Now perhaps they can fix the real problem and plant trees.
Project 2025/305: Pantherian (Intimidator 305 Retheme)
- Thread starter Kings Gardens
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Maybe label me a hater but they just painted stuff and changed out metal for wood. Given all the other efforts in theme elements this is a let down.
For me, it looks great, but I hope they paint over the checker pattern on the ground and paint the garage door and door frames for the gift shop, which they'll probably do.
I mean with all the money going into Rapterra, expecting anything more would’ve been too much to ask for realistically. I’m just happy we’re seeing significant effort and not just a repaint and sign change.
I also wouldn’t be shocked to see them enhance the plaza further if they ever remove/replace Flight of Fear or open up the backside of the lake with a connecting path. We’ve also seen new SF’s willingness to update theming (even when it doesn’t really make financial sense), so maybe they’ll just come back to it next year and enhance it with a bit higher budget. Lot of room for further improvement
I also wouldn’t be shocked to see them enhance the plaza further if they ever remove/replace Flight of Fear or open up the backside of the lake with a connecting path. We’ve also seen new SF’s willingness to update theming (even when it doesn’t really make financial sense), so maybe they’ll just come back to it next year and enhance it with a bit higher budget. Lot of room for further improvement
Worth noting that there were a couple crate boxes scattered about that had something in them (similar to the boxes they put around Rapterra’s footers last season).
The biggest plus is that the plaza finally feels like an extension of the jungle. And I just really like those wooden lampposts that are all throughout Jungle-X now.
Edit: realized I already posted the picture of the crates lol
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Doubtful, KD's carpenters always made those panels in-house.
For the record, I actually agree. What we've seen so far better just be the start because thus far it very much isn't up to par in my opinion.
That said, they're not done so let 'em cook. I'm happy to hold my critiques until it's finished in hopes that they're rectified. KD has earned that benefit of the doubt with the quality of Phase 1.
They definitely have earned some leeway. But those pictures as of right now just leave me wanting more compared to the standard they set. Now I know I see there's no signs or anything else up yet so there's time.
But TBH I was expecting them to actually change more by now than paint, posts, and the 'teeth' on the entry arch. And I don't take what @the_pantsmith said as "ok" from KD's perspective of 'we spent so much on Rapterra that we can't put more into Pantherian' as something that's acceptable. Like, to me if that budget wasn't there to match everything else, then leave it as "Project 305" one more season and properly do it the next year.
Anyways - agree with what you said there.
I would be totally fine with it staying as it is now to be honest. I didn't really expect an absolute TON to be done to it, especially with what we know they're doing to FoF (very little), and the fact Backlot isn't being rethemed at all. That said, they still have over a month to add finishing touches, and really the bulk of a retheme is already done. They have plenty of time to go in and just add a handful of props like the rest of Jungle-X has and it would fit in basically perfectly in my opinion.
I'll give them some credit, it is a really weird area to attempt to jungle-ify. Lots of concrete and exposed steel. That being said, what they've done so far is pretty much what I expected for the level of "theming" for this area- at least for now. Lots of wood paneling and paint. It's not an earth-shattering amount of work, but I'm glad they chose to go for it. I would like to see the pavers painted/resurfaced into a more fitting color and/or pattern, and definitely redo the large concrete circle in the middle of the plaza with some cool etchings.
There also appears to be new sets of concrete molds prepared for something around that semicircle in the plaza.. hopefully a set of rockwork pieces or Panther statues.
Also personally a fan of this new fence here, finally no more group bag-dropping in that grass.
The taller fence in the background could definitely use some more welcoming paint, too...
There also appears to be new sets of concrete molds prepared for something around that semicircle in the plaza.. hopefully a set of rockwork pieces or Panther statues.
Also personally a fan of this new fence here, finally no more group bag-dropping in that grass.
The taller fence in the background could definitely use some more welcoming paint, too...
I would just like to remind everyone that when jungle x first opened it was incomplete and they kept adding to it over the next few weeks after the initial opening. let’s just remember even tho they have plenty of time to add final touches over the next month there’s still always time for future updates/additions.
SweetBabyJames
Conservative Coaster Connoisseur
Just sayin'... I LOVE Cedar Fair's (new Six Flags) dedication to theming and overall guest experience. These little improvements make a BIG difference when it comes to having a pleasant and memorable experience at a theme park!! Way to go
I agree that some of the work can be a little underwhelming, but given all the cuts KD has gone through with staff, rides, and full on events, I'm just happy to get something. I was worried that the theming of Rapterra might be at the expense of retheming Pantherian, or even vise versa, as these are two huge undertakings amongst a list of many off season projects preparing for the 50th anniversary. There is still time before opening and I think we will continue to get details added over the first month of the season, similar to how each week of Haunt we tend to see more details added with each passing week until we get a final project.
