SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => Construction/Rumors => Topic started by: shavethewhales on April 27, 2010, 02:36:56 PM
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I'm starting this as the final topic to cover all that is happening/will happen to the Celebration City site, rather than having so many threads all over the place.
Interesting developments today: several of CC's rides are on sale on ITAL: http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=1382
I've spotted the Moser Spring ride (the most obvious with OzCat right in the background), the flume, tilt-a-whirl, wisdom tornado, and I believe that's their bumble bees as well. Nothing important seems to be for sale though. I mean, the only rides I placed any value in were the flyers, double shot, flying carpet, and of course OzCat. I can take or leave the KMG Afterburner.
Looks like they're getting rid of a lot of the older, "sub-par" rides. This probably spells the end of the park as a typical amusement park though.
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I'd have no problem with them selling POP or single ride tickets for the OzCat and making it a lot like the Kemah Boardwalk in Houston. I think that the place could be pretty successful if they did that.
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I think of CC as a nightime destination without a main ticket price, a pay per play situation with a few rides just to draw but the actual money maker being shops and restaurants. Branson needs a night time destination, the landing just doesn't do it.
The idea of a nightime development with dinning options, shopping with a few rides for the boardwalk feel would be welcome in Branson.
Think of Downtown Disney, it could be great for the evenings.
Make CC what the Landing was trying to do but with flair and character.
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I think of CC as a nightime destination without a main ticket price, a pay per play situation with a few rides just to draw but the actual money maker being shops and restaurants. Branson needs a night time destination, the landing just doesn't do it.
The idea of a nightime development with dinning options, shopping with a few rides for the boardwalk feel would be welcome in Branson.
Think of Downtown Disney, it could be great for the evenings.
Make CC what the Landing was trying to do but with flair and character.
Although Downtown Disney doesn't really have rides and stuff like I think you are suggesting, but the idea is similar.
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I think the Kemah Boardwalk might be a better one to compare what CC could be
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Branson USA had a pay ride scenario I believe. The landing did make it sifficult didn't it? As always I am eager to see what develops at CC.
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Who comes to Branson? Families and Baby Boomers. What do they come to Branson for? SDC, Shep of the Hills, Shows, boating and fishing, and shopping. After spending all day with the family doing any of these things the last thing that dad wants to do is go out after dinner and spend more money. The last thing mom wants to do is fight with the kids some more. All the babyboomers want to do is eat at 5 and catch a show and go to bed. This is what CC never has and never will take off in Branson. By the time you go all day with your family you are ready for some down time at the end of the day. It has nothing to do with how good the park is. Have you ever noticed how slow and quite everything is in Branson after 10 P.M. that is because everyone is tired, worn out, mad at each other, sleeping or all of the above at one time. They will wake up and try again in the morning.
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I suppose it's too bad that more people our age don't come to Branson without the kids. We always went to CC with or without our kids. Of course, we tend to be night people. We still don't know what to do with ourselves after dinner in Branson. We don't want to just sit and watch a show. We don't want to just sit in a motel room. If we have the kids, we sometimes swim in the pool. But the last few times we've been to Branson since CC closed, we just went to the Landing and walked around. We never purchase much because we have the same stores in Joplin, for the most part. We do enjoy eating dinner at the Landing and then walking.
Tonight on Facebook, it says SDC is open until 9:00. That is awesome! We'd go back to SDC in the evenings if it was open later all the time. I actually liked Moonlight Madness last year, but maybe we hit a good night. We had no wait for dinner (bbq at Riverside Rib House) and a moderate wait for most rides.
If CC was redeveloped as a place for shopping with rides, I'm sure we'd walk around there, much like we do at the Landing. I just don't want to pay for every ride. Maybe a bracelet or something could work. But I don't want to pay a couple of dollars for each attraction. Who want to worry about the cost of each attraction?
Familes go to Disney and other theme parks across the country that stay open later into the evening. I think something could work for Branson to give families something to do after dark. People seem to enjoy go-carts, though it's not really my thing. In the meantime, I guess we'll be the family pushing a stroller after dark at the Landing.
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I still wish they would build an aquarium. It's something this area could really use.
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http://rides4u.com/index.php/rides/results/cat/53
I had read that the ferris wheel at the Celebration City site and be used to anchor a new attraction. . . but it is up for sale.
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Hmm, didn't see this on ITAL. It's strange that they have different products for sale on each site. I wonder what else is for sale?
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I sure hope they clear the site and redevelop soon. It would be a lot better than it all just sitting there and rotting away. That is a prime piece of real estate. Those buildings on Celebration Street could be rethemed and implemented into some new project. Some of those rides could stay, too. I'm still sorry to see Celebration City did not work out...my kids and grandkids loved the place, and it was just big enough to spend and afternoon and evening at and get to see and do everything we wanted to do. Plus, my wife and I loved the big show on the great lawn in the evening.
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Anyone hear anything lately? It's been a long time since HFEC has said anything about the place, but I thought the plan was to have a plan in place by 2010. Of course, maybe they do have a plan in place and liquidation is the first step...
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That's what I've heard, sell what they can, first. They're in no rush, but are keeping Wildcat to work in with whatever they go with, so I've been told...
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What ever that do, don't lose Wildcat.
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I'm wondering if they plan on doing something theme park related. While they are selling off a lot of rides and relocating others, there are still a bunch that is left. Ones that I believe is still there (and not for sale or relocated) besides the kiddie rides which I'm not familiar with include: The Orbiter, Bumper Cars, The Ozark Wildcat, Go Karts, Mini-Golf, Carousel, Accelerator, Roaring Falls, and Fireball. While the other rides are nice, none of them (unless you consider the Electric Star Wheel one) are poster worthy rides. These rides still could be sold off, relocated or put into storage, but the fact they're all still there and haven't yet been moved or posted on a for sale website means HFE wants to keep them (at least, for now).
I'm hoping that they at least have an idea what they want to ultimately do with the space. It's been almost two years since the gates at CC closed. As a fan of the park, I'm still upset they closed it in the first place.
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I guess as late in the year as it is getting, it is safe to say nothing will be open on the CC site in 2011???? I'm not convinced they really know what they want to do with the space.
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I guess as late in the year as it is getting, it is safe to say nothing will be open on the CC site in 2011???? I'm not convinced they really know what they want to do with the space.
They want to liquidate the rides and then they will take steps from there.
That's about all I can get from them.
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They need at least one very thrilling ride. I love OzCat, and hope that I haven't had my last ride on it yet. But they need something that will really scare people. They could do this with a very space efficient coaster, I'm sure, or with a bigger thrill ride. But I think that they are aiming too much at kids and families with children now and not at teens and adults. That would help a lot..
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COME ON SDC! WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE CC PROPERTY? Any insiders heard any good news or rumors about the property? WHAT'S Happening??? :-\
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Right now they're still in the process of liquidation. With this much equipment to move, that will probably take a while. I doubt they're in any hurry anyway, since the Branson real estate market is pretty sluggish right now.
Considering the way the place is being gutted, I've lost pretty much all hope that HFEC will use it for something else. It looks like it's being prepared for the bulldozer, but they're moving at a pace that keeps their options open...
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Does anyone have recent photos of the CC property, and would you post them for us?
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Does anyone have recent photos of the CC property, and would you post them for us?
I don't have any pictures unfortunately. However, when I was there a few weeks ago the grass, and weeds were all grown up, and everything that is easily salvageable was gone. Very reminiscent of a ghost town. The woody is still standing tall though.
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yes it is standing tall,.., and property looks bad... i will try to remember to get some pics at thanksgiving for you..
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Ghost Town--Hey! There's an idea! Instead of transforming SDC for Halloween, next year turn CC into a ghost town for Halloween, and give everybody a chance to ride the ozcat one more time!
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Sweet idea!
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thats an idea! and then fire up the movie projector and play jason movies on the rock wall!! over the lake!!
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Yeah...and after all the Jason movies are over, fire up the laser show and fireworks and play "Thriller" and invite people up to dance like they always did at CC when it was open :)
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Still no nothing to speak of happening on the CC site, but another old ride has found a home. The old Tilt-a-whirl will be going to the new Miracle Strip @ Pier Park amusement park in FL. That brings the total of rides who have found a new home to 5.
I drove by today and had to wonder how it's more profitable for them to just let the park sit there rather than operate it for two years, going on three. I hope they do something with the place soon, even if that means just breaking it up and selling it. I'm tired of looking at it and thinking about what could have been. I thought they said they would have a plan in place by now...
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I agree...we just got back from Branson today and driving by the evacuated CC is heart wrenching...Will we see Roaring Falls at SDC eventually? How about the wooden rollercoaster? Could the little kids' rides be themed to fit in at the Grand Exposition? Would there be room?
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really tired of seeing Wildcat sitting quietly and using it a a turn refereance point. Build a new attraction around it and get it running again, we miss it badly.
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agreed, with evrybody else ;D.
CC looks bad, no sign of any "civilization" there. Grass, weeds, trees all are brown and have shed for the winter :'(
Maybe next year they will start on something ::)
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Have any additional rides or attractions been removed from CC lately? Anyone hear any rumors as to what will happen with the property over winter or in 2012?
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When I went by there on Friday, it didn't look like anything else had been removed.
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There were semi trucks (one enclosed and one flat bed) in the back parking lot yesterday. Looked like they were loading up the Flying Carpet ride.
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Mmm, that's interesting. Thanks for the info. I miss that ride, it was one of my favorites at the park. I kind of hoped it could be fit into SDC in some innocuous way. I was thinking it could have be themed to steampunk gears or something and put in GE's mechanical wonders section.
Just another nail in the coffin...
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Mmm, that's interesting. Thanks for the info. I miss that ride, it was one of my favorites at the park. I kind of hoped it could be fit into SDC in some innocuous way. I was thinking it could have be themed to steampunk gears or something and put in GE's mechanical wonders section.
ala DaVinci's Cradle at Busch Gardens Europe?
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I don't remember seeing it for sale (unless you're talking about the kiddie ride) so perhaps it's staying with the company and moving to either Dollywood or Wild Adventures (which seems to be the popular choice).
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Could theme it to Wilson's Farm - a rug-beating type thing with rusty parts instead of steampunk.
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Any new developments at the CC site? Is there going to be something put in place of CC or is it going to remain vacant? Surely Herschend will do something with the OzCat!
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Nope. We'll definitely pass along any info we get, but don't expect to hear anything for a good long while. HFEC really seems to be taking their time taking the park apart and selling it bit by bit.
I think they're trying to hold out for the market to turn around so they can bring some investors on board to do something new with the property such as an aquarium or mixed development. However, don't expect to see OzCat or any of the other rides run again on that site. I can't tell for sure, but it looks like they've stopped maintaining OzCat to the level where it can be turned on and run again at any time. And no, there's no chance they're going to move it to SDC or any other park.
The list of rides they're trying to get rid of has definitely gotten shorter though:
http://rides4u.com/index.php/rides/results/cat/53
A lot of the kiddie rides were either sold recently or just taken off the marktet.
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with the stress for the kids.. (HDH). maybe they will take the kiddy rides out and expand the GE. in 2012
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So if there is no chance as you say that they will move Ozcat why not just get it over with and tear it down? It seems to me that having a deteriorating structure that size on a property you own is a big liability.
As far as an aquarium goes, there are definitely investors out there who have the cash to get involved and run just an operation. It was announced yesterday the the owners of Crown Center in Kansas City has gone into partnership with Sea Life to run an aquarium in the destination shopping center. And the kicker is that NO public money will be used to build the attraction. Also a larger aquarium is being built in Mission, Kansas with a price tag of over $50 million. There is definitely investor interest in this type of operation. I dont think that HFEC is actively looking into this idea. With the rep they have for quality attractions it seems to me that there is money out there given they developments taking place in the Kansas metro area. Of course given the proximity of Kansas City and St. Louis to Branson, maybe they missed the boat.
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i had not heard about the mission kansas project..
dont forget they are also expanding the natural museum in springfield..it is a 2 year + addition.!
http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/
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Slow down.... the coaster is not deteriorating, CC has a full time staff that is there acting as caretakers. They may not be a huge team, but there are enough people keeping the rides and buildings up. They also still use the buildings for different things including meetings; I have been to several meetings there. The rumor mill says that CC will most likely be transformed into a destination shopping and attractions center, including Ozark Wildcat, and an aquarium. Again, these are rumors that have been going around.
