Theme Park Apprentice TOC2 - Final - The Softball

Oh dear, we're gonna have some overlapping proposals this time!

Very well, DPCC, I'll raise you a continent...

SEAWORLD PANGEA
Orlando, Florida

"Where One Ocean becomes One World!”

Over 99% of the species which have lived on Earth are now extinct. Don’t worry, this has happened over our planet’s billions of years. And while SeaWorld and its sister park Busch Gardens proudly feature the full breadth of animals living today, this is a drop in the ocean compared to the complete history of life on Earth. With SeaWorld Pangea, at last there is a park which fills that gap. The entire history of life on Earth is covered in a way that is both educational and fun!

It is tricky to propose a new theme park for the saturated Orlando market, particularly for SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando which is struggling to redefine its place in this competitive ecosystem. SeaWorld Pangea, and the larger resort buildout to accompany it, will help in this survival of the fittest.

SeaWorld Pangea is to be located south of Discovery Cove, bordered by Westwood Blvd. and International Drive. Pangea replaces a number of golf course links and their associated low-density hotel complexes, while leaving the nearby Marriott’s Cypress Harbor resort untouched. This new park space is approximately 170 acres.

SeaWorld Pangea shall focus on two main things, and do those things really well: Edutainment...and roller coasters! Both Disney and Universal have made their names in expensive, state-of-the-art, immersive attractions based around hyper-popular brands. SeaWorld simply doesn’t have the access to similarly gigantic IPs, and even with unlimited funds, few media franchises would mesh well with SeaWorld’s message of animals and conservation. Efforts to “out-Disney Disney” are fruitless. Disparate existing attractions like Antarctica, One Ocean and Mako hold little audience overlap, and individually are not enough to draw crowds. Better to create a niche which is underserved in Orlando, and excel there.

Hence, SeaWorld Pangea is an iron park! With a single large investment, roughly equivalent to what a new land costs Disney or Universal, Pangea can create an exceptional collection of new roller coasters – 16 in total – to place it among the world’s premiere coaster destinations! Some may balk. Regional parks already do this, and SeaWorld Orlando needs to be bigger, to compete with the big dogs up and down the interstate. But if SeaWorld can improve on the coaster park model, melding it with incredible landscaping, great food, full resort convenience, and thoughtful family edutainment, then a coaster oasis in Florida should be able to draw both families and thrill-seekers. And since top regional parks like Cedar Point are able to nearly match SeaWorld’s annual attendance while only open seasonally, imagine what a similar park could do year-round!

Here is where edutainment comes into play. SeaWorld Pangea will focus on every major geologic era in Earth’s timeline, from microscopic life to dinosaurs and even to the hypothetical world of future evolution. Pangea will burst with natural landscapes and animal exhibits. The coasters are a “carrot” to bring visitors in. Natural science then elevates their visit. And while Epcot is rumored to be largely abandoning their edutainment mission in favor or more IP injections, SeaWorld Pangea can pick up that slack, and prove a market for exciting learning experiences still exists. And unlike Disney franchises, which often compete directly with the original EPCOT Center mission statement, roller coasters are a neutral compliment to science at worst - at best, they help illustrate abstract ideas, making them accessible and fun.

This is all a bold notion. It is also fairly distinct from the classical “immersive” model of other parks, even while Pangea will indeed be recreating a number of distant epochs. Before plunging further, it would help to examine more closely how SeaWorld Pangea will function in a number of different areas:

ANIMALS

Animals are at the heart of every SeaWorld. Pangea is unique since nearly all the species it features does not presently exist on Earth. So instead of live animals, where SeaWorld Orlando excels, Pangea will be home to dozens upon dozens of animatronic creatures from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, and beyond. These Garner Holt creations will be one of Pangea’s major investments and crown jewels. Animatronic animals are scattered throughout the park in a naturalistic fashion, both in attractions and along walkways, suggesting an ancient habitat where guests are mere visitors. And with extinct animals everywhere, the trek from coaster to coaster should become an attraction in itself.

Of course, it would be pointless to attempt live shows with these fake animals. Animal performances will remain the purview of SeaWorld Orlando next door, and with Pangea succeeding in other arenas, the older park can once again fine-tune their live shows and hands-on animal encounters into the envy of the theme park world.

A sampling of live animals will still be present in Pangea, however, in a supporting role. When existing animals are similar to their featured ancestors, or when an exhibit connects an extinct species with a species of today, then live animals will appear in comfortable natural surroundings built to SeaWorld’s high standards.

LANDSCAPING

SeaWorld Pangea intends to recreate billions of years of Earth’s history. To do this, an immaculate man-free landscape must be created. Paleobotanists advise on plants most like their past counterparts. Experientially, SeaWorld Pangea will be a lot like an arboretum. Lush plantings help to soften the steel coasters roaring overhead. Again, this effect will not be full “immersion” such as Disney practices, but an exceedingly pleasant setting intended to compete for the Golden Ticket’s “Most Beautiful Park” award.

ARCHITECTURE

This is a challenge. Nearly all of SeaWorld Pangea depicts eras when Man simply did not exist. And yet buildings are a necessity. Rather than invent some crazed backstory placing time-traveling humans in the various eras, or try to make every building look like something found in nature (which would mean basically just a bunch of caves), instead we accept that structures will exist, and try to minimize their distraction.

Everywhere there are minimalist, modernist tent structures and geodesic domes inspired by architects such as Frei Otto and J. Baldwin and Buckminster Fuller. Surfaces are either reflective glass (a neutral material) or ETFE or off-white cloth. Many buildings have green roofs, or plants organically mixed in with the structure. They all follow the precept of modern architecture which assumes that the best way to inhabit nature is to unobtrusively stand apart from it. The subtle suggestion to guests is that our buildings are temporary – even though they aren’t – like some timeless camping expedition. Much like coasters, which fade into the background in engrossing settings like Cedar Point’s Frontier Trail, minimalist and unobtrusive buildings should cease to be a distraction if they’re normalized across the Pangea environment.

FOOD

SeaWorld Pangea is to be an interesting dichotomy, full of contemplative nature and heart-pounding coasters. It is this contemplation which distinguishes Pangea from some of the more carnival-esque coaster parks, making it a destination, non-regional park. Our dining reflects this. Much like Epcot, a good number of Pangea’s restaurants will be high-quality table service establishments, catering in large part to resort guests. Of course, there will still be familiar quick service foods. And since fine dining seems an odd companion with roller coasters, rest assured that SeaWorld Pangea’s many slow-paced exhibits, trails and all-access rides mean that guests can slowly digest their meals without worrying about what G-forces might do to them. “Best Food” is another Golden Ticket category we’re focused on.

And just in case this abundance of table service restaurants does not work out (it is an untested model, after all), eateries are designed to easily transform into counter service or even quick service as needed.

THE RESORT AS A WHOLE

As it stands, SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando is a hodgepodge, unable to hold visitors for multiple days as needed despite three very good parks. There are nearby hotels, but none are SeaWorld’s. Entrances to SeaWorld, Aquatica and Discovery Cove are as distant as possible given the parks’ proximity, with separate parking lots and no common pedestrian access. A resort where you need a car?! But with new investment in hotels, transportation, and a shopping district, our soon-to-be four parks can benefit from each other! Imagine how much more enticing the boutique park Discovery Cove would be if it were part of a greater vacation resort whole?

The simplest step is the creation of the SeaWorld Monorail, which of course resembles an orca. High-capacity trains circle SeaWorld Orlando counterclockwise, with stops at the SeaWorld Center (gateway to the main park, shopping and hotels), at Discovery Plaza (gateway to Discovery Cove and SeaWorld Pangea), and the northeastern Aquatica Outpost. For pedestrians, vegetated covered pathways under the monorail tracks, complete with moving walkways, soothing music, and resort banners, make foot travel between parks a breeze.

Existing hotels west of the current parking lot, such as Renaissance Orlando, are purchased and rebranded. This is simpler and cheaper than creating new facilities. The parking lot swath leading from the Renaissance to the SeaWorld entrance is transformed into The Breakwaters, a shopping promenade complex visually modeled on coastal Adriatic villages like Croatia’s lovely Rovinj.

With surface level parking space reduced, new multi-level garages crop up, all of them carefully organized (complete with moving walkways) to get guests parked and vacationing as quickly as possible. The Shamu Structure directly south of The Breakwaters services the main park. The current employee parking lot southeast of SeaWorld becomes the Pangea Structure, able to serve both SeaWorld Pangea and Discovery Cove, with a shared Discovery Plaza esplanade replacing the present Discovery Cove parking. New employee parking is created in a corner west of the Pangea Structure.

The creation of SeaWorld Pangea allows for a blank slate, for SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando to refocus on crucial day-to-day operations like faster ride ops, better customer service, and higher perceived value. Anticipating newfound resort success, we eliminate “nickel & diming” practices meant to increase short-term revenue, like reduced maintenance and subtle upcharges. Parking is now free! Unlimited soft drinks are included with all park tickets! (This assumes a partnership with Coca-Cola akin to SeaWorld’s old Anheuser Busch arrangement, which also explains how all these revamps are funded.) Day-of tickets are now offered at the former “online discount” rate of $79.99, while Quick Queue and Photokey costs are reduced. On days when many rides are down, ticket prices are reduced; advance purchase ticket costs are refunded accordingly.

Cast members are positively encouraged to pursue the Golden Tickets “Friendliest Park” mantle. Improving employee benefits will go a long way towards this attitude change, which guests can sense. Operational improvements which start in Pangea easily spread throughout the resort!

With this extensive foundation laid, the big picture painted, we can at last explore SeaWorld Pangea, and the finer details...

ENTRY – GALAPAGOS ISLES
Present Day

Passing through Discovery Plaza, guests to SeaWorld Pangea first reach Galapagos Isles, an equatorial archipelago paradise. This is a transitional area set in present day. Buildings represent a brightly colored Ecuadorian village. Live animals abound in the mangroves and saltbush, all endemic Galapagos species. All life originates in the seas – a topic frequently addressed in Pangea – and so ahead is the mighty Global Ocean lagoon where the paths Y off. Hovering overhead is an iconic hot air balloon. In the forested distance are beautiful sculptural roller coasters.

Galapagos Isles sets the mental stage for SeaWorld Pangea by its association with evolution and natural science. Take the replica of the HMS Beagle in the waters, or illustrations from “Origin of Species” in the shops. We recognize that evolution is a controversial topic. To minimize potential offense, Pangea’s theme is presented throughout as “based on current scientific theories and evidence,” ever-changing, not a didactic matter of absolutism. Guests are invited to consider the material of SeaWorld Pangea, to accept or reject it, but always with an open spirit.

Regarding layout, SeaWorld Pangea is shaped organically by a site that actually somewhat resembles Pangea. Meandering wilderness pathways describe an elongated loop. Waterway transportation helps span long distances. A clockwise route takes guests chronologically through Earth’s history. Freeform paths, though far from the classic “hub-and-spoke,” better reflect nature, and better set the mental stage.

ATTRACTIONS

The Voyage of Life - Hover 400 feet in the air in the park’s symbolic hot air balloon! See over 10 miles away from the comfort and safety of a 19-foot circular basket. The Voyage of Life balloon by Aérophile is permanently tethered, perfectly safe, and a relaxing, romantic way to examine Pangea.

Pangea Arks - To aid guests traversing our vast supercontinent, soothing transportation boats circumnavigate the park clockwise, with additional stops in Cambrian Seas, Mesozoic Plains, and Pleistocene Valley. Travel the park in scenic canals, and learn of Earth’s history from onboard narration.

Tortoise Preserve - The famed Galapagos Tortoises – largest such animals on Earth – are Pangea’s signature live animal. These majestic, ancient creatures roam the beaches and waters. SeaWorld practices a captive breeding program to help restock the tortoises’ dwindling wild population.

Archipelago Habitat - The land’s other animal display highlights the wider range of exotic Galapagos species: Giant iguanas, lava lizards, Galapagos penguins, Darwin’s finches, frigatebirds, boobies, Galapagos hawks, even playful sea lions.

DINING

The Encantadas - (Table service) A cathedral iglesia houses our centerpiece table service restaurant overlooking the Global Ocean, serving international contemporary foods done in a haute nouvelle fusion style.

Casa de Tapas - (Table service) In this weathered Hispanic villa, we serve Spanish tapas in a casual outdoor patio lounge, complete with bar.

Caldera Burgers - (Counter service) Thatch huts in the volcanic rocks are home to an accessible burger joint, dishing up truly massive, decadent meals.

Taqueria la Iguana - (Counter service) Find generous Mexican burritos and tacos made with all manner of meats and vegetables, all in a boathouse on the water’s edge facing the iguana habitat.

Fossil Fuels - (Counter service) In the village’s marketplace is a quaint cantina which acts as the park’s coffee shop and bakery.

Santiago Sandwiches - (Quick service) In a sun-bleached lighthouse amidst colorful rusting cars, find delicious Cuban sandwiches, appetizers and drinks.

RETAIL

Supercontinent Superstore - Galapagos Isles’ covered marketplace arcade is the park’s anchor superstore selling coaster memorabilia, souvenirs, apparel, hats, gift toys and stuffed animals, all themed to the varied prehistoric/posthistoric creatures found throughout Pangea.

El Mercado Galapagos - An outdoor mercado sits under colored tents which suggest the minimalist tent architecture deeper in the park. Here we sell wearables, gifts, toys and accessories.

Natural Selections - A little corner clothing shop provides apparel themed to prehistoric life and inspired by worldwide indigenous styles.

The HMS Beagle - A replica of the Beagle survey ship, made famous by Darwin’s travels, sits beside the Tortoise Preserve selling tortoise clothing, jewelry and gifts.

PRECAMBRIAN PLATES
One Billion Years Ago

Welcome to Earth. In its infancy, this is a chaotic planet, awash in lava and pummeled from outer space. The oceans are just forming, driven by megastorms caused by a Moon much closer than it is today. Life has only just started to form deep in the seas in a primitive single-cellular state. On the rugged, rocky land there is nothing. Waterborne algae are the sole plant life. Oxygen is just occurring.

