cdollaz

Regarding Sharpstown and Hillcroft:  after the Globe, wasn't there a store there called FedMart?

It was said earlier in the thread that the developers for EQA are planning for this to be a national/international attraction and not just a regional thing

Yeah, and DIVX planned to sell alot of movies. And Coca-Cola planned to sell a lot of New Coke. And so on and so on.

They won't be going to Disney every year. Plus, if someone in Oklahoma goes to Disney one year, maybe the next year's family vacation, they want to go somewhere closer to home. They can stop by EQA. When (well, if) I-69 is completed, it'll provide more access for the center third of this country, too. But, it's a theme park. I'm sure they'll add/expand on more things to keep everything fresh. I don't know why people wouldn't come back. People go back to Disney and Universal all of the time. Hell, people go back to Six Flags parks all of the time. Why would EQA be any different?

They will be going to Disney every year if they like it better. Sure, those within a certain vicinity will tend to go to EQA, purely for logistical reasons. But I doubt if EQA can survive if they end up being a regional park. Something of this magnitude (cost) will have to bring in people from afar over the long-term. The reason that people go to both Disney and Universal is that they are close to each other. That actually is a plus for Disney (and Universal) as the more options there are, the likelier people are to travel to that region. You can hit them both on one trip.

Maybe EQA won't be any different, but that is yet to be seen. Disney is probably the greatest marketing machine anywhere. They empty your pockets and you still want to come back. They have you believing that their product is better than it probably is. We will see if EQA has the ability to do that.

Disney is really the only destination park I can think of in the US, and people won't want to do that every year. As you previously mentioned, the rides aren't really all that great.

But it's an institution. That goes a long way. Even moreso when the Disney brand is promoted on TV shows, movies, toys, etc. Kids, and therefore families, like familiarity. Given a choice between what they know (Disney characters) and what they don't know (regardless of how cool/entertaining it may be), most kids would prefer the known entity. That is the biggest uphill climb for a venture like this, to brand yourself appropriately and well.

There are a lot of great bands, but if they aren't heard, it doesn't matter how good they are. The artists on American Idol and the radio aren't even remotely close to being the best artists out there, but they are what people hear and are familiar with. There are many crappy imcumbent politicians, but name-recognition goes a long way to their being re-elected. Theme parks are no different. EQ could be twice as good as Disney on every level that we think is important, but it doesn't matter if kids still feel more connected to Disney.

And they are making it appeal to the whole family (hence the partnership with the Houston Zoo, live animal exibits, shows, kiddie coasters, etc.), as well as adults (the eco-friendly stuff, more "extreme" roller coasters, etc.).

We will see if that is the case. I hope it works, but when the direct competition is so strong, it isn't a matter of whether or not it is appealing, it is a matter of whether or not it is as appealing as the competition and can it bring repeat business. For most families it is an either/or decision, as most will not go to both EQ and Disney (or some other park) within a certain timeframe. I have no doubt that initially it will draw people and families. The more important question is whether or not they will come back time and time again. The landscape is riddled with ventures that seemed really cool, took off, and were gone a few years later after the novelty wore off. That is why I think it is essential to appeal to families over the long-term. If people come, but don't come back, this will fail.

I disagree, that is all that pulls us, I mean them, in. I don't care if you call name the roller coaster after mickey mouse, is it a good ride or not? Are the activities fun? You are right, kids don't care about eco-friendly. This should not be one of the top 5 promoting points for the place. It should just be something the developers (and operators saving $$) are proud of. I never decide to do something based on greenness, at best I'll say "Oh, that's great" and then proceed to decide completely based on substance/delivery of awesomeness.