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^I can vouch - I have heard the same thing many times from PTB.
We're still looking at a couple years out though if it does happen
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Here's hoping they don't fall behind the curve. There are a number of abandoned and idle developments in and around Branson. Anyone know of what happened to the Rodeo Arena attraction that was planned across from Branson Meadows...or how about the excavation across from the original Walmart? We are know hearing that the most possible future for the Grand Palace is the wrecking ball. Not to mention Indian Point.
It seems like to visionaries that made Branson what it is have all decided to sit on the sidelines and take a wait and see attitude. I certainly hope that other cities dont take this as an opportunity to cease the moment and steal some of Branson's tourism thunder. I read recently that Kansas Schilitterbahn is continuing to go forward with their resort plans and the huge Scheels Sporting is scheduled to break ground in the near future.
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Good to know the wheels are still turning. Looking at it from the outside, it's really difficult to tell what's going on sometimes. I know they've got to be waiting for something though. Maybe they're simultaneously waiting for both a boost in traffic thanks to a big addition to SDC in 2012 and the improving economic conditions.
I agree with you about the state of Branson development bthomas. Unfortunately too many visionaries and leaders keep making the same mistakes over and over again in Branson, and the town is really paying for it. It wasn't long ago Branson had multiple big developments ready to come in, such as that big European themed resort with the waterpark. These days I'll bet they'd kill to have anything like that come back.
As far as CC goes though, I guess we'll have to sit and wait for a couple of years at least.
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i am sure you guys are right. At least 2 -3 years.. with the WW mods for 2011, and we know SDC will be getting something substantial in 2012.
Even if they announced some kind of major "project" at CC this year, It would take at least 2 seasons to have it up and going.
because as we are fully aware of whatever happens to CC, will be Major!.
So yea, lets sit and wait.!
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To be safe, I don't think we know about anything substantial, but there are likely to be some irons in the fire for '12.
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agreed! ;D
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Here's hoping they don't fall behind the curve. There are a number of abandoned and idle developments in and around Branson. Anyone know of what happened to the Rodeo Arena attraction that was planned across from Branson Meadows...or how about the excavation across from the original Walmart? We are know hearing that the most possible future for the Grand Palace is the wrecking ball. Not to mention Indian Point.
I emailed the rodeo arena attraction people back in 2009 -- economy did them in. The Tanstone development next to Tanger had lots of excavation -- all the money spent on site prep and the economy caved in. The Grand Palace is for sale for $10 million and there are several lawsuits in regards to that situation. Same for Indian Ridge -- lots of lawsuits. Bristol Falls never developed on Indian Point and many lawsuits with that. The waterpark/big time resort never happened in Hollister either but lots of excavation took place. Stonebridge Village, Branson Creek, and Emory Creek have hit bumps in the road, too. Heard today that Club 57 at Dick Clark's had closed. The economy has been tough on the tourism industry.
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OzCat's trains are headed to DW to be used for parts/extra trains.
http://www.screamscape.com/html/dollywood.htm
Doesn't seem like they're leaving the possibility open for them to come back to Branson...
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I read this as well. I wouldn't get to upset or concerned.
I would look at it like this, those trains have been sitting and losing there value to the company. IF the other parks need them for extra parts or just extra trains, send them on. It makes more sense to use what is sitting idol than to invest in new parts or trains. They have plenty of time to purchase new ones and possible the technology will improve when they finally get around to doing something with CC. If I was in there shoes I would do the same.
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We all agree it will be at least 2 - 3 years before anything is done at CC. Someone may as well be using the cars/parts now..
If they set for 2-3 years without usage, they would need rebuilt/refurbished or even modified anyway.
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If they set for 2-3 years without usage, they would need rebuilt/refurbished or even modified anyway
Exactly my thoughts Sanddunerider
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Another CC ride, the tilt-a-whirl, is fully operational at another park: http://pcbdaily.com/new-at-miracle-strip
Looking at the updated Google Maps of CC, it looks like the Fireball and a couple kiddie rides have left the property also. They've moved off approx. half the rides at this point, and the ones that remain are either to big to be easily sold off or aren't really in high demand on the ride market.
If anyone wants to stop by and take account of the rides that are still there this summer, that would be interesting to know. It might also be time to start keeping a closer watch of the property to see if they're demolishing anything or getting ready to do something with the place.
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I will be in branson next weekend.
will do a drive by CC and WW. and see if can get new pics or see if anything is going on..
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I will be in branson next weekend.
Me too! ;D ;D ;D
Sorry for the hijack, but I couldn't resist.
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driving down on the 20th, going to SDC as soon as i hit town!!
when will u be there ?
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Friday and Saturday. We'll be heading home on the 20th.
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maybe next time.. sounds like there will be several of us in and out that friday-sat-sunday..
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Hijack indeed.
I set up the 2011 Meet-Ups thread for the topic of possible meetings at the park for SDCFans members. Please refer to that thread to further the conversation about your visits to SDC:
http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=1456.0
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If some recent rumors are correct, some BIG things are in the works for the CC property and will be announced soon. More details will be posted soon.
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Anything they decide to do with CC would be big news. How long do we have to wait to hear the rumor?
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BIG things and BIG money. I wonder if the name will remain the same. It would seem doubtful. When the announcement is made, we'll be able to discuss it more openly.
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Hmmmmm...interesting!
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Please correct me if I am wrong but it seems that Branson as a whole is not as busy as it was when CC first opened.
They couldn't get enough people in there to make it. What has changed?
Maybe if the experience was unique enough they could sell the 3 day package again but I dont know what they would do it make necessary adjustments. There was not enough there that was different, yes they had 50's music and all that but that was not enough to make it have that " feel" that SDC, WDW, Epcot, DW and other successful theme parks have. It had a funky layout and I could never get into it. I had the pass and went several times but asside from Wildcat and maybe 1 other ride it was just too much like a fair in quality ( I will catch flak for that I know) Maybe it has grown in and is shady and a little more park like now, maybe they can make a shopping district out of it, it might not take much to get some of those shops from the Landing to jump ship. The resort complex like a Great Wolf Lodge is interesting coupled with a few rides shops and restaurants. The key to that is making is a easy to access property, meaning the Landing take a hike any way you attack it.
I am interested and look forward to hearing what the plans are.
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Very interesting...I'm excited to hear the news. I'm sure HFEC will make smart decisions whatever they choose to do.
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^^You won't catch any flack from me - That was exactly the situation. There were some great additions and changes made when the switch was made from Branson USA to CC. OzCat, the carousel, the Main Street entrance, and the laser show were all terrific additions to a cheapo amusement park. I believe HFE is aware of this (and the lack of shows) and some of those unique additions will be included in any reopening effort. Hopefully the investment will be enough for us to justify buying two- or three-park passes. It may, in fact, be one of the largest investments HFE has ever poured into one park in a single year.
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I know you can't say what this "big" thing this is going to be, however, can you give us an estimated time when this new "big" thing might open? For the 2012 season, 2013? Just curious.
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Don't know.
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I'm going to go ahead and guess that it's planned for 2012, but only because of what Zephon told us and my gut feeling that they've had long enough to plan this out.
For clarification, nothing was actually told to us, but we did stumble upon some information recently, and we're more or less keeping it on the down-low until the park has a chance to redact the info if they want to. If not, we'll post all the info we have this week. The brunt of it is that there are apparently some big things planned for the property that should take care of some of the factors mhguy77 just mentioned.
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Well....thanks for everybody's responses...I can't wait to see what it is...Will it be some sort of a theme park, shopping center, amusement park, aquariam, etc.? Will it be something family-oriented? Just some of my wonderings at this point. One would think that the OzCat would be part of it in some way.
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mh, i dont think anyone here will agrue with you on this topic. I was only there 3 or 4 times. I tought all of the coin machines, boats, arcade was just too much "gimmick"..
I,liked the mini golf, coasters,laser show. and a few of the other rides..
However, if they had not charged quite so much to enter, or maybe no charge to enter and you had to buy coupons or something. YES i know, just like a fair! But CC was not SDC.
I guess we will find out soon.
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Yes, it will be family oriented.
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Hmmm, turns out that any new CC developments are still a ways off.
I recently stumbled upon a site with concept art for Celebration City's redevelopment. My first thought was that this was some kind of inadvertent leak on the part of the design company involved, and I immediately contacted the park for confirmation and to let them know in case it needed to be pulled off the web before we started talking about it openly. I'm glad I did, because it turns out we shouldn't be getting our hopes up just yet.
As it turns out, the concept art was simply one of a number of pitches made by design firms for the CC property following the park's closure in 2008. Pitches and concepts are still being developed to this day, but we likely won't see any noticeable progress towards re-opening the property for some time. There's still no real information to be had about where they're at in the process, and numerous factors are still at play and changing all the time, I'm sure.
The concept art is here: http://www.vertexproductions.com/celebrationcity.php?menu=2 - but keep in mind that this is simply somebody's pitch for the park's redevelopment, and not necessarily what HFEC is planning to do in any way.
I've gotta say though, I like their ideas. I didn't quite get the whole explorer's club idea, but I assume that was part of the 'resort' they threw in with the plans. Other than that it's just a couple of new rides that wind through animal exhibits, which would be fun. I really think adding animal attractions would diversify the property enough that it could stand it's own pretty well - but I'm sure there would still be some cannibalization of HFEC's other properties, and with gas prices and the economy still at play they probably aren't looking at doing anything as big as this anytime soon.
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Nothing like lemurs playing billiards!
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I'm glad to see some "quality" pitches to the company such as this. I will be interesting to see what happens. Guess we will all just have to wait. The property is too valuable to just continue to sit there. I am a sentimental guy, and wish the BRANSON USA folks would have left some of the trees on the old MUTTON HOLLOW property standing. The company did a nice job with CC, my family visited twice and loved it. As a former employee, I was impressed. Any redevelopment should be handled carefully.
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The hang glider ride looks pretty cool. So does the jeep train and the dolphins. The rest of it didn't seem to do much for me. I wonder if the Explorer club would be a static display or something interactive. The overall "animal" theme does seem like it would work though. I still think (as I believe many others do) that an aquarium would be a great fit here. Ripley's in Gatlinburg is what comes to mind. Could be open year round if so desired.
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Agreed, Larson.
I would love to see a large aquariam go into the area, BUT as we have said before the new wildlife museum in springfield should be awesome! It is currently under a 2 year remodel!
http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/
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Agreed, Larson.
I would love to see a large aquariam go into the area, BUT as we have said before the new wildlife museum in springfield should be awesome! It is currently under a 2 year remodel!
http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/
It sure seems like it's been closed longer than 2 years. I didn't realize however there was going to be an aquarium there. Probably wouldn't make much sense then to have another 45 minutes away. ;D
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^Why? There are two opening in the KC metro area in the next two years - including one owned by Merlin (Sea Life) who owns Legoland.
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actually swoosh, i think one of the two big projects in KC has been put on hold. I will look and see if i can find that article again.
I would settle for 1 if I have to, but 2 would be even better!
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Great Wolf Lodge
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The Merlin Sea Life aquarium is going full throttle. Part of the Halls dept. store has already been cleared out to make room for it at Crown Centre.
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True enough, I think the other one was in the mission area. was going to be tied into retail and office complex. That project is going nowhere at this time.
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I think that concept art makes sense. The last ride they put in had an Amazon theme which would fit in well with animals. Also, The Wildcat would fit in well. It all makes sense regarding that. I still remember the Wild Adventures survey thing and it seems like HFEC would want to brand it that way.
If I had to guess, I would say the amount of construction needed to do anything like what's shown in the concept art would be a couple years off. You have to keep in mind they would have to some demolishing and then build. To develop land suitable for animals, it will take some time. Look at how long Disney spent building Disney's Animal Kingdom. This is probably on a much smaller scale than that, but still, it'll take some time.
I'm going to say 2013 at the very earliest, which will also allow SDC to have its big addition next year. By then, hopefully, the economy will be much better and Branson will be in a period of growth again.
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I wish they'd do a Sea World type park instead. It would take a lot less time to build tanks than habitats.
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agreed cjr, we have said that in the past. IF they had a plan NOW. it would take 2 years to complete any kind of a rebuild.
