While I like Flooded Mine and FITH also, they don’t draw new people to the park.
The problem with drawing new people to the park, is that attendance, parking, and traffic are at the edge of making SDC that place that is so popular that everyone hates going there.
Focusing on big new rides instead of theming and the classics, also runs the risk of losing the multi-generation visitors who have been loyal for decades, and replacing them with people who will skip the city entirely if they don't have a huge new record-breaking ride every other year.
Yes, this is very important and Ihave said many times, we drive by numerous coaster parks or close to them on the way to SDC/Branson every trip. I dont go to those parks beause I like the theme of SDC and my facorite rides are FM and FITH and thunderation...and used to be AP. Also my family has been multi generation (4) season pass holders/visitors for decades. We really dont care that SDC got time traveler...its fine and good for them and everything, but it isnt whats bringing us back and it wont bring the coaster chasers back.
But FM and FITH, and the themeing might. Youll have some families go for a new coaster and realize SDC is different and come back. If SDC becomes less and less unique, that wont happen.
PTB cannot take families like us for granted, however. If they get rid of old rides or go down a no theme trend, we wont come back. But as I said above I thought FM was good last two trips and hopefully the next five years are about revitalizing old rides like AP while still keeping classic theme.
And can we get back to ha d painted signs !