SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
General Category => Branson Talk => Topic started by: biscuitcreek on February 16, 2018, 04:25:20 PM
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Noticed that this was mentioned today on 1branson and the SDC Fans Facebook page, the new Fun Park.
http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/new-branson-amusement-park-to-open-by-may-2018/977147196
https://www.americasfunpark.com/
Plans are to open by May of this year and it is supposed to change with the seasons.
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Yeah I was just about to post this. Came as a huge surprise to me.
Really though, it sounds like a small permantent carnival that will stay open through Christmas. Doesn't look like a tremendously professional operation considering they had to change their name a few days after going public (They were originally American's Fun Spot and I'm guessing the famous Florida company of a similar name sent them a cease-and-desist).
Still though, it sounds cool, and I'm always excited to see more rides pop up. Could be a neat place. I was hoping one of these micro parks would finally add a real coaster someday - maybe this will be the one? Pigeon Forge had a great wooden coaster for a short time at one of the go-kart parks.
Curious how SDC will respond... usually they throw their weight around enough to scare away competition. Then again, with this development being so small, maybe it works in their favor anyway be filling the market while scaring away bigger competition. Branson USA was probably a lot more scary to them because it had a lot more real estate and even a couple real coasters. It could have grown into a decent park whereas this is going to be limited to about 9 acres.
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I had not heard a thing about this. Open in 90 days? Going to have to do a lot of work fast..
Will for sure check it out when I am in town 2 weeks from now..
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It doesn't take very long to throw up a carnival. I hope this is more than the standard parking lot fair.
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Branson screams for a Fun Spot in Orlando, I keep thinking The Track will make the leap to that level but hasn't yet. If build a basic park with some park model caroussel, huymalaya, old school Tilt a Whirl, Scrambler, Spinner and a couple of other classics. Group of 4 to four kiddie rides. A ferris wheel. One of the small footprint Gravity Groups or GCI, a Wild Mouse, one of those spinning SBF Visas that's all the rage, and a kiddie coaster to start.
I'd keep a pad that changed mobile models from time to time like A zipper and other staples
my growth plan would be a Star Flyer, shot tower, compact steel coaster with inversions, a flume, and more modern flats like a Zamperla Air race
I'd call it Great Ozarks Fair
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Still hard to believe someone on this site hadnt heard about this project..
I saw nothing about it on the minutes from city council meetings.
Nothing about on the weekly updates from Karen Best (mayor) FB page,
Nothing about building permits and est building value.
Odd.. ???
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Well some of us have burnt in the past and don’t post everything they know anymore. js
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The more I look into it, the smaller this operation looks. Basically it sounds like they have a contract for a carnival company to park a few rides here all year.
“Remember the fun of the midway at the state fair? That’s America’s Fun Park,” said Rick Billington, spokesperson for Branson Fun Spot, LLC. “Summer of 2018, America’s Fun Spot is all about carnival rides, games, food and fun.
They contracted with a major exposition company that does set up ride acquisitions and set-up at state fairs and other events across the country. Their idea was just to bring another affordable family attraction to Branson.
I mean, it's an interesting idea and if it catches on it could turn into something bigger, but they aren't building a real amusement park in three months. I wonder if they'll even have a permanent bathroom or just a row of port-a-potties...
I see it as a proof of concept if nothing else. A lot of cities do things like pop-up parks and temporary bike lanes and such just to gauge community reaction to new things. This is like a pop-up amusement park ;D If they don't get a contract for next year, maybe that will encourage the Tracks parks to keep adding rides.
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I was amazed at how fast the Galveston Island Historic Pier was put together, also Coney island in Brooklyn is basically a carnival with a couple permanent coaster installations. I'm sure if they get the infrastructure (electric, ride pads, bathrooms) built - the other items can be put up in a few short weeks.
I think this is going to be the logical next steps for Branson. You look at the direction SDC is taking with their ride installations, and the other attractions opened on the strip (coasters, Bigfoot, etc.) you'll probably continue to see more "family" attractions - as the focus moves to younger families.
Jay
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Concrete slabs for rides,
Hopefully permanent restrooms,
3 or 4 food trucks when there are rides going..
LOW overhead,
chance of being a money maker..
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Their facebook has begun listing some of the rides they have finalized. I was surprised to see that the main attraction will be a galaxi-style roller coaster. It's an Interpark Super Cyclon that was previously at Lake City (the park that lasted for two months in Alabama).
I'm just blown away that Time Traveler isn't the only new coaster in Branson this year.