Proterozoic Plates realizes this vestigial world with otherworldly igneous formations surrounding rugged, choppy waters. Stretched tent canopies make this inhospitable environment livable. Bizarre steam vents and volcanic geysers litter the ash fields. Scientific exhibits along the pathways cover geologic history and the many differing theories for how life first originated on Earth.

ATTRACTIONS

Protozoa - (54” height requirement) Deep in the distant seas, the earliest single-cellular life begins. Riders assume the role of protozoa in an enclosed steel launch coaster by Intamin. They hurtle through an interior spaghetti bowl where projections depict a microscopic landscape teeming with amoebae, bacteria and prokaryotes!

(All our coasters are abstract depictions of an animal species’ behavior, in classic SeaWorld tradition. Post-ride exhibits – also accessible by those wishing to skip the coaster – relate facts concerning the featured species. For guests wishing to further investigate Pangea’s many species, the SeaWorld app is a trove of information!)

Microbe - (42” height requirement) Upon a Maurer Sohne spinning S-Coaster, become a phototrophic microbe as it captures sunlight, producing the first oxygen. Spin and twirl past strange stromatolite formations in a family-friendly coaster complete with a unique vertical lift hill.

Tectonics - (38” height requirement) Long before life began, massive volcanoes emerged and Earth’s crust formed. Experience a plate tectonic eruption in a 50-foot-tall launch tower by Moser Rides (same model as Busch Gardens Tampa’s Wild Surge) as you’re blasted from a lunar basin!

Megastorm - (46” height requirement) The oceans first formed from megastorms ten times the mightiest modern hurricanes. Brave these uncontained currents in a wild Intamin raft ride, complete with tidal splashes, whirlpools, waterfall canyons, and “acid rain” water cannons on the walkways.

Rodinia: The Formation of Earth - Buried within a volcanic cavern is a 4D theater which tells the entire Precambrian geologic history in time lapse using state-of-the-art CGI. See comets bombard the earth, bringing hydrogen crystals. See the planet Theia collide, forming the Moon. See mountains rise and fall, see glacial eras pass, and feel a shaking in your seat for each cataclysmic event.

Sponge Sprayground - The first sponges formed in the very late Precambrian, signaling more complex life to come. Children may play and splash in the welcoming sponge beds, full of squirting fountains and slides, even ladders formed to resemble DNA helixes.

DINING

Cellular Gastronomy - (Table service) Honoring the smallest animals is a restaurant specializing in molecular gastronomy, set in a tent filled with models of the microscopic universe. Foods are prepared by culinary chemists using experimental modern techniques.

Gaea’s - (Table service) All day long discover breakfast – Earth’s earliest meal – at Gaea’s. Under canopies in sunken basalt valleys, enjoy hearty omelets or our “Amazing French Toast” baked in a cornflake crust.

Primordial Soup - (Quick service) Primordial soup, where life begins in volcanic heat bowls, and where hunger ends in sourdough bread bowls, containing New England clam chowder or lobster bisque.

Snowball Earth - (Quick service) This stand, which serves creamy homemade ice cream and oversized milkshakes, is named for the lengthy Cryogenian period when the Earth was frozen solid.

RETAIL

Burgess Shale Shop - Jewelry and gifts here (including precious crystal geodes) are rock-themed, sold in a dome built into a collapsed shale deposit.

CAMBRIAN SEAS
500 Million Years Ago

Life has multiplied a billionfold! The seas now teem with multicellular species of every stripe. Vertebrates start to appear, as do creatures we might recognize as fish or insects. Monsters of the deep grow ever larger, climaxing with fearsome sea scorpions the size of Toyotas! In this brave new world, predator and prey battle for survival, developing bizarre defense mechanisms over generations.

Through descending canyons of visible geologic shelves, full of the earliest fossils, guests reach Cambrian Seas. Though set outdoors, this area mimics the ancient ocean floor, complete with landscaping resembling sea plants. Shadow projections display water ripples. Statuesque coral formations abound. Cryptobiotic soil mounds gurgle with life. Tide pools of modern day mollusks expose guests to Cambrian-like species. At night, deep sea organisms in the walls glow with bioluminescence.

ATTRACTIONS

The Cambrian Explosion - (52” height requirement) The Cambrian Explosion, Earth’s fastest ever spurt of life, is commemorated by the world’s fastest roller coaster. Riders don goggles and board Intamin trains resembling
Opabinia arthropods. A hydraulic launch sends trains 170mph down a straightaway in 8 seconds! Trains race through the park’s perimeter, like if the Disneyland Railroad were a coaster, with wilder airtime hills and tighter tunnels as the speed naturally ebbs!

Sea Scorpion - (48” height requirement) Eurypterid, the era’s apex predator, was a frightful giant scorpion. Ride in to-scale train cars aboard a Gerstlauer Eurofighter coaster complete with a beyond-vertical drop and multiple wild inversions, all through a maze of towering coral.

Anomalocaris - (48” height requirement) Climb on the back of the era’s oddest creature, all lobes and plates and prongs, and experience a multi-launch “motorcoaster” (with riders seated like motorcyclists) through a low-slung tide pool grotto of waterfalls and waves.

Nautilus - (48” height requirement) Swing through the air as the shelled Nautilus swims through the water upon a thrilling S&S Screamin’ Swing (like Dollywood’s Barnstormer) perched over a squirting wave pool.

Cambrian Jellyfish - (40” height requirement) Glide up and down like a jellyfish in a Intamin Paratower parachute ride, a 50-foot family thriller.

Trilobites - (36” height requirement) Here is your classic fairground “dodge ‘em” ride (bumper cars), refashioned around the Cambrian’s most recognizable critter, the ground-dwelling trilobite.

Coelacanth Lagoon - Inside a cavernous grotto is an eerie low-light aquarium, home not just to glowing deep sea monstrosities, but to live Coelacanths, an amazing “living fossil,” the oldest extant fish species on Earth!

DINING

The Abundant Seas - (Table service) Minimalist ETFE geodesic domes like the Eden Project overlook vibrant tide pools and coasters. This establishment serves Mediterranean seafood named for Cambrian critters.

Silurian Sushi - (Table service) Where fish are plentiful, sushi should be too, as it is at Silurian Sushi. For diners who dislike raw foods, we also serve Japanese favorites such as ramen and bento boxes.

Trilo-Bites - (Quick service) Next to the bumper cars is this simple fish ‘n’ chips stand, set amidst plateaus of genuine trilobite fossils and fish nests.

RETAIL

Strata - Gifts, toys and apparel themed to Cambrian sea life abound in this mid-scale shop, where the shelves resemble layers of Ordovician rocks.

Devonian Mart - Devonian Mart is a simple minimalist teepee selling island apparel and specialty gifts, set in a meadow of early ferns and clubmosses as biology starts to make its way inland.

PERMIAN JUNGLES
250 Million Years Ago

Life takes to the land. The continents fuse together as Gondwana. The first jungles emerge, with ferns the size of trees, and gigantic insects similarly scaled up thanks to an oxygen-rich environment. Vertebrates creep from the oceans. Fish walk, leading the way for early amphibians and reptiles. But these, our distant ancestors, face a perilous world filled with quicksand, sulfuric hot springs, lava flows, and horrendous clawed monstrosities.

Guests discover a humid, swampy world cluttered with evidence of giant insects. There are spider webs as thick as ropes, odd towering secretion mounds, and dried, empty shells from molting monsters. Huge cocoons hang in horsetail trees. Underfoot, magma oozes. Volcanic basalt columns line the walkways. Exploratory side trails are so thick with vegetation, new sights loom around the slightest corner. Huge animatronic arthropods emerge without warning! There is never a dull moment when wandering Permian Jungles.

ATTRACTIONS

Dragonfly - (48” height requirement) Eagle-sized meganeura dragonflies were history’s largest flying insects. Guests queue through a stadium of hatching dragonfly larvae and board a 200-foot-tall 4th Dimension coaster by S&S Worldwide. Ride vehicles rotate independent of the track, mimicking a dragonfly’s unorthodox freeform flight pattern.

Millipede - (36” height requirement) This junior roller coaster by Intamin is not very scary, with a series of gentle helixes through a forest of spores and fungi. No, what’s scary is that the millipede train, over 20-feet long, is to scale!

Tiktaalik: The First Fish on Land - (36” height requirement) To tell the tale of the first terrestrial vertebrate, we must use a hybrid amphibious ride system: What begins in the water as a log flume enters the drops...and morphs into a trackless bobsled coaster. Scenery along the way covers the chronology of the Devonian through the Permian, as land-fish evolve into massive therapsid lizards.

Orb-Weaver - (54” height requirement) Board a platform held in the massive claws of a primitive orb-weaver spider and “spin” in its web. This is a suspended HUSS Top Spin, set in a hollow pit dug by gigantic termites.

Dimetrodon - The late Permian saw huge reptiles like Dimetrodon, anticipating the next era. Ride in a “spine sail” car around an animatronic Dimetrodon in this modified Himalaya flat spinner.

Arthropod Encounter - Down in man-sized tunnels seemingly bored by a colony of titanic ants, discover an exhibit of live insects, complete with narration connecting them to their fearsome extinct ancestors.

DINING

Carboniferous Kasbah - (Table service) Under geodesic domes carefully formed to resemble insect larvae is a Middle Eastern eatery featuring hummus, couscous, baklava and kebabs, all in generous portions.

The Flora Grill - (Counter service) To celebrate the sudden proliferation of vegetation on earth, enjoy this vegetarian restaurant highlighting good salads and great grilled veggies.

Biota Bakery - (Quick service) The scent of our hot cinnamon bread and gourmet funnel cakes, baked fresh hourly, permeates the Permian.

RETAIL

Gondwana Gifts - Collections for insect lovers include engineering toys inspired by insect biology. Here we see insects sealed in amber, signaling their demise and a new order’s rise.

MESOZOIC PLAINS
65 Million Years Ago

At last! This is the time of dinosaurs! Following the Permian’s “Great Dying,” Pangea has formed and mighty reptiles arise. Dinosaurs rule the land, sea and air. Multiple species count among the largest Earth has ever known. For 175 million years, dinosaurs flourish upon an increasingly complex and tropical planet. These creatures are so powerful...no force on Earth could destroy them.

Mesozoic Plains is a lush fern prairie dotted by coniferous trees, dominated by grand rock formations and land bridges like the American Southwest. Moving away from Permian Jungles, we proceed chronologically from the Triassic to the Jurassic to the Cretaceous. Huge animatronic dinosaurs dot the main pathway and offshoots, meant to one-up Cedar Fair’s Dinosaurs Alive. Live animals include small mammals and also Florida alligators, unevolved for eons. Evidence of dinosaur life appears to the keen-eyed, such as claw marks on trunks, shedded dino skins, and fossilized footprints. Nearing the edge of this era, the land grows pockmarked with salt flats and craters, marking the dinosaurs’ extinction.

ATTRACTIONS

Tyrannosaur - (52” height requirement) Tyrannosaurus Rex needs no introduction. But what coaster could represent the King? An Intamin launch coaster! First speed into a reasonably minor top hat, 180-feet tall (shorter than Knott’s Xcelerator)...but segue instantly into a series of crazed twists and horseshoe rolls. A surprise second LSM launch propels riders into a vertical loop hidden within the top hat, itself a record breaker! End with several intense banked turns and a heartline roll!

Pterodactyl - (54” height requirement) Tall igneous cliffs hide the nests of the feared flying reptile Pterodactyl. Sail suspended from the pterosaur’s powerful talons upon a B&M inverted coaster that is over 3,400 feet long, filled with steep drops and five wild inversions, through jagged fog-filled canyons and high over the primeval prairie.

Asteroid - (54” height requirement) Upon this 200-foot-tall B&M dive coaster, plunge straight down as the infamous asteroid which destroyed the dinosaurs. Plummet underground through a crater – seen from ground level spewing smoke – and spin over the decimated fiery wasteland you’ve created.

Velociraptors - (48” height requirement) Velociraptors, superfast bipedal pack hunters. Join in the hunt now upon a racing carousel, much like the splendid Cedar Downs. Velociraptors jostle for position in an endless circle to see who will steal the brachiosaur eggs in the center.

Archaeopteryx - Control this colorful flying critter – a transitional link between dinosaur and bird – upon a family-friendly Zamperla “Red Baron” aerial carousel.

Ichthyosaurus - Board a gentle sky tram themed to the marine reptile and glide over a secluded cove featuring a large animatronic mosasaur.

Brontosaurus Theater - This is a covered tent amphitheater, much like the Hollywood Bowl, fashioned from fossilized rock. This venue hosts a live Broadway-style musical pageant chronicling the Mesozoic Era, with performers manning stylized dinosaur costumes and puppets. Music and lyrics by Tony winners Pasek & Paul.

DINING

Terrible Lizard Terrace - (Table service) Terrible lizards, but wonderful food such as BBQ chicken, ribs and freshly-baked rhubarb pies – enough to feed even the hungriest dino. Outdoor grills sit under a vegetated canopy beside a gentle stream.

Earth’s Crust Pizza Co. - (Table service) Our clay oven, built into the cliffs of a natural mud bath, has been approved by Italian culinary authorities as one of a few in the United States able to bake pizza to Italy’s standards.

Stegosaurus Express - (Counter service) Enjoy light Chinese-American a-la-carte fare in the shade of many Stegosaurus nests, where eggs actively hatch.

T-Rex Snax - ( Quick service) Among the snacks served at this quick stand are familiar turkey legs, which we pass off as velociraptor legs.

RETAIL

Continental Shelves - Apparel and gifts sell in this large tent (held aloft by a brontosaurus skeleton), with 5% of your purchase going to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

Triassic Traders - This large greenhouse/aviary sells popular branded apparel and souvenirs, toys and gifts.

Tricerashops - This small merchandise cart provides toys, books and stuffed animals themed to dinosaurs. Alongside murals depicting the K-T Extinction, live rodent burrows anticipate the next evolution.

