coasterf42
Posts: 626
Registered: 10/3/2005
Rank: Gold Critic
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 10/29/2007 5:14:07 PM
Yesterday, I finally made the switch.
Bought my first ever Six Flags Season pass!!
Went to Six Flags America and had much more fun there than I had at my old local park, Kings Dominion, on any of my 4 visits there this year.
So, better local coasters, better parks in the chain, 1/2 hour closer, better water park, 1/3 of the price. Better deal??
Honestly, I'm still not totally sold on SFA quite yet. As I said, the coasters are much better than Kings Dominion's, yet the park is still kind of crappy. But, as anyone from the DC area knows, 5-11 with Steve Spurrier is much more FUN than 5-11 with Joe Gibbs. Steve is SFA and Joe is KD. Steve is crazy, but risky and fun to watch, Joe is old school past his prime.
Anyway, I at least have the keys to El Toro in my back pocket, even if I become fed up with all of the crap at SFA next year.
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 10/29/2007 6:33:16 PM
I always buy SF passes they are an amazing value and offer you access to much better parks.
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Horizons12
Posts: 4860
Registered: 8/16/2002
Rank: Extragalactic Invader
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10/29/2007 11:39:27 PM
I'm getting mine soon for like the 5th season in a row now. They are indeed a good value, they aren't joking when they say that less than 2 visits pays it off.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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10/30/2007 12:40:21 AM
I travel a lot so the SF Season Pass wroks out well for me, even if I pay more for the SFGAdv pass. Maybe I'll get it from a different SF park next year.
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coasterf42
Posts: 626
Registered: 10/3/2005
Rank: Gold Critic
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10/30/2007 2:02:28 PM
Does anyone know if the 300 dollars worth of coupons will be given to the basic Play Pass? (Or if coupons were given in the past to Play Pass Holders or just Primium Pass Holders?)
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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10/30/2007 2:05:18 PM
I have always bought a regular pass and received the coupon book. I'm not sure what extras you get with the Premium Pass.
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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10/30/2007 6:57:04 PM
I'm probably not renewing our Six Flags passes, but only because next Summer is going to be crazy for me. I doubt I'll have much time for coaster trips, apart from the TPR Europe trip.
I'm not renewing our Cedar Fair passes either because I don't like Kings Island (home park), and my wife outright hates the place. I might try to hit Canada's Wonderland for Behemoth, but we'll probably just buy regular single day tickets for that.
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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10/30/2007 7:09:41 PM
I'm gonna try to pass on Six Flags this upcoming season. I only went to my local establishment a couple times this year and was generally underwhelmed. Right now I'm just not feeling it, though ask Jay and he'll tell you its a phase I go through every year. I used my pass at 7 SF parks in 2006 (including multiple visits to four of them) and only one this year, and I expect that trend
ps, buy your PCW tickets in New York. Got mine for $28 compared to more than 50CAD.. and now that 50CAD would be more than $50 its an even better deal
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Animan1
Posts: 5394
Registered: 5/14/2003
Rank: Platinum Critic
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10/30/2007 9:33:32 PM
I haven't had one for a couple of seasons now, but I certainly agree with, to any combination of parks, s those that have said that SF season pass is a great value. 3 visits seems to have it pay for itself...not hard to do, especially, as in the case of larry, for those that travel frequently.
Where you buy certainly makes a difference, though...my family and I saved a lot of money (around $10 per pass, times 4, I want to say) by getting them at SFSt.L several years ago instead of our home park of SFGAm.
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BobFunland
Posts: 7962
Registered: 8/9/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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10/30/2007 10:51:15 PM
yeah, even if just used at one park a couple times, its a value deal and a half.
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I sleep, drink beer, and ride coasters. That is a summary of my life.
