RE: Project Madrid: New Hamlet? Giga Coaster? 315' Tower?
SLC Headache said:
Thinking about it, Kings Dominion were fools to tease RMC Hurler 2018 in 2016. InvadR was a huge hit, not only because it was the first family-friendly coaster, but because KD added only kiddie flats and Wi-Fi, and also because KD lost a wooden coaster, however bad it had become, by closing Hurler.
I'd argue BGW straddles the line between regional and destination. Nowhere near a Disney park or Cedar Point, but more than most Six Flags or Cedar Fair parks. Somewhat like Gadv pulling not only NY/NJ/PA, but a good amount of those who have SFA/SFNE as their local parks.
It's off topic from the thread, but yea, BGW really straddles that line. Between BGW, HW, WCUSA you got about 2.5 days worth of doing stuff. IMO you need a full 3-4 day draw to be a destination. 2.5 days (if you do historic Williamsburg) is just a bit too little to do a big trip too. If you want to throw in that they could fly into Richmond, 2 days in Williamsburg, 1 day in Doswell, 1 day in Upper Marlboro, a day in DC before flying out, then the parks in the region is a destination, but BGW alone isn't.
SLC Headache said:
After reading others' arguments on other forums, the giga in 2018 becomes slightly more plausible.
1. Out of the major SWP&E parks, BGW took the least of the hit from Blackfish.
2. BGW needs something to counter KD's RMC.
Still leaning towards a flat package with the StarFlyer as the big thing to launch the new Spain area.
I agree with 1. BGW seems to be the park that dodged the bullet so to speak with the Blackfish scandal. I sometimes wonder if the location has anything to do with it? BGW is isolated from BGT and SW loactions. BGW and Seaseme Place are rarely thought of as being part of Sea World Entertainment because of that. I think BGT somewhat avoided it, but between being the park in a city that isn't a big tourist destination in FL, and I'll be honest, it is not near anything in Tampa.
Personally I think if SWE&P wants to be smart they would build something big with BGW, RMC or do something with Gwazi (I know I'm a little off topic here), give them (or rename) with names that aren't animal themed, then see what early returns from this investment is. If it does well...well then bully for you, you might be able to do better. If not, you've increased the value of the parks to be able to sell them.
I think what BG has going for it over SW when it comes to the Blackfish problem is BGW and BGT has been known (Personally I knew this despite not being anywhere in the area for 31 years) for animal conservation. They get put to some entertainment in some cases, but for the most case, they are educating people and taking in animals that wouldn't survive long in the wild. Think of the eagles in BGW. They would struggle to survive in the wild, but they live in BGW.
But anyways as for the topic:
Yes I think its a good idea for SWE&P to invest in one of it's best performing properties. It's the smart thing to do. Make BGW your flagship park. I know this will be unpopular, but you boost up this park and make it a destination, then you use some of the profits to put towards the other park you want to make a tentpole location. I would bet it's the way CF works. CP is the flagship so biggest investment. Canada's wonderland and Carowinds are the other two tentpoles so it gets the "next in line" investment. Knotts, KI, KD, CGA are next. Then everyone at the else gets small investments.
So putting in a new hamlet and giga in BGW could really be worth it. Wouldn't it be the only giga in any SWE&P property? That would certainly nail down BGW as the flagship park of the chain. I don't think adding a Starflyer really does that.
Also....why put a Starflyer in one of the lowest points of the park.
