Theme Park Review

^Yeah, the 'carny' element worries me a bit. I don't want a bunch of powered zamperla dragon coasters like in Chinese parks.  But if they pull this off it could end up working. I know they were really focusing on that front part of the park and with a metro station it could be a nice shopping/dining/entertainment area for people to drop by easier. 

^We're going next week and I'll let you know if we see anything different.

Dead! Lol Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I recommend going mid-week. Avoid the weekends.

Speaking of construction, the lift hill is starting to go up. (This will open Memorial Day wknd, at the earliest. )

I told my brother the same thing, I am not coming till Gwazi is open.   Is anything going on with Gwazi say test runs or what looks like final opening prep?     

Bro, Jersey legalized pot not crack. Put it down.

I really hope I'm wrong but when I hear '3rd party operators installing rides and collecting revenue' all I think of is 'carnival'

At the rate construction is going, if the park opens in late March, hopefully the new ride will be ready on opening day for the first time in forever.

I think 2021 will be the year I finally get on El Toro. I can't let it escape me any longer haha.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas has sent us a press release about the return of the annual Mardi Gras Festival at Six Flags Fiesta Texas including several new experiences that will debut this year! The 5th Annual Mardi Gras Festival returns to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Stroll through different Mardi Gras villages and experience a new voodoo-themed walk-through, live music, an extensive menu of the French Quarter’s favorite foods and drinks, and of course, beads galore. The theme park will continue its extra focus on health and safety in 2021 with the addition of spontaneous pop-up cavalcades in lieu of traditional parades. “Over the past five years, we’ve created the premier Mardi Gras Festival in South Texas, and this year’s event offers our guests more than ever,” said Park President Jeffrey Siebert.  “Guests of all ages can enjoy all the ambiance and energy of The Big Easy while celebrating together safely.” Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Mardi Gras Festival will be open on weekend and select days through February 28, 2021 and the event is included with all active Memberships and Season Passes. Visit www.sixflags.com for specific operating hours. Mardi Gras Festival highlights: The Houngan House of Voodoo – New for 2021 – The Mardi Gras Festival expands into the Spassburg area of the park with the addition of The Houngan House of Voodoo. A voodoo priest lures inquisitive guests through room-after-room of his cursed French Quarter home filled with magical dolls, potions, charms and gris-gris in this voodoo-themed walk-thru attraction. Social distancing will be strictly enforced. This mysterious new addition to the Mardi Gras Festival is included with park admission (reservation required) Mardi Gras Pop-Up Cavalcades – New for 2021 – Guests will be delighted by spontaneous pop-up cavalcades featuring Bugs & Lola or the park’s Mardi Gras brass band in a bead-dazzled vehicle. These colorful, spontaneous, one-vehicle processions will appear four times a day Mardi Gras Beads – What is Mardi Gras without beads? The Mardi Gras bead colors of purple, green, and gold symbolize justice (purple), faith (green) and power (gold). Guests are provided complimentary traditional Mardi Gras beads at various locations Live Music – The street sounds of The Big Easy fill the air with live music by the Dixieland Band, The King Williams Brass Band, and other musical entertainment throughout the park Street Entertainment – The party continues with street shows and performances along the midways in Rockville, Spassburg, and Texas State Square  Colorful Décor – The Mardi Gras Festival is a vibrant celebration when Six Flags Fiesta Texas is blanketed with colorful decorations that capture the spirit of this world-famous New Orleans party  Taste of Mardi Gras – Back by popular demand are the delicious and authentic food and drinks of Mardi Gras, including gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish, bacon-wrapped boudin balls, beignets, hurricanes, and a wide variety of beer.  This year’s event also features a long list of new treats for 2021 including gator bites, bacon wrapped Cajun pork ribs, and praline cheesecake. Six Flags Fiesta Texas 2021 Season Passes and Memberships are currently on sale. Members enjoy priority park entry and tremendous discounts of up to 50% on nearly all food and merchandise purchases all season long. Members also receive skip-the-line passes, sneak previews, and extended ride times on some of their favorite rides and attractions. To purchase a ticket for the Mardi Gras Festival, visit www.sixflags.com/fiestatexas.  Six Flags worked in partnership with its epidemiologist consultants to create a safe experience that meets or exceeds federal, state, and local guidelines. Park attendance will be carefully monitored to avoid overcrowding and all Members, Season Pass Holders, and guests with single-day tickets will be required to make a reservation to attend the Mardi Gras Festival. In addition: All team members and all guests two years and up will be required to wear masks covering the nose and mouth while in the parks; Props, rides, restraints, handrails, and dining and restroom facilities will be cleaned and sanitized regularly; and Multiple alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the parks for guest and team member usage. For more information on Mardi Gras Festival and Six Flags’ comprehensive safety guidelines, visit www.sixflags.com.

