Jazzland Gives Way to Six Flags New Orleans
Six Flags New Orleans: Six Flags has annouced officially that the "Jazzland" theme park outside New Orleans will become Six Flags New Orleans. The park will also receive a Batman: The Ride clone, and $20 million in other improvements.
Six Flags has annouced officially that the "Jazzland" theme park outside New Orleans will become Six Flags New Orleans. The park will also receive a Batman: The Ride clone, and $20 million in other improvements.
It is sad to see a good concept in a park give way to the low-quality of the Six Flags brand name.
The Press Release
This isn't a suprise, obviously, as we and many others earlier reported Six Flags' purchase of Jazzland.
And having Six Flags own and operate the park is likely better than having the park shut down--which was the likely outcome from the park's recent financial troubles, as I understand the issue.
But I've just got to take a moment to ponder Six Flags' name becoming synonymous with low quality. I know that many people feel that way. But thinking back to when I was growing up (in the '70s), Six Flags was the undisputed quality leader in theme parks. Most of my friends considered them superior to Disney World.
Times have changed. And by typing those three words, I am now... officially... old.
Er ... I visited Jazzland *before* it was bought out by Six Flags (or, Premier Parks) and I can say it was a very enjoyable park even with its lack of MAJOR thrill rides ... As for a Batman clone ... Duh ... there are THREE major Batman thrill rides available ... Batman Standup ... Batman Suspended *and* SFA's BATWING!!!! ... Give the park a break ... Jazzland is the ONLY major amusement park in New Orleans and is a great place to get away from the casinos, Cajun joints, cemeteries and bars.
Just what we need. Six Flags taking over another family park and lowering the overall experience of that park, while boosting prices at the same time. People wonder why some six flags parks are inferior, its because they dont know when to quit buying parks instead of fixing the ones they have. Im curious to see just what kind of "improvements" are to be made. They will probably want to paste their logo on everything in sight, add a weak ride or two, and build a bugs bunny statue or something. The least they could do is come up with an original ride for the place, but they cant even do that anymore. Sad to say that another classic, family owned park has been lost to the corporate suits. Soon there won't even be a trace of the old Jazzland to be found.
Like Robert said, The writing was on the wall when Six Flags purchased the park. It was only a matter of time.
Something else Six Flags has ruined...Riverside (New England) and they will ruin Great Escape in New York. We have enough Six Flag parks already.
From Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2002 at 9:19 AM
sounds like most of you have never been to Jazzland and don't even live in the New Orleans area. (note I said "most" so simmer down if this dosn't apply to you.) so let's put this into perspective. the renaming of Six Flags New Orleans was a small disappointment; most of us liked the original name, the theming, the connection with the local identity. a name, however, is only a name. Six Flags ownership is a big improvement over the neglect and bankruptcy in which we found Jazzland a year ago. we could have had better - I understand Cedar Fair considered acquiring it - but overall we are satisfied with the eventual course of events. Jazzland was NEVER a "family-owned park" as one comment above suggests, and for a while it seemed that hopeful coaster and theme park fans here were victims of another Louisiana rip-off scam. at the very least Six Flags is reputable enough not to bail out on financial obligations with the city! New Orleanians that CANNOT travel to Atlanta or Dallas will be thrilled to have a Batman clone - plus a [relocated?] Joker's Revenge (we're still awaiting details on this one...) - and those of us that want more will take our summer vacations to Florida or Ohio!
From Anonymous
Posted November 16, 2002 at 9:39 AM
You know what guys. I'm a New Orleanian and there is a lot of excitement down here in New Orleans. I've been a seasonpassholder since the park opened, and this summer was the smoothest I have seen the park run. Frightfest was great and I am looking forward to 2 new coasters next year, especially after being promised that pathetic Vekoma SLC for 2 years straight. I look at it this way. My park will not be closing and I have been to other six flags parks and had a good time: SFA, SFGAD, SFG, SFAst (this one is having problems to tell you the truth - employees seem to be the problem here), SFOT. I wish everyone would just lay off. And yeah, so Jazzland will have Bugs Bunny, it's better than the Swamp Critters. And yeah, Jazzland is a fun park, but you can see it all in 2 hours. I welcome six flags and I am excited about riding Batman in our new Gotham city and watching the Batman Water Stunt Show, and seeing bugs bunny hug little kids. It will be a real theme park, not the cheap imitation it has been the last three years. Enthusiasts look too much into this Six Flags issue. They will work out their problems.
What a bunch of whining. Six Flags bought out Marine World up here by me and it was one of the best things to happen. Yes, the park doesn't have the same feel all over that it used to, but at least it still EXISTS, which it wouldn't have had SF not come into the picture (which is where Jazzland was headed, BTW). Plus, we now have three GREAT coasters, which certainly wouldn't have happened if not for SF (sorry, but a Boomerang prior to SF's arrival SO doesn't count!)
Face it, very few parks survive anymore without adding thrills. And SF can do that better than anyone. Do they have areas they need to work on? Of course. Theming and food are major flaws, but without SF we wouldn't have coasters like X or Medusa or any of those Batman coasters. If it came down to a choice between having cool coasters OR cool theming, I think I would stick to the coasters. I have other choices for theming.
From Bobby Cole
Posted November 24, 2002 at 3:08 AM
They sounded dedicated to good themeing and making a good impression. We can only wait and see.
I hope this coaster is a good one. It doesn't really sound that impressive compared with the ones out there.
“Another new coaster featuring three wicked inversions and more than 1,900 feet of track will open in the park's Mardi Gras themed area.”
One good thing is it is supposed to be done in the spring ?
“When the park opens in the spring, you'll be able to experience the thrills, entertainment, themeing, characters and excitement that only a Six Flags Theme Park can deliver!”
From Ben Mills
Posted November 24, 2002 at 5:10 AM
'Six Flags' and 'theming' in the same sentence?
You must be confused...
From Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2003 at 2:12 PM
i think six flags is a very good ideal for new orleans because jazzland was weak it had buddy rides now louisiana have their on six flaqs that can have parents driving to dallas alt and flordia and ohio
From Anonymous
Posted April 16, 2003 at 2:15 PM
six flags is one of the hugest parks in the world a i personaly think Louisiana need this for attractions.
From Anonymous
Posted May 21, 2003 at 1:42 PM
I hope its better than six flags in atlanta
From Anonymous
Posted May 29, 2003 at 11:31 PM
I went to Six Flags New Orleans on Memorial Day. The lines were extremely long. I rode 4 rides the whole day. Mostly because the rides kept breaking down and it took about and hour and a half to get on the working ones. The Jester and the wooden coaster had people stuck on the tracks and they had to get them off. We were about to ride Zydeco Scream which had been working when a lightning storm started shutting down all the rides. That was the final insult so we left. By far the worse Six Flags ive ever been to. The food was below average and the restaurants were dirty. The park had a lot of trash on the grounds. Ive already talked about the rides breaking down. You can tell the people in the area are hungry for a theme park as seen by the tons of people at the park lining up for such an awful park. Ill stick to Six Flags Over Texas a far superior park or go to the parks in Orlando.
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