Message updated 10/30/2007 10:51:22 PM by BobFunland
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Timberman
Posts: 845
Registered: 9/21/2004
Rank: Gold Critic
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10/31/2007 12:33:19 AM
I bought three season passes at SFA this year for only 49.95 each. The general mediocrity of the chain notwithstanding, that's a darn good deal. They still get you on the parking, but I know we'll go at least 3 or 4 times to SFA b/c it's close, and maybe a time or two to GrAdv to give El Toro another whirl.
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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10/31/2007 1:29:14 PM
Quote:
Timberman said:
I bought three season passes at SFA this year for only 49.95 each. The general mediocrity of the chain notwithstanding, that's a darn good deal. |
Six Flags has its share of "meh" parks, and SFA falls squarely into that category. Quality, however, is relative. And Six Flags certainly has Cedar Fair whipped on overall quality.
$50 is insanely cheap for a season pass. You can't even buy a single day Disney ticket for that amount.
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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10/31/2007 1:46:19 PM
^I agree and after my last trip to CP I would now say that I enjoy most SF parks more than CP and as far as the rest of the CF chain, no thanks.
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Hercules
Posts: 4037
Registered: 10/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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11/2/2007 11:36:25 AM
I wouldn't exactly call getting a Six Flags pass "joining the dark side". Six Flags has made vast improvements over the past few years and, I believe, is no longer seen as the trash of the industry by many enthusiasts who once made Six Flags bashing their religion.
Quote:
BobFunland said:
Right now I'm just not feeling it, though ask Jay and he'll tell you its a phase I go through every year. I used my pass at 7 SF parks in 2006 (including multiple visits to four of them) and only one this year, and I expect that trend |
By this time next year he will have been on 105 new coasters, been to 47 parks overall for the year, have bought a Six Flags pass and ridden Mindbender 655 times in the month of July alone...
Quote:
larrygator said:
Maybe I'll get it from a different SF park next year. |
As long as you live within 200 miles of a park, you can buy their season pass. Some I guess you have the option of getting a Six Flags America or Six Flags New England pass, no?
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"I could never design another ride like Hercules." - Curtis Summers
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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001
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11/2/2007 5:56:56 PM
I haven't owned a season pass to SFNE Since 2005. I will likely be buying a SFI pass in 2008 but not for SFNE. I can get a Discounted ticket for TGE and upgrade it at a lower cost. I can also get the parking pass at a lower cost. only reason is a plan to hit SFGAdv and SFAm(first time) next year.
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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11/3/2007 8:07:00 AM
Quote:
As long as you live within 200 miles of a park, you can buy their season pass. Some I guess you have the option of getting a Six Flags America or Six Flags New England pass, no? |
If that is a rule, they don't enforce it. My 2007 season pass was from Magic Mountain, but I live in Ohio. I subsequently used my Magic Mountain pass at SFOG, Darien Lake, SFA, and SFGAdv without any problems. Or, maybe they just don't enforce that rule at Magic Mountain because it's open year round, which would create problems early in the year for people visiting from out of town who can't get a pass from their home park until April or so.
Message updated 11/3/2007 8:10:08 AM by ginzo
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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11/3/2007 10:33:59 AM
I think they only enforce it as far as internet orders go.
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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11/3/2007 3:35:53 PM
Quote:
coaster05 said:
I think they only enforce it as far as internet orders go. |
Our SFMM passes were purchased online, and processed at the park using the voucher print outs.
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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11/3/2007 3:36:08 PM
Quote:
coaster05 said:
I think they only enforce it as far as internet orders go. |
Our SFMM passes were purchased online, and processed at the park using the voucher print outs.
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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001
Rank: TPC News Minister
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11/4/2007 1:25:06 AM
I'm sure they don't care. as long as they get the orders and the money from them what dose it matter to which park it is from.