PLEISTOCENE VALLEY
40,000 Years Ago

Welcome to the Age of Mammals, the cusp of Man’s Stone Age. Plants and continents are the same as today. Periods of Ice Age glaciation come and go, and with them astounding wooly megafauna like mammoths, giant sloths and sabretooth tigers. Some mammals are trapped in tar pits, preserved for millennia. The very germ of human civilization develops amidst these dangers. Both homo sapiens and Neanderthals live together, fashioning rudimentary tools and clothes, living in caves, mastering fire.

This is Germany’s Neander Valley, 40,000 years ago. A cooling breeze blows over astoundingly beautiful flower fields. Glaciers act as a berm. Many of the land’s details suggest modern wildlife, with familiar sights like a swallow’s nest or a beaver’s dam. There are many live modern animals, all furry. Bubbling tar pits dot the valleys. Everywhere there is evidence of early Man – his primitive huts, discarded stone tools, the remains of an old campfire. Fossil deposits in the canyons house the remains of Australopithecine, Man’s distant evolutionary relative.

ATTRACTIONS

Megalodon - (48” height requirement) Mammals may rule the land, but the massive shark Megalodon – the largest animal ever - rules the seas. Guests pass through a giant skeletal jaw and board this B&M gigacoaster, looming 315 feet in the air! Featuring the tallest drop in Florida (sorry Mako), Megalodon is full of forceful airtime hills that never let up.

Sabretooth - (48” height requirement) All of Man’s nightmares originate from his former enemy, the sabretooth tiger. Relive this terror upon an intense serpentine GCI wooden coaster which personifies a rampaging carnivore. Bone-rattling wood tracks feel appropriate, like a Paleolithic coaster.

Mastodon - (40” height requirement) Tamer family-friendly thrills await on Mastodon, an Intamin mine train coaster, with trains resembling early sleds formed of woven reeds. Trains roar through tracks of bone in a dramatic melting glacier filled with animatronic mastodons.

Ice Age Amphibious Tours - Twenty-minute guided tours upon primitive manmade boats ferry guests outdoors past the widest range of Pleistocene megafauna, including mammoths, aurochs, short-faced bears, and the VW-sized Glyptodon. Boats are actually amphibious, like WWII-era “duckies,” able to run on both land and water.

Dodo Birds - Under a thatched roof, this classic teacups ride lets guests assume the role of the accident-prone dodo bird and spin themselves dizzy.

Giant Sloths - A slow kiddie train resembling the giant sloth travels no faster, providing relaxing rides through the mammoths’ birthing grounds.

Pleistocene Discovery Trails - Casual walking trails follow the same route as Ice Age Amphibious Tours, granting a self-guided view of Ice Age animatronics.

DINING

Filet Magnon - (Table service) This high-end steakhouse is located in a Neanderthal cave dwelling which is cozily appointed and decorated with Lascaux-style paintings.

Dire Wolf Bistro - (Counter service) Chomp into some delicious soul food, including okra, collard greens and chicken ‘n’ waffles, all under dried mammoth hides in an exterior patio alongside cliff dwellings.

Paleo-Dogs - (Quick service) Enjoy a “missing link” hotdog in this unassuming stand, or try corndogs or our famous “tater twirls” loaded with baked potato toppings.

RETAIL

Sabretooth Treasures - Following a ride on Sabretooth, enter an ice cave for gifts and souvenirs inspired by Pleistocene fauna. Nearby is the sabretooth’s den, filled with the remains of its prey.

Hunter Gatherer’s - Caveman-themed toys, gifts and clothing are found here under animal hides shaped like the minimalist tents found elsewhere. Adobe mud huts show Man’s progress, and anticipate the next bold leap forward.

FUTURASSIC WILDERNESS
200 Million Years from Now

Evolution never sleeps. Far into the remote future, long after humanity has abandoned Earth for the stars, animals continue adapting to an ever-changing planet. Following a volcanic mass extinction, odd new animals rule. The oceans, buffeted by hypercanes, are full of glowing sharks and airborne fish. Inland, temperate rainforests house terrestrial squids. This is all purely speculative, of course, based on the Animal Planet miniseries “The Future is Wild,” an IP chosen not for its popularity (for it is quite obscure), but for its scientifically rigorous vision of future evolution.

Visitors need know nothing about the series. Signage here (as throughout) indicates the date. The continents have once again joined together, into Novopangea. Futurassic Wilderness is thus divided into two distinct biomes, the Global Ocean and the Tentacled Forest. The ocean bubbles and splashes, filled with glowing lights of unknown beasts. In the monolithic lichen forest, a light mist falls from hidden sprinklers above. Predatory slime molds dot the trees and soil. Almost all evidence of Man is gone, except for the presidents’ faces on a forced perspective Mt. Rushmore, made almost unrecognizable through erosion.

ATTRACTIONS

Sharkopath - (48” height requirement) Packs of kitefin “sharkopaths” communicate through bioluminescent arrows, and hunt a whale-sized “rainbow squid.” Riders board one of two single-rail coasters, a new coaster concept from RMC Coasters. This is a racing hypercoaster, 200 feet tall, on a world’s-first track type! At night, supports glow with neon “bioluminescence.”

Squibbon - (48” height requirement) The next candidate for intelligent life on Earth is the “squibbon,” a tree-dwelling forest squid. Its journey, swinging apelike from branch to branch, is replicated as an S&S El Loco coaster, a super-compact evolution of the Wild Mouse concept.

Flying Flish - (44” height requirement) In this future without birds, fish have taken to the skies and become “flish.” Their predatory flight is realized as a B&M family inverted coaster, flinging suspended riders low over the waters.

Silverswimmer - (52” height requirement) The flish’s prey, the neotenous crustacean “silverswimmer,” can only escape by flying even higher. Do so upon a 300-foot-tall WindSeeker swing ride, affording astounding views.

Megasquid - (48” height requirement) The future’s largest animal is the mighty “megasquid,” an elephant-sized forest cephalopod. Spin in the grasp of its powerful tentacles on a classic Monster flat ride.

The Future is Wild - Within limestone caverns bulging with gold deposits, guests discover an indoors exhibit chronicling the full breadth of “The Future is Wild.” See animatronic sabretooth “snowstalkers” from 5 million CE, electric “lurkfish” from 100 million CE, and algae-filled “garden worms” from 200 million CE.

In an Ocean of Stars - (40” height requirement) But what of Mankind? Over the longest timeline, he might go forth and settle the stars! Join us now on a mental journey into the cosmos, achieved via Dynamic Attractions’ Flying Theater, to the center of the universe, where riders discover the amazing worlds Man might one day visit. In an Ocean of Stars is a tranquil, meditative quest, scored by Ludovico Einaudi’s deeply wistful “The Days.”

DINING

Chez Pangea - (Table service) Even in the far future, French cuisine survives at Chez Pangea, which serves croque monsieur, quiche, baguette sandwiches, and other fine foods.

The Quantum Luau - (Counter service) The futuristic beaches are home to a lively Hawaiian luau joint, where guests collect their poi and suckling pig before sitting back and enjoying an interpretive hula dance on future history.

Genetic Cocktails - (Counter service) Under minimalist parasol shades (mimicking drink umbrellas) is an elegant cocktail bar, with a full collection of fine liquors and spirits.

Posthuman Pints - (Quick service) This quick beer stand, perfect for thirsty guests, sits amidst carnivorous “deathbottle” plants.

RETAIL

Global Ocean Collections - This fluttering structure on the water’s edge, made of cloth sails like a schooner, features collectible figurines inspired by futuristic animals. It also serves as a bookstore for all topics pertaining to the park.

SEASONAL EVENTS

Throughout the calendar year are seasonal events corresponding to the planet’s solstices and equinoxes. These are pre-cultural celebrations, without reference to human notions like Christmas or Guy Fawkes Day. Rather, for one month before and after the astronomical date, guests discover food stands with seasonally appropriate dishes. They enjoy décor and entertainment concerning the animals’ migrations and hibernations, their mating and birthing seasons. Special fireworks, concerts and shows add to the merriment. Our events honor Earth’s eternal annual cycle, much as it’s persisted for epochs.

NIGHTTIME SPECTACULAR – THE BIG BANG: ONE WORLD

At SeaWorld Pangea sundown is only the beginning, and we mean the very beginning, thanks to our nighttime spectacular The Big Bang: One World. The Global Ocean just beyond Galapagos Isles is the stage for a dramatic recreation of the universe’s creation and Earth’s formation. Projections upon the flying hot air balloon show swirling subatomic particles and swirling galaxies. The lagoon houses water fountains and lasers, even a massive rising globe meant to represent the nascent Earth. Spotlights and splashes depict tumbling comets. Bursting flames show volcanic activity. For musical accompaniment, an obvious but inescapable selection is Richard Strauss’s “Also sprach Zarathustra,” its opening fanfare famed from 2001. Altogether, The Big Bang: One World epitomizes SeaWorld Pangea, where the galaxy’s prehistoric past holds the seeds for life today!

***

In Orlando’s theme park habitat, it truly is survival of the fittest. Adapt or die. Apex predators like Disney and Universal are lumbering behemoths. SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando has the potential to evolve in ways its mighty rivals cannot. SeaWorld Pangea gives roller coasters a true Orlando home, married to natural scientific edutainment. Pangea is packed top to bottom with tremendous thrills. It covers billions of years, the fullest expanse of our planet’s history. Pangea’s ancient animal theme fits neatly alongside its aquatic sister park. This is a symbiotic relationship, benefiting all species.

The entire SeaWorld Parks and Resorts Orlando evolves immeasurably in layout, efficiency, even “invisible” traits like customer service. Exciting and truly unlike anything else in Orlando, SeaWorld Pangea won’t simply create a temporary attendance boost for its resort. It will genuinely wow guests with thrills and knowledge, and bring them back again and again!

"It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
- Henry David Thoreau

Lemuria
The Lost Continent



Coming soon to SeaWorld Orlando is an entirely new type of theme park experience. Lemuria is unlike anything the theme park world has known before. That’s not some hyped-up marketing, that’s fact.

Imagine a theme park that really allows you to visit a different world. This theme park is so immersive that the people who work there, who are supposed to be part of a totally different species, wear extensive makeup and prosthetics every day as part of their costume. This is a theme park with an extensive backstory. This is a theme park that brings you into the heart of a city so real, it’s hard to believe it never existed.

This is Lemuria.

The story of Lemuria is complex, but at its most basic level is as follows. The ancient continent of Lemuria once connected Madagascar, India, and Australia. The influences of these areas are clear in the architecture and design of Lemuria. Most of the people who lived here were average humans, but a few had the special ability to breathe underwater. Nobody knows how or why this happened. These people were known as the Kumari. One day, a tsunami came, sinking the entire city. Much of the city was destroyed and left in ruin. Many of the human people who lived here died, but the Kumari people survived. Over generations, they rebuilt their society, learning how to live and work underwater.



For the first time, humans can visit Lemuria. In the same way that people can visit Atlantis in the Bahamas, guests can visit Lemuria here. The Kumari people have invited you so that our two peoples can live in harmony. This trade goes both ways. It has been possible to visit for a while now, so the city has begun to change. Residents have opened restaurants and shops catering to tourists, and it is easier than ever before to find land food, like beef and chicken, in Lemuria

This is the story the Kumari are willing to tell you. But there is another motive for allowing people to visit Lemuria. The numbers of Kumari are dwindling, and they’ve found a way to convert humans into Kumari. They need to increase their numbers in order to survive as a civilization. This visit to the city is essentially an ad for conversion. They have ensured that their city is in perfect condition, seeming like an idyllic society, doing their best to hide away the less appealing districts of the city. Everywhere there are ads for conversions. Everywhere there are signs that this version of the city is more perfect than is natural. The Kumari want you to become like them. Guests who inquire about the conversion will get a special experience that makes their trip even more memorable.

Guests who ask about the conversion, or ask for an audience with the Queen, will be given one, much to their surprise. They are invited inside the palace, and meet the Queen herself. When they do, the Queen informs them that she cannot make them residents today, due to her busy schedule. Instead, she makes them honorary guests, giving them buttons to wear for the rest of the day that read “Honorary Kumari.”

The city of Lemuria is designed as if it was originally built not as a theme park, but as a single cohesive city with several different districts. This means that instead of visiting lots of places by passing to a new part of the park, guests can fully immerse themselves in Lemuria, something that’s never truly been done in a major theme park before.

In designing Lemuria, great care has been taken in making sure the entire park makes sense underwater. For example, there is no fire in the park. Any electricity is disguised. For example, street lights at night appear to be bioluminescent algae and sea creatures that light the way. Materials used in buildings are only those that would make sense. Most buildings appear to be stone, a material that would survive well underwater.

Cast members in this park are the best costumed out of any theme park. Because they are “residents” of Lemuria, they wear extensive makeup and prosthetics. Some even wearing fins on their heads. The Kumari (residents of Lemuria) have evidently evolved to adapt to their underwater home. This is important to creating a full sense of immersion in the park. Every element of this park is created with painstaking care to ensure that guests feel fully immersed in this new world they are visiting.

Attractions in Lemuria are all designed to fit in easily in the city. In order to create a truly immersive area, most rides are indoors. Those that are not have a theme that makes sense in a city. For example, it would make sense to see a runaway train car in the city, so something of that nature may be exposed to passersby.


The goal of Lemuria is, first and foremost, to create a completely immersive setting. This means that the park does not bother with filler attractions, but instead invests in a select number of high-quality attractions that fit well into the theming of the city, and tell great stories. This means that there are no spinners to be found in the park, because they would disrupt the realistic feeling of a city, as well as spend money on attractions that are unnecessary for the park. The park trades off quantity for quality when it comes to attractions.

Much like a real city, Lemuria is divided into districts based on what kind of business is conducted there. This keeps the city running smoothly, and helps its residents know where they need to go if they need a specific service. It also helps visitors know where it is they want to be going.

