Sk610

I agree that SF really just milked the park for revenue to send elsewhere. The additions SF made other than S:ROS were minimal and cheap, while the campground brought in tons of extra cash. SF wants to run mega-parks like SFMM, SFGAm and SFGAd, DL is not in that category and never will. The park owns tons f land, but the amusent part is pretty land locked withouth either moving parking lots or taking out camping areas, which are pretty much free money. I do also think Hershend had the right vision for the park, and would create/build the best overall park experience. I too hope they still have interest, as I can see an awesome true theme park in about 5 years with a good mix of family and thrill rides just like their other two major parks, Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. I just hope they still have the interest to buy the par.

I would not look at anything that happened for either PARC or HFE as they did not control the money investment part. if either of them controlled the investments, things may look different. I do think adding new modern flats to replace some of the aging ones is an excellent strategy. Also, I think there are a few spots in the park that could benefit from a flat ride. Most notably, by ROS queue and Mind Eraser could really benefit from a flat ride for additional traffic.

I agree with all three above statements. Motocoaster is surprisingly good and definitely unique. And the ownership announcement would probably happen similar to the management change did last year, after the operating season is over and the current management team has time to move out, hence smaller additions for next year if the park is sold. I think a flat or two would be the max, maybe a waterslide.

I still think that the park has ben sold to a party that is not Premier. Remember when CNL sold Elitch Gardens and announced who they sold it to, as the new owners were going to keep Premier on for management. At that time it also came out that they sold two other parks, but no announcements on those. My guess is that the new ownership would be making the announcement, and since they are not in plcace yet, no official announcement. All I can say is that something as large and intensive as Rowdy's Ridge was announced in February and open by May. I would not expect a new coaster, but a new flat or two with a new themed area could easily be pulled off. Then in 2017 once new ownership is fully in place, a new coaster could be installed.

So the fact that your friends don't know anything yet tells me a few things. First, whatever is being planned is under wraps by only a select few, possibly including a sale of the park. Second, there are no plans fully set out at this point, or not yet finalized. Third, the people you are asing just are not high enough up on the chain of command to get the information

I agree that the area by twister is in need of some help. When we went to the park the other night, my son wanted to go on the antique cars. My wife took him on, so I had time to look around. First, the go karts take up a huge piece of land. Second, the batting cages are there, and again take up space that could be used. Third, the walkway in that section is extremely large. They could easily re-work the path to make it smaller and easily use that space, along with some supports inside the antique cars, and you could easily fit a pretty good size coaster there. If they take the old galaxy theater down, then you have tons of room. Also, I am pretty sure I saw people coming off the bridge over the antique cars. I am not sure how they got there, but the reality is that the park needs to badly re-work the motocoaster entrance, queue and exit to fit better within the park and not require you to go all the way around to get to

^I totally agree that getting two train operation back on at least some of the coasters is a big step. Obviously ROS is the ideal coaster for two train operation as it tends to have the longest waits. I am hoping that next year they focus on that. Also, i think they are doing what they can now, as this week is Kingdom Bound week at the park, and it tends to have the most attendance and longest waits on just about every ride. If they can get at least two coasters running two trains, they can cut down some of those waits. I would fully expect the park to go back to one train operation next week

Went to the park tonigh, and everything except Ranger was up and running. Rolling Thunder was fully running as well. I have to say that the park has done a super job with the lights on the rides. The last time I was at the park at night, most rides were missing lights, or most were burnt out. Needless to say, it was less than spectacular. Now if they could just do the same on the giant wheel and get predator back as it used to, it would be great at night. Either way, it is significantly better than it was

Yes we stopped by the movie. Nice turnout and nice idea. Unfortunately my son is 5 and teen beach movie did not hold his interest long. He is however excited for lego, nemo and frozen. I will say that all the concessions were open and staffed well to move people along very quickly which was nice to see

So we just came back from a quick after dinner park visit, our first of the year. Here are my minor reports. A significant number of rides were closed including rolling thunder and boomerang. All the water rides were closed, but I assume tht was due to later at night. Mind Eraser also closed while we were there and was just running some test runs. Overall the crowds were very thin, especially on a Friday with beautiful weather... I have to say that a park with only six coasters having two down is probably not good. ME supports do look to be fully painted, the track is not close. The positives are that the Rowdy's Ridge area of the park was very busy with families having fun. That more than anything tells me that what HFE did while they managed the park worked well and gets my hopes up that they have or will purchase the park and do that type of treatment to the rest of the park.

