Why hasn't Six Flags opened up in Orlando?

[nile455]

I never understood the decision to stay away from the Orlando area. It would be a near guaranteed success. Orlando keeps building and building, new hotels and convention centers are coming up every month, Universal has flourished with their catering to the thrill seeker.. and yet still nothing from Six Flags. All they would need is to get, what, 25% of the WDW visitors to visit their park, and it'd be profitable.

 

[Amity 3]

too many factors, Six Flags probed Polk County about ten years ago. startup costs alone are off the scale. IOA cost Universal around one billion (with a B) back in 1999 to build.

the theme park industry in Florida is pretty level now. WDW plans no future parks on their property.

 

[nile455]

IOA cost Universal around one billion (with a B) back in 1999 to build.

Polk County is not Orange County. And Six Flags wouldn't spend $150 million on one ride. Shoot, 25% of that $1 billion for IOA was spent on two rides (Spidey and Jurassic Park). Also, Six Flags obviously wouldn't have anywhere near the design and theming costs.

 

[Lostgirlz]

Cost alone to open Six Flags is huge. I honestly don't think they would turn as big of profit there as in some of its other areas dallas and houston for example. Honestly I have been to 3 six flags parks, and while yes they are fun for a short time they honestly IMO don't offer enough to keep me in the parks for longer than a dal or a half day. The rides while are fun they are basic I feel maybe this is because I have been to 3 of them and I just don't see the thrill of six flags anymore. Yes I enjoyed them when I went, but overall Universal, and WDW has more to offer which is why we have chosen to go to WDW for our upcoming honeymoon and our first trip to WDW.

 

[Brian Noble]

SF's business model is to be a "local alternative" to the destination parks---their most successful parks are in large markets with few other area amusement parks in competition, while parks in more competitive environments have either been sold (Cleveland, in competition with Cedar Point) or are for sale (Valencia, in competition with Universal, Disneyland, and Knott's).

There's no point in putting one where the destination park is also a local alternative.

 

[mdhkitten]

I personally don't think that Six Flags could compete with WDW and Universal. Yes, they do have some cool thrill rides, but so does Universal (and Disney has a few, too). No, Universal isn't quite as "magical" as WDW, but at least it offers things to do other than just thrill rides, something that I've never seen a Six Flags really try to do.

 

[keishashadow]

They sold out holding in akron to cedar fair, my understanding they had a "bad" summer & had to offer heavy promos/disc. to get folks into the parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

SFO/SFWoA (the Ohio property) had more than just one bad summer.

 

[Amity 3]

Six Flags could have gotten a toehold in the area when Cypress Gardens closed. Universal expanded with IOA the same reason Sea World is building a waterpark, they own the existing land. Universal held onto more property, but eventually sold it instead of developing another park or resort area.

WDW's doing the same thing right now, selling off land that's not going to fit into their future plans.

 

[damo]

Since WDW and Universal are having so much trouble getting workers, I imagine Six Flags would have even more trouble.