brenthodge

Yes! That will give it that “rustic kids camp” look in no time. There’s truly no substitute for authenticity!

totally agree - In fact a lot of the park would qualify for that when you really look at the "evolution" of the place as a whole. Its a mess of patches, fixes, planters covered over, themed spots added etc.

I think thats one reason, but it still seems like a pretty big investment to just cut down on reuse (and loss of revenue there). I think there is definitely a more revenue generation (instead of revenue loss) driven reason we are seeing these.

How is limiting the use of daily sales FastLANE devaluing your all-season? (provided they don't limit you, although that would be another great revenue stream. Giving all season the option of one time use pr ride pr visit or unlimited for a significant up-charge.) How would it increase lines by actually allowing lines to move the way they are supposed to by limiting the number of times the line flow has to stop to accomodate fastlanes. I think as long as the cat is out of the bag for paid individual fastlanes and all season ones, its fine to generate more revenue by allowing more customization of the system and in the process, maybe reducing the number of people who can run endless laps on a ride while others wait and wait.

Now, with the new scanners, that they have the ability to do it, It will be interesting to see how long it takes till they do "tiered" Fast Lane program. I'd personally LOVE to see a "one time only" or a "you pick any 6 or 8 attractions" option. I feel like that would overall reduce the lines as there would be less Fast Lane ride marathoning. It could also increase revenue as you could sell more at less cost to people who might only be interested in a few attractions. With the pick 6 you could use them however you like - like 6 times on The Beast, or one time on 6 different rides. They could also set limits like Dollywood on "one time only on the newest attraction" They could still sell an "unlimited use" Fast Lane at a higher cost. The new scanners could light red if you have already scanned at that attraction or if you have used your allotment for the day. I see this coming as I don't think they invested in new scanners just for the pretty lights show they provide. These new scanners could also be an awesome way to add "pass perks" like a free one time use Fast Lane pass for spending a certain amount, or visiting a certain amount of times. I hope they use these to their full advantage.

Hopefully they can clean up some of the paving "confusion". There's old concrete, new concrete, orange concrete, white concrete, stamped concrete, you name it all going on and thats just in the area of log ride/ Linus ride. This will hopefully bring an area of the park all together into a themed whole, or it will create a mess of conflicting themes and ideas all living next to each other. I know its not done yet, but its heading into the "mish mash of themes" direction. I wish they took the chance to really make this new area feel more like an extension of RiverTown, and hopefully that's the plan. I'm still not sure why the also didn't take the opportunity to retheme Space Buggies to off-road 4 wheeler or relocate them in Planet Snoopy and bring in another small new flat to that pad so that entire area with Franklins Fliers and Kite Tree could all be a "gateway" to the camp area. Its just a lot of ideas all running together right now

They better. The event STARTS when it starts. They need to staff appropriately to get the switch over done in the allotted time.

Im fine giving up an hour on a few days if it gets a whole extra weekend. I think that probably a better use of payroll especially since the zoo is fully open by then

BUSHES!!!!

That’s what I was thinking/hoping that this was basically just for these early events and maybe the opening few weeks if the permanent one is running late. I mean, they’d never leave unused footings just out in the open like that… right? LOL.

We shall see.

Looks like they didn’t ADD footers for something-they were just too lazy to actually REMOVE them from the old sign.

Love that idea. As it is VIP does seem fairly “unimportant”. I’d hate to loose one of my favorite spots, but I never understood why they didn’t use/expand the back patio of BrewHouse. Permanent shade structure-push the patio out and maybe even down a lavel. Restrooms right there. Bar and food/beverage to sell. Easy to control access from inside restaurant and the smaller side path. Again… I’d never wish it, but seems like it would’ve taken WAY less effort and had greater ROI.

