SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => Construction/Rumors => Topic started by: History Buff on July 27, 2015, 08:33:47 PM
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If Flooded Mine must go, what does its last season look like? Is it advertised as "Flooded Mine's Final Season"? Is there final season merchandise? Special rides at Christmas (recall the candy mine)? How does SDC pay tribute to Flooded Mine when it is gone? Does Obama visit to pardon the prisoners? Oops, sorry, that last one just slipped out.
WITHOUT DISCUSSING REPLACEMENT ATTRACTIONS, what would you suggest?
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I don't think they'd do anything special, because I don't think there would be a last year. The year after it reopened after renovations, however, it may even have it's own gift shop like all the other rides these days.
But to answer your actual question better, I'm not sure there's a whole lot of precedent here for SDC. The park sometimes will make little nods to its history, but it's actually surprising and unusual how little they do. I honestly think they'd be too focused on hyping a new attraction to do anything to celebrate an old classic. Plus they would be trying to dodge the backlash, which could be huge for one of the big two classics.
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If they handled it nicely, though, they might avoid the backlash. FM would join the Diving Bell as one we whose loss we lament. I see a boon in possible merchandising for the final commemorative year, and I think there would be a lost of people who would like to salvage the pieces. Imagine some of the items inside there that you could own.
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FM will be 50 years old in 2018. I'm hoping for a huge commemorative campaign ;D I've heard it is one of the oldest "dark" rides in existence. T-shirts, coffee mugs, coins, "toothpick" holders, mini sign replicas, HEY, MERCHANDISE! Here's a money maker! :-\
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I've heard not only is it the oldest "dark" ride in existence, but also the first of it's kind. T-shirts, coffee mugs, coins, "toothpick" holders, mini sign replicas, HEY, MERCHANDISE! Here's a money maker! Undecided
I hope they do some cool adult retro stuff, FITH did this with a black tshirt. It wasnt cheap and I parted with 18 for it. If they keep away the tie-dye I will probably buy. I will hate to see it go if this happens. They are taking their people eater and getting rid of it?
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First, I beg and plead that this doesn't happen. You can go to any theme park in the country and ride a roller coaster. There is only one Flooded Mine (and Fire in the Hole). These are the rides that make SDC special. But I digress...
I rode FM on Saturday, and the music/dialogue wasn't working. It is eerie riding through there without it.
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If they where to get rid of it why spend dollars on marketing its final year....especially some type of big year long campaign? I just don't see that announcement causing the general public to fill the park. If it where to happen I would assume that they would keep that tight lipped until after the summer season....maybe announce during the fall to 'help' with late season tickets. Hopefully they would have a primary marketing announcement for the next year at the same time with what will be added so the public gets the goods news with the bad.
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If they where to get rid of it why spend dollars on marketing its final year....especially some type of big year long campaign? I just don't see that announcement causing the general public to fill the park. If it where to happen I would assume that they would keep that tight lipped until after the summer season....maybe announce during the fall to 'help' with late season tickets. Hopefully they would have a primary marketing announcement for the next year at the same time with what will be added so the public gets the goods news with the bad.
I sadly agree. If it were to go, it would probably go the same way Geyser Gulch went. An announcement and probably some #hashtag about having your last photo to up their likes/shares on facebook/twitter.
I hope we never see it leave. Didn't realize it was the oldest dark ride in the country though; I think that is pretty amazing and SHOULD be publicized.
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What am I missing? Has SDC made an announcement that the Flooded Mine is going away? Is this a rumor, or has this been decided, or what?
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It is strictly a rumor, but may be likely. FM is not like Geyser Gulch. FM is a staple ride, a classic, vintage, nostalgic, anchor attraction that has stood up for nearly 50 years. SDC marketed their old Christmas light parade as the final year, so why not merchandise and advertise this one - along with some anticipation of its replacement.
I think some ceremony should be held to decommission the ride. Then put some of the mine carts around the new attraction and plant flowers in them. Add some prison labor to the new attraction and work them into the theme?
