Am I the only one concerned about the reality of a 2017 coaster actually coming to fruition? Wouldn't it be safe to say that if we were in fact getting something (let alone a coaster) of any significance, we would have seen some signs of it on park by now? I'm not an engineer, and I understand in terms of material and infrastructure a wooden coaster is probably much more involved than anything steel. However, shouldn't we be seeing any markers, earth work, equipment, etc. by now? We are less than a year away from opening day 2017 and nothing. Just for kicks, I went back to our 2013 thread following everything leading up to and through the construction of OR. That got me even more discouraged. Again, I realize there could be things present we cannot physically see at this point, but the lack of nothing even remotely concrete is unsettling to say the least. Take a look at some major milestones for OR and tell me if you don't agree.
November 2011 – Several markers are spotted in the woods from the train near the current site of OR.
12/30/11 – Equipment is spotted in the woods and confirmation of Earth being moved is reported.
1/3/12 – The infamous Robber's Shack is removed near the train tracks.
1/22/12 – RMC confirms two new coaster projects utilizing its proprietary track technology – one presumed to be for SDC.
2/26/12 – First pictures of footer forms and station foundation/footers shared on sdcfans.com.
6/22/12 – SDC releases its first social media teaser video about its upcoming attraction for the 2013 season.
8/9/12 – SDC officially unveils details for Outlaw Run currently under construction at the park.
Again, not trying to assume any apples to apples comparisons here, but what we saw with Outlaw Run's development totaled close to 16 months from the time of markers being spotted to it's debut in 2013. And 15 months if we're talking about dirt work that was reported and confirmed through photos posted here.
Neither of the two sites being speculated about here (the area between GE and EH, or between WF and PK) are very benign real estate. You're talking about lots of woods and no shortage of topography. Wouldn't any addition of note in either of these areas require a significant amount of preparation? Is anyone else not concerned about the absence of any signs of work in these areas (or anywhere else for that matter)?
I'm beginning to worry that 2018 may be the more realistic target IF anything legit is in the works for the near future. That said, if another major coaster is due at SDC, I sincerely hope they did all they could to outdo their efforts with OR, even if it's presumably of the steel variety. If I'm being selfish, I want to see another record breaker in the park. And if I'm being honest, I hope nothing is/was borrowed from the coasters currently residing at DW. Outside of Lightning Rod (already experiencing operational delays and issues), which clearly draws cues from OR, nothing there makes me want to make the trip to Pigeon Forge just to ride it. With the changes coming to Branson in 2016 and planned for the next 3-5 years, I hope SDC is poised to capitalize on the momentum they established with the addition of OR.
Poll