Rumor After the Boardwalk Renovation & Coaster

[AmyUD06]

I think he is referring to the old season pass entrance that was over behind GASM before GK existed. It fed you from the parking lot at the final Rolling Thunder turn into its station brakes into Bugs bunny land and Hernando's hideaway.

Yay someone else who remembers that that entrance was a thing. It only last like four years.

 

[RDL]

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Saw this video from a few days ago of a tilt coaster going in the Frontier Adventures section of the park. The image below (yes, I know it's AI, but it gets the point across well) shows how absolutely insane it would look behind the flume and the restaurant

 

[sfgatim06]

The thought of a coaster on the arenas old plot doesn't sit well with me. I know, unpopular opinion. I agree something needs to go there, but something that will balance the area out. Frontier has a log flume and two coasters already. Id love to see the drop tower go there or some other type of thrill ride.

 

[RDL]

The thought of a coaster on the arenas old plot doesn't sit well with me. I know, unpopular opinion. I agree something needs to go there, but something that will balance the area out. Frontier has a log flume and two coasters already. Id love to see the drop tower go there or some other type of thrill ride.

I think the thing with me is that Medusa could realistically be on the chopping block within the next decade as it’s nearly 30 years old

This also means whatever they add back there could potentially fit in both Medusa and the arena’s location, meaning said addition wouldn’t happen for atleast the next 5 years

 

[Zachary]

Long term, the Medusa and arena sites would be a super compelling resort location, no? Could have panoramic safari views on one side and panoramic park and lake views on the other. Plus, it's super close to existing road infrastructure to allow for guest access to a new parking lot back there and they'd have an easy way to give the hotel a dedicated park entrance.

 

[northdetective]

I truly think they see 0 value in the lake because that's how they've acted for decades and now the shoreline pier is parking lot adjacent. I would find it very strange if the next addition did not address the gaping hole in the park at the Golden Kingdom

 

[Zachary]

I truly think they see 0 value in the lake because that's how they've acted for decades and now the shoreline pier is parking lot adjacent.

Their track record is bad, but I live in a hopeful, theoretical, magical, optimistic, flower and rainbows world where park leadership's competency is increasing.

I would find it very strange if the next addition did not address the gaping hole in the park at the Golden Kingdom

I completely agree and will keep beating this drum until shovels are actually in the ground somewhere else. I don't care where they put that potential drop tower or whatever smaller, filler attraction is slated to immediately follow 2027, but the next e-ticket should, in my opinion, be a new anchor for and a full land revitalization of Golden Kingdom. Cedar Fair has already done a lot of the prototypical design work down at KD with Jungle X, there's a ton of Golden Kingdom iconography and nostalgia to capitalize on at SFGAdv, and I think the theme, existing remnants, and the legacy of Golden Kingdom is absolutely rife with potential for a new e-ticket. They should not let this opportunity rot on the vine in my opinion.

 

[northdetective]

Their track record is bad, but I live in a hopeful, theoretical, magical, optimistic, flower and rainbows world where park leadership's competency is increasing.



I completely agree and will keep beating this drum until shovels are actually in the ground somewhere else. I don't care where they put that potential drop tower or whatever smaller, filler attraction is slated to immediately follow 2027, but the next e-ticket should, in my opinion, be a new anchor for and a full land revitalization of Golden Kingdom. Cedar Fair has already done a lot of the prototypical design work down at KD with Jungle X, there's a ton of Golden Kingdom iconography and nostalgia to capitalize on at SFGAdv, and I think the theme, existing remnants, and the legacy of Golden Kingdom is absolutely rife with potential for a new e-ticket. They should not let this opportunity rot on the vine in my opinion.

I agree that it's a thematic opportunity but I'm more concerned with "filling the gap" spatially. It's just a big chunk of land whose emptiness is in itself an elephant in the room

 

[MikeGS6789]

Isn't most of the area around the lake wetlands and can't really be touched?


Edit: For the coaster it should incorporate the VV naming theme of Vertical Velocity and Vertical Vengeance, something like Copperhead: Vipers Venom.

 

[GASM]

I don't care where they put that potential drop tower or whatever smaller, filler attraction is slated to immediately follow 2027, but the next e-ticket should, in my opinion, be a new anchor for and a full land revitalization of Golden Kingdom.

Personally I’m begging them to address the Northern Star Arena the moment the Boardwalk is done, but even just removing the gate and temporarily putting a stage there would be enough of an improvement for me.

 

[sfgadvfan91]

Their track record is bad, but I live in a hopeful, theoretical, magical, optimistic, flower and rainbows world where park leadership's competency is increasing.



I completely agree and will keep beating this drum until shovels are actually in the ground somewhere else. I don't care where they put that potential drop tower or whatever smaller, filler attraction is slated to immediately follow 2027, but the next e-ticket should, in my opinion, be a new anchor for and a full land revitalization of Golden Kingdom. Cedar Fair has already done a lot of the prototypical design work down at KD with Jungle X, there's a ton of Golden Kingdom iconography and nostalgia to capitalize on at SFGAdv, and I think the theme, existing remnants, and the legacy of Golden Kingdom is absolutely rife with potential for a new e-ticket. They should not let this opportunity rot on the vine in my opinion.

I know this one would be unpopular, but I'd honestly build upon Ka in the lore directly for a new area.

