Monster Plantation at Six Flags Over Georgia to get major renovation!

[Squid2]

It was just announced that SFoG is going to do a major renovation to the Monster Plantation, their famous dark ride, for the 2009 season. I've been expecting this for the past few years, but was never able to nail down the year... in fact, I haven't been to the park this year at all, and it's in my backyard, so to speak. But I'll be going later this year and next, definitely!

I'm including a quote of the press release for everyone's enjoyment.

A MONSTER ANNOUNCEMENT: HISTORIC MONSTER PLANTATION TAKES GUESTS ON A WHOLE NEW JOURNEY

AUSTELL, GA. – (Sept. 15, 2008) – Six Flags Over Georgia announced today that the historic Monster Plantation adventure will undergo a major renovation to be unveiled as the new Monster Mansion in May 2009.

Since 1981, the Monster Plantation has been a tried and true staple for families visiting Six Flags Over Georgia. The iconic theme music, playful monster animatronics and family-friendly storyline has lured millions of visitors and consistently ranked among the most popular attractions. The new voyage will feature a slate of surprises, including new characters, music, interactive elements and a re-themed storyline. In addition, many of the original monsters will return to the Mansion.

“Monster Plantation has been a guest favorite for almost three decades, and we are thrilled to be able to recreate the experience,” said Melinda Ashcraft, Park President. “There is undoubtedly a lot of nostalgia associated with the ride, and the adults who rode it as children will now get to enjoy special memories with their own kids.”

Gary Goddard, world-renowned design consultant and founder of Gary Goddard Entertainment (GGE), created the original ride and will be responsible for the new production using many of the original designers assigned to the project. Goddard constructed the integral elements of the Georgia Aquarium, including the hub that leads to the aquarium’s five exhibits and Deepo’s Undersea 3D Wondershow. In 2007, GGE developed the Glow in the Park parade which lights up the night with an amazing display of imagery, music and magical performances at several Six Flags parks.

Six Flags Over Georgia is now selling 2009 season passes for the limited-time only price of $49.99 – the lowest price in four years. Guests who purchase a 2009 season pass will receive unlimited park admission not only in 2009, but also for the remainder of the 2008 season with special front-of-line entrance on Monster Plantation and free admission to see Dr. Fright's Frightorium Haunted House during this year's Fright Fest presented by SNICKERS®. Season pass holders will also be given special exclusive ride times next spring on the all-new Monster Mansion along with the value-packed 2009 coupon book with more than $300 worth of offers including five Bring-A-Friend-Free tickets.
The park is currently open weekends and will be open Friday nights and Saturdays and Sundays in October. For more information on Monster Mansion or to purchase a 2009 season pass, please visit www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

So, everyone, what do you think? I'm wondering what that "interactive elements" bit means... are we finally getting something similar to Scooby Doo from Sally? Or maybe even King Tut's Curse? One can only hope... :D

I CAN'T WAIT!

Squid2

[Westcot]

Well, seems like Six Flags is definitely trying to improve their family image lately, as well as add some "Disney magic"... ghetto style. ;)

With the Dark Knight Coaster, Glow in the Park Parade, X2 upgrades, Monster Mansion, and now also new Superman ROS upgrades announced for SFNE, it really seems that Six Flags is starting to care more about their parks.

I actually visited SFOG this summer (my first time at a Six Flags park), and I actually was pretty impressed with it from what I'd heard from other people. I remember that Monster Plantation always had a long line, although we never went on it. I also remember my dad saying something along the lines of it being a "ghetto Haunted Mansion." :haha:

Now if they could just sell some of their parks to narrow it down some, they could have renovations like this more often...

[Squid2]

Well, when the original ride was built in 1981, it was 4 million dollars. It would probably be about 10 to 12 million today. Also when it was built, the park was saying that it was the most expensive dark ride built to date. (Obviously that's no longer true... DarKastle was over $33 million.) So, I wouldn't call it "ghetto."

I've always enjoyed it, and I ride it every chance I get. The ride system is also one of two rides still original to the park. (The other is the train track. The Dahlonega Mine Train, while in it's original footprint, went through a rehab back in the day that retracked the entire course, with the effect of making the coaster a completely new ride. And the log flume wasn't added until the 1968 season.)

In fact, this will the the fourth major rehab for the ride. It originally was "Tales of the Okefenokee" which opened with the park in 1967. For the 1968 season, the park decided that the Oke needed a major rehab to replace the interior theming. So the interior was replaced with animatronics based on the Brer Rabbit tales.

Oke lasted until the 1980 season, when the park decided they needed to upgrade their signature dark ride again. The interior and some of the exterior were gutted and replaced with a new theme, this one dealing with monsters living in a plantation and the swamp nearby.

The Monster Plantation opened in the 1981 season, and was an instant hit. Ever since, it's had long lines and plenty of riders. But the only upgrades it has ever had have been relatively minor... things like lighting, sound, costume changes.

I know the techs who work on it; they're friends of mine. Most of them have worked on the Monster Plantation since the park opened. They've done wonders with a small budget, and it's definitely a labor of love for them. I've already heard from them that they're thrilled about the new ride coming, and can't wait for us to see it.

I don't know how much the new ride will cost, but I'm thinking it's going to be at least $10 million or even more. When we find out the details (or I hear better figures from my friends,) I'll have a better estimate.

Squid2

[Pandasrcool]

The first time I went to SFOG, I was five.:p My parents dragged me onto Monster Plantation and I was terrified.:haha: Haven't been on since. I'll have to go on it next summer and see what's been changed since then.