Omaha Area Amusement Park?

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:10 pm

I'm glad someone else rememebers those slides near 72nd and I-80. I remember going there as a kid and they also had a pony ride thing there too. I asked my mom about this awhile back and she thought I was talking about some place at Aksarben but I was pretty sure that wasn't the place.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:11 pm

Tully’s is the |expletive|, I can go down there and play with the puppys for hours I’ve even taken out-of-towners there.

Could it have been Underdogs or Topdog or Moby dick?

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 11:15 pm

didnt someone die there or something and that was one of the reasons why it closed? that could have just been a rumor or my imagination

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:25 am

pkiphd wrote:Tully’s is the |expletive|, I can go down there and play with the puppys for hours I’ve even taken out-of-towners there.

Could it have been Underdogs or Topdog or Moby dick?

I-80 and 72nd was Moby Dick's - and then there was another place on Cornhusker Road - I wanna say Topdogs, yes... Many a good time spent at both of those as a kid

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:41 am

DTO Luv wrote:Tonight in Travis out of everyone only 2 people aggreed with Trav. One guy said he didn't think we had the population or the climate to have an amusement park. The other didn't think we should give tax incentieves. Trav really poured on the fat |expletive| sauce when he said it would be better to have casinos than an amusement park.

Again I'll point out though, KM3 is always last in the ratings in Omaha and mostly appeals to the old fogey crowd. I think their largest audience category is the 60+ crowd. Plus, as someone mentioned earlier, he probably takes the controversial side in order to get better ratings.

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:45 am

You'd almost think they were near bankruptcy or something with the way they've eliminated dedicated sports coverage... have no 6pm news telecast... and apparently feel the need to run daytime hour long infomercials.

But enough of KMTV.

Ingersoll1978 · Post by **Ingersoll1978** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:41 am

KMTV doesn't have 6 PM news? They are CBS right?

jborg · Post by **jborg** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:45 am

Top Dogs was the name of the park I was thinking about. I don't know why we always called it funworld. I had a lot of good childhood memories their, but had no idea where it was located.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 12:33 pm

Ingersoll1978 wrote:KMTV doesn't have 6 PM news? They are CBS right?

Yep, they are CBS but a number of months ago they preempted their own 6pm news for Access Hollywood or something worthless like that.

michaelsjewel · Post by **michaelsjewel** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:48 pm

i cannot wait for an amusement park to be built around here

maybe i'll ride a rollercoaster sometime

POTUS · Post by **POTUS** » Fri Apr 29, 2005 10:02 am

pkiphd wrote:Tully’s is the |expletive|, I can go down there and play with the puppys for hours I’ve even taken out-of-towners there.

Please, I beg of you, stop going to Tully's. They have sick puppies. They are buyers from puppy mills. They had to kill a couple hundred puppies there a few months back due to bordetella (contagious respiratory disease spread in dogs.) Additionally, their boarding practices are iffy, at best. I'm not just saying that because I work for their competitors (see my signature), but because it's true.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 5:11 am

Check this piece dated 07/29/06 from the Wheeling (WV) Intelligencer:

'Instead of the same, tired old ideas found at many other locations, Upper Ohio Valley residents will experience “a theme park for the 21st century” at The Highlands, Wild Escape Theme Park developer Steve Minard said Friday.

Minard, president of Crystal Mountain West Virginia LLC and Wild Escape Theme Park, is scheduled to make his first public appearance at an Aug. 10 news conference at the City-County Building in Wheeling.

With some industry insiders questioning the feasibility of a theme park in the area, Minard, who is based in Omaha, Neb., said Wild Escape will be a “different offering.”

“It is not like a usual, seasonal ride park,” Minard said.

The park will offer concerts, different musical acts, fine dining, celebrity appearances, seasonal festivals and “world’s first” thrill rides.

“It’s a theme park for the 21st century, a full entertainment destination,” he said.

Minard said with The Highlands attraction, the “Wild Escape” brand of parks will be “launched.”

The company will be planning theme parks across the country with a second project being built near Omaha, pending legislative approval.

