Dollywood Discussion Thread

[Jew]

Not to mention, neither project at DW or SDC was costing them an arm nor a leg, I would have continued with the projects simply because if the economy improves before next season, you could have marketed a new attraction, now you cannot. They are banking on the economy being in the toilet for the next good while- will it? We shall see, but if it improves, they will regret the decision.

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't Dollywood's shows a HUGE draw for the park? Obviously they aren't as big a draw for us, but I do recall a conversation with a park employee where he mentioned how Q-bot was brought because the SHOWS were so popular. So I fail to see how postponing the new attraction a year in favor of shows is going to be a big blow....

[tntornadox]

Don't get me wrong, their fall and winter audience wouldn't mind a bit if not another attraction was ever built, but the bulk of the guests visit in the Summer season, this is where it will hurt.

 

Most of them come for the rides, sure, they may watch a show, but aren't gonna decide to visit based off of it.

[SharkTums]

^So you're saying that they would base their visit on a nice kids play area instead?!!?

 

You work at the park, I wouldn't keep trashing it!

 

It's one of the nicest parks in the country, they're allowed to take a year off!

[MattMattMatt]

I'm guessing the bulk of the guests planning to visit this summer are not aware of the new attraction, nor it's postponement. There's lots of other big, relatively new attractions in the park and this one sounded relatively minor in scope anyway. It's not like they just canceled a new coaster or anything.

[tntornadox]

Ah, see, this is the problem I keep running into- being a 'fanboy' of a park dosen't mean I have to agree with them 100% of the time. I see it as slight criticism of a decision they have made, what's wrong with that?

 

I have been one of Dollywood's biggest fans since I was very little, back when the park's biggest ride was the Thunder Express and Flooded Mine, and feel I am entitled to my opinion just as much as everyone else.

[robbalvey]

Ah, see, this is the problem I keep running into-

No, the problem you're running into is that you're a 19 year old kid who seems to think you know everything about theme park operations, the economy and well, just about everything.

 

And most people who have been responding to you in this thread have been working in the theme park or entertainment industry for YEARS (I've got more years of park and entertainment experience under my belt than you've been ALIVE), some of us working in management or senior executive levels and have been involved in making decisions such as this one.

 

Yet you seem to respond with the attitude of "you don't know what you're talking about but *I* do" which is basically giving you ZERO respect within this group.

 

*THAT* my friend is the "problem" you're running into....

 

--Robb "You need to be able to listen as much as you speak." Alvey

[ParkTrips]

This was found in a study held not too long ago...

 

Don't attack the messenger.

Not attacking but I just don't see travel as being a necessity - its not just theme parks, places like Las Vegas are struggling too

[tntornadox]

Robb, what you are getting from my posts is not my intention at all, I first posted MY opinion and it has since blossomed into me having to defend myself and my position.

 

I may be only 19, but I was a passholder at Dollywood for 16 of those years- I grew up with this park and was a fanboy long before anyone else knew where the park was- back when the largest ride was the 'Thunder Express', so please, don't discount me or my opinions due to my age.

 

This will be my last post on this subject, the herding effect to deter opposite opinion reminds me why my interest in parks slowed down several years ago- 'go with the crowd or you will regret it'.

[Jew]

^It has nothing to do with "go with the crowd...". Your point just doesn't make any sense. If they were canceling a MAJOR project like a coaster, then you could argue that attendance would not be as strong. But a kids play area? In favor of shows in a market that clearly loves shows and random tourist crap? That doesn't seem like anything that is going to have a damaging affect on DW's attendance...

[tntornadox]

Considering they already announced it to the Summer crowd, many of whom only visit once a year, will they be disappointed?

 

I agree this isn't a major project, my opinion is that this postponment also postpones the attractions in the next few years to come. Perhaps something larger was coming? When a park has its expansions already mapped out in a larger plan, that is what happens, everything gets pushed back.

[robbalvey]

^ Huh? Do you realize you made absolutely NO sense in that post??? Other than you just confirmed to the rest of us that you have no clue about long term park planning.

 

^^ Yeah, I mean...Joey's right.

 

And no offense, but I'm going to take the opinion of someone who currently works in management at a theme park, deals with decisions like this one and understands the economy and it's effect on the theme park buisness, and who has nearly 10 years of park experience behind him over someone who has held a season pass to a park for 16 years and none of his opinions make sense to the rest of us.

 

--Robb "Your fighting a battle that's already been lost." Alvey

[tntornadox]

I am sorry that my opinons are inferior to yours and apparently everyone elses, Robb. You could have merely said, "I disagree, but respect your opinion" and I would have been perfectly fine with that.

 

You didn't have to call me out on it and insult my intelligence simply because of my age or lack of experience in regards to matters such as this, it was just an opinion.

[robbalvey]

^ But I DON'T respect your opinion! What you've written makes absolutely NO SENSE and is completely moronic!!! You're trying to convince people that you are knowledgeable in the subject matter you are discussing, but anyone (including myself) that has any experience in this field knows your discussion is total crap.

