Miracleman

My favorite part of the article is when it links to an ad for the Australian Sea World when describing how it advertises. Nice "research" for your "article." It's a blog post with an agenda. Take with a grain of salt. I'm not saying that working at SeaWorld is a dream, but seriously, what job is?

Just a quick FYI: On the Adventure Point facebook page, they are asking for food vendor ideas. Check it out if you're so inclined. Surprisingly no one's suggested Blue Bell...yet.

This is a tragedy. There are already a bunch of these types of "theme park" games all over the app store. This is just Atari trying to get their hooks in peoples' wallets. I don't necessarily have a problem with the "freemium" model, but this impugns the good name of the franchise. The only thing this has in common with RCT is the perspective. In fact, no one would care if they called it something else, but they called it Roller Coaster Tycoon. Shouldn't that mean something? Seems to be an abuse of the franchise. A small part of me is still hoping that they just overshot April 1st with this announcement. Alas, in this cruel world, I know it must be true. EDITED TO ADD: This is unfortunately not a unique case. Many Videogame companies are trading the reputation of their franchises in to make some quick bucks in the mobile market. Kudos to those who don't. He coded the first game in Assembly Language by himself? Respect.

Here are a couple of recent articles that expand upon the recent park situation with regard to the land purchase and how far along the park plans are. This just seems so ambitious, especially for a park with no ties to a major theme park company, but, I suppose, stranger things have happened and this project just refuses to die despite losing its land. Only this park would try to expand their plans after what it's been through. Still, I recommend tempering hopes with many, many grains of salt. SOURCE: http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/kingwood/business/article/Developers-of-Texas-dinosaur-theme-park-trying-to-5285473.php#photo-5971646 And apparently that article got San Antonio all nervous. SOURCE: http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/blog/2014/03/planned-earthquest-theme-park-in-houston-could.html

Not really no. It's just a low friction surface made of science-plastics. I played hockey on one once years ago and didn't love it. It's hard to explain. It wears out skate blades faster, I know that. Didn't completely hate it, but it just felt wrong y'know. However, that was years ago and I have heard that the synthetic ice has improved immensely. Guess I'll find out. Anyways, there is no other way to ever have an outdoor rink in Texas without a MASSIVE energy cost, So I guess we just have to take what we can get, though there are plenty of indoor real ice rinks in Houston.

I really loathe Countdowns, though. They allow my imagination to run too wild. The payoff never seems to match the build-up. But, maybe that's just me.

Apparently, their big Countdown reveal was this... SOURCE: http://www.adventurepointe.com/?p=3184 Nice to hear news, but don't know if it was worthy of a countdown clock.

I think the article is referring to the Grand Texas water park opening in 2015. It is a bit poorly worded there, though.

Wonder how this fits into their new merchandise line: http://www.colette.fr/focus/hellokittyxplayboy.html I thought it was a joke at first, too.

I'm no longer sure what to make of this. I want to be hopeful, but this thing has been a debacle in the past. I suppose now that Don Holbrook is nowhere near this thing, it may just have a shot. If all these new Houston parks happen, will they all be able to coexist? SOURCE: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2014/03/plans-for-dinosaur-themed-entertainment-complex.html

They have a website up now. Looks interesting. It'll be interesting to see what this turns into. Houston area has so many projects going right now. http://www.adventurepointe.com/

They just posted a link to this new article on their Facebook page. SOURCE: http://houston.culturemap.com/news/innovation/02-21-14-new-astroworld-to-bring-live-animals-with-roller-coasters-ready-for-agritainment-at-houstons-theme-park/

Absolutely this could work. Shrek still has huge brand recognition. If Dreamworks wants to compete with Disney (and of course they do), they must create and sustain enduring characters. Dreamworks began as sort of a huge middle finger to Disney animation and Shrek (the movie) was the outlet. Shrek is kind of like Dreamworks' Mickey. He's the icon. He represents what Dreamworks represents. They aren't going to let him die. Of course, he does not yet have the global cachet of Mickey, but if you look at Dreamworks marketing it's clear that that's what they want him to be. They want kids wearing the ogre ears. I'm sure they someday aspire to having they're own theme parks, but for now they are in licensing/observing mode. Testing different ventures like this dungeon to see what works. And it will work. Also there's the fact that they're definitely planning on making Shrek 5. SOURCE: http://screencrush.com/shrek-5/ EDITED TO ADD: One final thought, the most interesting thing to me about this is that Dreamworks has now had various licensing arrangements with Universal Parks, Merlin, and Sea World. They are very interested in this business.