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I'd still like to see a revitalized theme park of some sort. We used to love going to SDC during the day and then CC in the evening.
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I went to Silver Dollar City a couple weeks ago. I went to the IHOP by Celebration City, and it looked terrible. Pieces of the wood from OzCat were laying on the gravel below! The Ferris Wheel was still standing, and the colors of the building weren't fading at all. It almost looked liked someone was working on it.
Anyways, I have a strange feeling they will turn it into a Victorian-styled night time park. Like California Adventure.
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I doubt that wood had just fallen off :P
BTW, aren't you from SGW? If so, this is Beedle :D
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I doubt that wood had just fallen off :P
BTW, aren't you from SGW? If so, this is Beedle :D
Hey beedle!
And yes, I actually saw some pieces of rotting wood on the ground by OzCat.
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No, I believe that you did, but what I'm saying is that the ride isn't just falling apart. Those have been there ;)
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No, I believe that you did, but what I'm saying is that the ride isn't just falling apart. Those have been there ;)
Ohh.. I see. Does anyone agree with me on the whole "Victorian-night time" theme?
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did a drive by today 5-16, found gates unlocked, trash containers outside in parking lot. did not see any workers, but something "seems" to be going on.
also noticed a "church" onsite, with fresh mulch around the trees and some vehicle sittin nearby by a maintenece building.?
will post pics tonite.
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Definitely post pictures as soon as you are able! Any change, is a sign of some sort of progress so it will be interesting to see what else, if anything sprouts up.
I find it funny though that we all eagle eye the property more than any potential land buyers, or developers do. :D
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ok heres the pics.
what is the story on the church?
there were at least 3 gates unlocked, but i did not enter. I was concerned about "trespassing"? LOL. didn't know who to call if i needed bailed out!
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The church has been there since just shortly after CC closed. There's still a number of employees and other people who use the site (BBBS for example) so I don't imagine they have the place on lock down, but you're right that you shouldn't try to go in.
Thanks for the pics.
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right on! I guess i missed any conversation on the church.
I knew about the Girls scouts? is that right?
There were 2 or 3 vehicles parked next to what appeared to be a maint. bldg just west of the church.
It just does not look like it would take too much to put this park back into use.
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Actually, the church, or a church, was there before CC closed. It's in one of the old theater buildings. We saw the signs on the doors several times before CC closed.
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There is nothing wrong with a little religion on Sunday mornings, and a little wooden rollercoaster riding in the afternoons. :P
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NOW OZARK!! thats a great idea!,, church, Big ole buffet lunch, ride and play all afternoon! sounds like a plan!!!! lol
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New name for the Church:
Celebration Church
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I made this image today just for fun. It's just weird to imagine how little is left at the park when you look at how many rides are actually still on site and not up for sale. Basically the only things that seem to be being kept are the rides that are too big to move, ie: OzCat and the GoKarts, and a handfull that I'm sure they plan to eventually put into other parks, ie: Roaring Falls, Accelerator, and the Carousel. I don't know about some of the kid's rides. I'm pretty sure most of those were up for sale, but they're not listed on Rides4U anymore. They might have been sold already, but I don't have any confirmation of that.
So basically there's not much to keep them from leveling the place and starting over at this point. Too bad it'll be this empty or more for a while yet.
(http://www.sdcfans.com/galleries/random/CelebrationCity2011.jpg)
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shave, nicely done. the aerial view really puts it in perspective.
the whole area could easily be redone, or modify existing buildings and square footage. Looks like the area is still very usable.
wish the PTB would make a decision... Oh Yea! And let us know what that decision is ;D
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I say an aquarium...shopping...dining...maybe lodging, would all work well here. Plus, paint and grease some of the rides, retheme, and open up the gates!
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did a drive by today 5-16, found gates unlocked, trash containers outside in parking lot. did not see any workers, but something "seems" to be going on.
I wouldn't read too much into it. They are probably just doing some routine upkeep. I'm sure management isn't going let what's left of the park to just rot. It is in their best interest to maintain it to some degree.
Needless to say, if so much as a pin drops in or around the park, we sure take note. ;D
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AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH....The suspense is killing me...Please tell us what it going to happen with CC. It's like sticking a dagger in my heart everytime I drive by the park and see the OzCat and Go Carts sitting there...Don't know why the Go Carts bother me so much...they were always broke down or closed for some reason or other when I was there...but still
It was a beautiful park and I loved seeing the foiliage...It so sad to just see it sitting there not being used...
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I say an aquarium...shopping...dining...maybe lodging, would all work well here. Plus, paint and grease some of the rides, retheme, and open up the gates!
With the reno at Wonders of Wildlife up in Springfield, I doubt you get your wish on the aqaurium. I can't figure out what retail beside gift shops you can put there the either not covered at Tanger or Branson Landing.
I can think of a few outlet type stores that could either come back or make a debut in Branson like Columbia, Woolrich, Mossy Oak, Off Fifth (Saks) relocate Nautica, Pendleton and Carters, ect, ect, ect. Maybe a Cabela's?
What I do know is that it makes me sick to see Oz Cat sitting idle. Being from Memphis, I loved the Zippin Pippin, Elvis' favorite woodie rollercoaster. It nearly rotted completely away when LibertyLand bit the dust but it has reappeared in Wisconsin. Still should be in Memphis somewhere. I find it interesting that I rode the woodie at what was Circus Circus down in FLA when it was Boardwalk and Baseball. It's now at Magic Springs in Hot Springs.
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I wish Merlin would come in and do a SeaLife and Legoland there.
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I see a trend. They're getting rid of all the portable/carnival rides. Look at it, there's nothing portable in the green. I know a common complaint at CC was that it had too many portable/carnival rides mixed in beautiful scenery. I wouldn't be surprised if they have at least an idea of where they're eventually going to go with the property.
When did the Orbiter get sold? I never saw it up. Must have missed it somehow. Never saw the bumper cars either, but that doesn't surprise me as much.
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Well let’s face it, it is a heck of a lot easier, and less expensive to sell, and transport a carnival style ride than a “permanent” ride, or attraction. :P
I suppose if it is a trend, then it would indeed make sense.
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The Ferris Wheel is down and was getting loaded onto flatbed trailers today.
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
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Well it was bound to happen eventually. It was on sale for several years. It seems like it would fit into any number of redevelopment scenarios, but they probably had reasons to get rid of it.
Only four rides left up for sale on Rides4U: http://rides4u.com/index.php/rides/results/cat/53
There used to be a pretty long list...
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Alright, I'll come clean, it is being shipped to my backyard.
If only!
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good for you rube,, now that it is out of the way. Now I will get my crew in there to disassemble the "woody"!!!!!!
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Well it was bound to happen eventually. It was on sale for several years. It seems like it would fit into any number of redevelopment scenarios, but they probably had reasons to get rid of it.
Only four rides left up for sale on Rides4U: http://rides4u.com/index.php/rides/results/cat/53
There used to be a pretty long list...
Forgive me if this has been covered before, but where did Thunderbolt come from? It says it was built in 1990.
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^ http://www.rcdb.com/607.htm
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Alright, I'll come clean, it is being shipped to my backyard.
If only!
Something tells me that K wouldn't like that so much ;)
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I am sure from the top I could see your house StL!
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Anyone been by CC recently to confirm that the Ferris Wheel is gone? Some photos would be great if anyone can get them.
There's a small rumor going around that Thunderbolt might get shipped to Darien Lake, even thought that park really could use a much larger coaster. Sounds like HFEC just wants to get these rides of the property.
Only 4 rides left on rides4u: http://rides4u.com/index.php/rides/results/cat/53
No other news to speak of, before anyone asks ;)
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Thanks for the update shave!
The park rides have been dwindling down a bit here lately. I am also curious to know of the Ferris wheel is gone.
Still so much anticipation on what will happen next with the property.
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ozark?? r u wondering IF the wheel is gone? yes it is....
Posts: 2
Re: Celebration City Developments
« Reply #114 on: June 16, 2011, 03:29:14 PM »
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The Ferris Wheel is down and was getting loaded onto flatbed trailers today
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Hey, I haven't been to Branson since before May so I am well behind the times, but don't tell anyone. ;)
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I must say, The area looks very different without the ferris wheel there...
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It probably looks exactly the same as it did before they put the Ferris wheel up.
I’m teasing! Just teasing. Save your tomatoes. :o :)
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I must say, The area looks very different without the ferris wheel there...
The drive down 76 Country Boulevard will never be the same...
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I liked the ferris wheel, but HFEC didn't seem to know how to operate it right. Even on the busiest days, they could only fill half the cars for what they said was safety reasons. If the wheel was built with x amount of seats, I'm sure it was designed to operate with people in all of those seats. It was a bit too much for them.
I think the problem for redevelopment purposes is that it's just too big. HFEC likes to go all out on themeing and this would definitely stand out in most of their parks. Sure they could re-theme it, but the cost of doing so would be probably about the same as getting a brand new wheel. It makes sense to sell it imo.
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I always thought the Grand Exposition would be a good fit and place to set up a ferris wheel.
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That would reveal sdc even more to the highway. And we complain about that already
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Possibly! Just depends on the options of where one could be set up.
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If they actually went all out with the Grand Expo and made it look like this:
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAPnSgHtFhE/TeGKYzH_TpI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/5sLgSXPPVro/s1600/Antique-Amusement-Park-Photo-Tinted-View+%25231939-%2522The+Chutes%2522-96px-Plush-Possum-Studio.jpg)
or this:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/White_City_Chicago_Electric_Tower_1908.jpg)
Then a ferris wheel in GE might look OK, if also themed accordingly. Then again, if they're going to spend that much money theming any part of the park, GE is lower down on my list.
Getting back to CC though, now that the long-feared drop off in attendance due to the economy has finally started, what are the chances any of their potential plans for the site are going to be happening anytime soon? I'm guessing slim to none. When they closed the park in 2008 I distinctly remember hearing that they wanted to have something in the works on the site by this time at the latest, but it seems like everything is going to be in limbo until the economy improves. That may end up meaning that they will ultimately scrap any grand schemes for the property and sell the whole thing piecemeal instead, as it will simply take too long otherwise.
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wow! shave! maybe instead of GE, They should redo CC into that, several rides and a expo area around the cement pond, and incooperate some water rides into the pond area and......?????
Hmmmmm?????
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Word is that pieces from the Thunderbolt are showing up at Darien Lake.
I need to update my map again, but at this point that just leaves OzCat, Accelerator, and Roaring Falls onsite that aren't being sold off, and the only rides left to sell are a couple of kiddie rides and the log flume.
At this point I'm actually hoping we'll see Accelerator show up at SDC in lieu of a major attraction for 2012 seeing as that's apparently out of the question at this point. With the way this season has been going, the park obviously will need something in the way of a new ride to get people through the gates next year, it would be fairly cheap, and they have a theming concept ready to go for it. Roaring Falls will end up at the park sooner or later as well.
I guess the only way OzCat will re-open again is if it's by itself as part of that mixed development idea we've been tossing around since the park closed, but I don't really see that happening with the slump the area is still going through. They definitely aren't keeping any other rides on the property past this year though, that's for sure.
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Thanks for the updates shave!
I am okay with rehashed rides showing up at Silver Dollar City as long as they theme them accordingly. I would hate to see a ride thrown into the park just to fill the void of a “new ride.”
By design, Ozark Wildcat isn’t the best ride for mobility. Sure they could dissemble it, and then reassemble it somewhere else. However, that may, or may not be a jigsaw puzzle that they want to invest in at this point.
I hope to hear more updates soon.
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It would cost less just to build a new wooden coaster then to disassemble it and then reassemble it... not to mention you'd more than likely have to reprofile it some to fit in whatever area you decide to place it.
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I could see them trying to put Roaring Falls in SDC. If AP is a good "chute the chutes" though, why put in a cheaper version? Would it not make better sense to sell that ride to someone else? Or is AP considered a "log ride" rather than a "chute" ride. I thought a log ride was a glorified "chute" ride? Maybe someone can clarify.
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Roaring Falls has a lot higher capacity than AP (I assume), so it would be an improvement to the park's crowded water rides during the summer. A number of parks operate both log flumes and larger chutes like Roaring Falls at the same time. If nothing else, it's just another major 'new' ride that they don't have to go out and buy.
