Theme Park Apprentice 2: Challenge 1

Welcome to the first Challenge of Theme Park Apprentice 2. Let’s start off with the posting rules:

From Tim W
Posted October 2, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Welcome to the first Challenge of Theme Park Apprentice 2. Let’s start off with the posting rules:

The deadline is the end of Saturday, according to the websites time, which is Pacific Time. We are able to see the time and day it was posted so be aware of that. Any late entries will be automatically disqualified, no exceptions. In the hometown heroes challenges, I will be eliminating 3 contestants each week. Once 12 have been fired, we will then enter with the site voting. The bottom two will then be fired. Towards the end, only 1 person will be fired a week. We will then conclude with the top 3-7 contestants and yours truly voting in the finale. So the 7 votes will decide the winner of the competition. Now on to the first challenge…

Our first set of challenges will all be based around your hometown theme park. In this challenge, you will be designing an attraction. What that mean is that it can be a show, a ride, a roller coaster, etc. In this phase, you may NOT include any pictures whatsoever. The only other rule is that you must stick with your theme park throughout the remainder of this opening phase which will consist of three other hometown challenges. Make sure you give a good, detailed description of the story and attraction experience. If it is a show, make sure to include the length as well. Finally, every design you submit must have a name. So be sure to include that. Without any further rambling, Theme Park Apprentice 2 begins NOW. Good Luck and Enjoy.

I will state however, that if some contestants do not post, the format and weekly challenges will change.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 2, 2010 at 3:59 PM
Looking foward to playing. I wont be able to post until sometime next week (middle of week) as my first ever Homecoming is tonight, but I plan on entering something pretty nice... ;D

From Ty Mullins
Posted October 2, 2010 at 11:59 PM
My home park is Kings Island, and my new attraction is “Maniac Mine”- a complete overhaul for the former Tomb Raider: The Ride attraction, currently known as “The Crypt”.

Utilizing the same ride system and queue line as The Crypt, the new Maniac Mine thrill ride will take riders on an exciting trip through a cursed mine. The adventure begins in the queue, a dark and dank cavern lit by flickering lamps. Guests pass various pieces of mining equipment, including carts, wheels, and axes. Everything is covered in a thick layer of dust, suggesting that the mine hasn’t been used for its true purpose in quite some time.

The preshow room, formerly home to a video starring Laura Craft, is now used to set-up the story for guests. Guests are sealed into a small cavern and plunged into darkness before a ghostly apparition appears. The character, the spirit of a miner, tells guests the mine’s story: 113 years ago, just before the turn of the century, Mine 13 was being excavated for gold. The team responsible for digging through the rock was composed of 13 miners, all ready to strike it rich. The numerous 13’s was obviously a bad omen, but the miners ignored it and let greed surpass their common sense and instincts.

In order to drill quicker and more efficiently, the miners constructed a massive drilling machine within one of the mine’s largest caverns. This contraption would plow through solid rock as if it was paper, taking the miners deeper than ever before.

Upon the initial test run of the drill, something went wrong and the machine malfunctioned. Perhaps as punishment for their greed, no miner survived the horrific accident. Instead, they lost their lives to the drill and the mine shut-down shortly afterwards.

Driven by their own greed, park guests are now ignoring warnings (including one from the miner’s spirit) and preparing to board the drill themselves, hoping to succeed where the past miners failed. The drill is actually the world’s only giant top-spin, manufactured back in 2002 and known as Tomb Raider: The Ride until 2008. The only change is the addition of new special effects to the seats and new effects in the massive, cube-shaped show building.

After boarding, the drill is powered-on and the adventure begins. The sound of grinding gears fills the air and the vehicle vibrates- this may just work. Riders tilt downwards, suggesting an oncoming dive through the solid rock below. However (like in any good theme park attraction), what can go wrong does go wrong. Sparks fly from the structure’s sides and riders lurch backwards through back-flip. From here, they’re quickly raised seventy-feet to the building’s ceiling and begin to dive towards the rock below.

Throughout the randomized ride sequence (similar to Disney’s Tower of Terror attraction), guests may flip upside-down numerous times or encounter one of thirteen unique special effects. These effects include:

-A massive cave-in, where rocks fall and dust (fog) fills the room
-A swarm of bats, accomplished via several hundred miniature bat figurines, strobe lights, and air cannons
-A horde of bugs, crawling under riders (moving “bumps” in the seat cushions)
-A monstrous geyser from the cave’s floor, shooting a jet of water fifty-feet into the air and soaking select riders
-A crowd of rats scampering amongst riders’ feet (“ankle ticklers”, or air whips that gently swish against guests’ feet and the sound of rats squeaking)
- A gigantic TNT explosion, including real fire effects

The average ride-time is a brief two-minutes, but the variety offered and the “different every time you ride” factor both make Maniac Mine a unique, one-of-a-kind attraction. The experience always ends with the drill returning to its original position and riders having “barely” survived definite disaster.

From Tyler Rizzo
Posted October 3, 2010 at 9:04 AM
For this pre-challenge round, I elected to make my home park Universal Studios Florida. The park is located 10 miles from my doorstep, and is easily the park I have visited the most over the course of my life. Although the park is fairly complete, I have a few ideas to make Universal Studios Florida a complete experience.

• Attraction: Water World: The Ride!
o The Idea: Just like its sister park in Hollywood, Universal Orlando looks to turn a bad movie into an amazing attraction! Ever since the park first opened, USF has provided thrilling experiences that brought guests in to the movies. However, the park itself has been lacking a water ride (not including Islands) and this niche is what will be filled next, with a twist! Water World: The Ride will be the next generation attraction that will excite guests for years to come. In order to achieve the goal of mixing theming with water and thrills, Universal will look to Intiman and their AquaTrax ride system.
o The Location: This ride will be located in the unused area of land that is located between The Simpsons Ride and Men in Black Alien Attack.
o The Scene: You and your group are drifters in a post-apocalyptic world, completely engulfed in ocean. After years of survival on your own, supplies are running low and your only move is to join a colony aboard a floating fortress. After touring your potential home, you enter the Elders counsel room to find out the fate of your group. As the meeting is taking place, Smokers, the most vial gang of pirates and scoundrels, attack the fort. You must now join the colony to defend the fortress, and defeat the Smokers.
o The Weenie: The show building, which makes up the queue line, as well as the ride itself, is a floating fortress, similar to what is depicted in the movie. Because the location of this ride will be near the back of the park, it will need a dramatic show building to bring guests to the ride.
o The Queue: The queue line for WWTR takes guests through the floating fortress. The line weaves around the potential home of the drifters, taking them through various areas, engulfing the guest in the full effect of a post-apocalyptic society.
o The Ride: As mentioned, the ride will be an Intamin AquaTrax system. The AquaTrax is specially designed to meet the theming required for Water World. The ride trains can be designed to resemble the wave runners seen in the movie, making rapid accelerations as well as decelerations just like a wave runner. The AquaTrax also can make several splash downs, entering pools of water at varying speeds, which ensures riders will get wet! For WWTR, the ride system will launch riders in to several show scenes and splash downs, depicting an epic battle between the colony and the Smokers. One of the scenes will be a spectacularly close encounter with a seaplane putting riders face to face with thrills.

From Tim W
Posted October 3, 2010 at 7:16 PM
There is a correction in the rules. The people voting for the finale will consist of places 3-8 and yours truly. That makes 7 people. Sorry for the mixup!

