Project 2022: Pantheon

[FoozMuz]

Well I was very selective with my wording to squeeze Darkastle in there admittedly. Verbolten was the major SEAS project to incorporate major theming in a major thrill ride and my understanding was that they did so at a massive expense and were underwhelmed by the response. Combine that with them deciding that Darkastle wasn't even worth running anymore and you can get a picture of how SEAS thinks of major themeing projects in regards to attracting customers. Killarney is nice but It is mostly plaster on top of Hastings. When we walk around BGW and enjoy the themed atmosphere, the majority of what we see is 40+ years old now.

It is nice that Invadr got the nice plaza it did but It's a very small coaster with trains they got for free. Hardware costs there might be in the low single digits of millions and for an annual attraction addition some spare budget is not too difficult to fit in. Likewise Twisted Timbers is inexpensive as far as major coasters go given the existing footers and partial structure. Now pantheon, not only is it a much more expensive piece of hardware than those two, it involved a major terraforming project and required the installation of a pedestrian bridge. If the park isn't doing much to theme/beautify the ride it's not like it's because they're lazy, it's because all of their attraction budget is in the ride hardware.

A comparable ride is Griffon, in which they put in a very nice station, but that's the reality of rich uncle Anheiser-Busch taking a walk.

 

[Mushroom]

Well I was very selective with my wording to squeeze Darkastle in there admittedly. Verbolten was the major SEAS project to incorporate major theming in a major thrill ride and my understanding was that they did so at a massive expense and were underwhelmed by the response. Combine that with them deciding that Darkastle wasn't even worth running anymore and you can get a picture of how SEAS thinks of major themeing projects in regards to attracting customers. Killarney is nice but It is mostly plaster on top of Hastings. When we walk around BGW and enjoy the themed atmosphere, the majority of what we see is 40+ years old now.

It is nice that Invadr got the nice plaza it did but It's a very small coaster with trains they got for free. Hardware costs there might be in the low single digits of millions and for an annual attraction addition some spare budget is not too difficult to fit in. Likewise Twisted Timbers is inexpensive as far as major coasters go given the existing footers and partial structure. Now pantheon, not only is it a much more expensive piece of hardware than those two, it involved a major terraforming project and required the installation of a pedestrian bridge. If the park isn't doing much to theme/beautify the ride it's not like it's because they're lazy, it's because all of their attraction budget is in the ride hardware.

A comparable ride is Griffon, in which they put in a very nice station, but that's the reality of rich uncle Anheiser-Busch taking a walk.

Yeah, I don't think we disagree all that much. It sounds like you're saying that Pantheon doesn't have theming because they spent every available cent on building the ride itself, which I pretty much agree with. I just think it's a shame that that's the case.

 

[Jonesta6]

Well... There is the balance between something thrilling and another family friendly ride that they already have several of.

I think others here have indicated it's possible that the park may come back in future seasons once they're past the FP attraction and have capex funds available for sprucing the park up. Whether they choose to go this route, who knows - but I'd think at the very least they may move some of the statues from RR and add a few columns.

 

[SLC Headache]

A comparable ride is Griffon, in which they put in a very nice station, but that's the reality of rich uncle Anheiser-Busch taking a walk.

It was an invasion/murder by InBev.

Well... There is the balance between something thrilling and another family friendly ride that they already have several of.

I think others here have indicated it's possible that the park may come back in future seasons once they're past the FP attraction and have capex funds available for sprucing the park up. Whether they choose to go this route, who knows - but I'd think at the very least they may move some of the statues from RR and add a few columns.

After Verbolten was too intense, and after losing DarKastle, and now with the previous, current, and next additions being high-thrill rides, I'd argue the park will be more than ready for another family ride. Don't get me wrong, though, the park could use these heavy hitters now.

 

[Jonesta6]

...I'd argue the park will be more than ready for another family ride. Don't get me wrong, though, the park could use these heavy hitters now.

I think we're on the same side here, but that's kind of what I'm saying - they have maybe 3 existing thrill rides and the rest are considered family rides (coasters) - adding more thrills helps to balance the overall collection, and if they're using all their capex on just the rides now then that's what they're gonna do.

 

[ijerngvidsnvk]

Calling Nessie's station a castle is high praise for what is realistically just some cinder blocks with a basic metal roof.

To be fair, all of Nessie's theming is in the extended queue, which is never used.

 

[Jonesta6]

To be fair, all of Nessie's theming is in the extended queue, which is never used.

You can still see parts of it from the regular queue - though I think it's a moot point with Pantheon's queue being so small.

 

[belsaas]

To be fair, all of Nessie's theming is in the extended queue, which is never used.

I'm always weirdly happy on busy days when I get to go through the extended queue. At least they still have those sounds all working!

 

[kulthus]

I can't remember, but wasn't there some discussion on putting like statues or something similar around the ride area? Or maybe that was just an idea I read about and not an actual plan.

 

[Jonesta6]

Pretty sure there's nothing official about that idea.

 

[FoozMuz]

At the Ace event last winter one person told me that the company who did the Copperhead Strike themeing had been contracted to do something for Pantheon, not knowing the scope of the work though. Also obviously not a primary source. I'd expect a sign element and minor props/dressing for the plaza and queue.

 

[Zachary]

Based on the most up-to-date site plans...

I expect an entry sign, a handful of ride signs, and maybe a couple props.

 

[kulthus]

Okay thanks for the info. Along those lines, what kind of theming would work with this concept? Assuming they wanted to do more immersive themeing that is?

 

[Nibbins]

Looking at the actual Pantheon I guess a bunch of stone pillars and a statue here and there would be appropriate.

 

[Le Moose]

Wait wait wait? Your telling me that this isn’t the right Pantheon?

 

[The Quist]

Are we doing this again?

 

[..…]

At the Ace event last winter one person told me that the company who did the Copperhead Strike themeing had been contracted to do something for Pantheon, not knowing the scope of the work though. Also obviously not a primary source. I'd expect a sign element and minor props/dressing for the plaza and queue.

Maybe they have some impressive theming planned but before unveiling it they want to see how much they can piss off ParkFans members, just for a bit of pandemic fun.

 

[Le Moose]

Maybe they have some impressive theming planned but before unveiling it they want to see how much they can piss off ParkFans members, just for a bit of pandemic fun.

Imagine if they actually did this

 

[matthewcsoup]

from the people i’ve talked to that i can believe and have proved to be trusted sources, busch has ordered themeing but none, and i mean not a single piece down to the entrance sign is yet to arrive...

 

[Jonesta6]

I wonder if that's true if it's due to supply chain issues from the shutdowns or if it's more an indicator as to the timeline to open?