SLY Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I'm sure everyone has been through this many times...you miss that "one park" you always wanted to visit. Every year, in addition to attending several group outings and such, I usually plan a weeklong + roadtrip to hit several parks. I especially enjoy the small family parks, classic wooden coasters, and anywhere the crowds are small! It never fails that I pick the wrong trip each year, and somehow the following season something I wanted to see doesn't reopen. None of us are probably any better than others at predicting a park's demise, but we do have some knowledge. Between industry insiders, ride ops, and frequent park visitors, what parks do you think are in trouble for 2009? I started thinking last week of parks I should try to visit this Season just in case there isn't another. If Hard Rock opens, I'll do my best to get there, and probably take in Ghost Town before it's too late as well. Here's to hoping Conneaut gets up and running full steam and Blue Streak rides again. I saw that the Fun Spot won't be up for 09, which is another sad loss (and miss!). I seem to always miss rides by just one Season (Bell's Zingo, Williams Grove Cyclone!) For obvious reasons, I always fear I'll miss Cannonball Run at Gulf Shores and am thankful Kemah survived so I have another try! What parks do you consider in danger, and what would you make a high priority in our economically challenged 2009? (I already have 22 new credits so far in 2009, but I'm greedy!!! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I've been lucky in the past to hit parks before they closed (announced or not) But right now, with the economy, it really could be any park nowadays that may not open the doors next season. Enjoy all you can now, tomorrow isn't guaranteed for anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Trimpers always seems to be in trouble, any shore park can get like that with development, but local taxes seem to be the big problem with Trimpers. Wild Adventures - how does it stay open You better get to Ghost Town soon. I have no idea how Oaks Park, Enchanted Forest and PNE Playland do financially, but I'm trying to get to them all this year. Castles and Coasters doesn't scream "I'll live forever" Hell you might as well get to as many independent parks as possible that park don't rave about. Even if they have decent attendance overhead is high at a lot of parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thelegendarymatthew Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I do pray for SFA and some of the Ocean City/New Jersey Peir parks. I may not like SFA, but it is the only park up there that has coasters made by known company's. I wouldn't want to go back, because its one headache I would not want to get, but its good for those who live up there not knowing of good parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLY Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 Wild Adventures - how does it stay open Never been, but it wouldn't be one of those I would have been terribly concerned with, considering their ongoing expansion. You better get to Ghost Town soon. Plan to. Really curious if Cliff Hanger will be one of those I "just missed" or not. I have no idea how Oaks Park, Enchanted Forest and PNE Playland do financially, but I'm trying to get to them all this year Castles and Coasters doesn't scream "I'll live forever" Thanks. These are the types of gems I would miss. I think that the small, local family park is such a special place. I plan to visit the Northwest, although in November. Don't think I'll be doing much riding. Maybe I can find a weekend to get there though. Hell you might as well get to as many independent parks as possible that park don't rave about. Even if they have decent attendance overhead is high at a lot of parks. That's my plan with this thread. Just curious if anyone out there might know something that would influence my travel plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLY Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 I wouldn't want to go back, because its one headache I would not want to get Then just stay off Mind Eraser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 ^^I hear you. I put off FunSpot for years as a joke, not thinking it would close. I always said I would not visit until I hit every other park in the US. This year besides the ones I mentioned earlier I'm planning to get to the following independent parks while I'm in their vicinity: Shady Lake (small park outside Dallas) Little Amerricka Scandia (SoCal) Castle Park (SoCal) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Camden Park. Anyone else see this place pulling a "Fun Spot" anytime soon? --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLY Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 Perfect example, Robb. Already planning that one for their second opening weekend this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WFChris Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I dont even think this is relevant but ill throw it out there anyway: I am also an avid skier as well as a coaster enthusiast, and the Ski Industry is also being affected by the recession. An interesting thing though, is that smaller, family owned resorts are actually projected to do better the next few years instead of the larger corporate resorts. I believe this is because the cost of running the resorts is significantly lower, resulting in lower ticket prices, and attracting more people. Following that theory, regardless of the parks that have already closed, we may see a re-surgance in the smaller family parks, because that is what America chooses to afford to visit. