Oz theme park may set up shop in Niagara County

We're not in Kansas anymore.....

Would Niagara County (and the surrounding area) be able to support such a park? I do have to question that. Why would you build such an expensive park there where your season is semi-limited (not the indoor attractions of course)? Why would you not build it in Texas or Florida, where you at least have a chance to have a year round attraction? Seems odd to me.

Oz themed? Who would want to spend time at a prison theme park.

LOL, Mike, I was thinking that as well;).

I hope that, if they do build it, it looks alot like the concept art that I saw posted some time ago. I'd make a trip, heck Wizard of Oz is one of my all time favorite movies. As long as there are no dark rides featuring certain flying monkeys, I'll be okay;).

is the Niagra Falls area deteriorating?? I didn't think so when I was there. Theres alot of stuff to do aside from the falls such as Clifton Hill and Marineland is close by...but this still sounds interesting though.*** This post was edited by P18 10/28/2004 11:46:15 AM ***

Obviously, Large parks don't need a year round location to thrive. Just look at Cedar Point. The Niagara area has the advantage that it already draws a large number of tourists, and the disadvantage that the only nearest really large population center is Toronto.

Of course, this is another project where the money isn't in place yet. Don't hold your breath until the financing and permits come through.

Wait a minute... But Wonderland is suppose to move to the Niagara Falls area. This will never work!

Regards,
Kevin "Yes! I know Wonderland is not moving" Reid
www.PCWjunkies.com

Wheatfield? Shouldn't it be a poppy field?

All together now.... oh-we-oh-whooo-oh.

I'm not sure where they're referring to as an exact location, but I do know that there is definately a LOT of space there, and this would be a much welcomed attraction by both the locals as well as the county & town. The mall near-by there is a disaster that's been bought by at least 7 owners in the past 5yrs, each proclaiming that it'll become a major tourist destination, and have a major all-around Christmas theme or some crap like that.

The thing is, Rentzy17... Niagara Falls New York is NOT detorriating. It has already hit the bottom of the barrel a couple years ago. The casino was the first step in digging the city out of the hole. The 2nd step is the addition of the 26 story hotel which is already 14 stories up (steel frame). They are going to continue their master plan (the Seneca Indians) which will turn around the city partially into a more touristy destination. There are also proposals for some major attractions in 'Da Falls that were announced within the past 2 months that sound interesting.

So you can't say that NF, NY is really the bottom of the pit. They're trying, and they already hit rock bottom. They're now trying to climb out of the hole, and the work progress is starting to show.

The only thing with the Wheatfield site is that it's about 2 miles away from the airport down the road. That would restrict height variances... and there are newer neighborhoods that have been popping up that might also not like the idea (although I don't see why they wouldn't encourage development for what essentially is just a large plot of dirt).

Is this the park that was planned for some state in the midwest? If so, 'bout time it is back into consideration, that invert looked sick!

Isn't this the one that was going to go in Counsil Bluffs Iowa. AKA Omaha Nebraska.

It sounds like an interesting development. But I don't expect much in terms of coasters. It would be foolish to go against SFDL and Paramount Canada's Wonderland in the same market. If they spent most of their budget on an indoor waterpark and resort complex, as well as a nice outdoor theme park with old-fashioned architecture and nice kids attractions, they could make a killing.

Niagara Falls is very attractive to two types of tourists. First is the young families visiting Niagara Falls and Marineland -- an Oz themed park (which should be very kid friendly) within easy driving distance makes the region more attractive for extended long weekends or week-long visits. Second is the older, wealthier group of DINKs and retirees who flock to the numerous vineyards, wineries, antique shops, and bed-and-breakfasts in the region. They love everything nostalgic and have a lot of cash. Oz is a good fit for them too.

The Niagara region reminds me a lot of south-eastern Pennsylvania, with rustic charm (not quite Amish, but close), in close proximity to modern theme parks. Oz has alot of potential.

[spelling]*** This post was edited by greatwhitenorth 10/29/2004 9:57:36 AM ****** This post was edited by greatwhitenorth 10/29/2004 9:59:06 AM ***

Rentzy17 is talking about Niagara Falls, NY. Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada is beautiful and certainly not deteriorating.