“Ohio County was able to move ahead fast,” Minard said, adding his company found the location through Cabela’s. While not officially affiliated with Cabela’s, Minard’s company does have friends in Cabela’s Distribution Group.

“Cabela’s brought 4 million visitors in its first year,” he said.'..

The complete story link:

http://www.theintelligencer.net/article ... cleID=8870

Hmmm. Very interesting. Especially Minard's comment of his next park project being constructed 'near Omaha'..He should have said near Cabela's

..

It's funny what info you can find surfing on the internet..From Wheeling WV no less..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 3:42 am

Oh my gosh. You've got to be kidding me. Someone should do the people of West Virginia a favor and warn them not to get their hopes up and count on Minard. He can't follow through.

And why...THE heck...doesn't Omaha have a great amusement park by now...???????

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 3:49 am

That's the $100,000 question Aaron..

And as it relates to Minard, I understand he is a nice person and well intended, you've pretty much conveyed the feelings most of us have as it relates to the follow through of his theme park concepts..

We'll see what happens in WV..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:54 am

This made me think of the traveling monorail salesman on the Simpsons.

Do you see a similarity?:

http://www.eomaha.com/gallery/develop/3/pic1.jpg
http://cmwv.wildescape.com/index_files/Page350.htm

A couple other similar web-sites:

http://www.portnebraska.com/
http://www.wildescape.com/

ModestMouse · Post by **ModestMouse** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:17 pm

rather we got a six flags...

cause six flags is bad |expletive|.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:32 pm

ModestMouse wrote:rather we got a six flags...

The problem is, Six Flags wont look at a city unless it's metro population is well over 2 million..So that, unfortunately, leaves Omaha out..

But I do think a high quality version of Worlds of Fun is very doable for Omaha..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:27 pm

It seems that Minard has a pretty good idea and could probably make it work. It's our government that is holding him back in this state. Thanks Nebraska.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:27 am

our government that is holding him back in this state. Thanks Nebraska.

I don't think so, he's just looking for the right combination of funding and handouts.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:11 pm

icejammer wrote:
our government that is holding him back in this state. Thanks Nebraska.
I don't think so, he's just looking for the right combination of funding and handouts.

From the article:

"The company will be planning theme parks across the country with a second project being built near Omaha, pending legislative approval."

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:50 pm

adam186 wrote:
icejammer wrote:
our government that is holding him back in this state. Thanks Nebraska.
I don't think so, he's just looking for the right combination of funding and handouts.
From the article:

"The company will be planning theme parks across the country with a second project being built near Omaha, pending legislative approval."

-And if you remember correctly, that approval basically involves handouts.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:33 pm

^Okay, what's your point? The state is still holding him back, are they not?

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 3:21 pm

The lack of a profitable operation that needs government handout to make it financially feasible is what is holding him back. Tell Minard to come up with a better business plan, rather than putting his operating costs on the shoulders of the taxpayers.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 3:30 pm

I have an idea for an new 70-story building DT. I just want everyone else to foot the bill and I'll rake in the dough.

That's as far fetched as what Minard wants.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:24 pm

joeglow wrote:And if you remember correctly, that approval basically involves handouts.

Or development incentives?

Are you referring to the state legislation to drive development with incentives (ie, the ones that did not go to Cabella's; I forget the LB# off the top of my head). You could just as easily lump TIFs into that category, without which there would be almost no development downtown in the last ten years (except, of course, for all that stuff inspired by the ConAgra Fountain. ;))

-Big E

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:06 pm

Big E wrote:You could just as easily lump TIFs into that category, without which there would be almost no development downtown in the last ten years.

Exactly. DTO, that was a very misleading statment. If you guys are this upset about Minard trying to get incentives for his park, I'm suprised you guys weren't upset about the $20 million recently passed in TIF's for those 4 hotels.

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:26 pm

adam186 wrote:^Okay, what's your point? The state is still holding him back, are they not?

-And that damn state is holding me back because they won't give me free handouts.

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 10:29 pm

adam186 wrote:
Big E wrote:You could just as easily lump TIFs into that category, without which there would be almost no development downtown in the last ten years.
Exactly. DTO, that was a very misleading statment. If you guys are this upset about Minard trying to get incentives for his park, I'm suprised you guys weren't upset about the $20 million recently passed in TIF's for those 4 hotels.

