Banbury Cross Retheme Coming in 2014

[Mushroom]

Hint: It's all of us.

 

[Party Rocker]

Like I said, too early. The italics are a huge hint though of what they'd like to do.

The big hint here that people seem to be forgetting, from Zachary's very few words of terror, that is what they would like to do. Basically, there is still a chance it will not be as bad as people are blowing this up to be.

Just chill out, see how things unfold and then worry and panic.

 

[Zachary]

I disagree wholeheartedly. At the end of the day, what matters most is what the park wants to do. That shows intention and future direction. Current action shows the park's budget and time constraints. What they want to do is far more telling.

 

[Mushroom]

Remember the days when the park wanted to put a fairy tale show into the Festhaus?

 

[CastleOSullivan]

Every time I tried to ask Carl Lum about the renovations, I somehow forgot what I wanted to ask him, and geared more towards the show. I did ask Scott Gasparich questions about their plans A little more in depth, but his entire crew, along with at least two PR representatives were with him, and he just said with a smirk on his face "It wouldn't be a secret if I would tell you about it." Something about his manner told me that he thought that I, as a season pass member probably would not want to know the truth. It may seem a little overly dramatic, but take it for what it's worth.

 

[Merboy]

On a related issue what would happen if the park really does go so far south that it loses all its old world appeal and beauty and such? Do you think it would hurt the park enough to deter visitors? I live in Raleigh NC and have to go out of my way to make a trip there, so if the park continues to take a dive then there's a good chance I won't renew my season pass or make any further visits. Do you think others would be of the same opinion? Do you think the current managers of the park value the old world charm that has made BGW the park it is today?

 

[CastleOSullivan]

...{Do you think the current managers of the park value the old world charm that has made BGW the park it is today?}

No. Not at all.

I think only about four years ago there were a few managers left that cared about the old world charm of the park, but they have all retired or quit since then.
I know a lot of us love to blame Scott for everything, but he's not the only one to "blame".
I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I think that's the how Carl got his job. He had very little to no knowledge of Busch Gardens Williamsburg prior to moving there.

Therefore, he probably just thinks that everything is normal, and it's too late to convince him otherwise. Before Carl Lum came to the park, there seemed to be a lot of things that were "getting past" the general manager. In other words, it seemed like some of the managers thought they could do whatever they wanted without getting his stamp of approval. During the same time this was happening a lot of shifts were being made in many departments, especially entertainment. As a result of this several people quit or retired.

Unfortunately, the only people left who do care about the park's history don't really have enough power to do anything about it. They just sit there with their mouths closed, pretending that everything is going fine and dandy. I mean, what else could they do? I'm sure they all just want to keep their jobs.

 

[Zachary]

Everything in CastleOSullivan's post is basically spot-on.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

On a related issue what would happen if the park really does go so far south that it loses all its old world appeal and beauty and such? Do you think it would hurt the park enough to deter visitors?

I don't think it will drive off the once-a-year visitors who don't give a crap about the park. However, I do know there are people who have been going to the park their whole lifetime, and come mostly because of the way it was maintained, up until now. There are a lot of people who go to the park every day(many of us here on these forums are these type of people) who have a true passion for what the park offers in terms of quality. Most of these people have been going for many years, or enough to know that the park is supposed to be themed after old-world Europe. These people expect a certain level of quality, and when that quality deteriorates, I'm sure many of them will no longer feel the need to go, and spend their money at the park as often as they normally would've, because they won't feel the appeal to the park that they used to.

I truly believe that there will be many people who will be turned off by the deterioration of the park's true theme, in result they will no longer come to the park/visit as often. However, not only are these people loyal customers, but they are the people who spend the most money at the park, which without their business will hurt the park financially. So I do believe that there could/will be people who will stop visiting the park because of the deterioration of quality, and that will effect the park in more ways than one.

Do you think the current managers of the park value the old world charm that has made BGW the park it is today?

I'm sure there is a small amount of people who do, but there aren't much more than that. And in terms of higher management(presidents of departments, and the park), I don't think any of them value it anymore.

