livincinco Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Nope. None at all. I don't know how you could see that as competiton. For a family in Alabama that wants to go see Mickey Mouse, would they go to Hong Kong, or the one right down there in Florida? Unless they are loaded with cash, they would go to the one in Florida.Here's some updates on the Dubai dinosaur park - it's called Restless Planet. Scheduled to open in late 2008. http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/229345http://www.menareport.com/en/business/202687/I would expect that Earthquest is going to use pretty much the same technology. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody_hawkeye Posted June 18, 2008 Share Posted June 18, 2008 Here's some updates on the Dubai dinosaur park - it's called Restless Planet. Scheduled to open in late 2008. http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/229345http://www.menareport.com/en/business/202687/I would expect that Earthquest is going to use pretty much the same technology.I have a presentation that received by email. I could post it in a shared location somewhere if any interest. It is the overall plan of Dubai - so impressive one just sits in awe. I do not know if this particular park is part of the huge park they have planned there which will be twice the size of Disneyworld. Dubai is plannigng for the day they run out of oil. Actually, they are already incrementing their tourism by leaps and bounds. The presentation plays "Born Free" for obvious reasons (to me anyway). This presentation is the best that I have seen yet on Dubai. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertnurick Posted June 23, 2008 Share Posted June 23, 2008 Until Dubai rids itself of repressive religious fundamentalism, it's not going to become a tourist attraction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) Apparently this is reporting way more land than we thought earlier:"Will occupy some 1,500 acres and include the Earth Quest Institute, a theme park,retail centers, hotels, as well as residential."http://products.rednews.com/base/member/mw...ties_July08.pdfAlso, the H-GAC April 2008 Montgomery County Transit Plan says this...In addition, as development of the Earth Quest Adventures theme park near US 59 continues, consideration should also be made for public transport linkages between that theme park and other tourist attractions throughout the county. Some of those attractions include the Lone Star Convention Center, the Spring Creek trail system, Lake Conroe, the Woodlands and the higher density residential and commercial developments along IH-45 North Freeway throughout the central core of Montgomery county and into the adjacent counties, Walker, Harris, Liberty and Waller counties.http://www.h-gac.com/taq/plans_programs/re...nal_4-24-08.pdf (p. 21)Update from March...Don Lessem, a leading paleontologist and an advisor to Jurassic Park and Disney Dinosaur films, has chosen to bring EarthQuest Adventures to New Caney, Texas. This is a fifty million dollar project, including hotels, an IMAX, a theme park and a museum. The IMAX will be 4D. Dill says, “If a dinosaur sneezes, you’ll feel it. Water will spring out from your seat.” The 155,000 square foot non-profit museum will be an all green facility with a 200 foot observation center. The plan is to begin moving dirt on the museum either late summer or early fall of this year and will take an estimated 18 to 24 months to build. After museum completion, construction on the rest will follow. The project should be finished by the summer of 2012 at the latest.http://products.rednews.com/base/member/mw...mercialBuzz.pdf Edited July 23, 2008 by lockmat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I'm looking forward to this, but I'm not getting excited until they break ground. I'm always leery about this kind of thing, no matter how much information is released. Break ground, clear some land, get a couple of things up, then I'll cheer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallastar Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I'm looking forward to this, but I'm not getting excited until they break ground. I'm always leery about this kind of thing, no matter how much information is released.Break ground, clear some land, get a couple of things up, then I'll cheer.Is there a link for Earth Quest, the more info I hear about this the more exciting it gets. I think this is going to be awesome for the Houston area but also for the state of Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Is there a link for Earth Quest, the more info I hear about this the more exciting it gets. I think this is going to be awesome for the Houston area but also for the state of Texas.no link as far as we know, right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) Someone is selling acres near the site on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/99-Acres-just-1-mile-f...1QQcmdZViewItem There's no official link, but the people here post any updates available: http://www.sixflagshouston.com/forums/view...8&start=165 Edited July 23, 2008 by KimberlySayWhat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dallastar Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Someone is selling acres near the site on Ebay:http://cgi.ebay.com/99-Acres-just-1-mile-f...1QQcmdZViewItemThere's no official link, but the people here post any updates available:http://www.sixflagshouston.com/forums/view...8&start=165Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Great Hizzy! Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 This thing is massive. Like Kimberly said, you're going to have to be patient and walk through this one piece-by-piece, otherwise it'll drive you crazy with anticipation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Apparently this is reporting way more land than we thought earlier:"Will occupy some 1,500 acres and include the Earth Quest Institute, a theme park,retail centers, hotels, as well as residential."http://products.rednews.com/base/member/mw...ties_July08.pdfAlso, the H-GAC April 2008 Montgomery County Transit Plan says this...In addition, as development of the Earth Quest Adventures theme park near US 59 continues, consideration should also be made for public transport linkages between that theme park and other tourist attractions throughout the county. Some of those attractions include the Lone Star Convention Center, the Spring Creek trail system, Lake Conroe, the Woodlands and the higher density residential and commercial developments along IH-45 North Freeway throughout the central core of Montgomery county and into the