Just as a reminder, the deadline is 11:59 pm on Saturday, PT. By submitting your idea, you officially lock into the competition. No late entries will be accepted as previously stated and no extensions will be granted. Thank you for abiding by these rules.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted October 4, 2010 at 7:30 AM
Of course you decide to hold it THIS WEEK! I am going to Disney World tomorrow! LOL! Anyway, here is my submission:


Blues Brothers Coaster (Six Flags Great America)

Found in County Fair (a land in SFGA that represents the Midwest), this indoor roller coaster will be SFGA’s second themed roller coaster. In this attraction, “Joliet” Jake Blues and Elwood have escaped from Jail and are now asking for your help to get to a gig.
Guests enter into the building which looks like the Cook County jail. In the line, they pass by many cells that have both actors and animatronics in there in which some interact with the guests while they are in line. They then enter into the jail’s gym to see the Blues Brothers play a tune for everybody (though a video screen). After they end, they ask the guest if they could help them get to a gig and that their Bluesmobile is in the back and drive it to the side of the building where they are digging a hole. Guests then get into roller coaster cars that look like long versions of the Bluesmobile. The roller coaster leaves the station and swings around the outside of the jail to animatronics of the Blues Brothers standing next to a hole in the wall. However, to the right, cop cars appear (lights turn on) and Elwood tells us to “hit it” and they will jump into the back of the car. The coaster train then shoots off into the darkness and we find ourselves on the Chicago streets, going down Michigan Avenue, doging cars, make a loop above Buckingham Fountain, corkscrew though the Picasso in Daley Plaza, and under the “Bean”. We finally end by crashing though Wrigley Field where the Blues Brothers are on stage dancing on screen. We then exit the ride though the dugout of Wrigley Field.

From Tim W
Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:32 AM
^Have a good time Anthony!

From Dan Babbitt
Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:50 AM
Hey Anthony Im going on wednesday!
If your heading to DHS on thursday Im working at the Tower of Terror 8:30am-5pm.

From Justin Miranda
Posted October 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM
The Red Baron
Location
The Red Baron would be located in Williamsburg Busch Gardens in the Germany section next to the Festhaus.
Carts
There would be 5 carts that would seat 4 in each cart. The carts would look like the red baron plane.

Ride
The ride would start with a man’s voice shouting and telling you to prepare for battle after he is done talking your plane takes off up the 210ft. track and goes down at 73mph. At the end of the drop the track pulls up to the left and goes up 85ft. before doing two barrel rolls down. While riding riders can here bullets firing and planes flying by you. After the two barrel rolls you go into a loop. At the end of the loop you go up a 110ft hill. Right before you reach the top you hear an explosion and the cart goes down the hill while you can hear the man’s voice screaming that you’ve been hit. Right before you hit the bottom you pull up and slow down and go back to the station.

From Mike Gallagher
Posted October 4, 2010 at 1:46 PM
Anthony, I don't normally read any of the Apprentice threads. But I'm glad I read yours. Blues Brothers is my favorite movie of all time, and I've often thought of a ride based on it, although I was imagining a simulator. Only problem with your concept..and maybe you changed the source intentionally..in the movie it's not Elwood who says, "Hit it"...it's Jake. And to borrow a line from Burton (last name escapes me) the parole officer played by John Candy...I kinda like the Wrigley field bit.

I may follow this discussion now to see how far you go. Good luck!

From Reginald The Rider
Posted October 4, 2010 at 3:36 PM
Coming soon to Universal Studios Orlando:

Twister like you've never seen it before. Running for cover won't help you, hiding in the bathtub is useless. Because this time you're going for the ride of your life.

Twister... Ride It Out.

Check back for the official press release later this week.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 4, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Is it just me, or are there a lot of names already in use being used or a lot of rides already in existence just being redone? come on people, dream big!

From James Koehl
Posted October 5, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Location: Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky, Ohio

The first dark ride I experienced was purchased by Cedar Point from Freedomland, a failed park near New York City in 1967. It was installed right on the Midway, between the Coliseum and the Pagoda Gift Shop, and it scared me to death! I loved this ride, and rode it over and over every time we went there until 1985, when they removed it with no warning and replaced it with a children's play area. I never got to take that one-last-ride, but I've always dreamed of it being rebuilt, recreated, new and improved with the thrills of modern technology and the excitement and imagination of the attraction that I loved so much as a child. With this in mind, I propose to create- on the site of the Mean Streak Roller Coaster at Cedar Point-

THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE!

The wooden framework of Mean Streak towers over and behind the buildings of Frontier Town. For the ride building of the San Francisco Earthquake, the coaster tracks and mechanism would be removed and the massive wooden structure remaining would be covered to look like a range of the Rocky Mountains. The interior of this structure contains a huge amount of space, both flat and on the multiple levels of the coaster support framework, and would be enclosed for this completely indoor dark ride.

The line queue area would be entered through a series of buildings along the base of the mountains. These would be designed to both blend in with the style of Frontier Town and the 1906 era of the event. They would contain the actual entrance to the attraction, a gift shop and the photo souveneir shop for exiting riders. The queue itself would be indoors, and would be used to educate the riders about the actual earthquake of 1906, where nearly three thousand people died and over 28,000 buildings were destroyed by the 7.9 magnitude quake and the resulting fires. Photos showing before and after scenes from the earthquake, and the same locations today, and early movies of the event would be shown on various screens along the queue line.

Riders would board four-passenger "Model T" ride vehicles. These would appear to be working autos, but they would actually be guided by a central track and mechanism under the vehicle to control it through the events of the attraction. There would be safety lap restraints, not period-appropriate but necessary in this thrill/dark ride, but no steering wheel. Riders would hear the voice of the "driver" through speakers in the vehicle, describing what they are seeing as tourists in 1906 San Francisco and frantically telling them how he is going to try to save them from this disaster.

The ride begins going along a commercial street of San Francisco in the early morning hours of April 18th, 1906. Lights are coming on in the windows of the stores and bars of what appears to be an area near the docks. The voice of the "driver" of the car says:

"Your train sure arrived early this morning. Folks are just starting to wake up. If you want, I'll point out some landmarks to you."

The car turns onto a street that enters the Chinatown area, and the architecture changes to reflect the unique culture.

"This is Chinatown. Boy, you should see this place on Chinese New Years! What a party!"

The car turns again and begins to climb up a hill, actually a lift hill for the ride but lined with the "painted ladies" houses so well known in San Francisco.

"We've got so many hills in this town that driving is a real challenge. You've got to be sure your brakes are in good shape."

The car reaches the top of the hill, and a panorama of San Francisco, the Golden Gate (no bridge yet) and San Francisco Bay is seen as the car moves along the flatten top of the hill.

"Folks, isn't that the most beautiful sight you've ever seen? San Francisco has to be the most beautiful city in the world!"

Just then, the car begins to shake slightly and weave just a bit. The shaking continues for a few seconds when the driver says:

"Uh, just relax, folks. We've been having a few little earth tremors for the past couple of days. Nothing to be worried about."

Then it hits. The car starts to shake, moves up-and-down in a rolling movement, and the trees along the side of the street here start to shake back-and-forth. A low rumbling starts as the driver exclaims:

"Hold on, folks! This feels like a big one! We'd better get off this hillside!"

The car, still shaking, begins to gain speed while rolling down the hill along a residential street lined with now obviously shaking houses. The houses are leaning forward and backward in a rolling motion (since it was described that the ground rolled during the actual earthquake), and the car is weaving down the street, bucking and rolling down the hill while the "driver" steers around falling trees and a wagon rolling out of an alley. A telephone pole starts to fall across the street and looks like it will crush the car, but stops when it gets caught in the branches of a tree across the street. Just then, the driver yells out:

"Oh, no! We've got to go down Lombard Street!"

The car starts careening down "Lombard Street", the crookedist street in America, and the car goes through a series of back-and-forth banked turns, faster and faster, the surrounding buildings still shaking and rocking, when suddenly it reaches the bottom of the street and speeds towards an intersection. The intersection is blocked with two cable cars which have crashed into each other. The car skids, tires squealing, and spins 90 degrees as it comes to a stop in the center of the intersection, just barely missing the wreckage of the cable cars. Suddenly the car begins to be pulled backwards, up another steep street, while the driver yells:

"We're caught on the cable for the cable cars! It's pulling us up the hill!!"

