Park Music

[TheWhizzer]

FYI: This is my first post.

I recently visited Six Flags Great America for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and overall, I was very impressed with the park. Although I opted not to wait in line for many of the coasters due to their excessively long lines, I still managed to enjoy myself with the shows and the ambience of the park. (As a note: I am huge fan of roller coasters, so don’t get me wrong.) This park has so much going for it in terms of infrastructure! The layout, midways, buildings, various themed sections, and the trolley rail which runs throughout the park (and should be operated as a permanent attraction) were all of a very high-caliber scale I felt, but I guess that’s the kind of backbone a park gets when it was built in the 1970s as a classic Americana theme park. The reason I mention all this is because I wanted to emphasize my immediate fondness of the park, but while I was walking around the park, I couldn’t help but notice that the park music is completely disconnected from the tone and theming of each section. Having a single soundtrack which plays music which is inconsistent with, not only each individual themed section, but with the whole park, somewhat neutralizes the affects of the change of scenery as a guest walks from one section to the next. If a guest hears the same loud “pop” music all day, the music becomes white noise, and the park can no longer capitalize on an individual’s sense of hearing, and thusly making each new experience (i.e. themed section, attraction, etc.) less special. Over the course of the day and then several years, guests will become desensitized to the various themed areas, and they all may blur into one overall Six Flags. I believe a park day should evolve and develop, as you discover each new section, eatery, attraction, etc. When I got back from my visit, I did some research, and came across a post from about four years ago in which its author provided some tracks of music which used to be featured in the park.

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=339&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=music&start=0

After listening through these tracks, I couldn’t understand why Six Flags decided to get rid of such neat music. I understand, Six Flags loves being able to through ads in wherever they can, but I feel it was not necessary to eliminate the section-specific music. I was wondering if anyone has an explanation of when and why they changed the park music to a uniform Six Flags Radio Station? Utilizing all of our senses is the key to forming a unique, memorable experience. The music they currently play is music which has been over-played on the radio, if not this summer, but a few summers back. For decades, Americans have gone to theme parks to be transported from our ordinary lives to someplace out of the ordinary, and in 1976 Marriott Corporation opened the gates of Marriott’s Great America as a just the place for families to be entertained by its distinct attractions, architecture, and ambience . The park’s spirit is there, it just needs someone to summon it.

[BP317]

I was wondering if anyone has an explanation of when and why they changed the park music to a uniform Six Flags Radio Station?

The BGM was originally changed in 2006 to throwback music to celebrate the Six Flags 45th anniversarry. Hometown Square played 60s, Yukon 70s, County Fair 80s, Yankee Harbor 90s while the Carousel Plaza music stayed the same and Orleans Place was upgraded to more modern jazzy style, and Mardi Gras stayed the same. This actually worked out pretty well (other than CF being 80s which was kinda random, it was pretty sweet being at DejaVu listening to Depesche Mode though ), it was much better than the Marriotts 70s music that was just really dated and most people hated it. Wouldve been nice if they stayed with music in the theme but not the original Marriott music.

SF doesnt care about things like this anymore though, for the most part all the parks now play pop music on the midways. Was really dissapointing going to the really well themed entrance plaza at SFNE and it blaring pop music instead of the awesome themed music it used to have.

[Demon_07]

FYI: This is my first post.

I recently visited Six Flags Great America for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and overall, I was very impressed with the park. Although I opted not to wait in line for many of the coasters due to their excessively long lines, I still managed to enjoy myself with the shows and the ambience of the park. (As a note: I am huge fan of roller coasters, so don’t get me wrong.) This park has so much going for it in terms of infrastructure! The layout, midways, buildings, various themed sections, and the trolley rail which runs throughout the park (and should be operated as a permanent attraction) were all of a very high-caliber scale I felt, but I guess that’s the kind of backbone a park gets when it was built in the 1970s as a classic Americana theme park. The reason I mention all this is because I wanted to emphasize my immediate fondness of the park, but while I was walking around the park, I couldn’t help but notice that the park music is completely disconnected from the tone and theming of each section. Having a single soundtrack which plays music which is inconsistent with, not only each individual themed section, but with the whole park, somewhat neutralizes the affects of the change of scenery as a guest walks from one section to the next. If a guest hears the same loud “pop” music all day, the music becomes white noise, and the park can no longer capitalize on an individual’s sense of hearing, and thusly making each new experience (i.e. themed section, attraction, etc.) less special. Over the course of the day and then several years, guests will become desensitized to the various themed areas, and they all may blur into one overall Six Flags. I believe a park day should evolve and develop, as you discover each new section, eatery, attraction, etc. When I got back from my visit, I did some research, and came across a post from about four years ago in which its author provided some tracks of music which used to be featured in the park.

