WARNING: This is a "get excited for nothing for the sake of enthusiasm" thread. More cynical users might want to avert their eyes or turn away.
I think most coaster enthusiasts have been in this situation: You're at a park, or looking at pictures of one, when you notice an idle piece of land tucked away in the corner. Maybe a former attraction on the site was torn down and not replaced. Maybe an old storage shed was removed. Maybe the park hasn't got around to build anything there yet. Or maybe they don't even own the land. There could be plenty of reasons why the space is not utilized.
Screw those reasons.
Let's forget the immediate concerns of economy, development plans, land ownership, and so forth. Let's instead discuss what could be done with the empty plots in our favourite parks. Which rides we would build there if the world was likeRCT2/RCT3 Parkitect/Planet Coaster. It's been a good while since we had a decent wishlisting thread in here, and I think this particular topic hasn't been properly discussed in years.
Suggested discussion points:
Okay, onto examples: The ultimate example is probably Forbidden Valley at Alton Towers. Several plans for development have been listed there, including the famous cross-valley woodie, but the protected status of the area has so far prevented anything from being built. I'm not entirely sure where the new woodie is being planned, though, so it could be that Alton Towers is finally getting to utilize one of the most prominent locations inside its borders.
I'm more qualified to comment on my home park, TusenFryd. In one corner of the park sits an old Vekoma monstrosity named Loopen, as well as a 4D shooter (Nightmare) and some maintenance sheds:
If Loopen was to be retired, there would be room for a decently-sized coaster on its plot, with an out-and-back section extending below past the maintenance area, almost to the final turn of Speed Monster. In a strange coincidence, the idle plot of land would have a shape nearly identical to the shape of Norway. The small shed behind Nightmare would have to go, but there is plenty of room for a replacement elsewhere in the area. The plot would work nicely for a compact Invert, although it's probably not big enough to accomodate a thrill ride. But a family Invert is better than no Invert, I guess, and at any rate better than Loopen.
Just beyond the top of the picture (click it to go to Google Maps) is a small field, with room for practically any ride bar the largest coasters. However, the field is very close to a residential area, and I believe the park's neighbours appreciate the distance provided by the field, so I don't think TusenFryd would be able to build anything there even if they owned it.
I also received a tip about the Drachen Fire lot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I've never visited the park myself, so I'm not entirely sure where it is, but could it be here? Wikipedia claims its station and storage shed are still standing, and from Street View the two buildings at the lower middle of the picture seem a lot like Drachen Fire's station on RCDB:
Drachen Fire was removed over 18 years ago, but its plot remains unused to this day, so there should be potential here. I'd say something big and B&M-y, if not for the fact that they already have a Hyper, an Invert and a Dive Machine - what's left after that? Apart from a Wing Rider, of course?
However, the plot is in a very remote corner of the park nowadays, and I'm not sure if the nearby paths could accomodate the traffic caused by a flagship attraction. The gap between Das Festhaus and Autobahn seems a little narrow, and the whole area is a dead end. The enthusiast's answer, of course, is to develop the land on the other side of the river (again, click the picture to go to the location on Google Maps), by the Italy area, and connect the resurrected Drachen Fire area to it, creating a "southern loop" on the park's layout.
Oh well, enough from me. What promising idle plots have you noticed?
Tagging @TheFlyerMan1, since this thread was inspired by his recent, ill-fated Thorpe Flyer thread. I think the idea was very good, but the execution somewhat lacking. TFM1, feel free to continue your discussion in here!
I think most coaster enthusiasts have been in this situation: You're at a park, or looking at pictures of one, when you notice an idle piece of land tucked away in the corner. Maybe a former attraction on the site was torn down and not replaced. Maybe an old storage shed was removed. Maybe the park hasn't got around to build anything there yet. Or maybe they don't even own the land. There could be plenty of reasons why the space is not utilized.
Screw those reasons.
Let's forget the immediate concerns of economy, development plans, land ownership, and so forth. Let's instead discuss what could be done with the empty plots in our favourite parks. Which rides we would build there if the world was like
Suggested discussion points:
- Have you noticed an area in a park that is ripe for a new ride/other development? Feel free to post pictures!
- This does include land occupied by rides that are overdue for the wrecking ball, but let's stay on the side of slight realism. No park will tear down a new, well-functioning flagship attraction to replace it with your favourite coaster.
- What could be done with this piece of land? What coasters or rides could be built there?
- Feel free to post drawings!
- Why do you think the land isn't in use today? Is there any way around these restrictions?
Okay, onto examples: The ultimate example is probably Forbidden Valley at Alton Towers. Several plans for development have been listed there, including the famous cross-valley woodie, but the protected status of the area has so far prevented anything from being built. I'm not entirely sure where the new woodie is being planned, though, so it could be that Alton Towers is finally getting to utilize one of the most prominent locations inside its borders.
I'm more qualified to comment on my home park, TusenFryd. In one corner of the park sits an old Vekoma monstrosity named Loopen, as well as a 4D shooter (Nightmare) and some maintenance sheds:
If Loopen was to be retired, there would be room for a decently-sized coaster on its plot, with an out-and-back section extending below past the maintenance area, almost to the final turn of Speed Monster. In a strange coincidence, the idle plot of land would have a shape nearly identical to the shape of Norway. The small shed behind Nightmare would have to go, but there is plenty of room for a replacement elsewhere in the area. The plot would work nicely for a compact Invert, although it's probably not big enough to accomodate a thrill ride. But a family Invert is better than no Invert, I guess, and at any rate better than Loopen.
Just beyond the top of the picture (click it to go to Google Maps) is a small field, with room for practically any ride bar the largest coasters. However, the field is very close to a residential area, and I believe the park's neighbours appreciate the distance provided by the field, so I don't think TusenFryd would be able to build anything there even if they owned it.
I also received a tip about the Drachen Fire lot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I've never visited the park myself, so I'm not entirely sure where it is, but could it be here? Wikipedia claims its station and storage shed are still standing, and from Street View the two buildings at the lower middle of the picture seem a lot like Drachen Fire's station on RCDB:
Drachen Fire was removed over 18 years ago, but its plot remains unused to this day, so there should be potential here. I'd say something big and B&M-y, if not for the fact that they already have a Hyper, an Invert and a Dive Machine - what's left after that? Apart from a Wing Rider, of course?
However, the plot is in a very remote corner of the park nowadays, and I'm not sure if the nearby paths could accomodate the traffic caused by a flagship attraction. The gap between Das Festhaus and Autobahn seems a little narrow, and the whole area is a dead end. The enthusiast's answer, of course, is to develop the land on the other side of the river (again, click the picture to go to the location on Google Maps), by the Italy area, and connect the resurrected Drachen Fire area to it, creating a "southern loop" on the park's layout.
Oh well, enough from me. What promising idle plots have you noticed?
Tagging @TheFlyerMan1, since this thread was inspired by his recent, ill-fated Thorpe Flyer thread. I think the idea was very good, but the execution somewhat lacking. TFM1, feel free to continue your discussion in here!
