Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare Construction Progress

[beastfan11]

It’s been a long time. Like, a loooong time. But I vaguely remember the overflow line on opening day for SDatHC being directed toward the left side of the building  by the face painting booth/Sweet Spot. Does that mean anything for PT:ON? 

Nope. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I think they should at least set up a temporary overflow queue in the peanuts showplace just in case for opening weekend crowds. 

[Captain Nemo]

Man I really hope it’s ready by opening day since it will be my first time back in the park in 5 years. Going specifically in hopes that it is open on time. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I'd hate to lose that indoor theater space to an extended queue, but it would also mean more air conditioned and shaded temporary queue space. Although, if it does get turned into extended queue the doors would probably stay open and ruin the effectiveness of the A/C system.

Does it really take 2 months to program a dark ride of this size? I haven't seen anything from similar projects, but that feels like a long time.

[BryanJay]

34 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

Although, if it does get turned into extended queue the doors would probably stay open and ruin the effectiveness of the A/C system.

Does it really take 2 months to program a dark ride of this size? I haven't seen anything from similar projects, but that feels like a long time.

Last season they didn’t have any shows inside the theater and used it as a meet and greet space that kept the doors opened. Depending on how many turnstiles they’d be able to fit I’d imagine it’d be easy enough to fit most of the crowds back there considering the reused ride system has consistent loading times and any returning ride operators have experience with it. For opening weekend it could potentially be an issue of deciding whether they want to create a within the Great Pumpkin Coaster entrance, or the exit to PT.

I’m now questioning the source’s belief that it won’t be ready by opening day, but it also depends on how much integrity the park wants to put into a first impression. If show programming starts the first week of March and takes 2 months, April 18 is in sorta in the middle where if programming takes faster than expected it could be ready, or they could choose to open it with some effects potentially not working and making any adjustments within the weekdays before they begin daily OPs. It could maybe be a case where they do passholder previews until a few weekends into the season, but that would probably only make more people upset than if their flashlights weren’t working properly.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

1 hour ago, BryanJay said:

Depending on how many turnstiles they’d be able to fit I’d imagine it’d be easy enough to fit most of the crowds back there considering the reused ride system has consistent loading times and any returning ride operators have experience with it. For opening weekend it could potentially be an issue of deciding whether they want to create a within the Great Pumpkin Coaster entrance, or the exit to PT.

I think the word you were looking for is switchbacks (or cattle pens). That space could use a good renovation to fit more seats in it anyways. I do fully believe that it'd be best to use that space for any extended queue. The A/C situation would still worry me — we've seen how the Festhaus gets with its doors sometimes always open — so I'd love to see some giant fans in there if it comes to be true. 

The Reddit source might be right on some of the points. Now that you've mentioned more about it, I could understand how the connection of all of the effects could take that long. If the park decides to do some technical rehearsal soft openings then they might want to look at how Universal and Disney have handled theirs. I personally hope they don't have any because I don't want to choose between soft opening and real opening, but let's be real I think I'd go for whatever is available. Technical rehearsals would also help to sort out any potential issues with the flashlights, animatronics, and screens.

[johnjniehaus]

Considering I moved to Seattle, I will not be planning a visit to the park until after July 4th just to be safe haha! Not flying halfway across the country for opening day only for them to not have Phantom ready 

[KIghostguy]

This press release they handed out at IAAPA sets the opening in April.

[beastfan11]

Thinking about the timeline for opening. 

If that info from Reddit is true and programming starts next week (and takes two months), wouldn’t that lineup pretty closely to opening with the park? Unless my timing and understanding are off.

 

 

[BryanJay]

The Reddit source claims programming starts the first week of March and will take to months (installation’s definitely still going to be happening awhile into February regardless of how long it takes to program. My understanding is the animatronics and ride cars aren’t at the park yet, but don’t quote me on that.) If taken literally that would place the ride’s completion date at the start of May, but since the park did say it opens in April I’m now leaning towards it opening with the park (if nothing has changed it’s essentially a difference of a week, assuming there’s not a charity thing that would happen before passholder previews.) I’m also optimistic because the park said since the beginning that PT’s set to open in the spring, and Camp Snoopy/Adventure Port were always advertised as opening in Late Spring/the Summer.