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airtime&Gravity Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Sadly, I'm really concerned about Timber Falls. The park is never crowded, and the last time I was there, the owners were talking about how Mt. Olympus has seriously hurt their attendance since 2005. Sadly, the GP won't stop at a park with a really good small coaster when a park with many large coasters is located practically across the street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrygator Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Camden Park. Anyone else see this place pulling a "Fun Spot" anytime soon? --Robb Certainly - I'll say this, they have the 2nd best run Whip (after Rye Playland). Timber Falls would be a shame as Avalanche is my 2nd favorite woodie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Camden Park. Anyone else see this place pulling a "Fun Spot" anytime soon? Damn it. Now I might have to make a quick trip to WV this year. Grrr.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenA07 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I don't know if it'll be this year, but I've had the feeling for the last several years that California Great America has numbered days ahead of it. I think with the downturn in the economy that it is possible that the park may be heading (again just a feeling I have little proof to offer for this) into its final season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slicknixon Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Better get to Trimper's soon if you've never done the walkthroughs/ridden through The Haunted House. Granville Trimper died in October and this season may very well be the last. I've heard some say The Haunted House will probably stay where its at if Trimper's goes which doesn't make sense to me because if the property is bought to build a hotel or something i would assume they would take out all the buildings on the 3 acres as well. I can't even imagine OC without the park. My obsession with walkthroughs spawned from my childhood days of traversing the narrow passageways of Pirates Cove and getting yelled at for messing around on the spinning barrel in Aladdin's Lamp. Almost everything good at Trimper's has remained untouched since i was a kid and now it might all disappear at once. I'm going to try and visit at least twice this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 It's a shame when almost any park closes, but some are obviously more important to me personally than others. Amongst my favorite parks, the one I'm most concerned about at the moment is Indiana Beach. I was concerned anyway when it got bought out last year by folks who didn't really seem that interested in the park itself, and now with the economic weirdness, who knows? Hopefully, I'm just being paranoid. But I still think I'll make an effort to get over there again this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieP Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 One I can think of (because it's near me for one) is Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Ill. I heard that one is also on borrowed time. I'll probably go there and get my coaster fill on Little Dipper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airtime&Gravity Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 ^Kiddieland was already in danger even before the economy tanked. I remember back in 2004 hearing that 2009 might be the final season due to a dispute between the family that owns the park. It would be a shame since it is the only other park in the state, and it is a nice place for locals to bring their kids who are too young for Six Flags Great America. I think some of the owners wanted to sell the land to developers, but with the housing market dead, the park might actually survive past this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastercrazed49 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I don't understand how Boomers in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida keeps the Dania Beach Hurricane open. Every time I read about it, all I hear is how there is never a line and that you are pretty much the only ones in the station if you go. With the cost of maintaining a wooden coaster, I find it really hard to believe they are getting a positive cash flow out of that ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebl Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 "...California Great America has numbered days ahead of it." (AllenA07) I agree. With nowhere to expand, and the San Francisco 49ers wanting to build a stadium, I can see CGA going away. It's always sad to lose any park, but honestly, I wouldn't really miss it (as long as Cedar Fair saves Flight Deck and relocate it). Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginzo Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 It's a shame when almost any park closes, but some are obviously more important to me personally than others. Amongst my favorite parks, the one I'm most concerned about at the moment is Indiana Beach. I was concerned anyway when it got bought out last year by folks who didn't really seem that interested in the park itself, and now with the economic weirdness, who knows? Hopefully, I'm just being paranoid. But I still think I'll make an effort to get over there again this year. Although I agree that the new owners suck, I'm not too worried about IB. They seem to do a reasonably good business and with the whole destination thing with the lake and all I can't see them going away any time soon. If anything, it might just change hands again to a more interested owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xizor_Racer Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 I have to agree as well. Especially with the economy in the northern part or Indiana, IB will be an easy and realatively cheap getaway for that part of the state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electerik Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 ^ & ^^ Well, good. I hope I'm wrong. /Still haven't recovered from the loss of the Pavilion & Knott's Berry Farm. //You heard me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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