Silverwood in 20 years...

[Bud Parsley]

What does it look like? Your answer could be based on what you WANT it to look like, or simply what you THINK it will look like. Or both.

[skinnyguy]

As far from what Knott's currently looks like as possible.


Seriously though, I'd like to see some expansion back into the "forest" area of the property. I've always thought the idea to have the train stop somewhere back there and have some rides, shops, etc would be kind of cool. Obviously, you could also walk, but I think they could really do some cool things with all the trees around. In 20 years, I also think they'll have moved or gotten rid of the airstrip. Hotel for sure on property by then. Overall, I think the park's moving in a nice direction, I just hope that they don't go too overboard with coasters like Knott's has. A few big coasters would be great, but don't overdo it. Thankfully, they're a long ways from that point currently.

[styvx]

unfortunately in 20 yrs i see sw as being too popular for its own good. it will probably have lots more stuff to do but i can see the park getting too big and starting to draw too many people. we will wish for the days when it was the quiet park of 2008.

i wish there was some way it could get really big and have a lot of great rides and yet not sell its soul. but i dont think this is possible.

so tell me why i am wrong?

-styvx

[wolfblood]

Apr 28, 2008 22:08:04 GMT -8 styvx said:

unfortunately in 20 yrs i see sw as being too popular for its own good. it will probably have lots more stuff to do but i can see the park getting too big and starting to draw too many people. we will wish for the days when it was the quiet park of 2008.

i wish there was some way it could get really big and have a lot of great rides and yet not sell its soul. but i dont think this is possible.

so tell me why i am wrong?

-styvx

For me there are points on this where I agree and disagree.

I will have to admit it's hard finding a family owned park that didn't sell it's soul. Some of them sell to large corperations (Knott's Berry Farm is sadly one of the best examples) and some while they haven't sold to a large corperation...they try acting like one and it's lost it's charm.

For that I have to say Holiday World is the best example, it's a small park that's trying to be a big park and boy does it show.

They are constantly widening their pathways to accomidate the large crowds their getting since they expanded FAR TOO QUICKLY. If your a small park you have to expand gradually, if you just put in huge things every year...more crowds will come in and you won't have time to accomidate them.

Not to mention they have a ludicrous lost-articles policy that considers fanny packs and objects in a zipped up cargo pocket "Loose Articles".

Now while things may seem bleak with parks like Indiana Beach and of all things Kennywood selling to other companies, I do find hope with the smaller family parks.

Ironically one park that hasn't sold it's soul is my past hometown park, Adventureland in Iowa.

It's a nicely sized park which has grown a bit, but the staff is still friendly, they have a nice mix of rides and a nice little darkride which showed my Dad you never take your kid on a ride he's not sure about. (While I didn't wail like most kids do, I was certainly spooked.)

Not to mention I like it that they still run their flats like they did years ago, to put thing plain and simple...their Falling Star still gives you airtime. ;D

As for how Silverwood will do, I honestly hope they expand right, and keep making good choices like advertising only in the general area like Idaho, Canada, Washington etc. If they can keep under the radar, then I'm sure they can add plenty of great things while still being a true gem in the Northwest.