Omaha Area Amusement Park?

omahaopinions.com · Post by **omahaopinions.com** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:20 am

It doesn't say if this newly proposed park is going to be as big as the Wild Escape park that he proposed to CB and failed to finance. I'm guessing this one is scaled down a bit. If it does happen, at least it's going to be in Nebraska now instead of Iowa!

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:26 am

Yes. I'm happy about that.

ATLShorty · Post by **ATLShorty** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:26 am

If he doesn't lets all put are money together and do it ourselves!

Even smaller city have parks, like Knoxville TN, Louisville KY(which metro area is slightly larger than ours), Des Moines(duh), Richmond VA, believe me I could go on and on. Even though some of these places have more people in their region I feel Omaha could grab crowds as far away as Minniapolis and Denver, just for that fact that enthusiasts visit many different parks throughout the year. I have five parks in my region to include Six flags(in my city), Paramount's Carowinds(Charlotte), Wild Adventures(Valdosta), Visionland(Burmingham), and Dollywood(Knoxville).
I visit all every year even though each one is less than 2 1/2 hours from me.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:40 am

If its smaller that will work out so then it can get built and then expand. I just hope its not any rinky-dink park that would be embarrassing.

ATLShorty · Post by **ATLShorty** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:50 am

Amen to that!

TechnicalDisaster · Post by **TechnicalDisaster** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:43 pm

So far I am 0-1 for rumors about this amusement park, but I have to share that I heard Steve Minard plans on buying up used equipment/rides from amusement parks and move them to Nebraska. God, I pray that isn't true.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:49 pm

greeattttttttt......with that info i think it might almost be as nice as a crappy version of arnolds park in okoboji

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:50 pm

Good God I hope not. We don't need another freaking Fun Plex. One is trashy enough. My girlfriend works there. Some of the stories she tells really makes me want to call the BBB to do an investigation.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 2:54 pm

Well he does have Lee Terry to help pull some strings for him, but hopefully he can get financing this time. Remember the 3rd times the charm.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:04 pm

JournalStar wrote: Minard says he's building park

Developer Steve Minard said Thursday that his Wild Escape theme park will definitely be built in Nebraska. Exactly where and when he would not say, although he promised a Friday press conference that would shed more light on the project.

Omaha congressman Lee Terry will be at the 3 p.m. event, at the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District headquarters, 8901 S. 154th St. in Omaha.

A press release announcing the conference described Wild Escape as " a community oriented theme park with entertainment, rides and attractions, dining and shopping activities."

A spokeswoman for Terry said the congressman has been working with Minard for about a year on the project.

The project was originally planned for Council Bluffs, Iowa, but Minard was unable to get the money together to make it work. He said that won't be a problem with the Nebraska location, believed to be somewhere east of Lincoln along Interstate 80. Terry spokeswoman Jen Rae Hein said Minard has given the congressman assurance that the project will be completed.

Park developers have looked at sites in Cass and Sarpy counties, Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation executive director Toby Churchill said Thursday.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:09 pm

somewhere east of Lincoln

DAMIT!

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:12 pm

hey, omaha is east of lincoln

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:17 pm

I had a feeling it would be close enough to Lincoln that it may be considered “by Lincoln”. I would have rather have it back in C.B. than share it with Lincoln and Lincoln thinking it was built for them. By the way which metro is physically closer to the Platte River? Its hard to tell on maps because they are so out of date.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:29 pm

The Lincolnites will bring in more revenue. More revenue = expansions. Expansions = big and theoretically good theme park which will give Worlds of Fun and Adventureland a run for their money.

Plus tax money will go to Nebraska instead of Iowa.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:48 pm

Well, you can go a couple ways with that. Sarpy County is considered part of the Omaha Metro. The Platte River is a border of Sarpy County, so one could consider the Platte mere yards from the metro. OR, go according to Rand Mcnally. My old apartment was at 148th and Giles Rd and the NE corner of Lincoln is at 84th and Hwy 6.

