Interesting Diversification - Thinking outside the Park

Six Flags has announced a new brand extension... a themed, immersive, interactive kid's boutique and hair salon.

NEW YORK, March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six Flags, Inc., the world's largest regional theme park company, today announced the grand opening of its newest brand extension, Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts - an innovative children's boutique and hair salon offering a multi-sensory haircutting experience for kids of all ages. The inaugural Rollercoaster Cuts will open to the public in West Hartford's Blue Back Square on March 14, 2009.

Rollercoaster Cuts will revolutionize the ordinary task of getting a haircut. Once inside the brightly colored boutique, guests will be immersed in an interactive, roller coaster spinning, Six Flags theme park experience. Each themed cutting station will feature custom-built coaster cars equipped with a flat screen television that showcases exciting videos of Six Flags' adrenaline pumping rides and attractions, the latest from Six Flags TV, as well as a variety of kid-friendly video games. Even while shampooing, children will have the option to sit straight up in a traditional chair or lie flat on their backs watching point-of-view camera angles of Six Flags' biggest coaster drops. Six Flags' world-famous cast of characters, including Mr. Six, also will be on hand to meet and greet children as they explore this magical escape built especially for them.

Customized kids salon packages like The Glammy, Zoink, Big Kapow and Blama Jama, will offer cuts at prices moms and dads can feel good about, and include many of the hottest fashions and accessories for kids. Additionally, every haircut will come complete with a FREE photo to capture the moment. Link to Press Release

Link to Website

Give Kids the World Village

If you've been in the industry for a while, you likely know about the Give Kids the World Village in Orlando, FL. For those of you unfamiliar with this MIRACLE of a place, I encourage you to check out there website and learn more.

What a bright and shining example of the the best humanity has to offer!

GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE WEBSITE

I was reminded of Give Kids the World by one of the ETC students who attended the TEA Summit this month. Thanks for the reminder... I needed it. As you know, I started this blog to help myself and my friends stay focused on "what is good in 2009". I'll be hard pressed to find a better example to focus on. Thank you Give Kids the World... I am in awe of your mission and your work.

Interview with Six Flags CEO

Six Flags CEO optimistic about 2009 solution to company's debt problems
By Robert Niles
Published: March 23, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Six Flags' corporate financial trouble is not affecting, and will not affect, park operations, according to Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro...  "You won't hear this complaining or reporting about debt in 2010," he said. "These parks are not going away. We will restructure this debt so that Six Flags can continue for another 50 years."
Read Interview on Theme Park Insider.com

Quote "It's Proposal Season"

An Early Sign??

I wanted to relay some information I received during a very recent discussion with an east coast park/attractions designer.  In the course of our conversation about "the times", this person shared with me that their company is currently working on close to 10 RFP/Proposals right now.  The quote was, "It's proposal season right now."

In similar news... this week's TEA Notes & News e-newsletter listed the following Design RFPs:

• New Mexico, Albuquerque – AV system design and installation
  
• Arizona Yuma – exhibit design, fabrication, installation
  
• Belgium Tervuren - traveling exhibit.
  
• Spain Valladolid museum exhibit.
  
• Idaho State Capitol exhibit design and installation.
  
• North Carolina Hatteras exhibit design
  
• UK Nottingham architectural design services
  
• Massachusetts interpretive planning and exhibit design
  
• Spain Santiago de Campostela museum services – design, fabrication and installation for archaeological wing.
  

Go get 'em designers!