Yesterday, we went to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, one of my favorite spots growing up. I got a pass there every year from about '82-'91 and spent so many summer days out there with friends. One time, I rode the Cliffhanger 18 times in a row.
This year, we kicked it off with the new Tony Hawk ride, Big Spin, a roller coaster that spins freely as you fly around the track to simulate freestyle skating. Since it was a Tuesday, there were no lines and we got to ride everything we wanted. The Mr. Freeze coaster is one of those that goes 0 to 70 instantly and you go straight up, down, up, and then backwards through it again. It lasted about 35 seconds, and I knew if it lasted 40 seconds, I'd be dead.
We were excited to go to some of the shows like the ones we used to see at the Southern Palace. We checked out the American Music Awards rewind show featuring pop music from the last 3 decades. We go in, they have a cool stage setup and a video screen. I sat right in the middle, thinking that one of us would probably get to get in on the action on the stage. A video started the show, and then more and more video until I realized, we're watching a VIDEO! There were no live performers in the shows. What a letdown!
What I noticed most though was the lack of attention to detail. I understand that at Disney, trash is magically absent. They know that trash leads to more trash, so they keep the park clean. At SFOT, there are so many rides that are so in need of paint and trash is ever-present. So someone obviously came up with a plan, but a bad one.
Here it is: all the employees are wearing neon yellow shirts that say, "Please keep the park clean, because MY FAMILY comes here too!" So wait a minute, you're telling everyone that we need to keep the park clean for your family? I'm not saying we should be free to trash out the park, but I don't think this is the solution or the 1 BIG THING you want everyone to remember about their trip to Six Flags.
My suggestion: pick up the trash and paint everything so that people will want to help you keep your park clean. And maybe, bring back the live shows. I left with the feeling that the park's best days were behind it. We were missing the WOW factor.
When it comes to the church, we want people to experience the WOW factor every time they walk through the doors. We want people to know that our best days are ahead of us. We need to do everything possible to help people take out the trash in their lives and be filled with a fresh new life in Jesus. That goes beyond a new paint job to a total thrill ride on the roller coaster of life.