The raceway metal fencing still there is unfortunate. To me, though, it's surprising to see the metal benches still in Pantherian's and FoF's plazas. Maybe they can be painted a muted jungle color in the coming weeks, or maybe they will be replaced all together, but those benches and trash cans just call out 90s/00s cheap amusement park. If not this year, hopefully in years to come they can be replaced to better tie in Jungle X.
I don't mind the pavers so much, especially considering a lot of people don't even recognize it is a checkered flag design. I think FoF and Pantherian plazas have more in store for future year investments, especially as corporate figures out what to do with Lake Charles.
I also think with 305's terrible need to be repainted, KD was backed into a wall, not wanting such an iconic attraction to look so horrible for it's anniversary year. They probably had no choice to move on from Project 305 pretty quickly, even if the investment money was minimal. Fortunately, though, they can finally start selling merchandise for the ride once again.
The raceway metal fencing still there is unfortunate. To me, though, it's surprising to see the metal benches still in Pantherian's and FoF's plazas. Maybe they can be painted a muted jungle color in the coming weeks, or maybe they will be replaced all together, but those benches and trash cans just call out 90s/00s cheap amusement park. If not this year, hopefully in years to come they can be replaced to better tie in Jungle X.
I don't mind the pavers so much, especially considering a lot of people don't even recognize it is a checkered flag design. I think FoF and Pantherian plazas have more in store for future year investments, especially as corporate figures out what to do with Lake Charles.
I also think with 305's terrible need to be repainted, KD was backed into a wall, not wanting such an iconic attraction to look so horrible for it's anniversary year. They probably had no choice to move on from Project 305 pretty quickly, even if the investment money was minimal. Fortunately, though, they can finally start selling merchandise for the ride once again.
Well said @MusicEnlightens - and to give some 'color' to why I said what I did that got this going some:
For the state other rides and changes have happened to Jungle X, when they were shown for various events not long before opening they looked far more complete than what Panterian is. For a company and park that has been really making great strides with the work done to theme elements what they chose to show off to the ACE No-coastercon is disappointing that it was in the state it was given this was a great opportunity to get thoosies excited about the updates to everything even if it's not a new ride.
For the state other rides and changes have happened to Jungle X, when they were shown for various events not long before opening they looked far more complete than what Panterian is. For a company and park that has been really making great strides with the work done to theme elements what they chose to show off to the ACE No-coastercon is disappointing that it was in the state it was given this was a great opportunity to get thoosies excited about the updates to everything even if it's not a new ride.
It just looks sloppy to me. I hope they get a lot more done by opening day but I’m not impressed at all with it right now.
I’m going to push back on this, because I’m not so sure that it’s true. I don’t think we saw a lot more progress for the other Jungle X ride rethemes at this stage than we have seen with Pantherian.
The other two rides we’ve seen rethemed were Reptilian and Arachnidia. What changes did you see pre-season with Reptilian and Arachnidia that you’re not seeing with Pantherian? The only additional update I remember getting about Reptilian was its train decals, and I don’t remember seeing any major updates about Arachnidia except for maybe a picture of its new paint. Everything else — the signs in the rides’ queues, the marquees, the theming in Reptilian’s station and brake run, the spider on the waterfall next to Arachnidia — were either surprises on opening day or added after opening day.
In fact, one could argue that, with the in-progress entry arch and the new woodwork around the plaza and queue, we’ve actually seen more progress with Pantherian than we saw at this stage with the other two rides rethemes.
So, my question is, what updates did you see with Reptilian and Arachnidia at this stage that you think we’re not seeing with Pantherian?
The courtyard, queues, overall feel of the area looked better when people walked through them for the first time IMO.
But what I would ask is were those part of an ACE non-coaster-con event? I honestly don't know.
Like I said early on in agreement with @Zachary is there's leeway because they've shown they've done it, but I personally feel to show what they've done as repainted ride, light pole changes, and a coat of paint....it's not a great look. Again for me this isn't an "at the same point" thing, it's more about what you want to show off.
Like I said, I'm giving them leeway because they have done so well with other theme elements they've done. I personally just don't love that they showed it off in the state it is, especially if they are anticipating on doing much more (which I would guess they are as the name ties in to Jungle X). That's why I said in my first post it doesn't look great in it's current state but they get some workability.
IMO I would like to see the concrete stamped, more color on the buildings, the metal railings painted to a theme, some more plaza coverage, and planting of foliage.
So what is your solution? The general public won't see those photos unless they know where to look. This was an ACE event, not a preview to the public. It is an active development, just like the blog post KD shares, we know that it is not the finished project.
Show artwork of what it will look like completed, don't allow pictures, talk about the progress made and what's coming. There's many options other than allowing people to see and take pictures.
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So you’re comparing how Reptilian and Arachnidia looked on opening day to how Pantherian looks a month before opening? That seems like a wildly unfair comparison.
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