[DiveMachine]

When do you guys think the park will open up a hotel? I think RedZone was stupid for cancelling the 2007 hotel. It would have made great profit for the company.

What do you guys think would be included if we got one? Maybe they could

I think it would have to have plans for expansions right away if Gadv ever did. It would sell out alot and I think they would need to expand after the first or second offseason. Maybe they could add a side attraction in the hotel, like a small, geust only indoor waterpark. Maybe they could add a RainForest Cafe or a TGI Fridays into the hotel. I left CP for a few hours to go to TGI Fridays in their hotel. I think the $$$ would explode and it would lead to more frequent additions to Gadv.

Maybe it could be well themed like a Safari Theme to fit with the Safari, or like a tropical island theme to fit with HH.

Or they could miss out on a great oppurtunity

What do you guys think?

[CoasterPrince]

I forget who it was but somebody posted an amazing idea with TWO hotels at Gadv. One towrds the back of Harbor's parking lot dubbed the Safari Hotel. It could have small animal exhibits inside and like you said, a RainForest cafe. The other one was at the front of the park next to Ka. The one planned for 2007 was def. going to be a hit. 600 rooms, all of them with a view. Can you imagine being in the swimming pool and just watching Kingda Ka race its track. A Kalahari resort would be nice somewhere on 537 too.

[Sfguy]

As long as it doesn't block the coaster skyline.

[DiveMachine]

CoasterPrince, on 27 July 2010 - 08:58 PM, said:

A Kalahari resort would be nice somewhere on 537 too.

I think that could be cool, the area around CP seems to have flourished off of CP's success and non-CP hotels that are in the area. Gadv would have to offer some perks if they want to keep the price high with well-known chain hotels nearby. A Kalarhari ON park property though, . It would be amazing and Gadv would make a s$@# load of profits.

[CoasterPrince]

Quote

the area around CP seems to have flourished off of CP's success and non-CP hotels that are in the area

I agree. The first year I went I stayed at Knight's Inn which was about 10 mins away from Cedar Point but the second time I was at a beautiful Days Inn Sandusky on the Mega Strip, Milan Rd. I think 537 in front of Gadv could be turned into something like this with the super wawa, the outlets and other fast food resturants already present. There is sooo much to do along the Cedar Point strip. Indoor Water Parks, Walmart, Shopping Centers, Firework shop, there was even a stand alone Cold Stone creamery. I hope if Gadv does get a hotel other companies will notice and invest in properties on 537. Maybe a Great Wolf Lodge or a large themed mini golf course.

[DiveMachine]

The area has GREAT potential and one thing that surprises me is why hasn't a hotel chain built a hotel on 537? That is extremely surprising that the #20 most visited park in the country doesn't have a hotel nearby and nobody has built one near it. . Gadv could make so much $$$. Hopefully Weber will realize Gadv's potential. 2 hotels, a downtown disney area,upgrades to the parks, and you have yourself a great resort.

[RollingToro95]

I don't think a Great Adventure Hotel would sell out at all. There's not enough stuff to do. Sure, we have two parks and a safari, but one can be done in an hour, one in a morning, and one for a full day. You'd get a few people who would stay over for one night, but it would never be crowded and knowing Six Flags, it would probably be overpriced and not run very well.

Part of the plan was for Great Adventure to expand before we got the hotel, with better theming, better rides, etc. We don't have that yet. We have something that would only attract a true coaster enthusiast to travel from far away to get to. That's why none of our souvenirs sell, there's really no need to "remember" going to GADV because it's an annual thing for most people.

Before we get a hotel, we need to expand the park and have more Top 10 coasters and Universal-quality theming. That's when people will start paying. Then, we'd need a CityWalk-style place with tons of restaurants and stuff, and more attractions around the area to keep people longer. A movie theater in the complex would be another good thing to add in case it rained, or even a bowling alley. There's nothing to do in Jackson right now except Great Adventure and the occasional road-side stand.

When we got the hotel, it would have to be nice and have an indoor water park, like Great Wolf Lodge. That would add another thing to do when it rained.

Getting a hotel would be great for the park, but not for us! We would lose those few hours in the park where there's no lines, but it would definitely mean higher quality rides.

[CoasterPrince]

Here is the partial announcement from 2006 Gadv.com

Quote

For years there has been a rumor that the park would build a hotel to accompany the property's three parks. Well that rumor has become a reality and the hotel is set to open in 2007. Jglonek was at the planning board meeting where the park proposed the plans and was able to report the following information:

The hotel planned will be a 6 story 500 room, full-service hotel built specifically for Great Adventure guests with a dedicated 774 space parking lot directly in front of the hotel. The hotel will be located in the currently blocked off portion of the lot in front of Kingda Ka. To enter the lot there will be a left turnoff before the parking ticket booths for private access to the hotel. An exit from hotel parking will lead back into the main exit road.

It was mentioned that the loading dock will be 125ft from Kingda Ka, so that should be the approximate distance for the entire hotel.

The part of the lot currently with the construction fence around it will be a raised berm that will landscaped so that it would be difficult for pedestrians to cross over into the lot of the hotel.

