Wednesday, May 28, 2014

66 Days At Sea: An Brief Intermission

Looking for our analysis of Holiday World's 66 Days At Sea?  Fear not, for we will return in a few days after a short break to deal with a personal issue.  Thanks for reading!

Monday, May 26, 2014

Holiday World 2015: 66 Days At Sea - Day 8

On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans. They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here. We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.

Day 7


















Analysis
Let's look at today's entry:
  • "The liar must clean what the swabber will not, the beakhead and chains."
    • After doing a little bit of research, the beakhead was at the front of the boat and would often be the location of toilets.  It's not unreasonable to think that bathrooms will be included in the expansion.  Guests need a place to relieve themselves after drinking all of that free Pepsi and eating at the new seafood restaurant that we speculated about earlier.
That's it for today.  I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day.  We'll be back tomorrow with our analysis of Day 9.

Previous entries:

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Holiday World 2015: 66 Days at Sea - Day 7

On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans. They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here. We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.

Day 7


 


Analysis
Let's take a look at today's entry:
  • "The days and nights seem to run together..."
    • A coaster with a lot of tunnels would fit this description.  Constantly moving through pitch black tunnels could represent the night and the exposed sections would represent the day, and they would all run together if they were on the same track.
  • "Those who know say October seas are rougher than in September."
    • I think this might be a clue for re-tracking of some sort to be done on The Voyage.  Those who know (i.e. coaster enthusiasts) know that wooden coasters tend to get more rough towards the end of the season (which happens to be in October for Holiday World) due to the wear and tear of a long season. Wood coasters, especially intense ones like The Voyage, require a lot of maintenance the keep them running smoothly.  And if Holiday World is looking to reduce maintenance time and costs, then re-tracking The Voyage with something akin to the iron horse treatment from Rocky Mountain Coasters would make a lot of sense.  Adding Timberliner trains would help as well, but as with the Pilgrims on their trip to the New World, I think that ship has sailed.
    That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow for our analysis of Day 8.

    Previous entries:

    Saturday, May 24, 2014

    Holiday World 2015: 66 Days at Sea - Day 6

    On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans. They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here. We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.

    Day 6


    Analysis
    First of all I want to thank Holiday World for mentioning us on their HoliBlog.  For a lowly coaster boy like myself, I certainly got a great thrill out of that.  We'll try to maintain our absurd level of over-analysis for your enjoyment.  If you were redirected here from the HoliBlog, thank you for stopping by and feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment or following us on Twitter.

    Alright, let's take a look at today's entry:
    • "We cook for the passengers, but not the crew.  The children suggest in a sly manner that they desire salt fish for each meal."
      • A well rounded amusement park cannot rely solely on rides to keep guests entertained.  Shows, games (more on this later), and restaurants may not have the same marketing appeal as a big new coaster, but they play an integral part in guest satisfaction.  They also serve as a source of revenue.
      • This section of the entry alludes to a restaurant of some sort.  While the Thanksgiving section already has the Plymouth Rock Cafe, based on this hint I would expect a counter service restaurant that specializes in seafood to be included in the expansion.  A fish and chips type of place would offer something not found anywhere else in the park.
      • "We smile, knowing what a fine game could be made out of an empty barrel."
        • As mentioned up above, adding games to a park is a simple way to improve guest morale by giving them a chance to win a prize.  Games also generally have a high profit margin which is why parks like them as well.  Based on this clue, I would guess something like this might be in the works.  The classic "softball toss into an empty barrel" game is deceptively difficult and would certainly attract plenty of guests willing to test their skills.
        That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow for our analysis of Day 7.

        Previous entries:

          Friday, May 23, 2014

          Holiday World 2015: 66 Days at Sea - Day 5

          On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans. They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here. We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.

          Day 5




          Analysis
          Let's take a look at today's entry:
          • "...I have taken a few quiet moments to reflect. I am filled with wonderment at the thought that we will cross such an immense sea"
            • A large reflecting pool would match this criteria.  It would serve not only as a water feature for a coaster or other ride, but it would also provide non-riders with a nice view while taking a rest on Bench: The Ride.  The splashdown area of Giraffica would also be a great location for a pool of this nature.
          • "My worries drift away with the gentle rocking of the ship."
            • This seems to be another hint that a mild, family friendly attraction will be included in the expansion.  The more I think about, a roller-soaker just might fit the bill.  They have gentle rocking motions, they're inherently water themed, and they can be accessed by the wet and dry sides of the park.  It would certainly help draw patrons from Splashin' Safari over to the Hyena Falls area.
          That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow for our analysis of Day 6.

          Previous entries:
          Day 1Day 2Day 3, Day 4

          Thursday, May 22, 2014

          Holiday World 2015: 66 Days at Sea - Day 4


          On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans. They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here. We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.