 

[Party Rocker]

Do you think the current managers of the park value the old world charm that has made BGW the park it is today?

Just saying, as far the the "Executive" staff goes, Park President and Vice Presidents, there hasn't been many 'new' ones technically. From my understanding, Carl arrived in late 2009. The only other changes has been the Finance VP from earlier this year and the Merchandise VP from last year. Honestly, other than that they just moved a bunch of the VP's from one department to another.

I don't think the problem is 'new' management's thinking because these people haven't changed that much. I honestly think the problem lies in their positions. If I were in charge I would not just move my Culinary VP to Merchandise and then move him back like a chess piece. I would make sure that his only job would be fully focused on one department at the park. They would go to college a major in culinary and minor in business and work mostly concerning about culinary. I would not put someone unqualified in a department they don't have much knowledge about being in.

And I seriously see the problem as some VP's just have absolutely no idea what their doing. They just do things because they think they are the right things. Obviously Scott doesn't fall into this, since he does have an extensive Entertainment background, but the fact still stands. They treat these VP's like removeable parts that they can just shift around.

A good example is the Doctor Who sonic screwdrivers that are sold. They have three or four in a package, each sonic has three parts too it, these parts can be taken apart and replace a seemingly similar part of different design on another one giving you the possibility of many different combinations.

These VPs should be specialized with plenty of background and/or education in their department, not replaceable with just any average VP of whatever department.

 

[BGW Family]

To Matthew, COS and Merboy's points (all good!)...we too are in the Raleigh area and the 4 hour drive (which we USE to do 2 to 3 times a month) is no longer worth the value of our time and money.

The BGW friends we made was really the only reason we went back more this year. And the time went spent then was mostly with them rather than park stuff.

We have not, and will not, renew until we see how things go. The potential Banbury changes will be the proverbial nail in the coffin for me. I can't stand to see my best friend (the old BGW) pillaged and raped. I opt to remember it the way it was rather than view it with no special regard like I sadly do Carowinds now.

Which, BTW, Carowinds is only an hour away if I want to go do plenty of rides and watch no shows at a place that doesn't mean anything to me. At least they are painting their rides and expanding in a few years. (Temporary rant over.)

I'm not a naysayer and I'm glad that people like Cody can see around this type of thing. I certainly wish I could. It is just such a personal thing to me and I can't help how I feel about it. Being so personally invested in the park, our family memories, and it's direction is something I think only people like those on this forum can get. Right now, my time and money are better invested in anything else.

...That sound you are hearing is Kitty doing the Fred Sanford heart attack thing when she reads this post...

 

[chickenking]

There is a brick wall in the training center (or whatever it's called) near the BGW HR building. On that wall is a bunch of chiseled & sculpted, classic attractions that, for me, represent the quality and detail that BGW has been/should be known for. The things on this "brick shrine" have provided me with some of my fondest memories of the park over the years. I would be LIVID if/when any of these attractions are disturbed. One of the things on this wall is the clock tower; what for many is the symbol of Banbury Cross/England, if not Busch Gardens as a whole (see BGW FANS logo on tab and landing page, etc.).

Just sayin'... :s

Spoiler

PR posted a picture of this thing earlier in 2013. I had an opportunity to see it for myself and get some pictures. Thanks again for letting us know about this thing's existence. Check it out!!

 

[Franco]

I feel like the park's attitude with the current state of Banbury Cross is akin to this:

I really want this not to be as awful as it sounds like it will be.

 

[BGW Family]

Question. If this was going to be more than paint, shouldn't we have seen some permit action? Along with some work having already began?

 

[Shane]

*nods head*

 

[CastleOSullivan]

Is it possible that someone was smart enough to not allow this abomination?

 

[chickenking]

Demolition? :shocked:

 

[Party Rocker]

Demolition requires permits too. Remember that one permit for Le Scoot that specifically said demolition.

 

[Applesauce]

... So should we expect Ripper Row like facades to look like London? (Or did those require permits as well?)

 

[Party Rocker]

Actually yes, Ripper Row did have permits. The facades and pergolas were both filed under the same permit.