Here we go again - Will a "theme park" work in AZ or not? (Phoenix: closing, costs)

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

Much different level of heat. There is a huge difference between our 108°/84° and Dallas's 97°/76° or Orlando's 93°/72°. You realize that sidewalks and metal surfaces like doors give people first and second degree burns here in June&July?

Yes, and low humidity doesn't affect this.

[sh9730]

Here is my response whenever the "it is too hot here for this" comes up.

These people have ALREADY spent many thousands (and probably hundreds of thousands) of dollars in this initial planning, land entitlement, legal fees etc. - the developer is about to spend much more in the next phase of planning - all of this even before a speck of dirt is moved.

Do people REALLY think they have not yet realized it is HOT here in the summer and have somehow come up with a plan that they think can work and be profitable? I do not understand sometimes how people think these developers/investors made their money in the first place?

These are not stupid people who throw money after something without a reasonable risk assessment.

Is there a guarantee that whatever plans they have will work? Of course not - but believe me - they have thought about this!

[adriver]

Originally Posted by TempeAZnative

Who cares its a better location with light rail access and existing infrastructure.

There just isn't the room for anything this size to be added inside the city. So why not include Tucson as well. Besides, when was the last time you went by metrocenter?? Have you seen all the bums that are around there panhandling?? Its not a very happy place. I think the only reason they avoid C&C is because its a kids/teens place. I just don't see anyone who uses the light rail as having enough money for the ticket to enter. And, oh yeah... Metrocenter is already spoken for. The area around the mall has gotten some improvement on Peoria, but the mall itself is kind of meh... That Walmart they are building there is a LONG TERM investment in the community there. They are building it up, not just taking over something else. That is going to stay there, and that area including the half abandon strip mall just south on Dunlap is going to eventually get business too. Last for those in Mesa, or where a lot of the other money in the valley besides Scottsdale is, down in gilbert, chandler, & tempe; They don't want to drive through the city, when you can hop on the highway and drive for the same amount of time on the open highway.

[adriver]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

Much different level of heat. There is a huge difference between our 108°/84° and Dallas's 97°/76° or Orlando's 93°/72°. You realize that sidewalks and metal surfaces like doors give people first and second degree burns here in June&July?

Yeah, & when its 110 degrees here, its 100 degrees from 10 am to 9pm.

[stevek64]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Because it would be too hot. Mention the heat index all you want; the average person doesn't pay attention to such fine details. Plus, with dark colored seats on most rides people would burn their butts (regardless of the heat index).

How about light colored seats?

These are minor details and if there's a will, there's a way. And a non-issue in my view. Orlando has parks galore, and is further south longitude wise than Phoenix so they have even a stronger sun component that will heat up those seats just as much, theoretically more. When we visit orlando, my steering wheel felt just as hot if not hotter sitting in the sun than Phoenix. I've also noticed many of the roller coasters/rides I've been on in Orlando stage indoors and are outside only during the ride with people in them of course. And like many rides at theme parks, the queuing lines/often the attraction itself is inside. Plus as mentioned before the humidity (uncomfortable) element in FL we don't have here to the same extent in FL, even in our monsoon season. And of course A/C makes it all easily doable, misters as has been mentioned, roofing providing shade, etc. Easy by simple design considerations.

Originally Posted by adriver

Here we go again - Will a "theme park" work in AZ or not?

There is already a thread about this, and this is in Casa Grande. A little closer to Phoenix, but this is relevant to Tucson also, and not in the Phoenix area.

It indeed will have a big impact on the Phoenix metro being only 50 minutes from Phoenix. Many parts/cities that make up the Phoenix metro are the same distance from Phoenix as Casa Grande. And in the future, like we've seen in other parts of the valley that were once upon a time "far out", I think development around the Phoenix metro will slowly march in that direction towards Casa Grande and make that an even shorter distance.


Personally I really hope something like this takes off as I think such a thing will be a big draw to the Phoenix metro and bring in $. And given many groups are looking into this(the potential for making $ is there is what that tells me), I think it's a just a matter of time when one of these plans will happen. It can tie in to many other things going on in the valley. Imagine the demand during spring training or other big events that go on in the valley, ie the car show in Scottsdale. And I think this park could bring in more of a convention component too. Airline traffic alone, rental cars, hotels, etc., tax receipts/demand from such a park only 50 minutes away from Phoenix I think will get a big boost from such a park.