-It has nothing to do with not giving him financing. It has EVERYTHING to do with a crappy business plan. Here was a guy promising a waterpark, amusement park, sports arenas and MUCH more, all to be completed in a couple weeks construction time.

While I rarely feel this way, I am proud of our government's ability to spot a con man with flat out unreasonable wishes.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:50 pm

Why is it that you republicans are for tax breaks when they go to the rich, but not when they actually spur development?

Tax-incentives (i.e. "handouts"

) help interest more investors. An amusement park is in no way a safe investment, regardless of how good your business model is, and a little nudge from the government can usually help get riskier investments rolling.

Now I'm not saying that Minard doesn't come across, sometimes, as a little shady. "There's trouble, right here in River City!"

I think the rest of the Nebraska is just upset that they never have any fun so they don't want Lincoln and Omaha to have fun either. Well screw them, we're already having fun! *puts pants on head*

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:21 am

I strongly suggest we take political affiliation out of this discussion..

Just continue to discuss the elements of Minard's concepts and remain on topic..

Thanks..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 12:52 am

I love Minard's concept, I really think it can work. Dare I say, 'take off'.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:25 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote:I strongly suggest we take political affiliation out of this discussion..

Just continue to discuss the elements of Minard's concepts and remain on topic..

Thanks..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

The good natured ribbing on my part will cease.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:56 am

Speaking of a potential theme amusement park for Omaha..That corridor around to Cabela's would look to be a prime spot..As I recall, in the recent history of Minard's attempts to bring this entertainment option to Omaha, he originally wanted the area around the S Omaha bridge..When that fell through, he looked at Council Bluffs..When that fell through..

It appears now he's looking at the Cabela's corridor area..

Can anyone recall any other area around Omaha that Minard was looking at?..

Again, the concensus on the street is-Minard's a nice guy, but he really dosen't have the money to achieve his theme park vision..

I wish him the best..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

joeglow · Post by **joeglow** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 8:13 am

I think Omaha can support an amusement park (albeit, I think it should be more of an Adventureland at first). I support some government supported financing for it. However, something about this guy came across as odd. He truly reminded me of Lyle Lainly from the Simpsons.

Hawkeye · Post by **Hawkeye** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:14 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote:Speaking of a potential theme amusement park for Omaha..That corridor around to Cabela's would look to be a prime spot..As I recall, in the recent history of Minard's attempts to bring this entertainment option to Omaha, he originally wanted the area around the S Omaha bridge..When that fell through, he looked at Council Bluffs..When that fell through..

It appears now he's looking at the Cabela's corridor area..

Can anyone recall any other area around Omaha that Minard was looking at?..

Again, the concensus on the street is-Minard's a nice guy, but he really dosen't have the money to achieve his theme park vision..

I wish him the best..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

If Ol' Hawkeye remembers correctly, his first vision was for a plot of land north of Abbott Drive between the Airport and DT...and there were concerns about the height of some of the rides and whatnot due to the restrictions from Eppley. Someone jump in if this is incorrect.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:24 am

You know Hawkeye..After I make my last thread post here, I too remembered something about Minard wanting to potentially place the park between the airport and downtown Omaha..I think we even discussed that plan almost 5 years ago on the old Chamber forum..

Time flys..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 9:39 am

That would be the best option. Then Omaha could make the money off of it.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:13 am

Yeah D'Shawn and I have talked about an amusement park in the area behind hotshops, east of 16th, going towards Carter Lake. I know the area has alot of industrial and old train yard stuff, but the location would be SWEET for a park in there.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:33 am

the1wags wrote:Yeah D'Shawn and I have talked about an amusement park in the area behind hotshops, east of 16th, going towards Carter Lake. I know the area has alot of industrial and old train yard stuff, but the location would be SWEET for a park in there.

Agreed!..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

MadScientist · Post by **MadScientist** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:41 pm

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 65606.html

Looks like it's one step further to reality in West Virginia. With a Cabela's in Sarpy County, maybe it's not that far fetched afterall...