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It’s amazing the change in information in just one week. They were originally going with a Windstorm and had said as such and then out of nowhere comes Groovy Train - a Super Cyclone
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Super cyclone pov
https://youtu.be/fdMvD838hDc
Waiting for:
Tilt a whirl
Zipper
Himalaya
Round up/gravitron
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Was in town this weekend and I forgot to do drive by!!! meant to check it out and get pics.. sorry gang.. :(
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It’s amazing the change in information in just one week. They were originally going with a Windstorm and had said as such and then out of nowhere comes Groovy Train - a Super Cyclone
The Windstorm was announced this week. https://www.facebook.com/americasfunpark/
So three new coasters in Branson next year!
Jay
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It’s amazing the change in information in just one week. They were originally going with a Windstorm and had said as such and then out of nowhere comes Groovy Train - a Super Cyclone
The Windstorm was announced this week. https://www.facebook.com/americasfunpark/
So three new coasters in Branson next year!
Jay
Could be 4. Heard whispers that a kiddie coaster might be coming to this park as well
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There's a lot of serious work out there right now. I'll upload some photos later. They are indeed building permanent structures and putting in proper storm/sewer/water/etc. lines.
Seeing it in person makes me question the location. It seems much smaller in person, and they are putting in so many rides + at least 2 big coasters? They are going to need a TON of parking, and even if everything is scrunched together they will only have space for a small fraction of their potential customers. Perhaps they have a trick up their sleeves involving satellite parking?
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On my list to drive by and check out this weekend.. will take some pics if need be...
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Just added the photos to the FB page. It looks like an even smaller lot in real life than it does on google maps. Hard to say how much of the surrounding land they own. It'll be interesting to see this come together. They obviously have something up their sleeves because this is real construction, not just throwing stuff in a parking lot like I had thought might be the case.
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These folks are certainly putting some effort into it.
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Saw the pictures, lots of work going on there.
Open in 60 days? Hmm we will see.
I will try to get some close up pics this weekend...
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I drove by today...they where working on framing up a relatively mid-sized building. They aren't messing around.
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There's a lot of serious work out there right now. I'll upload some photos later. They are indeed building permanent structures and putting in proper storm/sewer/water/etc. lines.
Seeing it in person makes me question the location. It seems much smaller in person, and they are putting in so many rides + at least 2 big coasters? They are going to need a TON of parking, and even if everything is scrunched together they will only have space for a small fraction of their potential customers. Perhaps they have a trick up their sleeves involving satellite parking?
Branson's version of Grona Lund ;D
Anyhoo, pricing is up on the Web site. With them building permanent pads and structures, I wonder if the use of mobile carney rides is temp and going forward they add their own rides.
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here is website.. https://www.americasfunpark.com/
What do you think about the pricing structure?
I can see parents dropping the kids off and coming back later to get them...
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here is website.. https://www.americasfunpark.com/
What do you think about the pricing structure?
I can see parents dropping the kids off and coming back later to get them...
Seems reasonable but I'll have to check it out in person.
There was some question if there was going to be two full grown coasters. Seems there is along with a kiddie coaster. They see the Windstorm as their prized attraction though.
To this day, if Celebration City was free entry and ride wristband or ala carte with actually late night weekend hours, it would still be open. Heck, this could have been set up in there.
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To this day, if Celebration City was free entry and ride wristband or ala carte with actually late night weekend hours, it would still be open. Heck, this could have been set up in there.
So true. The idea was ahead of its time for Branson, But if they had structured the user fees differently, I still think it would have worked out fine.. They had decent rides, and a variety of things to do.. too bad... It could have worked.. :-\
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To this day, if Celebration City was free entry and ride wristband or ala carte with actually late night weekend hours, it would still be open. Heck, this could have been set up in there.
So true. The idea was ahead of its time for Branson, But if they had structured the user fees differently, I still think it would have worked out fine.. They had decent rides, and a variety of things to do.. too bad... It could have worked.. :-\
They could closed it for a season, axed the overhead with the shows, sought franchisees for eateries(Panda, Chick-fil-a, Nathan's, ColdStone, AuntieAnns) and basically just collect rent and run the rides and general upkeep.
They could do this today if they wanted to. This and the general lack of new additions to Whitewater is my only WTF concerning Herschend.
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Job Fair, tomorrow at Stone Castle.. 9-11..
2 hours? that wont take long, I hope they spend more time on the training process..
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here is website.. https://www.americasfunpark.com/
What do you think about the pricing structure?
I can see parents dropping the kids off and coming back later to get them...
Seems reasonable but I'll have to check it out in person.
would love to see them add a Eurofighter. Small footprint Great ride
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FYI. I confirmed with their PR person that they will not be ready this weekend like they originally planned. They’re hoping it’ll only be a week delay, but she stated she wouldn’t know until later this week at the earliest
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Stopped by the park to check out the progress on Saturday (6/2). They say that it *might* open Sunday. I think they are being overly optimistic. Anyway, here are some photos of the park to help you see what they have (so far) and how it is laid out.
https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/americas-fun-park.html
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxZpRnn7JIU/WxN5K3wZZ7I/AAAAAAAAuW8/W-zelY2N60Q8Iu0cOU7mKMXrHgcQeW8BQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_5511.JPG)
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When they first announced that project they were hoping for memorial day grand opening. :-\ :-\... i was there last weekend.. looked like a ways to go yet. Will be nice to seee it open and running.
