SDC's 2015 Project

[shavethewhales]

cowboy sent in some photos from his recent trip: http://sdcfans.com/firemans-landing-construction-update/

I know they have been moving quickly with construction projects lately, but this has got to be another record. It looks like they want to get done by Christmas. I'm not sure I get why though... I know winter is unpredictable, but it wasn't so long ago that all the major construction was handled during winter without issue. We might get a bad storm at one point during the winter, but it's not like this is a particularly harsh climate. I can only assume it's simply cheaper to get it done during this time of year.

Also notable how close everything actually is. We'll see what effect that will have on the area when it's done. Could be beneficial or not.

[History Buff]

I would have also assumed it would have been easier to demolish the junk in the lake during the warmer weather, but that didn't happen.

[Swoosh]

The stuff in the lake will be demolished when the lake is lowered.  This doesn't happen until LR closes for the season, which should be this week.

[Junior, too!]

Thanks for the photo update.

[chittlins]

Gotta think they want a firm visual to sell to folks during OTC for SP sales for 2015.

[shavethewhales]

The more I look at the photos, the more I get a little worried that the area really is going to look amusement park-y like some had feared. Everything looks a lot closer than I had imagined and the concept artwork makes it seem. With enough space, vegetation, and other structures you can blend rides in pretty well without ruining the environment, but in this case it looks like when you walk up to this corner there's just going to be a bunch of rides out in the open.

It's a long ways from being done though, and I still do have a lot of faith in the park's competency in creating truly well themed areas as opposed to just decorating rides. I'm sure once all the miscellaneous structures and gardens are in place things will look a little more seamless.

[Pudgy Jones]

I wish there were more trees. Dollywood feels like a barren wasteland in places because they have bulldozed all the trees. This has a very Dollywood feel to me.

[Injun Joe]

I wish there were more trees.

I cringe every time a tree is removed from SDC.

[sanddunerider]

That area may very well look "busy", But I am anxious to see the Bushes, Trees and other vegetation that will go into the area...And in all fairness to SDC, it may take 3 or 4 years of growing to make it look right...  a
fter all look at GE..  lots of vegetation there now

[jdporte]

When I was at SDC this past weekend, almost everything in the toy store was 50% off (Like a going out of business sale).  It was looking really empty.  I wondered if they were going to be tearing down that building to open up the lake front?

[sanddunerider]

I think Swoosh said the building would remain, but it will get rebuilt.

[Swoosh]

Last I heard is that it was going to get a new facade but the building itself would remain.  I would imagine that it will probably get a healthy dose of FL merchandise when it reopens next season.

[Swoosh]

Did this update ever get posted here?
http://midwestinfoguide.com/silver/2014/10.05/

Sorry if it did.

[sanddunerider]

I would also assume the toy shop will be full of items for FL.

[shavethewhales]

The question is: will it still really be a toy shop? Somehow I already expect the new "facade" will incorporate more salespoints with random things things like rootbear floats and freezes. Toys are a harder to sell in volume in a theme park, but they contribute to more of the overall shopping and experience side of the park.

Just another detail that could change the feel of the area from fantasy city to amusement park...