Here we go again - Will a "theme park" work in AZ or not? (Chandler: house, gated)

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

One of Disney World's (Orlando) busiest times is the summer. It's not because the weather is great, it's because kids are out of school. I've been to Disney World in the summer and it is every bit as hot as Phoenix when you account for the high humidity. The park is packed in the day. They have several ways to mitigate the heat. The lines are almost all covered. There is plenty of access to cold drinks. There are plenty of air conditioned cafes and shops that line the park. Most are dressed in athletic wear so they are prepared to sweat. There are water rides where you get drenched.

I still think it's a bad idea. Orlando rarely hits 100°, while we hit 112° at least every year, humidity or no, huge difference

[sh9730]

SO - on the local level this of course has been a very hot topic - and a bit more information is coming out - My belief is that this is not going to be a "traditional" theme park - at least not the initial phase. From what I have read and in communications with people "in the know" - the first phase will be what they are calling an "extreme theme park" to include things like a "GO Kart" track, a wake boarding area on a 12 acre lake, indoor waterpark, zip line and rock climbing type things.

They also plan to move people within the various attractions via "water taxis" via a canal system etc.

So it definitely appears WATER will be a feature to deal with the heat.

There are areas designated in the plan for a wildlife park (but we already know this can work here due to wildlife world etc.), and a "coaster park" but those from what I see would be future phases.

The initial phase will include some hotels and other "entertainment" as well as some kids and family attractions - no specifics on those yet.

Not that any of this information changes the OVERALL discussion here - but they may be going after some different demographic than other theme parks.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by asufan

Well, I'm one that's tolerant of it and don't let the heat keep me inside so I am in it year round, but I'm on record saying I plan to return to orange county mainly due to my preference of the weather. No one would rather be outside in 110+ vs 70-80, let's get real. And no one is driving from the IE to casa grande over Anaheim or Carlsbad, etc. Not to mention there's other attractions in the areas of those theme parks in CA such as the beach, boats, entertainment industry, etc.

So in other words, Arizona should just be nothing more than a backwater where no theme parks should ever be built because coastal CA has everything going for it, right? Essentially, that's what you're saying because you're citing the difference in summer temps as a major factor. I guess you'd rather see Arizona keep losing tourist revenue to CA ... after all, what do you care anyway since you're planning on moving to CA?

Originally Posted by asufan

It's all silly anyway because this is all just throwing something at the wall to see what sticks. one look at the company's website and lack of track record building anything like this before shows how laughable it is to take this seriously

I tend to agree here. Waveyard, Decades, and countless other theme park proposals have been announced to the public with great enthusiasm in the past, but never came to fruition. So while I would be all in favor of a large theme park here, I'm not getting excited about this latest idea until I actually see evidence of it being constructed. I'll believe it when I see it!

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

I still think it's a bad idea. Orlando rarely hits 100°, while we hit 112° at least every year, humidity or no, huge difference

Have you even looked at the web link which the OP provided? Among other things, the plans call for an indoor recreational facility and water parks. What would 112 degrees matter if a large portion of it is indoors and water based? Still think it's a bad idea ... or are you another "we don't need nuttin' fun here" types who would be against it no matter what?

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

So in other words, Arizona should just be nothing more than a backwater where no theme parks should ever be built because coastal CA has everything going for it, right? Essentially, that's what you're saying because you're citing the difference in summer temps as a major factor. I guess you'd rather see Arizona keep losing tourist revenue to CA ... after all, what do you care anyway since you're planning on moving to CA?



I tend to agree here. Waveyard, Decades, and countless other theme park proposals have been announced to the public with great enthusiasm in the past, but never came to fruition. So while I would be all in favor of a large theme park here, I'm not getting excited about this latest idea until I actually see evidence of it being constructed. I'll believe it when I see it!



Have you even looked at the web link which the OP provided? Among other things, the plans call for an indoor recreational facility and water parks. What would 112 degrees matter if a large portion of it is indoors and water based? Still think it's a bad idea ... or are you another "we don't need nuttin' fun here" types who would be against it no matter what?

If the entire park were indoors, it could work, but that would probably be prohibitively expensive, that $4 billion could become $10 billion plus to do it, plus the electric bills to air condition it 9 months of the year

[JGMotorsport64]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

If the entire park were indoors, it could work, but that would probably be prohibitively expensive, that $4 billion could become $10 billion plus to do it, plus the electric bills to air condition it 9 months of the year

Such negativity.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64

Such negativity.

