational...and there's not a whole lot that can be done about that.

[Soxman]

^ Sure you can complain, but you make it sound like the park can control the weather and what happens....the weather was crappy and obviously bad enough for certain rides to not open. They could have just closed all together...and we all know how many whines we'd have around here then

My point would be the following: if weather is questionable....crowds are going to be minimal and that's great....but then also think about the potential of certian rides/attractions to not be operational...and there's not a whole lot that can be done about that.

And my point would be......why do BOTH family coaster have to be closed? If the weather was so bad, why were other rides operating like BB. Other attractions were open in Camp Cartoon Network. I understand the maintenance and staffing costs money, but why are all the games staffed when people are not playing. Why is BB staffed and people are not riding. There is a lot that can be done about that.

If you are going to charge 3 or 5 year olds to enter the park, then you better have attractions running for them. It is not that hard to understand or expect.

[UWW-10]

^ Every ride is different....and it's the manufactures that say when a ride/attraction can run safely, when things have to be shut down, and when it's okay to resume operation....and the park is pretty much obligated to follow those procedures.

And Games and Rides are two different departments who really only share the "operations" term loosely...so what one does has no real affect on the other.

And the whole charge 3-5 year olds thing goes back to my first point.....weather is something that the park can't control and will never be able to control. It seems like the kiddie attractions that were able to run were open and the ones that couldn't were not....that's just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

[DejaVu2001]

And my point would be......why do BOTH family coaster have to be closed? If the weather was so bad, why were other rides operating like BB. Other attractions were open in Camp Cartoon Network.

Different rides have different requirements regarding weather. Buccaneer Battle is only effected by lightning due to the water. Spacely's Sprocket Rockets has a tire driven lift, while Whizzer has only tires in the station with no roof over the station. When tires get wet, things slide. That having been said, I was there yesterday as well and never saw Buccaneer Battle open. I do agree that it was wrong for the park to have Whizzer, Spacely's, and Ragin' Cajun closed all day due to "weather" when there was absolutely no rain until 4:30.

[BP317]

And my point would be......why do BOTH family coaster have to be closed? If the weather was so bad, why were other rides operating like BB.

I wasn't at SFGAm this weekend but knowing the rides, in regards to weather, if Spacely's runs in the rain it can rollback down the lift, Cajun running in the rain can crash or valley, and Whizzer running in the rain can cause a sparklers show/forest fire. One of the main reasons they built the Dark Knight is to have a family coaster that can stay open in incliment weather.

[Soxman]

If the rain causes so many issues with those rides, why were they both open on Saturday. It poured before the park opened on Saturday and there was a high chance of rain all day. The company line (excuse) is "bad weather" for closed rides. It comes down to poor management.

If you have too many employees in the food/game department and not enough employees in the ride department, then shame on them. Adults and children go to the park for the rides. No Rides = No Guests

Again, I understand the maintenance and staffing issues, but come on. The company is currently stressing family and they have to have the big ticket family attractions ready to go. I was able to take my daughter on her first coaster on Saturday. She had a blast on Whizzer and we rode it many times. We were also considering going back in on Sunday. We couldn't get back in and after hearing what happened, I am glad I didn't spend the money.

I have been going to Great America for 20 years and I will continue to go to Great America. It is a wonderful place to go and we are lucky to have it. That does not give management an excuse for poor performance. They do a great job the majority of the time, but a paying consumer has the right to critique the product. If weather really was the issue (I doubt it) then that's the way it is. I just don't buy that after being there in bad weather on Saturday.

[DejaVu2001]

^

I do agree that it was wrong for the park to have Whizzer, Spacely's, and Ragin' Cajun closed all day due to "weather" when there was absolutely no rain until 4:30.

[BP317]

My post didn't comment on SF's management, I dont even know how the weather has been in Chicago. All im trying to say is anytime its raining Whizzer/Cajun/Sprockets will close.

[Soxman]

My post didn't comment on SF's management, I dont even know how the weather has been in Chicago. All im trying to say is anytime its raining Whizzer/Cajun/Sprockets will close.

I understand what you are saying and my post was not directed at you. I was just stating my opinion.

ADD: I brought up park management because the weather was just as bad Sunday as it was on Saturday. In my opinion, the park just decided not to staff the rides and have them open.

[Ilovthevu']

^

I do agree that it was wrong for the park to have Whizzer, Spacely's, and Ragin' Cajun closed all day due to "weather" when there was absolutely no rain until 4:30.

This is absoluetly true what you said! They could have been open, and sent the workers home if it started raining, but it's about money. These are probably the lowest capacity roller coasters in the park, and they feel hey why have them open at all. You have every right to be upset with the park with not having the rides open for you - topic poster. For the topic poster, you can even complain about the train, and the Great American Raceway. Heck, you can even complain about no rides in Looney Tunes area as it's blocked off - no Bees, Helicopters, Foam place, or kids train.

That's part of the reason for low turnouts for the beginning of the season. They understand the park isn't going to have ALL the rides open, and why should they go. Than, the park goes well why aren't we getting better crowds.

During this year, I was thinking about going to SFStL, but figuring that Mr. Freeze would not be open just because it's Six Flags. Well, it was open I'm told, but Screamin' Eagle was closed (I think for a bit.), so I'm glad I didn't plan to go when the park opened.