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Worlds of Fun has Viking Voyager and Monsoon. So, I think both AP & Roaring Falls can co-exist just fine at SDC.
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Interesting, we will see what happens!
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Roaring Falls always seemed kinda bland for me (as far as aesthetics & theming). I would hope if they did move it to SDC they would make it look better.
IMO, I would rather see American Plunge fixed up first, before they bring in another water ride.
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I rode Roaring Falls once and thought it was really boring. You stand in line to go up a hill, turn a corner, go down a hill. Then it's over. I honestly don't really care what happens to that ride. Sorry if I offend anyone.
But Ozark Wildcat is the BEST coaster I've ever been on! Me and my dad woulda spent all day riding that if my mom didn't have something to say about it.
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I say sell Roaring Falls to another park, and give American Plunge the makeover of a lifetime.
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^I agree completely Ozark! I don't really care if we get Roaring Falls or not, as long as it is themed properly. However, I have been wanting AP to get a much needed upgrade for a loooooooooooooooooong time, as have the rest of us.
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Roaring Falls has a lot higher capacity than AP (I assume), so it would be an improvement to the park's crowded water rides during the summer. A number of parks operate both log flumes and larger chutes like Roaring Falls at the same time. If nothing else, it's just another major 'new' ride that they don't have to go out and buy.
Good point Shave. Whether or not RF is a "good ride" they could really use something else to take the strain off the other water rides. Even though I love LR, I rarely ride it due to the length of the lines. Same thing with AP. RB just doesn't do much for me.
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So Roaring Falls is just like Monsoon, then, from that description of it. I'd say it's a good way to get uber-wet without waiting for a long time in line. With it being such a short ride, and the boats fitting a good number of people, it'd definitely help take the load off the other water rides.
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So Roaring Falls is just like Monsoon, then, from that description of it. I'd say it's a good way to get uber-wet without waiting for a long time in line. With it being such a short ride, and the boats fitting a good number of people, it'd definitely help take the load off the other water rides.
IIRC, it's similar to the one at WOF(can't think of the name right now) over by the entrance to OOF and the 50's diner in Africa. There are several rows of seats each about 4 seats or so wide.
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Yeah, that's Monsoon.
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I say put it in over at WW
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Got some recent photos from the park here: http://sdcfans.com/photos/feat/20
It's kind of a slap in the face driving by and seeing the ferris wheel gone. I know it was only there for less than a decade, but next to OzCat it made the park look really good.
The park is definitely becoming a bit overgrown in areas, but they're taking care of the stuff that matters, including OzCat.
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I love the feature article, and photographs concerning the updates!
Wow, what a difference the Ferris wheel made! Despite the overgrown weeds here, and there, the park looks to be in decent shape. I think they should open a small side business featuring just the Ozark Wildcat. I’d pay a few dollars to ride it a couple of times. ;)
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I am kinda sad. I miss seeing that park lit up in beautiful lights at night. I miss going to that park with my cousins. I miss everything about that park. I'm crying on the inside right now... I really hope they do something.. really.
http://www.coasterimage.com/pictures/cache/celebration-city-pictures/rides-attractions-pictures/accelerator-pictures/04.jpg_920.jpg
http://www.coasterimage.com/pictures/cache/celebration-city-pictures/park-photos/25.jpg_920.jpg
Just feel like posting my two favorite pictures of CC... but in a link sort of way... :P We're never gonna forget you, Celebration City. :'(
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welcome to the group Thunderbolter.
couple of great pics.!
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Haha, why thank you. Those aren't my pics though. :P
i'd like Wild Adventures to come to Celebration City, but who knows what will happen. I don't like the idea of the aquariums and other facilities.. not as exciting as family-oriented theme parks.
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we also miss cc and its a shame they closed the park. we were only able to vist once but when we were they we loved it, just as much as sdc. would love too see it opened again some day but i dont think that will happen. i have noticed in the past couple of years that branson has alot of abandoned buildings? and resorts that have gone under. and the property goes unkept, that kinda gives branson a black eye. when i was a kid it seemed too me that everything was kept clean and neat. just my thoughts.
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In the old days, prior to Ozark Mountain Christmas, the season ran from about mid-April through the end of October. Property owners and business developers had about five months to make improvements, clean, sweep, plant the flowers and trees, and get ready to welcome a new season of tourists. The majority of the businesses were family owned and operated. Since the late 80s/early 90s, the massive development has taken place, Branson was lost to mom and pop shops, and corporate America took over. The town, in my opinion, was OVERBUILT. It has been sad to see the empty buildings, the grown up acres in weeds, and the poorly ran and maintained places. Did the town really need four major shopping centers? Nope. Red Roof was the premere shopping destination at first. Now it's in sad shape. Empty shops. Tanger is doing well, probably due to it's visibility from the strip. Branson Meadows is toast. Branson Landing appears to be doing well, despite rumors the owners have had financial difficulties. The Grand Palace sits empty and rots. Celebration City, and many other attractions have seen better days. However, Branson always reinvents itself. It is time for a major overhaul, in my opinion.
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I agree with you junior, big corperation have killed the mom & pop era and i miss it.
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Like many other areas that have needed redevelopment, they must first offer incentives to those who do choose to settle, and open up shop there.
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Did the town really need four major shopping centers? Nope. Red Roof was the premere shopping destination at first. Now it's in sad shape. Empty shops. Tanger is doing well, probably due to it's visibility from the strip. Branson Meadows is toast.
Tanger is one of the better management companies when it comes to outlet malls. If you took the good of Red Roof and put it in with VF outlet over at Branson Meadows you would have a decent center. Visability of the store fronts at Red Roof is the manin issue. You dee nothing but the backs of the stores. Tanger sends us coupons all the time and put coupons in the Sun. paper here in Fayetteville. I've seen things come and go at Tanger though, J Crew, Liz Claiborne, ect, ect, ect. Coleman's new home fits it out over by Branson Meadows but traffic worries me and there ain't nothing cheap about Colemans outlet prices just a hell of a selection. I can never find an easy parking spot at the landing even down on the Belk end. I miss the Bud Shop and the outdoors/cabin store though.
You want something that will bring women and their daughters, go heavily after an American Girl store. They are the bass pros of the doll world.
And you forgot the newer development up north where the bog box stores have set up shop.
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American Girl store. They are the bass pros of the doll world.
HA :D :D :D So True!
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"""And you forgot the newer development up north where the bog box stores have set up shop.""""
LOL!!! yes, Forget Them!!
As far as the landing area, I use the paid parking structure. it is in the middle of the area, and nearby. And lets face it. If your shopping, eating, or riding on of the Boats on taneycomo, the 3-6 dollars to park wont break ya!
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I am not aware of the paid parking structure, where is that?
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The paid parking structure...oh it's that three story concrete building with all the cars and trucks in it. (HA! Oh, I just had to post that! ;))
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LOL. I'm glad i could help start your day with a smile junior!.. :) :)
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That was very "Police Squad" or "Naked Gun" of you there Junior!
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Surely, you can't be serious .....
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I am serious, and please don't call me Shirley.
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Over,unger. Unger over. Over dunn.
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duh i had a brain fart there for awhile lol sorry had a bad day.
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beat you by 7 minutes Rube :P
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Getting back to CC,
Anyone driving by should glance over there and let us know if Accelerator ever goes missing. I feel like with attendance being the way it's been, the park might change their mind about not having a new ride for 2012 (if that was the case) and throw it in.
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Getting back to CC,
Anyone driving by should glance over there and let us know if Accelerator ever goes missing. I feel like with attendance being the way it's been, the park might change their mind about not having a new ride for 2012 (if that was the case) and throw it in.
I got back from Branson a couple weeks ago, and I could still see Accelerator peeking out of the trees. Although, that might of changed by now.
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OK.OK. which one is the accelerator? I will check and take pics this weekend.
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The Accelerator is the double shot tower.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/IMG_3120.jpg)
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I haven't read the whole thread, but I must disagree with one of the first page posters. I too would like to see something to do after dark in Branson.
The year we had CC season passes. My husband and I had a hyper toddler and I was preggo. Along with we went with my family, which I have 17 siblings! We had been with them all day. At the end of the day my parents volunteered to keep our toddler for a few hours (we are all night time people), and we had been skiing, SDCing etc that day. But, still it was nice to get out of the cabin for a few hours. We went to CC and played mini golf, which was hilarious cause we ended up having to give up when we lost our last ball, they didn't have it lit well enough for after dark play! lol And our balls kept going in the bushes and such where we couldn't see at ALL! lol However, we had a great time, even though I was exhausted, and so was hubby. But, we were sooo happy to have something to do after dark for a couple of hours. I'm betting there's others like us that would like to just go some where with out the kids for a couple of hours, still wholesome though, and be together as a couple. That made CC perfect for us at the time. I'm sure there's other parents, who have older (old enough-not toddlers! lol) kids that they could legally and probably consciencly leave back at the cabin to watch TV or what not while they go do something by themselves, after being the whole day/week/year with the kids. lol Don't get me wrong we love our kids, and I'm a stay at home mom. But, again it was nice to have a couple of hours after dark to do something wholesome by ourselves. And with my siblings, (they are teens for the most part) they think staying at the cabin/hotel after dark is a REAL treat cause we don't have "tv" at home (we live in the country and my parents aren't paying for satelite just for tv) so they are always more then happy after a long day on the lake or at SDC to go back and just veg watching TV that they never get to watch except for on vacation. Meanwhile I find sitting in front of the boob tube totally boring and want to go DO something else! lol ;o) I would love to see Branson have some wholesome night life fun!
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I haven't read the whole thread, but I must disagree with one of the first page posters. I too would like to see something to do after dark in Branson.
The year we had CC season passes. My husband and I had a hyper toddler and I was preggo. Along with we went with my family, which I have 17 siblings! We had been with them all day. At the end of the day my parents volunteered to keep our toddler for a few hours (we are all night time people), and we had been skiing, SDCing etc that day. But, still it was nice to get out of the cabin for a few hours. We went to CC and played mini golf, which was hilarious cause we ended up having to give up when we lost our last ball, they didn't have it lit well enough for after dark play! lol And our balls kept going in the bushes and such where we couldn't see at ALL! lol However, we had a great time, even though I was exhausted, and so was hubby. But, we were sooo happy to have something to do after dark for a couple of hours. I'm betting there's others like us that would like to just go some where with out the kids for a couple of hours, still wholesome though, and be together as a couple. That made CC perfect for us at the time. I'm sure there's other parents, who have older (old enough-not toddlers! lol) kids that they could legally and probably consciencly leave back at the cabin to watch TV or what not while they go do something by themselves, after being the whole day/week/year with the kids. lol Don't get me wrong we love our kids, and I'm a stay at home mom. But, again it was nice to have a couple of hours after dark to do something wholesome by ourselves. And with my siblings, (they are teens for the most part) they think staying at the cabin/hotel after dark is a REAL treat cause we don't have "tv" at home (we live in the country and my parents aren't paying for satelite just for tv) so they are always more then happy after a long day on the lake or at SDC to go back and just veg watching TV that they never get to watch except for on vacation. Meanwhile I find sitting in front of the boob tube totally boring and want to go DO something else! lol ;o) I would love to see Branson have some wholesome night life fun!
There are several mini golf places, 4 Track locations with go karts, bumper boats, arcades, etc. that are open well after dark. I've personally never found a shortage of things to with my kids after dark that are family friendly and most of these are a lot less than buying 6 tickets to CC was. Most of the shows have a 7 or 8pm show, and most of the other attractions are open until 10 or 11 pm or later. I really haven't found many places in Branson that aren't clean and family oriented.
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There are several mini golf places, 4 Track locations with go karts, bumper boats, arcades, etc. that are open well after dark. I've personally never found a shortage of things to with my kids after dark that are family friendly and most of these are a lot less than buying 6 tickets to CC was. Most of the shows have a 7 or 8pm show, and most of the other attractions are open until 10 or 11 pm or later. I really haven't found many places in Branson that aren't clean and family oriented.
Bingo! You just nailed one of the reasons Celebration City didn't work. There are dozens of other great things to do "after dark" in Branson, and in some cases for much cheaper than at Celebration City.