-From SW Omaha to Mahoney: 16 miles
-From 84th & Hwy 6 to Mahoney: 18.7 miles

Both distances are a bit misleading though because there are other parts of metro Omaha which are closer to Mahoney and there really isn't anything besides that gas station at 84th and Hwy6. I say Omaha is closer though.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:59 pm

Lincolnites would have came anyway. heck Omahans will drive to KC or DM.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:00 pm

You know what, screw this guy. How the heck is an Omaha Congressman going to support something that will benefit something outside his jurisdiction. I would rather have the park be in CB close to the city. If it's all the way near Lincoln what will there be to do or stay at nearby? Nothing. I hope he gets forced into building in a more Omaha oriented location.

The Lincolnites will bring in more revenue. More revenue = expansions. Expansions = big and theoretically good theme park which will give Worlds of Fun and Adventureland a run for their money.

Plus tax money will go to Nebraska instead of Iowa.

How do you figure Lincoln will support it better than Omaha? A majority of people going to this place will be from Omaha, not Lincoln. Plus I think putting it closer to Lincoln they will have problems dealing with future expansions and road projects since Lincoln doesn't have near the money (even though we're broke

) or people so support something like this.

Fla vah · Post by **Fla vah** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:21 pm

Im thinking anywhere between Omaha and Lincoln is a better location in terms of Revenue for Nebraska. It also would help fill the buffer or enterprise zone between Omaha and Lincoln. Whether we like it or not Omaha and Lincoln would stand to benifit from any type of venture that ties the two together. Its Only a matter of time before the two merge as a CSMA. A CSMA of over 1.1 million people will attract a whole lot more national attention than 840K people. One last note: Associating the amusement park more with Lincoln rather than Omaha may garner more support from some of those (not all)

western Nebraskans that hate Omaha so much. I know many of us would like to think that Omaha can support this thing all on our own but we need the support of the whole state.

CountOfMC · Post by **CountOfMC** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 4:22 pm

I would rather have the park be in CB close to the city. If it's all the way near Lincoln what will there be to do or stay at nearby? Nothing. I hope he gets forced into building in a more Omaha oriented location.

Mahoney is exactly halfway in between DT Omaha and DT Lincoln.. ~30 miles. When and if this happens, it's not as if it'll just appear overnight. I would assume Cabela's will set up very close by, setting the stage for possible hotels to be built out in that vicinity.

How do you figure Lincoln will support it better than Omaha? A majority of people going to this place will be from Omaha, not Lincoln.

I think he meant Lincoln would support it better than Council Bluffs. The majority may come from Omaha, but Lincoln will be no slouch either. Think of all the UNL kids that'll be out there too. I think this will be a great spot.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:06 pm

My god people, they haven't even annouced where its going to be for sure yet. O god, the horrible drive all the way to Lincoln.

Plus they did say east of Lincoln so it will be between the cities. This Omaha vs Lincoln thing gets old pretty quick IMO as the two cities need to work together. Im just hoping its not going to be some crappy built place that won't bring anyone in. Even with some used rides and whatnot, all they need to do is spend a good chunk on a new coaster and people will show up. Coaster fans will go anywhere to ride a new coaster of significant size.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 6:26 pm

I’m willing to work with Lincoln but only if they bow down and worship Omaha. Seriously though, if we became like the Dallas Ft. Worth metroplex it would be awesome and make most of our dreams come true. I still think building the park by the MAC is better. Talk about an entertainment corridor; down town, old market, airport, QCO, casinos, bass pro, botanical gardens, rick’s, rivercity star, rosenblatt, the zoo, water park with hotels and easy freeway access.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:11 pm

pkiphd wrote:I’m willing to work with Lincoln but only if they bow down and worship Omaha. Seriously though, if we became like the Dallas Ft. Worth metroplex it would be awesome and make most of our dreams come true. I still think building the park by the MAC is better. Talk about an entertainment corridor; down town, old market, airport, QCO, casinos, bass pro, botanical gardens, rick’s, rivercity star, rosenblatt, the zoo, water park with hotels and easy freeway access.

I totaly agree. That would be one heck of an even bigger tourist destination area with an amusement park added there.

edsas · Post by **edsas** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 7:23 pm

The Platte River corridor would be the most ideal spot to put this thing, imo. Plenty of room for expansion and, as others have mentioned, the spinoff development would bring Omaha and Lincoln another step closer to that vaunted consolidated metro status.