[sixflagsgirl2006]

I think it's just funny that Six Flags will actually lose more money doing managing the park like this early in the year. By doing this people start talking on how bad their experience was, because of this it creates less attraction to the park even on their very busy days. Overall, they would make more money keeping the staff their and keeping all the rides open as long as weather permits. If it's not raining yet and there is no lightening in the area then the rides should be open whether there is a lack of attendence or not because the people who are in the park are paying guests and they deserve the best possible experience. And when that is not given their are losing valuable guests who may have come back again and again and buy food, merchandise, and played games. it's bad overall for the company who already is having terrible money problems. Personally, I think Six Flags is going about this all wrong and in turn is losing more money in the process. With rides not being open when they should be to dropping JPM from Fright Fest after 20 years I have a feeling this may not be the best year for Six Flags Great America. I almost feel sorry for them. I remember when the original limited time only season pass price actually was for a limited time only. Now they can't afford to raise the price of the season pass. Its just really sad !!!

[Ilovthevu']

I agree. One bad day operation wise might mess up future business through people not coming back to the park because they feel the park is always like that. Sure, season pass holders know that Richochet, the train, and all those rides that were closed are going to be open probably later in the year, but if you are not a season pass holder, and you just wanted to visit the park when it's open, and so much is closed, you might say maybe the park is unsafe because you (not knowing it's about Six Flags saving money) think all those rides are broke.

Deja Vu had a misconception with general public because it was closed a lot due to low staffing (Yes, I know that it did break down, but there were plenty of days it could have been open, but wasn't because they didn't want to pay more money to get more staff.), and winds. On top of it, didn't they get rid of a lot of full timers because they didn't want to pay them more?

This has been going on for a couple years though with stuff like that under the Shapiro regime. Their was one year in June where there was just so many rides closed when they could have been open, and that's June for goodness sakes.

[Luxornv]

^ While it may affect future business this season, also realize that most people won't be visiting the park until at least late May and throughout the summer. On top of that, most people who visited the park on opening weekend very likely bought season passes. I remember waiting in the processing line for quite some time on Saturday because it seemed almost everyone at the park that day bought a season pass. This means that those people can, and likely will come back whenever they want later in the season. Most of the people and families who visit later in the summer are people who will plan a one day trip with the family and make it their one annual visit to the park. Few of those people will find the bad reviews because few of them exist since there weren't many people in the park.

[Chitown]

During the early part of the season when attendance is low and the park is short on staff, to please the people that are there, have certain rides open for a period of time, and then move staff over to other rides for another period of time.

Yeah, some of your favorite rides might be closed but it wouldn't be all day.

[Soxman]

^

I agree somewhat.

How about putting a sign out front of an attraction stating open from 10-2 or 3-7? At least people can plan their day and come back to an attraction or do a certain attraction right away.

If you are going to be open......be open. The park schedule and hours have been reduced over time and the park is not open like it used to be. That’s fine, but when you are open.....be open.

The season pass excuse is weak and kind of makes me mad. Just because the park thinks that they are only getting season pass holders and not the general public, doesn't give them the right to only open half the park. Why should season pass holders suffer closed attractions and low staffing? They are the ones that come to your park the most. I actually believe that the season passes are too cheap and that it hurts the park in the pocketbook.

[Luxornv]

^

I agree somewhat.

How about putting a sign out front of an attraction stating open from 10-2 or 3-7? At least people can plan their day and come back to an attraction or do a certain attraction right away.

If you are going to be open......be open. The park schedule and hours have been reduced over time and the park is not open like it used to be. That’s fine, but when you are open.....be open.

The season pass excuse is weak and kind of makes me mad. Just because the park thinks that they are only getting season pass holders and not the general public, doesn't give them the right to only open half the park. Why should season pass holders suffer closed attractions and low staffing? They are the ones that come to your park the most. I actually believe that the season passes are too cheap and that it hurts the park in the pocketbook.

I'm not saying that the park used the fact that most people there were pass holders as an excuse to not operate everything, it's just what I observed. I do agree though that they could at least operate things for a part of the day and somehow notify guests so they can plan things accordingly. As others are pointing out, the park is short staffed. The reason for this is the fact that many of their employees are students (college or high school) and simply will not be available until school is done for the season. This is actually why in Wisconsin that schools start after Labor Day. Tourism is a big industry in certain areas like the Dells and the labor force there is primarily students. Unfortunately, it's just early in the season, and the demographic that goes to the park at this time does not include the families or other big spenders to allow them to open everything for full operation just yet.

[Soxman]

^

I understand what you are saying, but do the employees have school on the weekends?

The park just needs to be better prepared. They do not have to have everything running 100% this early on, but they should be running at about 90%, if they are going to be open. It is not like unemloyment is really low right now. If Whizzer is going to be closed, then have RC and Spacley up and running.

The park has only been open two days and I will be going back in this weekend. I hope that all this talk is for nothing and the park is running well this weekend.

[onyxhotel08]

This is 100% normal for this time of year. Families in particular don't go when the weather looks as bad as it was last weekend.

[Coastermonkey61]

This is 100% normal for this time of year. Families in particular don't go when the weather looks as bad as it was last weekend.

Not to mention school still being in session

[Paradise]

hi coastermonkey......