RE: Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve
Party Rocker said:
As I said before, animals are not the main attraction to the park, they should not take over the park. They are a supporting factor that should be used in moderation existing to help support the main park theme.
OK. I really have been trying to sidestep a debate here, but I really need to say something.
PR: aren't you the one who is advocating the position that the park is in the middle of a metamorphosis, reflective of the new management? I don't know how many other Sea World parks you have visited, but animals ARE the central theme of the rest of the non-water parks. BGT is classified as a zoo. Sea World is an aquarium. Even the water parks have animal links. Discovery Cove is entirely about animal encounters; even Aquatica emphasizes its dolphins.
If the new management is in fact trying to update BGW to reflect its corporate values, then maybe the introduction of more animals and the development of an animal theme is legitimate.
Would we all prefer "European" animals? Sure. But zoos in Europe don't limit themselves to bears and deer either.
The biggest reason I prefer Sea World parks to Cedar Fair parks, is the combination of rides and animals. And I know many people who share that preference. It is also why I spend more time at the Florida parks: more animal interactions.
I get the sense from your posts that you are at best indifferent to animals. You come across as someone who doesn't like animals, in fact. Regardless, it isn't reasonable to generalize from yourself to the majority of park goers. I don't like the shows, but I don't post long explanations for why the park shouldn't have them. I know I am a minority, and I am happy for BGW to have a wide variety of attractions for a wide variety of tastes.
Edit: PR, aren't you the who says that a show doesn't have to match the theme of the hamlet, as long as it is inside? How is the Wild Reserve any different? It is pretty, well-landscaped, fairly hidden (in some places) area, dedicated to animals. It doesn't overflow into either Ireland or France. What is the problem? Your example of lions in entirely fallacious.