These districts include Lapan’ny, Khandahar, Pakihi, Aloka, and Pamu. The names are derived from native languages of India, Australia, and Madagascar. Each district has its own purpose and focus, but they all flow together seamlessly. Rather than passing through gateways and being instantly transported somewhere else, guests are more likely to simply realize they’ve passed into a slightly different part of the city.

Because Lemuria is a single city, rather than a collection of themed areas, the layout is a bit unconventional. Each district wraps around the others, creating blurred lines between the districts. Despite this, the layout of pathways throughout the park is very simplified, which makes the park easy to navigate.

Ticket Prices for Lemuria are consistent with SeaWorld Orlando for One Day and Extended Stay options. For the option to change parks in a single day, guests can add $15 to their ticket price. Some package prices will increase since they now include an additional park.

Lemuria is located in an open lot less than two miles from SeaWorld Orlando. A new, complimentary shuttle system connects SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, Lemuria, Discovery Cove, and the SeaWorld Resort. The SeaWorld Resort takes the place of DoubleTree, now owned entirely by SeaWorld, with more in-depth theming.

Lemuria is, quite possibly, the only theme park of it’s kind in the world, so, let’s take a closer look.

Lapan’ny
Home of the Queen



Lapan’ny serves both as a major district of the park as well as an entrance area. Unlike a traditional entrance area, this land boasts its own attractions as well as shopping and dining.

The area of Lapan’ny gets it’s name from the Malagasy language, native to Madagascar, one of the cultures that is a major influence in Lemuria.

Each morning, the park opens with a Royal Procession. A whole host of Kumari march the queen through Lapan’ny. They play on their conch shells as the Queen welcomes the guests for their visit to Lemuria. This opening procession is the first step of really immersing guests in the park. Rather than some figure they only hear about, the Queen is a person who they can actually see and hear. This immediately transports guests into the world of the park, and makes it feel even more real.

The presence of royalty is clear in Lapan’ny. The area takes design cues from royal palaces in both India and madagascar, giving the area a royal presence in the architecture alone. Everything here is larger-than-life, which again enforces the feeling of royalty here.

The majesty of Lapan’ny is in part found in its antiquity. It is clear that the styles at work here are those that have been used for hundreds or even thousands of years. Despite this, the area is far from in disrepair. Instead, it is like a temple, a memory of past times, and an ode to those yet to come.

The central temple is also the palace, home of the Queen, whose name remains a secret as is with the customs of Lemuria. This central palace stands high above the rest of the city, a constant reminder of the Queen. In a theme park sense, it serves as a central weenie so that guests have an easier time finding their way around the park.

In addition to being distinctly royal, the architecture is also distinctly nautical. In addition to the overall shapes of buildings being nautical in feel, it also features nautical motifs, such as shells and sea creatures. This finds a way to merge multiple different influences into one seamless architectural style.

This is also our first exposure to the attempt to convert guests. There are Kumari standing on street corners trying to get you to stay, there are posters plastered to walls as if they are grafitti. The message to become one of the Kumari is more than present, and it is infectious.

Attractions in Lapan’ny

The Tale of Lemuria

The Tale of Lemuria is a dark ride placed inside the temple in Lapan’ny. Guests here learn the story of how the continent sunk into the sea, and how the city was rebuilt. Guests also learn how the Kumari have learned to survive underwater, despite the obvious challenges. The ride ends with the guests being told that now the Kumari live in perfect peace and harmony.

Rainbow Fish

Located inside the Storyteller’s Hut, this attraction is sure to be exciting for all. Based on the Indian story, Rainbow Fish is a boat ride that tells the story of a whale-sized fish swallowing the queen of Lemuria. Then, the citizens of Lemuria rise up and save the queen by voyaging through the rainbow fish’s stomach, saving her life. The ride begins and ends with guests hearing an introduction and closing by a Kumari storyteller, who narrates the entire ride. These two attractions draw out contrasts between the two stories. We see the real history, contrasted with a fantastical event that has been passed down in the Kumari legends.


Shopping and Dining in Lapan’ny

Shopping and dining are important parts of Lemuria, as they are in any real city. Each part of the city features numerous shopping and dining opportunities. Each one is unique, but there is also a certain cohesiveness to them. They are all distinctly different, but also distinctly Lemurian.

Visitor’s Center

This massive shop/information booth combines two services into one. Guests can ask questions about the park, or purchase something to remember their trip by. They can purchase t-shirts, keychains, and other souvenir items. The interior is almost a caricature of itself, in much the same way a visitor’s center in Maine might put a little too much emphasis on moose. This shop is the tourist’s version of the city.

The Royal Market

A more upscale shopping location, this offers all kinds of goods inspired primarily by Madagascan design, featuring carved goods and African-inspired prints. This shop is sure to carry something for those looking for exotic goods, and guests are sure to be willing to pay the higher prices in exchange for higher quality.

Andriana

As the story goes, this is the home of the Prince. His job is to train the armies and future royals of Lemuria. He has invited guests to witness this for themselves, and see if they are suitable to be either of these. This is a place where anybody can be the next King or Queen of Lemuria. Guests can don headdresses that are unique to Lemuria, not representative of any other cultures. Guests can also purchase the outfits of warriors. About once an hour, the Prince makes a random appearance, selecting one child who will be the next Prince of Lemuria, giving him a royal staff and headdress. This creates a special experience for the child and ensures that they will always remember their visit.

The Queen’s Table

This upscale sit-down restaurant serves some of the Queen’s favorite Lemurian delicacies. For the first time ever, foods from three different continents: Africa, Asia, and Australia, fuse together, creating a new kind of cuisine that is found throughout the park. The higher prices here buy higher quality food and a mure luxurious setting: the Queen’s parlour.

Mahaaraaj Dining

From the Hindi word for “chef,” this restaurant is run by the Queen’s personal chef. When he gets out of his work at the Palace, he comes here, to a restaurant he opened years ago with his family. The Kumari frequent this sit down restaurant, and guests can interact with them. This restaurant features a similar fusion as The Queen’s Table, but is more in the vein of common food, rather than delicacies. These meals are heavy and filling, often consisting of a bed of rice, something the Kumari people have come to love. Guests can also try a wide variety of foods indigenous to Australia, something rarely found in Orlando.

An-Tsena

This quick service restaurant is themed as an outdoor marketplace. Here, food is served cafeteria style. Traditional Lemurian options are available, but, because the owner was excited for the arrival of guests, he also prepared some foods from their homeland, but many have a Lemurian twist. For example, the chicken fingers are served with a curry-ketchup dipping sauce (although the owner has prepared more traditional sauces from America if requested).

Overall, Lapan’ny is the royal entrance to the park that sets the stage for the majesty of the city. It is a place of Queens and Princes, and it welcomes guests into the rest of the city for an exciting and enchanting day.

Khandahar
The Ruins



Khandahar is all that remains of the days before Lemuria sunk into the sea. This is the old city, as it has fallen apart and become a new place of life. This part of the park is based largely on Indian design, as there are hundreds of Indian ruins from which to draw inspiration.

Around every bend there are more ruins. Some of it stays standing, while other parts of the buildings have fallen down. The arches standard in ancient Indian design are here, but are beginning to crumble.

What’s even more incredible than the ruins is the way they have changed from spending so much time underwater. In the time since it sunk, this region of the city has become a Coral Reef. The coral has grown on the rubble, creating absolute beauty from this destroyed part of the city.

Khandahar, however, does not feel run down. Instead it carries the majesty of the Roman Forum, or the Bhangarh Fort. These ruins carry ghosts of Lemuria’s great past before it sunk into the ocean, and the spirit of greatness found in Lepan’ny is here too.

The ruins of Khandahar are sure to be a wonder to guests. They show the age and illustriousness of the city, and a whole different side of it than is shown in Lapan’ny.

Attractions in Khandahar

Exploration Khandahar

On this simulator type experience, guests can board a submarine ship and go on an expedition to find ancient relics in the ruins. They believe that there is one specific relic that they believe is of vital importance to the city of Lemuria. However, all goes horribly wrong when they discover a giant Sea Serpent lurking in the mysterious ruins…

Ghost Tour

The queue for Ghost Tour is dark and mysterious, with signs of paranormal activity. The statues standing in the line seeming quietly, begin to move. Things start to move that don’t seem like they should be moving. However, it is unclear if it’s real, or all in the guests’ imagination. But, when guests board their Ground Rovers (an EMV-type vehicle), they’re in for a ghost encounter that is sure to make them hold on for their life.

Betee Playground

This is a place to slow down and really enjoy the city. It is a place where Kumari children often go to play among the ruins, and now human children can do the same. Betee Playground is a place where adults can take a break while their children explore the ruins of Khandahar.

Ruin Trail

This is a trail for guests to simply enjoy the awesome beauty of the ruins. Guests can explore all throughout it in this totally immersive area. The ruins and coral that has grown on it. Guests can crawl through tunnels and over falling bridges as they walk through this incredible place where the work of man meets the work of nature.


Shopping and Dining in Khandahar

Tours Unlimited

This tour company has sprouted up at the edge of the ruins in a shiny new building in an attempt to capitalize on the magic of the ruins. Because of this, this shop offers more “tourist-y” items, such as t-shirts and baseball caps. This is a spot for guests to buy something to remember their trip to Khandahar by.

Khandahar Curios

This shop features Indian-inspired trinkets and knick knacks. This is a place where guests can pick up something more classy and upscale to remember their trip to Lemuria. The style of the interior is as if it has been built right among the ruins. The owner is a Kumari who makes regular appearances. He is from a different region of the city, but every day travels across the city to sell his trinkets to his customers.

Ho Avy

In Lemuria, fortune telling is an ancient art, practiced by a special group of Kumari since the beginning of time. Here, guests can experience that practice. This special group usually has perfect foresight, but their visions are not quite as clear with humans, meaning they may not be 100% accurate.

The Food Stop

This is a cart in this part of the park. It serves up Indian finger foods, like Chicken Tikka Kabobs, Khasta Kachoris, and Samosas. This makes sure guests can experience new, bold flavors in a convenient way.

Dine in the Reef

This sit-down restaurant puts guests right in the heart of the ruins. It puts them inside a building that is still mostly intact. Inside the building, it is clear that the reef has truly begun to take over the restaurant. This creates an experience of being inside a coral reef while eating. The cuisine of this restaurant again draws from the Indian influence of the ruins, serving Indian food that is better than anywhere else (outside of India).

Hauauru

This is a counter service restaurant for those less adventurous eaters. It was created by one Kumari who visited America and simply fell in love with the food there. She came home and created this restaurant just in the nick of time for guests to visit.


Khandahar is a place of ancient majesty with plenty for the human visitors to do and explore. It meshes with the rest of the city because of its similar architecture, but is distinctly its own.

Pakihi
The Business Capital



Pahiki is the next part of the city to explore. This is the business capital of Lemuria, where people come to set up their own small businesses. The buildings here reach towards the sky, where mighty corporations have set up their headquarters to provide for the needs of the Kumari.

The grandeur that ties together the city is here as well. The multi-tiered buildings tower above the other districts of the city, a sign of the great financial wealth found here.

Lining both sides of every street are store facades. Many of them do not contain real stores, but plenty of them really do present the opportunity for shopping. Together, they create the image of a city in constant motion; some stores are open, others are closed. This is just the way it is in Lemuria. People take days off, they only open their store for some hours of the day. It wouldn’t make sense in a city like this for every store to be open all the time.

The architecture here again draws on nautical influence. The oceanic motifs found in Lapan’ny carry over here, helping enforce the idea that we are in one cohesive city, not a series of places hundreds of miles away from each other.

This is another place where we see ads for permanent residency. There are big advertisements and small ones that claim conversion gives the opportunity to “Stay Here Forever.” Again, this message is sent to the guests, prompting them to ask about it and have a special experience. It also reinforces the idea that Lemuria is a place of stories, where things are constantly happening, and that everything is not always as it seems in the city.

Attractions in Pakihi

Waka

Throughout Lemuria, the Kumari use the Waka, their version of public transportation, to travel around the city. Now, Humans are welcome to use this travel. However, when guests board the train, something goes wrong, and the roller-coaster type ride that they receive is not the one advertised or planned by the Kumari.

Kahaanee

This is a story told by a theatre group in the city. It tells the story of a past prince who did great things for the city, building it up from a lowly farming village to the shimmering, urban city that it is today. This is a great way to teach guests more about the history of Lemuria in the form of a live show, full of dazzling spectacle.



Shopping and Dining in Pakihi

Along with being the business center of the city, Pahiki is the culture capital of the city, reflected in the many quirks of this portion of Lemuria. The shopping and dining reflects that, but remains accessible to all guests. There are lots of opportunities for shopping, dining, and immersive experiences.

Ika

This restaurant focuses on the food available in an underwater city. This means that the restaurant focuses on food that comes from the ocean, including fish and shellfish. Because of its location in Pakihi, the food is trendy, and the decoration is a fusion of art deco and traditional tribal design. This fusion really sums up this part of Lemuria. It is a combination of old tradition and new ideas.

Kandam

The Kumari Kandam are a special group of Kumari who travel the oceans and explore the world above. One of them, Ramata, has returned and combined his passion for cooking and travel by opening this restaurant. The restaurant features affordably-priced family sit-down dining from all over the world, with flavors that are hard to come by in the rest of the park. This includes European, Chinese, North and South American flavors. The interior is chic, but intimate, creating a space that is unique.

Snags

This is a food cart that features the Australian Sausages known as Snags. These are an Australian classic, but appealing to even picky American diners. This is a homey meal that fits right in with the other cuisine in Pahiki

Phaishan & Co.

This store offers the high-end clothing that guests want. Always at the forefront of fashion, this is a place where guests can find a way to express themselves that is uniquely Lemurian. The clothes carry inspiration from the three places that inspire the park itself. It has an element of tribalism that fuses with chic and modern design.

Crazy Lobaka’s Tshirt Hut

Every city has it. That one incredibly touristy t-shirt store. This place has dozens of different t-shirt designs and styles, and there’s sure to be one you’ll love. Some of these refer to specific places in the park, while others refer to the park as a whole.

