Project 2022: Pantheon

[Coaster Takes]

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.

I’m gonna be completely honest, this isn’t that far fetched of an idea. Lembke’s always kept it a buck when interacting with enthusiasts when it comes to new attractions. At a 2019 ACE event when someone asked about their 2020 attraction, he straight up said that the plans were online, and that it’s impossible to keep anything a secret nowadays.

Is it likely? no lmao. Is there a sliver of hope? Maybe. Rule of thumb is to keep expectations in check though.

ACE event video for reference:

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[horsesboy]

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?

Or did Busch and Sea stiff them like they did so many others over the last year?

 

[horsesboy]

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.

Yeah and when the park has been asked about themeing they said oh it's such a great ride that you won't really need that.

 

[Griffbolten]

Make the station resemble the Pantheon or a Roman temple. Add some pillars to the queue area and along certain portions of the track and call it a day.

 

[Coaster Takes]

Yeah and when the park has been asked about themeing they said oh it's such a great ride that you won't really need that.

To be fair, the representative who said that didn’t really seem to know what she was talking about, and she didn’t seem to have much insight into the project.

 

[wombat96]

Does anyone know if the service road that runs through the entry plaza is asphalt or aggregate? At Six Flags St. Louis this past weekend I noticed that there was a service road running straight through the middle of the Mr. Freeze queue and the conflicting pathway material of the asphalt and concrete together looked absolutely awful. I always enjoy joking about BGW becoming the next Six Flags, but when you see BGW actually making extremely similar moves it's very concerning. What we have seen so far on the construction site is laughable for the park, and in all honesty, makes Tempesto look like an immersive themed attraction.

Anyways, hoping this ride tries to be semi-presentable and not just a bare-bones iron ride that can be found at any amusement park. Install a really nice sign with a lightning package, maybe throw up some columns, and actually install (some? any?) vegetation and it would do wonders to the surrounding area. The ride is going to be incredible while on it, but the surrounding area where guests will be spending the majority of their time while waiting for Pantheon is currently abysmal and needs considerable work done before the ride is open.

 

[Nicole]

To be fair, the representative who said that didn’t really seem to know what she was talking about, and she didn’t seem to have much insight into the project.

She is the official BGW spokeswoman and public relations manager. She was representing BGW at a media event about Pantheon. She does not get a pass.

 

[horsesboy]

Multiple passes by the park thus afternoon and didn't see anything from Pantheon but don't worry they will test Thursday when I likely won't be able to swing past. Hopefully there will be something to see Friday when the park is open

 

[Coaster Takes]

Continuing the theming discussion, while there does seem to be eyebrow raising statements regarding the (lack of) theming, I've been digging through old interviews and trying to piece together anything substantial.

"We do a lot of our own operations testing, and then while that's going on our theming gets installed. We can't put our theming in now because it'll get destroyed, a lot of it is kind of layered on top of some of the other structures. Station building's still not quite finished yet."

This quote is the main reason I still have a glimpse of hope regarding the theming. The design of the station seems so overly simplistic that it seems like their plan was to keep the structure barebones, and then give it a good appearance through facades. Same deal with the skeleton maintenance bay. If @matthewcsoup 's sources are correct (which they have been quite consistently), then we can expect some theming at least. He also has been extremely supportive of Busch's plan to theme the ride, and while it could’ve been based on hopes and wishes, if he has sources that are providing him with insight into it than his claims would make more sense.

While at this point we have filed plantings, it's known that Busch rarely follows them to the tee, and instead does their own more elaborate and detailed landscaping. Personally, I thought the plantings looked really good as they were presented, so if we're to expect something better, we could be in for a treat.

As always, expectations in check.

 

[Nicole]

When we asked about theming, we were told there would be signage and some decorations in the station.

 

[Logang]

Hoping the ride sign is something over the top like The Fontana del Pantheon.

 

[Icer]

I think it'll look like this:

Pantheon

 

[Coaster Takes]

When we asked about theming, we were told there would be signage and some decorations in the station.

Suzy said early on that it’s a process and things change as they get closer to that point. I took the quote from the most recent interview, so things could have changed along the way. When Cindy, the communications director made the statement about forgetting about the theming, there was definitely passive pushback from the ACE members in attendance. It could’ve caused them to rethink their plan a bit.

The inconsistent answers could be because they pretty much have nothing, they have something pretty good and they’re trying to subvert expectations, or the plan evolved over the time between interviews.

 

[matthewcsoup]

we should’ve already seen the main entrance sign go up if it was available 100%, the structure of the plaza and queue is complete, it’s the details next and they can’t do them at the moment because they aren’t present at the site, hence why all the attention recently has gone to testing, and i think there is correlation between veloci finishing and pantheon starting ride programming/testing

 

[qdeathstar]

So then no testing today I take it

 

[TheVexinator]

So then no testing today I take it

Probably not

 

[horsesboy]

So then no testing today I take it

Not that I saw over the course of about 45 minutes where I got lunch and drove around in a few circles that was around 3 so I think there was a fairly decent chance that if they were do full course testing I would have spotted something.

 

[Zimmy]

in general I don't care much about theming. It is neat look at as I walk by I suppose, but it does not ruin it for me if it is not there. To me if they have a fixed budget and to make the ride better they have to cut the prop budget, then so be it.

To me the disappointing thing is the same as in 305, a complete lack of shade.

 

[Coaster Takes]

we should’ve already seen the main entrance sign go up if it was available 100%, the structure of the plaza and queue is complete, it’s the details next and they can’t do them at the moment because they aren’t present at the site, hence why all the attention recently has gone to testing, and i think there is correlation between veloci finishing and pantheon starting ride programming/testing

"We do a lot of our own operations testing, and then while that's going on our theming gets installed."

Intamin still has control over the site. I don't think any theming will come close to being installed while the manufacturer is testing, correcting bugs, and addressing possible serious issues that come up during the process.

 

[Twisted_Airtime]

In my opinion I think pantheon is going to be just like I305, at first its going to look unpleasant and out of place but once the gras and stuff grows it will look fine. All this coaster needs is nice landscaping and a good plaza, and who knows maybe BGW will come back in a couple years and add the scrapped theming elements ??‍