New Park for Houston?

What do you think the chances are for a new park opening in the Houston Metro Aera some day?

Disney has purchaced land just north of Houston in Magnolia about 5 or 6 years ago.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 2500 acres.
(this could be just an investment)

And rumors are already flying here on Houston radio that Anhouser(sp) Bush is thinking about bringing back (in a different location) its Bush Gardens that was in Houston in the 60s and early 70s

Also what about Paramont building a park here?

Just some thoughts for discussion.

Take Care All...

Bush Gardens?

Is this a political park?

Busch already owns a park in Texas...it's called Sea World.

They also own two in Florida. Why not two in Texas?

:)

A day at the park is what you make it!

I remember Busch Gardens in Houston back in the day, it was literally just gardens near the processing plant. Pretty neat though if they would build a true Busch Gardens park like the one in Williamsburgh or Tampa, there's nothing like that in the vicinity. All we've got in these parts is the one Sea World and two remaining Six Flags (I no longer consider SFNO as remaining).

Haleymon said:
What do you think the chances are for a new park opening in the Houston Metro Aera some day?
Disney has purchaced land just north of Houston in Magnolia about 5 or 6 years ago.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 2500 acres.
(this could be just an investment)...

Is there a public record that Disney actually has bought land near Houston? That's a common urban legend that floats around in a lot of places...I've had people SWEAR that they heard Disney bought land (coincidentally, also 2500 acres) near Buckeye Lake in Ohio.

Maybe they actually did in Houston, but I've heard the Disney rumor cited for several areas around the country... *** Edited 9/14/2005 7:24:04 PM UTC by JZarley***

Landry's expansion, slated to happen in the next few years, would be my guess.

I heard the same rumor.

Said park will be made out the remnants of 6flags parks from all over the country.
Even wilder still is the part about them buying both Mr.Haydes Nasty fall and Demon Drop and calling it: Mr. Drops Nasty HYde and have them race.
... and yes, I made this up... :)

Great Lakes Brewery Patron...

-Mark

Tillman Fertitta seems the most likely savior of Houston, being that he's based here and seems to have had success with the downtown and Kemah Aquarium projects. He's had his eye on a Galveston pier project for quite some time, though as of yet none of his properties (downtown, Kemah, and the proposed Galveston site) have the footprint for a full fledged amusement park.

Keep in mind that Fertitta's prime business is restaurants and the amusements are there to compliment and draw to the restaurants. This isn't such a bad way to do business and has been obviously successful so far for him. It also tends to skew towards more family friendly attractions and less thrill-seeking (Six Flags should have taken some notes on this if they wanted to actually make and not lose so much money).

Still, from an enthusiasts standpoint the most thrilling thing Fertitta owns thus far is a Chance Inverter in Kemah. It'd be a gutsy move for him to build outside of his food-centric focus. It'd be great if he'd build us a world class rollercoaster, but I've been more expecting something along the lines of the Santa Monica Pacific West coaster to plop down in Galveston. Nice, but nothing I'd get too excited over.

Last week while on the Keys to the Kingdom tour at the Magic Kingdom, the guide explained to us that Disney has purchased land in various parts of the country, including a ranch in the southwest (could be TX but I can't remember offhand). They have no plans for park development, however, so don't get too excited. I'm told they plan on preserving wildlife by keeping their property protected, and even running the ranch and raising the animals.

Hell, if anyone's got the budget to do it, it's them. I'm all for it.

-Josh

Yeah, according to the rumors, Disney owns land EVERYWHERE. Didn't they buy a good chunk of Coney Island a few years ago? ;)

Houston is a huge city and I can't see them going park-less forever. I'm with Moosh- Landry's is probably the best bet right now.

On the Landry's topic, it appears Fertitta's plans to build an amusement park along the Seawall pier have been roadblocked by his so far unsuccessful attempt to close the Flagship Hotel. Nothing has happened with that project in the last two years and the hotel is still open.

He does own a lot of land in Kemah and there is room for growth. When we went there for Winterfest i was amazed at the amount of land they own.

So the Kemah property could grow and I think it will. Can it be comparable to Astroworld? Probably not but we will have to wait and see.

Landry's possible..

But as Mr. Cake said his rides tend to be VERY familiy oriented. Thrill ride central it will never be. That is not his gig ! His children ( Very Young) are his closest advisors as to what to build, as he admitted himself!

Disney's buying land in Texas again! Oh boy! Let's see, there's Waco, then North Houston/Conroe, then West Houston/Katy... How wonderful we will get 3 Disney parks in Texas. I can't wait..and I won't! *** Edited 9/14/2005 11:09:57 PM UTC by Markieb***

Why does a park have to cater completly toward families to survive? Yes I understand that a park that focuses too much on thrill may not survive either but a BALANCED combination of both thrill rides and family ride makes to most sense to me. Holiday World claims to be focusing on families yet by next year there will be THREE BIG thrill rides, Legend, Raven and the new #1 woodie in the universe! All three are definately world class thrill rides!! And don't forget Liberty Launch! Will Koch is smart enough offer something for thrill seekers and coaster enthusiasts while providing a ton of rides that are suitable for the whole family. Landry (in Kemesh) needs to build a woodie that tops The Voyage and a Maurer-Soehne Xtended Power Tower with the tilting seats and earthquale shaker mode and an X-car Coaster. The rest can all be family rides. *** Edited 9/16/2005 9:15:29 AM UTC by Pink Floyd Fanatic***

It is a FACT that The Voyage is the greatest thing on the planet!!

A park with family and thrill rides COULD be very profitable if done correctly. But since families spend more money than teenage thrill-seekers, building a "family" park seems to be the way to go. Of course, Busch seems to be pretty successful with the family/thrill park combo concept!

Well I would have bet money that Tilman Fertitta would have bought some of the rides at the auction. but nope not a one. Well maybe if we are VERY lucky one day we Houstonians will get another park.

HMMMMMMM one can only hope. You guys and gals keep your fingers crossed for us.

Later

I heard along time ago they had Land in Branson too does anyone maybe Swoosh have truth to that or just another Rumor?

Again, my vote goes for an expansion at Landry's. Seems the most logical since there is already the beginnings of a small park there. Disney? Not in a million years.

coasterguts said:
They also own two in Florida. Why not two in Texas?

Six flags owned not one, not two, BUT THREE parks in texas and were doing fine. Also Busch could have two parks in Texas, theres two in Florida and not to mention Texas is the 3rd most populated state (greater population then Florida) which obviously gives you some advantage, plus Houston is one of the biggest cities in the country. That makes the chance even higher of another park comming to Houston. Only time will really tell.. who knows? Anything is possible.