robbalvey Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 ^ Nothing has been confirmed. Only rumors. There's concept art that shows an out & back. There's a rumor that it's a Big Fun. It could very well end up being a Zamperla Volare. Seriously, all the speculation in the world isn't going to make one or the other become "a fact", we'll all just have to wait until something is officially announced and construction begins.
eddytheviper Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 Oh certainly Rob, I wasn't really suggesting it was one way or another, just mentioning what RCDB have put up as no-one else had. For some strange reason, I'm getting really excited about what actually IS announced now.
dragonskeep Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Admission to the water park will be interesting. I wonder if they will try out the 4 hour blocks like Cowabunga Bay. The beauty of Fun Spot is that non-riders don't have to pay so they will remain an affordable alternative. If they add some nice flats and the coasters are good I tyhink they will do really well. If there is a good re-rideable woodie I will be there twice a month at minimum. I hope they offer some type of pass.
larrygator Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Oh certainly Rob, I wasn't really suggesting it was one way or another, just mentioning what RCDB have put up as no-one else had. For some strange reason, I'm getting really excited about what actually IS announced now. If you are asking if RCDB is infallible, the answer is no. They are very accurate but sometimes list coasters based on unconfirmed rumors.
O-Town77 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Sorry, Robb. It's just something that personally irritates me, I guess I just overreacted. It wont happen again, I promise! So can we actually confirm that fun spot will be getting a Big FUn, or are we just speculating? Hopefully that park itself will announce exactly what we can look forward to within the next few months. No biggie. I already edited the term out of my post -- although the people of Gen Y seem to throw that term around like any other, so I figured it was a common one (although, I'm a Gen X myself).
O-Town77 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 ^^I think you're looking at it the wrong way. A lot of people who go to Fun Spot are looking for a cheaper alternative to the big parks/waterparks. They do a few go kart tracks in the Florida sun and then would kill for a refreshing little water park to cool down in. I do get what your saying -- but I've been to Fun Spot several times and I think it's an over-reach for them. They basically own the Go Kart market for Orlando, but a water park is just something they can't do as well as the others in this market. I just don't see tourists going to this water park when Wet and Wild is visible from this proposed water parks location.
O-Town77 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 ^ Yeah - i'm on the fence though if Orlando can support another water park. If they keep the price super low it might work - but there is too much competition now with Aquatica. All the other water parks in Orlando are also "included" with various tickets which helps them to get business during the off season. It will be interesting to see! Considering Wet N Wild is so cheap already ($47 annual passes) -- I think all Fun Spot can do is a Cowabunga Bay hourly pricing model. But, I just don't see it succeeding in this town. Orlando has got to be the absolute WORST market for another water park. We've already got 4 MAJOR parks -- Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica and Wet N Wild..... Not to mention that we've got at least a DOZEN resorts that already have comparably sized water parks (to what Fun Spot is proposing) like CoCo Key, Nickelodeon Suites, Disney's Lost Club Resort, Marriott's Harbour Lake, etc. that are free for guests. The Orlando Thrill Park fiasco made more sense than another water park. At least they were trying to address attractions that Orlando generally lacks (big thrill rides). But we've probably got more water slides per capita than anywhere else in the world already.
AndrewRnR Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Orlando has got to be the absolute WORST market for another water park. We've already got 4 MAJOR parks -- Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica and Wet N Wild..... Not to mention that we've got at least a DOZEN resorts that already have comparably sized water parks (to what Fun Spot is proposing) like CoCo Key, Nickelodeon Suites, Disney's Lost Club Resort, Marriott's Harbour Lake, etc. that are free for guests. Just to play devil's advocate... Is it the worst? Most attendance reports (even if they are just estimates) should that Orlando parks own most others in terms of attendance and the estimates say those numbers keep growing. Even with the addition of Aquatica (which maxes out capacity routinely during the summer) the three other parks didn't take a big hit. The resorts additions are great but those are all (with maybe the exception of CoCo Key) going after the same market segment. I would think the Fun Spot park would be, as they say, an alternative to those and could be great for the thousands of guests staying in standard I-Drive hotels with just a basic pool. Just like how their attractions, and now coasters, aren't trying to steal busy from the coasters literally across I-4 but rather provide supplemental entertainment to the big park's guests or to fill a niche of the lower-priced market.
cal1br3tto Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 It will be interesting to see how the water park turns out. To me they seem like "if you build it, they will come" type attractions. If nothing else it will offer a convenient break for those already spending time at Fun Spot.
dragonskeep Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 I am guessing with the 2013 opening that we can't expect an announcement any time soon, which totally sucks. I am very curious about the woodie and what it will be. I couldn't see a scenario where Central Florida would get a wooden coaster until this. I didn't think Fun Spot would consider this kind of growth, so this is a very nice surprise. The video above does indicate an out and back but what I think is interesting is it looks to be a full sized coaster. Seems like a larger model is at least being considered. The Big Fun looks very cool too.
