Crowd-Funded Theme Park

[Sassagoula-Rvr]

Ok, I just got to thinking...how long will it be/will we ever see a crowd funded theme park...I'm not talking from a Disney or Universal...but private, creative individuals who have the creative spark, idea, business sense...but lack the #1 resource....cash.

I mean obviously you couldn't fund the whole park, or even a significant portion...but I have seen some really stupid things get a couple million in funding...which would probably be enough to lay the groundwork for the project and get serious investors on board.

And then if you start throwing in rewards from a sticker, to a t-shirt, to an annual pass or some other recognition...I could see some money start to flow in if the idea/presentation was well done...and the business side was sound (EX: not building a theme park in the desert).

What do you all think?

 

[Tom]

I'm in!

 

[Pirouline]

You could get a small ride funded, that's about it.

 

[Pirouline]

At least in this current day...

Not really, the crowd funding movement is dying, people are tired of projects they fund never being completed.

 

[Pirouline]

true that's not to say that technology to build at least a semi epic park could be cut in half.

Source on this? Prices are not falling, it takes millions and millions of dollars to fund a small good park.

 

[Pirouline]

True, but I'm theoretically speaking on a fact how over time the actual technology lowers in cost, but the actual cost of the park goes up overall particularly in land value. I said this, because although prices are increasing the technology is decreasing therefor a small park (theoretically) could be lowered, by a margin. Maybe not 50%, but honestly adjusted for inflation in 50 years it might.

A "semi-epic" theme park today will not be "semi-epic" in 50 years, do you think Disneyland is anything like today?

 

[ChrisFL]

I like the concept of doing a major park that's crowdfunded IF it is something that everyone WANTS to help fund. Also, it can be done in phases, it doesn't have to be fully funded in one round.

BUT, you have to get a solid foundation of an idea, and a solid plan for implementation, where the cash will go, where the park will go, etc.

The successful projects are the ones that have actual plans, good, experienced people involved and a reasonable timeline for completion.

 

[Voxel]

True, but I'm theoretically speaking on a fact how over time the actual technology lowers in cost, but the actual cost of the park goes up overall particularly in land value. I said this, because although prices are increasing the technology is decreasing therefor a small park (theoretically) could be lowered, by a margin. Maybe not 50%, but honestly adjusted for inflation in 50 years it might.

But you don't want to use actual technology when creating new bigger attractions, you want to invest in technology that doesn't yet exist which means Capital, sponsorship, and high revenue. Technology cost are not "Decreasing" per-say, while the cost of an individual unit has gone down, new systems new more units then prior system. And evening using older systems is an costly black hole if not done right. I could go deeper into technology cost, but thats a field better suited for @englanddg

 

[noahfigment]

I'm in!

Let's do it!

 

[englanddg]

But you don't want to use actual technology when creating new bigger attractions, you want to invest in technology that doesn't yet exist which means Capital, sponsorship, and high revenue. Technology cost are not "Decreasing" per-say, while the cost of an individual unit has gone down, new systems new more units then prior system. And evening using older systems is an costly black hole if not done right. I could go deeper into technology cost, but thats a field better suited for @englanddg

That's due to the fact that cost efficiency (not just for technology) is a function of mass production.

It operates on an inverse laffer curve. Parts start off expensive, and as it gets mass adopted (and mass produced), prices drop, until the unit becomes semi-obsolete, where prices rise again.

It's the same with theme park rides, but exacerbated by low demand. So, pretty much everything is a custom build, even the "boilerplate" designs that can be purchased from vendors like Vekoma. You can save R&D time and money by going with one of these tested ride systems and track layouts, but the materials costs will always be expensive, and the construction labor is skilled work, and also a high dollar market (low demand).

You don't hire the general contractor down the street who builds residential homes to do your theme park. <grin>

Consider, even a relatively "small" ride...Little Mermaid...cost somewhere around $100 million dollars according to credible reports. It uses an Omnimover system that is tried and true, nothing really amazing in the animatronic departments, and aside from a few laser effects when you go "underwater", nothing really out there in terms of visual effects that isn't achieved with pretty standard stage lighting.

 

[Voxel]

That's due to the fact that cost efficiency (not just for technology) is a function of mass production.

It operates on an inverse laffer curve. Parts start off expensive, and as it gets mass adopted (and mass produced), prices drop, until the unit becomes semi-obsolete, where prices rise again.

It's the same with theme park rides, but exacerbated by low demand. So, pretty much everything is a custom build, even the "boilerplate" designs that can be purchased from vendors like Vekoma. You can save R&D time and money by going with one of these tested ride systems and track layouts, but the materials costs will always be expensive, and the construction labor is skilled work, and also a high dollar market (low demand).

You don't hire the general contractor down the street who builds residential homes to do your theme park. <grin>

Consider, even a relatively "small" ride...Little Mermaid...cost somewhere around $100 million dollars according to credible reports. It uses an Omnimover system that is tried and true, nothing really amazing in the animatronic departments, and aside from a few laser effects when you go "underwater", nothing really out there in terms of visual effects that isn't achieved with pretty standard stage lighting.

Thank you @englanddg, I know the basics of this but not good at costs. I just tell people what we need and don't worry about the cost, not my job to worry about cost.

 

[DSquared]

Something in the ballpark of this would be like a small Action Park, but safer

 

[Voxel]

Something in the ballpark of this would be like a small Action Park, but safer

But I love my Looping Water Slide...