Author Topic: Celebration City Closes, Possible Redevelopment Planned (Read 4135 times)

Jason · « **on:** Oct 24, 2008, 11:37 »

   Herschend Family Entertainment Closes Celebration City,
   Explores New Development Concepts in Branson

(Branson, MO 10/24/08) Due to a shift in business strategy, Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) announced today the closure of Celebration City in Branson, Missouri. The company is already exploring various new development concepts for the site including an aquarium, other family attractions, re-theming the current park and also, destination retail and dining. The park will close at end of day on Saturday, October 25, the last scheduled operating day of the season.

HFE properties in the region employ more than 2,000 year-round and seasonal positions. Approximately 18 full-time positions are directly impacted by the closure, and the company is able to find new roles for most of those individuals. Seasonal employees will have the opportunity to interview for 2009 seasonal positions at Silver Dollar City, White Water and the Showboat Branson Belle.

   “As with businesses across the country, we have had to carefully examine our future strategic plans. We need to make smart, forward-thinking decisions in a tough economic climate. HFE has operated attractions in Branson for nearly fifty years and our businesses there have continued to expand with the market growth. We are confident Branson will continue to grow as one of America’s premier vacation destinations for the long-term. As we plan the re-development of the Celebration City property, we will focus on projects with strong appeal to new and returning visitors to the market,” said Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer for Herschend Family Entertainment.

zztop · « **Reply #1 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 12:43 »

i liked celebration city

wonder what will happen to the rides? epecially ozark wildcat

jlovesee · « **Reply #2 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 12:43 »

I just had an OMG moment.

I received the e-mail and was about to post about it but saw Jason already did. I was truely speechless when I read it... My gosh what about Ozark Wildcat?!>!

Jennifer

Jason · « **Reply #3 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 12:45 »

Orbiter, Fireball and the Ferris Wheel are all of interest to me.

zztop · « **Reply #4 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 12:46 »

if they go up for sale i hope worlds of fun get them

Bradley Robertson · « **Reply #5 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 12:49 »

Very sad. As people who read my review know, I thought it was a nice park and Ozark Wildcat was fun. Maybe they will keep Wildcat there and make it a pay per ride thing.

AyTrane · « **Reply #6 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 12:49 »

Wow, I was really hoping to go to this park next summer. I have not been to Silver Dollar City or Celebration City yet (although I've been to the Ozarks, and even rode the coaster at Miner Mike's). I'm not sure what to make of this, isn't Branson a huge tourist trap?

zztop · « **Reply #7 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 12:50 »

http://www.bransonsilverdollarcity.com/sdcattractions.aspx the site is now gone to

Cardinal185 · « **Reply #8 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 01:39 »

Ah so sad! I hope SDC gets Ozark wildcat, I have a feeling that, or relocated.

tonyblackjack · « **Reply #9 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 02:08 »

In case there are going to take a wrecking ball to Ozark Wildcat anyways they can add that to Coaster Christmas as a surprise ride? I know that is unlikely but it does not hurt to ask.

SLKRR · « **Reply #10 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 02:10 »

Well that thoroughly sucks. I had been hearing such good things about Ozark Wildcat and was really looking forward to riding it next year. Crap.

steel · « **Reply #11 on:** Oct 24, 2008, 07:15 »

Coaster Con?

abrath · « **Reply #12 on:** Oct 29, 2008, 06:17 »

I just read that CC has been pulled from Coaster Con.

I was very much looking forward to going there next June.

steel · « **Reply #13 on:** Nov 8, 2008, 08:38 »

Then they had better replace it with something soon. No one is going to want to spend a week at just two smallish parks.

Jason · « **Reply #14 on:** Nov 8, 2008, 08:41 »

There are other options being worked on.

steel · « **Reply #15 on:** Nov 8, 2008, 08:45 »

In that case...
*SFSLSFSLSFSLSFSLPLEEEEEEEEASESFSL*

tonyblackjack · « **Reply #16 on:** Nov 8, 2008, 08:54 »

Orient Wolf · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 8, 2008, 10:31 »

Quote from: steel on Nov 8, 2008, 08:38

No one is going to want to spend a week at just two smallish parks.

As opposed to the previously, two and a half smallish parks? While I am personally dissapointed about CC I don't think it will make or break too many decisions on whether or not to attend Coaster Con.