Thanda’s Home-Made Gifts

Thanda is a Kumari who creates gifts in the style of the old culture. These ethnic items are created mainly in an aboriginal style. These goods will be fun and enchanting souvenirs to be a memory of your trip.


Pahiki is an area designed around the collision of ancient styles and modernity. The two flow together seamlessly. They mesh and create something new: the financial center of a city with so many ancient influences. This is a part of the city just as immersive as the rest, bringing guests further into this world of fiction and fantasy, but that feels so real.

Aloka
The Backstreets of the City



Hiding behind the shimmering district of Pahiki is Aloka. This is a more gritty look at the city, but just as loved by guests. It is the industrial heart of the city, the place that powers the brightness of Pahiki in front of it.

Most of the city works here, and the characters guests will come across fall into two main groups. There are the honest, hard workers. These are the Kumari who power the factories, the ones who are the heart of the city. They come to this part of the city each day to work, and earn money for their families.

The others are the lovable criminals of the city. These rugged individuals never engage in more than gambling, harmless con tricks, and perhaps even a little petty theft, simply to provide food for themselves. These are not real, scary criminals. Think more “Aladdin” or “Guys and Dolls” for the character of these Kumari.

Both groups interact with guests, telling their own stories about their lives and histories. The criminals especially regularly promise displays of magic, or mystery, which prove to be both incredible, but still clearly falsified.

The architecture here is less cultural than that in other parts of the city. This place was designed with only functionality in mind. The architectural beauty was unimportant. Companies wanted to build factories, and they wanted to build them cheaply, and quickly. They didn’t care about how they looked.

The message about residency is here, too. It’s literally graffitied on walls, and posters have been put up, but are falling apart, coming off the walls.

Attractions in Aloka

Subway Terrors

Subway Terrors is a new attraction that fuses roller coaster and dark ride elements that combines live actors, screen projections, and audio-animatronics. Guests board their trains, and go up the main lift. Shortly into the ride, guests find that their train is being robbed! The ride picks up speed and begins a series of sharp turns, drops, and hills. As they do, guests learn that the robbers are looting the train of valuable objects. (Purses, Wallets, etc. Obviously, nothing of the guests’ will actually be stolen.) The ride ends as guests see the robbers running away from the subway station where they exit.

Industrial Escape

On Industrial Escape guests go on a tour of the factory to learn about underwater manufacturing. Guests board “tour-mobiles” which seat two rows of three guests. As guests go up the main lift they see another train zooming past them, but are assured by their narrator that everything is fine. Once they reach the top of the lift, however, their narrator seems shaky and nervous. As guests stop in a room that is heated to 100 degrees fahrenheit (uncomfortable, even by Orlando’s standards), guests hear that there has been a problem with the main generator, and that the entire factory will explode. The guests launch start, taking them on a thrilling ride through the factory, and they escape just in time for the factory to explode on a screen behind them.



Shopping and Dining in Aloka

Hanina’s Grub

This counter service restaurant features soups and stews served cafeteria style. Hanina feeds the factory workers every day, and this is what he feeds them. The menu includes Ham and Pea soup, curries, and Lasopy (Madagascan Vegetable Soup). This is a great way to really get a taste of what the local “everyman” might eat every day.

The Hideout

This is a spot where the Nightlife doesn’t stay confined to nighttime. Here, the dance floor is always open and the neon lights are always on. The food is standard bar food with a twist. You might try a “Curry Burger” or a Ginger Steak. Guests can always join the party at The Hideout.

Mystery

This magic shop holds secrets beyond your wildest dreams. It is on the darker side of the city that the true magic of Lemuria is revealed, and at this store, guests can own a piece of it. From enchanted idols to trick cards, Mystery has it all.

Yaadagaar

This is a souvenir shop unlike the others in the park. The style here is darker, with more of an edge. Although the souvenirs are great for anyone, the main target market is teenagers, and much of the merchandise carries an almost “Hot Topic-esque” feel.


Aloka is the back part of the city, but it is the part that keeps the city in motion. It is full of interesting characters and unique shops and restaurants, not to mention fun and exciting attractions. This is a place for those who want to experience a grittier part of the city, but is a place everyone is sure to enjoy visiting.

Pamu
The Farmlands



Sitting on the outskirts of this magnificent city is Pamu. This is where most of the food for the city is produced, and it is far more rural than the inner city we have been exposed to so far.

The Kumari who live here are of a simpler breed. They are not caught up in the perpetual motion of the main city. Instead, they like to slow things down, and really enjoy the part of the ocean that they call theirs.

This is the part of Lemuria where aquariums can be found. An underwater aquarium is really no different from a zoo on land, or an enclosed farm in this case. It helps the farmers keep an eye on the fish they are raising.

However, the farmers also raise a lot of fish that are not for eating. Many Kumari like to keep the pretty, exotic fish in their homes as pets, so they raise just as many tropical fish as they do edible fish. It is a great way for the farmers to earn extra money, and makes the aquariums more beautiful to look at.

The architecture here is all its own. It is based on a more tribal layout. The homes here are made of some kind of clay that seems to work underwater, and the roofs are thatched with seaweed.

In the early days of Lemuria, right after the city sank, this was the first part to be rebuilt. Because of this, it is built in a simpler style, and is far less urban. After they were able to grow enough food here, the Kumari were able to expand their city, creating the glorious place we know today.

This place is still distinctly a part of the city though. One can see the tall buildings even from here. Many architectural motifs carry over to this part of the city, tying it into the park as a whole. There is no doubt that Pamu is as much a part of the city as any of the other areas of it, it just has its own purpose, and therefore its own style and design.

Attractions in Pamu

Khet Tours

Khet Tours is a flying theater-type attraction that takes guests on a tour of Pamu and the surrounding areas. Soaring above the farms and through the underwater mountain ranges, guests are sure to find Khet Tours a thrilling attraction they will never want to miss. It is a tribute to the natural beauty of the ocean, and all the wonders found there. Guests begin and end in Pamu, but see much more of the ocean during their ride, venturing far outside the city of Lemuria

Farmer’s Quest

Guests on Farmer’s Quest can join a lowly farmer, as he hears rumors of a giant squid just outside the borders of the city. He decides that he must slay the squid, and journeys away from the safety of Pamu to do so. After facing numerous perils, the farmer slays the squid and saves the entire city of Lemuria.

Trondro’s Farm

This expansive aquarium features all kinds of tropical fish that the Kumari woman named Trondro is raising. Guests can see all kinds of fish that are rarely seen in the US, that are native to the Indian Ocean, the supposed location of Lemuria.


Shopping and Dining in Pamu

Pamu Gifts

This is a shop for gifts that fit the tribal style of Pamu. There are lots of carved goods and such for guests to purchase. This is a fun shop where every guest is sure to find something they love.

Zaridaina

This is a spot where the Kumari farmers are excited to share their tips and tricks with humans. It is a shop for gardeners with all kinds of gardening supplies. Many of these double as souvenirs, such as pots for plants that carry that park’s logo.

Trondro’s Restaurant

Attached to her farm, Trondro has opened a restaurant featuring fish that have literally been raised in the city. This restaurant serves fish raised right here in Lemuria in every imaginable style from fish and chips to fish curry.

Kari

This dining location spans the homes of several Kumari. They are welcoming you right into their homes to try some local favorites. These meals have a heavy focus on fish and water-based plants. It is meant to be what the farmers of Pamu would eat on any given day. The Kumari serving you have complete characters, and it really is an interactive dining experience.


As you can see, Pamu is a place of growth. It is the part of the city that feeds the rest of it. The simplistic lifestyle here inspires guests to slow down and enjoy life. These farms show another way of living for the Kumari that had not yet been explored in the park. It shows one that is less urban, and more focused on the part of the ocean they call home.

Other Fun in the City

Join the Celebration!

This daytime show is a fusion of parade and block party. With floats, music, and lots of dancing Kumari, they are inviting you to join the party with them! Guests can actually walk and dance in the parade! This is a fun show that gets guests involved in the city.

Celebrate the City

Each night, Lemuria features a nighttime spectacular known as Celebrate the City. This show is put on by the Queen to mark the end of a wonderful day of visitation and friendship. The laser lights and projection set to music that is traditional Lemurian, a fusion of Indian and African, with a flare of something that sounds distinctly oceanic. Buildings light up all around the guests in time with the music. This is a great way to end the day by celebrating the wonderful place that they have spent the day.


Conclusion

Overall, Lemuria is a park more immersive than any other ever built. It brings guests to a single city, with multiple layers of folklore and history woven together. It draws on inspiration from multiple cultures, but with its own unique elements as well. This world of fantasy feels more real than anything else ever made in a theme park.

Lemuria is more than a theme park. It is a city of people that feels as if it has existed forever. This place is unique among theme parks. And, as far as theme parks go, it’s a great one. It has a number of excellent attractions that are sure to entertain visitors. Of course, the park itself is really an attraction. Just coming to see what this underwater city would be like could entertain parkgoers even if it didn’t have any rides at all.

This is a place that is magical, ancient, and majestic. It is a place that feels so real, and it pays such attention to detail that, at times, it’s hard to believe that it isn’t. And, it’s a park so beautiful, so idyllic, that you might just want to stay.

I am presenting my proposal in an incomplete format, as I had a family emergency come up on Thursday and did not have the opportunity to finalize my project.

LEGOLAND: BRICK EMPIRES

Park Theme

Legoland: Brick Empires uses Lego’s charming and unique approach to themed design to bring a brand new, fully immersive Lego park bring to children of all ages into familiar worlds with its unique Lego twist. Unique amongst Lego parks, Legoland: Brick Empires, is the first park in the Legoland theme park chain to focus on elaborately themed, fully-immersive lands. While many Legoland’s around the globe feature themed areas, they are typically small and disjointed, often resulting in a mish-mash of themes, IP franchises, and aesthetics. Legoland: Brick Empires is the Merlin Entertainment Groups first concentrated effort to bring their unique Lego brand into a traditional Themed Design setting. Entering the most highly competitive market in the theme park industry, Merlin knows that they can’t simply install another stock version of Legoland. They’ve decided to invest and build properly to ensure that Legoland: Brick Empires can stand proudly and uniquely amongst the industry heavy-hitters in the theme park capital of the world.

Location:

Legoland; Brick Empires will be located in Orlando, Flordia, along Universal Blvd. Legoland: Brick Empires enjoys a distinct advantage over its cross-town rivals in regards to its location. It lies within walking distance of Orlando’s bustling International Drive entertainment district—Orlando’s largest centralization of shopping, dining, and non-park related entertainment. Only a stone’s throw away lies the Orange County Convention Center—the third largest convention center in the United States. . It also sits close to the Merlin Entertainment Groups other Orlando properties of the Orlando Eye, Madaam Tussad’s, and SEA Life Aquarium. This centrally located location will allow children and adults alike to experience LegoLand: Brick Empires without the hassle and headache which cross-town rivals Disney and Universal have with their focus on on-site hotels and remote locations which often require expensive hotel options and transportation costs. Parents attending conventions or trade shows now have a great theme park option for their children where they do not have to worry about transporting their children all across Orlando just to get them to a park. Transportation to nearby Legoland: Florida is provided (detailed below), which sits 40 miles away—about an hour drive away from Legoland: Brick Empires

Park Stats:

Operating Dates and Times: Legoland: Brick Empires will operate daily year round. Operating dates vary. From Memorial Day through Labor day, the park will be open from 8AM-9PM. From Labor Day through November 3rd, the park is open from 10AM-7PM, with the exception of weekends, which extend park hours from 10AM-8PM. From November 4th through December 9th, the park is open from 10AM-6PM. From December 10th through January 4th the park is open from 9AM-10PM (for Holiday Special Events).

Pricing: Legoland: Brick Empires follows standard Legoland Pricing structures. A single-day ticket costs $90(13 and under), and $96 (13+). An upgrade ticket option exists, allowing admission to both Legoland: Brick Empires and the nearby SEA Life Aquarium for $115 (13 and under) and $121 (13+) A 5-day consecutive park ticket costs $115 (13 and under), and $121 (13+) and will include admission to SEA Life Aquariam and Legoland: Florida. .

Parking:
Parking is located across Universal Blvd. in a hybrid open-lot and garage structure. The Open-Lot is reserved for R.V.s, Buses, and other Oversized Vehicles. The Multi-story garage is reserved for personal vehicles and can accommodate 8,000 Vehicles. Guests can access the Park Property proper from this parking lot by crossing over covered overpasses to the park property. Preferred parking is located directly outside of the main gate and entrance plaza in a separate parking garage which can accommodate an additional 1,500 cars.

Parking is $17.00 for personal vehicles ($15 if pre-booked online), $18 for Campers/RV’s, $10 for Motorcycles, $22 for preferred parking.

Park Layout:

Legoland: Brick Empires features six distinct lands, with one centrally located land from which guests can access the other lands within the park (Again with the Hub-and-Spoke…Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it). The five lands are as follows (detailed land breakdowns below): Bricksburg, Liddle-Earth, DC Super Hero Alley, Bird Island, Spook Central, and Matoran.

A map detailing the general park layout

BRICKSBURG

The heart of the park is Bricksburg. This bustling city of commerce, trade, and industry as depicted in The LEGO Movie features high rises and skyscrapers of all sorts which dot the land, cleverly hiding sightlines to the other park lands under the guise of a modern Lego city in the middle of rapid expansion and activity. Here, citizens of Bricksburg are always looking for new helpers to make their city the finest city in the Lego world. From Bricksburg guests can access all the other empires of the park. Tucked away in the back alleys of Bricksburg lies strange portals to other Empires—a conceit carried over from The Lego Movie.

The busy streets of Bricksburg act as the parks opening land

Attractions

Bricksburg Construction Co.: Join Emmet for a day of work at the Bricksburg Construction Co.. Guests will have a chance to help Emmet and the crew out as they continue to build and expand the ever-growing metropolis of Bricksburgs. Here guests can operate functional construction equipment and vehicles. They can move pallets of important Lego construction materials with a forklift, help level the ground by bulldozing existing land features (which re-assemble themselves at short intervals, or even operate cranes to move necessary parts to quickly-ascending high rises.