That's the best one out of any park I've ever been to, but I'm not really a big carousel person.

Twist n Shout: I barely fit on. I'm 6' and have an average build, but long legs, and I just managed to squeeze in.That was the worst coaster ride experience I can remember. My knees still haven't forgiven me. I've never had that tight of a fit on any other Wild Mouse. Luckily, I've never had to do the walk of shame, but that one makes me almost wish I had.

Grand Texas Facebook update February 13: Stuff is happening folks.

Yeah, there are dinosaur exhibits at tons of theme parks. I guess its that people always love dinosaurs. Though I am sure that these in Russia are based on this totally historical event: Yep. This is real. No doubt.

Hey, those Dippin' Dots guys brought ice cream from the future. There is no telling what they know.

This is not super-timely, but this is the November press release from the developers website. From November 2013. SOURCE: http://regionsgroup.ru/en/press-center/pressrelizy/new_concept_of_a_retail_and_entertainment_center_by_regions_gc_featuring_the_stars_of_dreamworks_animation/ I also found this neat little presentation. SOURCE: http://regionsgroup.ru/press-center/prezentacii_proektov/

Looks interesting. They released this the other day. Source: http://www.albayan.ae/economy/local-market/2014-02-06-1.2055932 I can't read Arabic, but the words Velociraptor launch coaster are encouraging.

This is quite the impressive complex that they've got planned. Almost looks to good to be true. Hopefully it'll get further than Universal Dubailand. Also, because I didn't see it previously in this thread, here is the official press release from the galacticapark.com website: A view of the entire Galactica Park. A view from the front. Indoor Universal Russia theme park. Indoor waterpark City Walk.

Then it would be in good company with the Lost Continent at IOA.

They are building a DreamWorks park in New Jersey, I believe, as part of a gigantic shopping mall, but it is a different developer. I may have to pay my friends that live in Moscow a visit come 2015, that is, if these parks ever see the light of day.These parks sound interesting, and Russia certainly seems ripe for a theme park explosion. I was initially worried when I read that they would be indoor parks, but a lot can be done with a 35-meter ceiling. Indoor is certainly just about the only way that Russia can have a year round park. My friends say that there are only really "carnival-style" parks over there right now. I did find it interesting that DreamWorks is so willing to directly compete with Universal in Moscow as the Universal parks have prominently featured DreamWorks characters. Maybe DreamWorks is ready to grow up in the parks industry. Though I was wondering if anyone knew the state of the DreamWorks licensing in the US. It seems confusing. Maybe DreamWorks refuses licensing exclusivity. I know Busch Gardens just announced a Madagascar-themed show and they are also building the DreamWorks park in New Jersey. The US Universal parks also have Shrek 4D. All I can figure is that there is either no license exclusivity for DreamWorks properties in the US, or they are selling of the franchises piecemeal. In any case, with these new parks in Russia, I doubt that we'll see DreamWorks characters at Universal Moscow. Also, it will be interesting to see what plans Rovio and Lotte have for Russia.

Found this interesting: EDIT: I changed this from the original article to the official press release from DreamWorks. EDIT: More information on this DreamWorks and other developments in Moscow from the Moscow Times:

Apparently, the Top of Texas tower will have pyrotechnics as well as LEDs. And admission to Summer Adventure includes access to a number of interesting attractions at the park even though $29.95 seems rather expensive for a (so far) coasterless park with very few thrills. It looks nice. I'll definitely check it out at least once this summer.