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The only thing with the other mini golf places is they are usually really really over loaded with teens. lol
And yes, I know all of branson for what I see is very clean, that's what I mean, I go there for the clean moral surroundings. I just brought that up cause I meant, I'm not looking for a night club scene or anything.
We always did do the mini golf and go carts with my family after dark, but I kind of liked the CC feel after dark MORE then the average mini golf/go-kart place on the strip. But, that was just me. Also most those places only have like pizza and burgers to eat. It would be nice to have a place that is a bit more adult, to go to, still clean (again not looking for night club stuff, just adult, and not over ran by teens). I like the landing personally, but it would be nice if most the stuff was open just a tad longer, and had a few more things besides shopping to do. I like the fire and music there though, just a few more things, like maybe mini golf on the water, here in Wichita, Kansas we have this place called exploration center, it's on the river, they even rerouted the river for it (just as a FYI I don't like the rerouting!) any way they have mini golf on the water there. We do love though some of the restaurants at the landing, they are nice with the rest of the family or by ourselves. I just am saying I like the idea of a boardwalk type park for CC a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Personally I wouldn't of minded CC just staying how it was if open just slightly later, and cheaper season passes, especially a discount for SDC season pass holders (larger discount!). I really liked going there personally.
Also I know there is lots of shows my dad really likes doing that too, me.....I like the SDC shows enough, I don't need to sit and watch another one after wards for the most part. Plus don't really have or want to spend the money on something that expensive. Would rather have something cheaper to do-walking around, maybe mini golf, etc more in my price range.
Also my husband and I both wish it was a bigger Bass Pro shop, more like the one in Springfield however, we understand perfectly that will probably NEVER happen as it would just be a HUGE mistake for the one already in Springfield, would probably go waaay down after that, as most wouldn't probably go ahead and travel up there for it, but stay in Branson and just go to that one. But, I wish they were a bit bigger, at least having some of the live animals. We love the bass pro in Springfield, love the fish show, and the ducks, turtles, etc. But, I think more things similar to that for adults to do would go over well.
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Eh, we always got the All-City passes, so our fun at CC was pre-paid. Also, have you priced mini-golf lately? I mean the ones with cool stuff that grabs kids' attention? It's not that cheap!
Yeah, maybe the cost for CC for a one-time ticket was high. But the All-City pass made it affordable. For every SDC visit we had a CC visit. Just for the record, we haven't been back to WW since CC closed.
I miss CC. It was a fun place to go in the evenings.
I must be getting older though. On my last trip to Branson, we took in an evening performance of Jim Stafford. I can only walk the Landing so much. Jim was fine, but I'd rather have had some rides on Ozcat.
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stacey i agree with you about CC, spend a day or afternoon at the city, finish up at CC... BUT the PTB had the cost to the consumer miscalculated. Thus the downfall of CC..
On another note, we went to see Jim safford this last trip, and although his jokes were somewhat funny, and it was good to hear some of his old songs. The "show" as a whole seemed a little slooowww, there was nothing to keep you occupied with what was happening on stage, Good or bad he is also working his kids into his show also. both are very talented for their age, the boy is 18, the daughter is 14. Decent and family orientated show, BUT not on my top 10 list of things to do! LOL.. maybe my top 20?
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I know this is off topic, however, I just had to tell Sanddune that I enjoy seeing his change of profile pictures...this last one is very creative.
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LOL. thanks josh, I dont remember where I stole that one at! But it seemed like it would fit it ok from time to time..
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On another note, we went to see Jim safford this last trip, and although his jokes were somewhat funny, and it was good to hear some of his old songs. The "show" as a whole seemed a little slooowww, there was nothing to keep you occupied with what was happening on stage, Good or bad he is also working his kids into his show also. both are very talented for their age, the boy is 18, the daughter is 14. Decent and family orientated show, BUT not on my top 10 list of things to do! LOL.. maybe my top 20?
Jim Stafford is always a hoot, and a real class act. However, I do agree that he has slowed down a bit, and is not as energetic as he was in his prime. His kids have had some part of his show for well over a decade now, but their parts have gotten bigger, and bigger each year it seems.
Welcome to the new 'Stafford Family' show!
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Ozark, I believe that is a perfect summation!!! "The New Stafford Family Show", that would probably be a better advertisement..
I just was not overlly impressed ???
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Is he still doing his 3D show? I thought that was fantastic. It's been about 7 or 8 years since we saw him.
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yep!! the 3D show itself was pretty good,
BUT i can see one of those at the Imax.. The movie was one of the things i didnt like about the show, I was expecting "live" entertainment.
oh well. We know now.... I will see somehting else next time..
By the way larson, when r u planning on being back to the city? dont you make a christmas trip or something?
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Yes Exactly Stacy!
That's why we went to CC for the mini golf, we figured we already had the pass might as well use it. And so it wasn't like we were paying just to play the mini golf. Just seemed like a "bonus". Personally we kind of looked forward to that being part of our routine when going there, having a evening that just he and I could hang out for free! lol
I've went to most the shows I think I have any interest in in Branson (I've been going there since I was a baby, I was going there before it was that popular, so I've seen almost all the shows) and I don't know, none have really grabbed me that much, I'd just assume go to the Echo Hollar show and save the money! lol haha The Echo hollar show also seems to be never ending fun to my husband, he never tires of it! lol haha No matter how many times a season we see the same one! lol Not to mention we get to eat good food during it, and be outside. I am not much of a "indoor" person. I would rather be outside, I just really don't go on vacation to be cooped up inside. We also rarely go to indoor movies, or anything like that either. We also lived for 10 years in NYC (actually my husband lived in NYC for 32 years, I lived there 10) and we rarely even went to the broadway shows, had to be something really really special to attract us to one. We usually only went cause we were dragged along with family. lol Sad thing is those shows costs so much money and for him and I the "free" shows at SDC were just as entertaining if not more so! lol
I would probably be just as happy if SDC put in mini golf and stayed open later. I know they have the summer madness thing, but they also close a lot of the food, and such during that. If they would keep it all open, we would stay, and have just as much fun. At the same time CC was a nice change of scenery for the night time, and the theme went well with "night" time entertainment in my opinion, the lights, and all that came about during that era etc, just seem "night" time.
Again though I think the price point was way off for the all city pass, and so was the day passes. I think they should of started off with a lower price point, and as they could add and build to the park and it's following raise the price.
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yep!! the 3D show itself was pretty good,
BUT i can see one of those at the Imax.. The movie was one of the things i didnt like about the show, I was expecting "live" entertainment.
oh well. We know now.... I will see somehting else next time..
By the way larson, when r u planning on being back to the city? dont you make a christmas trip or something?
Haven't been to the IMAX for 3D yet, but I thought that was just movies, not a "real" 3d with the glasses and all. Jim Stafford did some sort of gag with flying carpets and such, he was dressed as a snake charmer and everyone had 3d glasses, it was a real show then and we thought it was great. At the time his kids weren't even in school yet I don't think so apparently things have changed on his show.
Yeah, we do go for OTC usually the weekend after Thanksgiving, but this year the BAF's don't start 'till Dec 1 so that might change if we're bringing our usual companions. I really want to see Harvest fest, or at least get one more trip in before OTC, but so far it hasn't happened. I've got too many kids going too many directions and have been working Saturdays. Hopefully we'll get down some time in October. We usually do Witchy Weekend at Compton Ridge for Halloween but this I've got 2 kids playing in band at SMS that weekend. (throw darts if you want, but I refuse to call it MSU).
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(I'tll always be SMS to me too Larson!)
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(I'tll always be SMS to me too Larson!)
It'll ALWAYS be SMS to me, because I am a grad from Mizzou and refuse to acknowledge that regional state school exists, let alone was allowed to steal one of Mizzou's names. Yes, the University of Missouri - Columbia was also registered as Missouri State University. Hence, why Mizzou trademarked "Missouri's great STATE University" shortly after Blunt (Forced Trauma) allowed the move for SMS
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Larson if u get the chance go to a 3D at IMAX, the big screen, with the glasses is quite a show!
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(I'tll always be SMS to me too Larson!)
It'll ALWAYS be SMS to me, because I am a grad from Mizzou and refuse to acknowledge that regional state school exists, let alone was allowed to steal one of Mizzou's names. Yes, the University of Missouri - Columbia was also registered as Missouri State University. Hence, why Mizzou trademarked "Missouri's great STATE University" shortly after Blunt (Forced Trauma) allowed the move for SMS
Go tigers!
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Here's the latest on Celebration City from a recent interview Hometown Daily News Radio had with Pete Herschend.
http://www.hometowndailynews.com/8618/celebration_city_still_talked_about_coowner_says_not_high_on_companys_radar.html
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Hmm, not surprising to hear that they're not really working on anything at the moment. Everything at SDC has seemed to be delayed multiple times now over the past few years because of all the economic uncertainty and the chain is busy throwing money in all sorts of directions on new properties and management contracts.
Before anything happens on the CC site, the economy will have to make a huge rebound - that much we know for sure, and we can't know much more than that.
I did find it interesting that he made it sound like another company could potentially come in and re-open the park. I wonder if that would be through a partnership of some kind, seeing as one of the primary reasons the bought the property in the first place was to stop a competitor from coming in and undercutting them with a budget amusement park. I think we're still most likely looking at some kind of animal attraction down the road, hopefully managed by HFEC.
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Just read up on the developement planned in Nashville planed between Taylor's and Dollywood. A water/snow park. If they can pull off a snowpark in Nashville, they sure as heck could in Brandon. Watch this, could be the future of Celebration City.
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I don't understand why they don't just make Celebration City something like Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah (Houston) Tx. http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/index.asp
Or even better.......something like Universal CityWalk at the Universal Resort in Orlando
http://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/CityWalk-Restaurants.aspx
Make Celebration City more of a destination restaurant, shopping, hotel and entertainment complex with a few "pay as you ride" or "wristband" amusement rides. You could have Branson Landing on one end of town, and this complex on the other end of town.
They could also implement a system that allowed you to be in line for your table, but allow you to shop within the "park" or be out riding rides. No more standing against a wall waiting for your name to be called.
I know if something like this would open, my family would be at SDC during the day, and then this place late into the night.
Jay
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Make Celebration City more of a destination restaurant, shopping, hotel and entertainment complex with a few "pay as you ride" or "wristband" amusement rides. You could have Branson Landing on one end of town, and this complex on the other end of town.
They could also implement a system that allowed you to be in line for your table, but allow you to shop within the "park" or be out riding rides. No more standing against a wall waiting for your name to be called.
I know if something like this would open, my family would be at SDC during the day, and then this place late into the night.
Jay
That's the best idea I've heard yet!
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I don't understand why they don't just make Celebration City something like Kemah Boardwalk in Kemah (Houston) Tx. http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/index.asp
Or even better.......something like Universal CityWalk at the Universal Resort in Orlando
http://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/CityWalk-Restaurants.aspx
Make Celebration City more of a destination restaurant, shopping, hotel and entertainment complex with a few "pay as you ride" or "wristband" amusement rides. You could have Branson Landing on one end of town, and this complex on the other end of town.
They could also implement a system that allowed you to be in line for your table, but allow you to shop within the "park" or be out riding rides. No more standing against a wall waiting for your name to be called.
I know if something like this would open, my family would be at SDC during the day, and then this place late into the night.
Jay
We've passed around similar ideas for years, but in today's reality it makes less sense than ever to do anything with the property right now. What you've described is essentially Branson Landing with rides - it sounds awesome, but look at how many problems Branson has had, and that was with hundreds of millions in investment. A few rides would not make it work better, especially seeing as even SDC itself is having a hard time keeping their attendance from falling off a cliff. Everything in Branson has tried to be a destination, but there are fewer and fewer people out here who are willing and able to spend money here. Plus, transportation to the area is still an issue. Nothing can be done until the new highway is completed, which will take a decade or more at least. I wouldn't be surprised if they tear wildcat down before that.
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Not saying they will, but if they do turn it into another place like the Landing, they need to reopen the diner! That was my favorite! I don't remeber what it was called, but there was a car in font of it, and I think the building was a blue-ish green color.
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Which highway are talking about Shave? The other end of 465?
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^I forget the name of it right now, but the article linked a few posts back talks about it. I mean, HFEC basically came out and said they didn't see any potential in this place at the moment. It sounded like they needed the road built just so they can have a chance to sell the land at the very least.
