Medusa transformation at SFGAdv.

[Westcot]

From Screamscape (http://www.screamscape.com) and Market Watch (http://www.marke****ch.com/news/story/six-flags-great-adventure-announces/story.aspx?guid={B218B964-97A8-4334-A381-90E2B9E52F46}&dist=hppr)

2009 - Medusa Makeover - Confirmed - (10/24/08) It looks like the initial rumors about the transforming of Medusa and the “Spider of Doom” were right on the money after all as the park has just confirmed this. It looks like someone got too close to the truth too soon causing the park to try and dismiss this rumor as quickly as possible earlier this month. But it was all true... because in 2009 Medusa will be transformed, X2 style, adding new themed elements, visual, sensory and audio effects. They claim that it will now feature “unique storytelling” as well as fire, fog, water and a custom orchestrated soundtrack. It also sounds like Medusa’s entire theme and possibly the name will be dropped in favor of something new, but they wont be ready to reveal more until Spring 2009.

Six Flags seems to like the new X2 transformation a bit too much. Will they be doing this to all of their coasters now? :confused:

It's a smart move for Six Flags to rebrand their rides, though. It will cost less than a new coaster, but it will still bring in the customers that they want, and it's obvious that that's what they're going for.

[Sno]

Seems like a great move to me. The transformation of X was great. Can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[tycooner55]

Ok, now this whole makeover concept is starting to get old and unoriginal.

[6000000flags]

Ok, now this whole makeover concept is starting to get old and unoriginal.

I wouldn't call it unoriginal if all the rides had greatly enhanced and unique ride experiences which is what happened with x2 and what hopefully will happen with their bundle like this next year.

[willo22sly]

Souns pretty cool!

[Garfield 06]

This seems like it will work a LOT better than the new systems on Terminator and S:RoS.

G-06

[infiniteblue]

I hope that they keep the name, though. They could certainly theme it to the current name, especially if they're considering fire, fog, water, and the like. It could fit some kind of Greek theme.

[Cedar Point]

Hopefully the trend will start that old rides get transformed and re-done, instead of being shipped in a circle to different parks in the chain.

[BoRJoYZeE]

So.... Medusa 2?

[LightGrenades]

****ING KEEP THE NAME MEDUSA I SWEAR TO GOD SIX FLAGS

NO ****ING SPIDERMAN NAME.

Or at least make it original.

But it's already a great ride, so I don't see the reason behind this....

[zackness5]

But it's already a great ride, so I don't see the reason behind this....

its to draw a bigger crowd.

[ytivarg]

****ING KEEP THE NAME MEDUSA I SWEAR TO GOD SIX FLAGS

NO ****ING SPIDERMAN NAME.

Or at least make it original.

But it's already a great ride, so I don't see the reason behind this....

What about:

Medusa: The Ride

or

Medusa: The Coaster

;)

[Westcot]

Or how about "Dance Machine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hadvDHyEwE): The Ride"? ;)

Six Flags has attempted naming a ride after an advertising campaign before...

http://rcdb.com/ig3031.htm?picture=9

[Nethero]

You know, this has little to no similarities to the X2 transformation. Think about it.

X2
Formerly X

Spiderman: The Ride
Formerly Medusa

All the X2 transformation included was a new paint job and two fire things. It still kept its overall theme.

Medusa's new transformation will be like turning Toyota into Corona. If it has a
story/soundtrack/visual effect/theme then it will most likely turn away most of the fans of that ride. Six Flags is still more of a thrill park than a family park, so they're making many little kids come into a park filled with teens only to go on one ride (and maybe something like Runaway Mine Train)

IMO it's a good move for them in business but why should you guys care? Unless you work there, you have nothing to gain from that.

[Westcot]

Universal actually has the liscensing rights to Marvel characters (which includes Spiderman), so you probably won't see a ride with that name at SF. Six Flags has the rights to the DC characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc. :)

[Nethero]

Universal actually has the liscensing rights to Marvel characters (which includes Spiderman), so you probably won't see a ride with that name at SF. Six Flags has the rights to the DC characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc. :)

Oops, let's cross out the spiderman part. In that case we have...

The Ride

:haha:

[Westcot]

^ Haha! Even better! :D

[Nethero]

I get the feeling, that that's what all the new coasters in Six Flags are gonna be named.

You know, Medusa was the first floorless roller coaster, and it looks like they're going to replace its image. Maybe Six Flags MIGHT actually sell SFOT after all.

