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[jericho]

Mixed emotions surrounding an announcement that felt like a mere formality from day one. While some aspects of a dedicated resort seem appealing, the building rendering feels little more than a scaled down cousin to DW's DreamMore, with a hint of Disney's Grand Floridian sprinkled in for good measure. I'm sure it will be well done and ridiculously overpriced like everything else is now.

Hard to know what the master plan holds, but as others have pointed out, it seems counterintuitive to not be prioritizing significant park expansion and infrastructure in the short term. The huge crowds in a smaller park have grown to a point that's really starting to dilute what used to be the park's best feature – charm. Attendance numbers certainly don't seem to indicate people being turned off and turning away due to overcrowding, but it would be hard to argue that park volume isn't contributing to a far from ideal experience for many patrons at this point. It's just hard to understand why HFE wouldn't want to start expanding the footprint of the park now to help thin the herd and give people new places to explore.

The last 10 years at SDC have netted Fireman's landing, Mystic River Falls, Time Traveler and Fire in the Hole. An investment totaling less than $90 and all within the existing footprint. I'm sure the park will look dramatically different by 2034, but it will be very interesting to see how $500 million gets "spread out" beyond the cost of resort construction alone.

I think the new festival area next year is expected to help with the crowds somewhat. But if that isn't enough, I'm sure other steps will be taken. It's a 10 year plan, so we must be patient.

[ThemeParkFan]

For those wondering why a resort and not immediate work on infrastructure, expansion, etc.?

Because a well-done theme park resort prints money. That then gives them more money for future infrastructure work and expansion.

So whether or not tons of people stay in the hotel, everybody wins because additions come easier and more quickly.

Are there park things that need addressing? Absolutely (the bakery in particular seemingly gets less and less able to handle its crowds). But by slowly redoing areas and improving the infrastructure in the process, they've already done a fair amount. In their 2025 announcements, they're smartly positioning most of their big-ticket changes to times of the year that are less utilized than Pumpkins and Christmas. Ultimately this is a good thing for the park even if no one here ever stays there.

[flutas]

"Priority park access"

Does anyone else think the new plaza looks like an eventual second park entrance for the resort?

My guess:

Originally the "spring fest" concept art was for a new area that would have been exactly that, that's why Outlaw Run is in the background and the area behind the stage is missing the warehouse, even though the summer concept has it.

[Jesus4me]

This is perfect to place where the old Fire in the Hole is. You can use the existing structure. It would give the park another weather resistant ride which can work in all conditions. The movie could be a "Soar over the Ozarks", with a Old Time Christmas replacement of "Rudolph the Red nose reindeer Flight. "