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The snowpark thing like that being talked about for Nashville sounds best. It could tie into OTC quite well, some of the structures used for half pipes and stuff could double as a skaters park in the summer. Add a couple of board walk type rides and charge a per ride fee without the hassel of a general admission. Have a couple of national restuarant chains locate there with adult beverages and hush my mouth, a dance club.
Notice what I'm going for here, something for that 21- 40 demo that's missing.
The problem with Branson as a shopping destination is that there's no way to be any different than the cities that it's trying to attract people from and not enough of population base that's all it's own. No one is going to buy bedding esembles down at Belk's while on vacation and it not have the deep discount illusion that an outlet mall gives. Everything down at the Landing is already right in my back yard here in NWA. That goes for the half Bass Pro as well which I think the olny real purpose it serves is to sell Big Cedar timeshares.
I miss the Bud store though.
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I like Jay's idea. And rather than making it a shopping destination like Branson Landing, make it more like Legends in Kansas City, where the nightlife centers around restaurants like the T-Rex Restaurant (similar to Rainforest Cafe) and a really cool BBQ place I haven't been to yet; night clubs and comedy clubs; a really nice movie theater; and Dave & Busters.
Add a couple rides (open Wildcat back up), and it's the perfect place for some nightlife in Branson, which it lack quite a bit. Branson Landing really doesn't stay open all that late, really; certainly not late enough for people who go to shows to go visit it after their show.
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I would also like to see something along that line Jay, After getting done with shows at 9:30 - 10:00, there is nothing to do... A nice restaurant or 2 or 3, along with a couple of drinking extablishments for music and relaxing, maybe dancing..?? some retail shops for daytime shoppers........
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I dont think I would attend. After a long day at the City we tend to go back to where we are staying and swim or play at the park provided. Not big on going to shows with a 5 year old. Then we are asleep by 10 cuz well I am old for a 24 year old. :) Its also another cost that my family wont be able to afford at the time being. We have enough to do the way it is. Its great for families with older kiddos/teens though!
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Sounds like you all are describing Downtown Disney. My family has traveled to Disney several times and I really enjoy having a centrel place to go at night after the parks. An evening destination with movies, restaurants and shops at night with a few rides and a little entertainment sprinkled in is a great idea. This got me thinking about traveling to Gatlinburg and seeing how Ripley's sells their attractions. They are all within walking distance of each other and have several ticket options so you can go to one or all 5 attractions ( more you buy the better the deal). Celebration city is located on the intersection of Shepard of the hills and also at that intersection are the Butterfly Palace, Imax, and CC. Each of these are Hershing properties and could be sold together. Seems like a great idea, if they discount the tickets so you spend your entire day with them you are GOING to buy drinks and food. This is the same tactic as the Bring a Friends. That might be a great way to sell the entire Branson Hershing properties. They tried this with CC and SDC but it was cost prohibitive, if they were to also offer options of a movie and a trip through the butterfly palace that could catch my attention. I would love to buy a ticket that would let me in to all of these. Maybe even ride the ducks.
Why not offer a " golden Ticket" to all these attractions to sell them together? This would be a great Christmas offer.
This would seem like a great way to sell each of the properties and catch peoples attention. SDC is promoting the other properties in there pathfinders but it comes off to me as just coupons for attraction's that are maybe not doing so well. A combo ticket could change this perception. SDC saw large crowds at Christmas when they dicounted tickets through the internet and facebook. I think people are looking for a deal in this economy. Maybe this idea would work if expanded to the other properties.
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What I would love to have in Branson, is a family entertainment, resort, all in one facility....and I feel like it could really work at the Celebration City site. Just imagine after a long day at the City you could come back to your hotel relax a little. Then you just walk out the back door of the hotel to get a nice dinner (no driving)........the kids could get some go cart rides in, some mini golf, ride some rides and I could sit on the boardwalk with my wife and share a few drinks and people watch...
They could make it so this attraction would be open year around. With the rides being open everyday weather permitting and the nice restaurants, hotels, unique shops, etc. also be open year around. During winter you could have a winter festival with outdoor ice skating, snow hills, etc…..There is so much potential, but it would take a bunch of money too.
This has worked for Disney (Downtown Disney), Universal City Walk, Kemah Boardwalk, Navy Pier in Chicago, etc. Not another "gated" amusement park, or mall - but a place to eat, sleep, shop......and have fun.
Anyway, I know It’s just a pipedream……..
Jay
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Brandon landing could have benefitted from a stadium seating theater.
That could be part of a CC project. A Dave and Busters and a The Track to end all tracks to go with the Ozcat and the flume ride. Add one of those spinning seat mouse type coasters and bumper cars
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I have often wondered why they did not put a roof over the landing complex... NOT enclosed, Just a roof to keep the sun and rain off of the walkways, It very easily could have been done no bigger than the complex actually is..
That would have made it a lot more user friendly, on those HOT days or be someplace to go on the raindays..
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That would have made it a lot more user friendly, on those HOT days or be someplace to go on the raindays..
You are right Sandunerider, the layout at the Landing does not lend itself to anything but fair weather.
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I thought they wanted you to feel like you were in a city of it's own there. Hence the "streetview" condos. Not sure what a roof would do for their view. ;D
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Larson, In "My" eyes. the roof could have been above the condos, the width of the "streets", drainage modofied on the rooftops to disperse rain, sunlights,Plexiglass or something to allow sunlight through.
If they coould have spaced the roof 5 - 6 feet above the rntie structure to allow for wind to keep fresh air in the area. I think if the roof actually extended a 1/3 of the way over the condos that would eliminate any rain getting in even during HARD rain/wind.
That would retain the "open view" of the condos. People could still see in and out and all around the buildings.
NOT that I have thought about it or anything!! LOL!!!
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Larson, In "My" eyes. the roof could have been above the condos, the width of the "streets", drainage modofied on the rooftops to disperse rain, sunlights,Plexiglass or something to allow sunlight through.
http://www.jtcent.com/disneyland/world/images/wbrlftout.jpg
That's what they did for Tokyo Disney's Main Street.
Jay
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YEA!! SEE!!?? i knew it could have been done somehow! :o :o :o
thanks for the pic cowboy.
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I thought this quip from a recent article on HFEC was interesting:
Herschend has made a series of hits in a business that has seen lots of failure, bankruptcies, consolidations and closures of unprofitable facilities. Herschend itself closed an under-performing theme park, Celebration City in Branson, Mo., after the 2008 season. The property, which was open at night as a side attraction to Silver Dollar City’s daytime operations, remains idle.
“People already had a lot of things to do at night in Branson,” Ruben said. “They didn’t need another amusement park.”
Jane Cooper, Herschend’s chief operating officer and president of attractions, said Celebration City was not a good fit for the company.
“It was a little off target,” she said. “We couldn’t see much upside to it. So we bought two aquariums and a theme park in south Georgia at the time we closed it.”
The aquariums are now among Herschend’s most popular and profitable properties.
Source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120205/BUSINESS01/302050032/Meet-Herschend-Dolly-Parton-s-silent-partner-family-fun-parks
Anyone else know of any articles like this where they talk about Celebration City? I'd like to go back again and piece together more of their thought process for why they closed the park. It sounds strange for the to say things like "it was off target" when it seemed to fit right in with everything else they had. One of the main problems seemed to be that the property simply wasn't diverse enough to capture what people wanted to do in the late evenings. It seems like they didn't want to invest enough in the place to make it truly profitable, so they shuttered it early before it started loosing more money.This is certainly evidence against them ever trying to open a full park on the property ever again.
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We have discussed this CC issue before. Seems like if they re-themed and re-tooled it could make it as a night time venue. Shops, restaurants, entertainment, a few rides, but something big...like an aquarium or other strong attraction to really draw 'em in. Remember, a theme park no matter how big or small, is essentially a shopping mall...but you got to have a good anchor, like Bass Pro Shop is for Branson Landing.
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Honestly, the problem with CC was that for a "nighttime" park, it didn't stay open very late...
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Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in CO has purchased Thunderbolt. http://www.facebook.com/GlenwoodCaverns?sk=wall
That leaves 2 kiddie rides and the log flume to sell.
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I wished the PTB would move the log flume to SDC. I know that American Plunge is the same type of ride, but surely they could put it in the Grand Expo area for the kids. My kids loved the flume at Celebration City. I loved riding it with them. It was cool how it had the 2 separate drops. We rode it probably 10 times straight one time. It would be nice if the could move the Roaring Falls over to SDC as well. It would be cool to plunge into Lake Silver...
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On another note, it is nice to see part of my Celebration City vacation history move to my home state. My kids and I rode the Thunderbolt many times and to see it come to Colorado is sorta Cool. I have a good friend who works at the fish hatchery in Rifle, Colorado which is just a few miles from Glenwood so I'll get to ride the ride again....whoopeee...
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If they moved the CC log flume to SDC I'd raise a fit. You realize that's a crappy portable model, right? I mean, sure, it was fun of course, but it certainly wouldn't fit in at SDC. There are plenty of new flume rides they can build at SDC with theming, a custom layout, and other features to meet our usual standard of excellence ;)
I have a feeling both the shot tower and Supersplash will indeed come to SDC. Hopefully at the same time, since neither one by itself is all that great, but as a package they would certainly add to the park. Maybe 2014?
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Yeah, I know it's pretty cheap and you're right, it wouldn't fit the theming...sorry I got a little crazy there...But I love the idea of the other 2 rides coming over in 2014...That'd be great...By the way, thanks for bringing me back to earth...
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Celebration City is turning more into a parking lot everyday! I’m just teasing. However, it is interesting to note just how many of the attractions are sold, and then gone. I think that land is just the Bermuda Triangle of Branson.
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It does seem to be a "dead" zone. LOL ???
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I am probably the lone voice of dissent (as usual) but I hope the Supersplash does not come to SDC. What a pointless ride. I would rather just have someone throw a bucket of water at me.
I always wondered why they spent so much money on that ride. Did they really think that ride was the answer?
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Yeah... $2 million was a lot to spend, but a lot of that was on the area itself I think. They had to knock down a building, and then they added quite a large pond with a waterfall and rock work and some spitting fountains and what-not. The ride itself wasn't a terrible choice - these rides were quite popular and can be found at most major amusement parks. It was short and pointless, but CC was more of an amusement park anyway... it was a lot better than the Reverchon log flume.
Closing down the park after adding such a big ride did raise questions for me as well though. You'd think they would have given it one more year to get their money's back. Maybe the ticket sales were down more than we thought.
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Supersplash? Are we talking about Roaring Falls? I always felt there was a lot of hype to it with not as much pay off. Didn't they already have another log flume ride before adding Roaring Falls called Shoot-D-Chute? My memory on Celebration City is foggy at this point as I only visited once. ;) Either way, I think it was a last ditch effort to bring in more attendance, but it just didn't happen.
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Well, Shave, I suppose someone out there likes the ride or parks wouldn't have them. Of course, I hated Riverblast from the first time I rode it, so I am not in with the popular crowd. ;)
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I love riverblast! I can sit get soaked and my kid expends energy squirting other boats and targets. I hate the squirting mechinism though. What a pain in the butt. But I rest and get cooled off so its a good trade off.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrMDzNUZLGY
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wa7ctzonTc
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those are some classic videos chittlins, i watched most of them. thanks
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I wish Ozark Wildcat would find itself back up and running somehow, some way. Wish it would find itself down to Magic Springs along with another relocated woodie I once rode at Boardwalk and Baseball.
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This is the small coaster that was in the NW corner of the park.
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Thanks for the photo!
I'm surprised it's not on it's way to colorado already. At least it doesn't take long to take down or set up.
Without OzCat being there now you'd almost never know there was an amusement park there. Let us know if the shot tower or Roaring Falls ever come down
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Interesting snap shot! It's a bit sad in a way, but I am glad to know that it is going to a new home where it will be operational, and enjoyed. :)
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I still think a mixed use, no admission development with amovie theater with stadium seating and lounge area at the top like AMCs KC has, a bowling alley with a large area for kids(kid sized lanes not just bumpers) and some eateries like cold stone and such with a few more rides that are a la carte/wristband would be a way to make the area go.
