Here is the interview...

Great Escape Central - With the money that Six Flags is putting into The Great Escape, in the long term.. how much do you see The Great Escape growing in the future?

A.    TThe Great Escape - With the support of Six Flags, our future growth is unlimited. We will continue to invest in The Great Escape, with plans to improve and enhance the park and its offerings each year.

Great Escape Central - Back in 2006, Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro stated that he would like to use The Great Escape as a model park for his company, and focus on family rides and attractions, rather than larger, more expensive rides. How does The Great Escape management feel that Mr. Shapiro thinks this way towards the park? Surely, morale must be up amongst Great Escape properties management knowing this

The Great Escape - The staff of The Great Escape Properties is thrilled that our CEO enjoys our properties! We work hard every day to deliver a terrific guest experience for every single guest that visits The Great Escape and the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark and we're thrilled our CEO has taken notice our efforts.

Great Escape Central - The Great Escape's General Manger, Don McCoy. What role, if any, does he have in the growth of The Great Escape? Does he have the ability to suggest future rides and attractions for the park to Six Flags?

A.    AThe Great Escape - As President of The Great Escape Properties, Mr. McCoy is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations, including sales, maintenance, marketing, revenue, personnel, and finance at The Great Escape and Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark. He works closely with park personnel and Six Flags management to oversee day-to-day operations as he shapes the future of our combined properties. He is very involved in deciding future rides and attractions for the park.

Great Escape Central - Back in June of 2006, Mark Shapiro had an interview with The Post Star regarding the parks present state at the time, and the future. In that interview he stated that the company was going to put down a 5 year plan specifically for The Great Escape. Has that plan been implemented? And if so, any word on what Great Escape visitors can expect in the upcoming years due to that plan?

The Great Escape -  Long range plans for the theme park are in development and changes and improvements are being implemented daily. Due to the proprietary nature of our business, we don't reveal details of our plans.

Great Escape Central - Also in that same interview, Mark Shapiro stated that he was going to put a focus on installing spinning coasters in the parks in the years going forward. Will we ever see that type of coaster at The Great Escape?

The Great Escape -  Only time will tell!

Great Escape Central - Back in December of 2006, the park received two rides from one of Six Flags now defunct parks. A Suspended Looping Coaster, and a water type ride. Both are sitting in plain view from Rt 9. When those rides arrived, there were rumors flying on Great Escape Central's message boards that it would be installed in the park. However Jennifer Mance stated it was simply being stored on property. Is there any new news regarding those 2 rides? Can we possibly see those rides in operation at The Great Escape?

The Great Escape - We have no new information to provide with regard to those rides; future plans have not been announced.

Great Escape Central - We have heard that the park is currently doing a huge overhaul of their power infrastructure. We know some work was done last year, and more is being done this off-season. In doing all this work, does that mean that The Great Escape has intentions of expanding? Can you also elaborate what upgrades have been done already, and what upgrades are planned for the future?

The Great Escape - Power infrastructure improvements will continue in the future creating further opportunities for growth. 

Great Escape Central - The Rainbow. It has been removed. What was the reason to it's removal? And, is there anything planned to take it's spot in the 2008 season? And if not, how about the 2009 season? There is a rumor that the coaster on-site that is being stored, will possibly occupy that entire area. Any truth to those rumors?

The Great Escape - We are always looking for ways to improve our guest experience at the park. The Rainbow was inefficient and did not live up to our standards, so we decided to remove it. Aside from that, we don't comment on rumor or speculation.

Great Escape Central - Since the Scrambler was moved to Jumbo's old spot, the old dome building sits dormant being used as a storage building. Is there any plans for that building?

The Great Escape - For 2008, the Scrambler dome will continue to be utilized for storage. However, we are always discussing potential plans for that site.

Great Escape Central - For the past few seasons, The Great Escape has decided to no longer run the Cannonball Express, and The Trabant backwards. What is the reasoning for that? Was that a Great Escape decision, or a company decision?

The Great Escape - It was a company decision to operate the rides in a forward motion only.

Great Escape Central -  Many years ago, The Great Escape removed the Sky Lab. However, it is still on Great Escape property. Will we ever see that ride in operation again?

The Great Escape - We have no plans to reinstate the ride.

Great Escape Central - Rumors amongst Great Escape Central Forum members claim that 2009 will be the "big" year for The Great Escape. Any truth to these rumors?

The Great Escape - We don't comment on rumors or speculation; however, we believe 2008 is shaping up to be a big year for The Great Escape. We are adding more new capital, new entertainment and new food options than ever before! 2008 is going to be a fantastic season, and we are very excited about our plans.

Great Escape Central - Wiggles World and Mega Wedgie will be a great addition to The Great Escape lineup for 2008. Will they be open on opening day?

The Great Escape - We anticipate Wiggles World will be ready for The Great Escape's opening day on May 10, and we anticipate Mega Wedgie will be ready for Splashwater Kingdom's season opening on May 24.

Great Escape Central - We received word that The Great Escape might have a "Holiday Lights In The Park" in December of 2008. Is that true?

 The Great Escape - We don't comment on rumors or speculation. We can tell you that we're working on our special events calendar for 08, and as soon as we've finalized our offerings, we'll release details of all upcoming events.

Great Escape Central - Many Great Escape Central forum members complain that they need to travel to other Six Flags parks because The Great Escape doesn't offer any thrill rides. Is there any future plan to change that in the upcoming years?

The Great Escape - The Great Escape offers a wide selection of rides and attractions for families and thrill seekers alike. In 2007 we added Tornado, and this season we will add another exciting new water attraction, Mega Wedgie. We plan to continue to improve and enhance the park and its offerings each year.

Great Escape Central - The Nightmare. It has been closed all of the 2007 season. Why has it been closed? There is a rumor that it will be dismantled in the off-season, and a 3-D type of attraction might be installed in that building. Any truth to these rumors?

A.    TThe Great Escape - The ride was not particularly efficient in terms of the number of guests who could enjoy it in a day, so we made the decision to close it to focus our resources on other rides that can be enjoyed by many guests each day throughout our operating season. Future plans for the building haven't been announced.

Great Escape Central - In closing, where do you see The Great Escape 5 years from now?

The Great Escape - We will continue to improve and enhance The Great Escape and its offerings each year, while remaining true to the park's unique charm and historic past. The Great Escape will continue to provide a "daycation" from everyday life for thousands of our loyal guests, offering fun and entertainment to families and thrill seekers alike.

Discuss This Story In Our Forums