There's also a zoning issue..... the local government is pissed about this move so there could be some serious resistance.
Project 2025: Jungle X-Pedition Retheme Phase II
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Local government isn't just pissed, the mayor said publicly that the city of Santa Clara was not notified of the property sale and made it fairly clear they're not willing to cooperate.
At this point, it is out of CF's hands as the sale of the land has closed. They don't have control of the land. Course, Santa Clara, could give the new land holders hell on how they develop the land going forward.
Yup that’s it it like bubbled or something at the entrance of the tunnel and shot out at the exit
That's what I was referring to.
Yes, it is.... but it could change what CF does. For instance, if the zoning will not be changed to anything other than an amusement park then we could potentially see CF selling rides to the new owner as well since they'll be forced to run a park -- or maybe even CF buying back the land at a cheaper price because it's now worthless to the new owner.... Lot's of possibilities.
On the area called flat rock, ther are six animals. almost all fit with a ride except for a bird. Coincidence? I think not.
There's plenty of other coasters that fit a bird other than a wing coaster.... Flying coasters for one -- but even inverted or the axis coaster would fit quite well. I just really hope that whatever replaces Volcano, it's not a B&M..... That's not a statement to hate on B&M but I just don't think there is anything in their portfolio that is worthy of a Volcano replacement...... Best case scenario IMHO is Vekoma or S&S (since we know it's not going to be an Intamin).
^I'd take a Mack easily if that was in consideration as well. EIther of the spinning launch or regular launch coaster.
I'd take a Mack over a B&M but I don't think it would be high on my list of choices but that's based on what I've seen them do in the US. I think they are capable of something that could fill Volcano's shoes but they'd have to do something they hadn't done before where I think Vekoma and S&S have stuff in their portfolio already that could do it. I also think that flying or inverted is a pretty key part (with axis being a unique exception) and I think the only thing Mack has done in that regard is a powered coaster that actually resembles trains more like B&M (bigger and bulkier rather than minimal like F. L. Y. or the Vekoma and S&S inverts)
I mean I LOVE Copperhead Strike, honestly there aren't a ton of Macks in the US. At the same time I just hope whatever they build is fun as hell and looks cool in Jungle X.
I certainly enjoyed Copperhead Strike and recognize it as a great ride but I don't think it lived up to everyone's hype. So many people comparing it to Maverick was probably a big reason why it was a let down because I can't see any similarity. That being said, I don't think either Copperhead Strike or Maverick would be great replacements for Volcano.... there was a very specific feel to Volcano that blurred a line between grace and intensity.
I'll completely admit, however, that I'm going to be a hard person to please with a Volcano replacement. The loss of that coaster really affected me in ways that I really couldn't have predicted. It's still the only coaster that has ever been able to put a smile on my face 100% of the times I rode it -- even though it was never my number 1. The closest I ever get to the "feeling" that I had on Volcano is on Merlin's Mayhem but that ride is just WAY too short.
Someone who worked at the park last year told me they likely just repainted the insides of the backlot cars so that they wouldn’t need to keep repainting them as much. It’s actually a new texture on the insides. I’m still keeping my hopes up for a rehab though.
Throwing out some personal thoughts for the next Jungle X phase...
General consensus on this forum seems to be that BLSC should be the next attraction in line for a re-theme; which makes sense given how few ride effects still function, and that its existing theme sorely sticks out in the Jungle X area. And though I'm sure all of us would love to see a major new attraction added in 2023, chances of that are slim, with 2024 (or likely 2025 for the 50th) being the earliest.
However now that KD is finally investing more in entertainment, I would personally like to see a re-introduction of a Safari/Jungle X amphitheater, just like what used to exist... where for those who do not remember, the safari area originally had an amphitheater, before Paramount removed it (along of course with most park-wide entertainment options); where a cropped version, of this original photo, showing its location back in the day:
I really enjoy the new Let's Get Wild production. But my biggest gripes are the lack of actual seating, and exposure to the sun; as both of these elements really begin to detract from enjoyment of the show, especially towards the end of the 30-minute runtime.
Other positives of a dedicated amphitheater:
And given the stellar job the park's creative team has done with the first phase of Jungle X, can you imagine what could be done in theming the amphitheater itself and surrounding area!
A rough approximation of the area they have would have to work with:
(Noting that the current game building outside of Chicken Shack could potentially need to be removed; just like was done to the games building at Flat Rock. As well as shifting the entrance for Anaconda closer to its station; which in some ways would make sense, as the coaster does not see lines like it used to, and its current entrance is set so far back from the station, that the entrance is easy to overlook.)
So again, no factual evidence to suport any of this. Instead just my personal preference for the next iterative phase of Jungle X.