From James Koehl
Posted October 4, 2010 at 5:04 PM
As the car is pulled backwards up the street (another lift hill) the riders watch the buildings they have just passed, rocking forward and backward and occasionally falling into the street, some just barely missing the car! A telephone pole crashes across the street, water suddenly sprays from a broken pipe, and the sound of people screaming, glass breaking and buldings crashing surrounds the riders trapped in the car climbing higher and higher to the top of the hill. The car reaches the top, and as it rolls over the crest of the hill it suddenly begins to roll down the other side of the hill, backwards! Out of control!! Faster and faster until the car finally reaches the bottom of the hill and the driver is able to get it stopped by slamming on the brakes, causing the car to spin again and face another street. The driver says:

From James Koehl
Posted October 4, 2010 at 5:06 PM
"We've got to get to the docks! Maybe there's a boat we can get on! We'll have to go through Chinatown. At least the quake seems to have stopped." And he is correct- the rocking of the ground has stopped, but the sound of crackling flames and voices hollering and screaming fill the air. And the smell of smoke begins.

From James Koehl
Posted October 4, 2010 at 5:08 PM
The car starts down the street of wrecked homes, snapped trees and fallen telephone poles. It weaves around the debris, comes to an intersection with a half-ruined Chinese gateway and broken sign saying "Welc..Chinato.." still hanging precariously overhead. Just before the car reaches the intersection the car shakes again, an aftershock, and the sign breakes loose from one side and swings across the street, just missing the car and its occupants.

From James Koehl
Posted October 4, 2010 at 5:09 PM
The aftershock stops, the sign stops swinging, and the car moves past it and into a nightmare- Chinatown is in flames!! The street ahead is lined with wrecked oriental-style shops, all in flames. Some have collapsed completely, others have sunk into the earth. The driver hollers over the noise of the flames and screaming:
"We have no choice! The Bay is just ahead and around the corner. We can make it if we can get past this street! Hold on!"

From James Koehl
Posted October 4, 2010 at 5:09 PM
The car suddenly accelerates down the burning street, weaving around debris and reaches the end of the street. It slows enough to turn down the side street and accelerates again when the driver and passengers suddenly see the same thing: the street is completely blocked with wreckage and fire, and there is a massive crevase completely crossing the street. The driver frantically screams:
"We can't stop!! We're going into that hole!"
The car plunges down into the hole (still on the track, of course) and suddenly is in a pitch-black tunnel. It moves smoothly now. The tunnel is quiet, a startling change from the terror and pandemonium of the preceeding experience. Panels along the tunnel gently light up, showing photos of the aftermath of the quake, the ruins of beautiful buildings, the people living in tent cities. The voice of the driver now speaks gently:

From James Koehl
Posted October 4, 2010 at 5:21 PM
"400,000 people lived in the San Francisco area at the time of the earthquake. Over 3000 were killed by the quake, and 225,000 were left homeless. Fires burned for three days, destroying five square miles, and 28,000 buildings were leveled. But San Francisco rebuilt itself and reclaimed its place as one of the most beautiful cities in the world."
The car enters a street in modern San Francisco, with contemporary architecture and the TransAmerica Pyramid soaring overhead (all in forced perspective).
"The population of San Francisco has doubled to nearly 800,000, and almost seven million live in the Bay Area. What would it be like if the 7.9 magnitude San Francisco earthquake of 1906 were to happen today?"
The car begins to shake again, the low rumbling sound begins again, the buildings start to shake slightly, then blackout and silence. The car moves to the exit area.

(Author's note: I apologize for the multiple posts to get everything in. I'm trying to figure out why it suddenly limited how much I could fit into one post)

From David L.
Posted October 4, 2010 at 6:13 PM
hmmm james, you seem to like catastrophes, anyways, that would be AMAZING to ride(almost as good as titanic!). That would be very expensive and massive to create those great sets but if this could happen Cedar point would be pushed farther up in my list of parks-i-must-visit-sometime.

From Jorge Arnoldson
Posted October 6, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Coming soon to Busch Gardens Tampa, a brand new, state-of-the-art, interactive dark ride will take root in the Congo area of the park. It will be called...

"Rainforest Rescue".

BACKSTORY

The Congo Rainforest has been known for its glorious plant and animal life, such as tortoises, venus fly traps, kapok trees, and even water snakes!
Soon, all of this beauty will change into a giant wasteland, all thanks to a fictional, multi-billion dollar corporation, known as MineCo, that wants to build the world's largest gold mine, killing many of the wildlife that resides in the area. Many people have written letters to persuade the CEO, Lance Carter, to think twice. But, he never replied to them. Now, it's up to you to stop MineCo's many deforestation robots and keep the awe-inspiring rainforest intact.

QUEUE

Rainforest Rescue's queue will start on the pathway north of Jungala, in a covered, outdoor queue (with ceiling fans) before going inside an elaborately themed building themed to The Congo Travel Tours (CTT) headquarters, which leads into a preshow. Park guests who purchased Quick Queue will go directly to the preshow room once entering the line.

PRESHOW

After the guests walk into the preshow room, which can hold up to thirty-five guests, an introduction video (starring YouTube sensations Isaiah Mustafa and Tony Turner) starts on three plasma-screen TV's. When the video starts, your "tour guide", Harold Conces (played by Mustafa), gives you a brief look at what's in store for you as his "first" proud adventurers, until the "feed" gets interrupted by MineCo's CEO, Lance Carter (played by Turner). He announces the destruction of the rainforest for a gold mine, as explained in the backstory of my post. Harold gets control of the feed again and dispatches emergency vehicles to the back of the headquarters. Then, the doors open into the loading area.

LOADING AREA

As you walk into the loading area, which simulates being outside, you are handed a pair of 3D glasses (known simply as "sunglasses") to achieve most of the special effects in the ride. After a few more minutes of waiting (hopefully not too long due to any possible breakdowns), you finally board your "emergency vehicle".

TECH SPECS

You are sitting in a Sally/ETF trackless, wire-guided interactive vehicle, which is computerized to work with the wires embedded in the floor. This means that there can be alternate endings for the ride.
The 3D system is by Real-D, a famous 3D format used in movie theaters to present films such as "Avatar", "Toy Story 3", and many more.

RIDE

You exit out of the loading area into a luscious "forest" of kapok trees. As you go through this scene, the onboard speaker plays a recording of Harold instructing you to NOT shoot any of the animals, but only to aim for the various MineCo destruction vehicles and many smaller objects, such as crates and other powerups. He also tells us that these smaller powerups are worth 300 points each.
Near the end of that scene, the vehicle turns around to the left to the first interactive 3D screen, with some MineCo truck drivers shooting at us. We shoot back at the trucks, for if we do so successfully, they go off course.
Then, we go into another scene, this time with an elephant who will be hit by a wrecking ball, until we stop them. If we don't stop the wrecking ball, then we lose 200 points. Then, the vehicle faces front again and the current scene lasts for a few more seconds for a chance to shoot the aforementioned powerups.

To be continued...

From Tim W
Posted October 4, 2010 at 7:46 PM
I'd just like to send a reminder to everyone that if all 30 participants do not post, and we do have a substantial amount of people who don't participate, we will continue with the first vote and the challenges will be rearranged. As of right now the schedule for hometown heroes challenges are: Challenge 1-Attraction, Challenge 2- Store, Challenge 3- Restaurant, Challenge 4- Hotel

From Andy Milio
Posted October 5, 2010 at 3:11 PM
Coming soon to Universal Studios Florida....BIOSHOCK: JOURNEY TO RAPTURE

From Andy Milio
Posted October 5, 2010 at 5:20 PM
The hometown park I will be using is Universal Studios Florida. My ride idea for Challenge 1: BioShock: Journey to Rapture. Here’s the details:
Queue: You wait in line inside a lighthouse (similar to the game’s opening). After winding all through the lighthouse, guests (about 12 at a time) enter a bathysphere( really just an “elevator” that doesn’t actually move; it just opens up on the other side) which “descends” into the ocean to the city of Rapture, where guests load onto the boats and prepare for the ride.
Ride up next...

