Hockeyman55 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 I live literally 10 min away from where the coaster sits right now and only rode it maybe once a year, once every other year or so. The past few times the coaster seemed to be in rough shape and due for some TLC. Would I drive down to the Zoo just to ride it again, maybe, but if they added the other "entertainment" things to the area I would trek down once in a while. Its a fairly nice zoo to begin with so the added fun stuff is a bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 I'm really hoping this works out....not just for the Hurricane's sake, but for the zoo itself. Most folks don't realize that Miami Metro Zoo (which is now called Zoo Miami) used to be a world class zoo, and considered one of the top 5 in the country before Hurricane Andrew obliterated it. It's been a really tough road back for this place over the last 19 years, and I'm actually incredibly proud of the direction the current management is attempting to take, and the plans it has. Â For years, the biggest things working against this place were location and South Florida politics. I'd LOVE to see them overcome both of those obstacles! Â Need an even greater reason to visit Zoo Miami? The monorail is looking better than ever! Just zoom in and take a look at that awesome layout here or here (even though it unfortunately doesn't go through the aviary anymore)!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper39 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 That is a great looking zoo, and an even better looking trailer park right next door! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueerRudie Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Holy hell- That's a TPR Challenge scenario waiting to happen... Â And 3.00 for an all-day Monorail pass? That's a bargain, even with park admission. Â There is so much space they could use to turn the park into a Busch-Gardens scale project- with rides, shows, etc. to bring in the guests. It's the perfect storm of space, size and drive that could make this a great destination in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonskeep Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Miami can only have as big a park as they can support locally. It will always be a problem to draw people away from Orlando. Where would you go? It's a pretty good hike to get down there. I think they would have to build one hell of a park if they are thinking Universal scale. Â It would be awesome if they could move the Hurricane but I don't give it much chance to happen. The DBH wasn't around long enough to have enough sentimental value to justify the cost. I think I heard Cypress Gardens had 5 million in Starliner , at least Dania Beach Hurricane is a great ride. They will build Orlando Thrill Park before this happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeemerBoy Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 ^^ Exactly. Â ^ Your first statement is fairly accurate. Like I said, location is a big hurdle for them since it's not in the most easily accessible area. With that said, the place certainly does have potential. In my opinion, if the area is ever going to transform into a "destination," it should truly focus on a world class water park as its "entertainment anchor" first and foremost. Â Personally, I felt the Fort Lauderdale Schlitterbahn project would have been a really nice fit at Zoo Miami, and would have given them the boost they desperately need. Moving the Hurricane is a nice step in the right direction though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragonskeep Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 ^ I agree about the water park, that makes perfect sense. It would be a lot easier to sustain than a full scale theme park and seems like a very good place to start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper39 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 I wonder what kind of numbers the Miami/ Lauderdale areas get annually for tourism specifically cruise departures? I know it's one of the more popular cruise ports in America and I would think that for families coming in a day early or staying a day late after the cruise to catch a flight might be interested in spending a day at a really nice waterpark/zoo/theme park type combo property. You would think the crowds that go on cruises and that would go to a theme park are a fairly similar demographic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six Flags Enthuseast Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 The expansion to the zoo sounds like a good idea. Dania Beach Hurricane looks like a great ride and I'd love to see it go to a new home. However, as said above, Miami needs a bigger anchor to draw people before Zoo Miami can expand. A waterpark would be a decent start IMO, and if it bring in lot sof people, expansion to the zoo can compliment it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSum1_55 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Looks like Teh Diana Beach Hurricane may be saved, unlike Teh Big Dipper. However, how is moving it to another fun center going to be any different from before? I guess the response is that families visiting the zoo or water park may also stop by to ride this. I do recall, though, the credit at Wild Island Fun Center in Nevada. That place, containing a bowling alley, several mini golf courses, and a small water park, could barely make a profit on its kiddie coaster (now at Dixieland). The thing only stayed open for three years, while the rest of the place continued on just fine. How in the world is a zoo supposed to keep up a large coaster like this, while one of the largest fun centers in an area can barely keep up a little coaster? I am surprised Hurricane stayed open in its original location as long as it did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doom1001 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I live literally 5 minutes from Zoo Miami,Dennis Moss the commissioner has been hyping up the zoo as becoming a true destination like Universal Studios,the problem is that these plans have been around for almost 10 years now,at least it seems that way.They planned for a waterpark and an entertainment center to come first,again the problem is that the county voted and it passed,but that vote was probably close to 5 years ago and still no waterpark,I contacted the zoo to ask about it and they said they were taking bids as who will build and run the waterpark.Then came the news Shlitterbahn would build a waterpark in Ft.Lauderdale,I believe one of these will get built but have to doubt both of them happening,and if