Octan Tower Drop (35” Height Requirement): President Businesses’ owns the largest skyscraper in Bricksburg—it’s the perfect spot to take a fun drop down. This small, 20’ drop tower offers mild thrills as guests ascend up Octan Tower only to drop to the bottom.

DJ Dance Off with Wyldstyle: After always being mistaken for a DJ, Wyldstyle decided she might as well embrace it. Now guests can help her keep the beats pumping in this indoor interactive music club where everything is always awesome! Guests will improve their rhythm and reflex skills by playing a variety of instruments including drums, keyboards, guitars, basses, and synthesizers. Light indicators on each instrument light up with different colors and are associated with certain sounds. Guests observe the light indicator sequence and then repeat it to achieve a harmonious effect (similar to the classic Simon game pad). After learning how to play correctly, guests can dance to the rhythm of their own song with guided dance lessons by Wyldstyle!

Master Builder Academy: The greatest builders are the mythical master builders. Able to create anything that comes to their mind, the master builders are unrivaled in their mastery of Lego building skills. At the Master Builder Academy, guests will be able to work with a certified master builder to create truly unique and fun creations. This attraction is an interactive attraction where guests enter a large classroom seating up to 200 guests. Guests sit at a building table, where an assortment of pieces are provided to them. Then a master builder will instruct the guests on how to build a unique and fun Lego creation. The classes are taught every hour from one hour after park opening to one hour before park closing. Guests will have the opportunity to build things such as the Batmobile, a Wild West Saloon, a Cave Troll, a forklift, or an Angry Bird. Guest can keep their creation as a souvenir. Afterwards, guests can enter the other part of the Academy, where they can use building kiosks to create truly fun creations. Utilizing touch screens computers to combine predetermined Lego creations guests can them mash them together or even create their own fun things. Then they can watch as a machine builds it. They also have the option to have the parts dispensed from these kiosks if they choose to build it themselves later. These can then be purchased in the attached Master Builder Shop.

Dining:

Bricksburg Burgers: Guests will love this quick-eat option which offers gourmet burgers, hot dogs (of many varieties), french fries, and sodas.

Brick Cafe: This counter-top restaurant offers fresh hot and cold sanwhiches, panini's, pastas, and salads.

Retail:

Vitruvius' Stash: Vitruvius hordes a treasure of unique and fascinating trinkets and artifacts from all over the Lego universe. Here guests can purchase any number of Lego sets, in one of the largest Lego stores in the world.

Emmet's Sundries: Emmet has opened up a small general store to make sure guests are ready for their day. Guests can purchase sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, water sprayers, various apparel, and even over-the-counter phramaceuticals for practical needs.

LIDDLE-EARTH

As guests pass through the Northwestern gate of Bricksburg they are greeted with a massive Lego recreation of Minas-Tirith. They have entered Liddle-Earth, a completely Legofied vision of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth. Here guests will have the chance to walk through charming recreations of some of the most prominent locations in Liddle-Earth such as Gondor, The Shire, The Misty Mountains, and Mirkwood.

A Large Scale mock-up of Minas Tirith acts as the entrace to Liddle-Earth

Attractions:

Mirkwood Forest Adventure Trails: The once beautiful and lush forests of Lothlorien have been corrupted by the taint of the Dark Lord. Now fell beasts stalk the land—massive spiders, brutish cave trolls, and goblins and orcs of all manner infest what is now known as Mirkwood. Now guests have the chance to help the Elves of Lothlorien reclaim some of their beloved forest in this expansive playground. This multi-leveled, multi-acre play area features a number of paths and trails guests can walk through. They can climb up the trees to get a better view of the land—but beware, for the spawned spider children of Shelob lie in waiting for their next prey. On the ground level, they’ll have to hide from Cave Trolls, Goblins, and Orcs to escape. Luckily, help is always nearby as the many Elves of Lothlorien are standing by to guide the guests to safety. Interactive elements include shooting Infrared bows at descending spiders, baiting Cave Trolls into sunlight to turn them to stone, and fending off waves of invading goblins and orcs.

Guests help fight off threats in the Mirkwood Forest Adventure Trails

Forest River Barrel Escape (36” Height Requirement): Escaping imprisonment from the Elves of Mirkwood is no easy task but Bilbo is here to help! Guests board barrel-themed river raft boats in this mild but wild river-raft attraction, encountering some of the same obstacles which harried Thorin’s company in The Hobbit film. Observing guests can act as elves and goblins and use ‘water bows’ water catapults, and other interactive elements to spray, splash, and drench the riders as they make their way down the Forest River.

The Shire Road : Grab some reins and be prepared to steer your farming wagon through the idyllic, rolling hills of The Shire in this relaxing and charming ride through the pastoral beauty of the home of Hobbits. This is a slow moving trackless outdoor ride, where riders can use their reins to maneuver their horse and wagon through The Shire’s rolling hills.

Smaug’s Den: The den of the dreaded dragon, Smaug, is adorned with treasures and trinkets aplenty. Here Guests can go searching for long lost treasure in the hoard of Smaug. This elaborately themed ball-pit play area features massive ball-pits (with balls themed after lumps of gold and gold coins), small zip-lines, and many interactive elements which young guests will be sure to love. Every often, a gigantic Lego-animatronic Smaug awakes from his slumber to the fear and joy of the young guests as they try to stay hidden from his gaze.

Guards of the Citadel: Join the Guards of the Tower of Gondor in this action-packed interactive dark ride experience! Guests are trained by the Men of Gondor on how to defend the White City using a variety of weaponry. Using technology similar to the Ninjago ride at cousin Legoland: Florida park, guests will wield swords, loose arrows, fling trebuchet’s, and protect innocent Gondorians with shields as they repel an Orcish invasion on Minas Tirith as seen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King film.

Great Eagle Flight : The Great Eagles of Manwe have offered their wings to all pure souls. Now guests can board their mighty wings in this mild Gerstlauer Sky Fly where the vehicles are themed to the Great Eagles.

Dining:

The Prancing Pony Inn: This Lego recreation of the fabled Prancing Pony Inn is sure to delight long-time fans and new fans alike with its faithful Lego recreation of the Inn. This Cafeteria-style restaurant offers distinctly Shire-inspired cuisine. Here, guests will find all manner of Hobbit food including Honey Cakes, Hand Apple Tarts, Mince Pie, Roast Chicken, Beef and Potato Stew. More conventional offerings include Chicken Fingers, French fries, Apple Slices, and Grilled Cheese

Thranduil’s Table:

The food of the Elves is on full display in this open-air counter-top service restaurant which sits high up in the trees of Mirkwood. Guests can dine on Lembas Bread (Fried Pita w/ Honey), Cheese and Bread Platters, Salmon Filet’s, and Cold Cut Sandwhiches of many varieties. For younger guests, fish and chips, Peanut Butter and Honey Sanwhiches, and Fresh Veggie platters are available.

Hobbiton Feast: Join a Hobbit-style party at this open-air picnic style restaurant which also features a live show! Guests can dine on cuts of steak, fish, an assortment of fresh vegetables prepared many ways, and delectable desserts of all variety.

Retail:

Bag End Yard Sale: Bilbo and Frodo may not be in Middle-Earth anymore, but Samwise Gamgee has taken over Bag End. The problem is that there's too much of the old Baggins' clutter lying around! Guests can purchase a number of Tolkien inspired items including apparel, books, films, video games, cups and mugs, and Lego sets, naturally.

Super Hero Alley:

Branching off to the east of Bricksburg, guests are treated to a city shrouded in darkness and crime. Dark gray, black, and dark red brick buildings rise high above the guests. This is Super Hero Alley a place where Super Heros and Villains vie for control of the Empire in a constant struggle as the super heroes do everything they can to keep peace and bring justice to the Lego Universe.

Super Hero Alley is a town full of super heros and villains

Attractions:

Batarang Patrol: Batman has enlisted the help of all guests who venture into Super Hero Alley. He’s even given them permission to use his coveted Batarang—a highly sophisticated Helicopter-Jet hybrid vehicle. Guests board suspended vehicles shaped like the Batarang, being able to control the Batarang and make it ascend or descend, spin 360-degrees, and even tilt back in forth to a maximum of 20 Degrees. This is an interactive dark-ride with a unique ride vehicle that allows guests to join Batman as they patrol over Lego Gotham City in an attempt to stop some of Batman’s most memorable villains like The Joker, Bane, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Catwoman.

Streets of Super Hero Alley Car Chase : Guest will have the chance to pilot their own Super Vehicle in this unique twist on the traditional Dodgems’. Riders can choose to ride super hero vehicles (Batmobile, Justice League Car, Wonder Woman’s “Invisible Plane”, etc.) or a super villains vehicle. After selecting a vehicle, the riders dance and bump each other in a large Lego set meant to resemble the back alleys of Super Hero Alley.

Hero Class with DC Super Hero Girls: The DC Super Hero Girls are out to train the next breed of Super Heroes in this elaborate, multi-media enhance walk-through. Guests will learn to wrangle villains with Wonder Woman’s Lasso, move undetected through a criminal infested warehouse with Catwoman, and fly above the action with Supergirl.

Justice Flight: Join Superman and the rest of the Justice League in their ever vigilant watch over Super Hero Alley in this flying theatre 4-D attraction!

Super Villain Lair: Enter the underground laid of super villains in this unique underground playground which where guests will crawl through underground lairs, dungeons, and labryinths as they encounter some of the Super Hero’s world’s most dastardly villains such as The Joker, Lex Luther, Doomsday, Bane, Killer Croc, and General Zod.

Super Race with The Flash : Riders will have a chance to race The Flash in this family-friendly launch coaster. This coaster features a max launch of 20 MPH as guests chase an animatronic Flash around Super Hero Alley in a mild but thrilling coaster experience.

Dining:

Alley Eatery: This quick-service restaurant offers standard American fare including chicken sandwhiches, Chicken Pot Pie, Bread Pudding, and Chicken Nuggets.

Mr. Freeze Delecticies: Mr. Freeze loves anything cold, and that includes ice-cream of course. This themed ice-cream shop offers a wide variety of forzen treats, including ice cream (over 20 flavors), gelato, shaved ice, and smoothies. This the spot to beat the hot Florida heat.

Bird Island:

Heading directly north through Bricksburg guest will pass into the tropical paradise of Bird Island. Large Lego bridges cross over a large moat to the Island Proper, where guests will enter the world of Angry Birds. Bird houses, such as those seen in The Angry Birds Movie and the various Angry Bird video games, adorn the island. The center of the island rises to a large height, making this the visual centerpiece of the land. Lush rainforest and tropical plants abound as the Island of the Angry Birds hum with activity.

Bird Island is a lush tropical paradise

Attractions:

Bird Island Tours: Boarding suspended planes (made to resemble Angry Birds), riders will be giving an overhead ride through Bird Island in this relaxing steel suspended roller coaster.

Target Practice: The experience of the Angry Birds video game is brought to life in this life-size adaptation of the classic game. With over five enormous set pieces, guests must launch angry birds using a slingshot to knock over the many Pig Towers. The slingshots are self-loading, and are made from high-density rubber to prevent breaking. The play sets are enclosed with netting to prevent accidental firing at other players. The Pig Towers are self-repairing, and reconstruct themselves every few moments so players can continue the fun. Players can compete for high scores through a sophisticated scoring system.

Red’s Revenge: Red has had enough of the Pig’s egg theft and he’s out for revenge. Riders board their makeshift boats in the LPS-guided, interactive water shooter ride where they’ll use their Birdshots to topple as many Pig Towers as they can. The thrill and skill of the classic Angry Birds video game franchise comes to life like never in this interactive shooter which is part Toy Story: Midway Mania and part Pirates of the Caribbean.

Island Oasis: Cool off from the hot sun in this elaborate water-play area, themed after the unique Bird architecture of Bird Island. A multi-level water play area which features a number of playful water cannons, water buckets, and water slides.

Flight School: The birds of Bird Island can’t fly, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try! Riders will be delighted to board an Angry Bird and learn to fly in this classic spinner attraction.

Bird Builders: Building bird houses is serious business! Help Red and the rest of the citizens of Bird Island continue to expand their tropical paradise by stacking life-sized Lego Pieces to build the birds new homes, shops, and restaurants.

Bird Island Catamarans: Little riders will have a chance to pilot their own Bird-style catamaran around Bird Island in this boat ride which traverses Bird Island. Riders have limited freedom to pilot their boat around the Island. On-board LPS systems correct boats which have gone a little too far off course or are headed the wrong way.

Mighty Eagle Museum: The legendary Mighty Eagle has turned his home into a museum featuring HIM of course! Located at the top of Bird Island, this walk-through play area features many interactive elements in the cave which Mighty Eagle calls home.

Dining:

Bomb’s Big Barbeque: Bomb’s culinary skills are on full display in this open-air buffet where guests can dine on Bomb’s latest creations including always, fresh Ham and Cheeseburgers of all varieties, pulled pork sanwhiches, brisket, sausage, hot dogs, ribs, coleslaw, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and French fries.

Spook Central:

Entering from the west through Bird Island or from the south, throughSuper Hero Alley, guest are treated to what appears to be a sleepy mid-century, mid-western town. As they pass through a landscape full of dead trees and ramshackle houses and businesses the term, “ghost town”, takes on a more literal meaning. This is Spook Central a spooky (but not scary) Empire where playful ghosts and spirits come out to play with the guests! Spook Central is sensitive to Legoland: Brick Empires target audience, and the tone is more silly than scary. In this Empire, guests can help the Ghostbusters catch rare ghosts, or join Scooby-Do and the gang to help solve some of Spook Central’s more pressing mysteries.