When entering the conference room will be on the second floor, the main lobby and restaurants on the first. It was mentioned that the back of the hotel will be glass so you can see three coasters from inside the hotel. Also, they are doing everything possible to have basically every room have a window facing the park.

Access to the hotel will be limited to those staying at it. It will have 2 restaurants and retail space along with an arcade, conference room, and gift shop. The restaurant and shops will be limited to be used only by hotel guests. Regular citizens of the township will not be able to access the hotel to say, eat dinner at a restaurant. Neither will regular park guests.

The guests will have their own entrance and exit to the park that will only be used by hotel guests, while there was no mention of early entrance to the park it was said that there would be many packages available to those who wanted to stay at the hotel and visit all three of the parks.

The hotel will only be open seasonally with the park at this point in time, but they reserve the right to open it year round. They also reserve the right to extend the park season if it proves appropriate. The hotel may be used for other functions during the off-season to balance things out.

As for the type of hotel it will be styled after an Adirondack lodge and is styled after Disney hotels. It is meant to make you think it has been there for a very long time and will have weathered wood trim as well as a themed outdoor pool right next to Kingda Ka.
In fact the design team had done a walkthrough of Disney resorts with Six Flags executives.

The hotel will be owned and operated by Six Flags. It will be designed by the K10 Construction Group, who designed the Golden Kingdom.

There were small concerns that will be addressed later on, but the hotel is definitely a go. Many of the board members said that it was long overdue, it’s eloquent, beautiful design, and they wish the park the best. It was also mentioned that when the park was voted on to be built in 1973 there were 3 public members of the audience. Tonight, with a new phase in the park and a new point in Jackson Township’s life voted on, there were 5.

[DiveMachine]

Gadv had a plan, but it was thrown away by Shapiro.

I know a type of coaster that would DEFINITELY be top 10, but I don't want to say it because I'm not sure if the ban is still on, and I got banned for it last time. As far as I'm concerned, we have 2 top 10 coasters already, Nitro and El Toro, and our flat problem is being fixed next year(probably).

Themeing wise, our right side of the park is fine for now,as long a boardwalk gets help, but something that would be cool is fronteir trail type buildings when you enter FA from the bridge.

Gadv has potential.

I'll tell you one thing. If the average coaster has a 15-20 min. line on a weekday, I'll gladly wait 45 min. if Gadv had better themeing, more options, and more quality coasters, and better options overall with no neglect around the park and maybe some restaurants, like Rainforest Cafe.

[CoasterPrince]

Great Adventure's Best Hotel

This is the closet hotel to Gadv. 15 mins away.

[Yoshi]

"Access to the hotel will be limited to those staying at it. It will have 2 restaurants and retail space along with an arcade, conference room, and gift shop. The restaurant and shops will be limited to be used only by hotel guests. Regular citizens of the township will not be able to access the hotel to say, eat dinner at a restaurant. Neither will regular park guests. "

That seems like a bad mistake with the old plan. At Disney part of the fun besides the parks is walking around the various hotels and going into the shops and restaurants. There are plenty of people who would probably like to eat, shop there and use the arcade who wouldn't be staying at the hotel. If it was built, I would probably stop in a few times a season, maybe even to eat if the prices weren't horrible. Plus lots of local people might want to go to the hotel to eat dinner and just walk around without really thinking about it, like they are bored one night and decide to go over to the hotel.

[DiveMachine]

I'm not sure they grasped this concept:
when people see a name brand restaurant they like to eat at, they will want to go there, and then you make money. Still following me? ok, this is a hard concept, but it gets harder. When they see they can't eat there, they wont buy a room, they will go to the restaurant off of Gadv property, and you don't make money.

I know I'm probably confusing you , bu someone should have realized this and made a change. CP has it so you can go to their restaurant and eat there without staying. You can even go on the beach and play volleyball or swim if you want! Cheap Six Flags...

[CoasterPrince]

I think it would be a lot better if park guest could walk in the hotel too. To eat, shop, or play.



Great America has 12 hotels within a 14 mile radius of the park. One of them being an amazing resort. Key Lime Resort. I'm not sure what there is to do in that area besides the park but with flats our park will be as great as theirs...so why does Gadv not have a hotel yet?

[DiveMachine]

I don't know, but it seems like a no-brainer. The money the company could have made. Maybe Gadv wouldn't get as many advertisements with other means of revenue supporting the,

[ScreamMachine1298]

Isn't the whole point of having the chain of Six Flags parks to have a park near home so you do not have to pack bags and stay in a hotel? I'm quoting from an 80's commercial "and you'll arrive home in time to feed your dog" a hotel doesn't belong here it's not a freaking resort. The park is a new jersey combination park. (Safari, Water Park, and Theme Park all on the same property!) It's just like driving up to Morey's Piers for the day only and there are plenty of hotels near the park. You do not need a dang 5 star resort at Great Adventure; seriously! If they could afford it, since they're getting a used coaster and 6 flats for 2011.

This post has been edited by Cory: 28 July 2010 - 10:21 AM
Reason for edit:: Grammar