From Andy Milio
Posted October 5, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Ride: Once the 12 guests board their boat, the ride begins. Andrew Ryan, the creator of Rapture, believes the guests to be agents of a surface nation, so he uses Rapture's automated systems and his pheromone-controlled Splicers to try to kill the guests. A few Splicer anamatronics come and interact with the boats, splashing water everywhere and stuff like that. Atlas, an Irishman who used the service radio found in the bathysphere to assist the guests in making their way to safety, tells the guests that the only way they can survive is to use the abilities granted by plasmids, and that they must kill the Little Sisters to extract their ADAM. Overhearing Atlas' words, Dr. Bridgette Tenenbaum, who discovered ADAM, stem cells harvested from a previously unknown species of sea slug intercepts the riders, and urges them to save the Little Sisters instead, giving them a plasmid that will displace the embedded sea slugs in each Sister.

From Andy Milio
Posted October 6, 2010 at 1:28 PM
The boats move a little ways, but then stop when they reach Ryan’s office, where a cast member (who plays Ryan) is casually playing golf. When Ryan is killed by Jack (another cast member who appears), Jack realizes too late that Atlas has also been using the trigger phrase to control him. Atlas reveals himself as Fontaine (Frank Fontaine established charity organizations to support the underclass. His motives were far from altruistic; his ultimate goal was to use his charity organizations to manipulate the underclass. He also established a smuggling operation to supply citizens with forbidden items from the surface, such as religious material. These, along with his control of the plasmid industry, made him immensely powerful. He tried to overthrow Ryan, but the revolt was violently crushed and Fontaine was reportedly killed.), who faked his death to throw Ryan off his trail and take control of the city, leaving Jack at the mercy of the reactivated security systems. Dr. Tenenbaum and her Little Sisters help Jack escape through the vent system. This is where the boat begins moving upwards. Then they stop and the lights go out, and the boat drops 80 feet down in pure darkness, at a 45 degree angle. When you reach the bottom, you see Jack sitting at his home with the Little Sisters, whom he saved (one of the endings of the game).
This ride would not be hard to get rights for, because Universal Pictures actually has the rights for a BioShock movie. If this ride is hard to understand, I’m sorry. It even took me a while to understand it. Sorry ‘bout that :P

From Thomas Crain
Posted October 5, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Born and raised in Niceville, FL, if we wanted to hit a theme park, we hd two choices; the seven hour drive to Orlando or the three hour drive to Atlanta, Georgia. So, my first park was Six Flags Over Georgia. Now, SFOG has always been referenced as more 'amusement park' than 'theme park' despite some impressive themeing. In fact, one wonders what would happen with an unlimited budget and an unlimited imagination...

Press Release from Six Flags Over Georgia
Dated October 6th, 2010

Earlier today, the owners and operators of Six Flags Over Georgia announced what they're calling 'The New Direction.'

"'The New Direction' will be a very simple plan." Explained project lead Thomas Crain. "Under the plan, some existing attractions will be altered, and we will also see the rise of some all new attractions. The goal is to utilize the music, magic, and myths of the South in ways never seen before. The attractions will take inspiration from everything; from here in Georgia all the way up to North Carolina. Additionally, we plan on bringing classic DC Comics characters and the legendary Looney Tunes themselves into the park in ways never imagined."

When pressed for details about the first attraction in 'the New Direction' plan, Crain smiled widely and announced the destruction of 'The Log Jamboree' in order to build a new, heavily themed, indoor/outdoor log flume in it's place.

"The theme will be a classic example of a Southern story song. In this case, we'll be taking guests up through the mythical Booger Woods to experience first hand the events of Charlie Daniels' classic 'Legend of Wooley Swamp.'"

Expect full details in the days to come.

From Adam Nodjomian
Posted October 5, 2010 at 6:25 PM
^Thomas
No way! I just moved to Niceville a couple of months ago! It is a small world after all (pun intended).

Just two quick questyions about the competition.
1. Can we do a park that was formerly our hometown park (as Thomas said, no real theme parks around here), like can my park be Kings Dominion since I used to live an hour away from there?

2. Can our ride design be a refurb of an existing attraction?

From Marcus Guimaraes
Posted October 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM
I'm going to assume that we can claim parks that others have claimed already-in that case, I'm going with Universal Studios Florida. If not, I'll use Islands of Adventure. I'll try to get my entry in before the deadline, but I've been busy, so I may have to go for the disqualification. In the meanwhile, coming soon to Universal Studios Florida, is...

INCEPTION

EDIT: nevermind, Inception is easier.

From Tim W
Posted October 5, 2010 at 6:58 PM
You may use parks others have taken. I would prefer that you use your current home park, but you may use your former home if you wish Adam. Just remember that you guys are sticking with these parks through the first part of the competition...

From Nathan Alexander
Posted October 5, 2010 at 7:53 PM
Alice in Wonderland Attraction
Warner Brothers Movie World – Gold Coast, Australia

In this interactive walkthrough/4D Movie guests are transported down the rabbit hole into the world of Alice in Wonderland.

The queue line snakes in between large trees, giving guests the impression they are wandering through a thick forest. Bird calls can be heard in the distance as guests enter a pre-show room 20 at a time. The preshow room is circular, with guests standing on the outer edge of the wall. In the middle of the room we can see a rabbit hole shown on a screen, and standing on a platform to the left we see the White Rabbit, who is nervously looking at his watch.

“You are very very late,” the animatronic speaks to the audience, “The queen will be quite mad. Welcome to my rabbit hole, but it looks like not all of you will fit. Hold on!”

We see the rabbit spin furiously and the hole appears to widen until it is now the size of the room. Guests then “freefall” thanks to some special effects of wind and movement of the walls around them. Passing interesting objects on their way down the rabbit hole, the guests arrive at the bottom with a thud. A short walk through a cave brings the guests to the shrinking room. A small door can be seen at the far end of the wall. Guests are led to the middle of the room, where the White Rabbit is now standing on a pedestal.

“To big, to big!”, shouts the White Rabbit manically. Eating a piece of cake the room revolves and appears to grow around the guests. Soon the small doorway is quite large and guests can exit into a Hedge Maze which is actually an indoor queue line.
Along the queue we hear the Queen’s voice shouting “Off with their heads” Arriving at a courtroom, guests are given 3D glasses, then seated in Jury chairs in groups of 10 where they can watch the case unfold on IMAX screens.

The movie starts in the courtroom and is the story of the Queen of Hearts and her tarts. We see the defendant arrive and he transports us back to the day in question, with many exciting happenings, including a trip to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and to Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum’s house. Returning to the courtroom the Queen of Hearts finds her tarts (they were inside her pocket) and the courtroom rejoices. The Queen then looks at the guests and yells, “Off with their heads” and the movie climaxes in a chase back through the hedge maze, through the shrinking room and up the rabbit hole.

Guests then exit the theatre into the Queens Tarts store where they can buy treats and merchandise.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 6, 2010 at 1:28 PM
EDIT: Did not see picture rule, am going to have to consider leaving this, because I can't imagine doing this without pictures, it makes this bland and not even fun any more.

Come on Tim, you can't be serious about this rule.

From Andy Milio
Posted October 6, 2010 at 1:56 PM
EDIT: that is a good point, Nick. Maybe it's just for this challenge...

From Nick Markham
Posted October 6, 2010 at 1:57 PM
^It better be, as I thought this competition was about creativity?

From Tim W
Posted October 6, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Nick, I believe I stated "in this phase" that I did not want any pictures. That of which means that the rule is only in effect for the first four challenges...Well then again thats if we have everyone post because it may turn into two or three, or even one challenge. What I'm trying to say is that this part of the competition is all tentative, and its currently a qualifying stage in the competition. That is why i really didn't want any body having pictures because I will be deciding who will stay and who will leave. By having pictures, its not going to sway my vote because I will only be looking at the substance of your desciption. 30 participants was certainly more than I expected to ever have for this competition, but I can't simply turn anyone away not based on their work. I understand that some contestants would like to post pictures for their ideas, but I would appreciate it if you respected my wishes and not post them in this phase of the competition. I almost consider this part the pre-competition becausewe will not be having a sitewide vote and I'll be hand selecting my apprentices to compete. But surely you may post pictures after the pre-competition is over.

I Hope that clears things up and I hope you'll reconsider dropping out because it really is only for the first couple (or one) challenges.