When it comes down to it, Disney doesn't have a lot of great rides. They have a few great ones and a bunch of filler. If someone is going to choose to attend a theme park purely for rides and adrenaline rushes, they aren't going to go to Disney. Yet, Disney hauls in the crowds. It is because they sell the experience as something the whole family will enjoy. You are right, kids do not care about eco-friendly, but they do care about Mickey Mouse. If parents were basing it purely on their own enjoyment, many wouldn't go to Disney, they would go to parks with a high coaster count. But, they want their kids to enjoy it also, so they go somewhere the kids will enjoy it, probably more than they will. When we take our toddler to Disney in a year or so, it is going to mostly for him. That is why a park of this magnitude has to be appealing to the whole family to survive.

I don't think a comparison to Astroworld is apt as far as profitability goes. By the end, Astroworld was a bare bones operation which spent nothing on the niceties that will be a large part of the EQ park. Astroworld was doing just what it took to run the rides and staff the food courts, shops, and midway area. They were no longer selling an entire experience, just selling a place to ride roller coasters. The Disney-type park requires that a tremendous amount of money continuously be spent in elevating it from a mere "park with rides" to an themed experience. Obviously the "entire experience" park can work, but it isn't a sure thing. It has to resonate.

As far as "green" goes, I think it will definitely have some appeal to older kids and adults, at least in the short-term, but I'm not sure those are the most important customers, and I'm also not sure it is a sustainable theme over the long haul. Also, I would think that "middle America" is going to be their largest customer base, given the location in Texas, and "green" isn't as considered here as it is on the coasts. As was mentioned above, trying to force the theme on an audience that doesn't want it would be a huge mistake.

I hope they can find the right balance.

I really hope this comes to fruition, but it seems like the type of thing that could be a disaster and lose a ton of money, if it ever even gets started.

2 of my concerns are:

1. The "green" theme. That can easily come across as too heavy-handed for a lot of people. Being eco-friendly is nice, but if visitors are constantly beaten over the head with it, it's gonna annoy a decent chunk of them. I mentioned this park to a couple of people yesterday (who hadn't heard of it) and told them the eco-friendly/green concept, and they both went "ugh." That's not the first thing you want people to say when they hear about your new theme park.

2. Will kids want to go there? On the outside, it looks like there is a lot of stuff that kids will enjoy, but the reason that Disney is so revered by children are the characters and the history behind them and the name. Given a choice and all thing being relatively equal, are kids going to want to go here or the place with the characters they see on TV and movie screens every day. Kids are not going to care about "green", so there has to be something other than fun rides and activities to pull them in. Branding and appeal to children is going to be perhaps the most important aspect as to whether or not this place is a success.

That said, I really hope it is huge.

Awesome, thanks! I filled it out and emailed. I wonder if anything will actually become of it... but at least it's a start.

Call the businesses that put up the signs and tell them that if they do not take them down, you are not going to frequent their business, and are going to spread the word to your friends also.

I'm pretty sure there is still one lion (w/open mouth) fountain still at the zoo. Remember it from the 1950's-60's. It's on one of the walkways, in the middle of the zoo, by some small portable food stands, & overhanging tree limbs.

Yep, there is still one lion fountain there. I think it is near the bear exhibits.

Another place we used to go to often was the Der Weinerschnitzel (sp?) that was in a red A-shaped building. I think it was on Hillcroft near Bissonnet. The drive thru went thru the building and divided it in half.

Houston Trunk Factory!!! Haven't heard that name in a long time.

I grew up in that area as well and spent a lot of time at the old Meyerland as a kid. I remember the game room being very dark inside. and spending a ton of time going to Woolworths with my mom. That was back when kids could just run around the store without fear of being kidnapped so that is what I would do, check the toys section. I remember the diner at the back of the store also. I also remember choirs singing in the middle area of the mall at Christmas time.

Anyone remember Zappos sandwich shop in Bellaire?

We will likely be leaving the city and heading down South before the year is out and quite frankly, there are so many neighborhoods to choose from it is overwhelming. However, using HAR one neighborhood that seems to have a bunch of houses that are right up our alley is Canyon Gate.

Anyone live there/have any knowledge of that subdivision? Anything you can tell us will be appreciated. Thank you.