adjacent counties, Walker, Harris, Liberty and Waller counties.http://www.h-gac.com/taq/plans_programs/re...nal_4-24-08.pdf (p. 21)Update from March...Don Lessem, a leading paleontologist and an advisor to Jurassic Park and Disney Dinosaur films, has chosen to bring EarthQuest Adventures to New Caney, Texas. This is a fifty million dollar project, including hotels, an IMAX, a theme park and a museum. The IMAX will be 4D. Dill says, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 This will be the largest theme park in the South outside of Disney World. At least in terms of land mass. Since it's gonna be so eco friendly, I wonder how much of it will actually be a ride, museum, etc... I thought much of it would be trees, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coaster Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) I think the reason they are saying 1500 acres now is because they are probably including a residential portion into the resort. A year ago, when the papers were reporting that the resort was 250 acres, they had not added in the residential part of the project yet. The theme park part of the resort will probably not be too much larger than most other large theme parks in U.S. Most large theme parks only use about 80-90 acres of land for the actual park area. The 1500 acres that are being discussed now will more than likely include, the theme park, the water park, the museum, the research center, the maintenance areas, the offices, the hotels, the residential components, the imax, the r.v. park, the retail areas, and the parking areas.And yes, hopefully lots and lots and lots of trees to keep the whole place shady and cool. Edited July 23, 2008 by Coaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Is $50 million a typo? I thought the resort hotel alone was to approach $150 million. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 It's a typo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I thought everything would be up and going by 2010? Am I wrong, or is this being pushed back into phases? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I e-mailed the East Montgomery County website (www.emctx.com) to ask if they could provide any new information. They responded and said they didn't have any to share right now, but plans are still on going. Maybe we can try periodically to get news out of them, assuming they have some. I wish they'd put up a website that shows development. Walt Disney hosted a weekly TV series similar in the '50s when Disneyland was being built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I hope they remove one of the words at the end, and either call it Earth Quest, or Earth Adventure, with Earth Quest being the preferred choice.Earth Quest Adventure reminds me of some cheesey B-rated Brendan Fraser movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 So what would you call it? Earth Quest Amusement Park? That doesn't sound too bad. Neither does Earth Quest Adventures, but most people would call it Earth Quest anyway. Much like they do with other parks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) Earth Quest reminds me of "Galaxy Quest". A cheesy movie starring Tim Allen. BTW I have that DVD, never opened, still in its wrap since it came out. Anything's better than Dinosaur City, which it was initially called. Someone on here, can't remember who, said it reminded them of those roadside reptile exhibits in Florida. Edited July 23, 2008 by KimberlySayWhat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 loopnet is using eathquest as a selling point:http://www.loopnet.com/property/15435357/U...y-59N-Loop-494/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katyresident Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 ok, WOAH! I just found out about this thing today. If it goes through it will be amazing. I am so glad Houston may finally be getting something like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpie Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 My understanding is that there will be a website or something within the year that we will be able to either go to or call to get updates about Earth Quest Adventures. East Montgomery County Improvement District doesn't have information that they are putting out there right now because I've heard that this project is in the designing phase right now and it's always changing so noone wants to put something out there until they have something definate about the design decided. I've also heard that it is scheduled to open around 2012 and that they should start breaking ground early 2009. It is definately a go from everything I hear out here. When I find out where we can go for more info, i'll post it here!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadrunner Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 My understanding is that there will be a website or something within the year that we will be able to either go to or call to get updates about Earth Quest Adventures. East Montgomery County Improvement District doesn't have information that they are putting out there right now because I've heard that this project is in the designing phase right now and it's always changing so noone wants to put something out there until they have something definate about the design decided. I've also heard that it is scheduled to open around 2012 and that they should start breaking ground early 2009. It is definately a go from everything I hear out here. When I find out where we can go for more info, i'll post it here!!As much as I want this thing to get off the ground, I'm glad that they seem to not be rushing things. Having the design always changing is a good thing. If this is going to have the kind of impact we are expecting and they are hoping for, they are going to have to do everything perfect. It's the perfect storm for a great entertainment complex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 As much as I want this thing to get off the ground, I'm glad that they seem to not be rushing things. Having the design always changing is a good thing. If this is going to have the kind of impact we are expecting and they are hoping for, they are going to have to do everything perfect. It's the perfect storm for a great entertainment complex.Yeah, all we have to do is look back at threads of current projects going up. The threads were created two to four years ago. We need patience.Why is it good that the design is always changing? Because it means they're refining it until they get what they think is best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HtownWxBoy Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 This is going to be AWSOME... about time Houston (or the surrounding area) built something big! