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I’m going to the preview on 3/31 My friend who works for the resorts is taking me during her TM preview visit. I’ve been warned that there are no photos allowed, and there’s an embargo on when trip reports can be posted. But, I’m psyched!

I see this as a good sign that management decided that Action Zone should be prioritized over The Vortex plot which I strongly believe was the correct decision. Action Zone is the ugliest area of the park with little shade and no discernable theme. There is no balance to the ride lineup in the area. Everything there —outside of Congo Falls— could be considered on the thrill side. The rides in Action Zone are quite old and won't be around forever so replacements will need to move in. The eleven-year-old Banshee is the most recent attraction. Action Zone is a ton of land with relatively few attractions, and only one marque attraction. I seriously doubt Skyflyer netted much if any money in its final years. The Vortex plot will be addressed after AZ at some point, but that area of Coney/Rivertown is in much better shape overall than AZ.

I'd prefer they leave laser tag arenas to laser tag venues around town (ie Main Event) However if I were running the park and was required to install a laser tag arena, I would put it in Area 72 in probably the Chaos building and give it an alien/paranormal activity theme.

I feel like they had one years ago in the building that was demolished for Coney BBQ.

They are rebuilding a Coke station in Soak City and it says that it should be done by opening day for the waterpark. "Demo existing Coke building and build brand new structure to house three new Coke fountain machines and two ICEE machines along with a covered area for the sales associates. This needs to be an EXPEDITED permit as we're opening this with the waterpark on Memorial Day weekend." This is from the permit that was filed.

If that's the case, then we should have RMC come out here and pay KI to have a hyper hybrid!

I think it is more based off of what Coke wanted. I think Coke probably gives them money to spend on building a new drink stand.

I agree 100% I'm very curious on that too!

It seems to me it would make more sense to have the one in Rivertown open more than to build and staff a new one here. Maybe they know something we don't.

Yes, staffing is key. I do like the location though and now I won't have to stand in a long Blue Ice Cream line just for a drink or wait an eternity in the Chicken Shack for guests to get their paper ticket out!

I'm hoping it'll more open than the one in RiverTown...

It looked all but ready during Winterfest. I'd assume it'd be open on opening day...pending staffing.

Replacing columns is not that expensive in the grand scheme of things. It could be akin to replacing deck balusters with hog wire fencing.

That’s my point. If they are going to the expense and effort of a very specific column style that matches the others instead of a generic post that could easily have theming added in a year… then there’s clearly not a long term plan to change the aesthetic of this area any time soon. They’ve just added more work and expense if they change something later. Your statement contradicts itself in that you want them to spend money making the area more cohesive and better looking instead of changing architecture, when changing all the architecture would accomplish exactly that- making it cohesive.

Or maybe they have plans for The Vortex plot of land and the end of Coney Mall before they want to do anything with Action Zone.

That one by LaRosa’s (and the train for that matter) would make more sense if the bar/beer/alcohol was incorporated into them. You KNOW there would be staff then, and they could front it with the bar/pay station and then have the pop refill behind that. Sign it as SALOON and WhistleStop drinks - make the one at the train look like a p LG vector drop your luggage for the train journey. Even have a few tables made from steamer trunks with luggage “stools”.

My thought exactly when I saw this Sunday. Guess the “retheme” ship has sailed and KI isn’t on it.

Love the idea of another drink stand like you mention but like you said will they keep it staffed? The station by LaRosa’s wasn’t open anytime that I went. I hope that they will staff this better for next season or take it out. As a drink pass holder at times it would take me longer to get a drink than it would to wait on certain rides. I’m not sure how the staffing situation for the new stations will affect the others. Unless they are planning on closing the other stations or staffing them correctly, but I’m sure the new station will be fully staffed. Like you said It makes too much sense and not enough

It's disappointing that they are sticking with the architectural culvert style columns, which is a holdback to the late 90s style of Action Zone. To me, this doesn't look promising for a retheme of Action Zone of they are going to retain that aesthetic.

It looks like a lot of progress was made this week. Taken from above the fence and from ET.

Completely forgot this was happening...

Construction Update: \