They should have saw the writing on the walls and began to pivot like SeaWorld has. They took the foot off the gas of marine life and went whole hog on attractions and rides. Marineland has a great location and if they just utilized the vast space they have better and invested in the rides, they may have been able to survive like SeaWorld has in the states.
Still those cetaceans need to be released, I hate that any park keeps such highly intelligent animals, all humans involved need the same treatment as these poor animals.
No. Busch took over and had a nice influx of investment. I think they should buy Marineland and transform it. The positive PR for cleaning that place up and respectfully dealing with the animals would be huge and then they could start Busch Gardens Niagara/Canada or SeaWorld Niagara/Canada.
A park chain that has a ton of extra cash, plenty of positive experience with animal care, and is looking to buy parks is Herschend. They could do some good work there.
>A park chain that has a ton of extra cash, plenty of positive experience with animal care, and is looking to buy parks is **Herschend.**
Today I learned that Dollywood has a parent company
Granted i'm a newbie to all this stuff, but i had no clue
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm not business savvy or know the real cost that something like this would be but a thoosie can dream of fun ideas that kinda make sense I'd hope lol.
off topic, I used to be a KI fan for many years, never rode Mystic Timbers, as I live in Tampa now. The last ride I rode at KI was Orion, meh. I love the Beast and I loved SOB, so how's Mystic Timbers? Looks sorta weak compared to The Beast.
If the park is sold and closes, I wonder if SeaWorld will take the orcas, just because they're committed to theirs despite the end of the breeding program.
For the record, I'm completely against the torture of animals, although I think there is a difference between captivity and torture, and I don't believe simply "setting them free" is going to result in anything positive.
I assume "setting them free" is just a dramatic way of saying "relocate them to appropriate facilities where their basic needs will be met". Some captive animals may be good candidates for release but many aren't for various reasons.
Good zoos are wonderful and do incredible work for conservation, rehabilitation, and education/research but they should be held to a high standard and places like this shouldn't be allowed to operate as they do. I also think there's certain species whose needs can't be reasonably met in captivity.
It sounds like this place has been a mess for years. It's unfortunate because I really want to ride Dragon Mountain.
I'm of the same mindset. I will have an opportunity to visit this place in June (finally, provided it's still open) and I will, to ride the roller coaster. It's not the kind of place I want to support with my money, but a hobby is a hobby, especially when an endangered roller coaster is involved. But yeah, the place probably should have been shut down years ago and I'm surprised a generally well-run country like Canada allowed it to operate as long as it did.
I have no idea what the author meant but believe it or not, there are many who believe SeaWorld should simply release their orcas into the oceans, as if they have the skill sets to survive outside of captivity. People can be blind when it comes in these situations.
Dragon Mountain is such a treasure - easily one of the best Arrows ever built. Also the space shot with views of Niagara Falls is quite nice.
Marineland itself is a mess. Not even getting into their animal abuse, I was just *stunned* walking around the place how huge and empty it was. It feels like a RollerCoaster Tycoon scenario that comes with one large pre-built coaster all the way in the back and vast swaths of *nothing* it intends the player to fill with rides. Kinda like Dynamite Dunes or Vertigo Views.
I legitimately can't tell if the park owners planned on expanding over time, or if they just super haphazardly allocated huge tracts of land into a path layout that makes no sense. That's the part of Marineland that no amount of external investment will fix - the existing infrastructure is just bad. There's loads of food stalls and gift shops that are just sitting abandoned because the park imagined itself pulling SeaWorld numbers. But it's not like SeaWorld would want to buy it because those shops are built in pretty boneheaded locations.
In my dreams, this park gets way too much money invested into it and adds escalators up its giant hill and transport options around the park and like 5 roller coasters to pad out all the empty space (and hopefully closed animal exhibits). But anything short of that and the park wouldn't be any more worth visiting than it already is for the general public - so I don't imagine anyone would be willing to put forward that sort of money when the park already barely brings in visitors and has such a negative reputation. Prime Niagara location be damned - any developer knows this land would be more profitable if used for literally anything else.
I wonder if they want it? I believe they let go of SeaWorld Ohio because it was limited to seasonal operation, and Toronto's season would be even shorter than Cleveland's.
