Some indoor waterparks start closing weekdays...

And not just The Great Escape as previously posted:

http://themeparks.about.com/b/2008/11/29/e...f-the-water.htm

Wow... are they really doing lousy business during weekdays to have to close the centerpiece, the reason to be, of these resorts? Hopefully they're deeply discounting the rooms on these days.

"We're not having any economic difficulties," assures Scott Maupin, GM of the Dells GWL.

No, you always limit services, attractions and the ENTIRE REASON FOR YOUR EXISTENCE when "you're not having difficulties."

Same chain that was having trouble refinancing Great Wolf Lodge in Mason...but no difficulties...yep.

Same chain that was having trouble refinancing Great Wolf Lodge in Mason...but no difficulties...yep.

You mean they had to pay for the cheap furnishings in the rooms?

Actually, it is the REAL ESTATE they are perhaps about to lose....GE Capital is the lender...

Well, for parks like the Great Wolf Lodge, I can some what understand that practice. January and February are typically slow times for the tourism industry in certain areas like Cincinnati. As a result, room bookings are likely way down at that time of year. And since Great Wolf Lodge only lets guests that are staying in their hotel rooms access their indoor water park, why keep it open if there are only a handful of guests staying in the hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in January and February?

And yet some attractions are not only swimming....

But hiring as well.....

Wilderness At The Smokies Swimming as Others Sinking?

Oh, so it is just about to open.

When did Great Wolf Lodge in Mason open? And it did really well how long?

And when did Maui Sands open? And it had bookings and hired as well, right?

And when did Hard Rock Park open? Wild West World?

Talk to us again about this new resort opening, oh, say, about a year from now.

Oh, so it is just about to open.

When did Great Wolf Lodge in Mason open? And it did really well how long?

And when did Maui Sands open? And it had bookings and hired as well, right?

And when did Hard Rock Park open? Wild West World?

Talk to us again about this new resort opening, oh, say, about a year from now.

You know I will.

I've heard good things about the resort.

The difference is that it appears the Smokey Mountains Park is designed as a resort.

Having just gotten back from an annual pilgrimage there, I was astounded at the number of closed theaters, restaurants, motels and stores. Also at the many, many FOR SALE signs. Times are tough. May I point out that Herschend, a major owner of Dollywood, the Dixie Stampede, the Showboat Branson Belle, Silver Dollar City, etc., just closed Celebration City and deferred most of its planned major 2009 capital investments? This is a tough time for the tourism business...especially for new attractions.

Having just gotten back from an annual pilgrimage there, I was astounded at the number of closed theaters, restaurants, motels and stores. Also at the many, many FOR SALE signs. Times are tough. May I point out that Herschend, a major owner of Dollywood, the Dixie Stampede, the Showboat Branson Belle, Silver Dollar City, etc., just closed Celebration City and deferred most of its planned major 2009 capital investments? This is a tough time for the tourism business...especially for new attractions.

Guess it's all in your perspective of things.

My father has a friend that opened a new restaurant near Gatlinburg this past July. The restaurant/bar is doing better than they projected. My father and step-mother sold their house in Madeira and are moving down to the Pigeon Forge area this coming spring.