Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort

[Ez Street]

There is a billboard (maybe more) in Topeka for Schlitterbahn when you head north on US-75 just north of Highway 24.

They are marketking it.

[im2kull]

Why would they even bother?  That's what perplexes me.  Any year that something is under construction, and not operating, is a loss.  Its a given within the industry.  You don't make money untill it opens, so why push so hard to get it done this year, rather than sit back, take your losses, and get it done the right way for next year?

[kcmetro]

Why would they even bother?  That's what perplexes me.  Any year that something is under construction, and not operating, is a loss.  Its a given within the industry.  You don't make money untill it opens, so why push so hard to get it done this year, rather than sit back, take your losses, and get it done the right way for next year?

I agree.  It seems really stupid to try to open this up when it's not going to be completely ready.  If you want to make a good first impression with visitors, it doesn't seem like opening the place while the concrete is still curing is the way to do it.

[im2kull]

I agree.  It seems really stupid to try to open this up when it's not going to be completely ready.  If you want to make a good first impression with visitors, it doesn't seem like opening the place while the concrete is still curing is the way to do it.

Exactly.  If there was some way they could open it with 80% of phase I & II done, then go for it.  Otherwise wait untill its 100% done next year and offer someone a product that can compete with Oceans of Fun.  It makes no sense to offer a sub-par product to your target market, that will do nothing to help you and only plant an unfinished image in their heads.  Why would you chance your multi-million dollar investment, to recoup pennys on the dollar?

An overall 2009 year loss is a loss, any way you cut it.  Don't risk turning 2010 into a fiscal loss by trying to recoup 1% of this years loss in the coming 3 months.

[Pendergast]

I think it was because of the STAR bonds that were used.  Some provision about having to continue construction once it had started?  I heard this secondhand though....maybe on here

[the_shadow]

no star bonds have been issued...everything has been on schlitterbahn's dime soo far.

[NDTeve]

Why would they even bother?  That's what perplexes me.  Any year that something is under construction, and not operating, is a loss.  Its a given within the industry.  You don't make money untill it opens, so why push so hard to get it done this year, rather than sit back, take your losses, and get it done the right way for next year?

"You don't make money till it opens"...then why criticize them for opening?

[im2kull]

"You don't make money till it opens"...then why criticize them for opening?

Because if you read all of what I posted, you will see how I show that opening early..to make a few hundred thousand bucks, CAN harm their future in KC and their ability to make a few hundred MILLION bucks!

Think about it.

[NDTeve]

Got it and understand. I guess I just don't see how it hurts them that much to open part of the park for a short time this year. They can make some money and they are obviously confident that people will like what they see/experience. "If this place has this....think of when it all opens" mentality. Plus they can educate the people that are there about the total completed project. I understand where you and Metro were coming from...just think there's also a different take.

[phxcat]

What would be the operating costs?  You aren't taking advantage of economies of scale- it could well be that it will cost as much, if not more, money to open it for a couple of months than the money that will be taken in during that time, given the probability of low attendance for a partial park in a recession (though I guess attendence could be high enough to make it worth it just for being a new attraction.)

[im2kull]

Got it and understand. I guess I just don't see how it hurts them that much to open part of the park for a short time this year. They can make some money and they are obviously confident that people will like what they see/experience. "If this place has this....think of when it all opens" mentality. Plus they can educate the people that are there about the total completed project. I understand where you and Metro were coming from...just think there's also a different take.

Got it and understand.

I guess the final outcome depends on what the customers think, and if they choose to return or not.  That's the multi-million dollar question, and the one only Schiltterbahn will know the answer to...in due time.

[LenexatoKCMO]

I think it was because of the STAR bonds that were used.   Some provision about having to continue construction once it had started?  I heard this secondhand though....maybe on here

Doubt it has anything to do with the Star bonds since the state hasn't done crap with that - but I do suspect that they are under some sort of contractual obligation to someone (bank? city/state?) to open this year and thus the hurry to get a phase done. 

[cityscape]

Obviously this didn't open yet or we would have heard about it. 

Check out the blog to see where they are.  It looks like they are getting closer, but still VERY far away.

http://schlitterblogkc.blogspot.com/

[davidc]

If they have started filling the various attractions with water, they can't be far away. I'm sure there is a good deal of testing and no doubt a few bugs will be found - but I think it'll be open within a fortnight.

[LenexatoKCMO]

Yeah, I imagine there is a lot of overhead keeping the water moving and healthy for use; not an expense you would want to keep up for weeks on end while the park is closed. 

[AJoD]

I saw somewhere today (and I don't know where if it wasn't here) that they were shooting for July 12 as opening day.  (Twitter maybe?)

[DaveKCMO]

I saw somewhere today (and I don't know where if it wasn't here) that they were shooting for July 12 as opening day.  (Twitter maybe?)

http://twitter.com/Schlitterbahn

[KCMax]

This just totally seems rushed.

KCK waterpark hopes to open within a week

?Our goal is to be open in the next seven days,? said marketing director Chris Ozimek.

But don?t get that swimsuit out just yet. Ozimek stressed that Schlitterbahn is ?hoping? to open by then.

[DaveKCMO]

who's going to be the first to file a report?

[KCPowercat]

who's going to be the first to file a report?

No way dude, I'm not getting that TK drubbing.