That’s why I think it could’ve been retrofitted to play to that “linear” nature by having the topping choices against the windows. I’ve also wondered if a Mac-cheese idea could go in Rivertown funnel cake location. Fits theme-wise and that line is also set up to accommodate the “build it as you go” idea.

seems like a little bit of a waste of a food prep/service location unless they could retrofit it to really use the space to do real "craft cocktails" but with Mercado pretty close by, I'd say this is going to be pretty much a "pre-made" twist off the top kind of place. Still don't understand why they don't use th.s for a Mac?Cheese place - seems ready made with two order windows in the middle, a "prep" line behind 3/4 length glass and then a "pick up" at the two ends.

we used to alternate between KI and DW each year, but then COVID end of 2019, all 2020 and the 2021 all for one price, and we just got off our cycle. We are hoping to be back to DW next year for their 40th. Pretty much "done" with KI at this point, and they arent really doing anything other than "being cheap" to make getting passes worth it.

Because it’s cheaper to keep it than replace it. Sad but simple.

Hark… it’s the sound of impending mergers and shifting priorities . I believe the bell tolls six times before all theming dies!!!!!!!!

Agree. I think the ship is sadly sailing off into that harbor of lost possibilities. Honestly I think they blew it by not either 1-having it budgeted and announced last year at the close of the show or 2- give PTE another run with a few tweaks to the live portions (dialogue) to “announce” it during this years run. I think not having the show or any real presence of it is pretty much an indication that it’s done.

You can tell from the original concept art that all looked like the KINGS parks, that it was originally “concepted” for there.

so agree - thats a HORRIBLE venue. Ive for years though the two planters in front of Eiffel Tower could be retrofitted as terraces with easting - some benches that transitioned into tables toward the back. A few classic light poles with flower baskets would bring color, or even 2-3 trees in tree wells on each side would allow for better seating for these shows. Thats are also needs a major upgrade set-wise with some risers with actual detail or color instead of a concrete "porch" would go a long way. ALSO agree that the show with live bad and great vocals worked much better at International Showplace. The bandstand show could be more like retrospect with a track, 1-2 singers and 3-4 dancers is enough.

I’m not saying it was close to Disney in quality. Just copied Disney on effects. There were other dark rides of that caliber or better at seasonal parks around that time. Monster plantation at SFoG would be one. Again, it was a cute ride in its early years, but “groundbreaking”? No. It tread ground already cleared by Disney with the haunted mansion. They even copied the basic shape of the ride vehicles.

My opinion - it was a fun ride that was great for its time, and I wish it would make a comeback in some form, but to act like this was a groundbreaking dark ride that needs to be memorialized with old animatronics in the queue is a bit too much credit. Even when you look at the concept art, a lot of the original ideas were toned down or budget cut. It was a cute story that was in many ways a lower budget copy of Disney's haunted mansion at least in effects and illusions used. With the "museum" in the lobby of the show it made sense and gave a historical reference to the inspiration, but I think at this point it would actually be odd to have a I think with the brewing merger we aren't going to see this come to fruition soon (if ever) and I feel like if it wasn't announced this year after riding on the nostalgia and popularity of the show from the 50th and last year, it ain't happening.

KI better watch their back with all the budget cuts. If there’s one thing Herschend does pretty much better than anyone, it’s Christmas in their parks. Suddenly the white astroturf sledding hill doesn’t looks so great does it? LOL!

Actually, while FUN FIREWORKS 50 was awesome and gave us some wonderful infrastructure, I think it was actually just a tad TOO long. The tag at the end, while great felt a bit tacked on. Maybe it was the nature of the 4th of July segment that SEEMED like a finale, or the fact that I think each season segment was a few seconds too long. I actually really liked At the End of the Day (I refuse to call it Adventure Awaits, as they totally blew that concept) but what they did was nice. I’m actually a bit bummed if they are moving to a different song this year. As to the effects, I think there are plenty-almost too much going on at times. Id settle for less if someone could ACTUALLY program the fountain to really choreograph to the music. As it is, it just “bounces and squirts@ soneohigher, sometimes in synch, but it never really feels FULLY integrated. It would be cool instead of adding more to INT STREET, they actually added a few more “effect zones” like in Area 72 and 1-2 other areas so you could still get “the story” with lighting, projection or lasers in other areas. But since the fireworks are always at closing now with no 11 pm closes, they probably don’t want crowds gathering in other areas on the park.