Does anyone know if the city of Houston is going to be getting another theme park anytime soon? We've been without a park for almost 3 1/2 years. Isn't it time to bring some kind of thrill back to the city? Thanks.

It's not much, but we have Kemah.

There were rumors of them building a huge park up near Humble or something, but I'm not sure what ever happened to that project.

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^^ In this economy, it's very unlikely anyone would want to spend $400 Million to start a new mega park. Just look at what happned to Hard Rock.

It's going to be years before we see a new park anywhere in the US

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^ The idea is that they're not going to start off with a huge park. They will build from a small start (ie. museums and restaurants) and progress further down their timeline.

It's a bit further than Humble, and is still planned.

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This was news more than a year ago, but we don't know very much more information since then.

Kemah Boardwalk is also ambitious about continuously improving the site and even planning to add new things in the future. Right now, they're main focus is to keep recovering from Hurricane Ike last summer and hope business does the same.

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wasn;t there plans to convert the astrodome into a theme park?

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Michael C

I thought that was the plan for the Pyramid in Memphis, TN.

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It was just some proposals, nothing beyond that.

It's at risk again.

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I would love to see it turned into a usable attraction. But if the rehab costs really feasible.

With the cities population they should have a park bigger then Kemah which looks to be very small.

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Michael C

They are planning new additions but there won't be another coaster; there is practically nowhere to expand.

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Earth Quest Adventures drives ahead with plans, drawings






By JENNIFER SUMMER

Updated: 02.13.09
The plans for the much anticipated Earth Quest Adventures, slated to be constructed in East Montgomery County, are closer to reality with the fast-approaching ground breaking scheduled for the fall.

East Montgomery County Improvement District President and CEO Frank McCrady discussed the plans for the dinosaur-themed park and museum with the Kingwood Realtor Advisory Board Feb. 12.

“We have had board meetings and developer meetings; in two weeks the EMCID board will be issuing bonds on the project,” McCrady said. “The Houston market is ready, willing and able to accept a thematic theme park and destination place to go in regards to any type of recreational activity.”

The Earth Quest Adventures project will be located north of Kingwood, at Roman Forest Boulevard and U.S. Highway 59.

The design process for some of the rides and areas of the park are still in the design process but for the most part, the schematics for Earth Quest are complete.

“The project is moving forward and we are expected to break ground on Earth Quest either the end of this fiscal year or the first quarter of 2010,” McCrady said.

The park is scheduled to open for the public in 2011 or 2012.

The dinosaur theme park will be situated toward the rear of the park and will feature several roller coasters that will go in and around the mountains constructed as a part of the theme.

There will be a temperate side of the mountain which will simulate a rain-forest like atmosphere, another side will showcase volcano-like activity and yet another side will feature a snowy climate.

“There are different components for each side and a centerpiece connecting all the different parts, which is like the center of the park,” McCrady said.

The actual park itself is around 200 acres and several hotels are already slated to be built around the park including a hotel featuring rooms situated in the tree tops that offer a view of the park.

Additionally, McCrady discussed the development of Valley Ranch where there is current retail development that will further enhance the theme of the community, a lifestyle center.

The retail centers in Valley Ranch will feature an outdoor shopping experience and offer shoppers outdoor places where they can relax and interact with friends and fellow shoppers.

Kyle Bauer, owner of QLS Family Fitness Health Complex, also addressed the luncheon, explaining the recent additions and expansion of their facility and the center’s dedication to the community.
link: Earth Quest Adventures drives ahead with plans, drawings > Kingwood Observer > News Archives > Houston Community Newspapers Online - News Around Town

Here are some of the pictures that they have designed for the park:
http://www.iaapa.org/industry/funwor...EarthQuest.jpg

Here is a pic of what the overview of the park will look like:
http://i40.tinypic.com/1zyagjr.jpg

Here is another recent article written in the last month or two:

Dinosaur Park - Coming Soon . . . - Kingwood

Part Expedition Everest, part Volcano: the Blast Coaster, part Wonder Mountain with Vortex at CW?

With the size of Houston compared to Philly there's no question Houston needs a park. It would be a great replacement for the dinky first model of a themepark: Astroworld that we lost.

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Contour Entertainment
There's some more pictures here. Click in the Works at the bottom and then Earthquest. This thing looks like Disney...

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^Do I like the looks of the park? OMG yes. Do I want to see it happen? OMFG YES!!!!!!!! But, I will not believe that this will be real until I see ground being worked on. Soooooooooo many parks that have looked absolutely amazing that were set for the United States have never come to fruition throughout the past five years.

My dad works in houston, and he has a lot of friends there. Ive been to Kemah before Boardwalk Bullet and it was just a tourist trap, owned by Landrys and filled with Landrys branded Restaurants. I imagine its decent now with BW Bullet, but houston still needs a theme park badly.

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Ride on Ride Warriors.

That's because Kemah was never meant to be a tourist destination....it's more for the locals wanting to stop by to unwind and enjoy the forms of recreation (shopping, dining, boating, rides, etc). It's just a cluster of shops and restaurants located next to a marina for boating with some rides added as a bonus.

The Earthquest park mentioned might be intriguing for the area, but the proposed location is quite far from the city (nearly 40 miles north of downtown) compared to AstroWorld's proximity to the city.

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