http://www.greatamericaparks.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=339&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=music&start=0

After listening through these tracks, I couldn’t understand why Six Flags decided to get rid of such neat music. I understand, Six Flags loves being able to through ads in wherever they can, but I feel it was not necessary to eliminate the section-specific music. I was wondering if anyone has an explanation of when and why they changed the park music to a uniform Six Flags Radio Station? Utilizing all of our senses is the key to forming a unique, memorable experience. The music they currently play is music which has been over-played on the radio, if not this summer, but a few summers back. For decades, Americans have gone to theme parks to be transported from our ordinary lives to someplace out of the ordinary, and in 1976 Marriott Corporation opened the gates of Marriott’s Great America as a just the place for families to be entertained by its distinct attractions, architecture, and ambience . The park’s spirit is there, it just needs someone to summon it.

I HIGHLY reccomend that you share those thoughts with the park directly

[traincrossing9]

I HIGHLY reccomend that you share those thoughts with the park directly

I second that. I think this is one of my major complaints about Six Flags, not that there is no theme music but that the entire park has lost most of its original charm and has been taken over by the media and advertising. If they do play pop music, can they at least adjust the volume of the speakers to it doesn't sound so distorted? Listening to Miley Cirus in the park is bad enough, but when that music is so loud its distorted is just awful.

[zjohn1988]

All they seem to care about is people's money and putting advertisements everywhere you look. Please contact the park, but don't expect any results..

[sixflagsgurneeboy]

I miss the park themed music as well. I aslo agree with the fact that the music was outdated, but I think they could have updated it and kept it in place as it does keep the "Mood" to the sections alive. Also, not to get off subject for to long, but I remember working at and visiting the park as a guest when they had the themed costumes for the sections as well and eventually they got rid of that as well over time. I was kind of expecting the costumes would be phased out sooner or later because of the costs of maintaining them probably wasn't worth it anymore, but it really added to the themed sections. Even with the themed costumes leaving, I didnt think they would change the music around the park, especially the front gate/carousel music because it gets you into that mood when you visit the park and the way it is now its awkward for that area.

[sfgamguy]

you should send it

[NightRider785]

Wow, could not have put it better myself. In fact, I've been thinking the exact same thing for a few years now and the first post in here just worded it a lot better then I would have ever. I really hope that does get forwarded to the park, and if they're smart ...they'll get the themed music back. Even the outdated stuff is better then what is played now, and I actually didn't mind that stuff they played back in the day.

[monsterfan99]

At least they have kept the Demon music.

On a positive, the Michael Jackson music they are playing is miles better then the current pop crap they were playing.

[Ilovthevu']

I like both types of music, but the old music they used to play has no words, and really to me isn't as entertaining as pop music is. I do miss Superman having all the Superman music in line. I don't understand what happened with that, when they still can have Batman music in line. Demon still has Demon music in line. The waterpark has the typical waterpark music, and than it's mixed with some pop which I don't think is bad. What happened I think last year with no Carousel song? That was a traversity!!

During the years of the 60's,70's, 80's, 90's and so on I came to like a lot of 80's music because of County Fair.

Two Tickets to Paradise
Jenny I got your Number
Walk like an Egyptian
Ordinary World
Jessie's Girl
I came from a Land Down Under
Your Love
Take these Broken Wings
More than a Feeling
Take on Me
Tainted Love
Shout
I can't Wait

This was great stuff in my opinion. I think these songs are better than what County Fair used to have even though those were good in there own way.

New country music in Southwest Territory seems like such a good idea. I don't know if they are still doing that, or not. Well, I guess I would say that Mardi Gras had the best original music because it was upbeat type of music. I think that should definitely come back.

[Jackluver18]

They now play techno music in Superman's station

[monsterfan99]

They now play techno music in Superman's station

Yes they are. I remember the first time I hear it there, it was in May during the week when the parked closed early. It was basically the employees with a CD player dancing with the safety hats. What was great was they had to pause the CD to give the "enjoy your ride" style line.

