Some Fact About “Six Flags” Theme Parks
By Jerry Walch, 25th Jul 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutNewsEntertainment
Since its humble beginning in Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1961 as Six Flags Over Texas, it has expanded to become the world's largest theme park in the world and the fifth largest in popularity. With properties in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, they employ 1,900 full-time workers and another 27,000 seasonal workers. In 2011, the latest year that I have figures for, 24.29 million men, women, and children passed through their gates.
- The Cost of Building a new Park in Today's dollars.
- How big is Six Flags Theme Parks today?
- Six Flags buys used rides and roller coasters to save money.
- Roller Coaster Capital of the World.
- Personal Liability, do they have enough?
- Food is a big part of the experience.
The Cost of Building a new Park in Today's dollars.
The cost of building a new Six Flags Theme Park is roughly $300 million. That includes the cost of finding a piece of real estate large enough to build on and then the legal cost of winning the required zoning change. Once the property is found and the rights to build on it has been won, it will take a minimum of another two years to build the park.
How big is Six Flags Theme Parks today?
Six Flags—the name refers to the number of nations whose flags once flew over Texas(Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America)--operate approximately 1,000 rides, 120 of which are roller coasters. One of those roller coasters, the Kingda Ka, is the largest roller coaster in the world.
Six Flags buys used rides and roller coasters to save money.
According to an article in the LA Times, the Road Runner at Six Flags Magic Mountain was purchased used. In today's dollars, a 700 foot roller coaster costs between $3 to $5 million to build. Used one can be had for anywhere from $90 to $200 thousand. Six Flags Board of Directors and other administrators know how to save money and get the highest ROI (Return on Investment) possible.
Roller Coaster Capital of the World.
In 2011, Six Flags Magic Mountain in LA, California, opened its "Green Lantern: First Flight" and “Road Runner Express” roller coasters, bringing the total number of roller coasters at the Magic Mountain park to 18, making it the theme park with the greatest number of coasters. Meanwhile, Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey), is Six Flags biggest park, at 2,200 acres.
Personal Liability, do they have enough?
Six Flags management says that the company maintains "multi-layered general liability policies that provide for excess liability coverage of up to $100 million per occurrence." But given their safety record (I will tell you all about that in another article.), that may not be enough.
Food is a big part of the experience.
Six Flags Theme Parks have over 2,000 food vendors. One of the most popular food is the Funnel Cake and the parks sell over 15,000 of them on a typical day.
Comments
25th Jul 2012 (#)
Fascinating stuff Jerry. Great star page. Love those roller coasters.
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25th Jul 2012 (#)
Thank you Steve for moderating and for commenting. I love those roller coasters too!
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25th Jul 2012 (#)
Six flags over Georgia has gotten a lot of our money over the years when the kids were younger. I so miss riding roller coasters, the hubby would not even think of it, he would just sit and watch us. He would ride the log fume (sp?) at the end of the day though. Still cracks me up. Great information on six flags. Thank you for sharing.:)
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25th Jul 2012 (#)
Thanks for dropping by!
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25th Jul 2012 (#)
Jerry, I know we disagreed and maybe my wording might have been harsher than I usually use and for that, I am sorry. We still will have to agree to disagree but, I still love ya my friend and I support you 100%! I just had to get the batteries going again and get a page out (heck I am even tweetingLOL) that is why I am playing catch up on your articles. Now, I lubs ya as a brother, you remember that.:)
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26th Jul 2012 (#)
interesting piece Jerry,,thanks for the information...what does lubs ya mean? is that 6 flags type of cake like funnel?
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26th Jul 2012 (#)
Hi Cn. I take it you are referring to Denise's comment above. "Lubs Ya" translates into "Loves You." Denise and I have a very close friendship outside of Wikinut and she was just reminding me of her feelings for me because we did butt heads over one of Steve Kinsman's articles.
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26th Jul 2012 (#)
Jerry great star page loved it especially the last picture the cake looks great
Best Wishes
Steve
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26th Jul 2012 (#)
Thank you Steve.
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29th Jul 2012 (#)
The one out my was, Six Flags in Vallejo, CA is a great ride park for kids of all ages. The days of the old Board Walk and wooden shakers are passing... though they can still be a lot of fun, too.
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29th Jul 2012 (#)
I miss the old board walks, David. Maybe it's just me but those old board walks always seem more friendly and personal then the modern theme parks. The people always seemed more ready to interact with one another.
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