War on Lines should never be used as a point of reference, if you ask me. It was a far different economy, and even then it ended up being an absolutely horrible business decision. Beyond that, a custom family woodie and a custom Vekoma family launch coaster are almost certainly a far higher price point than an early B&M prototype, an off the shelf Zierer family coaster, and an off the shelf Zamperla kiddie coaster.
Not even to mention inflation, the steel price hike, or the difference in the technology and theming efforts of current SFEC. Arguably, Six Flags (moreso legacy six, defiantly Great Adventure) ended up like it did because they (premier) spent so much money on their "new toys" that the company went bankrupt (well that and the customer experience decline, though that was also partially because they didnt have the money for that lol) and never really recovered. I think they both could (and honestly should) happen but within the same year is a tall ask for any park that's not being funded by their respective government agencies lol.
If I were master planning SFGAdv, I'd advocate keeping this whole area unobstructed for a huge, lakeside promenade with ample room for nighttime show viewing (fireworks, drones, fountains, whatever they want to do over the lake):
Toss a large, flagship, lakeside, Cedar Point Grand Pavilion-style restaurant with a second story balcony overlooking the lake off to the side for upcharge nighttime show viewing.
If the park wants to build rides along the water (I support it, to be clear!), I think redeveloping this area for that purpose would be best:
This is a spectacular idea. I have a slight enhancement though.
Ship Joker of to Dorney, The plot left open would be large enough for a Harmony Hall/Grand Pavilion style building, but bigger than both. So something with the concept you mentioned for dining, preferably several dining options, and seating for viewing lake drone or fireworks shows all of which engages with the lake. Now, how about add an attached, large climate controlled entertainment area/stage like Harmony Hall. Similar, but bigger and maybe more elaborate to allow for some really great productions. I mean, think about it. Stunt arena has been decaying for over a decade, Northern Star Arena is dead and the only other entertainment venue is the showplace theater and lets be honest, for the size of Gadv, they could do MUCH better than that. They have said entertainment is a big push so this would allow for a great opportunity to bring some real talent in and create a nice show and facility for folks to relax in during a hot/or cold day.
Additionally, in the area along the lake where the grass patch is where grandstand used to be, create winding paver sidewalks through gardens and terraced amphitheater seating for people to relax or watch potential lake shows. Something like the image below. The paver paths could even go as far back as into the trees with water features and hedge topiaries.
Now in regard to the other region you circled in purple. I was actually thinking of this the other day. That whole area needs some TLC bad and its all kind of a Hodge podge from years or new rides, closing rides, ripping buildings out and laying concrete, etc. I was thinking, and yea some of this might be kind of extreme, but expanding what is currently Jr. Thrill seekers out into that space. Complete, extensive overhaul of the area into Camp Snoopy, the size of which would rival KI and Carowinds.
What about Skull mountain? Well, a few options. Demo it and build a new Vekoma family suspended coaster OR keep it and gut the interior and exterior and retheme it to something like "Snoopys mounatin adventure". You get the point.
What about Gingerbread fancy? Really gonna ruffle some feathers here, but as big as I am on history/nostalgia, it could go. Replace it with a large new snoopy restaurant in the area, maybe the old Panda restaurant.
What about bumper cars? Move it to shoreline in-between Bok and Baku.
Retheme jolly roger and air jumbo. Add a new beagle scout acres climbing area, a couple of new kids flat rides, a motor car ride, maybe some kids games, and bam, that giant void is now a cohesive themed area filling the kids gap the park suffers from.
Themed entrances to Camp Snoopy would be: The current entrance by Nitro, one by Devil, one behind big wheel, one beside big wheel/starflyer, and one coming from the new pavilion/crazy train. Otherwise there should be a natural barrier between the kids area and the regions around it... rip that concrete jungle up!
in a perfect world: joker would be built in movietown instead of lakefront and the aqua stadium would been replaced by the amphitheatre with a restaurant next to it
I think it would be cool to build a platform on the lake and have it float above to get great views of the park. It can even be painted to look like the old Great Adventure hot air balloon.