O-Town77 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Orlando has got to be the absolute WORST market for another water park. We've already got 4 MAJOR parks -- Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica and Wet N Wild..... Not to mention that we've got at least a DOZEN resorts that already have comparably sized water parks (to what Fun Spot is proposing) like CoCo Key, Nickelodeon Suites, Disney's Lost Club Resort, Marriott's Harbour Lake, etc. that are free for guests. Just to play devil's advocate... Is it the worst? Most attendance reports (even if they are just estimates) should that Orlando parks own most others in terms of attendance and the estimates say those numbers keep growing. Even with the addition of Aquatica (which maxes out capacity routinely during the summer) the three other parks didn't take a big hit. The resorts additions are great but those are all (with maybe the exception of CoCo Key) going after the same market segment. I would think the Fun Spot park would be, as they say, an alternative to those and could be great for the thousands of guests staying in standard I-Drive hotels with just a basic pool. Just like how their attractions, and now coasters, aren't trying to steal busy from the coasters literally across I-4 but rather provide supplemental entertainment to the big park's guests or to fill a niche of the lower-priced market. Well, the International Drive area is loaded with failed tourist attactions (although it is not as bad as HWY 192 in Kissimmee -- it is downright absurd there). Failures like the Titanic Exhibition, Mystery Fun House, multiple minature golf courses, Fun Centers, Haunted Houses..... No matter how much I liked some of those attractions -- lackluster projects just don't survive. You know how many dead Pizza shops we have down here? Building another one doesn't make much sense, either. When the market is so saturated with the exact same type of attraction -- they are just setting themselves up for failure. On top of that, this Fun Spot is near the "dead" side of International Drive. It's nearly a ghost town from Del Verde Drive heading North -- which is what has already doomed the Festival Bay Mall. Pumping a bunch of money into something that other water parks already do better in a mediocre location is beyond stupid. If they are going to take on that much debt, they should try to build something that isn't everywhere already. If they built something unique to draw people, they would be more likely to succeed IMO. Perhaps a great wooden roller coaster -- they would be the only one in Orlando. Something different, that's all I'm saying. Otherwise, I see their next commercial: FORECLOSURE -- It's Huge!
OrlandoPete Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Orlando has got to be the absolute WORST market for another water park. We've already got 4 MAJOR parks -- Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Aquatica and Wet N Wild..... Not to mention that we've got at least a DOZEN resorts that already have comparably sized water parks (to what Fun Spot is proposing) like CoCo Key, Nickelodeon Suites, Disney's Lost Club Resort, Marriott's Harbour Lake, etc. that are free for guests. I can't say I agree that this is the worst market for another water park. One could have said the same before Aquatica opened, and I know for a fact that SeaWorld has made major money from it. I also want to point out that this project is clearly much, much larger than the hotel water parks you are pointing out. Coco Key has 1 slide tower with a grand total of 3 teen/adult slides and a kids complex. No lazy river either. The other hotels you mentioned have only kids slides! On the plans for Fun Spot I am seeing at least 5 towers, over 15 slides, and a lazy river with several lagoons. IMO there is no comparing those hotels to Fun Spot's plans. Now, it is much more comparable to Wet n Wild which will be its direct competition. Comparing park maps it will actually have about the same number of slides as Wet n Wild, and a few look really thrilling to compete with Wet n Wild. Wet n Wild is unthemed and really not a very attractive park either, so I am not sure why Fun Spot won't be able to compete even at the same price. There will also be 2 rollercoasters and all those go karts on site as well. For a whole day of fun, I am thinking Fun Spot will be superior to Wet n Wild when people sit down and compare the brochures for both parks.
BeemerBoy Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 As great as that park artwork looks, I think this particular location is completely stupid for awater park. Seriously, it's within walking distance of Wet N Wild -- a much larger and more sophisticated water park. Does International Drive really need 3 water parks? Why would someone bother to go to this tiny park over Aquatica or Wet N Wild (Not even mentioning Disney's 2 amazing water parks)? At least if they added this water park to the Kissimmee area (where they have their other Fun Spot) -- it would fill the void for Water Mania getting closed. But there are two vastly superior water parks already on the same street. Not to mention that there are many hotels in the area (CoCo Key / Several Timeshares) that already offer a similar sized water park for free with their stay. Just seems like a big money loser for an already marginal family entertainment center. I guess Fun Spot is too cheap to pay for an actual feasibility study that would determine that the local market is already saturated with excellent water parks. A) So it's wrong for a "marginal FEC" to want to improve by adding a proven money maker? B) How do you know they didn't conduct the study? C) The next time another fast food franchise tries to open a location on my city's already crowded "fast food lane," I'll kindly suggest to them that it's saturated. Surely the 14 other successful franchises would concur. I'm not suggesting the place is 100% destined for booming success, but those are some bold words from you. Sometimes it's not entirely about a feasibility study, but a solid business plan and execution of it. I say we give 'em a chance to formally present something first.