[Westcot]

I'd have to say that Kentucky Kingdom should be sold first... SFOT has some history, you know... it was the first Six Flags park. But this is Six Flags that we're talking about, and everyone knows they don't give a crap about history. ;)

[-LiLDaReDeViL5-]

****ING KEEP THE NAME MEDUSA I SWEAR TO GOD SIX FLAGS

NO ****ING SPIDERMAN NAME.

Or at least make it original.

But it's already a great ride, so I don't see the reason behind this....
My thoughts EXACTLY.

[cpkidOH]

^^Six Flags has definatly gotten better with that under the Shapiro team. They've really started take history into account with what they're doing with Monster Plantation, and how they added the museum into the observation tower at SFMM.

While I am not a huge fan of Six Flags, I think that this is a nice idea and will turn out well. I am very impressed with what was done to X, so I have no doubt that this will improve an already good coaster. And I think these smaller improvements are helping turn the company toward the right direction in many areas. They are definatly putting the "Quality over quantity" aspect into play.

[Nethero]

^The museum in an observation tower is an idea that has been done billions of times before. Just cause it's in a theme park doesn't make it anymore original. You could compare it to saying "This is the tallest hotel/casino/yacht/blimp made by what'shisface in the world!"

The X transformation was a repainting job and an addition of a couple of torches on sticks. It's not really that impressive or revolutionary. The ride X was way more revolutionary than the ride X2(:The Coaster:p)

I've said it before and I'll say it one more time. As a tourist in one of these parks, you have little to gain from these "transformations". What is really happening is that SF is racking up more money, and that isn't a gain to guests in parks it's a gain to SF. And though most people think they will use their money to add a new ride, what they'll most likely do is just "transform" another perfectly decent ride.

[Harpo]

What is really happening is that SF is racking up more money, and that isn't a gain to guests in parks it's a gain to SF. And though most people think they will use their money to add a new ride, what they'll most likely do is just "transform" another perfectly decent ride.

I don't know that you can really accuse Six Flags of "racking up more money." They have a major debt obligation coming due in 2009, and another in 2010. Right now, they are projected to have insufficient cash for either of those obligations, so there is a very real possibility that they could be declaring bankruptcy as soon as 2009.

For that reason, it makes sense to try to do some upgrades that are relatively lower cost, but still help to improve the overall experience.

[cpkidOH]

Exactly. I don't see why there is anything wrong with this move. SF is in serious financial trouble right now, and these improvements are basically the same as offering somthing "new" to the GP, who will think of it as a new experience, without going overboard spending wise. It worked with X2.

If only somthing like this could be done at a Cedar Fair park. Magnum would be the ideal ride for changes like these, espically since it'll be celebrating its 20th birthday next year.

[Nethero]

Well, now I'm even more confused. If they're that far in debt, then why are they making Terminator: The Ride? Something that's 10,000,000 dollars wouldn't be a wise move in their books, if you're correct.

[Harpo]

By all means, don't take my word for it: Feel free to look at financial web sites to see the financial issues facing Six Flags.

There's one basic issue in the amusement park industry... thrill riders tend to have short attention spans. If the thrill riders are not given something new, fewer of them will come to the park.

So, the company has to make some decisions. If they don't spend $10 million for a new coaster, are they likely to see attendance drop such that they lose more than $10 million in income? Depending on the market and attendance trends, a $10 million investment in a new thrill ride could be a break-even or better.

However, keep in mind, Magic Mountain is a comparable size to Cedar Point. Cedar Point's last coaster cost over $20 million. In comparison, Magic Mountain's $10 million coaster is cheap.

[-Skully-]

Now if only Cedar Point gave Disaster Transport a major makeover... or trash it. Either one works.

But back on the topic... it should be good for them, I guess. X2 looks a lot better, so hopefully this one is, too. I've never been on the coaster, nor at the park it's held out. Well, at least Six Flags is looking more into making their rides better themed.

[TPM INC]

I don't know that you can really accuse Six Flags of "racking up more money." They have a major debt obligation coming due in 2009, and another in 2010. Right now, they are projected to have insufficient cash for either of those obligations, so there is a very real possibility that they could be declaring bankruptcy as soon as 2009.

For that reason, it makes sense to try to do some upgrades that are relatively lower cost, but still help to improve the overall experience.

This is where Bill Gates comes in and offers Six Flags a huge Microsoft deal giving them some money.