Schlitterbahn Coming to Kansas City!!!

From the Kansas City Star... a few key snidbits

"Wyandotte County, already home to Kansas’ top tourist destinations, plans to capture another major attraction — a $300 million development that would give the area its largest waterpark resort."

The developers — who have a resort in New Braunfels, a waterpark on South Padre Island and plan to open another park soon on Galveston Island — have been recognized annually in polls and trade publications for having the best waterparks in the nation but have yet to build a resort outside of Texas.
They said that Kansas City, Kan., was an ideal site for a concept they have been working on for years because of strong regional demographics and the proximity to Village West.
“We think that the people who live in the heartland of the United States are our customers,” said Jeff Henry, part owner in the family-operated business and Schlitterbahn’s director of development. “We think the next place for a resort is in the middle of this country.”
Henry and Unified Government officials said they expect to sign a development agreement by the end of this year and hope to begin construction in the next 12 months.

Henry said that Schlitterbahn had yet to draft detailed plans for the Kansas City, Kan., resort but stressed that it would include its trademarked “Transportainment” river system, which would ferry visitors to and from various features in the waterpark.
The body of water that comprises the river walk would connect to the waterpark and a marine park featuring saltwater lagoons for snorkeling, diving and touch pools.
The tree houses that would include guest rooms would be a first for a Schlitterbahn resort, Henry said, and would be built in artificial trees.
Henry also said the company had already purchased some of the land required for the project. Other parcels are in negotiations, Hays said. The mayor added that the Unified Government would not need to use eminent domain powers to acquire the land.

Also doing some look-seeing we find some concept art on the Schlitterbahn site for the resort.

Looks and sounds tasty doesn't it... So anyone still wondering if OOF is going to be adding anything the next few years to bulk up its ride collection? ;)

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET, I was planning on going to New Braunfels next year on my TX trip, but this will be closer to home when it is built.

Skol Vikings
Let's shoot us some deer Joe Joe!!!!

Hopefully they get a nicer crowd than OOF. That park has arugably the most white trash attendees I have seen at any waterpark. Nothing like the drunks on rafts that swim up to the bar.

Adam

Somebody's in Oceans of Trouble!

NOTE: Severe fecal impaction may render the above words highly debatable.

That was my thoughts too Capt'n.

Wah, I want one near me!

Instagram, Ryan Rides on YouTube

Okay, I live within 6 hours of all 3 Schlitterbahn resorts, right now..And now I want to move to Kansas City. Wow.

If this thing gets built, I may seriously consider trying to go to work for them in some capacity. I'll sell food, I don't care. The concept art looks amazing.

Looks very Disney-esque...that's a good thing. Very detailed.

AV Matt
Long live the Big Bad Wolf

I'm very impressed with the concept art that was in that link. It looks like you will be able to choose a slide to go down then float around a "lazy river" type thing till your ready to get off your tube. (if I understand those drawings right!) Very cool indeed!

This ain't no book you can close, when the big light hits your eyes. Cropduster-Riot Act-Pearl Jam

The official press release states that the project will include:

a mile-long River Walk will feature destination shopping, dining and entertainment centered in a covered, year-round environment.
a large Interactive Marine Park with salt water lagoons for snorkeling, helmet diving and touch pools.
a variety of Lodging facilities will be available, including a 300-room hotel, Treehaus Resort with elevated pods and waterfront cabins, all integrated with the waterpark attractions.
a Schlitterbahn Waterpark will be one of the world’s largest tubing parks with miles of interconnected rivers and signature attractions such as the Master Blaster® uphill water coaster and Torrent River®.
a state-of-the-art Transportainment® river system that transports guests around the complex on water. Transportainment rivers are designed to combine the elements of transportation, sport and entertainment, while minimizing the time park guests spend standing in lines.

WoF-OoF is in trouble. *** Edited 9/19/2005 10:00:00 PM UTC by gomez***

Why would a waterpark be a problem for WOF? It will be a problem for OCEANS of Fun.

Wow. Parts of this project sound almost like Discovery Cove.

http://cse.umich.edu/

I thnk the most intruiging part of this park is the Treehaus concept. How cool would it be to stay overnight in a treehouse over a Schlitterban waterpark?

WOF might have been in trouble had Land of Oz not fallen through, Schlitterbahn+Land of Oz would have been a huge powerhouse against WOF/OOF.

For those not familiar with Kansas City layout, this Schlitterbahn resort is on the west side of the city while WOF/OOF is on the northeast side. OOF will probably have no problems retaining guests and season pass holders on it's side of the city, but they are in big trouble with out-of-towners willing to drive the 30miles west to Schlitterbahn.

I would not be suprised if vacationers spend weekends with one day at WOF and one day at Schlitterbahn instead of OOF. So that gives OOF 3 years to pull something out of their A**'s to make people stay!

"We aren't the only one's on this island"

Does anyone know...how much land does WOF-OFF own that currently doesn't have anything on it?

I would love to see some competition to occur here, as long as it doesn't cause a demise of either group.

How close is this thing to Olathe?

Fever I really enjoy the Simpsons. It's just a shame that I am starting to LOOK like Homer.

Castaway Bay might be coming sooner than we thought.

Cedar Fair certainly isn't thrilled (and likely wasn't consulted, LOL)....on a positive note for you guys out there in BBQ heaven, I'd guess this means the next few years of cap-ex are on the RIDES section of WoF, to differentiate their product....you don't want to try out compete against a *Schlitter-brand* waterpark in THEIR arena...;)

Let's see, what rides could WoF want after Patriot AND the spinny-coaster...maybe CF *was* aware this might be happening, looks like your past couple of years have included nice new expenditures on really GOOD fun rides....and you didn't get an SLC or one of those Zamperla flyers to go with your Boomerang, LOL... :)

Schlitterbahn shoulda started these "other Schlitterbahns" about ten years ago before the theme parks started investing so heavily in theirs...not that they'll have trouble...competing... ;)

Wow... surprised... Kansas City... why?

I love Schilitterbahn here in New Brunfuels... heck, I love the city. Anyways, seems neat that Shlitterbahn, which is family owned, it reaching out, and expanding.

That is one long lazy river! *** Edited 9/17/2005 5:36:42 AM UTC by Keith2005***

I think the whole "transportainment" concept is brilliant...

I always like the idea of going to a waterpark, but usually only stay a few hours because of the lines. I spend a lot more time standing half-way up a set of stairs than I do in the water. (And, for some reason, I find waterpark lines much more annoying than "ride park" lines, I'm not sure why...) I think the "trainsportainment" system would be the perfect solution for me.

I doubt if I'd make a special trip to KC for this resort, but I'd certainly consider adding on a few extra days to a business trip!

Joel