Marineland Niagara Falls, Ontario

I wanted to take a sample of educated opinions on what should a park like Marineland of Canada could do against the likes of PCW and SFDL. Remember that partisan coaster opinions may not be beneficial for this park since it is about to open for it's 40th season as a predominant Marine Park. Marineland is now has the world's largest collection of marine mammals of 7 Killer Whales, 10 Beluga Whales, 7 dolphins and a number of Seals and Sea Lions. It is also an example of a family owned enterprise where the current soul owner, John Holer, is also the founder and president of this family oriented park. What price would a company pay for the privlage of owning some of these animals considering that only a few are in captivity and that there are stringent laws which prohibit capture of these animals. My thinking is that Marineland is a treasure for all of us to protect. Unique family operated parks are what can save us from the corporate conglomerates which can do nothing but reduce the number of ride developers in exchange for price making power in the fight for new attractions. Monopolization is not a new concept which has robbed consumers of pleasure and benefit---at an incrased price of admission. Please respond with the specialized consideration in mind. Thank You.

I went there 2-years ago and alot of construction was going on,so not all of the shows and rides were open.I did get to ride Dragon Mountain one of the worlds longest coasters it was a really good coaster.

-everyone loves a holiday - (I broke out in the song for the marineland commercial)

Anyway I think Marineland is fine as it is. When I went there about a year ago it was packed, even more so than Darien Lake. So I guess they are really doing good business and don't really need to try to compete with PCW and SFDL.

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When the ride comes to a stop.......please stand up - please stand up - please stand up!

I think Marineland should work on completing what they started on Dragon Mountain.
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Say no, to lap bar nazis!

I think Marineland will be stepping up the marketing blitz a bit as the only marinelife park in the region. Swami sez they may have an attendance increase.

I'd like to see 'em finish Dragon Mountain, for one thing. That's a really good coaster as is, but the rusty theming structures are just plain ugly. They could stand to beef up the ride package a bit because the park seems to have lots and lots of paths with nothing on them. Paths which in some cases are curved just for the heck of it; I know I cut across the grass many times when I was there. Some form of in-park transportation system would be good, that or at the very least they should rent bicycles at the park entrance. The park reminds me of my first attempt at one of the bigger RCT scenarios when I forgot to cut off the paths to the back of the park. Lots of places to go, but nothing there. The park really could use an aggressive update along the empty side of the park.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I'd like to see them feed those damn deer in the petting zoo, I swear those things have become carnivorous... Go in there and you'll see what I mean... (if you dare)
They could really benefit if they added more rides, there is such a large market. If they added a few more thrill rides, it could become a true family park, with something for everyone.
I've heard rumors that the $150 million that is being invested in the park is not only going to be use to build more animal exhibits...
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-Dave Rutherford
*If things seem under control, you're just not going fast enough*

Dragon Mountain is a fantastic looper...one of the best by Arrow, if not the best.

Skeeber: I agree, the park needs more thrill rides, espcially some coasters. It looks like they have plenty of room.

WoW 7 Killer whales, do they all perform? Or just kinda there. I bet SF inc. will be in contact with them if they want whales at the newly acquired SWO land. They spare 2 i think.

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Don't mess with the X in 01

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Skeeber said:
"I'd like to see them feed those damn deer in the petting zoo, I swear those things have become carnivorous... Go in there and you'll see what I mean...
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I see i'm not the only one that's been assaulted
bye those crazed deer.
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Army rangers lead the way

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I had a walking tour of Dragon Mountain back in '83 while it was under construction. At the time it was the largest project Arrow-Huss had undertaken. Huss had sold them a package of rides as well as the coaster. Marineland was trying to make the jump from marine park to a full amusement park. IMO they didn't forsee the impact that Canada's Wonderland would have on their business. This is probably why the special effects on Dragon Mountain were never finished.

Has anyone heard what they are actually going to do with all that money?

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-Dave Rutherford
*If things seem under control, you're just not going fast enough*

I haven't been to the park in a while. I agree that they need to finish Dragon Mountain. I remember the year DM opened, I believe there was a full color flyer in the Buffalo paper about Marineland. Included were artist renderings of what Dragon Mountain was supposed to end up like. Recreation of Niagara Falls and all.
RideMan-I agree with you about the paths. Too many, too long and winding.
I also agree the deer are underfed too. It's always been that way. Once when I was young a couple of them ate the buttons off my sweater. That can be tramatic when you're 4 or 5.

Does anyone really know what the effects/themeing was going to be on Dragon Mountain? When I rode that coaster last summer, I was thinking "God, this is ugly. Where's the themeing?"
It's an excellent coaster from start to finish. The track layout is nice, but during that helix, it just needs something.

I am glad that they stay a true marine park, however, there is soo much land space there, it is just ashame that they haven't used it yet for anything. I can see if they add in at least twice as many rides (ie: maybe 1 coaster & 5 more flat), it would help fill up a lot of the empty space and help make walking from the whale show Dragon Mountain, to the sea-lion show, to the bear exhibit such a tiring walk!!

One suggestion to do with some of that $160 million is to put in a transportation ride, such as a train ride. It could split right through some of that empty land, cross over some water, and take you from one end of the park to the other end without your feet dragging behind on a humid summer day.

It'd also be nice to put more animal exhibits in the park. The bears & fish are great areas, but they could use some other animals that are not necessarily marine-themed.

So they have to do 4 things with their expansion money:
1) Build their planned aquariums w/ fish.
2) Put in some more natural animal habitats.
3) Put in double the thrill rides (themed) to attract thrill seekers, families, and animal lovers alike. This includes Putting in a transportation ride to move people from one end of the park to the other!
4) Finish Dragon Mountain!!!