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 Let me give you an idea as to a potential name of the project if Universal Studios comes aboard......Guess who owns the rights to "Jurassic Park?" And guess what theme park has "Jurassic Park: The Ride" in use currently? (HINT: Its in Japan) Universal Studios and a Dino-Themed Park....I can see the name coming already.... "Universal Studios: Jurassic Park" Now that right there has "tourist attraction" written all over it..... I just read this. Would make for a perfect name, and nationwide recognition instantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pumapayam Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 I just read this. Would make for a perfect name, and nationwide recognition instantly. If the project get builts, and the company falls apart or goes bankrupt soon after openning, expect a large company like Universal to swoop in and do just this. Smart move to wait and see and let someone else do the dirty work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconRanch1 Posted August 13, 2008 Share Posted August 13, 2008 If the project get builts, and the company falls apart or goes bankrupt soon after openning, expect a large company like Universal to swoop in and do just this.Smart move to wait and see and let someone else do the dirty work. Could this be the possible works of disney....? I did a search and came across this, basically i copied and pasted the whole listing so you can see where i got the Disney from (noted in bold letters:) Land Features & Description PRICE REDUCED ANOTHER 5,000. 4 acre lot located in The Commons of Lake Houston. The closest lake front deed restricted acreage community North of Houston. Home sites are deed restricted to a minimum of 2000 sq. ft. and above the FEMA 500 year flood plain. No MUD Taxes and very low property tax rates. Huffman Independent School District. Ranked 3rd. in the greater Houston Area. 16 to 1 student/teacher ratio. Texas Exemplary/recognized school system. The lot is in a great location on a Cul-de-Sac street and still heavily wooded. 160 ft frontage. 340 ft in the back. Lake Houston boat access. Community pool and pavilion. Disney's Dino Park is being planned just a few minutes north in New Caney. Houstons Grand Parkway also being planned to be nearby. Save on commission by dealing directly with owner. Adjacent 4 acre lot is on the market for 125,000 Available Utilities & Services Electricity, Telephone, Well Water, Septic, Cable/Sat TV, Cell Service, Broadband Location & Directions The Commons of Lake Houston is off of FM2100 5 mins north of FM1960 in Huffman. Follow the signs and the sub is on the left. When you enter sub you'll be on Commons Vista. Take that till it ends at Kingwood Drive. Make a left. Your first right will be Lake Commons Ct. It's the second lot on the right with survey markers in the front. 231 Lake Commons Ct. Feel free to walk it anytime. What do ya' think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 They probably just put that there.I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProHouston Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Could this be the possible works of disney....? I did a search and came across this, basically i copied and pasted the whole listing so you can see where i got the Disney from (noted in bold letters:)Land Features & Description Disney's Dino Park is being planned just a few minutes north in New Caney. What do ya' think? That's just being ignorant or unethical. Neither which I support. There is no way this is a Disney property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swtsig Posted August 14, 2008 Share Posted August 14, 2008 Yeah, all we have to do is look back at threads of current projects going up. The threads were created two to four years ago. We need patience.Why is it good that the design is always changing? Because it means they're refining it until they get what they think is best? no, being stale and complacent is always better than being adaptive and dynamic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Anyone else see this new article? It has lots of details.http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2008/10/...emcdinosaur.txt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudemeister Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Makes sense that they are including an entertainment area similar to Universal Studios.I am not sure if this is true or not but I heard that Universal Studios is a prominent investor in the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livincinco Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 I hope I'm wrong, but I have a bad feeling that this is never going to get built due to financing. The article says that they haven't started working on the $50 million that they need for the EarthQuest Institute yet. Not the best climate to try to raise that kind of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimberlySayWhat Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 I hope I'm wrong, but I have a bad feeling that this is never going to get built due to financing. The article says that they haven't started working on the $50 million that they need for the EarthQuest Institute yet. Not the best climate to try to raise that kind of money. I'm with you on that. I never get excited about anything anymore. If it happens, and I hope it does, then it happens. Same thing with the Dome project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Have they done a single thing to the site yet? Is there even one of those cheesy wood signs with a rendering along the highway? I haven't been over that way in a long time (years). Have they even cleared the land yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody_hawkeye Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 Have they done a single thing to the site yet? Is there even one of those cheesy wood signs with a rendering along the highway? I haven't been over that way in a long time (years). Have they even cleared the land yet?I am in agreement. A doubtful project for near term. It certainly has not seen the light this year as we originally envisioned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxmulder Posted December 14, 2008 Share Posted December 14, 2008 I am in agreement. A doubtful project for near term. It certainly has not seen the light this year as we originally envisioned!So you've been out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody_hawkeye Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 So you've been out there?Not me personally but someone told me that there was little done. Maybe I can go out when I am that way in the next two weeks. It could be an economic stimulus to the community, so I would hope that the person who told me that looked in the wrong place. We need all we can get now to liven up the economy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbrunk01 Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Not me personally but someone told me that there was little done. Maybe I can go out when I am that way in the next two weeks. It could be an economic stimulus to the community, so I would hope that the person who told me that looked in the wrong place. We need all we can get now to liven up the economy.Yeah....well, here's an actual update other than "I looked and didn't see anything yet".http://www.kingwood.