I think my most popular post ever was on the changes taking place at Dragon Mountain at Marineland. I had tried to get some information from Marineland, but hadn’t heard anything. I emailed them again, and got a nice response from Ann Marie Rondinelli, the Marketing Office Manager. I asked her about Topple Tower (I reported on this previously) and Dragon Mountain (search the blog for all references to Dragon Mountain):
My understanding is that the footings are now being worked on for the Topple Tower ride and that the ride itself will be delivered in October 2006. The construction manager is telling me that, if all goes according to schedule, the ride should be ready for when we open on the Saturday of Victoria Day Weekend next year.
As you might know, we had hoped that the Topple Tower ride would have been ready towards the end of this season, but delivery was delayed at the ride manufacturer’s level.
You will most likely be able to see them working on the site of the Topple Tower ride when you visit. It will be located by Dragon Mountain next to our black bear display.
As for Dragon Mountain, I am afraid that I don’t really know anything about what’s going on with that - sorry. I didn’t even know it was being worked on until I passed it saw them working there. If I find anything out, I will let you know.
Thanks for the update Ann Marie! As she indicated, she has arranged for some passes for me, so I will be going soon and will do some of my standard write-ups.
Related posts
- Topple Tower progress at Marineland...
- Topple Tower almost open at Marineland...
- Yet another Marineland Topple Tower update...
- Another Topple Tower update...
- Marineland Dragon Mountain progress...
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Hey Graham.
I am friends with a senior managerat Marineland. I asked him about the progress of these two rides.
His explanation of Dragon Mountain was simple. John Holer, the park’s owner is getting on in years, but he still pulls the strings regarding just about everything in his park. When Dragon Mountain was built in the 80’s, they ran out of money to finish it properly. But for some reason this spring, Mr. Holer suddenly decided that it was time to finish it properly. Thus the volcano. I asked my friend if he thought they would ever finish off the Falls section of the ride, and he said there is a good chance. It really depends if Mr. Holer has a similar whim next year. It’s really up to him, and there is no strategic management vision behind it, just an old guy who likes to ‘play’ in his park.
As for the Topple Tower, i was told that the manufacturer sent the wrong (or faulty) part … can’t remember which.
It seems to be the trend with Marineland, that it takes at least a year to construct a simple flat ride. They did it with S&S’s drop towers, and now they’re doing it with Huss’ Topple Tower.
I honestly don’t know if it’s an excuse or the truth, but a normal operating park could have the ride constructed, landscaped, & operationable within a few weeks. Take a look at the progress of Cedar Point’s new coaster. They started off as nothing & had even less when Marineland started with the Topple Tower, now they’re progressing enough to almost distinguish what’s going up.
I wonder if they just don’t care about deadlines or what, but if they decide to open a new coaster at Marineland, I suspect it’d take 5yrs to construct.
As for Dragon Mountain, the volcano portion still looks somewhat incomplete, especially when you compare it to the original broschure’s concept. There should be red lava around the edges of the top. I hope they don’t skimp on the Falls recreation (if it’s done).
I think I remember reading that Marineland uses their own small construction team and that probably factors into the slow progress.
Let’s hope Mr. Holer goes forward with the niagara falls themeing.