[TempeAZnative]

Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220

Much different level of heat. There is a huge difference between our 108°/84° and Dallas's 97°/76° or Orlando's 93°/72°. You realize that sidewalks and metal surfaces like doors give people first and second degree burns here in June&July?

Lame excuse! We would spend all summer at legend city and didn't get burned I guess we didn't get your memo.

[sh9730]

TempeAZ

Maybe if this particular plan was JUST an amusement park - but the plan here if you read it is to have a much more "MEGA" amusement, entertainment, wildlife, housing (similar to the areas around Disneyworld) - and that takes OPEN EMPTY land - 1500 acres worth.

Also, again, if you read the link I supplied closely - a significant portion of people they are hoping to attract are from MEXICO - so being central to the 2 metro areas for THIS kind of project really makes more sense.

[asufan]

Originally Posted by sh9730

TempeAZ

Maybe if this particular plan was JUST an amusement park - but the plan here if you read it is to have a much more "MEGA" amusement, entertainment, wildlife, housing (similar to the areas around Disneyworld) - and that takes OPEN EMPTY land - 1500 acres worth.

Also, again, if you read the link I supplied closely - a significant portion of people they are hoping to attract are from MEXICO - so being central to the 2 metro areas for THIS kind of project really makes more sense.

there's 0% chance this ever happens.

[adriver]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

You act like the Verde Valley is Anchorage or something. The Verde Valley gets snow, but not a ton like you think, and it melts off rather quickly. It would be cold in winter, yes, but not so cold you cant enjoy a day outside. And the beauty of the cold is that YOU CAN DRESS FOR IT. You cant dress for 110 and be comfortable standing outside all day long in that sun. Can you imagine the heat, coupled wiht long lines, blistering hot pavement, and the scorching ride surfaces? No one would be having a good time. Want ice cream? Forget it. Feel like sitting in someone else's sweat when they get off the ride? Yummy. It would be a disaster with people passing out all over the place. Heat Stroke City, baby!


And to propose operating hours from 8PM to 10AM is just weird, man. Families go to amusement parks in droves. I know, I lived by Six Flags Great America in Chicago area. Its majority families and teens. No family is going to take their children at those hours. Well, maybe a few, but the majority will whine about the hours and not go at all. I think the Verde Valley is actually a rather decent location to look at as a possibility.

I was in verde valley when it was 60+ degrees outside, and snowing on 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND. As for anything farther, didn't they just get 5 inches over the weekend?? Also, Tucson is a much larger market than Flagstaff, and keeps it close enough where its reasonable from Socal.

[adriver]

As for doing this anywhere North of the Valley;

No way. It would be freezing standing in line and have snow on the ground for half the year. The elevation change and drive from Socal, or Vegas would be such a hassle if you thought you were going to go play for the day. Williams is hours away from Vegas. There is no way it would draw any notable crowd from there. There is no market for it, Its not something most locals could afford to do often. Last, it just doesn't fit.... When I think of heading to Northern Arizona, a theme park is just not the..... theme. When I think of Northern AZ, I think of national forests and nature.



Casa Grande is getting some larger business growth and will become a booming location if this happens. The 10 year construction alone will be a big kickoff to Casa Grande connecting Phoenix to Tucson in a large Metropolis. They are talking an Amtrak station; This would be one of the few places where they would have plenty of room for this country to finally install a high-speed rail system to Socal. If this takes off, buy your retirement investment land in between as soon and as cheap as you can. With investment like this, and Lucid, This city could easily be built up as one of the most advanced cities on the planet in only 2-3 decades. Keep an eye on it, and see if the start of production starts to bring in other large tech.


As for the summer weather, you either design the park with many cooling off points, and shade or do the reasonable thing, and please.. MAKE IT OPEN AT NIGHT.. Summer hours should be around 8pm-10am. This will depend on who and what the focus is. There will be a sports park, and what will probably be the BIGGEST DIFFERENCE, between here and Disney (which I don't know of yet), but Disney does not sell alcohol.



I'm copying this from the other thread until merged to keep the conversation going.