(12/9/10) According to several reports, Six Flags has been sending out survey’s to their 2011 passholders asking them about some possible new ideas for the future of Fright Fest. The key point seems to be getting a feel for the right combination of upgrades to the event that would justify the park making it an upcharge separate ticket event, much like Halloween Horror Nights, and no longer included with general admission or even free to passholders.
Other questions probe the question about who the current event is aimed at. Seems they want to know if they are dumbing it down for the kiddies too much (yes from what I’ve heard) or could they ramp up the fightmare machine to an all-new high for Six Flags. Personally, if I had to guess, I’m going to say that Six Flags could attempt to use one or two parks as a test for the concept in 2011 to see how it goes. I wouldn’t be surprised if Six Flags Magic Mountain was chosen, just because I had heard a rumor earlier this year that there was a proposal floating around that called for major new capital to be spent in an effort to upgrade Fright Fest there to compete against Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which are also both upcharge events as well.
It’s Win-Win for SFMM, if it fails they go back to a free Fright Fest event with the upgrades already in place to make it more competitive in the California market which needed to be done anyway. Though I’m guessing they could also try it at a park with little or no local competition for Halloween thrills to see if it floats there as well.
It could work in some markets with little competition. But knowing Six Flags, the event would be an upcharge and then you have to pay for each once in the park as well.
If SFGAm resorted to this method, I would be dissiponted because I love going to Fright Fest scary or not scary. I would definitly still go to Fright Fest even if it were an upcharge I just wouldn't go as much due to the cost.
As long as they have dates (like Fridays) where you can still get into the park with your pass, even without all the Fright Fest stuff, I will be happy.
^I'm not sure any of the seasonal parks that open Fri-Sunday do that. Also seems like they would be throwing away money if they didn't up-charge Friday's but did Saturdays.
That said, I would still be stunned if they did this next year.