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=2236 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Yeah....well, here's an actual update other than "I looked and didn't see anything yet".http://www.kingwood.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=2236I hope they put the presentation online somewhere. And since there's going to be so much other stuff not actually part of the park, including retail, offices etc, I'd think they'll be putting a website up somewhat soon, at least for the office portion exposure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pestofan Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 (edited) Yeah, right. That article reads like so many other hyped projects that never end up coming close to the promises, if they even get built. So many of the usual warning flags: Grandiose scale, loads of promises, relatively new consortium without a track record, buzzword abuse, and a trendy but shaky theme overstretched to too many dissimilar aspects. "Eco-tourism! Theme park! Convention center! Water park! Museum! Night Life! Entertainment for all ages and interests! Retail! Office! Green research! Big Box! Apartments! Experimental new social research neighborhood! Cure for the common cold!" More likely just some of the retail, housing, and small strip offices/clinics get built, maybe the water park if the county is lucky. And perhaps a strip club ("Roman Forest, Russian Fingers"?) Edited December 19, 2008 by pestofan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Yeah, right. That article reads like so many other hyped projects that never end up coming close to the promises, if they even get built. So many of the usual warning flags: Grandiose scale, loads of promises, relatively new consortium without a track record, buzzword abuse, and a trendy but shaky theme overstretched to too many dissimilar aspects. "Eco-tourism! Theme park! Convention center! Water park! Museum! Night Life! Entertainment for all ages and interests! Retail! Office! Green research! Big Box! Apartments! Experimental new social research neighborhood! Cure for the common cold!" More likely just some of the retail, housing, and small strip offices/clinics get built, maybe the water park if the county is lucky. And perhaps a strip club ("Roman Forest, Russian Fingers"?)You may be right.But just curious. How else should they announce their project but besides unveiling their actual plans? Or are you just upset that they always have grandiose plans and don't follow through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trae Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Yeah....well, here's an actual update other than "I looked and didn't see anything yet".http://www.kingwood.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=2236I don't like the idea of too much retail on the west side. For the east side though, why go for an outlet mall? Why not a normal "regional" mall (Macy's, Dillard's, etc.)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProHouston Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I don't like the idea of too much retail on the west side. For the east side though, why go for an outlet mall? Why not a normal "regional" mall (Macy's, Dillard's, etc.)?They've already got Deerbrook just south of this area at 59 and 1960. Of course it could use a major upgrade. I hear it's going downhill fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
txtiger Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 The East Montgomery County Improvement District actually had large-scale models of both the EarthQuest Resort theme park and the EarthQuest Institute available for viewing one day last month at their annual Christmas Open House. A member of another Houston forum group was able to make it up tot he EMCID offices and spoke with a gentlemen who claimed the park is "recession proof." (It's my understanding, by the way, that the models will eventually be displayed again for public viewing. I called them this week, and they currently don't know when they'll be out on display again.)I'm certainly convinced this project is in good shape for now, considering so much time and thought has been used to get a team together to outline the program and fundraising efforts. Consider the article on this attachment:IEDC_Fall_2008_Article.pdfThe EarthQuest Institute rendering on page 2, and the pretty impressive aerial rendering of the entertainment portion of the site on page 6, both seem to be promising. Note the rendering of the Institute matches what's shown for the Institute in the aerial rendering. The rest of the program elements about which we've heard are nearly all visible as well (from left to right): the family entertainment center, the Institute, a resort hotel, the "City Walk," the water park, and the theme park... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston19514 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Good article on the Chron's website. This project is apparently still moving forward.Earth Quest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmat Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Good article on the Chron's website. This project is apparently still moving forward.Earth Questinteresting new info... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristinDaugherty Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 If you have been to the Ren. Fest near Plantersville then that might give you an idea of the big pine trees and pretty forests that can be incorporated into the design of a theme park.For comparison purposes, the Texas Renaissance Festival grounds (the part open to patrons) is just over 50 acres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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