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I've never craved a beer at an amusement park and I personally like that I haven't had to deal with an overserved person at an amusement park.

I bet any new SDC resort will be serving something.  Makes ya wonder if that has be park of the hold up of building on.  Bet that resort won't be on least land from a church.

While SDC has always controlled a lot of land around the park, this purchase feels like it is motivated by what we have long talked about: the development of an SDC resort. The land also provides more area for parking, though it is still a hilly area. They could build a backroad for shuttles and a second entry to the park on the north side, which would allow for more overall capacity.

Capacity is a interesting topic.  Id argue increasing parking and adding a gate does not increase park capacity.  It might help with parking and crowd congesting during opening and closing.....but they better not think it increases there max capacity without adding new area, rides, and shows that can handle bigger crowds.  If the new train station is true.....maybe a whole secondary park (on resort) via train could be an option.

Clarification Questions?

Are they planning a loop from fireman's landing around the lake to Wilsons farm?  Not sure where the building is there planning.  if they loop over the train maintenance buildings that would open up so new land.....and possible backgate like place for resort/hotel off 76. 

Plus a loop from Wilsons Farm to Opry House? 

Is the new Building behind the Landings Restooms/Flyer....across the tracks I assume in the current 'backlot'....or is is behind the exposition hall....behind firefall?

Announcing FiTH removal better come with a lot of focus on a new ride and big explanation on why it can't be saved.  Going to be a PR challenge.  Not sure if there is another ride in the park that will be more missed by the general public SDC regulars.

Yes, it's by far the popular rumor with plenty of signs pointing to it. We are talking about it more in the 2023 thread.

Yeah.....I didn't see that convo till after I posted in here.

FM and the train station really don't take that much space.  I know FM is bigger that is seems but Fith building is larger than the train station and FM together.  I love to sneak in an HQ office somewhere to see these possible long-term ideas...lol

I would agree in the speculation that FM will end up being a complete deconstruction and new attraction.  I can't imagine them being able to 'modernize' it without a complete rebuild.  Enjoy while you can.

I do not like the idea of moving the train station there.

Between the Saloon show, opry house, many of the most popular rides already being around the area....how in the world can ya add the masses of people who come on and off that train?  Plus adding OR shortcut? The stations current location is basically dead without the station around.  That corner by the saloon is already Times Square of SDC....lol

Anyone know if they would 'close' the current loop? or would it stay open?  It would be kinda tough on everyone if that had to go up by OR to complete the loop. 

Some serious rumors about a new FITH ride building going on.....this group believing them?

If true....I'm more curious about what they would do with the current building/site.  Room for some flat ride(s)? new show building? expand/replace saloon? Good spot to station a giga that goes out into woods? Create a loop with OR?

Keep an eye on Indian Ridge.

Oh no....not Indian Ridge (sarcasm inserted)!!!   The world need dozens more youtube videos and facebook posts exploring them.

I love FM as next as the next super SDC fan.  My only SDC memory from my childhood is of the that big buzzsaw that scared the crud out of me with I was like 5yo (and before the FM theme).  I didn't visit again till I was a teen.

The reason FM is a walk-on even on the busiest of days isn't because it's hard to find.  Most ride it too cool off and take a break or soak up the nostalgia.  But I doubt very many people are leaving the park bragging to there family/friends about there FM score or how much fun they had on it.  I'm on the side of a new 3rd ride with refreshes with the classic rides....but I doubt it will happen.

Breakdowns seem to be an issue at all the parks this year.  PK is historically bad.  TT was down a lot its first year but seems to be better.  Lets hope MF will stabilize itself.  idk if I've every seen WF down...lol

Good luck figuring out how to pay actually good artists and craftsman to hang out at an amusement park vs working there own schedules.  With the internet these days....the good ones don't need SDC.

Its not just tik tok....its youtube and facebook too.  I'm in a couple of abandoned places groups.   Someone will post about these every 2-3 weeks with pictures/vids acting like they are first to find these....lol   Probably some of the most famous and photographed abandoned houses in the world.  I'm sure the locals are tired of it.

Some of the same people attempt to get in Celebration City too.

My dream would be spending a tenth of the money a new super-duper-fantastic ride would cost, and bring back SDC Citizens, street shows, and small live acoustic music all over the park.

Agree 100%.  SDC cannot--and should not--compete with the Disney Empire or such places.  It has its niche, and it should excel using its strengths.  Everybody has sooper-dooper thrill rides; only SDC has its charm.

Not surprised by these responses.  Disney hasn't lost all the charm it used to have even with the modern rides because they still do the little things as much as possible.  Parades, street singers, character greets, side and stage shows, etc.

I wasn't saying to get rid of any of the things you mentioned.....or not to add more of it.  They can and should do both.  Many in the younger generation would still enjoy and appreciate what your talking about.....but you also have to know that those things also have limited appeal to the mass public. 

SDC is all about making family memories so you have to have stuff that will draw in everyone.  I would be nice to have a new modern attraction that isn't just another coaster or set of themed flat rides.  I guess the new raft ride is actually a good example of a modern tech family attraction.  Just thinking they need an indoor one next since there needs to be more to do during rain events and during the colder season than what we have in the park today.