Spook Central features an aesthetic similar to that seen here

Attractions:

Scooby-Do Mystery House: Strange happenings are afoot throughout Spook Central. In one particular house, Scooby-Do and crew have come across a baffling mystery. A house that appears to be haunted by the ghost of Spook Central’s original mayor! He’s mad that so many people are intruding on his quiet pastoral town and wants to scare them off. It’s up to the guests, now as one of Scooby-Do’s gang, to solve the mystery and rid the house of this mean old ghost! This is a simple walk-through/escape room hybrid attraction, where guests must work together with Scooby-Do to find out what’s really going on in this Mystery House! Three separate walk-through/Escape Room paths offer higher guest throughput and re-ride(or walk)ability.

Spook Central's Spooky Train Ride: Riders will have a blast on this slow-moving, silly train ride through Spook Central. Each Rider will play an important part in the navigation of the train, including conductor, coal shovler, navigator, mechanic, and Monster Hunter. What's that last one you ask? Well the train is often set upon by Lego monsters, and its up to the Monster Hunters to stop them from boarding the train.

Ghostbuster Training: Riders will have a blast training to become a certified Ghostbuster. This interactive dark ride features traditional shooter-ride technology as guests bust silly ghosts alongside the Ghostbusters.

Monster Talent Show: Despite what many think, Monsters have many talent. Now guests can see some of their talents in action at this live show which features some of the worlds most world reknowned monsters performing acts you would never think of including Dracula Sunbathing, Frankenstein Fire Juggling, The Mummy break dancing, and The Invisible Man doing....something.

Dr. Frakenstein's Fun Wheel: This miniature Scrambler attraction is the latest of Dr. Frakenstein's mad creations. Riders go for a wild spin while onlookers can make their ride even more wild by shooting interactive elements such as mounted water guns and fog machines.

Mummy's Ship: This classic Pirate Swing boat ride is themed after an ancient egyptian river ship, with The Mummy at the helm! Climb aboard for a swing.

Dining:

Monster Mish Mash: Monsters have a knack for inventing some truly unBOOleivable food. Now guests can try some of their creations in this cafeteria-style restaurant which features common cuisine with a monstrous twist. Dine on brains (standard Macaroni pasta w/marinara, shaped like a brain), Eyeball Soup (Miso Soup with Tofu Balls that look like eggs), and Worm Burger (burger with onion straws).

Scooby-Shack: Scooby and Shaggy are always munching on something (why are they so hungry anyways?). They decided to open their own sweets stand in the heart of Spook Central. This quick-service option offers fresh-made extra large cookies, Funnel Cakes, and Scooby Snacks, of course (Fresh made S'mores with a variety of topping options such as strawberry, caramel, fudge, and chocolate chips).

Douglas Hindley Sea World Pangea

I was expecting you to take on Sea World as your project, because you seem attracted to identifying problems and creating solutions for them. In most cases I was extremely impressed with the completeness that you solved these problems, with the exception of the problem with on-site, Sea World-branded hotels. You did mention them in passing but other than the Renaissance you didn’t specify which of them would be included or how they would be rethemed/rebranded and integrated into the Sea World Resort. USO has done a masterful job of bringing their growing number and variety of hotels into one unified master plan, making it unnecessary for guests to ever need their car once they got to their hotel. Since you did not specify how these other unnamed hotels fit into the puzzle, I have to ignore them. You still have a resort with only one hotel, and that does not make a resort or solve your problem of hotel guests needing a car to get to the resort, even if it’s just down the street.

The need to have a complete resetting of the mindset that both guests and staff of Sea World has is important, and you proposed a good mix of methods- resetting prices, extra benefits for guests (drinks, parking, ticket prices) and improved benefits for staff.

Your concept of Pangea is a brilliant solution to the live animal problem that has plagued Sea World for years, and that is dragging it down. Focusing mostly on animals that either are “no more” or “not yet” makes another Blackwater fiasco impossible. The small area of the park that does include live animals seems to be seriously concentrated on rehabilitation and repopulation, and not on the entertainment value of them other than human curiosity of what they are and why they’re in trouble. No shows, just dedicated care.

You also were smart to grab the one obvious area that Disney and USO have either underutilized, ignored or dropped the ball on- thrill rides. Here is one area where Sea World has already done well in with Mako and Kraken, but USO also has some good stuff with Hulk, Dueling Dragons and- to a lesser extent- RRR. In Pangea, you have decided to bring a classic steel (and wooden) thrill park with over a dozen world-class rides, integrate them as much as is realistic and practical with a theme, and establish Pangea as THE park to go to for coaster and other thrill-inspired experiences. You didn’t just fill a niche, you overflowed it, and that is what will be needed to compete with the big boys successfully.

I do have an issue with your traffic flow in the park. Kin depth research might prove this wrong, but I have both heard and experienced the “fact” that people, upon entering a large entertainment complex with a choice of going left or right, most often go to the right. If they are truly intent on experiencing Pangea chronologically (and why in the world would that really matter) then they’re going the wrong way, starting out in Futurassic Wilderness and going backwards in time. Will they care? Probably not.

There is neither a need nor an interest in my going through each and every ride and attraction. I didn’t notice a single traditional “dark ride” with cute, happy, dancing trilobites singing “it’s a small cambrian ocean-covered world after all,”- thank God! The few attractions that could be considered “dark rides” were educational at their core, but were presented in an interesting, non-educationally-threatening manner. Pangea is a park where “Dinosaurs Alive” and “America’s Rockin’ Roller Coast” learned to live together symbiotically- and extremely unusual symbiosis but here, I believe it works.

One minor, picky culinary complaint from one foodie to another- Primordial Soup. Soup in a bread bowl is a staple at renaissance festivals, and fits here perfectly EXCEPT you made it sound like you either could have New England clam chowder or lobster bisque. Take it or leave it. Even at an average Faire you can get chili, beef stew, broccoli and cheese soup, etc. in your bread bowl. If there are more options on the menu, be sure to add a disclaimer such as “among several other choices” or something like that.
I loved the “Filet Magnon” restaurant name in Pleistocene Valley!

Tectonics (the ride)- “you’re blasted from a lunar basin.” A lunar basin? Seriously? How’d we get to the moon?
The Voyage of Life hot air balloon. Beautiful to see, fun to ride, but it has nothing to do with Pangea, or thrill rides, or Sea World. Beautiful, yes. Glaringly anachronistic, and even if it was tethered they are notoriously fickle in a strong wind. This would have to be a major up-charge attraction if included at all, and even with the Big Bang show it would not look right. When I first saw it in the opening image of your park, I was confused about why it was there. By the time I got to the Big Bang show, I was still confused why it was there. Trying to project images on a balloon that will be moving around from the slightest wind would be impossible- Disney is constantly adjusting the projectors for their Castle shows, and the Castles don’t move (except for Sleeping Beauty Castle in DLR, and that’s only during an earthquake). Personally, “Big Bang” didn’t do it for me- it has little or nothing to do with prehistoric or posthistoric life on Earth. It’d be beautiful to watch (except for the balloon) but as described is completely isolated from everything else in the park.

Sorry this has gone on so long, but you gave us so much to discuss and dissect. Your montage image of the architectural styles used in the park showed me how using different styles together would look- and I didn’t like it. The geodesic domes and bubble structures look too modernistic- glaringly so. I much preferred the remarkable tent-like structures of Frei Otto- using them throughout the park would allow each building to be a unique design, yet have a unified overall impression. A tent- even a modernistic design like Otto used in the Munich Olympic Stadium or the West German Pavilion at Expo ’67- looks more primitive than a geodesic dome, and if constructed of natural organic-looking materials would blend into the prehistoric ambiance of your park much better. This would win the Golden Ticket for the Most Beautiful Park over the same park covered with giant bubbles- green and mossy or not.

OK, I’ve complained more about this proposal than I have about all of your other proposals combined, and I could probably go on if I dug deeper- but I won’t. After all the complaining and nit-picking, I think Pangea contains a concept that would kick the Sea World Resort right up there with the competition. Perfect? No, but geological eons ahead of what is there now. Get some dedicated hotels to keep the guests from straying off-site, pop all those bubbles and balloons, put some chili in the bread bowl, and you’ve got a tremendous proposal here.

DPCC inc. Lemuria

I have a love-hate relationship with your proposal for Lemuria-no, not hate- that is far too strong a word. I love how you discarded the box altogether and took a totally unique approach to a theme park, placing intense emphasis on total emersion by visitors in the theme in all aspects of their experience. You discarded any sort of “traditional” park layout and went with an organic flow of districts, deliberately eschewing traditional gateways saying (probably in sea shells) “You are now entering Pakihi” for a more realistic (as if that word can be used here) transition from district to district. I loved how you offer visitors a chance to totally dive into (I’m afraid there may be more water-based jokes coming- I apologize in advance) the experience.

I’m a “Rennie”, (as if anyone in here didn’t already know that ad nauseum). I’m not sure if you morphed a theme park into a renaissance festival (Faire) or a Faire into a theme park. Many Faires have a day-long theme that many visitors will follow through the day. For example, Mary, Queen of Scots is visiting Queen Elizabeth (the “only” at that time) and throughout the day each is trying to impress the other, be it at a joust, a dancing competition, a fancy meal, etc. and visitors get a schedule of when to be where to see the latest episode of that day’s events. They sometimes are invited to join in the event- dancing with the Queen, dining at her feast (for an addition charge-space is limited) and for those visitors who opt to join in these events a renaissance festival becomes a totally immersive experience. This is the opportunity that you offer visitors to Lemuria. It’s not required to take part in the experience to enjoy the day, but it’s much more fun and a totally unique opportunity. I totally understand where you’re coming from and what you’re offering visitors to Lemuria.

I also know that the vast majority of visitors to Faire don’t bother with the storyline. They might be vaguely aware of it, but unless they happen to stumble across it while they wander around the village, looking at the shops, eating their turkey legs and checking out the wenches and their low-cut bodices, it doesn’t really impact their enjoyment of the Faire atmosphere. With Lemuria, my biggest concern (not my only concern, but my biggest) is that there might not be enough for visitors who are not into the “role-playing thing” to feel they could get their money’s worth. The attractions that you have are good, solid and in some cases brilliantly integrated into the immersive theme of Lemuria the Park, but there aren’t very many of them, usually only two or three per District, and some of those are shows.

One decision you made in naming a district jumped out at me as a totally disastrous choice- Khandahar. It is one of the most violent, dangerous cities and regions in Afghanistan, headquarters of the Taliban and al-Quida. This name should never had been considered.

I think my biggest disappointment in this, though, is the fact that you were to create a park that would augment the pre-existing parks in the chain you chose. Had you chosen Disney, you could have just about thrown anything into WDW and people would have mobbed it because “It’s Disney- it HAS to be magically wonderful!” even if it was total crap (DHS). Sea World is fighting for its survival, and a major new park must do two things- it must 1) attract lots of people to stay a full day (at least) and want to return again and again, and 2) help Sea World Orlando become a complete, united Resort that keeps its guests from wandering over to USO and WDW and taking their money with them.

Lemuria, for all its uniqueness and fantastic emersion, is probably not an all-day park for a large majority of visitors. The number of rides and attractions, although of very high quality and outstanding theming, are in some cases probably not a must-reride-again type of ride. Your restaurants and retail facilities have wonderful names, a great variety of products and would encourage visitors to drop a good amount of money, but the sheer number of them make this more of a heavily-themed shopping center with rides than visa versa.

Two miles away from Sea World? Even a shuttle bus service would not make this park feel like it was a part of Sea World, and saying that Sea World is now a resort because it took over Double Tree? Sorry, but that does not make it a Resort. A resort needs to be a cohesive, connected complex that provides everything a visitor needs so that they don’t want to leave the grounds, and the shuttle service isn’t enough, and neither is just one hotel. Your park, with all its wonderfully detailed theming, unique approach to visitor entertainment and inclusion and progressive storyline, does not say “Sea World” to me. You could put this anyplace in any sort of tourist-oriented city with no Sea World nearby and have a good, solid, unique theme park. Perhaps it would almost fit better outside of the CaliFlorida Theme Park Centers. Someplace else its uniqueness might stand out more rather than being in the shadow of the big boys, and even in Orlando, unless you located it directly contiguous with Sea World itself, it would probably get lost.

I am so frustrated with this, because believe it or not, I really, really like this idea. I’m the kind of person who would like to follow the storyline, at least once, and experience this unique concept of a deeply interactive, personalized theme park. A good, well-trained cast, a story line that is not especially difficult to pick up on, some attractions that help to explain this story line more in detail, and some really well-themed and integrated rides, attractions and shows make this a park that people, if they gave it a chance, could have a great time experiencing.

Would they give it a chance? Tough to say. There is so much else to do in the Orlando market that a theme park that makes you actually think and play along would be a tough sell. For those visitors smart enough, brave enough or adventurous enough to play along, they could have a great time. However, I don’t think that they would be in large enough numbers to make this the saving grace that Sea World needs right now. For those people, it would be their loss.

Blake Meredith Legoland: Brick Empires

It was obvious and unfortunate that circumstances forced you to post an incomplete proposal, and I want to state that I appreciate your willingness to post what you did have done. If I have any disappointment, it’s that I enjoyed so much what you did post that I wish I could have seen the completed proposal. I’ve never been to a Legoland park, probably never will, but if this park existed I would definitely have to consider checking it out.

I’m going to ignore the little stuff that you would have cleaned up with time- there’s enough good, solid proposal here and we’re all aware enough of what your intentions were and capabilities are that, even in its incomplete state this is one of your best proposals, hands down. Your site selection was spot-on inspired, choosing a site that is near other similar family-oriented attractions, the convention center and hotels. The layout of the park works well, and the variety and selection of different themed lands seemed to have a terrific blend of “traditional” Lego attractions and others that fit into Brick Empires perfectly.

I can’t say that I have a favorite land in Brick Empires- each one would be lots of fun to experience, especially with a young child/children. I can even see locals offering to take the neighbor kids to Legoland just so that the adult can enjoy it themselves. Your selection of rides and attractions shows both variety and sensitivity to the target demographics of the park. Your dark rides are not the “sit back and look at all the pretty scenes” dark rides- they are all interactive; the coasters are all family-friendly with a good variety of types and themed uniquely for the land it’s in, and you didn’t shy away from using some of the good old standard flat spinners, swings, drop towers, etc. when they were an appropriate addition to your park.

