MARFleparks - Echenima Resort [RCT2]

[dmaxsba2408]

Really enjoyed looking around in your park. I have a question about the ride To Fly, why is there two entrances to the ride? I can understand having two stations one as an entrance and one as an exit but To Fly has one that is an entrance and one that is an entrance and exit.

 

Forgive me but I can't remember the name of the water coaster boat ride, but it to me is the highlight of the park.

[Califolf]

@CC9 I figured there'd be plenty of competition, but I have some tricks up my sleeves.

 

@KLM We shall see...

 

@dmax Those secondary queues (found on Go Fly, Legend of Eureka, Adventure of Harbor Cove, and Nova Voyager) were an attempt at doing 'single rider lines' in order to fill up empty spots by placing said queues ahead of the main one. This failed (or in the case of Nova Voyager, backfired to the point of having to place 'no entry signs on the line), and I have basically forgotten about it until you pointed it out.

[CoasterCreator9]

Tricks, eh? As does CDI.

 

Anyway, back on topic, I always seem to like parks with trams in them for some reason.

[Chris Benvenuto]

What about also using a Monorail system to charter guests around the park?

 

Monorails are teh sexy.

[devol4]

Haha, I just stumbled across this park while browsing the TPR Forums for the first time in a while, and I can't get over how cool this park is! Definitely one of the best RCT2 parks I've ever seen. It's pretty amazing living near Sacramento and how your linking it to the real world ^^

[Califolf]

@Chris um...we already have a monorail, and I already have in mind on what to use.

 

@devol4 another local? Hey there!

 

 

No update? Well... I'm 800 miles away in SoCal typing this on my mobile, so nothing new until roughly Tuesday.

 

Hasta luego!

[Califolf]

Okay, I am taking a risk here with the duopost, but I do have something to post, so anyway...

 

The second of six hotels in the resort is the Putah Resort and Convention Center - one of the few hotels nationwide that not only hosts conferences and conventions in a built-n convention center, but also is exclusive to said attendees - unless you're attending an event, you can't stay here.

 

 

 

Assuming you're driving to the hotel, you will see this tall sign in front of you. Not only does it display the Hotel's name (in case you forget where you were), but also contains an electronic sign displaying anything relevant to the current event (or if there isn't an event happening, information about the next one as well as urging you to turn around and go back until next time).

 

 

 

As you walk towards the hotel, you'll see the giant pyramid-like structure inspired by a local building. Not only does this contain the open-two story lobby, but also four floors of suites.

 

 

 

If you're like one of many, you'd be coming from Sacramento International via an express monorail, one of the many new services provided by MARF, and exit on the rightmost track to this picture. Monorails provide service on the other two tracks to either park every 15 minutes, with Core and hotel trains arriving every hour (whenever the hotel isn't in use, then Putah serves as an express line bypassing Core).

 

 

Now, the hotel is separated into four quadrants: Ziggurat, Terrace, Convention Center, and Courtyard. For reference, Ziggurat is the...pyramid-looking tower.

 

 

Terrace is where the bulk of the rooms are, in 4-story wings. Technically on the second story, this section contains a nicely-themed pool (as well as a slide), and a miniature golf course for so leisure-within-leisure.

 

 

Up next is courtyard, home to two-story buildings with typical two-queen bedrooms (due to miscommunication in design, second story rooms lack balconies). While the pool has no slide, it does have a bar, as well as a laundromat and showers.

 

 

 

You can see why this section is called 'courtyard' as there is a wide, open area for performances or other outdoor events.

 

 

Alas, here's the whole point as to why you're staying here - the Convention Center! One of the largest of such combined facilities, it is also the most flexible - walls are designed to collapse or expand to create either large halls or small rooms, depending on the purpose. Combine that with natural lighting from glass windows (which can be closed with blinds) as well as large walkways to prevent traffic blocks, and you can see why this is, indeed, quite flexible. In fact, MARF took theme park design as a reference for building this hotel and its convention center.

 

 

Take that Swan and Dolphin! Unlike some other corporate resorts, this hotel is MARF owned and operated

 

Now, we know that you might be hungry, so we have 2 eateries - Fuzio's Universal Pastaa, which is one of the first outdoor chains (okay, a local one, but still) to be built in a MARF hotel serves a fusion cuisine of Italian, Asian, and Steak, and can be found in the Ziggurat section (to the right of this pic).

 

 

The other one takes inspiration from Futura - diners are given an electronic card with a number on it, diners go to that table and insert the card into the table, bringing up touchscreens from the table from which diners order from, and thus decreasing the amount of time it takes to dine and increasing convenience.