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I believe that the sign yesterday (6/3) said opening June 7th.
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Apparently they are open now. Had a soft opening of sorts on Sunday. With how they kept pushing it back, I was worried, but it looks like the ball is rolling now and what I've seen in photos looks nice.
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This article from KY3 has info on wristband prices for rides. Grand opening is the 15th.
http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Amusement-park-to-open-on-484900021.html
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From today - 6/15/18
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/grand-opening-ceremony-americas-fun-park.html
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y1k75Yg3b0/WyRLeH1HFFI/AAAAAAAAuqg/S8KFFKPdcXUjuoTmaTDE4KabyUFy2AGwgCLcBGAs/s400/5.JPG)
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From Friday - 6/15/18
TOUR OF AMERICA'S FUN PARK
https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/now-open-americas-fun-park.html
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jC9M1VYT2YU/WyVYTkpQkYI/AAAAAAAAuxI/K_HfoXuKilYS8ZGDg49E0faS1OlTmf2bwCLcBGAs/s400/3.JPG)
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From Friday - 6/15/18
NEW RIDES COMING
https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/americas-fun-park_15.html
At least 3 NEW rides COMING SOON to AFP!
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hli2RnwNKw/WyVOsv9f_aI/AAAAAAAAus0/Q7wbQ6vcFjkKdo3NnGGQAwiSgzKDhdOMQCLcBGAs/s400/2.JPG)
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Neat. Hope to head down there this fall. Interesting how they have two 'big' coasters, but are otherwise a pretty small operation. Quality over quantity. I'd love to see them develop like ZDT's.
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Neat. Hope to head down there this fall. Interesting how they have two 'big' coasters, but are otherwise a pretty small operation. Quality over quantity. I'd love to see them develop like ZDT's.
That’s only temporary. 4 more rides are coming soon.
Honestly I see this being competition more for the Tracks than anything. Maybe this will force them to consolidate to Track 4 and make that more like Fun Spot in Orlando like we’ve said they should have been doing all the long.
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Dropped by tonight as I came into town. The vibe is EXACTLY like the Fun Spots in Orlando. They were running a $10 wristband special, possibly because I came an hour before they closed.
Looked like a lot of great options for families with the two coasters running well enough.
I didn't realize that there was a relatively elaborate looking dark ride! Unfortunately it was closed.
Apparently they didn't scrutinize their music tracks well enough because one of the songs that played over the speakers was the uncensored version of Radiohead's "Creep." Whoops!
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havent been there since they opened, hoping to check it out first of next week.,.,
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1. Dark Ride is now open
2. Scrambler is in the process of being set up
3. Super Flip should open any day now
4. Airborne is still in parking lot in pieces
5. Reports of what appears to be pieces of a log flume have appeared in parking lot
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They just posted on their facebook page that they are closing down. Something about it being too hot and one of the coasters is sold. Said they are going back to the drawing board and hope to open again in October. Wow that didn't last long
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I am very disappointed. I missed them in May since they were late in opening, but had plans to be there in August. It just seems so amateurish to me to not even be able to run an amusement business in the middle of Branson for longer than two months without going under. I had high hopes for them, and that they would spur further development along.
I mean seriously, two months? You have to go into business with enough cash to make it a year at least.
There's a pattern here with amateur park operators. They assume that once they open they'll have so much free cash flow that they'll just "make it work". Most business take a year or so to refine the business model and pivot if necessary. A park in Alabama that was very similar to this one only lasted two months as well. Then there was Wild West World, which also assumed they would make it on free cash flow alone. Both parks that were proposed for Texas are barely off the ground.... seems like little parks can't make it anymore.
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They just posted on their facebook page that they are closing down. Something about it being too hot and one of the coasters is sold. Said they are going back to the drawing board and hope to open again in October. Wow that didn't last long
It is HOT!! But you cant be selling assets if your going to stay open..... LOL, unless those assets are mortgaged so heavily you cant make payments :o :o
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what is funny is just Monday they were posting about $15 all night wrist bands, and today they are out of business. They say they will open again but if you are selling off coasters, that seems out of business to me.
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I was by there several times 3 weekends ago and at 9 or 10 at night it was a virtual ghost town. I never saw 1 ride operating. Location is /was terrible that far east on the strip. It just looked like any other carnival you see set up in a mall parking lot with the exception of the small coasters. In Contrast the mountain coaster had a line 50 people deep most of those nights. Carnival rides are just not that appealing to me.