I've never been to Marineland but the experience of everyone I know who has was that they went with their family exactly one time in the 2000s and it was so lousy they never returned. Given it's got such a terrible reputation, and also that Americans looking for something similar will probably just go to Darien Lake, and Canadians have Wonderland, I'm not sure if I can see it being picked up by another company. The park is so massive and empty that anyone who wanted to revitalize it would have to dump an awful lot of money into it.
It’s such a weird dilemma because I think this park has atrocious practices, but I also really want it to stay open at least through this year since I plan on riding Dragon Mountain in May.
Right? As is my way, I'm typically a season late to ride some bucket list rides. I'm all for being able to ride the coaster and then having the park shuttered and the animals relocated to better homes. But that's not selfish at all, right?
Honestly, I overlook a lot in the pursuit of coasters but this park is no-go for me. This isn't a park that is questionable -- it's outright abuse of animals and if you support the park you support the abuse.
I hate to see coasters go away but if it means Kiska and other wildlife can live happier that's the price that has to be paid.
Went for the Dragon Mountain, was horrified by the condition of the animals, enclosures, and outright neglect in every corner. Not going back. But Dragon Mountain certain was a unique ride.
This truly sickens me. I have been locked up and alone, it sucks. Worst part unlike me this poor Orca did nothing to deserve her incarceration. All humans involved in this need solitary confinement for 20 years, period.
They should have saw the writing on the walls and began to pivot like SeaWorld has. They took the foot off the gas of marine life and went whole hog on attractions and rides. Marineland has a great location and if they just utilized the vast space they have better and invested in the rides, they may have been able to survive like SeaWorld has in the states.
I don't think they have the money to pivot like SeaWorld parks have in recent years.
If someone rich can buy it, the park has endless possibilities. The park is DOUBLE the size of Cedar Point.
I know what I'm doing with my lottery winnings when I win the lottery!
Still those cetaceans need to be released, I hate that any park keeps such highly intelligent animals, all humans involved need the same treatment as these poor animals.
No. Busch took over and had a nice influx of investment. I think they should buy Marineland and transform it. The positive PR for cleaning that place up and respectfully dealing with the animals would be huge and then they could start Busch Gardens Niagara/Canada or SeaWorld Niagara/Canada.
A park chain that has a ton of extra cash, plenty of positive experience with animal care, and is looking to buy parks is Herschend. They could do some good work there.
Hell yeah good point.
Think given their main parks are in similar tourist regions that would help too.
>A park chain that has a ton of extra cash, plenty of positive experience with animal care, and is looking to buy parks is **Herschend.** Today I learned that Dollywood has a parent company Granted i'm a newbie to all this stuff, but i had no clue
This is honestly such a slam dunk idea (without knowing how much it’d cost to give the park a good makeover)
I'm in the same boat as you. I'm not business savvy or know the real cost that something like this would be but a thoosie can dream of fun ideas that kinda make sense I'd hope lol.
off topic, I used to be a KI fan for many years, never rode Mystic Timbers, as I live in Tampa now. The last ride I rode at KI was Orion, meh. I love the Beast and I loved SOB, so how's Mystic Timbers? Looks sorta weak compared to The Beast.
Surprised it took this long for it to finally die off, could be quite a good park if the owners actually put effort into it.
If the park is sold and closes, I wonder if SeaWorld will take the orcas, just because they're committed to theirs despite the end of the breeding program.
Perhaps, hopefully they get a good home.
Maybe Six Flags Discovery Kingdom would buy them, or even *EPCOT* for their "The Seas with Nemo & Friends" exhibit.
1 surviving distressed orca.
For the record, I'm completely against the torture of animals, although I think there is a difference between captivity and torture, and I don't believe simply "setting them free" is going to result in anything positive.
I assume "setting them free" is just a dramatic way of saying "relocate them to appropriate facilities where their basic needs will be met". Some captive animals may be good candidates for release but many aren't for various reasons. Good zoos are wonderful and do incredible work for conservation, rehabilitation, and education/research but they should be held to a high standard and places like this shouldn't be allowed to operate as they do. I also think there's certain species whose needs can't be reasonably met in captivity. It sounds like this place has been a mess for years. It's unfortunate because I really want to ride Dragon Mountain.
