six flags goes international. will they pass universal in the future.

[seascapemvy]

Now that six flags is undergoing a major expansion in China while universal seems to be more interested in expanding HP in their parks does this open up the possibility of Universal not only falling behind OCT parks in worldwide attendance but also six flags? Universal seems to be investing huge amounts in fully mature markets and not enough in the fastest growing areas. This could be a huge mistake.

Also now that six flags is going international will they start to bring in some of the best dark rides like Disney and Universal. There is no reason they can't do batman and superman rides as good or better than spiderman at universal.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Universal is also international with parks in Singapore and Japan...they just opened their new HP area in the Japan park ... HP is HUGE in Japan. And we think it is great that they are adding HP to Hollywood...For our family The Wizarding World of HP is the absolute best themed area we have ever seen, very immersive and the Forbidden Journey of HP is hands down the best theme park ride we've ever experienced.

We've been to the Universal park in Singapore and it was great....Hopefully we will get to the one in Japan one day too....Personally our family would visit an International Universal Park or Disney park before even considering going to an International 6 Flags. Nothing wrong with 6 flags...we use to have annual passes for the one near us but it pales in comparison in terms of theme parks when it comes to Universal or Disney. Yes we love both Universal and Disney...rare I know In my opinion I just can't see 6 Flags ever surpassing Universal but you never know.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Six Flags already has international parks
They are about 10 million behind Universal in attendance.
Six Flags Magic Mountain has the highest park attendance in the Six Flags brand with only 3.65 million yearly.
I don't think Universal needs to worry about Six Flags..

There is a dark man batman ride in SFGA and it is pretty bad...

 

[sethschroeder]

Here is what Six Flags can do.... BUILD BUILD BUILD BUILD

They can easily surpass Universal if they really put the investment into it. I am not talking about 1 park but I am talking about the whole portfolio of parks combined.

While Universal needs to be one major location Six Flags can build in a ton of smaller cities and be the McDonalds to Universal's Applebee's

In 2013 Six Flags was at about 26 million people and Universal was at about 36 million. Universal has HP though which has put in some separation but if Six Flags builds enough they could easily surpass Universal again.

Its a lot more likely that Six Flags decides to start to do better theming in new parks and surpasses Universal than Universal surpassing Disney any time soon.

 

[seascapemvy]

Here is what Six Flags can do.... BUILD BUILD BUILD BUILD

They can easily surpass Universal if they really put the investment into it. I am not talking about 1 park but I am talking about the whole portfolio of parks combined.

While Universal needs to be one major location Six Flags can build in a ton of smaller cities and be the McDonalds to Universal's Applebee's

In 2013 Six Flags was at about 26 million people and Universal was at about 36 million. Universal has HP though which has put in some separation but if Six Flags builds enough they could easily surpass Universal again.

Its a lot more likely that Six Flags decides to start to do better theming in new parks and surpasses Universal than Universal surpassing Disney any time soon.

I hear they are talking about 11 new parks in China. I also hope they start theming. Especially at Great Adventure in Jackson. There is an entire section of that park closed and they could build 2 or 3 major rides like Universal's Spiderman. I think Universal has made a major mistake while Disney was building in China. OCT Parks is the fastes growing theme park company in the world and I am sure they will pass Universal in worldwide attendance within the next 10 years and who knows with Sea world in financial trouble OCT Parks could be the perfect buyer. The theme park industry is ripe for mergers given the development costs of the new rides and growth in the developing world. In fact I think if Disney needs to build in India, Africa and South America or risk being passed even with their huge lead in worldwide attendance. They can't just depend on the American Parks.

 

[JimmyV]

Six Flags builds regional amusement parks.
Universal builds destination theme parks.
They really aren't in direct competition with one another because SF builds parks that you decide to go to when you wake up in the morning and are looking for something to do. Universal is a place you go to when you are planning a vacation. (Local AP Holders notwithstanding). So they really aren't competing for the same dollars. US wants vacation dollars (including hotels and meals). SF wants impulse entertainment dollars.