[Jackluver18]

I was like wtf is that, techno in Superman's station. What ever happened to the Superman theme or at least I thought there was one.

[TheWhizzer]

Wow, could not have put it better myself. In fact, I've been thinking the exact same thing for a few years now and the first post in here just worded it a lot better then I would have ever.

Thanks, NightRider785.

I was at the park again this Saturday. I did finally get to hear the Demon music in person. It was an honor, and it brought a smile to my face. I'd imagine that little piece of the park, within the Demon queue hasn't changed much since the park opened. At the end of the night, while I was exiting Raging Bull around 10:15PM, I heard the infamous "Carousel Song." If you're not familiar with it, you can listen to it here: http://www.rcktman.com/greatamerica/carouselsong_REMASTERED.mp3. I know, I know... it may seem outdated, but I think its great! It's so over-the-top, it makes you crack a smile. It was playing over the park speakers, so I raced as quickly as I could to the front gate, hoping to take in the Carousel Plaza/Front Gate vibe with the appropriate music, only to find the Macarena blasting. It was disheartening, especially being teased with such classic en route to my destination. Congrats to Six Flags for at least attempting to leave us on a good note, but unfortunately they then decided to blast us out the gate with sound. I know, as is the case as Kings Island, the park's General Manager becomes so jaded by being submerged in the park for long, that they themselves suffer from the very condition I predict we guests will feel - desensitization. Kings Island's General Manager is constantly having the music turned up, especially near their new coaster, Diamondback. It's all relative - everyone in the theme/amusement park industry seems to be under this pretense that LOUD = EXCITING. Loudness, when used to emphasize some thematic element, is fine and good, but uniform loudness does nothing more than numb the guests.

I will submit a comment to Six Flags PR via email, telephone, as well as in person. I suggest that those of you wishing to see the music selection change, perform one or more of these actions, because it may be the only way to get past the ear muffs of the park's musical disillusionment.

[NightRider785]

^ Lets do it! Call, e-mail, do it all people! Lets end this Macarena and other 4 year old top 40 crap. Let our voices be heard!!

[sfgamguy]

I was in TDK's first wwaiting room with all the tv's and snake lines and the carousel song came on really loud and there were a bunch of acers in front of me and they were like doing kareoke. it was hilarious.

[Demon_07]

That's hilarious!!!!!!

[sfgam1]

What is the name of the song that they play during the "Freak" parade if it has a name? Here is a clip.

[david]

The reason Superman no longer has music, is because of the SFTV, which is why most rides don't have music. Demon, is special though.

When will the complaining about music end? Shapiro wants to aim the parks at the families, and teens who listen to that. He doesn't care if it drives away a few people, he cares about bringing in hundreds.

Also, this whole Dick Clark thing is just as stupid. Do you see anyone complaining?

[monsterfan99]

^Batman also got to keep it's station music.

SFTV was never about entertaining people and familes. The TV's bring in money from ads and in park sales. The only reason concert performances are shown is the fact the company owns part of Dick Clark Productions.

[sfgamguy]

What is the name of the song that they play during the "Freak" parade if it has a name? Here is a clip.

It's night on bald mountain from fantasia disney movie

[sfgam1]

Ok cool thanks.

[Viper 88]

I dont mind the pop but i do think they should put in music to appease everyone maybe a pop song then something from the 80's then disco then a 60's song, keep a rotation not just the same things over and over I like the Madagascar song move it; but seriously enough already. Maybe some Simple Plan or Good Charlotte or something. And am i the only one who notices that the theaters are exceedingly loud?? You cant hear a word out of the performers mouths, I cant hear a thing. Last year the end song of Showstoppin was Britney Spears Circus when those girls were hitting those high notes my ear drums and glasses almost shattered. Why cant they do anything to fix this problem? Any thoughts?

[Demon_07]

There were two Good Charlotte tracks on the playlist last summer

[Necropolis]

i only heard like 2 difft songs played everytime i went. i went to six flags 7 times this summer and the music was either Michael jackson or it was that song where it says " I want to move it, move it." That song made my headache worse...LITERALLY!! They should have variety such as rock, pop, country, r&b. I went to the park when it opened back in april and they had the awesome superman themed music at the ride. I think some rides such as raging bull maybe cant have any music cause they always have that announcements saying "Welcome to raging bull, Thanks for challenging raging bull, pull the lap restraint towards you." For the people who never been.