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Canobie Coaster
Posts: 2694
Registered: 7/26/2005
Rank: Platinum Critic
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11/4/2007 8:39:50 AM
I got my first Six Flags season pass 2 weeks ago and I was certainly impressed. I have been to Six Flags New England 3 times this year, so the season pass would more than be worth it for how much I go. I ended up getting my season pass for only $40 at Six Flags New England beacuse I paid for admission that day. Along with the insanely cheap season pass, I got a free water bottle (value of $9 and allows for $1 refills at the parks) and a free admission ticket for someone else. I certainly am impressed with Six Flags.
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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001
Rank: TPC News Minister
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11/4/2007 11:02:52 AM
Well I hope I do find SFI impressive. I don't plan on going to SFNE much. one trip maybe 2, I won't be making 3-5 trips. likely make more trips to TGE. and the trips to SFGAdv and SFAm.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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11/4/2007 1:50:10 PM
I like a deal also, but unfortunately
these are the reasons SF is such a financial mess. Season passes should consistently priced at $119 at all parks. That's still pays for itself in 3 visits and each park can still give coupon books to boost value.
At this rate, one of these days there will be no SF if they don't start making money off admissions and season passes to pay off debt.
Six Flags stock just went down to $3 a share, not good for the company at all.
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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001
Rank: TPC News Minister
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11/4/2007 11:28:08 PM
Quote:
larrygator said:
I like a deal also, but unfortunately
these are the reasons SF is such a financial mess. Season passes should consistently priced at $119 at all parks. That's still pays for itself in 3 visits and each park can still give coupon books to boost value.
At this rate, one of these days there will be no SF if they don't start making money off admissions and season passes to pay off debt.
Six Flags stock just went down to $3 a share, not good for the company at all. |
I agree the prices should be the same across the board. I can get a parking and season pass opening day at TGE Cheaper then at SFNE. Why would I give them more money then I had to I can wait the 3 extra weeks till TGE opens.
but 119 might not go over too well. I could see 90-100. in fact I woudl say 99 instead of 100. Gives you the impression of being less. it's under 3 digits. keep in mind on top of 119 your still looking at 30-50 for a parking pass. but at 119. I could buy 6 tickets to Canobie(holiday sale)or 5 opening day($21 a piece). Or I could buy a season pass to LC and Story Land. start figuring in parking and I could do allot more.
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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11/5/2007 9:13:13 AM
Quote:
larrygator said:
I like a deal also, but unfortunately
these are the reasons SF is such a financial mess. Season passes should consistently priced at $119 at all parks. That's still pays for itself in 3 visits and each park can still give coupon books to boost value.
At this rate, one of these days there will be no SF if they don't start making money off admissions and season passes to pay off debt.
Six Flags stock just went down to $3 a share, not good for the company at all. |
I agree that they are charging too little for their season passes. But I'm not sure that $120 is the optimum price point.
It really depends on their business model. I know that Disney counts on making most of their profits from the money people spend inside the parks. Gate costs are just to break even. Perhaps Six Flags is taking a similar approach. Their current strategy does make it incredibly easy to get guests inside the gate, where they can commence selling overpriced concessions and crappy souvenirs.
I also disagree that the pricing should be fixed across the chain. SFKK should cost less than SFGAdv, SFOG, or SFGAm. Kentucky Kingdom just doesn't offer as much as those other parks. And the % of people who do hit several parks is quite low I'd iamgine.
That being said, yeah they should raise their prices a bit. Not sure what's going through their heads. I guess they *really* want to push season passes.
Another benefit of raising gate costs would be to help keep some of the riff raff out. Giving away the gate just seems like an open invite to having your parks crawling with ghetto thug teenagers.
Finally, let's not forget that Cedar Fair isn't exactly kicking financial butt charging $140 for a season pass. They were looking for a private equity bail out earlier this year.
Message updated 11/5/2007 9:19:18 AM by ginzo
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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11/5/2007 9:19:39 AM
Quote:
larrygator said:
I like a deal also, but unfortunately
these are the reasons SF is such a financial mess. Season passes should consistently priced at $119 at all parks. That's still pays for itself in 3 visits and each park can still give coupon books to boost value.