 

[seascapemvy]

Six Flags already has international parks
They are about 10 million behind Universal in attendance.
Six Flags Magic Mountain has the highest park attendance in the Six Flags brand with only 3.65 million yearly.
I don't think Universal needs to worry about Six Flags..

There is a dark man batman ride in SFGA and it is pretty bad...

You are correct but there is a major difference between being international with a few parks in Mexico and Cananda and now going to Asia. This is a major move and puts them into a different class of true multinational theme park operator. They will be going up against Merlin and OCT Parks the number 2 and 4 theme park companies. It will also allow them to split the cost of ride development among many more parks.

Currently most people correctly think of Six Flags as a roller coaster park but hopefully that can change. If they can become a theme park company that builds rides like Disney and Universal have, think of the pressure those companies will be under. People will no longer have to take vacations to go on great rides. I don't see wny reason they cant do that. Especially in Jackson NJ, which is close enough to both Philadelphia and New York. Think of the possibilities if they added 5 or 6 dark rides, bring back some good shows, to go along with the existing roller coasters and the safari, they would have a park every bit as good as either Disney or Universal. The potential is there now all that is needed is the desire to compete and they have the land, the market and now will have the ability to lower the cost of their rides. Look at Disneyland and their customer base, most of which are local.

Another interesting thing to remember is that back in the 60's NBC wanted Disney to build their second Disneyland in New Jersey. The market exists and Six Flags should take advantage of it or someone else will.

 

[DOOM1001]

As a PP mentioned six Flags are regional parks,Universal has destination parks in competition with Disney.There's been two times I've visited a Six Flags park(Georgia and Discovery Kingdom in Cali)where I arrived early enough to have counted every car in the parking lot,that would never happen at Universal.I love Six Flags and pretty much every park chain out there,but SF is just on another level,and not because its an amusement park because Cedar Point is an amusement park but is much more of a destination park than SF,still not on the level of the Orlando parks but closer.

 

[PrincessNelly]

I used to work at SFGA about 5 years ago.
They have thrown around the idea of turning it into a destination park for quite sometime. But many have felt that there wasn't enough around to keep people entertained.
You could probably spend 1 day at GA and 1 day at Hurricane Harbor & safari. But the out lying neighborhoods don't offer much to do. People aren't flying cross country to visit NJ. Jackson residents seem bothered enough by SFGA now, they even fought putting the Wawa next to six flags! They wouldn't be happy to see their neighborhood turn into a full blown tourist attraction.
Not to mention that it would close down from Nov 1 to Mid April every year. So I would think that they would invest in Magic Mountain before great adventure.
And to top it off... like I said, they gave the dark ride thing a try with the dark knight and it is terrible.

 

[PrincessNelly]

I hear they are talking about 11 new parks in China. I also hope they start theming. Especially at Great Adventure in Jackson. There is an entire section of that park closed and they could build 2 or 3 major rides like Universal's Spiderman. I think Universal has made a major mistake while Disney was building in China. OCT Parks is the fastes growing theme park company in the world and I am sure they will pass Universal in worldwide attendance within the next 10 years and who knows with Sea world in financial trouble OCT Parks could be the perfect buyer. The theme park industry is ripe for mergers given the development costs of the new rides and growth in the developing world. In fact I think if Disney needs to build in India, Africa and South America or risk being passed even with their huge lead in worldwide attendance. They can't just depend on the American Parks.

What section is closed?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Six Flags builds regional amusement parks.
Universal builds destination theme parks.
They really aren't in direct competition with one another because SF builds parks that you decide to go to when you wake up in the morning and are looking for something to do. Universal is a place you go to when you are planning a vacation. (Local AP Holders notwithstanding). So they really aren't competing for the same dollars. US wants vacation dollars (including hotels and meals). SF wants impulse entertainment dollars.

I used to believe this too & to an extent it's true. OTOH, I used to work at Six Flags over Mid-America. You would be very surprised to find out just how many visitors came MANY miles specifically to go to Six Flags.

 

[DisUniversal]

Here is what Six Flags can do.... BUILD BUILD BUILD BUILD

They can easily surpass Universal if they really put the investment into it. I am not talking about 1 park but I am talking about the whole portfolio of parks combined.