 

 

---

 

Amenities for the hotel include:

Complimentary transport to either park.

Digital Cable

Free wireless internet

Free continental Breakfast delivered to room

Free/discounted access to either park during duration of the event (depending on event/organizer's choice)

Optional extended-stay to explore the resort (at, of course, another resort hotel)

Rooms range from single, to double, to king, to suite.

 

Rates vary depending on event, not all room types may be available during stay.

---

 

Now then...after all, this is an event-only hotel, so MARF has gotten in contact with several organizations interested, and have gotten 6 (potentially) annual events booked as a result, with two being MARF-run. These events do have the option of having an opening ceremony at either park (in which said park would be emptied of guests by 4 pm). Here they are, in order from Jan-Dec:

 

Verde California* (Home, garden and apparently environment - Mid January)

ER Retreat (Medical Nursing, First week of February...very clever pun there, nurses -.-)

MARF CoMonth */** (MARF-ran event, entire month reserved for corporations to hold seminars)

Valleyfur** (Fan convention - last week of april)

Maintenance (Hotel shut down during may and June for maintenance and routine cleaning)

MARFest! */** (MARF's signature corporate event, takes place in late July)

Coast-to-Coast (Amusement industry, sometime around october)

Winter Maintenance

 

Legend:

* = Opening Ceremony in Echenima

** = Opening Ceremony in K9-Falliday Studios

 

 

 

Now, then...onto the parks...

 

In the Studios, construction is going on smoothly on the new area.

 

 

We're experimenting with faux-snow here...

 

And look at what has appeared!

 

 

Also, due to some guest complaints, and with added contruction all around, resort prices have changed:

 

 

1-day 1-park: $59 adults 16+/$49 kids -16

1-day Park Hopper: $79 adults 16+/$69 kids -16

2-day Park Hopper: $99 adults 16+/$89 kids -16

Add an additional $10 for every subsequent day, 5 days max.

----

2-parks 2-days (explore one park for one day, and the other the next for the price of one, no park-hopping): $87/$77

Moonlight venture (Access to either park after 5:30 pm) $45/$36

----

NorCal Access (Must reside ZIP codes between 93900-96100 - proof of residence required): $25 discount of any price on select weeks.

NorCal Exploration Pass (A tourist package that includes lodging in a MARF property (or partner) hotel, a day at either Echenima or Studios, a day in Sacramento, a day in San Francisco (with an optional tour of either the city, bay cruise, or Alcatraz), A day in San Jose (with option of Baylands ticket), and a day Napa. Transportation provided by Coach): $365/person, cost of lodging not included.

-----

Echenima MARFlepass -annual pass of the resort -

Alpha (Free Parking, free admission, discounts in shop and restaurants, priority seating for shows and parades, complimentary access to special events, early entry, no blackouts, free print or electronic newsletter): $645/year or $55/month

Beta (Free Parking, free admission, discounts in shop and restaurants, priority seating for shows and parades based on availability, discounted access to special events, blocked half the year, free e-newsletter): $434/year or $15/month

Beta-lite (Free admission, discounts in merchandise, 250 blackout dates, free e-newsletter): $225/year or $12/month

Omega (Discounted admission, acknowledgment that you have a pass): $150/year or $5/month -- To be discontinued

 

 

and that should do it, see y'all a little later!

[CoasterCreator9]

I love that Convention Center and the surroundings! The tram is also a nice addition!

[braztaz]

Wow! The convention center is AMAZING!

[djbrcace1234]

Agreed. You remind me of James (RCTNW) on New Element. He builds crazy structures and what not. This is looking great, Mike!

[dmaxsba2408]

Wow! The convention center is AMAZING!

That's about all I wanted to say, so thanks braztaz for doing it for me.

[Califolf]

Wow... a month of putting this aside and we have an update! Very light, but it's still something after being across the pond for a while.

 

First off, we have a bit of a promo if you happen to be taking a vacation to the resort, we now have an added convenience for you!

 

Now, then, how about a look at the lovely tram station in the Tinseltown section of the Studios:

 

 

 

In the original Echenima Park, Storm Searchers came out of it's rehab nothing major done, though mist has been added to enhance the illusion of getting wet (and, for some odd reason, the new vehicles we ordered disappeared along the way in Fresno):

 

 

Come to think of it, this ride could do with some cosmetic changes.

 

 

Bond is still popular with the guests, as obviously shown by the extended line:

 

 

And Futura has gotten a new ride inside a formerly empty glass building:

 

 

And that should do it for now...