Seeing all these parks identify
1- the crazy success a great family launch coaster brings, and
2- the absolutely lack and need their park has for this attraction
Brings me serious hope great adventure does the same
I know buying ground up RMCs isn’t in right now like it was in the 2010s, but now that Ka and Zumanjaro are gone, there’s really nothing stopping them from building a ground up dualing RMC in Rolling Thunder’s plot and calling it Rolling Thunder. I also wouldn’t be opposed to a massive out and back GCI in that spot called Rolling Thunder. I think the name needs to return in some capacity, it’s too iconic not to and I don’t believe it’s too sacred to reuse
A ground up RMC would always be awesome to have… but to play devils advocate, the park might not want another incredibly thrilling “wooden” coaster to overshadow El Toro.
Who knows though. I’d love an RMC in our backyard. It would just need to be better then wildcat since that’s fairly close.
Back to the topic of a family launch coaster, can I ask why some people don’t like this idea?
I feel like if the park adds a thrill coaster it’ll bring in crowds of course. But a family launch coaster would seemingly bring in the same crowd and then some as it appeals to a broader spectrum of riders. I’ll always want more thrills but filling a large hole in the lineup seems more important.
Back to the topic of a family launch coaster, can I ask why some people don’t like this idea?
I feel like if the park adds a thrill coaster it’ll bring in crowds of course. But a family launch coaster would seemingly bring in the same crowd and then some as it appeals to a broader spectrum of riders. I’ll always want more thrills but filling a large hole in the lineup seems more important.
Real answer:
This park already has a fair number of launched coasters. It lacks just a good quality coaster that has some airtime, some lateral G’s, lacks inversions, but has a lift with it. If you take Wild One out of the equation, a good Mystic Timbers like woodie (or highly themed steel) along that open space of Shorline it would be killer.
I personally think that a family launch coaster would be a better replacement for Medusa in the future. A little more space to weave it into the foliage more and I think themed to back in that area, it would make much more sense.
at least in circles like this, that’s honestly the actual answer. Thoosies are the same crowd who wished so hard for a Mack Stryker at silver dollar city that some were surprised and upset when that didn’t happen, and it was obvious to any objective observer that it was never going to happen now
For the record I think a golden kingdom themed werewolf gorge style family launches coaster would be literally perfect for great adventure as long as it’s themed well. I suggested this a while ago too
Regardless of what PR people want, the people in charge of procurement have proven themselves fundamentally incapable of reading the room and the dogged commitment to copy-and-paste slop isn't gonna suddenly disappear, especially once the Bakunawa fast lane sales figures come in. Werewolf Gorge looks good because it has many features Great Adventure continues to avoid at all cost: impactful environmental setpieces, a long, varied, custom-for-the-property full circuit layout, and broad appeal across the roller coasting spectrum. Slop Spire ate the budget for that kinda thing anyways, and we're not even gonna get a sea cave :/
I definitely don't think a family launch coaster will be the third phase of the boardwalk if it is gonna happen. I think it'd probably go elsewhere, the remaining Green Lantern space is small and otherwise we're talking about an expansion of the boardwalk into the Golden Kingdom, no?
For the record I think a golden kingdom themed werewolf gorge style family launches coaster would be literally perfect for great adventure as long as it’s themed well. I suggested this a while ago too
If we are okay with no thrill coaster on KA plot, than it would be good. Having Golden Kingdom has the main premier family section would fit it nicely. Unless we can fit both in that area. I think shoreline pier will get the drop tower or SS screaming swing in dare devil plot. Too much free space in shoreline still and flat ride package are certain to come in 2028. Maybe new coaster come after.
Regardless of what PR people want, the people in charge of procurement have proven themselves fundamentally incapable of reading the room and the dogged commitment to copy-and-paste slop isn't gonna suddenly disappear, especially once the Bakunawa fast lane sales figures come in. Werewolf Gorge looks good because it has many features Great Adventure continues to avoid at all cost: impactful environmental setpieces, a long, varied, custom-for-the-property full circuit layout, and broad appeal across the roller coasting spectrum. Slop Spire ate the budget for that kinda thing anyways, and we're not even gonna get a sea cave :/
When Great Adventure gets a sizable, custom, themed, full-circuit family coaster in the next 5 years, I am going to demand a mea culpa, just be prepared for that.
When Great Adventure gets a sizable, custom, themed, full-circuit family coaster in the next 5 years, I am going to demand a mea culpa, just be prepared for that.