I think that one reason there is so much more to do on the Canada side is the favorable exchange rate on the US dollar. I know when I was there, I made sure to charge ANYTHING I could and get the better rate on my bill. The NY side is TRYING to fight back and revitalize, but it is difficult with the dollar rate. Marineland would fare better to step it up and expand than OZ will, IMHO.

You think "OZ," you think Kansas, midwest........A MAJOR theme park might do well in this area, but I personally don't think one themed to OZ would. They need to change the idea.

A B&M dive machine to simulate going over the falls would be a great place to start though!

The US side was deveoped first. With time the US side was urbanized and run down. The Canadian side was more park like and nicer attarcting the new development. As near as I can tell, that's what has really happened. Things aren't really any cheaper on the Canadian side.

Its absoulutely cheaper on the Canadian side. If you charge everything your credit card bill will reflect the US dollar rate which is considerably favorable. If you spend cash, you will pay much more.

Lately, things haven't been all that much cheaper on the Canadian side. A couple of years ago (back in the glory days), the Canadian dollar was going for like $1.60 for every American Dollar... so you exchange 100 dollars for Canadian change, and you got yourself $160.00. I'll take their GST & PST taxes because what you're getting is still a great deal.

Now, it's like what? $1.22 on the American Dollar, if that? That's pitiful.

The Canadian Side was indeed very park like. It was a lot like Niagara-on-the-Lake was, and didn't have all this industry or commercial. It was very undeveloped, and just quiet. Niagara USA instead goes ahead & installs all these factories & dirty industries which not only polluted the river, but also made the American side just plain fugly! Today, there's still a lot of ugly industry there... but they have paid for their mistakes.

Problem is... is it too little, too late? NF Canada just has so much money, it's pouring out of their pockets! They cannot spend it fast enough!! NF USA is scraping the bottom of the barrel, depending on the Indians for hand-outs from the casino revenue, or hotel revenue... many planned projects, many failed projects, and many stupid projects (Falls Street Fare, anyone? Indoor amusement park went kaputz!).

If Wheatfield, NY beats out the other locations that are planned, I sure hope they are choosing it based on potential attendance & revenue based upon surrounding areas versus the acrage (we're only offering 800 vs. 1000 I think in Tenneessee or somewhere).... I mean how much land do you need to build a damn park?

Unless they really think that they can build a Disney-esque park for under 1 billion.... fat chance!

Yes! Know I can ride the tornadoe that whatsherface rode and i can meet the wizard of oz Yes! :)

Ummm is it going to be kid based or like it supposed to be there for a year make a grand total of $1 and leave and get destroyed.

SORRY FOR INTERRUPTING THIS POST BUT WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS: Disney is moving their theme parks in other countries does that mean no more parks in the U.S. Does that mean That we dont have to ride their total of 15 rides and all parks does that mean... yes it does Walt Disney is.. is going to build a park in Irag YAY! now the terroists can blow up DisneyPlanet.

that got so off the subject.

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Volleyguy said:

Its absoulutely cheaper on the Canadian side. If you charge everything your credit card bill will reflect the US dollar rate which is considerably favorable. If you spend cash, you will pay much more.

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Niagara Falls Ontario is one of the most expensive places in Canada. Hotels with a view are comparable in price to Manhattan. When I last visited, the exchange rate was $1US = $1.50 CDN ($0.66 US = $1 CDN) and my then-girlfriend and I were staying in a Youth Hostel. We walked out of a Denny's where the Grand Slam Breakfast was $18 CDN / $12 US -- nearly as much as our private room for the night. At the time, we were travelling extensively on both sides of the border and we usually paid $5-7 CDN or $3-5 US at Denny's. You need to be 20 blocks from the falls before prices get back to normal. McDonalds never tasted so good.

SFDL has been attracting Canadians like myself across the border for years. Now, it just got a whole lot cheaper and additional attractions and resorts are required to keep overnight guests spending money in the region. With the current exchange rate, Canadian families can afford to turn a day trip into a weekend getaway, just give them something to do!