          Day 4




          Analysis
          Let's look at today's entry:
          • "We are told to remain below deck...and stare endlessly at first the sky and then the sea..."
            • "Below deck" could certainly be referring to an inverted coaster here.  And while inverts are always a crowd pleaser, they're not particularly known for traversing through the woods.  This, coupled with Kings Island's install of Banshee this year, seems to discount an inverted coaster as a possibility.
            • The armchair creative in me is imagining a flying coaster with a water feature.  It would certainly fit the clues of staring at the sky and then the sea, and the troughs left over from Giraffica could possibly be re-purposed as the "sea" element.  This is a far-fetched idea though since flying coasters have essentially gone out of style.
          Another topic worth mentioning comes from our friends over at CoasterRadio.com. EB, one of the hosts of the podcast, discovered a hidden clue in the packages sent out to members of the media.  He was able to assemble shreds of paper from the package to reveal what appears to be a rough blueprint for steel coaster support footers.  You can read more about his discovery here.

          That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow for our analysis of Day 5.


          Previous entries:
          Day 1Day 2, Day 3

          Wednesday, May 21, 2014

          Holiday World 2015: 66 Days at Sea - Day 3

          On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans. They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here. We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.

          Day 3






          Analysis
          Let's look at today's entry:
          • Birds
            • Since the park already has two bird themed rides in Eagles Flight and The Raven (not to mention Gobbler Getaway and Turkey Whirl) there would be a precedent for another.
            • The first thing that came to mind when I read this post was a B&M wing rider coaster.  It certainly follows the likeness of a bird and would definitely fall under the category of a major expansion, but if the land clearings are any indication this doesn't seem likely.  It's also worth noting that Dollywood, which is a regional competitor to Holiday World, already has a bird themed wing rider in Wild Eagle.  If Holiday World is looking to add something to set themselves apart (and I'm sure they are), a wing rider would not be the way to go.
          That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow for our analysis of Day 4.

          Previous entries:
          Day 1, Day 2



          Tuesday, May 20, 2014

          Holiday World 2015: 66 Days at Sea - Day 2

          On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans. They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here. We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.

          Day 2



          Analysis

          Let's look at today's entry:

          • "The beauty of the ocean is indescribable."
            • This certainly plays into the theory that the expansion will be a replacement for Giraffica.  With the station and mechanical systems still intact from the dismantled shoot-the-chutes ride, a water based attraction doesn't seem too far fetched.  With Hyena Falls now seemingly out of place, a new water ride would bridge the awkward void between Thanksgiving and Splashin' Safari.
          • "..its strength and power is frightening to me."
            • It sounds as though a thrill ride will be included in the expansion.  This seems to contradict the notion from Day 1 that this would be a family friendly ride.  Since this is the largest expansion in the park's history, it's not outside the realm of possibility that multiple attractions will be announced for 2015.
          • "We will not see land again for many days."
            • Hmmm.  Dark ride anyone?  Although I don't think you can ever have too many dark rides, this doesn't seem likely since the Thanksgiving section already has Gobbler Getaway.  With the land clearing near The Voyage, perhaps the "land" in this sentence is a reference to the station of a long and winding coaster that weaves throughout the woods, taking its passengers far from "land".
          That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow for our analysis of Day 3.

          Previous entries:

          Holiday World 2015: 66 Days at Sea - Day 1

          On May 19, 2014, Holiday World began releasing information about their 2015 expansion plans.  They launched the teaser site 66DaysAtSea.com to give clues over the course of 66 days as to what the big announcement may be.  You can read more about the site here.  We'll be highlighting each day's entry as well as providing our analysis of what we think the clues may be hinting at.

          Day 1




          Analysis

          First, let's recap what has already been confirmed:

          • There will be an expansion to the Thanksgiving section of the park
          • This is the largest expansion in the park's history
          Rumors for the project range from a new steel coaster to a replacement for the shoot-the-chutes ride Giraffica.  Some coaster enthusiasts seem to think The Voyage might be getting the Rocky Mountain Coasters iron horse treatment, and one blogger went as far as suggesting The Voyage would be replaced altogether.  

          Although a new coaster seems likely, it's hard to be certain without further clues.  Let's look at today's entry.
          • "After years of planning..."
            • Large projects are typically planned several years in advance, so it's probably safe to assume this will be more than a new Pepsi Oasis stand.
          • "The children can barely contain their excitement."
            • Could this be a reference to a family ride?  That would certainly throw the major steel coaster prediction out the window.  Perhaps this is a clue that a family friendly coaster such as a mine train is in the works.
          • "I tell them they must be patient.  And so shall I."
            • This conjures up images of a family waiting in a queue together, furthering the notion that a family attraction is coming.
          That's it for today.  Check back tomorrow as we take a look into the clues for Day 2.