 

Also, if you happen to be an Echenima MARFlepass holder, or a member of amusement press, you may have received this poster revealing a bit about what MARFleparks has in store. But what is it for... third park, or Orlando? That shall be revealed later.

 

Until next time, Hasta Luego!

[CoasterCreator9]

Once again, amazing detail with the posters and advertisements. Can't wait for more!

[dmaxsba2408]

Everything just fits so nice together, amazing.

 

Love the little extras (poster) you do along with your park. Very nice!

[Califolf]

^Thanks, I plan to do more art for the parks, really makes doing this a lot more fun! =^.^=

 

Not an update, just figure I'd post something I've long neglected about the resort - Echenima Partner Hotels. These are hotels 'owned' by 'outside companies' (in actuality, other forum members). The story behind this was that MARF lacked enough rooms for potential guests that would come with the opening of the studios, but said park drained funds. Now that I think about it, I think it was just an excuse to let people tell me to build stuff.

 

There were 6 plots, (as shown here) located next to the core complex. Only two out of the six plots were developed into hotels, the rest remain blank. And here they are in order of opening:

 

The CDI Palms (pardon the random black mark):

 

 

This 280-room hotel features similar amenities found in the MARF-owned Manhattan Suites, but at a much lower price. Room types include:

* Normal - Contains one 2-bed BR, and a full bathroom. Basic cost*: $180 a night.

* Deluxe - Contains one 2-bed BR, and full bathroom. Also includes a kitchenette and living room. Basic Cost: $250 a night.

* Top Suite - Contains one 3-bed BR, a master bedroom, and a full bathroom with spa bath (and dedicated balcony). Also includes a full kitchen and living room. Basic cost: $310

 

Overview.

 

This Tropical-themed hotel, owned by Creative Designs Inc (ironically, a MARF competitor), is perfect for any large family who wants to be in the center of it all at an affordable price. Enjoy a nice dip in the pool, or grab a bite at Mar Paraíso - Casual by day, high-class by night.

 

Guests get a discounted entry to the park of their choice for that day, and can access the parks by either taking a complimentary shuttle that runs every 30 minutes, or by walking to The Core conveniently next door and taking the monorail.

 

 

Across from it is the REBA City resort.

 

 

This high-rise hotel operated by an asian leisure company offers 'grand' views (much of Echenima Resort property is still farmland - we only plant trees where it is visible...from the ground...which is why you seldom see MARF high-rises as well as rides above treeline) with an eastern feel. Two round-trip shuttle lines take you to the parks. If that's not up to par, then you can walk on over to the CORE and take the Monorail.

 

The Hotel Residents can obtain a discounted 3-day Park Hopper, which must be shown to the REBA shuttle bus driver for a complimentary shuttle to the park.Otherwise, the shuttle is adult $3.00/ childen & elderly $1.70.

 

*You must have a reservation at the hotel to be able to purchase a 3-day park hopper.

 

Hotel packages:

 

Tour package

Four day Family room

"Three Day Pass" for every one

Buffet meal / Chinese restaurant free $100 meal.

 

Business package

three day Single room

One area ticket for every one you choice.

Chinese restaurant free $100 meal.

 

Room price:

The Single: 2 Bed BR with TV & a bathroom. Basic cost*: $170 Per Night.

The Double: Double Bed BR with TV + PPV & a bathroom. Basic cost: $260 Per Night.

The Family: 2 Double Bed BR with TV + PPV & a bathroom, also have a kitchen and living room. Basic cost: $300 Per Night.

The Suite: 2 Double Bed BR with TV + PPV & a bathroom with spa bath, also have a kitchen and living room. Basic cost: $380 Per Night.

 

 

And that should do it. I'm kinda unsure about bringing back up this idea and opening the remaining spots to TPR, but it does add another extra to the resort.

 

Next update? Next week.

 

Hasta Luego!

Edited September 17, 2010 by Califolf

[djbrcace1234]

You can see the grass through the glass windows.

 

Well anyways I love how you're making more possibilties with this game with the big structures you put into your resorts. Grand job I must say so myself.

[CoasterCreator9]

Ehe.. CDI's resort monopoly (so to speak..) continues! Looks awesome like before!

[Califolf]

While the resort is ready for halloween, we at MARF have decided to hold off showing it to you all until a bit later (making it a bit more 'timely'). So, to compensate, let's take a look at 'earlier' shots of the Studios....

 

 

 

It was international hat day, can't you tell?