At this rate, one of these days there will be no SF if they don't start making money off admissions and season passes to pay off debt.
Six Flags stock just went down to $3 a share, not good for the company at all. |
I agree that they are charging too little for their season passes. But I'm not sure that $120 is the optimum price point.
It really depends on their business model. I know that Disney counts on making most of their profits from the money people spend inside the parks. Gate costs are just to break even. Perhaps Six Flags is taking a similsr approach. Their current strategy does make it incredibly easy to get guests inside the gate, where they can commence selling overpriced concessions and crappy souvenirs.
I also disagree that the pricing should be fixed. SFKK should cost less than SFGAdv, SFOG, or SFGAm. Kentucky Kingdom just doesn't offer as much as those other parks. And the % of people who do hit several parks is quite low I'd iamgine.
That being said, yeah they should raise their prices a bit. Not sure what's going through their heads. I guess they *really* want to push season passes.
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mrceagle
Posts: 13804
Registered: 6/9/2001
Rank: TPC News Minister
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11/5/2007 11:00:50 AM
Quote:
ginzo said:
I agree that they are charging too little for their season passes. But I'm not sure that $120 is the optimum price point.
It really depends on their business model. I know that Disney counts on making most of their profits from the money people spend inside the parks. Gate costs are just to break even. Perhaps Six Flags is taking a similsr approach. Their current strategy does make it incredibly easy to get guests inside the gate, where they can commence selling overpriced concessions and crappy souvenirs.
I also disagree that the pricing should be fixed. SFKK should cost less than SFGAdv, SFOG, or SFGAm. Kentucky Kingdom just doesn't offer as much as those other parks. And the % of people who do hit several parks is quite low I'd iamgine.
That being said, yeah they should raise their prices a bit. Not sure what's going through their heads. I guess they *really* want to push season passes. |
A can agree with you I had many of the same points. though Season passes woudl be able to be payed of in 2-2.5 visits no matter the normally gate price. Gate price shouldn't go up in fact in most cases it's too high.
Your not going to push away anything but medium income Families with Those prices. The teens will simply buy a season pass and go because of the trill rides in the parks. so raising single day admissions will stop nothing.
parks make there money on money spent in the park. Though at the high prices some opt not to spend money. there is a medium that needs to be found price wise which the SFI parks have gone over. it shouldn't cost me more to eat at a SFI park then it costs in a restaurant. What they need to do is watch there spending. a 10 million Themeing upgrade to X isn't going to pay itself back. in fact it will pay it self back far less then a major coaster.
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coaster05
Posts: 6207
Registered: 2/29/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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11/5/2007 11:36:29 AM
I think they should have park only season passes, then chain wide passes that cost the same across the board. I buy my pass from KK but rarely visit there. I would thin 80.00 passes that go chainwide would be about right. Lord knows I still would have made a killing last year.
MRC I disagree about X. 1. it is still very unique. 2. people will reride it to see if it is better. 3. Disaster Transport. That was a retheme of a failed ride and 15+ years later it is still going strong, even if the story makes no sense. Plus they use part of the building for fright fest. I would say that has been one of CP"s best investments.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
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11/5/2007 1:52:45 PM
OK - I could go with tiered pricing, one price for just one park or a higher price for the whole chain.
But SF selling any type of one park season pass for less than $80 is Foolish, with a capital "F". $119 is still a very fair price for the chain.
FYI - Season Pass Prices this past year
Hershey - $125
Clementon - $100
Holiday World - $95
Lake Compounce - $75
Dollywood - $79 ($106 to use at SDC)
Busch - $120 for one park, $334 for two years at all Busch parks.
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ginzo
Posts: 564
Registered: 7/16/2006
Rank: Gold Critic
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11/5/2007 4:49:53 PM
^They're definitely giving away the gate. Heck, I remember getting Kings Island passes back when I was a teenager that I'm pretty sure were more than $50.
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