I dont think anyone is surprised that boomerang is broken. It was really a matter of time. The other things are only mildly concerning if they continue. I highly doubt Ranger will ever operate again, so that is no biggie

Only a few people know what the plan really is/was, but I think what most of us look at is what they did with renovating two major areas of the park in a small time. The would not have started those types of projects if the long term goal was not to continue similar things through the rest of the park as time moves on

Also, I forgot to ask...Doug, I know ME is currently having the supports painted. When are they planning on painting the track? Since full operating season is just about here, will that be waiting until fall?

I agree^ completely that my want for HFE to buy the park is based my thought that they would sink some much needed capital into it and turn it into something great. If they were to keep the momentum they built with Rowdy's Ridge and Boardwalk around the rest of the park, it could be something really nice. I think they had that plan on the drawing boards, but never got to execute. I would love to see how the would execute their plan with their money as opposed to a management company holding the purse strings

Well if Chris Thorpe was talking to Joel Manby, then DL was sold to Busch as he is now the CEO of Sea World parks... I do however think DL has been sold and that it has been to someone other than Premier. Remember CNL said three parks have been sold, but only one has announced the sale. To me HFE is the logical choice. They had a plan in place for the park and only needed full control to carry that plan out. Also, they have a ride on the board for the park already that would immediately increase attendance in Lake Monster. I also think the overall future of the park looks the brightest under HFE ownership. Also, the new owners could very well have either asked for ME to be painted as part of the sale, or they could just be funding it to start work early.

I think HFE really wanted to buy DL, but at the time CNL only wanted to sell all the parks as a group. With this new development, DL could possibly be sold on its own as well. If HFE wanted the park that bad, they should definitely move now. I am surprised Premier did not make a play. Maybe they dont have the capital to buy parks but have the experience in running them. I now more than ever am hoping HFE steps in and buys the park. I liked what they did with the park and thought the overall park product was very good for the limited money they were given to operate with. I think if they owned the park outright, you may see a complete overhaul of the park, as well as some very nicely themed and intricate rides. Also, since the management company that bought EG is keeping Premier to manage the park, this doesnt make much change in the overall park management. If DL were to be sold to HFE, Premier would be out and the park under full HFE management, and may cause some problems for operations for the majority of the busy season. Basically, the park could be sold already, but an announcement may not be made until much later in the year. For me right now, Predator may be the tell...

^Exactly. A water line is a quick and relatively cheap fix. I am pretty sure cuda falls had mechanical issues, which are not cheap fixes. Plus, didnt they ship the parts off to somewhere else? I say lets use those 2+ acres to do something awesome with! I would love a clone of Batman the dark knight at SFNE in that space, and maybe a flat ride to go with it.

That paint on ME looks great and was definitely needed. As others stated, I hope they do paint the track as well. ME is one of the first things you see at the park, and should always look tip top

If all the coasters are walk-ons, why would they need to put a second train on? I hate that we complain about one train operation, but the coasters are walk-ons. If there is an hour wait and its one train that is very different. The real test will come in the middle of July and August when things get busy, then we will see how the coasters are operating. I am sad to hear of an unclean park. To me that was one of the best things HFE did was to make the park very presentable with fresh paint and general cleanliness. Hopefully this gets rectified.

^I think we all agree that the par needs a secondary ride of the caliber of ROS. Hopefully the park will use the large open plot of land where cuda falls used to be for just that in the next few years.

^are we 100% sure that all those coasters have fully working second trains? I thought last year they said ROS second train was being used for parts so they could at least have one train running. I am sure viper has at least two trains that could operate. On Predator, I thought they bought the third train from Holiday World, did they buy a second somewhere Or is the second train still one of the old trailered trains?

I'm sure everyone would like to know if they painted ROS or Mind Eraser as well as what the dippin dots people had to say about next years project.

Isnt thatpretty much the layout of Impulse?

I think we all agree that DL needs to modernize their flat ride collection. In defenae of the Rowdy's Ridge additions, at the time HFE was operating the park, and they wanted family friendly and themeing. That is exactly what they put in with the Rowdy's Ridge expansion. Also, some of those rides like moose on the loose and hornet nest are great overall additions. I actually find hornets nest to have some decent thrills. Now with premier guiding the ship, I expect to see more thrill rides added to the park. Either way, you ust have a good balance between family and thrill rides, and right now DL has a decent balance that way.

I would totally take Impulse at DL! I think that is an almost perfect addition in our future. The verticle lift nd drop are unique. The layout is pretty compact, so you could easily fit it into a relatively tight space, and it looks rathr thrilling. I love the look of the larger loops and cobra roll too!