So I've been noticing the amount of space cannibalization going on near Ghost Blasters. First it's original grand entrance (and I believe a small portion of the ride track inside closest to the restrooms that used to be located in that area) was torn out for SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge. Then, with the addition of the ropes course, it's facade was further invaded by large support beams for the infrastructure. Now it looks like more support beams are coming in for the addition of the Barnacle Blast zipline. I do think these are great additions. Even the facade of Ghost Blasters has been repainted to match the nautical theme of that corner of the park. However, I think management needs to rethink this ride now and better integrate it (or retheme) it to fit this area. Maybe reroute some of the layout and make a new, grander entrance for the ride nearby? I think it would be great if they brought back in Sally Corporation who built the ride and have them work closely with Nickelodeon to really renovate it and make it a new gem for the park. They have a great track record of working with other intellectual property such as Scooby-Doo in the past.
On a similar note, has anyone followed the refurbishment of the Timber Mountain Log Ride at Knott's Berry Farm? If you remember Knott's originally inspired Knott's Camp Snoopy on the site. So apparently Garner Holt Productions came in and gave the ride some great tender love and care and now it looks and sounds better than ever. As much as I love the Log Chute at Nickelodeon Universe (I grew up always anxious to see Babe and Paul inside), I think it would be great if Nickelodeon Universe collaborated with Garner Holt Productions again (the original manufacturer of our log chute) and again collaborated bringing some Nickelodeon IP into the ride. My dream for the Log Chute (which no doubt is perfect as is) would be to have it tell a cohesive story throughout and truly utilize the space for different show scenes that culminate in that great drop in the end.
That being said if those things were to happen, I think that would leave Balloon Race as the only ride in the park without Nickelodeon IP. History aside, I think that casual tourist would love seeing Nickelodeon IP on everything in a Nickelodeon theme park.
Any comments on the slowly shrinking footprint of Ghost Blasters? What about the state of the ride? Should the Log Chute remain a remnant of the past?
Concept artwork for Barnacle Blast addition to Dutchmen's Deck Adventure Course.
Photo courtesy Visit Bloomington/Mall of America [https://www.facebook.com/bloomingtonminnesota]