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Which pieces of FM are the most iconic for you? Which would you like to own?
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I hope the talk of the loss of FM is just talk. I cannot imagine SDC without it. If they tore out what is there and replaced it with a mystery mine, or anything else,
it would just never be the same.
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I completely agree, but I'm trying to think about it from a profit/loss point of view. We're not dealing solely with the brothers anymore, and I don't know that the people in charge of these decisions are as closely tied to our classic attractions as we are.
At this point, this is only rumor that has been posted on another site.
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I would really miss this ride if they took it out.. :( Still to this day when i ride FM, i just sit there & enjoy the ride. When i was kid, this song would play in my mind for 2-3 days after riding it all weekend.
Whats iconic, & what would i like to own? One of the prison suits!! :D
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It is still a "people eater" ride and I assume marginally low maintenance. I hope they just refurbish it up with new scenes and updated technology to help keep it relevant.
If they do refurbish it the need to move the exit to go back to the entrance (that gets tricky for some family s)
If you really think big about it....maybe take the water out and make is a 3D sim ride? Idk how much of the existing ride could be really used if it turn 3D though. Compare FM to the modern shooter rides (justice league, buzz lightyear, Toy story) and it just looks and feels tired and old :(
I have many of those memories that you all have about the ride and I'm fine keeping it the same.....but I know my kids just seem to find it boring :(
I'm not sure if their is enough space around it to do a mystery ride coaster? It seems to be tightly tucked between the RR on one side and the shops on the other. I really can't predict what they would do with the ride/area if it were to close.
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If you really think big about it....maybe take the water out and make is a 3D sim ride? Idk how much of the existing ride could be really used if it turn 3D though.
You would have to rename and retheme it if the water was taken out.
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I am of a different view than most people here. I remember the flooded mine before it was a shootout. To me they killed the spirit of the ride when that change was made. The last time I rode on July 4th this year a lot of things were not working. No music or sound at all. It made for a very generic experience. As much as I hate to see it go, it has very low ridership. It is a walk on most days. And if the park is not going to maintain it then it would be better to bring on something new. I know my memories are of a ride with much more than what it is now.
Now to answer the OP question. It would be great if they had a last year fling for the old boy. I don't buy tshirts or most junk , so I would prefer them to maybe auction off parts or props. Maybe even giveaways for season pass holders or Facebook followers.
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I will be very sad if they remove it. I loved it better before the shootout stuff was added, also. I don't want another older park attraction to leave. Before long, the park will only be a memory of what it used to be.
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My thoughts exactly Gilligan. SDC will lose it's identity if they start losing all the classics. If all they want to offer are roller coasters, then they will effectively cut their audience in half. If you like roller coasters, that's fine. My problem is everyone wants to throw out the classics like FM, GM and FITH only to put in another coaster. SDC has 5 coasters already. Let's give a little love to the classics that got them to where they are now. Personally, I think they need to ditch AP and bring back the Jim Owen Float Trip. In it's glory, that was a pretty cool ride. Highly themed and just a fun little ride that grandma and grandpa could experience with their grandkids much like FM. Think about how awesome FITH, FM, GM AND the Float Trip would be if they invested the amount of money it took to put in OR.
Ok...now I'll step off the soap box.
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FM was one of the rides I worked at, in 81 and 82. Fun times wearing the stripes!
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This is a very important ride because it's dark and quiet and Mom's love it because you can take a baby in there and by the end of the ride they are usually asleep. Happened many times to our children and my wife has praised the ride ever since! And we love the shootout part.
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I would be so sad to see it go. Its something we always ride. Sometimes twice in a row. Its cool, quiet and a great reprieve from my aching feet. Its a classic. You dont kill grandma because she is getting up there in age. Why would you do that to FM, FITH, or AP? I feel it would be best suited to really dump some cash into these iconic rides that began it. Its a part of SDC history. Its as much of a heartbeat as the big coasters. It touches many walks of life. The only problem I forsee in updating all of these rides would be the wheelchair access rule. I am all for it but will they want to spend so much? It would be hard to loose FM. But to loose it to an upgraded FM thats not a 3D simulator or mine ride would be wonderful.