SuperSteve · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 8, 2008, 05:05 »

I feel so bad about Coaster Con. Originally, we were going to have a brand new G-fighter, then we didn't get that, then we didn't get the replacement ride, and now an entire park has been dropped off the schedule. It's just been one disappointment after another.

tonyblackjack · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 8, 2008, 07:14 »

Well Worlds Of Fun's new Coaster will be open anyways. Is there anyway that even if the Park is closed they could bus people over to ride OzCat for about an hour just for Coaster Con?

jlovesee · « **Reply #20 on:** Nov 9, 2008, 08:07 »

Keep in mind that Con is not just parks. One day (wednesday) is usually filled with business meetings, video contest (my favorite), the banquet etc. Plus they throw in competitions such as the midway olympics and scavenger hunt (which I will probably need to start working on at Coaster christmas).

I think Sunday Night, Monday and part of tuesday is not that much time at SDC. That's really only about 2 days. Plus WOF will probably get 2 full days too.

Jennifer

tonyblackjack · « **Reply #21 on:** Nov 9, 2008, 08:33 »

Wow I never knew there was so much extra stuff at Coaster Con.

Prowler182 · « **Reply #22 on:** Feb 9, 2009, 06:45 »

I'm personally kinda sad that the place is closing. I never was able to make it out to the Ozark Wildcat sadly. Anyone know whats going to happen to the Wildcat?

SuperSteve · « **Reply #23 on:** Feb 9, 2009, 08:51 »

^The park is staying put right now. Nothing has been officially decided yet, and may not be for a while now if the economy doesn't start improving soon. HFEC has declared openly that no rides are currently set to leave the park, though it's obvious that there probably will be a few taken out if they try to smack a resort in there. If they do take out a coaster, it'll be the portables. Oz Cat will live on, I'm positive. Hell, even if they choose to demolish the whole park and put in a shopping complex, Oz Cat will almost surely stay - that'd be a huge draw just by itself.

I am getting a little perplexed hearing everyone and their dog talk about Oz Cat getting relocated though. It's tough enough to transplant those small classic out-and-backs, but to move an large twister would be nothing short of ridiculous. It's a whole lot cheaper and better to build them brand new. Besides, WA is the only park in the chain that even has the topography for Oz Cat, and its not exactly lacking a wooden coaster.

Jason · « **Reply #24 on:** Feb 27, 2009, 09:55 »

It sounds as if deconstruction has begun.

http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=444.msg7195

SuperSteve · « **Reply #25 on:** Feb 27, 2009, 07:27 »

It's actually not deconstruction yet, just a lot of taking down things to store them longer. The ferris wheel is actually still there, that photo is a 'shop.

I've been told by the park that none of the major rides will be leaving yet. Nothing is planned for the property until after the 2009 season. 2010 may or may not bring something, it's all up in the air at this point it seems. At least they've been keeping good care of the place.

Jason · « **Reply #26 on:** Oct 8, 2009, 07:39 »

Has anyone seen the recent updates on Screamscape regarding Wild Adventures? It doesn't look good for us Wildcat fans.

http://www.screamscape.com/html/wild_adventures.htm

Ben · « **Reply #27 on:** Oct 8, 2009, 09:34 »

That just sucks. What a great ride that was. Just makes me sick...

SuperSteve · « **Reply #28 on:** Oct 8, 2009, 12:28 »

I was hoping that they'd do something crazy with the property. An aquarium/zoo with a few rides on the side would have been a hit easily. It really does seem like they should try something to save the ride, but with the trains already half-way around the country, it looks like they've decided to abandon it.

Now all we can do is guess at where the remanding rides go. There's still an S&S double shot, Roaring Falls, flying carpet, KMG Afterburn, and an S&MC Hurricane. I'm guessing the later two will be sold since they don't fit in with HFEC. Roaring falls might make it to SDC since they apparently have already debated moving it there. The double shot and flying carpet could fit at either DW or SDC, so we'll have to wait and see there. Those are both pretty good rides.

Also a lot of kiddie rides to go around.

Jason · « **Reply #29 on:** Oct 8, 2009, 12:30 »

That flying carpet is nuts. I love it.

What's up with the ferris wheel? Did it already find a new home?