EDIT: I know that in the rules I have stated that I would be eliminating about 4 people each week. I did find that a bit harsh due to just myself making that decision solely. I've though the pre-competition decision making over, and instead I will be selecting my favorites of the week to move on in the competition. So what does that mean now? Well if you are one of the selected 3 apprentices to move on, you will not have to post for the rest of the qualifying rounds. You will then resume posting in a few weeks for the competition. I mean, you may still post in the qualifying rounds but you won't be given two places in the competition. But I assume you all enjoy creating your designs, so i'm sure that you will all post anyways. Well that wraps up the revision to the rules. Thanks.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 6, 2010 at 2:45 PM
Okay, then, I guess I am back. I will just make mine really good so that it is a favorite and all of the qualifying rounds without pictures will not have to be done!

From Nolan Norwood
Posted October 6, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Due to my mid-terms and my hectic life at the time, I will bow out of the competition.

From Tim W
Posted October 6, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Glad to see you back Nick! I'm sure you'll cook of something to be one of my favorites of the week. And I'm sorry you have to leave Nolan. I can't wait until we actually get in this competition though and we start off with two halloween-esque challenges. And then there will be the pairs challenge that I am definately looking forward to!!!

From James Koehl
Posted October 6, 2010 at 8:24 PM
Come on, people! 30 signed up, 1 dropped, and only 11 have posted, with a few more "coming soon". I hope you're not all waiting for 11:58 Saturday night to post!

From Thomas Crain
Posted October 7, 2010 at 2:05 AM
Full Details Released on Six Flags Over Georgia's newest attraction "The Legend of Wooley Swamp."

Attraction Building
-------------------
To make way for the new indoor/outdoor log flume, the current attraction "Log Jamboree" will be completely demolished. The area the ride encompasses (as well as several acres of surrounding land) will be completely enclosed by an all new show building. About one acre's worth of the land is left uncovered and used for the outdoor portions of the flume. The show building itself is completely disguised through the use of natural and artificial trees and other flora.

Approaching the Line
---------------------
A rickety, hand painted wooden sign reading 'BOOGER WOODS <=====" directs guests towards the massive cluster of trees ahead. As guests get closer, the sounds of insects, birds, and small animals become audible. Passing under the low hanging branches, the sound of running water can dimly be heard. Peering through the trees, one might sight hollowed out logs carrying passengers down the river. Suddenly, passing through a hollowed out tree trunk, guests find themselves deep in the woods. Startled by the sudden change, they struggle to recall what was crudely carved into the trunk's bark above the passage; "The Legend of Wooley Swamp."

Queue
------
Now lost in the woods, the guests work their way past an intricatly themed recreation of the South Carolina Woods. The sun is setting, creating an eerie lighting effect on the trees. Branches shake in the wind, and heavy footsteps can sometimes be heard just past the line of sight. The farther guests push down the path, the closer a river sounds.

Pre-Show
------------
Breaking through into a clearing, guests come across an unexpected sight; a roaring campfire with three people sitting around it; a gruff older man, a spry and wiry young adult, and a bored looking child (all created through a special holographic effect you can see in some museums). The older man strums a guitar, and all three are dressed for some time in the great outdoors. The boy spots the group.

Lee: Well, lookit here. More captives. You dragged out here by your folks too?

(The younger adult smacks him in the back of the head.)

Johnny: You hush-up now, Lee. Leave the folks be. How ya'll doin' tonight? (Pause) That's good, that's real good. Beautiful weather for some camping, if I do say so myself. Me and my dad here that that it'd be perfect to get Lee here some fresh air.

Lee: Dad, I got nothin' against fresh air. I got plenty against sharing that tent with you and grandpa after a baked bean dinner.

(Johnny smacks Lee in the head again as Grandpa laughs.)

Johnny: So, where you folks headed? Down river a-ways?

Grandpa: Ain't it obvious, Johnny? They're headed for Wooley Swamp.

Lee: Wooley Swamp?

Grandpa: Look at 'em. All bright eyed and bushy tailed. Hungry for an adventure.

Johnny: Dad, you know full well that Wooley Swamp doesn't exist.

Grandpa: Of course it does. Don't tell me that college education I paid so much for took out all your good sense.

Lee: What's Wooley Swamp?

Grandpa: What's Wooley...? JOHHNY! You mean to tell me that you ain't never told your son the legend of Wooley Swamp? (Pause) Well, guess I'm gonna have to change that. I'm willin' to bet that half of ya'll never heard it either. (Pause) I didn't think so. Let's see here... (Strums the guitar and begins to play.) 'You ever go out into Wooley Swamp, well you better not go at night. There's some things out there in the middle of them woods make a strong man die from fright. Things that crawl, things that fly, things that creep around on the ground. And they say the ghost of Lucius Clay gets up and he walks around. Old man lived out in the Wooley Swamp, way out in Booger Woods. He never did do a lotta harm in the world, he just never did much good. People didn't think much of him, they all thought he acted funny. The old man didn't care anyway, all he cared about was his money. He'd stuff it all down into Mason jars and bury it all around. And on certain nights, when the moon was right, he'd dig it up outta the ground. He'd pour it all out on the floor of his shack and run his fingers through it. Yeah, that Lucius Clay was a greedy old man, that's all that there was to it. The Cable boys was mighty bad and lived down in Carver's Creek. They were mean as a snake and wrangy as a cat and belligerant when they'd speak. One night, the oldest brother says "Ya'll meet me in the Wooley Swamp later. And we'll steal old Lucius's money and we'll feed him to the alligators." They found the old man out in the back with a shovel in his hand... and thirteen rusty Mason jars just dug up out the sand. And then they all went crazy and they beat the old man, and picked him up off of the ground. They threw him in the swamp, stood there and laughed as the black water sucked him down. Then they turned around and went back to the shack, picked up the money and ran. They hadn't gone nowhere when they realized they were running in quick-sand. And they struggled and they screamed, but couldn't get away, and just before they went under... they could hear that old man laughin' in a voice as loud as thunder. That's been fifty years ago, and if you go by there yet, there's a spot in the yard in the back of that shack where the ground is always wet. And on certain nights, if the moon is right, you go down that old dark path... you can hear three young men screamin'... and you can hear one old man laughin!'

Johnny: That's enough, Dad. You're gonna give him nightmares.

Lee: Is it true, Grandpa?

Grandpa: Well, I couldn't believe it. I just had to find out for myself. And there's some things in this world you just can't explain...

(As if in response, a distant, evil laughter can be heard.)

Johnny: Time for you to hit the hay, sport. And ya'll better get to movin' to. Don't wanna be caught out in the dark.

As the guests move along, Grandpa calls out behind them.

Grandpa: Just remember! There's some things in this world you just can't explain!


CONTINUED NEXT

From Thomas Crain
Posted October 7, 2010 at 4:59 AM
Loading Dock
---------------
The guests at last come to a gently running river. The sun has nearly set now, and most light is provided by lanterns string up along the river. An old fishing dock is along the river-bed. Moving on-to the dock, guests are herded onto four person hollowed out logs. Once on board and having stowed all belongings, the dock's holders open and the river takes the log onward to it's journey.

CONCLUDED NEXT

From Thomas Crain
Posted October 7, 2010 at 4:59 AM
The Ride Part 1
----------
A full mooon shines over-head, illuminating the beautiful river-bank at night. The logs turn to the right revealing the family's camp-site. Grandpa (this time an AA) stands on the bank. A tent sits nearby, and the once roaring camp-fire is now just some dully burning ashes. Grandpa holds a flash-light towards the log.

Grandpa: If ya'll are serious about going to Wooley Swamp, be careful. Don't leave your log, don't touch nothing and ESPECIALLY don't go looking for old Lucius Clay's money. You hear me?

As if in response, the dull embers suddenly flare up in a pillar of flame (hologram with real fire effects). Inside, guests can see the leering visage of an old man. In just seconds, it vanishes, and Grandpa's light goes off. Once again, the scenery is only lit by moon-light.

After thirty seconds of easy coasting, the river suddenly branches, and something forces the log down the branch, directly towards a cave entrance in the side of a large hill. Lightning flashes, breifly illuminating a pair of glaring eyes above the cave entrance (light effects). Just as suddenly, they vanish.