Silver Dollar City is not our SDC of the past. Lets face it friends, its a changin. Progress is a coming, like it or not. We are losing what it was just like our grandparents lost what it was to them when SDC first opened. My son does not share the same type of love I do. He loves it for different reasons but the love is there all the same. And this thought gives me pause. The beautiful values are still there. The grand music is flowing. Our memories are alive. This fan site proves it so. If progress does come, lets pray it goes the way it should. To go in the direction of big theme and back story. Progress can be good. Thats if it is done in the correct way.
I wish whomever is making the decision good luck. FM proves some big shoes that will need to be filled. It will be hard to follow. I mourn the loss and look forward to whats to come.
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I am of a different view than most people here. I remember the flooded mine before it was a shootout. To me they killed the spirit of the ride when that change was made. ... I know my memories are of a ride with much more than what it is now.
Your view is exactly like mine. Under the original script, FM was a place of mystery and enchantment and discovery. Since it became a shootout, the details and suspense might as well not exist. >:(
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If FM is leaving, I don't think it will be this year. I've heard from people that this year won't be a "rides" year and they will probably just do renovations and upgrades throughout the park. They might close it after next season, but I feel they should keep it until its 50th birthday which would be 2018.
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Probably way off base, but I don't see them going into the middle of the park to do something next.. I look for an "addition" to the FL area. Whether it incorporates the WB area, or goes across the street to the Riverfront Playhouse/Boatworks Theatre area. Seems to be so much repair/maint needed, its almost as if they are ignoring that area for now?
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Probably way off base, but I don't see them going into the middle of the park to do something next.. I look for an "addition" to the FL area. Whether it incorporates the WB area, or goes across the street to the Riverfront Playhouse/Boatworks Theatre area. Seems to be so much repair/maint needed, its almost as if they are ignoring that area for now?
Actually it would not take much to hop the tracks and include TFM into a major attraction with the Playhouse Theater and WB area. If that was done it could be something huge.
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Probably way off base, but I don't see them going into the middle of the park to do something next.
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I got Off Topic...forgot this was for the Flooded Mine comments.....
SORRY, I deleted my post and reposted accordingly..
(Admin, tried to delete didn't work, please leave it or delete it, I reposted under 2016 and future developments.).
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I don't see Flooded Mine leaving. I don't know what else could go in it's space. If anything, they'll completely redo the ride, but I don't see that happening soon. It's a classic, it's for the whole family, and it's one of SDC's signature non-coaster rides.
As for the comments about "You could go anywhere to ride coasters": that's true, but SDC has an exceptional line-up. Outlaw Run is spectacular and is, in my opinion, the best coaster in the midwest, if not the country. Powder Keg is incredible, and there is no family launched coaster that really compares. Wildfire is the least unique coaster at the park, as it's your standard B&M looper, but it's still exceptional. Thunderation is one of the best mine trains out there.
But yes, SDC is not just about the coasters. It's about the atmosphere, the theming, the friendliness of the employees, the craftsmen, the shows, etc. The park is the whole package. Is Flooded Mine a part of that package? Yes. Do I see it leaving soon? Like I said earlier, no. But if I'm wrong and it does leave, the park still has plenty of unique attractions to offer.
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Things are not like they used be at the park. If the brothers played a more active role in the park like they used to, then I'd agree with you that Flooded Mine has 0 chance of leaving, but the current practice by the park's board says otherwise. The current practice is that once something nears the end of its shelf life, you rip it out completely and build new. Here, I'll give you some examples.
Aunt Molly's Chicken - completely removed to build new Crossroads Pizza
Geyser Gulch - Fireman's Landing
Tom Sawyer's Landing - RiverBlast and Half Dollar Holler
They also completely raze areas when building stuff too
Wilson's Farm
Grand Exposition
Outlaw Run
Fireman's Landing
In closing, is there a chance that Flooded Mine might be around for a much longer time? Sure. Is it more likely that the stripped down boats from the ride on the backlot are a bad omen of things to come? Completely.
