Killarney (Ireland)

[Lord Robert]

I think reverting the theater back into a highly detailed flat ride building would be really cool. Especially since that was what it was built for when it opened in 1975 as Hastings.

Or make it a fun, beautiful walk-through attraction like as if you're actually exploring Castle O'Sullivan.

 

[Shane]

That is an interesting proposition, but I will say that Gary Goddard makes a great case for why walk-through attractions always fail.

 

[Lord Robert]

I'm surprised that the article doesn't mention the walk-through in Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland; that one has stairs in it. But if we are wanting a flat inside, what kind of a flat ride would it be? It has to make sure it's themed to Ireland obviously.

 

[Shane]

I'm surprised that the article doesn't mention the walk-through in Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland...

Actually, it did mention them at the every end.

And I actually found Gary's quote in a different article. For context he is talking about designing, planning, and building the failed SixFlags PowerPlant attractions in the 90s.

...when I would take any of the old Disney guys through the concept, when I would get to The Laboratory of Wonders and The Circus of the Mysterious, each one (in separate presentations to Al Bertino, to Marc Davis, and later to Herb Ryman) would ask, “Is this a walk-through?” And I would say “yes” and they would kind of shake their heads and say, “Walk-through’s don’t work…” I would nod in agreement and say “I know, but we don’t have any choice because Six Flags won’t let us do any rides and we only have space for two theatres” and they would shake their heads. “Walk-through’s don’t work” is a mantra and honestly, they were right. The walk-through’s were a direct result of the maxim “no rides” and it was not like there were any other options. The unique space requirements of the old building meant we had to create shows in tight spaces.

 

[PrincessArlenasDad]

Catapult could be moved in there. Scrambler rides are great in the dark. Theme could be rough seas traveling to and from Norway and they can even include Viking invasions.

But as long as Elmo and Santa dines make $$$, the castle will not go back to a ride building. Unless they can move the dines elsewhere.

 

[Merboy]

Moving Catapult is a good idea too.

And what about a nice, sit-down restaurant? Maybe with some live entertainment or something.

 

[Nicole]

I have long advocated returning catapult to its original home indooors.

A full-service restaurant would be cool, though.

 

[Lord Robert]

Turning Castle O'Sullivan into a full blown, beautiful restaurant sounds like a really good idea Nicole. I'd support it!

 

[Nicole]

(It was Merboy's idea. I was just agreeing.)

 

[Lord Robert]

And many great thanks to Merboy for the said idea!

 

[CastleOSullivan]

The building was entirely flat when it held The Catapult. The back of the theater was raised, and the stage area required a basement to be dug out. The cost of turning this building into a theater was about as much (if not more than) any show. I honestly don't see anything working in that space aside from it being a theater.

That said, all of Ireland is messed up now. They have two theaters right across from each other, both of which need major upgrades to do anything fancy. The Abbey Stone Theatre seems like it is too much in shambles now for any Broadway-style shows, and Castle O'Sullivan can barely fit six performers on the center stage. I honestly think it was a mistake for them to create a theater only intended for one type of show.

I think a dark ride would be cool, but there is no room in that area for anything bigger than a '50s-style dark ride that nobody would care about. The castle is a sad waste of space in its current state, in my opinion. The Christmas season seems to be the only time of year where they can at least break even with dining experiences.

 

[Thomas]

They could put a tilted flat in there... like Calypso at Cedar Point.

 

[Lord Robert]

That said, all of Ireland is messed up now. They have two theaters right across from each other, both of which need major upgrades to do anything fancy. The Abbey Stone Theatre seems like it is too much in shambles now for any Broadway-style shows, and Castle O'Sullivan can barely fit six performers on the center stage. I honestly think it was a mistake for them to create a theater only intended for one type of show.

I guess that fixing those two problems might be on the park's list in the near future because of all of the effort the park is doing. Simply by transforming one of the worst motion simulator rides in any theme park into something that could potentially be something amazing. At least Battle for Eire will be themed to Irish mythology and magic once again and that is a winner in my book.

 

[Shane]

I'm going to dive into the completely absurd and improbable and just say that Castle O'Sullivan just needs to be turned into the queue and station for a terrain coaster that sits in the ravine between Killarney and Banbury Cross. Maybe even take a jaunt out into the valley separating the England parking lot from the main entrance area if it could be done without removing any trees. Who cares that the Battle for Eire show building is in the way?

 

[Merboy]

YES!!!

 

[halfabee]

I'm going to dive into the completely absurd and improbable and just say that Castle O'Sullivan just needs to be turned into the queue and station for a terrain coaster that sits in the ravine between Killarney and Banbury Cross. Maybe even take a jaunt out into the valley separating the England parking lot from the main entrance area if it could be done without removing any trees. Who cares that the Battle for Eire show building is in the way?

I fleshed out this very idea some time ago in Concepts, only I dropped the queue atop Grogan's Grill and slung the boarding station out over the water behind that area. It clears the simulator building completely that way.

Castle O'Sullivan is completely locked in... no idea what else to do with that building that hasn't already been done in the past, short of making it a limited-access VIP entrance for people parking in the England lot. And I'm not sure there is really any need for that.

 

[Zimmy]

Nicole may disown me for saying this and frankly I can NOT believe the words are coming out of my fingers... BUT...

That area REALLY needs new bathrooms... and frankly could use some other store like improvements...

There I said it and I hate myself.

If they did that... JUST to make the universe come back into balance, they have to build a first class, really unbelievable, really first of its kind, I think you are going to be surprised, building out of only the best materials for the Catapult. Completely dark inside, finest finishes and top notch air. Really everyone will be surprised how happy it will make everyone.

 

[Nicole]

I'm not sure what is wrong with either the bathrooms or the stores. I like both in Killarney, actually.

 

[Alf33]

That small set of bathrooms between the gift shops are one of the best kept secrets of the park as they are almost always empty or only ever have a couple of people in them as they are kind of hidden. But, yes, they are old on the inside.

 

[Lord Robert]

The stores I feel are perfectly fine, but I will say that if the renovations to both bathrooms are like the San Marco renovation, that would be a welcome change.