 

I am not speaking an "opinion" I'm speaking from my personal professional experience having been in a senior management position at entertainment and theme park companies.

 

Sorry dude, but grow some thicker skin. If you don't want people calling you out on what you've written then you need to have a better idea of what you are talking about.

 

And yeah, this is your 19-year old "I know everything and you don't" attitude showing through. No matter what people tell you, YOU ARE RIGHT!

 

Can't you see that multiple people all with way more professional experience in this field are all telling you "You don't make any sense." Why aren't you LISTENING to them???

 

I think plenty of people with WAAAAAAAY more knowledge an experience on this subject are simply trying to help educate you on something that you cearly know nothing about. But all you are doing is giving these people attitude in return.

 

And because of that, no one is going to respect you. I sure don't.

 

--Robb

[tntornadox]

I do not mean to give off an attitude, it is not my intention. But I do take offense to being talked down to and called a moron, how do you think that comes off?

 

Regardless of your opinion of me, I have always had great respect for you.

[robbalvey]

I do not mean to give off an attitude, it is not my intention. But I do take offense to being talked down to and called a moron, how do you think that comes off?

Anything I am saying to you is directly in response to your posts and the attitude conveyed in them.

 

It's clear that you do not want to listen to what I have to say, Elissa has to say, Joey has to say, Joe has to say, etc, etc...

 

These are all people who you could learn a lot from about the theme park and entertainment business, the economy, and working with people if you are willing to listen to them.

 

But all I have seen from you in your posts is attitude towards anyone who has tried to give you a little professional insight on this matter.

 

So do you really expect our responses to be anything but what has appeared on the past few pages when you continue to argue every little point?

 

--Robb

[tntornadox]

My arguing of the points comes from me being used to having to argue with those who honestly don't know the truth, usually people younger than me (14-15) on other sites, it's just what i'm used to having to do.

 

I apoligize if this made me come off as 'all-knowing', as I have said, that was not my intention at all. I am just not used to having the privilege of posting with folks who DO know...

[Jive]

What other projects have been stopped mid stream in the past?

 

Just curious.

[mike robinson]

Canceled Projects? The only ones I know are for my former home park, Astroworld.

 

1. Mr. Freeze - LIM Shuttle Loop located at Six Flags Over Texas (originally purchased for Astroworld. Additional land was even purchased for the ride)

 

2. Looping wooden rollercoaster - The first one in modern history, eventually became Son Of Beast at Kings Island (Premier was supposed to build it but lost the contract after not opening Mr. Freeze in time. Premier took the idea to Paramount and we see what happened there. The Astroworld version was to be much smaller.)

 

3 & 4. CCI Wooden Coaster - Promised for 2 years. Became Cheetah at Wild Adventure (CCI bailed in 2000 claiming soil samples were not done in time, the truth was they were over committed. They assumed 2001 was a go and even advertised it at the IAAPA trade show, but Six Flags killed the project and the coaster was modified and built in Wild Adventure)

 

5 & 6 B&M Hypercoaster Something like Goliath that is being built at Six Flags Over Georgia or La Ronde in Canada.

A new front gate and ride package for the 35th Anniversary. This money went to Six Flags New Orleans when that management deal was reached.

 

7. River Battle - The Lagoon at the center of the park was to be the location for this ride. Artwork was drawn and the planning phase was well on the way when Burke pulled the plug on the park

[Carnage]

What other projects have been stopped mid stream in the past?

 

Just curious.

 

Flying Turns at Knoebels.

 

Superman at Six Flags Mexico was put on hold for years when construction was shut down following failing to get the proper permits.

[cfc]

I recall Busch Gardens Williamsburg announcing some sort of wooden, Virginia Reel-type coaster a long time ago--they published artwork in the local paper, too. But it was never built.

[mcjaco]

The Dark Knight comes to mind. Remember how everyone was up in arms about that permit mess?

[gotdane]

Dollywood definitely made the right decision here. Attendance will be affected little to none. Honestly, the entertainment they bring up in the announcement is more appealing to me than this play area.

 

Parks around the US (and the world) will be doing the same thing as this. Disney has already been postponing or outright canceling projects left and right.

 

Luckily the money has already been approved and allocated for a majority of DCA's expansion.

[tommyo]

Flying Turns at Knoebels.

 

To be fair, Knoebels has been actively working on Flying Turns, they have not put the project on hold in any way.

[thrillerman1]

Does Dragon Mountain's volcano around the helix count?

[Shavethewhales]

What does today's market jump mean for Adventure Mountain? If all goes well over the next few months, will they pick the project back up? After de-announcing it, the suspense may have been spoiled some, but it would still be better than waiting another year for it. Then again, they've made counter plans, and I'm sure it would be difficult to spin around again. It would be good to see them continue to grow though.

 

It may be better that they wait still anyway. There's a lot more for them to consider than just the stock market.