The logs float into the cave and are surrounded by the sounds of water dripping and strnge echoes. Other-wise, the cave is pitch black. A voice speaks as if from all around.

Lucius: Some of you don't believe, do you?

The logs suddenly lurch upwards, as though pulled by some invisible force (First lift hill).

Lucius: What will it take for you to believe?

The logs level out, but now a water-fall can be heard.

Lucius: Well, I always said that seeing is believing.

The falling water is very near, and the logs drop down the falls into complete darkness (First drop).

Part 2 Next...

From Thomas Crain
Posted October 7, 2010 at 5:02 AM
The Ride Part 2
----------------
The logs again level out with a splash and float out of the cave. Once again, the scene is lit by moon-light, revealing an old shack sitting untouched in the night. The sounds of the swamp are all around, and the low hanging vines and thorns assure the guests that they have indeed entered Wooley Swamp. The logs float lazily towards the shack, when light suddenly appears from within. A lantern in the front yard explodes with light, revealing a dry patch of sand with a shovel stuck in it blade first.

Shadowy forms begin to materialize on the wall (projections) of the shack, revealing three male siloquettes.

Cable Bro 1: Is that all? Is that all of it?

Cable Bro 2: Yeah, I think so.

Cable Bro 1: Then let's get outta here!

Cable Bro 3: Hey guys, you feel anything funny?

The siloquettes start to scream and are sucked down out of sight. The light fades, leaving only moon-light once more. As the log passes the shack, the shovel's moon shadow grows and forms the shape of a man (projection).

Lucius: So now you believe... but you also believe in my MONEY!

The shadow melts off the wall and shoots with lightning quickness towards the water. A huge splash goes ff as it hits the water. Bubbles mark it's trail as it moves ahead of the log. The log follows it around a bend, revealing a long out of use row boat. The bubbles storm under it, and it breaks in half with another burst of water. The log floats past the sinking halves as the bubbles continue ahead, guiding the log deeper into the swamp.

Rounding another bend, the bubbles stop as the shadow explodes onto land, breaking trees in it's path. Trees crack and crash towards the boat, missing it by inches but sending up plenty of splashes. A final tree, larger than the others, tumbles towards the log as the old man laughs evilly. The logs pull past just in time, but not in time enough to avoid the back-splash.

The log rounds another bend, and the shadow forms a huge, demonic face on a nearby boulder.

Lucius: You think you're safe on the water?! HA! I'll send you so deep into the swamp, they'll never find your bones!

He laughs as the shadow again splashes into the water, this time increasing the current, and thus the log's, speed.

Part 3 Next...

From Jeff Moon
Posted October 7, 2010 at 1:45 PM
My hometown theme park is none other than Darien Lake.  Though the park is doing so poorly the last major attraction they added was in 1999. I have the ride to change that; Nessie. This will be the first ride at the park to actually utilize the lake the park is named after. The queue leading up to the Roller Coaster will be a rickety wooden dock above the lake. It will give off a grimy feeling like you’ve left a theme park and you’re in the middle of a swamp. These wooden docks will lead you to the loading deck for the coaster. The area will be themed like a boat house with termite damage to the wooden walls and fishing equipment lining the walls. The coaster will have a similar layout to the deceased Big Bad Wolf. As you begin your descent up the 150 ft hill you will hear the voice of Captain Cook. He will tell you of his search for The Lochness Monster and how the locals don’t believe him but he has seen it. As you reach the top of the lift hill if you look to your right you can see a sillouette of the monster in the distance. This will be an easter egg though for the loyal riders. This is when the coaster takes off and you take the plunge down the first hill. It will be a standard coaster but with a few special surprises. After the first drop you will take a fast right turn that will splash the water in the lake on the people standing in line. After some more drops and turns you will reach the part of the ride that will make it different than anything you’ve ever ridden. Coming off the speed of a drop you will go down farther than usual because the coaster will go under water. The riders won’t get wet because this section of the lake will be cut off by a durable plastic lining that supplies oxygen to the riders as they go through. It will be similar to the slide that does this at Aquatica but this time with a roller coaster. The coaster will end with an encounter with an animatronic Lochness Monster right before you pull into the boat house to unload.

From Jorge Arnoldson
Posted October 7, 2010 at 5:38 PM
Continued from my last post..

Anyway, the vehicle goes into another scene with another screen. A (physical) MineCo truck with human animatronics comes in, but before they try to shoot at you, the on-screen elephant "sprays" the MineCo truck with "water" stored in her trunk. Then, he sprays you with water (which activates the in-car mist effect). We then move on to the next scene, which starts with a "radio message" from Lance Carter, saying "you'll never come across what's in store for you next!"

To be continued...

From Marcus Guimaraes
Posted October 7, 2010 at 6:19 PM
Hey everyone.
I'm sorry, but I looked at my schedule and realized I really wasn't going to have time to do this. As much as I'd love to participate, I just don't have the time. Therefore, I'd like to disqualify myself from the competition. Good luck to all remaining competitors.

From Tim W
Posted October 7, 2010 at 7:26 PM
10 out of 30 posted. 2 dropouts...

Jeff, how can I not love an idea for Darien Lake, my hometown as well!

Jorge and other contestants who do the tbc posts, try to post your entire idea together and not in snippets throughout the thread. I guarantee you when it comes time for people to vote, they will not want to search over the whole thread and put contestants' pieces together. Just try to get into a habbit of put your posts together or in one post. Thanks.

From David L.
Posted October 8, 2010 at 6:45 PM
Batman: The Ride at Six Flags Over Georgia (to replace the old version).
Queue: You start in the garden in front of the newly rebuilt Wayne Manor. This is modeled after the garden from Batman begins during winter. After entering Wayne manor (modeled after the one from Batman Begins), you walk into the library and wait while a new butler plays some specific keys on the piano. Then the wall of the library opens up revealing the elevator to the new batcave. About 30 people can fit on this oversized elevator which descends in a shaky manner to the batcave. You exit into a rocky corridor to a seemingly dead end. Then one wall opens to a cavern with a screen. It turns bright white and the preshow begins in an automated voice, “Welcome to the bat cave. Batman is asking specific citizens, you, to help him with capturing the Joker and him new henchmen. Five years ago when the Joker was locked up, he left one message to batman, ‘As long as you live, I will still be complete. After all, you complete me.’ [this is stated as a recording in the Joker’s voice]. A year ago he escaped but was captured a day later with out a fight. Then, five days ago, he escaped again. Over the past five years Batman has also put together a team to face crime. Your mission, assuming you accept, will be to catch one of the Joker’s henchmen in an ice cream truck. He has captured the Mayor’s son and he has to be stopped. Batman is out tracking down the Joker so you will be on the mission alone. You will be riding in Bat mobile 079. As you walk into the main cavern, enter your Bat mobile and set out to Gotham.” The screen flashes off, but a split second later a radio directed to you is heard, “This is Batman, I was able to learn from one of the Joker’s henchmen that the ice cream truck not only has the mayor’s son, but the mayor himself. This was confirmed when the mayor lost contact on the way to a bank this afternoon.” A rock wall opens which leads directly into the main Batcave. In here, many people are boarding batmobiles with six seats. They then race off out of the cave in to the dark night.

From David L.
Posted October 8, 2010 at 6:48 PM
Ride: Your ride sets out of the batcave and into the night. You race along at about 30 mph into Gotham City racing around corners of streets until you see an ice cream truck in front of you. As you pull up beside it, it races off and you race after it. A series of police cars quickly appear as you bump the ice cream truck which spins out. It crashes into a building and the back doors open as the driver gets out and a man in the back get out and runs off. Alas, instead of mayor and boy in the back seat, you see a bomb. You instantly begin to pull away but the bomb goes off launching you away before you make an abrupt stop. The batmobile protected you that time and you begin to take off as batman radios you, “I’m chasing the Joker in a helicopter who has the mayor and his son. Come help me! I’m near the old zoo.” You take off towards the abandoned zoo. Just before you get there you are lurched up. The Joker’s helicopters (there are two now) latched on to the batmobile and are now pulling you up. In this case into a loop until you stop on the going down side as he dangles you in the air. The Joker then yells at you, “It seems that those that try to help Batman, are the ones that need help.” Immediately after he yells this, you hear two wires snap and you drop to the ground.

