They are required by contract with Sesame Workshop to build new Sesame Place parks by certain deadlines. Aquatica in San Diego was changed to one because they were short on time to meet the deadline on that contract. So the rumor/survey was some idea to wall off the Sesame area and build it out into one of the parking lots into its own park. Wasnt there another rumor of making something with the WCUSA land though too?
This would actually be fantastic, everything over there could easily be moved.
Actually, their parent company has to pay $227.5m in debt in the next 2-3 years in interest due to the parameters of a particular note that they have on the books currently, and B&M offered the company a NICE package deal on some family coasters, I actually wouldn't be surprised if this project, Penguin Trek, and Phoenix Rising cost the total amount a ground up RMC would have cost (I believe I've heard AF1 was $22m but would need a source). I can tell you from looking at the most recent SEAS 10-Q and as a licensed CPA that works in financial reporting this decision was made by the top brass over cash flow. No more, no less. The company does NOT have that amount of cash on hand.
This could have been done... they're very similar in area. Sucks that this new ride takes up 80%+ of the direct FHP area (see: red), which then loops back to the discussion of this ride's placement & how wildly wasteful it is. Totally blocks off any room for notable buildout in FHP itself.
RMCs are much cheaper than $22M, even ground-up ones. We know from the liens that were filed that Iron Gwazi cost between $9 and $10 million in terms of actual payment to RMC. A conversion saves money by reusing some of the existing foundations, which is why conversions are attractive to budget-conscious chains like Six Flags. But the site prep and footers for AF1 absolutely did not cost $10M+. That's typically a much smaller number unless massive terraforming needs to happen.
bgwfans.com
The accumulated cost on ArieForce One is $18m. It looks like initially they were quoted at $13m per this article here just for the ride itself. I would be willing to bet the 220 foot RMC would have crossed $20m when all was said and done, maybe not for the ride hardware alone but project cost wise absolutely especially considering the additional steel cost.
What is your basis for "a lot of overblown hype around "package deals?"" sure you described their financial impact as negligible (which is subjective, materiality varies at every business) but that doesn't mean it doesn't play into the mind of businessmen making that decision. We're talking about SEAS which has a more significant track record buying package deals than chains like Cedar Fair, In the last 5 years we've seen 3 S&S Screamin Swings, and 3 Intamin Straddle coasters alone in the chain. Regardless there's not proof of a package deal, but there is B&M is marketing these things to SEAS whether that is with a package deal or not. Even if it's as negligible as buy 2 get a 3rd 10% off. 10% of $8m is $800,000 which is a lot of damn cash to not end up needing to spend on a new ride if a good deal is offered at any point.
You can absolutely make that argument on all kinds of variables (location, supplies, size, etc.) but given that the bids on these are confidential and none of us work for SEAS we don't know the final project cost but I can absolutely see where 3 family coasters can equate to less $20m. Probably harder for B&M than other manufacturers admittedly.
Zachary, Nicole, and all the others that put the robust article together on the 2025 project deserve a huge shout out & thank you. I’m always amazed at the details you provide for all of us on this site. Thank you, thank you!Allow me to introduce Der Holzfäller:
Busch Gardens Williamsburg's New-for-2025 Roller Coaster Leaks – BGWFans
New leaked documentation reveals Busch Gardens Williamsburg's plans for a new family inverted coaster slated for a 2025 debut in Festhaus Park
