"Orlando Thrill Park" Being Considered

[thekidd33]

http://www.wftv.com/news/25361448/detail.html

The Baker Leisure Group (the people behind Freestyle Music Park and Cypress Gardens...) are planning a new amusement park in Orlando. From the article it sounds like they have some pretty big plans.

[RaptorGuy]

What? Another amusement park to be built by a FAILED company of 2 parks so far? Freestyle sat closed down all season this year. They've had a terrible

time trying to get that going. Now, they think they can build something right smack dab in between 2 of the biggest destination parks in America? Who

are they kidding? Why don't they stick to trying to get Freestyle going first, and then build something else. Plus, does that area need another park? You

have Sea World, Discovery Cove, Universal Studios (2 parks), and then the small ones like Old Town down the street, Magical Midway and Funspot. Not

a smart move, but considering how they failed at Freestyle, probably typical of them. I'd recommend for this outfit, they get Freestyle going first, and

then build a new park somewhere else. That area in Florida is NOT a good idea. Maybe find another big city in another place that doesn't have a park

that could sure use one. Charleston, West Virginia could use one for sure. Wouldn't mind seeing a new theme park built in Nashville, Tennessee. But,

whatever happens, I wish them all the best!

[Coney Islander]

Considering the fact that Orlando has no Amusement Park promoted almost entirely on thrills, I find this an intriguing idea that just might work... It depends on the way its handled, though. To beat Disney or Universal, they'll have their work set up for them. (In my opinion, success or failure depends on how many world records the park will break... This has to be the only advantage the park might fairly easily gain over other Orlando destinations.)

I'd see a small park, with a few record breaking thrill rides and shows to be very successful... If they want to save money, they should take the Universal model and add a few 3D movies: A rather cheap way to make the park a full day destination.)

They end up proposing a clone to Freestyle Music Park and I sincerely doubt the project will even get of its feet.

[thekidd33]

Some more info on the proposed park:

http://www.screamscape.com/html/orlando.htm

According to the article that is linked in that post they are looking for approval for rides of 425' (supposedly a coaster), two 312' Drop Tower/space shot type rides, as well as another 200' coaster.

Here's the link to the Orlando Sentinel article:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-i-drive-thrill-park-otp-20101012,0,1945422.story

[thekidd33]

Another article about the park as well as a few photos of concept art can be found here. The plans for the park boast 15 coasters and an initial investment of $249 million. The group has plans to present the concept to the Orlando city council next week.

[HTCO]

Good lord. If this actually follows through the 425ft Inverted Coaster will be on close watch by HTCO...

EDIT: I hate it when I do that. Thanks Dvo.

[Dvo]

Personally I won't be defiant toward that at all. In fact I would encourage it!

Dvo, running for the door.

[thekidd33]

Another article about the park can be found here. Baker states that no rides from Freestyle Music Park would be moved to the proposed Orlando Park.

[The Interpreter]

Orlando Thrill Park Unveils 14 Rides For Planned Thrill Park:

Photo Gallery: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/new-rides-attractions/la-trb-otp-photo-gallery-20102411-pg,0,6164235.photogallery

With 14 rides, including eight roller coasters, the proposed Orlando Thrill Park hopes to cater to enthusiasts underserved by Florida's theme parks.

Scheduled to open in summer 2013, the proposed amusement park would include rides from several manufacturers, including Intamin, Vekoma, Chance Morgan, Mack, S&S Power, U.S. ThrillRides and Mondial, according to Chuck Bell, spokesman for the Orlando Thrill Park.

Plans for the 77-acre park call for an assortment of towering thrill rides and every variety of roller coaster -- including hydraulic launched, inverted, flying, motorbike and 4th dimension coasters -- with room set aside for future development...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/la-trb-orlando-thrill-park-20102411,0,1287824.story

[thekidd33]

From the above article: "They are just giant tinker toys to us."

It's like he was messing around on RCT and just decided 'what the hell let's actually build this one'. Crazy. I wish them the best but I am still skeptical of this working out in the long run.

[RailRider]

Freestyle Thrill Park, should do as well as Freestyle Music Park. Im also sure ride manufacturers will want to work with Baker and his group, they have a great track record lately of taking care of outstanding debts.

[Coney Islander]

I believe Baker has been playing a little too much Roller Coaster Tycoon.

Eight roller coasters... That is about the most expensive way you can build an Amusement Park... And not at all effective. The coasters will extract attention from each other. If you don't understand what I mean, just think back to the days when most Amusement Park's had only one coaster. Now, why might that of been?

If I were in charge of this project, I'd propose the following attractions for the opening year.

1) One record breaking, photogenic thrill coaster... Steel, and either the tallest or fastest in the world. (This kind of proposal will need at least one astounding eye- catcher... Something that the general public will have trouble not awing at.)

2) Three or four large thrill rides. All of them quite different and having the appearance of being the most thrilling in the world. (Keep in mind that most guests know only of thrill rides at their home park, so it really shouldn't be that hard to do.)

3) A Vekoma Madhouse. One of the most marketable rides I'll ever see.

4) A stunt show... And a "dangerous" magic show.

5) Two or more 3D movies. These attractions can be very good towards making the park a full- day destination... See the Universal example...

6) One (Evil Knievel) Daredevil themed restaurant with real Evil Knievel gear. (In similar style to Disney's Hard Rock Cafe.)

7) A large playground for children with comfortable resting space for other members of the family... The playground will need to be appealing enough that the children will be inclined to play for hours.

and, above all...

8) At least twelve (moderately) thrilling attractions that are very friendly for most children above the age of eight... And more than just rides. Shows and interactive features as well.

Like I've said, its all in the families. Such a statement is even more true for the Orlando market... This park will need something appealing to everyone in a family, or that particular family will not pay admission.

And my final statement: This park will not be able to survive solely on thrill rides.

[The Interpreter]

You forget where the place is....Orlando. The pure thrill park base is not covered. The type of park you list is...and many times. No reason to leave Disney, Universal or SeaWorld to go to your park....there MIGHT be for enough people for the type of park Baker has planned. The mass of coasters is the pure concept behind Mr. Baker's park. He couldn't care less if the coasters extract attention from each other (I think you meant detract). He intends to build mini-Cedar Point South.

I think Mr. Baker is guilty of the same type of past thinking that Mr. Kinzel is, though. It's not 1972 or 1989 or 1998...times have changed. Mr. Baker is of the opinion that which worked so well (did it, really?) at Six Flags when he was there will work just as well today. But...Cedar Point is nowhere near the well rounded park it once was...and has become coaster-centric. It's attendance trends (and spending trends) have suffered for it, too. Bad enough to compare now to the past...purely theoretical to compare what is to what might have been...I, among many others, believe Cedar Point would be far more popular, and far more profitable, if it had a more balanced presentation of thrill rides, family rides, entertainment, food and games, and...most importantly, better maintained and more modern lodging with far better service and more reasonably priced, higher quality food.

At least the location is better than the Myrtle Beach park was, though....I still don't see this working in today's environment...and I predict this will end similarly to the way most new theme park proposals end...it may get built, but it is highly dubious it will make it a decade, much less for two...

[jzarley]

Orlando Thrill Park Unveils 14 Rides For Planned Thrill Park:

Photo Gallery: http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/themeparks/new-rides-attractions/la-trb-otp-photo-gallery-20102411-pg,0,6164235.photo gallery

http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/la-trb-orlando-thrill-park-20102411,0,1287824.story

The Chance-Morgan "Unicoaster" looks interesting (#9 in the slide show)! I've never seen that ride design/model before.