Shows in a children-focused theme park can be tough to pull off, due to a lack of long-term focus with many kids- what my wife calls “Short-term-attention-span-Theatre”. I was glad you didn’t shy away from including it here, and I think the shows you offered would be events that many younger children and their families would enjoy together. The DJ Dance-off with Wyldstyle sounds like a great multi-generational play time together, and the Monster Talent Show could be great fun for all if kept as silly and goofy as you described. I’m not sure what the show at the Hobbiton Feast would be- preschool dinner theater would be tough to pull off.

You also included many play areas, an excellent decision. Kids need to have a place, or two or three, to play and not just be entertained. Give kids a place to play as kids, especially in a themed area, and they will create their own adventures. You included a play area in just about every land, including a water play area, and that would be both a blessing on the parents and an acknowledgement of the need for kids to be allowed to play in ball pits, climb up, under, around and through places.

Most of your dining locations put kid-friendly food front and center, with healthy-eating options available. They were appropriately themed for their location in the park, and while most of them were cute but not really outstanding, several of them had unique theming that would make adults appreciate them more than the kids-everything in Liddle-Earth, Bomb’s Big Barbeque and especially the Monster Mish Mash. I would love to try any of these restaurants.

Matoran and the Brick Empire Hotel- your situation caused you to miss these two features, and I almost mourn for that. I admit I’m not familiar with Matoran, but I looked it up and am curious how you’d present that. The Brick Empire Hotel offers a host of possibilities- I’m curious how much you’d import from current Lego Hotels and how much original material you’d bring to this.

Blake, I’m not praising your proposal because of your personal situation- you’d not want that and that would not be fair to the other competitors. I truly feel that you presented, in its unfinished state, a terrific proposal for the challenge. In some ways you took an easier route in that you didn’t choose a current theme park that needs help (Sea World) or a theme park complex that already has a full hand (WDW,USF) that you had to try and fit another park into the complex that would be appropriate. You started with a clean slate, and what you proposed, incomplete as it is, was outstanding work.

Your daughter will have a wonderful time there, someday, I hope!

Douglas Hindley – SeaWorld Pangea
I like that you have taken on several of the “other” problems at SeaWorld. Slapping a new park next to the original SeaWorld is probably not going to fix everything, since as you note, it has “issues” that need to be addressed before customers will even think about showing up and spending their money. You are probably going to have a ton of problems with The Cambrian Explosion, hydraulic launches are already hitting near the maximum that they can reliably perform at. Beating Formula Rossa by 20mph is begging for trouble, you might be better off with a magnetic launch, but still, these kinds of rides are notorious for their delays in opening. This would put this park on the to-do list of all roller coaster enthusiasts. Particularly if you didn’t do like Formula Rossa and start applying the breaks at the top of the first hill. The Dragonfly is what kind of 4th dimension? Like X2 or like Green Lantern: First Flight? Ok….there was so much good stuff here, I was wondering how it all went together in the end, so I just read to the end. My biggest question is what is the future of the original SeaWorld park? This new park that you designed is so much better than the old SeaWorld park, that this doesn’t feel like a companion park, it feels like a replacement. This park, if I counted right, has 14 roller coasters, several of which are record breakers. I feel that this gets into a philosophical question. Does SeaWorld need more roller coasters and rides? Yes, they do. If SeaWorld has 14 more roller coasters, is it still SeaWorld? I would say no. BUT, and this is a big “but” worthy of the all caps, is this the direction that SeaWorld needs to go in order to complete in an already crowded market? SeaWorld is currently a wildlife exhibition with some rides. This park you created is a bunch of rides, a whole lot of animatronics, and a couple of wildlife habitats. At the same time, I feel that your overall story doesn’t lend itself to the park very well, as the story only unveils itself correctly to guests going in the right direction around the park. Those thrill seekers that want to hit all of the rides first won’t have any clue what all of the theming and animatronics are all about. At the same time, I believe in the rules it says that this cannot be SeaWorld’s Islands of Adventure, that at heart, this needs to be a SeaWorld park, and while individually I think you did a fantastic job, this just doesn’t feel like SeaWorld anymore. Busch Gardens, maybe, but that wasn’t the challenge. I’m so glad we have score balancing, because I’m going to score this one right in the middle and see how good the other submissions are. Please don’t take this the wrong way, you have done a spectacular job during TOC2, I just personally think that this one missed the mark. Good thing there are other judges to overrule me.

DPCC Inc. – Lemuria
OK…I’m quite a ways through reading this and just hit upon what this reminds me of. This reminds me of Panem, from the Hunger Games, although it is also the same kind of thing that happened in the Divergent books and the separation of the groups into affiliations. Uggg….you guys have made this so difficult. Doug has 14 roller coasters, and you have 9 non-show, non-walk-through attractions. Where Doug’s park overshadows the original SeaWorld park, this park doesn’t manage to crawl out from the shadow of the original SeaWorld park…and that is super hard to do, since the original park has so many things wrong with it and is losing guests en masse. This park appears to be even smaller than a boutique park and appears to be more along the lines of immersive theater with a handful of attractions. If that is what you were going for, this park is brilliant. The story is a tad complex and even with the creator of the experience giving me a full rundown of what stuff was and how it fit into the full story, I was still often like “Huh?”. I worry that without the convention of a narrator that the complexity of the story is going to be completely lost. Quite of few of your ride descriptions fell a little flat as they felt like teasers instead of proposals. I get the feeling that as much as Doug missed over the target, you missed equally under the target. In the write-up for the challenge, it stated bluntly not to pull a “California Adventure” on us, and that you might want to work up your park to be a day and a half park just to be on the safe side. This feels like less than a half day park and will not move the needle when it comes to saving SeaWorld.

Blake Meredith – Legoland: Brick Empires
A little bit of gamesmanship would have gone a long way here. You could have easily said: “I read the other competitors submissions and decided my half completed proposal was good enough to put both of theirs in traction”. No one likes the final to be admittedly half-assed. Maybe I wrote the rules poorly, but this park was supposed to be located next to the other Legoland park. The location that you mention sounds suspiciously like the area that Universal bought back from Lockheed…and just happens to be the genesis of this whole challenge. Yep, just looked at your picture…that is exactly the land that Universal purchased from Lockheed. Oh well, how were you to know? Great minds think alike they say. Just as an FYI, Universal purchased all of the unused land right there, so off to the east of where you stopped and all of the way north until it hits buildings. It would make more sense if the park had packages with Madame Tussauds and the Orlando Eye since they are all owned by Merlin. I really really really wish you had called Middle Earth “Middle Zealand” instead of Liddle Earth, like they do in the Lego Movie. It seems like you have a lot of attractions from the Hobbit. Maybe I only notice because I liked Lord of the Rings better… So this is an interesting take on Legoland. Instead of you playing with Lego or seeing Lego structures, it would seem that this park has shrunk you down to the size of Legos and keeps you there. Well, it appears that we are missing the Matoran area, which is a shame, because I think you nailed the tone that is so tough to do when working on a Legoland park. I’m as guilty as anyone that I have tried to build a Legoland attraction only to be chopped off at the knees by judges who rightfully stated that it wasn’t a kiddie ride I was making. Scooby, Ghostbusters, DC, Angry Birds, Bricksville, Middle Earth…all of these are perfect for a park and handled deftly in Lego style. I wonder about the harsh transitions between the different lands, but thinking back on my trip to Legoland, there wasn’t much for transitions and it didn’t really bother me. I wish you could have gotten your Bionicle land in as, it is the only glaring thing wrong with this proposal.

We have final scores!!

Sorry about the wait...Just as we had problems with competitors on the last round, we have been battling getting all of the judging done on time.

In this last round, we had two competitors not post. So of the three that posted, here were the standings:

1. Blake Meredith
2. Douglas Hindley
3. DPCC Inc.

This means that we have final standings and a winner to crown.

This was a strange competition, after three weeks, there were only 10 out of 300 possible points that separated second place and last place. The person in first place had a 20 point lead over second place. So while it would be extremely difficult to push number one out of the way, there was plenty of room to move around for the remaining spots.

The person who won came back in the fourth round and destroyed everyone in the same moment that everyone should have been doubling down to go after first place contestant, so that when they got second in the final round, it didn't make much of a difference.

I am pleased to announce that the winner of TOC2 is: Douglas Hindley

Congratulations to everyone who played!

Your prize is a tour of Elitch Gardens or Cedar Point, admission/airfare/accommodations/meals not included.

Hooray! I'm going to Elitch Gardens!

(Or Cedar Point again...I haven't decided.)

A big hearty thanks to the judges, for arranging this tournament, for shepherding us through some wonderfully tricky challenges, and for your insightful reviews which, trust me, I read everyone's closely and tried to take your advice to heart.

An equally hearty thanks to my fellow competitors. I am humbled by the talent you have all displayed both in this competition and in prior seasons. I truly wish circumstances hadn't tormented so many of you. You all fielded some fascinating proposals.

Hopefully by tomorrow I will have more concrete kudos for all of my fellow players. It has been a great pleasure competing!

Well Done Doug. I have to say I couldn't have separated the three of you at all. Each of you did fantastic work. Thank you to the judges for putting this shindig on. I was an avid follower and loved the ideas that came out of this event. Your all winners :)

Congratulations Doug

In light of winning this Tournament of Champions, I wish to say a bit more to my fellow competitors. Every one of you I hold in great esteem, and it is a shame that the nature of competition forces creative ideas to be ranked. From each of you, I saw ideas which hold massive amounts of merit, ideas I am envious of, and who would expect any less from such a group of champions. It’s humbling to have won amongst this crew.

DPCC - The Pragmatist. You are steadfast and eminently consistent, with ideas which are never anything less than incredibly solid. Your concepts are always practical and believable. You have an uncanny talent for describing delicious food. Altogether, it is staggering to consider what you’re creating at your young age; I can guarantee I couldn’t have put out anything this mature in my youth. There has been tremendous evolution in your proposals since we started competing against each other in TPA7, and I have no doubt you’ll continue to get even better.

Chad - The Iconoclast. When everyone else obsesses over Disney parks, and creating total immersion on bonkers budgets, you go in the other direction, forever seeking the holy grail of the perfect regional park. Your passions shine through in your proposals. You seemingly hold yourself to an amazing ideal. This is a great challenge, in a game all about “theme,” to sometimes suggest that a white-knuckle coaster is the better option, but you’ll do so when it really is the better option, and you’ll stand by your convictions. Looking forward to running TPA9 with you soon!

AJ - The Engineer. If any of us could actually oversee the real world construction of a park, it’d be you. Obviously your depth of knowledge regarding parks and coasters is extraordinary. I’ve learned a ton from you, mostly from your peerless role as a judge, but also from your thoughtful creative proposals. I get the sense that there are depths to AJ which we here on TPA get only glimpses of, such as your massive fantasy world of dragons. This imagination coupled with a tactful precision makes you a worthy competitor. I’m sure your September WDW trip is fully planned already!

Blake - The Philosopher. Regarding theme alone, you are unbeatable! Your writing is incredibly evocative, making it super easy to picture your parks fully formed. Add to that an intellectual drive to somehow elevate the medium of theme parks beyond where they now stand. There’s always a push for a greater purpose in your proposals. Magna Biblioteca might well be the most ambitious theme park ever proposed, real or hypothetical, and I’m counting Disneyland and EPCOT Center in those ranks! Seriously, continue working on it! Know that if EPCOT didn’t exist, anyone proposing it on TPA would be misunderstood. I’ve studied the Great Books in college, I’ve briefly considered (years ago) an educational park concerning them, only to discard the idea, and you’ve gone far, far further with that notion than I’ve ever dared. I’m still not sure if such a park can be done, but I’m sure you’ll find a way.

Compared to you guys, I’m not sure how to consider myself. I’m too aware of my own limitations, for I look at my proposals and I see parks which exist in the shadows of their various inspirations. Many of my fellow TPA-ers possess (or hold the potential for) a deeply personal “masterpiece” park. For James Koehl, it’s the wonderful Americana 1900. For Blake, clearly it’s Magna Biblioteca. Chad, The World of the Rainbow Serpent. I’m not sure if I have a single “Hindleyland” which could represent who I am. So far I’ve done aviation, Russian fairy tales, monsters (mythical), monsters (evolutionary). Other ideas I’ve entertained are really all over the map. It’s always the next new shiny theme!

Okay, enough is enough. Once again, to everyone, judges and competitors and readers, thanks to all of you. I have truly enjoyed Theme Park Apprentice! I’ll be remaining as a judge, but I’m through competing (except under the name “Scott E”). Can’t wait to see new undiscovered creative ideas from other players!

Congratulations, Douglas! After judging your work for two competitions and competing against you, I must say that you are probably one of the most consistently outstanding competitors that I've seen play this game. Almost every single proposal you've written is top notch, and you've managed to take ideas I'd consider fairly risky and create something that seemed very believable out of them. You definitely deserved the victory. Well done!

Blake, Chad, and DPCC, you all had some excellent entries during this competition as well. I've enjoyed reading all of your submissions, and you all still rank in the top tier of competitors who have played this game.

Judges, once again, thank you for putting this competition together. Even though life dictated otherwise, I enjoyed competing and found the challenges both interesting and very difficult. I wish I would have had more time to devote to the competition, but I feel I did the best I could.

Now, I must make one more announcement. I have been involved in some way of every season of Theme Park Apprentice since TPA 4, and while I don't want to claim too much credit I think a large part of the reason this competition is still going is due to the efforts I (and my fellow judges) have put toward it over the past few years. Unfortunately, as evidenced during this competition, my life has gotten significantly busier over the past year, and as a result my role in this competition will have to be diminished going forward. I will continue to be involved, but for the foreseeable future I'm considering myself semi-retired from Theme Park Apprentice. For those looking to compete, don't worry...TPA 9 is in good hands, and there should be an announcement about that coming very soon.

Judges, competitors, and champions, it's been a fun ride. Here's hoping that this wonderful competition will remain popular for some time to come!