Brambo
Cyberdyne Systems Software Engineer
This... What's more appropriate theming for a jungle environment than said jungle getting decimated to install a NASCAR track / coaster?
Project 2025: Jungle X-Pedition Retheme Phase II
- Thread starter Zachary
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Kind of goes with the looks of the abandon NASCAR racetracks that have been neglected:
My total pipe dream is that the bird temple will be a launched flying coaster similar to/a clone of F.L.Y. at Phantasialand in Volcano's plot. It would fill the launch coaster gap, be unique to Virginia, and draw enthusiasts and normal guests alike without being too intense. Plus, it would definitely fit the theme because the launched flyers focus more on flight like a bird than the drops and inversions on other flying coasters. But I know that probably won't happen.
So I guess we will know if any new ride hardware is coming in next year on August 11th? I’m guessing we won’t see much given Cedar Fairs track record the year after a “new coaster” other than more Jungle X improvements.
Well, we haven't heard anything about any announcement for KD. The 3 CF parks we know are getting new stuff in 2023 are Cedar Point, Carowinds, and probably WOF.
Concerning Carowinds; to me, the initial ride closure announcement came very abruptly and a few days later the fence went up and said rides started coming down. In the past, a CF park would make a ride closure announcement 4-6 weeks before the ride closed. I wonder if CF made a policy change not drag out a ride closure announcement anymore?
For KD, would the on-going Jungle X-pedition makeover count as one of the CF top tier 2023 changes? Usually, the CF top tier new attractions in the chain get the right of first clues and announcements. Those attractions are the capital expense headliners in corporate anmouncements and investment meetings.
If there is no anouncement from KD next week, I would not consider a Jungle X Phase 2 expansion as one of CF's top tier capital expense projects. I am sure it would be one of the top 2nd tier CF projects. Which would probably mean a park announcement mid to late August.
I'm pretty sure any August announcement for anything KD is a pipedream. I firmly expect that if a ride retheme or restaurant renovation is coming in 2023, it will be announced in the same way as past restaurant renovations and ride rethemes have been—unveiled via blog post well after announcement season—think January.
Sounds like you are either leaning toward an off year for 2023; or, you just don't think the potential Phase II expansion efforts are worth more than a Facebook post? (Like Rebel Yell to Racer '75)
Well, it is not easy for the park management to drum up excitement when there is no major attraction for the following season; especially, when next years season passes go on sale. I guess management will market the seasonal special events, the food, and maybe KD will work on the entertainment offerings for 2023; including maybe getting a show to play in the KD theater for summer 2023.
I mean rethemes are a lot harder to market then new rides. Honestly the way KD handled Reptilian and the restaurant rethemes in Jungle X last year feels like the right approach. I am personally hoping for a few teaser hints to drop during Haunt and then the online stuff later in the year.
I realize now that, if Jungle X phase II carries forward for 2023, re-themes of 2 existing rides and possibly an addition of a new/"new again" small to medium flat ride probably won't gather a major corporate approved announcement next week.
Just wondering if it is enough for KD to market those improvements when the 2023 season passes go on sale in a couple weeks. Even if it is just teasers.
Also, to what scale of retheming could happen to a makeover of say BLSC. Would it be a basic, no-frill overlay or an extensive retheme that makes it almost a hybrid coaster/dark ride? What I mean is converting the outdoor helicopter scene into a fully enclosed temple with a dark ride scene with some special effects/lighting that continues in the tunnel where you "burst out" of the temple to escape. I could see changes to the outdoor section to have ruins that gives you near misses and passing through narrow passages or arches.
A few thoughts:
1. KD should retheme BLSC and market the addition as a new ride. It's a relatively cheap way to majorly upgrade their new area and bring in a pretty fresh experience. Rethemed cars (jeeps), a paint job, the removal of some gravel and the planting of some trees, some plexiglass animals, and a retheme of the MCBR would nearly do the trick. I WISH this would come next year, but I'm not holding my breath.
2. I've read over most of this thread and haven't seen any rumors regarding a B&M launched wing coaster. I know the last GM brought up an interest in a partnership with B&M, in addition to the scrapped B&M wing clone blueprints. What better middle ground for a coaster to take Volcano's place than a wing coaster that launches (even though no coaster can truly replace Volcano). I've ridden Thunderbird at Holiday World; great ride! Forceful launch, not too intense of a layout. A great counter to the intensity of I-305's heavy g-forces and Twisted Timbers whippy airtime. A wooden coaster or a shoot-the-chutes ride (think Escape from Pompeii) would better cover up the ugliness of FOF's building from the Tumbili midway, but I don't think KD will go that route. If they go B&M wing, it needs to have a launch.
1. KD should retheme BLSC and market the addition as a new ride. It's a relatively cheap way to majorly upgrade their new area and bring in a pretty fresh experience. Rethemed cars (jeeps), a paint job, the removal of some gravel and the planting of some trees, some plexiglass animals, and a retheme of the MCBR would nearly do the trick. I WISH this would come next year, but I'm not holding my breath.