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How would that work with the Landing available several theaters in Branson and the kiddie park on the strip?? I like the idea dont get me wrong but I think that area is destined to be vacant. It has a curse or something. But still a great idea!! I like the thought about the kiddo size bowling ally!
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something along those lines would be interesting,
But i would have to think the movie theatres would be bad, with Imax just down the road, the the other movie complex just another 5 minutes down the road. :-\
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something along those lines would be interesting,
But i would have to think the movie theatres would be bad, with Imax just down the road, the the other movie complex just another 5 minutes down the road. :-\
Branson Meadows is a joke and poor quality all things considered in todays world, the Imax plays mostly Imax movies while they play first runs on the additional screen they have. Here's what I would envision a few screens of a new cinema complex would be like and this is just me wishing:
http://dinein.amctheatres.com/how-it-works/cinema-suites
and
http://dinein.amctheatres.com/how-it-works/fork-and-screen
The bowling alley would have shorter lanes for kids, not just bumpers in a section designed for them along with an area designed for adults with a couple of bowling suites that are semi priva I envision is something along the lines of what Landry's Corp has done at Kenah Boardwalk and doing at Galveston. Things in winter like a ice rink(something I'd like to see at OTC)
I
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Saw 4 semis with flatbed trailers loaded with red track lined up at the exit of Celebration City early Friday evening. Guess it was the track from the roller coaster (can't think of the name but it was a rough ride).
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Jack has said that until the highway is finished, they're fine with letting the property sit unused. Don't get your hopes up that anything will happen with the property in the next decade or two.
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Jack has said that until the highway is finished, they're fine with letting the property sit unused. Don't get your hopes up that anything will happen with the property in the next decade or two.
I don't expect anything to happen anytime soon. Was just reporting that stuff is still being hauled out of CC....
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Jack has said that until the highway is finished, they're fine with letting the property sit unused. Don't get your hopes up that anything will happen with the property in the next decade or two.
They need to find a home for OzCat. That's a crying shame. Buzzsaw Falls too. The rest, meh
I'm on a big proponent of making something useful out of Mud Island, all that needs done is raising it about 2 ft in some areas (last year's flood showed to low spots ) and relocating the marina to the mainland side and there some room for fun. Looking at the Landry's developements down of the gulf coast I think it could be done. OzCat would fit just fine on the northern side of the Island. You could have some fun with that place, a ferris wheel themed after Sun Studio's label and a Drop Tower with a Stax Records theme, A Hymalaya with a rockabilly theme.
A state of the art flight simulation ride of a bombing run on the Memphis Belle. A little river blast ride thats themed to ironclads and mortat batteries in homage to the Battle of Memphis A couple of the new compact steel thrills like that Iron Shark at Galveston or a El Toro compact. A invert that flies over the Harbor to the main bank and back. The River Walk is cool and the Musuem is ok but it needs some flavor along with the amplitheater. Wrong place, but that's one of two places I'd like to see OzCat.
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OzCat is no longer being maintained. It would actually take quite a bit of money to get it into working shape again. I highly doubt it will operate ever again. It is just cost prohibitive to move it and it is actually cheaper to build new.
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OzCat is no longer being maintained. It would actually take quite a bit of money to get it into working shape again. I highly doubt it will operate ever again. It is just cost prohibitive to move it and it is actually cheaper to build new.
They should just fear it down then. Are they waiting on lightning to strike and set it ablaze to college t insurance money?. Kinda disappointed in Herschend on that end.I thought they were maintaining it it a bit
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Saw 4 semis with flatbed trailers loaded with red track lined up at the exit of Celebration City early Friday evening. Guess it was the track from the roller coaster (can't think of the name but it was a rough ride).
Perhaps this was just new track being staged for The Outlaw at SDC?
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Jack has said that until the highway is finished, they're fine with letting the property sit unused. Don't get your hopes up that anything will happen with the property in the next decade or two.
Which highway? 465? How does that affect CC? I thought it was just supposed to keep going and connect with 165/265 down by the dam somewhere.
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^Remember the interview that was posted a few months ago about CC? He stated that it would be necessary to have that access in place in order to make the land appealing to sell or operate again as an amusement park. It was just too much of a traffic jam when CC was open for some people to even attempt to make it to the park.
^^Nope, the Thunderbolt from CC was sold earlier this year and is headed to Colorado. The Outlaw's track is dark and in half lengthwise pieces.
I'm surprised it's taking them so long to get the track out of there. I think the ride is supposed to reopen pretty soon, but it doesn't look like they're repainting it.
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^Remember the interview that was posted a few months ago about CC? He stated that it would be necessary to have that access in place in order to make the land appealing to sell or operate again as an amusement park. It was just too much of a traffic jam when CC was open for some people to even attempt to make it to the park.
^^Nope, the Thunderbolt from CC was sold earlier this year and is headed to Colorado. The Outlaw's track is dark and in half lengthwise pieces.
I'm surprised it's taking them so long to get the track out of there. I think the ride is supposed to reopen pretty soon, but it doesn't look like they're repainting it.
That's a lame excuse. CC was easy to get to if you avoided 76 coming from the east. I'll get up on my soapbox again, it's problem was that it was an general admission place and made it cost prohibited. We had it included in our season ticket package for SDC so it wasn't so much a hassel for us. It needed to operate on a free admission basis with you paying for the rides either by a per ride basis or wristband. It needed individual franchises like Qudoba, Chipolte, five guys, a Hooters. Starbucks, Cherry Berry and so on. A bowling alley and other things that's indoors to help with the winger season. A new indoor waterpark along the lines of Great Wolf Lodge that offers much better rooms than Grand Country. I can't tell you how many times during the winter we just up and go someplace for a weekend to lift our spirits. An indoor ice staking rink would help with year around drawing.
No, Celebration City was the runt of the litter when the financial crisis hit and that is what did it in. Truth be told I think it may have done better if it had stayed open.
Somethings don't make much sense, the sea lion show in a make shift venue in the baking sun with ths heavy Russian accents, the cheaply done Veggie Tale show only worth going to because it was air condioned, paying a heathy admission to pay premium prices on so so concessions and to pay even more for things like the arcade games. No, don't blame traffic, blame a bad business model.
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I think I saw an interview the Herschends did, probably connected to this site by a link...perhaps when they won the business award in Springfield recently...and Jack said it was arrogance that resulted in the Grand Palace and Grand Village being opened, and he may have said the same thing about CC. The company learns from its mistakes. The palace sits there empty, Grand Village limps along in new ownership, CC was dismantled and shipped elsewhere. Although unsightly, the property will be redeveloped someday. I remember in the early '80s when the company opened Whitewater parks in half a dozen locations. They apparently had a bad business partner, and disinvested themselves from all the parks except for the Branson unit, which does pretty well to this day.
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Another way that could help make a redevelopement of CC year round is to make use of Snowflex technology andd develop some tube runs , bunny trails and such along with a seasonal ice rink. They operate SDC rides in Dec, they could easily do that as well. I'm betting the thing in Nashville will utilize this stuff. Google Liberty University Snowflex.
http://www.liberty.edu/snowflex/
Also Google search for images.
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Like I've said before in another thread, what's not cool about an abandoned park?! To me it's not an eyesore it's eye candy. Maybe it's just the photographer in me. ???
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If you like abandoned parks, head to Harrison and see what's left of Dogpatch. Then drive on over by Eureka and visit what's left of Dinosaur World. I've been by both places in the last year and they are just falling apart.
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Went to Dogpatch as a kid, saw some videos on YouTube. I have a bunch of memoribilia from there!
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Definitely need to take down Wildcat and at least clean the property up for future endeavors. Really somewhat of an eyesore seeing it just sit and rot.
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Definitely need to take down Wildcat and at least clean the property up for future endeavors. Really somewhat of an eyesore seeing it just sit and rot.
there's faint hope, Thunder Run at Kentucky Kingdom has sat SBNO longer than OzCat and it's getting refurbed from the folks at RMC.
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Actually Celebration City was a nice little change after a day at SDC. The Fireworks show always was a great attraction every evening. Somewhat miss that part of it but in reality I can't remember a time I went in the park and it was full..
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Heard through the grapevine, it may become a Zoo.
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Heard through the grapevine, it may become a Zoo.
A Wild Adventures type place?
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Gotta get that road improvement work west of town done before too much happens at the CC site, at least according to a Pete Herschend interview from a year or two ago.
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Gotta get that road improvement work west of town done before too much happens at the CC site, at least according to a Pete Herschend interview from a year or two ago.
There's lots of room to the west and south for some expansion. But.... That road will be some time in waiting.
I still like the idea of a free entry(pay parking) entertainment district with a micro brewery, bowling alley, stadium seating and dining movie theaters, a possible retro drive in, a dance hall(Toby Keith's I Love this Bar type place) with a mix of sitdown full service and fast casual dining options, and retail in a faux downtown type setting like Downtown Disney with rides mixed in that's ala carte or wristband for rides. A empty structure or two for haunts in the fall. The retail is important for year round viability along with a hotel with an indoor waterpark and I suggest permanent infrastructure be in place to offer ice stating and I recently found this concept that's up in Indiana
summertime:
(http://rct.toursphere.com/project-assets/1201/img/2e08a5a61705d3ce7f86abfce9213f22286df6d60b41318bba912a03.jpg)
Winter time:
(http://www.cripedesign.com/images/7.jpg)
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I don't think anything is happening at the CC site. They are pretty resolute about the whole road extension thing, and the chain is too focused on other properties to worry about the CC site anytime soon. Unless they get a good offer to sell to place, or start offloading it into parcels, I expect to have to wait a few more years to see anything happen to the place - and even then I expect it to be sold off somehow.
The whole Zoo/Animal theme park thing was definitely proposed and kicked around soon after CC closed down. There are some concept photos floating out there somewhere that leaked after the chain had already shot the idea down.
I've seen a lot of good ideas for the place, but actually turning them into reality is ridiculously tough, and no one is willing to take the risk at this point.
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Is it still owned by Herschend? I thought a church bought it, or did they just lease it? I think the entertainment district idea is too close to the Landing concept.
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Gotta get that road improvement work west of town done before too much happens at the CC site, at least according to a Pete Herschend interview from a year or two ago.
What road work are they wanting done? They already got 465 and 376, and 248 is pretty much a direct route to CC.
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Gotta get that road improvement work west of town done before too much happens at the CC site, at least according to a Pete Herschend interview from a year or two ago.
What road work are they wanting done? They already got 465 and 376, and 248 is pretty much a direct route to CC.
The western loop that's basically an interstate bypass. It dead ends right there at 76 where you cross over it and doesn't go further south, it'll be 20 years before they do a thing in my opinion, It'll require a new bridge over Table Rock to hook back up with 65
and..... The landing is an outdoor mall with some restaurants and a fire and water show. It has no bowling alley, stadium seating theater or the dine in drafthouse concept I've mentioned, late night live music venues, a micro brewery and there's plenty of other restaurants out there certainly a themed restaurant like those in the Landry's' portfolio. It doesn't have rides/midway and certainly no hotels that cater to families like one with an indoor water park would. There's plenty of other retailers out there as well.
A mix between Downtown Disney and Kemah Boardwalk with more dining and retail options.
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That is 465. I guess since I am always coming from the north I don't consider that there really isn't a good way to get there from the south.
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The High Road 465 was supposed to connect to the junction of 265 & 165 next to the Chateau on the Lake and just before Table Rock Damn. I remember reading John Q Hammonds sacrificed a planned golf course for his Chateau because this road was "going to happen." I was pretty young back then, but I think some local people were really upset with the road thinking it would take tourists away from Branson.
As for CC- I like a lot of your ideas, but I think HFE needs to concentrate on SDC improvements such as finishing the parking lot upgrade and completely remolding the entrance and exit. And there is other infrastructure that needs to be finished or improved if they want to continue to grow that park.
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[/quote]
A mix between Downtown Disney and Kemah Boardwalk with more dining and retail options.
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That would be cool! I would frequent that during every visit.
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I would like to see the "rough draft" for the routing of 465 south. I don't see a functional way to get to Chataeu, after it would pass 365.....?
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Such a shame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZA058jnND4
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Nice find backintime9, I had actually forgot about some of those buildings...
looks like it is ready to be opened up as a mini-mall!!!!!!
LOL.......
