News Project 2026: Shoreline Pier (Boardwalk Phase I feat. Barrels O' Fun & More)

[Zachary]

I have to disagree on this one. Disney tried the carnival style kitschy theming for Animal Kingdom, and folks always complained about it. No matter how intentional/on theme it is I don't think carnival theming reads well in a theme park setting.

I will agree that we haven't seen many great examples of boardwalk-themed areas in amusement and theme parks. Cedar Point and Knotts have okay attempts. Carowinds' is mediocre beyond the printed concrete. California's Great America's is super forgettable. Magic Mountain's is bad. I think these are all failures in execution though, not in concept. The vibes at actual amusement piers are immaculate—whether it be Morey's, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, etc. Some of that was captured by Disney with Paradise Pixar Pier, but I think the ceiling is higher still.

If you put Jungle X or Aeronautica Landing money into an area themed to a roaring 20s-style boardwalk area, I think it could be accomplished beautifully.

 

[ski4ever5]

The vibes at actual amusement piers are immaculate—whether it be Morey's, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, etc. Some of that was captured by Disney with Paradise Pixar Pier, but I think the ceiling is higher still.

If you put Jungle X or Aeronautica Landing money into an area themed to a roaring 20s-style boardwalk area, I think it could be accomplished beautifully.

I think the biggest difference between an actual pier and a themed boardwalk pier is the water itself. Pixar Pier approaches the actual amusement piers because it’s built on the lagoon, Cedar point’s Boardwalk is right on the lake shore. I think if Great Adventure wanted to put that much money into a boardwalk area they should built it around joker.

 

[michaellynn4]

That just not gonna happen from a practicality perspective, though. They’re not gonna tear down, relocate, or rebuild all that by the lake, which doesn’t get the foot traffic through to other sections. And then what do you do to the existing area?

 

[harry580]

And then what do you do to the existing area?

well, rebrand that to fit in with the rumoured retheme of part of the boardwalk that phantom spire is going in

 

[ski4ever5]

well, rebrand that to fit in with the rumoured retheme of part of the boardwalk that phantom spire is going in

I agree. Make the current boardwalk a spooky carnival (could even keep Carnevil), and then you can make the core hub of the park (up to and including the lake) a classic boardwalk theme. It's already half way there with the big wheel and carousel.

 

[northdetective]

I agree. Make the current boardwalk a spooky carnival (could even keep Carnevil), and then you can make the core hub of the park (up to and including the lake) a classic boardwalk theme. It's already half way there with the big wheel and carousel.

I also think this is the ideal situation but I agree with @michaellynn4 that it's impractical/unlikely especially because I would consider the removal/relocation of Joker to probably be necessary in order to create any effective interactions with/sightlines to the lakefront. I do think it is a ride that would look at home in either a boardwalk or carnival setting though

 

[RDL]

I think if they can make the new area look nice and polished as opposed to the run down concrete look we’ve been accustomed to for so long, that’ll do wonders regardless of how close it is to an actual boardwalk theme

 

[harry580]

I agree. Make the current boardwalk a spooky carnival (could even keep Carnevil), and then you can make the core hub of the park (up to and including the lake) a classic boardwalk theme. It's already half way there with the big wheel and carousel.

wait, you suggesting turning adventure alley and lakefront and dream street into the new boardwalk?

 

[Mushroom]

The Boardwalk at Cedar Point would beg to differ.

And BGW’s Oktoberfest, I would argue! German fairground theme, sure, but fairground theme nonetheless.

Another example of the “amusement park theme” working well is the now-defunct Paradise Pier 2.0 at DCA, which I felt had a lot of charm because of its period-specific theming that made it feel like an early seaside amusement park. (It might seem disingenuous to suggest a themed area at a Disney park as an example of what could work at a Six Flags park, but remember that Paradise Pier 2.0 and the rest of DCA 2.0 were modestly budgeted yet creatively conceived reskins of DCA’s abysmal initial buildout. I think it’s actually a good example of what the Cedar Fair creative team could accomplish.)

Edit: Just realized I missed that Zachary mentioned Paradise Pier too. I do think it’s not an unrealistic comparison because of the circumstances during Paradise Pier’s construction and renovation, though.

 

[the_pantsmith]

Maybe someone has already said this but let’s not forget a boardwalk area arguably makes more sense at a park in NJ than anywhere else. I loved the JDC/Pine Barrens theme, to me this is no different if done well

 

[Krusty]

Maybe someone has already said this but let’s not forget a boardwalk area arguably makes more sense at a park in NJ than anywhere else. I loved the JDC/Pine Barrens theme, to me this is no different if done well

Yup! This has always been my biggest issue with the land - NJ is famous for boardwalks, literally had the first in the world, but the actual area looks nothing like a true Jersey Shore boardwalk. It looks closer to a church parking lot carnival than a boardwalk. I really hope they're planning a Pine Barrens style redo for this area with CF level theming and local culture tied in.

 

[michaellynn4]

I dunno, the games area feels that way to me, especially when lit up. The concrete pad doesn't help, but I don't think it's practical to expect actual boarding to be put in place over the entire section simply to help with theming.

For more authenticity, they should add a couple Kohrs stands and about 50 shops dedicated to nothing but tacky, offensive t-shirts.

 

[the_pantsmith]

Keeping with the Jersey theme, if Cedar Fair still has access to the Thunder Road name, please please please give us West Coaster Racers themed to the turnpike and call it Thunder Road. Have Springsteen cut the ribbon.

 

[Zachary]

I dunno, the games area feels that way to me, especially when lit up. The concrete pad doesn't help, but I don't think it's practical to expect actual boarding to be put in place over the entire section simply to help with theming.

Stamped concrete themed to a boardwalk is the answer. Used at multiple parks out there and it does a great job at conveying the theme and setting bounds for the area.

 

[MaxxForceFan]

Some recent pictures from Force Concrete & Masonry of stamped concrete.

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[Crispwifi]

Looks like they are removing some of the game booths. Just popped up on permit site today

 

[harry580]

wait, not trying to sound like off topic here but what are the east island game stands, the boardwalk game stands or the game stands that's felt out of place in areas like movietown & adventure alley

 

[ski4ever5]

To me “3 East Game Island Structures” says these ones; any ideas what they’re doing with that space?

 

[harry580]

View attachment 41416
To me “3 East Game Island Structures” says these ones; any ideas what they’re doing with that space?

oh yeah, the stands that becomes walk ins in the last few years, something tell me they turning the food court booth in front of these into a massive restaurant in the scale of yum yum palace & best of the west grill (or if possible turn half of that food court into a another dark ride for those who didnt want to do justice league (something like haunted castle ride from Santa Cruz)

 

[Zachary]

I hope the goal is to make a more clearly defined thoroughfare through the area. I think the overcrowded feel of that portion of path was really instrumental in causing a good part of the trashy, carnival vibe of that area of Boardwalk.

I'll also say this. It has really felt to me like games have been dying out in amusement and theme parks lately. There's a good chance Great Adventure has way more games stalls than really make sense for current park audiences.