 

 

Now here's the major highlight, K9 Animation's Production Center has finally opened after much delay:

 

 

This 3-story (the 'ground floor' is actually 12 feet below the 'park surface') attraction - The K9 Animation Center - is actually a collection of several mini-attractions as well as an 'anchor' - the Tour - surrounding a vast lobby. Attraction list goes as follows:

 

The K9 Animation Experience - a walk-through tour of one of the 'wings' of the K9 Animation Facility. Actual authentic tour, nothing touristy. See the process of how your Favorite K9 film came to reality. Start from storyboard, to background artists, to the animation computers, to the sounds, and then end it off with a sneak peek at the next K9 animation film. Length of tour: 45-60 minutes. For safety, security, privacy, and mostly copyright reasons, video and photography is strictly forbidden.

 

Artist's Den - Learn how to draw your favorite character here! Runtime: 30 minutes

 

Tale of the Wolf - Film about the history of K9 animation and MARF as a whole. Runtime: 30 minutes

 

Character Charter - A series of kiosks. Ever wanted to be a part of a K9 film? Ever wanted to make your own K9 film? Now's your chance! Just enter a few details onto the touchscreen kiosk (e.g. character/description, setting/film, day/time, etc) and you will get a generated short film that you can email home. The possibilities are endless (in fact, there are 5,092 variations based on your choosing) Runtime: generally, please don't spend more than 15 minutes here... there are other guests waiting behind you.

 

What's a nice perk about combined studio-parks? Both Production facilities are well-integrated into the park. As such, if you're an employee for either K9 Animation of Falliday films, you enjoy free, direct access to the park via subtle access gates:

 

 

Just simply slide your ID card at the gate and it will unlock.

 

 

Overall view of the new K9 animation center and Wing 'T' of the K9 Animation Facility:

 

 

 

Moving on, work on Section Nordguard is moving along at a snail's pace (blame multiple crashes >.>):

 

 

 

Falliday has gotten a new eatery - Pasta House. Finally, one can enjoy pasta in the park:

 

 

and I'll just end this with two more shots:

 

 

 

 

I don't know about you, but it feels great to be back working on this!

[CoasterCreator9]

Looks great! Love it as always!

[Califolf]

Happy Halloween from the Echenima Resort! We here are happy to set up our own spin on this time of year. First off, our photographer had some trouble transferring us the photos from the parks, so we're gonna have to play be ear with what we got.

 

Starting off in Echenima Park, we have (sadly) caved in and added a (temporary) haunted house to Pacific Northwest which shall be removed, crushed, and burned immediately at the end of the festivities.

 

 

at least the trees cover it up...

 

meanwhile, Davisville has some neat little Jack-o-lanterns and cobwebs set up...

 

...

 

where's the photographer?

 

what?

 

what do you mean they were deleted?

 

....

 

anyway, I guess we'll go to the next overlayed area...

 

For Futura, our MARFinvisinists went onto full-out change. Completely opposite of a green, clean optomistic future, say hello to post-apocolyptica futura:

 

 

 

We didn't have to go far for inspiration - it was just outside our door - parts of Futura have been redressed to a harsh, dirty reality.

 

Two attractions have been redressed:

Nova Voyager - what is usually a fun, thrilling ride through space is now a rackety ride dodging (projected) space debris.

 

Futura Dome - original 3D show has been temporarily replaced with one about a corrupt umbrella cyberdine-like corporation, and its ultimate destruction

 

 

Two attractions remain open unchanged:

 

Watchtale - this import from Liverpool which takes a satarical view on time travel remains open simply because it's new.

 

Futura Center - sponsors demand it stay open, regardless, we dressed it up a bit.

 

and two attractions are closed:

 

PeRT and Sol 3 - simply, by pure coincidence, they're both under refurbishment.

 

The studios does do Halloween as well, albeit theirs is more show-based (special parade and special nighttime show) and our photographer fell ill.

 

 

Halloween at the Parks runs from September 25 - October 31 and is free for all - no extra event tickets required.

 

 

 

That should do it, expect something new next time. Hasta luego!

[RCT2day]

Park looks really good, espicailly since you kept your custom scenery to a mininum which I like a lot. Only thing I'd like to say is when making a forested area, the trees should be what would be in a forest, not the jungle. Also, dont use every square for a tree, some empty spots are more ideal. But very good over all

[CoasterCreator9]

Very nice! I love it when people go the extra mile to celebrate holidays!

[Ace Of Spades]

I love it. That is all.

[Kraken & Manta]

The first time I say this update, I didn't read the part about halloween I thought you were actually permanently changing Futura.

Anyways, as always great attention to small details, and great idea for Futura's Halloween change!

[BigDipper 80]

Is that Section Norguard as in this Nordguard?

Edited November 6, 2010 by BigDipper 80