America's Fun Park in Branson

Swoosh · June 03, 2018, 12:44:10 AM

Stopped by the park to check out the progress on Saturday (6/2). They say that it *might* open Sunday. I think they are being overly optimistic. Anyway, here are some photos of the park to help you see what they have (so far) and how it is laid out.

https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/americas-fun-park.html

sanddunerider · June 03, 2018, 02:32:19 AM

When they first announced that project they were hoping for memorial day grand opening. $:-\$ $:-\$ ... i was there last weekend.. looked like a ways to go yet. Will be nice to seee it open and running.

IASTClone · June 04, 2018, 11:16:38 AM

I believe that the sign yesterday (6/3) said opening June 7th.

shavethewhales · June 05, 2018, 05:08:40 PM

Apparently they are open now. Had a soft opening of sorts on Sunday. With how they kept pushing it back, I was worried, but it looks like the ball is rolling now and what I've seen in photos looks nice.

biscuitcreek · June 08, 2018, 10:28:52 AM

This article from KY3 has info on wristband prices for rides. Grand opening is the 15th.

http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Amusement-park-to-open-on-484900021.html

Swoosh · June 15, 2018, 06:55:58 PM

From today - 6/15/18

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY
https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/grand-opening-ceremony-americas-fun-park.html

Swoosh · June 16, 2018, 02:07:56 PM

From Friday - 6/15/18

TOUR OF AMERICA'S FUN PARK
https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/now-open-americas-fun-park.html

Swoosh · June 16, 2018, 02:09:18 PM

From Friday - 6/15/18

NEW RIDES COMING
https://www.midwestinfoguide.com/2018/06/americas-fun-park_15.html

At least 3 NEW rides COMING SOON to AFP!

shavethewhales · June 17, 2018, 03:07:47 PM

Neat. Hope to head down there this fall. Interesting how they have two 'big' coasters, but are otherwise a pretty small operation. Quality over quantity. I'd love to see them develop like ZDT's.

Swoosh · June 17, 2018, 04:19:38 PM

Quote from: shavethewhales on June 17, 2018, 03:07:47 PM
Neat. Hope to head down there this fall. Interesting how they have two 'big' coasters, but are otherwise a pretty small operation. Quality over quantity. I'd love to see them develop like ZDT's.

That's only temporary. 4 more rides are coming soon.

Honestly I see this being competition more for the Tracks than anything. Maybe this will force them to consolidate to Track 4 and make that more like Fun Spot in Orlando like we've said they should have been doing all the long.

ThemeParkFan · June 25, 2018, 11:37:59 PM

Dropped by tonight as I came into town. The vibe is EXACTLY like the Fun Spots in Orlando. They were running a $10 wristband special, possibly because I came an hour before they closed.

Looked like a lot of great options for families with the two coasters running well enough.

I didn't realize that there was a relatively elaborate looking dark ride! Unfortunately it was closed.

Apparently they didn't scrutinize their music tracks well enough because one of the songs that played over the speakers was the uncensored version of Radiohead's "Creep." Whoops!

sanddunerider · June 27, 2018, 03:37:09 PM

havent been there since they opened, hoping to check it out first of next week.,.,

Swoosh · July 02, 2018, 09:54:45 PM

1. Dark Ride is now open
2. Scrambler is in the process of being set up
3. Super Flip should open any day now
4. Airborne is still in parking lot in pieces
5. Reports of what appears to be pieces of a log flume have appeared in parking lot

Okiebenz · July 25, 2018, 02:33:06 PM

They just posted on their facebook page that they are closing down. Something about it being too hot and one of the coasters is sold. Said they are going back to the drawing board and hope to open again in October. Wow that didn't last long

shavethewhales · July 25, 2018, 02:55:02 PM

I am very disappointed. I missed them in May since they were late in opening, but had plans to be there in August. It just seems so amateurish to me to not even be able to run an amusement business in the middle of Branson for longer than two months without going under. I had high hopes for them, and that they would spur further development along.

I mean seriously, two months? You have to go into business with enough cash to make it a year at least.

There's a pattern here with amateur park operators. They assume that once they open they'll have so much free cash flow that they'll just "make it work". Most business take a year or so to refine the business model and pivot if necessary. A park in Alabama that was very similar to this one only lasted two months as well. Then there was Wild West World, which also assumed they would make it on free cash flow alone. Both parks that were proposed for Texas are barely off the ground.... seems like little parks can't make it anymore.