Resort area of Birmingham (Bessemer, Talladega: 2014, hotels, home)

[bhamguy]

So, we have all been to different cities, states,etc., and enjoyed the resorts located in those places. What do you guys think about a resort here, to bring in even more money and things to do in the area. You have your traditional winter and summer destinations, and your year round destinations, so why not have a combination here in town? We already have Splash Adventure as a smaller destination for Alabama, so let's build upon that.

Bring a little Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge for winter destinations, and add an aquatics park (similar to SeaWorld) for the summer, along with restaurants, resort hotels, nightlife,etc. This could be our version of Walt Disney World Resort.

[cpg35223]

Uphill climb.

From a scenic standpoint, the hills are not hilly enough. Not near enough to a lake. We don't have legalized gambling (And at this point, it would be a serious mistake with too many casinos chasing a finite market).

To me, we would have to build some serious mondo attractions that don't exist anywhere. To me, creating the motorsports equivalent of Disney World would be the way to go, especially if you have Barbers, Talladega, and the Porsche driving school in such proximity. Golf is a great draw, especially with the RTJ.

How about this? Invest in making it that ultimate guy's destination with racing, golf, and fishing. Put all the attractions together, build some more, and really specialize in good clean fun. But that also means continuing to develop the downtown area.

[Tourian]

I don't think we'll ever have what it takes to be a touristy type town and im not so sure that's a bad thing.

I don't golf but I'm not blind to the fact that the RTJ trail is a big deal so I think we got that covered.

I also agree that Barber's is a big deal. AL put up a map of the home states and countries of people who visit the Porsche Driving School and every state and practically every country was covered. So I totally agree that we could build more on being a destination for sports car racing. Which, we are with Indy and Rolex cup. Hopefully they can attract other series like DTM, TUDOR, etc.. Kawasaki had their WORLD debut for one of their bikes here. Not Tokyo, not Los Angeles - Birmingham. Chevy brought the new Z/28 here to show it off to the press. Barber's is a centerpiece known across the globe. Grand River could grow to include a few exotic car and bike dealers and maybe a few teams will make this their home track and base. And leave us not forget Talladega now being part of the CSA and the automakers who have plants in the state.

So, yeah a resort for all things in paved motorsports is a distinct possibility.

[2014-BLACK-ZL-1]

Cruised in, I read the top of the list AL posts and this one caught my BIG eye.


Having been transferred into Bham and got out, I have to comment that Bham isn't resort material to start with. I hope you were just dreaming. I mean I've lived there albeit in the burbs, and there is nothing of a possible resort attraction - zero. When people think of Bham (those that actually live elsewhere), they don't think "gee let's vacation in Birmingham ALABAMA". I mean it's not Napa Valley, or Seattle, SanFran, LA, Orlando, Vegas, NYC or Miami. It's Birmingham Alabama . The motorsport theme might be an attraction for a limited few, but "resort" in the definitional sense ? It's not going to happen. Dollywood has more appeal in the South. Just sayin

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by 2014-BLACK-ZL-1

Cruised in, I read the top of the list AL posts and this one caught my BIG eye.


Having been transferred into Bham and got out, I have to comment that Bham isn't resort material to start with. I hope you were just dreaming. I mean I've lived there albeit in the burbs, and there is nothing of a possible resort attraction - zero. When people think of Bham (those that actually live elsewhere), they don't think "gee let's vacation in Birmingham ALABAMA". I mean it's not Napa Valley, or Seattle, SanFran, LA, Orlando, Vegas, NYC or Miami. It's Birmingham Alabama . The motorsport theme might be an attraction for a limited few, but "resort" in the definitional sense ? It's not going to happen. Dollywood has more appeal in the South. Just sayin

Well, actually we agree with you.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by 2014-black-zl-1

cruised in, i read the top of the list al posts and this one caught my big eye.


Having been transferred into bham and got out, i have to comment that bham isn't resort material to start with. I hope you were just dreaming. I mean i've lived there albeit in the burbs, and there is nothing of a possible resort attraction - zero. When people think of bham (those that actually live elsewhere), they don't think "gee let's vacation in birmingham alabama". I mean it's not napa valley, or seattle, sanfran, la, orlando, vegas, nyc or miami. It's birmingham alabama . The motorsport theme might be an attraction for a limited few, but "resort" in the definitional sense ? It's not going to happen. Dollywood has more appeal in the south. Just sayin

k.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by 2014-BLACK-ZL-1

Cruised in, I read the top of the list AL posts and this one caught my BIG eye.


Having been transferred into Bham and got out, I have to comment that Bham isn't resort material to start with. I hope you were just dreaming. I mean I've lived there albeit in the burbs, and there is nothing of a possible resort attraction - zero. When people think of Bham (those that actually live elsewhere), they don't think "gee let's vacation in Birmingham ALABAMA". I mean it's not Napa Valley, or Seattle, SanFran, LA, Orlando, Vegas, NYC or Miami. It's Birmingham Alabama . The motorsport theme might be an attraction for a limited few, but "resort" in the definitional sense ? It's not going to happen. Dollywood has more appeal in the South. Just sayin

Google ROSS BRIDGE RESORT. You might be surprised that many areas have much more than you think they do.
No, it is not Pigeon Forge, it is not after the masses, but the more well heeled.

One's own experience really can't define a place. To think so is a little narcissistic, if not worse.

raj

[Tourian]

Koch family buys Splash Adventure. This is apparently a good thing because these people are well known for their abilities to run these types of venues. I was pleased to hear that the old owners retained possession of 150 acres around the par k for future development. Such as a hotel (O RLY), and maybe an indoor water park as they had planned a while ago. The Koch's have several new attractions planned for the park this season.

http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf...amas_spla.html

[Tourian]

Koch's five year plan to build up the park is quite thorough. Great news for Bessemer and the metro.
Koch Family has five-year plan to take Splash Adventure to new heights (photo gallery) | AL.com