For the record, I don't want it to go. It is a must ride for me every trip. But even I can notice things are disappearing when they break instead of getting fixed.
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Count me in the group that fervently hopes that FM is not leaving.
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Include my family and myself as well.
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Lets say that FM is leaving.....who here would like if SDC raffled off parts of the scenes? Like the dummies and props??
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Lets say that FM is leaving.....who here would like if SDC raffled off parts of the scenes? Like the dummies and props??
Only if it benefited a well run charity and not to increase their bottom line.
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Lets say that FM is leaving.....who here would like if SDC raffled off parts of the scenes? Like the dummies and props??
Well, I would rather have them auction parts off instead of just throwing everything away.
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This season, it seems like SDC has posted more pictures of FM on social media than usual. Maybe they are trying to advertise it before possibly closing it?
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The thing about these kinds of rumors is that once people start looking for "clues", anything can be construed as evidence. I wouldn't try to find hidden meaning in their facebook posts.
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Call off the hounds and put away your pitchforks (for now). Flooded Mine will make it to it's 50th anniversary according to the news I got today.
You might want to start saving up for the promotional merchandise they have planned.
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Alright! Great news! Good to see you, Swoosh!
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Can you tell us if they are going to dump any money into it?
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One could hope. I wouldn't count on anything major.
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Good to hear FM will live to be 50!
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They are in for life.....Poor guys are never going to get out.... :D
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'Twould be nice to see the candy mine again at Christmas.
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'Twould be nice to see the candy mine again at Christmas.
Yes Yes & Yes!!!
There's a thread on here that I had started years ago about the Candy Mine. It was only for one season, but I thought it was so cool.
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Good news about a 50th anniversary...
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CRAP!!!! Ok so FM might not be safe after all. Lots of misinformation going on right now.
Anyone going to be there this weekend? PM me if you are I have something I want you to check for me. If it's turns out to be nothing then there is no need to get everyone all riled up
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Swoosh, I gonna be there this weekend. What should I be looking for
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I'll PM you
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Was just there. They added a new prisoner in a barrel in the line queue, and fixed the sleeping guard in the 2nd room. They also fixed the animatronics on the prisoner head to the left (up high) right before Frank (get up the rope Frank). The saw room lighting is much more dramatic now and 3 broken targets in there have been fixed. The place is looking great!
On an secondary note: there are no 100,000 point targets. The illusion is created when the gun glitches over the 10,000 slot straight to the 100,000 slot after 9,900. Swoosh was lying when he said there are hidden targets that are worth 100,00 points. I have confirmed with numerous ride operators that no such targets exist.
Thread in question: http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?action=printpage;topic=1309.0
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The guns don't work right digitally anyway. The bonus targets are 10000 points. I have hit them before. after 9990 the gun goes to 100000 instead of 10000.
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Was just there. They added a new prisoner in a barrel in the line queue, and fixed the sleeping guard in the 2nd room. They also fixed the animatronics on the prisoner head to the left (up high) right before Frank (get up the rope Frank). The saw room lighting is much more dramatic now and 3 broken targets in there have been fixed. The place is looking great!
Well, it's probably a good sign that they are fixing things and making improvements to the ride.
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They have always been giving FM (and FITH) TLC as they go along. Sometimes it's small things, sometimes it's obvious. I still don't think some posters here appreciate it enough when they talk about it getting "run down". It's simply a classic attraction, and of course it was a lot more awesome when you remember it 20 years or more ago because everything is 10x better in retrospect. It's still one of the best dark rides in the nation, and I really mean that. Like I've said, most of the other classic dark rides at places like Frontier City and Carowinds have been replaced with crappy modern renditions with cardboard cut-outs instead of props. I've ridden FM countless times over the past couple decades and I'm still always seeing new details that I never noticed before.