I'm just being honest. I would never attend it from June to September if it were outdoors, and I'm sure I'm not alone. And I can "take" the heat. Imagine someone who boils at 80°

[gbpakrfan]

I imagine they could "scale back" the hours in summer. Maybe have "Summer Nights" after 6:00.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

So in other words, Arizona should just be nothing more than a backwater where no theme parks should ever be built because coastal CA has everything going for it, right? Essentially, that's what you're saying because you're citing the difference in summer temps as a major factor. I guess you'd rather see Arizona keep losing tourist revenue to CA ... after all, what do you care anyway since you're planning on moving to CA?

Those are your words not mine. AZ has other things going for itself that Southern California does not, such as Spring Training, a better PGA tournament, Auto Shows, better golf courses. Like it or not I believe this market is already being served by the So Cal theme parks, afterall it's just a 5 hour drive or 55 minute flight.

Summer is when a majority of families go on vacation and blow lots of money, we can't get by depending on Spring Break or the couple weeks off in the winter when most people are celebrating holidays with their families. It takes 15-20 minutes to get a sunburn here in the Summer, people will choose the better alternatives.

I would be part of their "target audience". We have kids, high disposable income and live in Chandler which is the closest valley suburb to CG. There's no way they would get me to leave 115 degree Chandler for 118 degree casa grande for a vacation or even a day trip. Now if I won't do it, what makes you think people would travel 2 hours or more for that experience? Sounds like hell to me. Now it sounds like the Disneyland comparisons were far overblown and what is really planned is a go kart track. That makes more sense, but it's amazing how fast they changed their tune. A 4 billion dollar theme park just isn't happening IMO.

[sh9730]

Originally Posted by asufan

Now it sounds like the Disneyland comparisons were far overblown and what is really planned is a go kart track. That makes more sense, but it's amazing how fast they changed their tune. A 4 billion dollar theme park just isn't happening IMO.

So - amazing how you go from the inaccurate "Disney" comparisons to "just a GO Kart track". C'mon - they are planing MUCH more than that! If you are going to make an argument - at least be realistic.

The "extreme" park will have a zip line, a wake board feature on a 12 acre lake, rock climbing (and I am assuming more than a single wall that you can do anywhere), and much more including kids and family rides and an indoor waterpark. And this is just PHASE 1.

Have you even bothered to read the link I provided? Future phases will include a wildlife park and a more traditional theme park - all along will be a growing shopping and hotel complex etc. with various attractions attached to those features.

So even the first phase is more than just a "go kart" track. Kids and teens LOVE this new age of extreme sports.

Now, the comparison to Disney that the developers make (again verbatim in the link I supplied!) is that this project is a "destination resort" best COMPARED to DisneyWorld - and that CG is better positioned than Orlando was - with better transportation in place than Orlando had, and with current technology they can progress faster than Disney. THEY never said it was "Disney like" - the media used that term.

This is planned to be similar to that project in that in addition to the parks and attractions - a significant residential and commercial project is also planned in the same "architectural theme" as the park areas.

SO - does any of this change whether it will happen, or people will go? No. But please don't spread inaccurate information just to bolster your position.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by sh9730

So - amazing how you go from the inaccurate "Disney" comparisons to "just a GO Kart track". C'mon - they are planing MUCH more than that! If you are going to make an argument - at least be realistic.

The "extreme" park will have a zip line, a wake board feature on a 12 acre lake, rock climbing (and I am assuming more than a single wall that you can do anywhere), and much more including kids and family rides and an indoor waterpark. And this is just PHASE 1.

Have you even bothered to read the link I provided? Future phases will include a wildlife park and a more traditional theme park - all along will be a growing shopping and hotel complex etc. with various attractions attached to those features.

So even the first phase is more than just a "go kart" track. Kids and teens LOVE this new age of extreme sports.

Now, the comparison to Disney that the developers make (again verbatim in the link I supplied!) is that this project is a "destination resort" best COMPARED to DisneyWorld - and that CG is better positioned than Orlando was - with better transportation in place than Orlando had, and with current technology they can progress faster than Disney. THEY never said it was "Disney like" - the media used that term.

This is planned to be similar to that project in that in addition to the parks and attractions - a significant residential and commercial project is also planned in the same "architectural theme" as the park areas.

SO - does any of this change whether it will happen, or people will go? No. But please don't spread inaccurate information just to bolster your position.

I think you just might be a little overly optimistic/biased because it's Casa Grande. If this plan was in Tonopah, would you have the same view and optimism about this?