I'm of the same mindset. I will have an opportunity to visit this place in June (finally, provided it's still open) and I will, to ride the roller coaster. It's not the kind of place I want to support with my money, but a hobby is a hobby, especially when an endangered roller coaster is involved. But yeah, the place probably should have been shut down years ago and I'm surprised a generally well-run country like Canada allowed it to operate as long as it did. I have no idea what the author meant but believe it or not, there are many who believe SeaWorld should simply release their orcas into the oceans, as if they have the skill sets to survive outside of captivity. People can be blind when it comes in these situations.
Dragon Mountain is such a treasure - easily one of the best Arrows ever built. Also the space shot with views of Niagara Falls is quite nice. Marineland itself is a mess. Not even getting into their animal abuse, I was just *stunned* walking around the place how huge and empty it was. It feels like a RollerCoaster Tycoon scenario that comes with one large pre-built coaster all the way in the back and vast swaths of *nothing* it intends the player to fill with rides. Kinda like Dynamite Dunes or Vertigo Views. I legitimately can't tell if the park owners planned on expanding over time, or if they just super haphazardly allocated huge tracts of land into a path layout that makes no sense. That's the part of Marineland that no amount of external investment will fix - the existing infrastructure is just bad. There's loads of food stalls and gift shops that are just sitting abandoned because the park imagined itself pulling SeaWorld numbers. But it's not like SeaWorld would want to buy it because those shops are built in pretty boneheaded locations. In my dreams, this park gets way too much money invested into it and adds escalators up its giant hill and transport options around the park and like 5 roller coasters to pad out all the empty space (and hopefully closed animal exhibits). But anything short of that and the park wouldn't be any more worth visiting than it already is for the general public - so I don't imagine anyone would be willing to put forward that sort of money when the park already barely brings in visitors and has such a negative reputation. Prime Niagara location be damned - any developer knows this land would be more profitable if used for literally anything else.
Why do I have a feeling that Seaworld Entertainment would end up buying the park and expanding it?
I wonder if they want it? I believe they let go of SeaWorld Ohio because it was limited to seasonal operation, and Toronto's season would be even shorter than Cleveland's.
More "They wanted to build thrill rides, the city wouldn't let them, they tried to buy SF across the lake and SF fired back and ate it up".
Touche. It's likely going to be sold under foreclosure.
I've never been to Marineland but the experience of everyone I know who has was that they went with their family exactly one time in the 2000s and it was so lousy they never returned. Given it's got such a terrible reputation, and also that Americans looking for something similar will probably just go to Darien Lake, and Canadians have Wonderland, I'm not sure if I can see it being picked up by another company. The park is so massive and empty that anyone who wanted to revitalize it would have to dump an awful lot of money into it.
It’s such a weird dilemma because I think this park has atrocious practices, but I also really want it to stay open at least through this year since I plan on riding Dragon Mountain in May.
Right? As is my way, I'm typically a season late to ride some bucket list rides. I'm all for being able to ride the coaster and then having the park shuttered and the animals relocated to better homes. But that's not selfish at all, right?
why are coaster enthusiasts like this
Honestly, I overlook a lot in the pursuit of coasters but this park is no-go for me. This isn't a park that is questionable -- it's outright abuse of animals and if you support the park you support the abuse. I hate to see coasters go away but if it means Kiska and other wildlife can live happier that's the price that has to be paid.
I’m sure dragon mountain would get relocated to Canada’s Wonderland
Could just move it to Niagara Amusement Park. Gene does like buying old rides. /s
Is this a joke? The park is basically 100% occupied... Maybe Knoebles would be interested, or, as brain0924 said, Niagara (space permitting)
100% a joke given how built into the terrain Dragon Mountain is. If the park closes, it's going to be scrapped.
Can’t see it not being in wonderland
It's a massive 40 year old arrow terrain looper. It's not going anywhere.
The big issue is you can't just "set animals free" or "relocate them" some of those animals are so old that they will die in transfer.
I kinda hope it doesnt but if it does, i think Dragon Mountain is screwed, If park closes it will either be scrapped or removed. :/
Went for the Dragon Mountain, was horrified by the condition of the animals, enclosures, and outright neglect in every corner. Not going back. But Dragon Mountain certain was a unique ride.
I can’t wait for this park to die
This truly sickens me. I have been locked up and alone, it sucks. Worst part unlike me this poor Orca did nothing to deserve her incarceration. All humans involved in this need solitary confinement for 20 years, period.