General consensus on this forum seems to be that BLSC should be the next attraction in line for a re-theme; which makes sense given how few ride effects still function, and that its existing theme sorely sticks out in the Jungle X area. And though I'm sure all of us would love to see a major new attraction added in 2023, chances of that are slim, with 2024 (or likely 2025 for the 50th) being the earliest.
However now that KD is finally investing more in entertainment, I would personally like to see a re-introduction of a Safari/Jungle X amphitheater, just like what used to exist... where for those who do not remember, the safari area originally had an amphitheater, before Paramount removed it (along of course with most park-wide entertainment options); where a cropped version, of this original photo, showing its location back in the day:
I really enjoy the new Let's Get Wild production. But my biggest gripes are the lack of actual seating, and exposure to the sun; as both of these elements really begin to detract from enjoyment of the show, especially towards the end of the 30-minute runtime.
Other positives of a dedicated amphitheater:
- Alleviates crowd congestion in the Flat Rock area during showtimes for through traffic, as not everyone knows of the (posted/advised) path behind Jungle Market Eatery
- The current backstage wardrobe tents - though a great solution for the current show - are likely not viewed as a permanent solution by the park (as long as shows continue in that Flat Rock area for future seasons)
- Venue could be used for Haunt, just like when Skeleton Crew used to perform in that same area of Safari Village
- Demonstrate continued support (to investors) of Cedar Fair's commitment to "immersive entertainment experiences"
- Would be a relatively capex-friendly addition (in comparison to acquisition/installation/maintenance of a new ride)
And given the stellar job the park's creative team has done with the first phase of Jungle X, can you imagine what could be done in theming the amphitheater itself and surrounding area!
A rough approximation of the area they have would have to work with:
(Noting that the current game building outside of Chicken Shack could potentially need to be removed; just like was done to the games building at Flat Rock. As well as shifting the entrance for Anaconda closer to its station; which in some ways would make sense, as the coaster does not see lines like it used to, and its current entrance is set so far back from the station, that the entrance is easy to overlook.)
So again, no factual evidence to suport any of this. Instead just my personal preference for the next iterative phase of Jungle X.
That's true. KD could just decide to do something like Celebration Stage at CP. But that type of show venue is exactly what I do not like.
The positive for that CP stage is that it captures the average person strolling past, having them potentially stop and watch the show - where from the park's perspective, the more people viewing a show (where that person may not have even known about the show otherwise), equates to potentially higher satisfaction from guests.
But Celebration Stage at CP is just like Grande Bandstand on International Street at KD, where both are equally disfunctional in my view. That is, yes, both venues are apt to capture the average guest. But both create giant traffic bottlenecks for anyone just wanting to walk past; where Celebration Stage at CP can be near impossible to navigate through the mass of humanity on summer Saturdays. Then there's the whole standing and lack of shade that I commented on in the earlier post.
So good point that KD could go that route. But I personally hope KD never adds another stage like Grande Bandstand at the park.
One thing to note is that those who work Anaconda (noticed on my visit today) all wear Jungle X uniforms. So it looks at least like some kind of refurb may be coming to anaconda, whether that be a retheme or something of that nature. BLSC, on the other hand? The employees do not have Jungle X shirts yet. Part of the issue with redoing is BLSC is that it would require a longer than usual timeframe to redo that, as there is a significant amount of already existing theming to redo, as well as needing the train bodies most likely receiving a jeep like appearance if they were to do so. I’d imagine that the tunnel would have something placed in it as well.
Not knowing the lead times for creative work, I'd think they could do BLSC in phases.
Round one is removing the car chase stuff and replacing with generic jungle stuff - think Whey Foundation crates with jungle netting, maybe a few generic critters, and whatever the main animal is supposed to be where the helicopter currently is. The cars would be repainted to fit thematically, but would otherwise be untouched. Much of the infrastructure from the car chase would otherwise remain.
Round 2 is where they replace the shells on the trains, repaint the track, and remove any infrastructure that detracts from the new narrative. Perhaps audio is added?
Round one is removing the car chase stuff and replacing with generic jungle stuff - think Whey Foundation crates with jungle netting, maybe a few generic critters, and whatever the main animal is supposed to be where the helicopter currently is. The cars would be repainted to fit thematically, but would otherwise be untouched. Much of the infrastructure from the car chase would otherwise remain.
Round 2 is where they replace the shells on the trains, repaint the track, and remove any infrastructure that detracts from the new narrative. Perhaps audio is added?
If KD decides to give BLSC a Jungle X makeover, I think it would take more time than one regular off-season timeframe to do it right. If the park does it in one off season, then I would expect the park would close the ride early (after labor day weekend?) OR it would not open till late May of 2023.
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