"Fear" of Omaha should be a nonfactor in attracting patrons from outstate. This fear is overblown, in the first place. I don't know a single central Nebraskan who is too terrified to make a trip to Kansas City for Worlds of Fun (let alone Omaha), which is one of the most popular family vacation destinations for that part of the state (along with Mt. Rushmore and the ski slopes in Colorado). When Peony Park still existed, there was actually a shuttle service in Grand Island that occasionally offered rides there. It would go up on weekends in the summer. So the outstate market to support this thing exists and I don't think its location in "big bad Omaha" will be much of a repellent.

projectman · Post by **projectman** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:41 pm

Whats everyone getting all bent out of shape for? If it does get built(big if) it sounds like it will be around Mahoney somewhere. Both Sarpy and Cass Counties are in the metro area. So don't get your knickers in a twist yet. At least until they announce the final plans. Besides, as it was stated earlier in this post, development like this could help bind the two metros closer together.

Jeesh.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:26 pm

edsas wrote:
I don't know a single central Nebraskan who is too terrified to make a trip to Kansas City for Worlds of Fun (let alone Omaha),

Honestly my family is more scared of Omaha than KC. I was almost born there but when my family visited my Mom in KC she moved to north Omaha where they wouldn't visit. And it worked.

If we get a full blown amusement park btwn Omaha and Lincoln I would also like to see DT get some sort of Navy Pier type thing DT. That would be a big riverfront entertainment corridor.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:32 pm

DTO Luv wrote: If we get a full blown amusement park btwn Omaha and Lincoln I would also like to see DT get some sort of Navy Pier type thing DT. That would be a big riverfront entertainment corridor.

Wow a navy pier. That would go on which huge body of water were located on? The platte or the mighte missouri? Or I know, Zorinsky Lake?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:38 pm

Not so much the Pier part but an area with rides and family/kid stuff like that. If we took the rides from Septemberfest and put them on that land with the rusted triangle statute on Abbot Dr, we could have a pretty good spot to visit and of course have a few more things to do indoors for the winter months. But you could open that area up to the river and have some sort of landscaped trail/boardwalk from the rides to the rest of the riverfront and DT.

OmahaDevelopmentMan · Post by **OmahaDevelopmentMan** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 9:40 pm

ok reread the article, and i stumbled across this:

An announcement is planned for Friday involving an amusement park that developers hope to build near the Mahoney State Park interchange along Interstate 80.

Thats pretty close to Omaha to me, so lets not start another omaha is better than lincoln thing.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:58 pm

DTO I so like a lot of what you say.... Hmmmm. An amusement park between Omaha and Lincoln will have to compete with the crappy excuse we put on locally.

If it's grand enough it will work. If there is enough local and tourist trade.

If not... They will not build it... Like CB's "Wild Hair Up The As*" Pipe Dream. Or the old plans for a park north of the downtown that got crushed by low flying planes.

Skiing flourishes between the two cities... why not a summer park?

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:03 am

THere is still skiing between Omaha and Lincoln? I thought NebraSki shut down?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:03 am

There's still Mt. Crescent in Iowa. Never been though.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:04 am

I have. It's fun. Hill Crescent.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:10 am

We will grow South and I imagine East (CB) will hold it's charms in the end.

The 80 corridor holds the most promice if gas prices rise and mass transit opens up.

Even if we lower gas prices the corridor is developing.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:14 am

DTO I would like to see "a" cool ride rise up downtown... I think an enclosed Merry go round in the Old Market would be charming.

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:23 am

We would have to settle for a "new" one because the old ones are too cherished to outright buy.

No one in the US is proposing a SKY WHEEL. Perhaps Because London did it so well...

Rollercoasters are fun yet Las Vegas has done that to death.

LOL... How about the Quest Parking Lots become the biggest Dodgem car lots on the planet.... Opps they already are! LOL

Blazepaw · Post by **Blazepaw** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:26 am

LOL, Yea I always thought a even new merry-go-round would fit in the old market.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:31 am

I always thought that the old market should be expanded and a Coney Island style amusement park should be built between that and the river.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 12:34 am

pkiphd wrote:I always thought that the old market should be expanded and a Coney Island style amusement park should be built between that and the river.

See, he got it.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 10:12 am

So what time is this press conference?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:49 pm

Blazepaw, it seems like a lot of the content of your posts flirt with the border between rationality and incoherency.