Ft.Lauderdale already has Shlitterbahn they obviously have the lead.After the waterpark and entertainment center Moss said a hotel could come and then possibly even a full amusement park as right next to the zoo was a good amount of land for housing for the Coast Guard which is now sitting vacant.Again there's a lot of plans but nothing really happening.If they could move the Hurricane it would be awesome as it would be 5 minutes away but more importantly it may actually propel their plans into actions for the zoo.On a positive note after the zoo spent like $800,000 on their new sign outside the zoo I have seen more cars entering the zoo than in years past,I visited it last year when they added the sign and had anniversary days with $5 entrance and the zoo has gotten nicer,I still do the 4 hour drive to Busch Gardens 100 times for every one visit to ZooMiami 5 minutes away,but it wasn't all that long ago I visited Busch Gardens in the early 90's on a baseball trip and Busch Gardens wasn't much more than a nice zoo with the scorpion,python and a couple of water rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karezza Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Who doesn't want the Dania Beach Hurricane to be saved? I hope this works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samisthabomb Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Looks like Teh Diana Beach Hurricane may be saved, unlike Teh Big Dipper. However, how is moving it to another fun center going to be any different from before? I guess the response is that families visiting the zoo or water park may also stop by to ride this. I do recall, though, the credit at Wild Island Fun Center in Nevada. That place, containing a bowling alley, several mini golf courses, and a small water park, could barely make a profit on its kiddie coaster (now at Dixieland). The thing only stayed open for three years, while the rest of the place continued on just fine. How in the world is a zoo supposed to keep up a large coaster like this, while one of the largest fun centers in an area can barely keep up a little coaster? I am surprised Hurricane stayed open in its original location as long as it did. Â If my understanding is correct, Zoo Miami already has higher attendance levels than Boomers! has had in a good while. Keep in mind that the zoo is already a thriving attraction. Also, I think that more people would venture out to ride a thrilling coaster than a kiddie coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
televisedconfession Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Honestly, Dania Beach in itself if a horrible location. It's more of a locals place than a tourist destination. I'm not suprised that their attendance was so low. The only thing it had going for them is the fact that the coaster was RIGHT off the interstate in between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. I always used it as a landmark more than I rode it. I'm so happy to hear it's being saved. What do you think the chances are of it getting new trains too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BkkMan13 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Uh, how do you even move a wooden coaster? Do they have to completely dismantle it or what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveydo5172 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 They dismantle it and mark each piece one by one, then pack it up and ship it. They also will make sure they take every single measurement for layout purposes if the original groundplan no longer exists. There have been several wooden coasters relocated over the years, including the Phoenix at Knoebels, which came from Texas originally and most recently the Lil Dipper at SFGAM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
televisedconfession Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Roller Coaster 101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryH Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 I remember hearing a long time ago that the Miami Zoo was going add a coaster. I don't recall it ever becoming reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megamatt Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 If it materializes, that would be nice. Â But I don't see it happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lunchboxdell234 Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I dunno if it's just me, but this would look great at maybe Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It's already a thriving park, why not add another woodie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidcoaster 2 Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I dunno if it's just me, but this would look great at maybe Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It's already a thriving park, why not add another woodie? Â If BGW were to get a woodie (which I doubt anytime soon) i'm sure they would get a new custom one rather than getting an old used one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernierocker Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I dunno if it's just me, but this would look great at maybe Busch Gardens Williamsburg. It's already a thriving park, why not add another woodie? Â Because they already are building a coaster next year among other countless reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geauga Dog Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 They could take a cue from the Columbus Zoo, which also has a small amusement park and water park as part of the entire property. If they were to start small, like Jungle Jack's Landing, with the Hurricane and a small but nice collection of flats it would at least give them a start to gradually build upon. No one said it had to be the size of Busch Gardens from day one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theGrayZone Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 ... anyone from Knoebels reading this thread? Is this purchase/relocation the kind of project that would be of interest to them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasternut Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 (edited) I drove by the Dania Beach Hurricane today to see if anything was happening. It's still standing, but the rails are now rusted. I've heard here locally a few months ago, that it would be moved to the Miami Zoo. If that's true, nothing visibly has happened to it. Just a shame. I really enjoyed that ride. I hope it gets a good home nearby so I can ride it again. Edited October 23, 2011 by coasternut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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