GateKeeper plaza and new main entrance

It's down at Alabama Adventure Jerry. The amusement side of the park closed. I'm not sure if the midway still extends all the way down to where the fountain was. It's possible it would be available. Though, I haven't heard what the long term plans are for the rides at AA. I think everything just sat there last year.

You know Jerry, the first thing I thought when I learned Alabama Adventure was closing the rides area was "please buy back that fountain!" It's nothing more than wishful thinking, but it sure would be nice. Feel free to visit Kennywood's ball fountain, because theirs is still standing tall and beautiful.

I wish they could bring it back. I am always disgusted when walking along the midway and see the new fountain area. A simple thing. But was an icon in the park. Everyone knew where it was. It would be a nice fit in the new plaza.

I actually could see the fountain going right inside the front gate. There's a lot more run and I think it could fit nice between the new entrance and the Midway Carousel.

Some would say the buildings on frontier trail are icons as well. Dilapidated as some their roofs are, it wouldn't surprise me if they eventually have to be rebuilt, majorly remodled or even removed.

I really liked the fountain as well. But, I can't think of a warm day at the park where I haven't seen kids playing in the current fountain. Things change. Aside from maintenance to the fountain itself, I often wondered what kind of crap employees have found or had to clean out of there over the years.

I believe at Kings Dominion they're actually taking out a splash area (similar to Cedar Point's) and replacing it with a fountain. That's the opposite of what Cedar Point did. I could be wrong on KD though.

I guess my main complaint about the splash area that replaced the ball fountain is, unless they tweaked it considerably from the last time I was there, it's kind of wimpy even as far as splash areas go, but that might just be from the limited footprint.

It'd be awful nice if CP could get the ball fountain back. It'd be kind of annoyingly anticlimactic for them to sell it to Alabama Adventure only for it just to be scrapped or left to rust a few years later.

My biggest problem with the splash area is the location. I think those thing are incredibly popular but is the middle of the main midway really the best place for it?

I never understood the fascination with that ball fountain. I look at it like the Pirate Ride. Lots of great memories, but when you really think about it, not really that great of a ride. I think nostalgia causes us to sometimes remember things more fondly than they deserve.

I agree with walt. This thread reminds me of talking about wanting space spiral to stay. When that ball fountain was there, no one really seemed to care about it. Plus, that new fountain you can run through it on a hot day and cool off. The ball fountain, you couldn't do that, or the staff will yell at you if you dip your legs in it. (guilty myself...)

I like the interactive one, because you can dip any part of yourself in, or run through in a swimsuit and get drenched if desired. I always see kids playing in it and adults/teens getting their feet wet on a hot day. Also it has LEDs at night :)

What Walt said. I don't get it either. If you're that nostalgic, doesn't Kennywood have one as well?

It's the same as when people trashed DT on here for years and complained about how awful it was, then expects CP to do all kinds of tributes to it. Doesn't make sense

Sause said:
I think those thing are incredibly popular but is the middle of the main midway really the best place for it?

It's not really in the middle of the midway, anymore than the flower beds, Sky Ride stations & towers, trees, etc. are.

It's the best place for it when there was already plumbing running out there, anyways. ;)

Not to mention the popularity of attractions like that is largly due to location. Put it in a tucked away corner of the park and I highly doubt people would seek it out from a park map, but have 99% of park guests walk by it every day, and you have an instant winner.

It's not really in the middle of the midway, anymore than the flower beds, Sky Ride stations & towers, trees, etc. are.

They are all, in fact, in the middle of the midway. Not to be confused with "in the way"

The point is that it's a good place for the water feature.

I think it would be better suited in the kids area rather than near it. Or even better back by the water rides.

It kinda is the kids area. The entrance to Kiddy Kingdom is right across the midway.

I personally like the splash area better than that old ball fountain, and I also like its location. During the summer and on warm days I always see people in it. Usually it's kids but I've even seen teens and adults in it too. I think it's a great way to cool off without waiting in a long line for a water ride or paying more money to go to Soak City. I think it's a nice thing to have.