News Project 2027 (?)/Neptune: SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep
- Thread starter Python_Survivor
- Start date
What if it's a submarine, but it's outside through cheap sets with a TV screen game in the ride vehicle, and it's always broken? SeaWorld would never build that.
In all seriousness, the timeframe is very short to build a full dark ride in a new building and there announcement is very vague with no real renderings.
In all seriousness, the timeframe is very short to build a full dark ride in a new building and there announcement is very vague with no real renderings.
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The short build time here does lend itself to screens, which if done well and combined with some practical sets is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the track record is the concern.
As much as I would love to be proven wrong, I think the best-case scenario is that this is the next Antarctica, a mediocre screen-heavy ride that the GP likes; worst case, this is the next submarine quest.
I found some decor for the new ride.
So supposedly we’re looking at a Vekoma suspended dark ride:
www.vekoma.com
I assume with the quick build its screen walls with 3D set pieces (rocks, coral, sunken ship) framing the screens.
Suspended Dark Ride | Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV
www.vekoma.com
I assume with the quick build its screen walls with 3D set pieces (rocks, coral, sunken ship) framing the screens.
I mean, there's nothing in the world that could get me to visit Florida in the current timeline, but if this has any sort of tie-in to seaQuest DSV, that almost might be enough.
Gotta say I'm shocked this is actually happening. I mean, it's a beyond obvious choice and a perfect fit for the park that I've been wanting them to build for years, but it's also totally out of character for United Parks. It almost seems too good to be true lol.
The 2026 opening seems sus and I honestly hope they take longer than that to build this. There's sooo much potential with a ride like this to make something truly memorable that could elevate people's perception of the whole park and bring back families who've stopped coming. It's just crucial that United Parks actually fully commit to executing on this and making it an undeniably good ride with the proper budget and construction timeframe, otherwise it's going to be a waste of resources that'll set the park and probably the company back years. It basically needs to be the opposite of their approach to Expedition Odyssey.
The 2026 opening seems sus and I honestly hope they take longer than that to build this. There's sooo much potential with a ride like this to make something truly memorable that could elevate people's perception of the whole park and bring back families who've stopped coming. It's just crucial that United Parks actually fully commit to executing on this and making it an undeniably good ride with the proper budget and construction timeframe, otherwise it's going to be a waste of resources that'll set the park and probably the company back years. It basically needs to be the opposite of their approach to Expedition Odyssey.
I'm kind of giving the benefit of the doubt on this one. Mostly because the size of the building being built. Comparing the two new announcements yesterday, NightFlight Expedition at Dollywood will have a 44,000 square foot building, which is roughly 1.1 acres. This entire project sits at 3.5 acres (mind you, that doesn't mean the building will be that size and some existing demolition is probably included but then will later be landscaped). If it could be roughly the same size as NightFlight, then I think it has the possibility of being heavily themed.
As someone who didn't entirely mind Antarctica (and the way that it closed down sucks too...but we wouldn't have Penguin Trek without it), I do believe video screens will become a major part of this. But lets hope for some legit sets as well. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a ride through an aquarium as well. There is no way they're spending NightFlight Expedition money on this.
Unless construction really kicks into high gear though, this thing probably won't open until summer at the earliest. I am intrigued at the possibilities and, again, giving the benefit of the doubt. But maybe I should start to lower expectations just in case.
As someone who didn't entirely mind Antarctica (and the way that it closed down sucks too...but we wouldn't have Penguin Trek without it), I do believe video screens will become a major part of this. But lets hope for some legit sets as well. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a ride through an aquarium as well. There is no way they're spending NightFlight Expedition money on this.
Unless construction really kicks into high gear though, this thing probably won't open until summer at the earliest. I am intrigued at the possibilities and, again, giving the benefit of the doubt. But maybe I should start to lower expectations just in case.
This is the same situation as Expedition Odyssey-- the hardware is promising, but if they can't deliver the experience it's a complete waste. You need to have a budget to do something like this right. They can get a coaster right because there's no story or emotional investment. If you are using a medium like a simulator or dark ride, you need the visuals to be compelling and interesting. That will mean spending money on the sets, visuals for the screens, queue, etc., which United Parks has failed at time and again now. They had issues doing it under AB with all that money behind them, so doing this on a shoestring will make this a spectacular failure.
Unless they make it so bad people love it for it's camp value...
I'm not rooting for failure. I love SeaWorld, but I'm also clear eyed that unless a miracle occurs it will disappoint.
Unless they make it so bad people love it for it's camp value...
I'm not rooting for failure. I love SeaWorld, but I'm also clear eyed that unless a miracle occurs it will disappoint.
If United Parks is still somehow employing a single marketing "professional" in the state of Florida, I have a really good source of some additional funding for SEAQuest...
It's truly astonishing how little work product seems to emerge from the marketing departments down there—and whenever it does, it's incredible how apparent the complete lack of basic competency seems to be.
It's truly astonishing how little work product seems to emerge from the marketing departments down there—and whenever it does, it's incredible how apparent the complete lack of basic competency seems to be.
That was never were the hotel was planed it was back behind mako and the canceled one from 2017 is were pipeline is now
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To be fair, quick build time doesn't necessarily mean simplicity. Look at NightFlight, that hadn't really started construction until this summer. But knowing seaworld it's unlikely to be too complex.So supposedly we’re looking at a Vekoma suspended dark ride:
Suspended Dark Ride | Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV
I assume with the quick build its screen walls with 3D set pieces (rocks, coral, sunken ship) framing the screens.
there's probably going to be an indoor queue for sure. Maybe not super themed but there has to be some indoor switchbacks.