Hilltopper39 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 I'm still fairly optimistic about a park like this (or Orlando Thrill Park) actually working out. I know as someone who used to live in Orlando and who is still fairly local to the area (about 2 hours away) I come to Orlando fairly often to visit family, go to the outlet malls, fly out of the airport, shop at IKEA, go to concerts, see a Magic games etc and more often than not I don't have a full day to dedicate to a park but I usually have a couple of hours to kill. A small park with decent woodie, a few water slides, couple of flats, mini golf etc for a a reasonable price would be perfect place to kill a few hours. I don't have an annual pass to every major park in Orlando because I'm not close enough anymore to justifying needing a one, but I do travel to Orlando enough that if a place like this were open I would definitely spend some money there a couple times a year. Also season passes to some of the Orlando parks are not cheap (and for the most part neither are some single day tickets even for Florida Residents), and for a lot of families in the area a cheaper park like this might be a great alternative. Everyone knows there's no way this place can compete with Blizzard Beach/Wet N Wild/ Aquatica but if done right it might not have to. I guess in my mind the success of this place all depends on what attractions they actually build, and what kind of pricing model they decide to go with.
OrlandoPete Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 I'm still fairly optimistic about a park like this (or Orlando Thrill Park) actually working out. I know as someone who used to live in Orlando and who is still fairly local to the area (about 2 hours away) I come to Orlando fairly often to visit family, go to the outlet malls, fly out of the airport, shop at IKEA, go to concerts, see a Magic games etc and more often than not I don't have a full day to dedicate to a park but I usually have a couple of hours to kill. A small park with decent woodie, a few water slides, couple of flats, mini golf etc for a a reasonable price would be perfect place to kill a few hours. I don't have an annual pass to every major park in Orlando because I'm not close enough anymore to justifying needing a one, but I do travel to Orlando enough that if a place like this were open I would definitely spend some money there a couple times a year. Also season passes to some of the Orlando parks are not cheap (and for the most part neither are some single day tickets even for Florida Residents), and for a lot of families in the area a cheaper park like this might be a great alternative. Everyone knows there's no way this place can compete with Blizzard Beach/Wet N Wild/ Aquatica but if done right it might not have to. I guess in my mind the success of this place all depends on what attractions they actually build, and what kind of pricing model they decide to go with. Why can't it compete with Wet n Wild? I guess I don't share the opinion that Wet n Wild is that great because I don't think it is athletically pleasing. It does have the best thrill slides, but Fun Spot will have about the same amount of slides plus 2 rollercoasters and go karts. I think the two will be comparable factoring in all attractions.
montezooma Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 I think it is perfectly logical that a small water park not only can survive... but actually thrive in a market of larger water parks. Some people don’t like to pay $40 admission, $10 parking, $15 tube rental and on top of that chase their kids over 40 acres of slides and pools. I actually think it is a good idea to build a small water park where you just pay a small admission fee and hang out for a couple of hours. I dare say Fun Spot has a good idea
BeemerBoy Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 ^ Yeah, like you know what you're talking about.
Hilltopper39 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 If they build a bigger better version of Wet n Wild then sure it could compete. I know when I was living in Orlando and working in the parks there was always a rumor about Wet n Wild eventually closing and Universal moving all of the slides to a new location somewhere on or closer to their property. I don't know if those rumors are anywhere near true at all but if that ever did happen then Fun Spot would almost turn into Wet n Wild 2.0 by default. What I was trying to say was that I don't necessarily think that Fun Spot can compete as a stand alone water park with a standard pricing model (single day admission for $40 or $50 or whatever), but if they have a pay per hour like Cowabunga Bay, or a pay per ride style park with free parking etc then I think it might work. If they build more slides, that are bigger and better than Wet N Wild's and the park overall has better themeing and atmosphere then sure it could compete, but I doubt that is what the owners are going for.
montezooma Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 While planning this water park, I have had MANY conversations with the owner. Trust me, he’s got a winner on his hands. Only wish I would’ve thought of it first
SharkTums Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 I think it is perfectly logical that a small water park not only can survive... but actually thrive in a market of larger water parks. Some people don’t like to pay $40 admission, $10 parking, $15 tube rental and on top of that chase their kids over 40 acres of slides and pools. I actually think it is a good idea to build a small water park where you just pay a small admission fee and hang out for a couple of hours. I dare say Fun Spot has a good idea Pretty much what I said a couple of pages back, thanks for the confirmation Shane!
Hilltopper39 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 Wow, with the success of your water park if your saying this one will be a success then I'll take your word for it! Can't wait to see what they have planned. Some of those slides from Splashtacular look awesome so if those are involved this place could be really cool!
Hilltopper39 Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 This image was on Orlandoparknews.blogspot.com, don't think it's been posted here yet but with those slides this place looks great !
ernierocker Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 (edited) ^ http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1115284#p1115284 Edited November 28, 2011 by ernierocker
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