GateKeeper plaza and new main entrance

I really liked the ball fountain and do miss it, but the splash area works well for that spot. I honestly would have rather seen the ball moved elsewhere in the park, but hey what are ya gonna do?

Actually I'd like to see more fountains and water features throughout the park.

Speaking of water features, anyone know if they're rebuilding the restrooms near the main gate, or at least updating them? I can't tell for sure looking at the renderings.

^ I would hope so, I emailed the park last year about them looking outdated and with all the money being spent in that front area it would be a shame if they didn't. Those faded yellow triangles on top of them and the ones across the way (behind Hurricane Hannah's) are long overdue for updating or at least a spruce up. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Yes they are re-doing them. The whole area is going to be improved because if gatekeeper.

^ Great to hear, and thanks for your updates. Much appreciated!

If only something in the area could drop... demonically.

^ I like ocean motion there better :)

Not to be cynical, but I'm wondering (come May) what the re-designed entrance plaza will actually look like... Not that I don't trust CP when it comes to renderings, but, you know... haha

While everything looks great in the renderings, I'm particularly curious how well the old (.e.g the former group sales and season pass center) will actually be blended with the new (e.g. the ticket purchase area). Should this project come in over budget, I can definitely see the park deciding not to pump as much money into refurbishing old buildings as they had originally planned. Hope I'm wrong!

I have a feeling they're already over budget but they're committed to doing this right.

Maverick00 said:
I have a feeling they're already over budget but they're committed to doing this right.

Wasn't the original budget for this project $25 million? A few months later I heard it being as high as $30 million.

I believe the $30 mil is the capital investment which includes the whole project. The coaster itself is where $25 mil of that would come from.

That's also how I understood it, $30M project $25m coaster.

All together when it is all completed it will be about 35 million.

No, it'll be 37.234 million. (See, I can pull numbers out of dark places too).

And unless you are a significant share-holder, what does it matter if the project runs a little over-budget?

Considering the quality of information provided by Kiefz015, I wouldn't say he is pulling numbers "out of a dark place".

The stated reason for concern was that if the build is running over budget that some of the design frills on the artist rendering might not be completed as shown. I don't think it is going to happen that way, but the concern and comment are valid.

Much of the concern about the budget seems focused on the park entrance and facilities buildings immediately inside the park. Because that part of the park is so critical to the park experience (guest flow, first impression, etc.), the concern is probably overblown under current management. They've given us no reason to expect half-assed-ness so far.

^ Point. Seemingly odd placement or not, even just the Luminosity stage was a pretty good indication that they're willing to follow through with their proposals, and until I see something at the level of the Snake River Falls mountain being left out, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Top Thrill 182 said:
Not to be cynical, but I'm wondering (come May) what the re-designed entrance plaza will actually look like... Not that I don't trust CP when it comes to renderings, but, you know... haha

While everything looks great in the renderings, I'm particularly curious how well the old (.e.g the former group sales and season pass center) will actually be blended with the new (e.g. the ticket purchase area). Should this project come in over budget, I can definitely see the park deciding not to pump as much money into refurbishing old buildings as they had originally planned. Hope I'm wrong!

If you look closely there has already work being done to those buildings...I don't think there is cause for concern there. I'm hoping that in the case of the restrooms, its not just an outside remodel to make them match the newer structures, but a complete remodel, inside and out.

The big question is, will the dino stay? ;)

I dino. will it?

Sleep deprivation =bad puns.