While Universal needs to be one major location Six Flags can build in a ton of smaller cities and be the McDonalds to Universal's Applebee's

If Universal is Applebee's, that would put Disney somewhere between a Denny's and a Waffle House

 

[seascapemvy]

What section is closed?

I'm not sure how to describe it but it's near where the picnic area is. There used to be a roller coaster I think it was batman and robin. There were a few other things also like the bumper cars. Also a long time ago lighting loops which my brother was stuck on upside down once. He loved it. There was also the famous hunted house which caused a huge lawsuit.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

Now that six flags is undergoing a major expansion in China while universal seems to be more interested in expanding HP in their parks does this open up the possibility of Universal not only falling behind OCT parks in worldwide attendance but also six flags? Universal seems to be investing huge amounts in fully mature markets and not enough in the fastest growing areas. This could be a huge mistake.

Also now that six flags is going international will they start to bring in some of the best dark rides like Disney and Universal. There is no reason they can't do batman and superman rides as good or better than spiderman at universal.

Universal might as well name their park Harry Potter World because they are not widely known for much else and they seem quite fine with that!!!!!!! I completely agree with your assessment too!! Good work!!!!!

 

[DisUniversal]

Universal might as well name their park Harry Potter World because they are not widely known for much else and they seem quite fine with that!!!!!!! I completely agree with your assessment too!! Good work!!!!!

Sure...right after they rename the Magic Kingdom to Princess World.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

Sure...right after they rename the Magic Kingdom to Princess World.

I don't get it .....the Disney brand is renowned all around the world. People go to Disney because it is Disney!!!!! Folks go to Universal to see Harry Potter!! I don't have a problem with it....but there is a difference.

 

[seascapemvy]

Universal might as well name their park Harry Potter World because they are not widely known for much else and they seem quite fine with that!!!!!!! I completely agree with your assessment too!! Good work!!!!!

Thank you. I think the mistake some people make is forgetting this is a business. Yes Universal is doing a better job in Orlando than Disney is. However Disney is crushing them in Asia. Also they are winning in California. Now with Oct parks and Six flags are on their tail what is universal doing? building in Russia. Why? Comcast is not investing worldwide the way they should. Also as far as their theme parks go they don't own the IP. Therefore they have to share the profits. There is no doubt they do a great job at what they do but if you were DC would you rather have your characters worldwide at Six Flags with many more parks and customers or Universal which is more likely than not to be number 5 or lower due to other possible mergers.

I know Universal has done a much better job than any other Theme Park operator in Orlando. That is not the point here. What matter is growth and the total number of customers and there, in just the next 10 years with multiple parks opening in Asia and and possibly Dubai Six flags has a betted chance of being number 4 than Universal.

 

[DOOM1001]

I used to believe this too & to an extent it's true. OTOH, I used to work at Six Flags over Mid-America. You would be very surprised to find out just how many visitors came MANY miles specifically to go to Six Flags.

Of course there are people that drive thousands of miles or fly in from Europe to do Six Flags parks.A vast majority of them are coaster nerds like me.I've driven from my house in Miami doing road trips and hitting up parks like Six Flags over Georgia,Cedar Point,Kings Island,Busch Gardens Williamsburg.Of course people do it but it's a smaller percentage of visitors from further than 250-300 miles.Even Cedar Point which gets many more visitors from further away since it is the best coaster park in the planet,is not bringing in people from all over like the Orlando or So Cal parks.I remember exiting my car at Cedar Point and seeing a group of people just marveling at the Florida license plates.In Orlando it wouldn't be that big a deal to see an Ohio one,in fact you might see 30 of them in one day just driving here and there.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

Thank you. I think the mistake some people make is forgetting this is a business. Yes Universal is doing a better job in Orlando than Disney is.

I stopped reading right here- in what way is Universal doing a better job than Disney???? You tout this as if it is some kind of fact.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

However Disney is crushing them in Asia. Also they are winning in California.

Have I missed something????? Is Disney not crushing Universal in Orlando in both profits and overall attendance????