From David L.
Posted October 8, 2010 at 6:52 PM
I'm having some posting difficulties so i'm just saving this spot to edit in the rest of my post.

From David L.
Posted October 8, 2010 at 6:54 PM
I'll try to post the rest later because it's not even liking 3+ sentences.

From Tim W
Posted October 8, 2010 at 7:26 PM
11 posts so far, I guess there will there be alot more tomorrow, like 17? Tune in Sunday for the results on who will be the first to make it to the competition (or possibly a poll).

If we do have alot of dropouts or non-posters we will do a poll and move into the actual competition. If this is the case next week's challenge will be themed to creating a new ride for Hershey park themed to a type of candy.

If the majority of people do post, we will continue with the hometown heroes theme and creating a store will be the next task.

From Jorge Arnoldson
Posted October 8, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Continued from my last post...

This final scene is a few other 3D screens and animatronics, with a giant MineCo robot on the screen and in animatronic form, chasing you through the rainforest. You must take down this guy successfully, or you'll go into one of three endings other than the main exit. This scene takes place in four rooms, with the losing endings in the first three rooms. The fourth scene is when the robot finally falls, and a sudden flash (from the track-side camera) comes from the distance, and the ride ends.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 8, 2010 at 9:04 PM
Will post tomorrow morning before I visit my home park Lagoon's halloween event Frightmares!

From Dan Babbitt
Posted October 8, 2010 at 9:54 PM
Location: EPCOT; The Seas with Nemo and Friends

EPCOT is in need of a new E ticket and attraction and so I came up with new roller coaster for the Park.

Attraction: Eastern Australian Current or EAC

Crush has a message from Nemo and he wants to meet him in Sydney, Australia. Crush says there are 2 ways to Australia 1) The long way or Marlin (Nemo's Father)safeway or 2) the EAC!

So Crush and his turtle friends will help you to Australia and carry you there using the EAC.

Ride: This coaster is a stand-up launched indoor coaster. The coaster will feature 2 loops and 2 corkscrews. Being a floorless coaster this will give the feeling of being held by the turtles on there way to Australia. Inhancing the story and theme to being underwater and what not is the fact of being inside. There will be sections of the ride that the guests can see things familier to the movie including jellyfish field and the sharks with the underwater mines and etc.

This attraction will grealy inhance the EPCOT and will attract new guests who might be more inclined in passing EPCOT as a destination on there vacations.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 9, 2010 at 8:00 AM
Theme Park: Lagoon Amusement Park- Farmington, Utah

DRACULA: Van Helsing's Revenge

You first enter the village of Transylvannia, full of shops and different themed buildings. Beyond you can see the 120 foot tall castle looming over the town.

You pass through the gates, most likely having been warned by visitors to stay away. The queue begins through a dark forest. You can here small sounds somewhere within that make you a bit uneasy. You then enter a cave-like entrance into the dungeons of the castle.

You can't see the people in the cells, but you hear screaming and moaning from their torture.

After passing by the cells, you come across the first pre-show. What appears to be an empty cave soon reveals Frankenstein coming out from the depths of the cave (same sort of effects used for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey). He does not want to do any harm, however. He gets across the message that he needs help and soon promises to help you if you help him defeat Dracula.

Once this is over, you have now entered Dracula's Castle. You walk through the dazrkness, high arches marking the way for Dracula's Lair. Just before entering, you board the ride, vehicles being two across and 4 rows back. The train then rolls into the lair where the journey begins. Dracula has now captured Frankenstein and is trying to use lightning to make his "vampire" babies be born instantly so that they can grow to torment the village. The car is rising, an elevator lift straight up, as you continue to watch this occur. then Van Helsing comes in and, becoming a werewolf, the battle begins.

Everything goes dark and the door open, surprisingly in front of you the entire time, through which you plummet 130-feet out of the castle and into twisted turns and inversions through the forest, past waterfalls and cliffs.

You then enter back into the castle where Dracula now confronts you. The ride suddenly launches at 70 mph deep into the caves (a surprise you don't find out about until you ride) and screams fill the darkness as the ride tists unexpectedly through the cave.

The ride ends with Dracula being killed by Van Helsing, saving you, Frankenstein, himself, and the Village of Transylvannia.

-------------------------------

That was the story, here are the facts for those of you who enjoy seeing them:

Name: Dracula: Van Helsing's Revenge
Type: Steel Sit Down Coaster/Dark Ride
Manufacturer: Intamin
Length: 4,585 ft.
Launch: 70 mph
Height (at beginning lift): 130 ft.
Drop: 140 ft.
Ride Time: 3:00 minutes

From Tim W
Posted October 9, 2010 at 8:50 AM
Man, this is gonna be rough to pick my top 3! Good work so far everybody! Remember the deadline is tonight at 11:59 am. Anybody posting after that will not be considered as part of the competition and will be disqualified.

From Andy Milio
Posted October 9, 2010 at 12:41 PM
I think you mean 11:59 p.m, but I know what you mean :P I'm a grammar freak :))

From Thomas Crain
Posted October 9, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Sorry, Tim. But my message won't post unless it's short for some reason.

The Ride Part 4
----------------
The moon fades slightly as the log enters the deepest part of the swamp. Salvation seems at hand with a nearby dock, but the hissing noise confirms that it is covered in snakes (AA). Passing it, other logs float towards the guests, and it is only when one opens it's jaws that the are recognized as alligators (AA)! They snap angrily and advance on the boat menacingly. The log floats past quickly, nearing a rocky outcropping overhead.

As the log floats under, shreiks are heard as hordes of bats (AA) swarm towards the log, diving and pulling off at the last second. The log is saved by a second breif dip (second drop) followed by going up the other side of the small basin (second lift).

CONTINUES NEXT

From Thomas Crain
Posted October 9, 2010 at 6:07 PM
The Ride Part 5
----------------
The critters behind, the log begins to slow. The water begins to bubble, and a skeleton clothed in rags (AA) lurches from the deep, red glowing from it's emptysockets. Lucius' remains laugh horribly as the log just barely escapes.

The river now empties into a large resovoir. The water begins to churn and spout. The bubbles pass in front of the boat, leaving a wake of small geysers. These suddenly erupt to form a massive screen of water. Breifly, the skeleton we saw appears, but then flesh covers it's bones. For the first time, Lucius Clay (water projection) appears in all his glory, leering at the guests evilly.

Lucius: You think you can escape?! NOT TONIGHT!

Lucius begins to laugh, and then to change. He morphs into a grotesque monstrosity, towering over the approaching logs. Just as the guests can feel the spray of their watery fate on their faces, a brilliant flash of light clouds their vision. The sun has risen! The waters vanish and the logs dip foward in a final, heart-stopping drop (final drop).

With a mighty splash, the logs arrive outside. The sun shines brightly as the logs round through the trees, finally approaching an outddor departure dock. As the logs approach, the ghosty sound of singing can be heard...

"No, I couldn't believe it! I just had to find out for myself. No, I couldn't conceive it! I never woulda listened to nobody else. No I couldn't believe it! I just had to find out for myself. There's some things in this world you just can't explain..."

Lucius' ghostly laughter can be heard in the distance as the guests head back into the park, remind ing them to forever remember 'the Legend of Wooley Swamp.'

THE END

From Adam Nodjomian
Posted October 9, 2010 at 7:16 PM
Thundering into Kings Dominion’s Congo, the most ferocious attraction to hit Kings dominion to date…STORM SURGE

From Adam Nodjomian
Posted October 9, 2010 at 7:49 PM
STORM SURGE

Location:
Kings Dominion, replaces Flight of Fear

Ride System:
LSM launched coaster

Queue:
The queue for Storm Surge winds through the IWS (International Weather Service) Congo Field Station, a modest concrete building partially engulfed by the surrounding jungle with satellite dishes and other weather stuff on top of and nearby the building. A hangar-looking building is attached to the main building.
The first part of the queue goes past high-tech weather equipment, showing radar, forecasts, etc. Every couple of minutes the video screens scattered throughout the room display a “live” feed from the air control tower telling you your mission:

“Fly into a thunderstorm that is forming over Africa to collect data and see the inside of a thunderstorm. These storms can possibly become hurricanes once they enter the Atlantic, that’s why there’s a weather station there, and the data you collect could possibly help them understand these storms better.”

