La Marque, Texas official thinking rollercoasters

I didn't read the article, but I could see Cedar Fair being the right company to pick in developing a park. They seem to have the whole growing aspect down pat when looking at what they did to Dorney Park, Worlds of Fun, and what they are trying to do to Michigan's Adventure.

If some sort of infrastructure is in place, I could see them doing that and entering the market in that region.

~Rob Willi

P.S. While I don't completely agree with Cedar Fair stripping Dorney Park its character and completely changing the park you have to admit that what they did worked and are seeing huge returns on their investment.

From what I gather from the article, there is no infrastructure in place. This would be starting a park from scratch, or at least starting a park on a new piece of land that has nothing pertaining to amusement rides currently on it. Your examples of Cedar Fair all pertain to parks that they bought and continued to grow, not parks they started from scratch.

You can't just "pick" someone to develop a park. That company has to want it first.

Well, offer them the right deal... ;)

That being said, we'll have to see it to believe it.

With all the parks that are having problems with their local governments/communities, it is real refreshing to read news like this...however, not quite refreshing enough to make me register to read a dayum article.

http://www.sixflagshouston.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=617&sid=5ab953408229b897c7b14e1b5502500a

Article text is here.

What does the FM stand for in the road name? I've never seen that abbriviation before.

It's a farm road.

But basically this location would be just off I45 halfway between Houston and Galveston. There's a Mall of the Mainland right here already.

Farm to Market.

I moved to Texas in 2002, and I've been learning the lingo ever since. I currently live off FM 1863.

What's the last major regional park started from scratch in a chain? I'd say their best bet is to talk to Kent Buescher.

+Danny

Cedar Fair has never built a park from scratch. All of their properties, including the flagship park, were already in place when they were obtained. They haven't even thought of building from scratch since the Irish Hills days, and that was thirty years ago.

As far as staffing/managers are concerned, I'm sure a lot of the Astroworld management would be.. umm.. available to take a position in a new park. :)

Most Houston people are just waiting for the new company to come in. There is very little feeling of loss for Astroworld for 2 reasons.

1. SF alienated a lot of people in the city when they ignored the park and let it run ragged. Even though the park has been clean up three seasons now, people still remember it as a dump.

2. People think some white knight is riding in to town next year to open a new park.

Although the Houston area has tons of cheap land right outside the city limits I just dont think any major player will build from scratch! I guess a few years of waiting will hold the truth.

I agree...

Although I find it truly amusing...once again...if in fact they would do it...

Cedar Fair to the rescue!!!*** This post was edited by brscoast 10/20/2005 2:00:46 PM ***

People here are thinking it is a publicity stunt. They think SF's will be open next year. Maybe just another owner. Well de construction has already started at the water park. I just want to scream, it aint no joke folks....

There are going to be a lot of surprised people next summer when they realized it was really true!

Who knows, when that hunger kicks in, what might be sparked!

HUM.....Houston Point ...I could dig it!

As far as staffing/managers are concerned, I'm sure a lot of the Astroworld management would be.. umm.. available to take a position in a new park.

SFAW Operations manager Linda Baldwin was just named new General Manager for Splashtown, actually.

I believe that a new park, with the right atmosphere, collection of rides, and cleanliness, could definitely thrive in the Houston area. It is quite a large market, and I am sure will now be among if not the largest metropolitan area without a major amusement park nearby.

I say any company with the money and half a brain could make some money on this one. I am willing to bet that something in the next 5 to 10 years will be developed. For now, Houston residents should just make the 2 to 3 hour drive to either SFoT or SFFT, if they werent doing that already.

Actually, the Wild Adventures/Cypress Gardens folks have more experience with grass roots parks than Cedar and might be a good choice if they could be interested..

Houston and Nashville will soon be able to cry together. Why oh why.