I have almost zero knowledge on the plans/rumors....but I'll post an opinion/prediction anyway.  lol

My money is on White Water staying where it is with maybe a few minor upgrades yearly.  It has a solid customer base both locally and of course from the tourist on the strip (that baseball complex behind itis a cash cow).  I know it doesn't have much footprint for expanding.

Water Parks are easy money when done right.  I know Branson has a couple other minor parks associated with hotels/resorts.

If HFE every pulls the trigger on a dollywood like SDC resort....I'm guessing a 2nd waterpark will be built with it.  I don't know if that is over where Celebration City was....or closer to SDC...or...who knows.  But a 2nd water park with a different set of water park attractions I think could work.   Would give HFE an additional way to package tickets and passes.....would be a perk for the new resort and really doesn't have to be that big.  Make one about the same size as WW and just make sure it has enough different attractions to make it a different experience.  Not unlike what Disney does with there 3 water parks onsite.  Could even go down the road of having it all or partly indoor to keep it open year around.

The land that WW sits on will be more valuable then the park.  BPOA can buy it and expand to offer more fields and even build indoor basketball courts for use during the winter to keep cash flowing from travel teams.

All of the current slides can be taken to the new park and the new Waterpark could have a better master plan to utilize space more efficiently. 

If anything, HFEC should buy BPOA like what Cedar Point did with the complex in Sandusky to bring in even more revenue.  Surprised Dollywood hasn't done this as well

Is 76 real estate really that valuable?  I'm not saying it doesn't have value.....but seems like there are plenty of investment opportunities on and around 76 for development.....even a few larger spaces.

I have no idea what the lease details are that was previously mentioned....that more that anything will force a decision to do something or nothing.

My sons travel team went to 'Branson' for a weekend tourney 2 weeks ago.  I was wondering where they would actually play.  Was pretty disappointed when his games where in Blue Eye (HS)   Which I didn't know till after booking a room in town.  Blue Eye almost closer to my house in NWA then it is to Branson.  I'd be all for BPOA to add some courts.....but the Winter is actually on off season for travel ball since its when the school teams are playing.  Spring and Summer are also the main basketball travel season....idk if it would work or not.

I have almost zero knowledge on the plans/rumors....but I'll post an opinion/prediction anyway.  lol

My money is on White Water staying where it is with maybe a few minor upgrades yearly.  It has a solid customer base both locally and of course from the tourist on the strip (that baseball complex behind itis a cash cow).  I know it doesn't have much footprint for expanding.

Water Parks are easy money when done right.  I know Branson has a couple other minor parks associated with hotels/resorts.

If HFE every pulls the trigger on a dollywood like SDC resort....I'm guessing a 2nd waterpark will be built with it.  I don't know if that is over where Celebration City was....or closer to SDC...or...who knows.  But a 2nd water park with a different set of water park attractions I think could work.   Would give HFE an additional way to package tickets and passes.....would be a perk for the new resort and really doesn't have to be that big.  Make one about the same size as WW and just make sure it has enough different attractions to make it a different experience.  Not unlike what Disney does with there 3 water parks onsite.  Could even go down the road of having it all or partly indoor to keep it open year around.

Between the aging FM and FiTH.  The issues they are having with the live shows (both legal and covid related)....it feels like SDC has to invest in either a new indoor attraction....or dump money in the old indoor rides.  If they redo the old rides they would have to be from scratch to get any of the general public to really care.  Which is really not unlike what happened to the raft ride.  So many possible options they could do if a new site/attraction is created.  Really like to see a true family ride with lots of tech.  Soaring like ride in the Ozarks?  FM 2.0 with 3D?

I really can't see HFE being in a place(currently or next 5 years)where they could buy sea world or even become a majority partner. While it's fun to speculate it just seems highly improbable. It would be like whataburger buying out Burger King. One chain is so much smaller they just don't have the capital to come close to doing a deal like that.

All that said. The banter between sea world and SDC on Facebook yesterday was fun.

I wouldn't consider it improbable at all.  For the record....I'm not saying it will happen.

Hard to compare the two companies because HFE is private so we don't have the same reported numbers that SeaWord Enterprises have to report.  We don't have a real info on how much capital they have or or how much money they have made.

I don't think they are as far apart in size as your thinking.  HFE has alot more properties than just SDC and Dollywood.  But obviously, you have to would give SeaWorld/Busch Gardens the advantage in asset value with there parks attendances and locations.  Real Estate alone the company is worth a pretty penny even if the brands have devalued.

But smaller companies take over larger companies all the time.  Especially if it involves outside investors and/or arrangements concerning debts.  It's all about making the money work.

Plus...even though Whataburger is also a crappy burger....I doubt they want any association with Burger King.  If HFE would want to keep expanding....you have to think that those SW/BG parks would be the top of the line existing parks that fit into there business model. 

But who knows....HFE owns the globetrotters....so???