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I would like to see the "rough draft" for the routing of 465 south. I don't see a functional way to get to Chataeu, after it would pass 365.....?
I saw a map of the proposed route once, but can't find it now. From what I recall another bridge was going to be built across Table Rock or Taneycomo and it would intersect with 65 south of the 265/165 interchange. From what I've read lately it's pretty much be scrapped due to the cost right of way acquisition issues and construction costs due to the terrain. You might try googling ozark mountain highroad and see what you can get.
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The only thing that may happen is a 4 laning of 76 from the overpass where 465 ends to the Shepard of the Hills Expressway/376. That connection from the south that thelarsonsix mentioned is what I had read too but its going to be a long time coming. I do know that on busy days, the traffic will back up from 76 all the way down 265 to 376 cause I've hit it before.
I can see the desire on Herschend's part to have an expressway like that. Coming from Ark, it would be great for me. However, I don't see how that would effect folks going there. They are already having fight trailers and boats on 165 and 265 alt routes over the dam to get to SDC.
Unless they change the tune on that, they might as well list it for sale.
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It's very sad to see the conditions at Celebration City. When I'm in town on Sunday's we go to church at Woodland Hills Family Church located on the former property.
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Hope you don't mind chittlins, but I'm pretty sure this is where you meant to post this: ;D
Currently, work on Route 465 extends from Route 65 at the 65/F interchange to Route 76. According to Andrew Mueller, area engineer, MoDOT has not yet awarded contracts for bridges and paving. Work on the Ozark Mountain Highroad began in November of 1994. With a crew of approximately 20 currently on site, grading is running on schedule. The north section of Route 465 is estimated to be complete in 2004 to early 2005.
The south section, which crosses Lake Taneycomo and connects back to Route 65 south of Hollister, does not have an established schedule. Property acquisition is currently in progress. The total project cost is $164 million (property acquisition, $25 million; north section construction, $47 million; and south section construction, $92 million).
The total project includes 27.5 kilometers (17.2 mi.) of four lane roadway with 14.4 kilometers (9 mi.) in the north section and 13.1 kilometers (8.2 mi.) in the south; it also has seven interchanges, four ramps per interchange, numerous bridges, and miscellaneous drainage structures. What the job specs do not convey is the challenge inherent in the Ozark Mountains’ rugged landscape.
“We’re building roads on the roughest terrain in Missouri for road building,” Gayle Davis, resident engineer of MoDOT’s construction division, said. “The major challenge is the terrain.”
A total of 1.6 million cubic meters (2.1 million cu. yds.) of dirt will be moved along with approximately 2.8 million cubic meters (3.6 million cu. yds.) of rock in the north section from Route 65 to Route 76. Equipment on the current, active Morrison Knudsen project includes six Cat dozers, three Cat trackhoes, three drills, three 777 trucks, and a loader.
The first project was awarded approximately one year after location approval. Four of 18 separate contracts are now complete. Everyone involved with construction of Route 465 shares common project goals: To be completed on time, within budget and with quality work. The resulting roadway will significantly relieve the volume of traffic, according to Mueller.
http://archive.is/Zygjr
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Very cool video. I never got to go to CC as I didn't go to Branson between 2002 and 2010, but looking at the video I wish I could have gone at least once.
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I wish CC wasn't closed down because I had such fond memories of the place.
But I would love to see a zoo/aquarium. Branson currently has two zoo type buildings but the prices of the quality you get are just not right.
But I do trust HFEC will utilize the left over land to good use.
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Screamscape had a teaser today about CC
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Don't read too much into it and/or get your hopes up
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Lance reports that there is a rumor about a group potentially buying the place to turn it into a "mini" amusement park of sorts. There's no telling what that really means. Seeing as much of the reason for HFEC buying the park in the first place was to stifle competition, I don't think they're going to sell it to someone trying to get into the amusements business.
It just sounds like one of the many rumors that float around town occasionally. I have feeling they'll only increase as the park continues to sit dormant for the next five years to a decade.
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Keep an eye on the park as two of the remaining rides will be leaving soon. One will end up at SDC, the other has been sold. Cannot give specifics yet, but I think you can figure it pretty easily. Feel free to discuss, but I won't be able to confirm/deny anything for a little while yet.
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It's far from a secret that the shot tower is coming to SDC, and the only other rides left at CC are the flying carpet and Roaring Falls. I'm going to guess they sold RF. Alabama Adventures is a likely bet to buy it, they had a brand new supersplash-like attraction for 1 season, but I believe they sold it during the ride sell-off, and now Dan Koch is rebuilding the rides park again.
We haven't talked much about Celebration City in awhile. It looks like things only continue to trend downwards for the likelihood of them rebuilding it into anything substantial. Branson tourism still seems to be a rapidly changing beast these days, with small attractions and theaters opening and closing all the time. I want to believe that adding another marquee attraction to the mix would help 'raise the tide' a bit, but I sure wouldn't bet my money on it.
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It's far from a secret that the shot tower is coming to SDC, and the only other rides left at CC are the flying carpet and Roaring Falls. I'm going to guess they sold RF. Alabama Adventures is a likely bet to buy it, they had a brand new supersplash-like attraction for 1 season, but I believe they sold it during the ride sell-off, and now Dan Koch is rebuilding the rides park again.
We haven't talked much about Celebration City in awhile. It looks like things only continue to trend downwards for the likelihood of them rebuilding it into anything substantial. Branson tourism still seems to be a rapidly changing beast these days, with small attractions and theaters opening and closing all the time. I want to believe that adding another marquee attraction to the mix would help 'raise the tide' a bit, but I sure wouldn't bet my money on it.
I continue to believe an Entertainment District would the best route with a mix of fun for the young and middle aged. With a collection of rides that are per ride or wristband for all like Kemah. Here's another another pic of a not your everyday bowling alley that would be a piece of my puzzle:
(http://blog.totalrewards.com/las-vegas/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Elvis-Costello-Brooklyn-Bowl-Opening-_-Erik-Kabik-3.jpg)
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We were in Branson the 7th - 9th and drove by Celebration City a couple of times. What was the ride with the brightly colored cars -- looked like drums, blocks, etc.? Noticed those were still there and uncovered. The bright colors make them noticeable from the road.
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We were in Branson the 7th - 9th and drove by Celebration City a couple of times. What was the ride with the brightly colored cars -- looked like drums, blocks, etc.? Noticed those were still there and uncovered. The bright colors make them noticeable from the road.
one of the steel coasters ended up way up here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23ApaUeR0vo
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From what I understand, the flying carpet will be leaving for a new home down south in a few months.
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It should just go back to its original home in Gilroy... along with the Circus Trees if they even survived.
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Not much changes in a year on this topic, but I'm bumping this to remind people that it exists.
I haven't been listening too closely to the grapevine lately, but last year there were some more substantial rumors that HFEC was actively looking to do something on at least part of the property again. I don't think they'll do anything amusement related, but an aquarium, museum, or even potentially a resort could be a possibility. I think the change in leadership is probably really affecting things here, and they want to see how DW handles these next few critical years before starting another higher risk project again.
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Just found this thread after I started another one in a different section -- police went to CC on June 17th and found the diner and gift shop had been vandalized. More info from Hometown Daily News radio:
http://www.hometowndailynews.com/2015/06/17/vandals-damage-two-buildings-at-celebration-city/
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I'm not one for rumors, but I have been told that the Celebration City site will be home for a resort with a large indoor water park. This is the first time I had heard something like this for the Celebration City site.....has anyone else heard anything like this?
Jay
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Everyone will tell you a rumor for the CC site. What matters is who's telling it.
Last respectable rumor I heard was the aquarium idea that was apparently brought up during a city council meeting. I'm not sure anything came of that though, since they were only researching the idea at the time.
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Ripley's was wanting to bring an Aquarium to the Landing area and that's when HFEC said "but we already plans for one...and stuff".
I say bring in Landry's and build a pier.
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Ever since they Demo'd OzCat I honestly think they should just move White Water down there and with Roaring Falls still on site they can keep that ride for it.
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Ever since they Demo'd OzCat I honestly think they should just move White Water down there and with Roaring Falls still on site they can keep that ride for it.
Move whitewater for the summer months then add skiing and a ice rink for the winter all built around a entertainment district.
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Ever since they Demo'd OzCat I honestly think they should just move White Water down there and with Roaring Falls still on site they can keep that ride for it.
Move whitewater for the summer months then add skiing and a ice rink for the winter all built around a entertainment district.
That would be great!
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The Problem with Moving White Water there is I really don't think there is an more land there than where they are currently at. If they ever move it they would need to find a spot where they could expand the park.
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The Problem with Moving White Water there is I really don't think there is an more land there than where they are currently at. If they ever move it they would need to find a spot where they could expand the park.
Are freaking kidding me? Celebration City could fit 3-4 White Waters comfortably in the park's current borders and if they were to move parking into the land not developed that they own to the west of the current parking they could fit 3-4 more.
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The Problem with Moving White Water there is I really don't think there is an more land there than where they are currently at. If they ever move it they would need to find a spot where they could expand the park.
Are freaking kidding me? Celebration City could fit 3-4 White Waters comfortably in the park's current borders and if they were to move parking into the land not developed that they own to the west of the current parking they could fit 3-4 more.
A Water Park should be part of an overall redevelopment plan and there should be a 70,000 to 100,000 square foot indoor component to it along with Hotel.
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Even if it wasn't much bigger, the benefit of being able to go completely back to the drawing board and develop a modern, higher capacity and density water park on land they actually own instead of lease would be pretty huge. Being able to expand beyond that just makes it seem like a no-brainer.
But it's apparently much more complicated than that, and I'm guessing they can't simply break their contract on the current property and don't think it's worth it to start completely new... yet.
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Im surprized people keep bringing this up.
As I said before, I highly doubt they will move anything from WW to somewhere else in Branson. CC would be a good place to build a water park since they have lots of room to expand, but it wont be free, and nothing in WW was built to be temporary. If they move, it will be like building a whole new water park, with slides and pools already bought. Moving amusement parks arent easy, but moving water parks are even harder and nearly impossible. It would be nice, but Im 99.99% sure that wont happen. If I hear they start thinking about moving, first thing I would do is laugh.....hard. With that being said, Im pretty sure I love WW more than anyone else.
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Im surprized people keep bringing this up.
As I said before, I highly doubt they will move anything from WW to somewhere else in Branson. CC would be a good place to build a water park since they have lots of room to expand, but it wont be free, and nothing in WW was built to be temporary. If they move, it will be like building a whole new water park, with slides and pools already bought. Moving amusement parks arent easy, but moving water parks are even harder and nearly impossible. It would be nice, but Im 99.99% sure that wont happen. If I hear they start thinking about moving, first thing I would do is laugh.....hard. With that being said, Im pretty sure I love WW more than anyone else.
Those slides at Whitwater could come apart easily. Every joint has about 20 bolts each. You need to study a little engineering before you try to become one. Whitewater is so behind the times for waterparks it is just a shell of most of the others.
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Im surprized people keep bringing this up.
(https://67.media.tumblr.com/01ccd162f59ea3bc6c93c72f29112e67/tumblr_n66tgm2JiH1s9laueo1_500.gif)
Yes I really do think
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I dont just mean the slides. I mean everything. There must be miles of pipes and half of them are in the cement, under the walkways. Think of how much work, like jack hammering, it would take. The Lazy River isnt a movable backyard kiddy pool. Nothing was built in a day. Great song btw.
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I dont just mean the slides. I mean everything. There must be miles of pipes and half of them are in the cement, under the walkways. Think of how much work, like jack hammering, it would take. The Lazy River isnt a movable backyard kiddy pool. Nothing was built in a day. Great song btw.
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--HdZdM2_Y--/1463686959477964871.jpg)
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I dont just mean the slides. I mean everything. There must be miles of pipes and half of them are in the cement, under the walkways. Think of how much work, like jack hammering, it would take. The Lazy River isnt a movable backyard kiddy pool. Nothing was built in a day. Great song btw.
They would not jackhammer up pipes but replace with new . A water park is just a series of pumps, plastic and concrete. All relatively cheap in the construction trade. The lazy river is just a concrete trough with water jets embedded. The theming at White Water is blah so even that is not a huge investment. All in All it would be easy to start all over. Not that it will be done.