Ocean Park has announced that they will be shifting their business model from all-inclusive ticketing (rides and attractions included at one cost) to a per-experience ticketing cost. Some older rides will also be retired with third party operators expected to install replacements and collect revenue from their operation. A portion of the park will be opened up for public access to become a retail, dining and entertainment area, not requiring ticketed admission to enter.  https://www.oceanpark.com.hk/en/press-release/government-unveils-future-plan-for-ocean-park-hong-kong-with-conservation-and The Government and Ocean Park Corporation have completed a rethink exercise to chart the way forward and reimagine new opportunities for the Park, leveraging on its unique geographical location, and its expertise and proven track record in conservation and education. The proposed plan breaks through existing frameworks, with a revamped operating model, a new pricing model and a wide array of enhanced visitor experiences to help the Park achieve business sustainability.   “Ocean Park is grateful for the invaluable support from the public and the Government. The new operating model enables us to improve, innovate, and invigorate the Park in the exciting years ahead,” said Lau Ming-wai, Chairman of Ocean Park. “We are excited to have this all-new approach to pave the way forward for the Park. We look forward to working out the details and bringing the next stage of Ocean Park to Hong Kong as soon as possible.”   Under the latest plan, Ocean Park will amplify its efforts in local wildlife conservation and education, creating Hong Kong’s biggest and best nature classroom to accompany our next generations on their conservation and learning journeys . The Park will also introduce an admission-free Retail, Dining and Entertainment Zone, along with whole-new Wellness-themed Zones and an Adventure Zone to provide truly unique and diversified dining and entertainment experiences. Together with the soon-to-be-launched Water World and two piers to be built, visitors are set to immerse themselves in the extraordinary experiences and stunning natural beauty of the Park. Driving Conservation and Education inside and outside the Park: The Park aims to better integrate conservation and education with the overall park experience; and deepen the engagement and interaction with the public. It will work closely with schools to enhance and complement the school curriculum, opening up conservation and education possibilities for interactive, hands-on learning. The Park will take advantage of the latest technologies to provide unprecedented experiences to visitors. In addition, it will collaborate with the Government, corporations and NGOs to take conservation work in Hong Kong to the next level. Free entry to new Retail, Dining and Entertainment Zone: The Park’s lower park area will be open to the public for free. Visitors can enjoy world-class performances with gourmet dining, capture highly Instagrammable photo moments, relax at the multipurpose areas and have a great time with their children at the dedicated kids’ zone. All visitors, no matter families or friends, will have countless memories and enjoyment at the Park. Leverage our stunning shoreline: Ocean Park Water World, the highly anticipated world-class attraction, will open this year. With two brand-new piers, Hongkongers can cruise around the Southern District that starts with Ocean Park, and take in the stunning views of Hong Kong’s southern shorelines while participating in meaningful eco and cultural tours. Build upon the natural beauty of our topography: The whole new Wellness-themed Zones will combine conservation and education with the beautiful natural scenery of the Park and its surroundings to provide an exciting array of wellness-themed outdoor activities, while the Adventure Zone promises elevated thrilling guest experiences with new rides embedding elements of nature. Lau concluded, “Our renewed direction embodies our vision of advancing Ocean Park into Hong Kong’s leading education platform, with a strong mission to promote wildlife conservation and environmental protection. Leveraging on our exceptional location and with the launch of Water World soon, we are confident that Ocean Park will play a pivotal role in the ‘Invigorating Island South’ initiative. We remain steadfast in our commitment to achieving business sustainability and to serving the community of Hong Kong.” (Ocean Park photos from the TPR Park Index)  

^Clunk and bang your way to glory--Arrow style!

The park has announced that opening day will be Saturday, March 27th.