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I'm guessing they are burning through there operating capital too fast and are betting on the fall months to have better success. I wonder if they have any halloween type attractions that they plan for or if it's just a hope that the weather will help increase traffic?
The tripadvisor reviews are mostly positive. A few complaints about rides being down where they responded that they where having maintenance issues. But the park was responding up to a couple of weeks ago on the reviews.
Not a good start....but I guess there is still some hope to recover.
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The park isn't the one selling off the coaster, it's the carnival that actually owns the rides. The park just owns the land, from what I understand. They have some kind of deal in place with the carnival to host rides there on a rotating basis. Evidently it was a bad deal if they had to get rid of a coaster after two months.
They did talk about Fall and Christmas events, but if they can't even get the basic park operational for summer then I am not sure how they think they can handle the extra effort of a seasonal event.
I never got there so I'm not sure what it was really like, but every report I've read talked about how most of the rides were closed and there were only a few employees running around from ride to ride. They probably were never able to hire an actual workforce because of the delayed opening and the piss-poor "job fair" planning. The Branson labor market is extremely tight - even SDC is struggling. You can't just announce a job fair and hope people show up.
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I was by there several times 3 weekends ago and at 9 or 10 at night it was a virtual ghost town. I never saw 1 ride operating. Location is /was terrible that far east on the strip. It just looked like any other carnival you see set up in a mall parking lot with the exception of the small coasters. In Contrast the mountain coaster had a line 50 people deep most of those nights. Carnival rides are just not that appealing to me.
From the road, I thought it was rather nice looking; so much more than I expected it to be.
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Then there are parks like OWA that do make it work.
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I see on facebook they are starting some sort of race car ride or something along those lines and are hiring drivers. I wonder how long this will last.
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RZR vehicles. Kind of an ATV style dune buggy thing.
They need to stop trying to make Fetch happen
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This is the same style of UTV, that SOTH has added for trail riding...
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Yeah, I don't get it either. I guess I should see the concept in action, but I have a feeling they are setting up for another swing-and-a-miss here. Really wish they would just re-open some rides with a scaled back setup that they can regroup from. Anyone been by recently? What's left?
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Yeah, I don't get it either. I guess I should see the concept in action, but I have a feeling they are setting up for another swing-and-a-miss here. Really wish they would just re-open some rides with a scaled back setup that they can regroup from. Anyone been by recently? What's left?
When I drove past there this past weekend there wasn't much left. The ticket/restroom building was about it. All the rides have been taken down and removed. Its really nothing more than an empty lot at this point.
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Oh man, that's sad. So much for the whole "re-opening in the fall" idea then. Not that they would be able to find staff at this point anyway.
Maybe they'll try again next year? Seems like they are just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.
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I do think that an entertainment district that was a mix of rides, bar/grills, shops would go over well - but they can't be viewed as temporary attractions (which I think was the issue with this park). As mentioned by many, it looked as if a carnival had set up on an open lot - which I think was a turn off by many.
The other new attractions - Big Foot, Branson Wheel, etc. seem to be doing okay, but I think those look more permanent. Didn't one of the Tracks at one time have a few amusement rides too - are those still there?
Jay
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I see on facebook they are starting some sort of race car ride or something along those lines and are hiring drivers. I wonder how long this will last.
OK!! let me be the skeptic this time.....
Where are they going to ride?
The RZR is an off road vehicle, NOT a flat track or circle racer.
There are not any trails in that location.
Are they going to ride round and round.?? And why do they need driver's?
OH?
maybe like a go-cart track!?? YEAH!! like there arent any Go-carts in Branson..
SO? what is it "new" they are bring to Branson..
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Oh man, that's sad. So much for the whole "re-opening in the fall" idea then. Not that they would be able to find staff at this point anyway.
Maybe they'll try again next year? Seems like they are just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks.
There are so many places in town that are looking for help right now its crazy. Last week I believe I saw the Wendy's on Main Street offering signing bonuses again. With all the visa workers leaving now, I regularly deal with many of them, there's gonna be plenty of openings. Yet I don't see many jumping at this opportunity because of what happened with them over the summer. I really agree this is a seeing what sticks type of move.
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There's sort of a concrete block channel going up. I'll look closer next time I drive by.
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There's sort of a concrete block channel going up. I'll look closer next time I drive by.
Could that be there "track"?? and if so, why do they need drivers?
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The facebook page says they are construction a LeMans-style track. One of my friends applied to be a driver... I guess I'll see from him how it works out.
I hate to see them try so hard and potentially have it all go to waste. I want them to succeed, but it looks like one swing and miss after another.
There's going to be a lot of jokes about "Why would you pay $25 for that when you can drive on a typical Ozark hill road for free?" Coming in over the hill from Cape Fair is pretty much like a drift track if you aren't careful.