Do some kind of Jungle ruins theme and play with the story "when Ka was torn down, we found something underneath".

 

[MikeGS6789]

One of the problems with the Golden Kingdom was that is was secluded and out of the way. I think it would be better for a new ride use Ka's plot + Rolling Thunder plot and have the entrance where RT's entrance was.

 

[ski4ever5]

One of the problems with the Golden Kingdom was that is was secluded and out of the way. I think it would be better for a new ride use Ka's plot + Rolling Thunder plot and have the entrance where RT's entrance was.

I agree with this; Golden Kingdom isnt really a gaping hole when you think about the layout of the current paths and rides. If someone had never been to the park and didn’t know the history, I don’t think they’d even notice the closed off wild walkway or path from the boardwalk, and at the same time, it’s glaringly obvious that frontier adventures is sparse when you’re walking back to Medusa.

For the sake of the park’s long term future I *would* like to see the Golden Kingdom redeveloped (hopefully with less of a dead end feel), but I think a 2028 shoreline pier style flats outpost near the frontier adventures bathroom and then a 2029/2030 coaster on the Medusa+Arena plots would be ideal.

 

[RDL]

I truly think they see 0 value in the lake because that's how they've acted for decades and now the shoreline pier is parking lot adjacent. I would find it very strange if the next addition did not address the gaping hole in the park at the Golden Kingdom

It’ll be a ride similar to the one FT is getting, that’s my prediction, though if we’re getting a family coaster I’d rather them get a woodie instead

 

[RDL]

I truly think they see 0 value in the lake because that's how they've acted for decades and now the shoreline pier is parking lot adjacent. I would find it very strange if the next addition did not address the gaping hole in the park at the Golden Kingdom

I think the issue with removing Medusa and the arena just to put a resort style addition there isn’t just due to what you said, but also because the area desperately needs a thrill coaster to replace Medusa if it were to leave.

 

[MikeGS6789]

I think the issue with removing Medusa and the arena just to put a resort style addition there isn’t just due to what you said, but also because the area desperately needs a thrill coaster to replace Medusa if it were to leave.

Also, I feel like they would probably want a resort facing the safari to be exclusive to Savannah Sunset.

 

[sfgatim06]

This plot of land, though "hidden" from those who wouldn't know any better, is massive and an absolute goldmine for a full blown GK revitalization/retheme with a landmark attraction like @Zachary mentioned.
I know Mike has been quoted saying they are very interested in a family coaster similar to BBM and WG, so I say.. and I know this is a long shot.. but a dueling family coaster similar to WG. That would be SICK. Add a flat ride, another kids area like Balins (and keep it this time).

There is 100% enough space to do all of that.

 

[Zachary]

Also, I feel like they would probably want a resort facing the safari to be exclusive to Savannah Sunset.

I really hope this isn't their position. The existing glamping thing is way too small-scale to ever be mass-market—not to mention the pricing is downright unaffordable for most of the populus (even if that pricing is theoretically justified by the market for such a niche, glamping experience).

Making a far more mass market version of that experience in a much larger resort at a more accessible (but still, to be clear, inflated) price point would almost certainly profit the park far more than the existing small-scale experience ever will AND it would drive more significant park visitation and in-park spend than the tiny glamping offerings ever could too.

I really think SFGAdv could have marketing lightning in a bottle if they pulled off "Budget Animal Kingdom Lodge Much Closer to Home" for the north east.

 

[RDL]

I really hope this isn't their position. The existing glamping thing is way too small-scale to ever be mass-market—not to mention the pricing is downright unaffordable for most of the populus (even if that pricing is theoretically justified by the market for such a niche, glamping experience).

Making a far more mass market version of that experience in a much larger resort at a more accessible (but still, to be clear, inflated) price point would almost certainly profit the park far more than the existing small-scale experience ever will AND it would drive more significant park visitation and in-park spend than the tiny glamping offerings ever could.

I really think SFGAdv could have marketing lightning in a bottle if they pulled off "Budget Animal Kingdom Lodge Much Closer to Home" for the north east.

The glamping experience was a Selim pre-merger move so I highly doubt expanding it is something they're gonna try, plus they're a business at the end of the day and if the glamping thing isn't bringing in a good enough return, I'd bet money on it going away entirely over it being expanded upon for sure, especially with how much debt the chain is in

Looking at all the moves the park has made these past few years, especially with how ambitious Shoreline Pier as a project has been (atleast for how quickly it's all come together), none of them would've been made the merger didn't happen and Selim was still in charge

 

[MikeGS6789]

I really hope this isn't their position. The existing glamping thing is way too small-scale to ever be mass-market—not to mention the pricing is downright unaffordable for most of the populus (even if that pricing is theoretically justified by the market for such a niche, glamping experience).

Making a far more mass market version of that experience in a much larger resort at a more accessible (but still, to be clear, inflated) price point would almost certainly profit the park far more than the existing small-scale experience ever will AND it would drive more significant park visitation and in-park spend than the tiny glamping offerings ever could.

I really think SFGAdv could have marketing lightning in a bottle if they pulled off "Budget Animal Kingdom Lodge Much Closer to Home" for the north east.

Would they be willing to take away space in the park already used for rides/entertainment to put in a resort when there is still so much unused land elsewhere on property?

Edit: For example the other side of the safari near Hurricane Harbor.