From this room you enter a room which is themed to look like a forecasting area. Big maps can be found on the ground and walls. These maps are actually games for guests to play, including fending off thunderstorms and other bad weather from your city of Pleasantville, or building your own “perfect storm” to unleash on a city of your choice. Every once in a while, all the games shut off to display another “live feed” from the tower:

“A Category 4 storm is roaring through the Atlantic and has just been upgraded to a 5. The IWS wants data, and you’re invited to go along to see what a hurricane looks like along its edge, it far too dangerous anywhere else…..You’ll be launched using state-of-the-art equipment straight into the storm.”

Guests now enter the hangar where there “plane” (18 rows long, 2 seats per row, resembles a plane with a nose on the front and tail on the back, white with IWS logos and “Congo Field Station” on the sides) is waiting for them.

From David L.
Posted October 9, 2010 at 7:58 PM
sorry, i can't even post an abbreviated version. You basically track down the joker and save the Mayor and his son by chasing them through the abandoned zoo.

From Adam Nodjomian
Posted October 9, 2010 at 8:02 PM
Ride:

Your plane moves forward into an area marked *LAUNCH AREA-CAUTION-AUHTORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY*. Yellow lights flash, and a voice into background can be heard “T-minus 30 seconds to launch.” Speakers in your car allow you to hear what’s going on in the tower: “Final systems check; wings, check; boosters, check” the voice in the background is heard again: “T-minus 20 seconds to launch.” As more system checks can be heard. “T-minus 15 seconds to launch.” Then, back in the tower: “Coordinates, check, no wait, these coordinates are wrong, we wanted them on the edge of the hurricane not the edge of the eye wall, that’s the most severe part of the storm!” “T-minus 10-9-8-7” “We have to stop that plane!” another voice comes in: “I’m sorry sir, it’s too late, once they’ve entered the final 10 seconds, we can’t stop them.” “6-5-4” “Well folks, I guess you’ll just have to hold on tight, once the pilots find a calm spot, we can launch you back here, well…good luck.” “3-2-1”

The coaster launches right after “1” at 0-80mph in 2.5 seconds. The train goes up a slight, but lengthy incline through pitch black darkness. Just then a flash of light and a bone-shaking rumble of thunder meet you as you fly into a zero-g roll. From here, the coaster follows a traditional “spaghetti-bowl” design. Wind, rain, thunder, and lightning effects make it feel like you’re in the middle of a violent storm. After the many twists and turns of the main part of the ride, the coaster soars into an airtime hill. Just after cresting the hill, the train launches once more, not as fast but amid strobe lights. The train comes to a relatively abrupt stop and you find yourself back in a hangar resembling the one you left from.

***IMPORTANT NOTE: this is not a refurb of Flight of Fear, but a total replacement, the whole ride and building would be leveled to make room for this ride.***

Exit:

Guests exit though a store called IWS Outpost. The shop sells various t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc. that have the IWS logo on it, or shirts with stuff like “I weathered the storm”, “I survived The Surge”, or “Wanna know what a hurricane looks like on the inside, ask this guy”

From David L.
Posted October 9, 2010 at 8:01 PM
A sequel is set up by finding tickets to the abandoned zoo with bird drawings at a bank robbery.
feedback on the "real" part would be great. sorry i couldn't post the rest.

From Tim W
Posted October 10, 2010 at 4:58 AM
Ok, well entries are officially closed at this point. Looks like we will have 14 participants. The poll will hopefully be up today. I'm still happy to see that we still have a few new faces in the mix, as the majority dropped out...Well since I need another challenge in the mix next weeks challenge will involve you creating a store for your hometown park. Here is the official description:

Challenge 2: Hometown Heroes- Store
In this week's challenge, you will be designing a store for your hometown park, the same park you used last week. Please include the location in the park and the name of the store. Also, include a list of some merchandise that your store will be selling as well as including prices. Alas, stores are a huge part of the theme park business selling souvenirs and merchandise. In my opinion, this should be an easy challenge, as it does not require a whole lot of thought and description. As always, have fun and good luck with designing a new store for your hometown park.

There will be two eliminated contestants this round, but next week there will only be one fired.

From Adam Nodjomian
Posted October 10, 2010 at 5:48 AM
For the second challenge, can we use pictures?

From Tim W
Posted October 10, 2010 at 5:50 AM
Yes good question and thanks for reminding me Adam. Pictures can now be used! If I would have known wed have 16 dropouts we coulda used pics last week as well. But yes pictures are encouraged as long as you know how to post them.

From Nick Markham
Posted October 10, 2010 at 7:25 AM
Well it's a good thing we had tons of people sign up, as now even with alf te people leaving, we still ave enoug to continue!

From Tim W
Posted October 10, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Ty: I really liked the new theming and thought it brought a freshness to the ride. The pre-show sounded great.

Tyler: I've never actually heard of this movie at all. While I found it to be a bit weird how you wanted to make a ride from a bad movie, your desciption did sound good. I agree Universal could use a water ride!

Anthony: Sounds great as usual. I liked the theme and the story

Justin: This could be a good ride, but your desciption was void of any storyline. Expand a bit on your descriptions man!

James: Excellent and extremely detailed as I expected. I thought the idea worked very well with the coaster. It seems like you put a lot of work into your description!

Jorge: I love the theme, its a bit heavy of a theme to make us of at theme parks, but Disney does similar things. You have a very good storyline. The theme was extremely original. Great Job. And I'm declaring you my first favorite of the week.

Andy: I do have to agree that the description is a bit hard to understand. For people who have never played the game, I think you got a bit to detailed. Keep it a little simpler, but good job.

Nathan: I'm a sucker for Alice in Wonderland. The theming was good. I liked the idea of making it into a walkthrough.

Thomas: Sounds great and definately to the standard of Splash Mountain. You did a great job with the story telling!

Jeff: The story sounds good and I love the use of the AA. I do however, do not think they havent added any major attractions since '99. They added the new coaster last year and have been updating the water areas.

David: I was somewhat disapointed to find out you were doing a remake of Batman: The Ride. I thought the descrpition was good, but was a little hard to envision in coaster form.

Dan: I agree that Epcot needs a new E-ticked and coaster, but I just don't know where this coaster could go. The theme is similar to Crush's Coaster at Walt Disney Studios in Paris.

Nick: Sounds like a good ride man! I could see this with a ton of heavy theming. Sounds intense!

Adam: Another very original attraction. Very good description and the effects sounded awesome!

From James Koehl
Posted October 10, 2010 at 3:44 PM
As always, your critiques are spot-on, fair and constructive, but when will the poll be posted?

From Tim W
Posted October 10, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Not sure, I submitted it early this morning and am hoping that Robert will post it asap.

From Tim W
Posted October 10, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Not sure, I submitted it early this morning and am hoping that Robert will post it asap.

From Tyler Rizzo
Posted October 10, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Tim, have you not been to Universal Hollywood? The Waterworld Show is one of the best theme park shows in the world.

From James Koehl
Posted October 10, 2010 at 5:30 PM
Tim, I thought you did the posting. Didn't you start posting the poll part of the way through WPA? I know you're doing what you can, I'm just a bit confused.

From Tim W
Posted October 10, 2010 at 5:46 PM
I have no access to approving my blog flume post. I did make the poll, but it is still up to Robert to post my submission.

Tyler, no I actually have never been to Universal Studios Hollywood.

From James Koehl
Posted October 10, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Gotcha- sorry for the confusion.

This discussion has been archived, and is not accepting additional responses.

Vacation deals

Park tickets

Subscribe by email

Subscribe by RSS

New attraction reviews

News archive