2. I've read over most of this thread and haven't seen any rumors regarding a B&M launched wing coaster. I know the last GM brought up an interest in a partnership with B&M, in addition to the scrapped B&M wing clone blueprints. What better middle ground for a coaster to take Volcano's place than a wing coaster that launches (even though no coaster can truly replace Volcano). I've ridden Thunderbird at Holiday World; great ride! Forceful launch, not too intense of a layout. A great counter to the intensity of I-305's heavy g-forces and Twisted Timbers whippy airtime. A wooden coaster or a shoot-the-chutes ride (think Escape from Pompeii) would better cover up the ugliness of FOF's building from the Tumbili midway, but I don't think KD will go that route. If they go B&M wing, it needs to have a launch.
Can anyone explain to me why KD needs another launching coaster in the JX area?
Sure, if they do get one it'd probably be fun and I'll ride when I get the chance.
But I don't see them trying to fill a gap just for that... Especially when it's not like it's going to make them much more competitive than any other new coaster would given how BGW seems to be going for the record number of launches in a single park just down the road.
Sure, if they do get one it'd probably be fun and I'll ride when I get the chance.
But I don't see them trying to fill a gap just for that... Especially when it's not like it's going to make them much more competitive than any other new coaster would given how BGW seems to be going for the record number of launches in a single park just down the road.
KD used to be the launch coaster capital of the world. They've had some excellent launches come and go (Volcano, Hypersonic, King Kobra). FOF is the only quality launch in the park now. An elite launching coaster is missing from KD's lineup, as is a less-intense major coaster. That's why I think a B&M launching wing coaster fits best, even though it probably won't happen.
The best, most attainable thing we can hope for next year is the BLSC retheme (even though it'll probably be 2024...)! And who knows what the future of Anaconda will be in the near future, as well as I-305's theming. I'm thinking some sort of jungle cat for I-305 and a bird for the new coaster!
There is an extensive discussion about possible (and wished for) replacements for Volcano here:
Ideal and Likely Volcano Replacement Ideas
Let’s get this statement out of the way. I don’t think anything will truly “replace” Volcano for me. It was the best ride at Kings Dominion for a long time before I305 went up in my opinion with its unique premise and how fun it was. Alright so about that replacement idea: Me personally I...
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You had me until the last line.
I'd think a Mack launch in the vein of copperhead strike more likely.
I'd take a Mack launch, but I wish their launches weren't so weak! Does anyone know why we haven't seen more B&M launched wing coasters in the world up until this point? Since there's only one in the US, it would definitely be a unique draw from a marketing perspective.
They aren’t going to do this, but I like the idea of tying in I305 to Flight of Fear and giving those rides it’s own dedicated plaza directly after Chicken Shack similar to what Kings Island did with Orion. Give I305 a simple overhaul and refurb FOF’s theming and you’re done. Brand new area to market.
Once Backlot gets its overhaul, this would make the Jungle X section of the park complete while adding a whole other area. There’s space for it and I think the transition between the 2 areas could be done very well on a rather minimal budget.
Once Backlot gets its overhaul, this would make the Jungle X section of the park complete while adding a whole other area. There’s space for it and I think the transition between the 2 areas could be done very well on a rather minimal budget.
Given that most of the Cedar Fair 2023 cap ex seems to be focused on Cedar Point, Carowinds, WOF, and possibly VF, not sure how much of the dollar pie KD will get for next year.
If the park decides to re-theme BLSC and Anaconda next year; continue with replacing walkway asphalt with pavers; and expanding the Jungle X theming elements further into the remaining Safari area, KD might be able to do that between 2-4 million.
The higher dollar range might depend on the extent of BLSC's makeover and if the park might sneak in a small attraction.
As far as any food location renovations next year, I can only think of Victoria Gardens restaurant in CAG. That is the only major food location, that I can think of, that has not been renovated.
If the park decides to re-theme BLSC and Anaconda next year; continue with replacing walkway asphalt with pavers; and expanding the Jungle X theming elements further into the remaining Safari area, KD might be able to do that between 2-4 million.
The higher dollar range might depend on the extent of BLSC's makeover and if the park might sneak in a small attraction.
As far as any food location renovations next year, I can only think of Victoria Gardens restaurant in CAG. That is the only major food location, that I can think of, that has not been renovated.
I doubt this would happen in 2023, but I could see Railblazer potentially moving into the former Volcano plot once Cedar Fair starts removing rides from CGA. It’s still relatively new, and it would be a marketable addition since there’s nothing else like it in the mid-Atlantic. Of the smaller parks in the chain, Dorney seems unlikely since they’re in the same market as Great Adventure. Worlds of Fun looks like it has some projects already lined up, and while VF and MiA seem likely I could see them getting the B&M’s instead.
I don't see anything happening to CGA for at least the next 2-4 years. So, I don't bother with trying to place any CGA attraction in any other CF park.
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