Anyway, I've been thinking more about the original question, and I think that whenever FM does finally go, the park will indeed probably announce it as the final year. I assume they'll hype up a replacement at the same time, similar to how Carowinds just did with Thunder Road. I still want to believe that any replacement would simply be a revamped dark ride experience though, hopefully of the same theme and nature. I don't think prisoners are PC enough for them anymore though... they'd probably go with flood rescue operation theme or something with it's own custom monument in front ::)
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Swoosh was lying when he said there are hidden targets that are worth 100,00 points. I have confirmed with numerous ride operators that no such targets exist.
Thread in question: http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?action=printpage;topic=1309.0
Oh for crying out loud that was back in 2010. Back then there were 4 that had higher totals. One was on the breaking beam, there was a hidden one just past the canary cage, another was in the final room with targets and then there was another one earlier in the ride.
They've changed the programming since then at least twice that I know of. For awhile it was random 500 point values. The past two years it seems that all the values have been the same.
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My wife and I rode FM yesterday and the theme music was not playing; kinda weird riding through there without that. Many of the targets weren't functioning either. After a minute I just put down the gun and rode along.
We were the only people on the ride and when we returned to the loading area no one was waiting to board, so we took the time to ask the ride operators why no music was playing inside the mine. They acted like they had no idea that it wasn't currently playing and said they'd look into it. These guys have been working this ride for several years now.
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Swoosh told no lies. There are ways for bonus points. The ride mechanics know where they are. Finding them yourself is the fun of the hunt. They are aware speakers and projectors aren't working.
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My wife and I rode FM yesterday and the theme music was not playing; kinda weird riding through there without that. Many of the targets weren't functioning either. After a minute I just put down the gun and rode along.
Oh that's sounds fun, I would like the recordings to be working, but no other noise? just cruising along/ Yes please. ;D
Swoosh!~ I am backing you on this one.! ::)
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uh...yeah. Hit them MANY times. Swoosh was/is correct.
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I was there on Saturday. If there was something I can possibly report on Swoosh, let me know.
Otherwise, the theme music was working fine and for the most part targets were working fine. I only hit a couple that I didn't noticeably see not working.
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They've changed the programming since then at least twice that I know of. For awhile it was random 500 point values. The past two years it seems that all the values have been the same.
I didn't mean to offend you, it's just that I dedicated quite a bit of time to trying to find these targets that I was under the impression were still active according to the message you sent me on the topic:
"As for the the larger point targets. That's just part of the ride. Once you find them, you'll feel pretty accomplished. I'll give you a hint on where one is though -- it is in the dynamite room where the water explodes and the beam comes down. Now go find it. Good luck!?"
I rode the ride so much looking for all the targets, all the operators know me by name... It's kind of a let down to find out they've all been equalized.
Again swoosh, I did not mean to offend.
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I was informed that all targets have been reset and that there are several targets valued at 500 points now. I do not know how many or where they are located but they are there
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Last time I rode the attraction a few weeks ago, my gun didn't work. I ended up just floating looking at the scenery.....which was just as fun. I must be getting old....
Jay
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FM is the most maintenance heavy ride at the park. They're trying to get everything working but with a limited maintenance team it takes time to get to everything
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I was informed that all targets have been reset and that there are several targets valued at 500 points now. I do not know how many or where they are located but they are there
I will have to check next time I'm there. I didn't notice anything last weekend, but wasn't really paying close enough attention.
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I completely agree that it would be a sad loss. It's a favorite of mine and many others. However, over the past few years the queue line has been noticeably low. I can't count how many times my wife and kids have been able to just stay on the ride for 2-3 times in a row due to lack of riders. I would rather the Lost River go before the FM, but during the summer the LR is super busy. I'm just glad to see the FITH still keeps people coming back to ride year after year.
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I can't count how many times my wife and kids have been able to just stay on the ride for 2-3 times in a row due to lack of riders.
This is true however if you were a WDW traveler before the Pirates movies you will remember the Pirates ride being mostly the same, no lines, walk on.
Things change and neglect or the failure to improve an attraction will certainly assist in its demise.
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It's never a walk on once the train comes back to the depot.
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It's never a walk on once the train comes back to the depot.
True " Dat "