Would this bother you?

[Colleen27]

I'd seriously question the sanity of the developers. There's no way our little town, located at the dead-end of a two-lane road where it hits water, could handle any significant influx of tourists. And I wouldn't be all that excited for a bunch of part-time, low-wage, seasonal jobs as compensation for losing the character of the community. Our town is slowly developing an artsy/hipster sort of vibe - lots of antique shops, theatre venues, local winery, indie bookstore, boutique hotel, etc. - and I'd hate to see that overwhelmed by mass-market development.

But I'm sure others would welcome it, especially if it were located not in my town but out in the vast swaths of nothing (cornfields) closer to the highway. Our county could certainly use something new, and while a project like that wouldn't bring anything even close to the quality of the manufacturing jobs we've lost, it might bring some positive attention and visitor traffic to what feels sometimes like the forgotten, dumpy corner of the metro area.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Yes, it would bother me.

 

[jevs]

Nope. There isn't much employment where I live so would be a boost for the town and surrounding areas.

 

[leebee]

I'm 50:50 on it. My siblings and their families live in a southern Maine tourist town, so I understand how challenging an onslaught of tourists can be. Traffic is a nightmare, grocery prices go up, it's impossible to go out to dinner without an hour's wait in line, property values and therefore taxes soar, etc. OTOH, it's a huge influx of money for the towns in the area and is really what keeps them alive. Also, because of the active tourist trade, there are all kinds of grocery stores, specialty stores, outlets, etc., none of which would have been in the area without the seasonal tourists. A big attraction brings businesses, jobs, and money to the local towns. The state is better about road building and maintenance. YES summer tourists can be a big PITA (Disney isn't the only place where the attitude is "I paid a LOT for this vacation and I'm gonna do what I want), but it's also beneficial to the community.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Ooh, this is interesting! I remember taking a survey on a water park in upstate NY--we moved from there in 2008, so it had to be a while back. I had the impression that it would be closer to Albany, though. I remember thinking that a water park didn't make a whole lot of sense to me--we were up by Saratoga, and you ran your furnace Sept.-April. I can't help but think that any kind of theme park would have serious weather issues, even "downstate" (when you live north of of Albany, anything south of there is downstate). But the weather concerns make me wonder if the park would be more seasonal.

OTOH, I now live in a touristy area (NC coast). We just avoid the touristy spots during the summer, and enjoy beaches in the off-season. The tourists don't bother me so much--I figure it's good for the local economy.

 

[dashofsunshine]

Ooh, this is interesting! I remember taking a survey on a water park in upstate NY--we moved from there in 2008, so it had to be a while back. I had the impression that it would be closer to Albany, though. I remember thinking that a water park didn't make a whole lot of sense to me--we were up by Saratoga, and you ran your furnace Sept.-April. I can't help but think that any kind of theme park would have serious weather issues, even "downstate" (when you live north of of Albany, anything south of there is downstate). But the weather concerns make me wonder if the park would be more seasonal.

OTOH, I now live in a touristy area (NC coast). We just avoid the touristy spots during the summer, and enjoy beaches in the off-season. The tourists don't bother me so much--I figure it's good for the local economy.

At the meeting a few nights ago in Orange County, they told everyone that it would indeed be a seasonal park - April (or may) through October - things would be closed down in the winter except for the hotel. No water park (too cold up there, lol. The season is far too short). They're only open until 8 pm during high season and 6 pm during low season.

Also, the president told everyone he would work with local government to make sure the traffic (and even water) issues were taken care of. He said (and I quote) "we don't want the neighbors unhappy with us; that would be bad for business."

Legoland is worth millions of dollars, and I have a pretty good feeling that they will expand Route 17, or at least make some major alterations to handle the traffic. Years ago Route 17 was supposed to become a part of 86, but I'm assuming that idea was scrapped or they're just dragging their feet, lol.

 

[Aliceacc]

Lots of jobs, lots of tax revenue. Probably more money for schools as a result.

Nope, I would see it as a good thing.

 

[MrJT]

live in San Antonio, so I have a Six Flags and a Sea World, so it's a part of life here. When I first moved to town 6 years ago, my first job here was at Sea World. If they paid twice as much, I would still be there.

 

[DopeyDame]

My only concern would be traffic and infrastructure. So assuming that was handled properly, I'd love a Legoland near us!

 

[QueenIsabella]

At the meeting a few nights ago in Orange County, they told everyone that it would indeed be a seasonal park - April (or may) through October - things would be closed down in the winter except for the hotel. No water park (too cold up there, lol. The season is far too short). They're only open until 8 pm during high season and 6 pm during low season.

Also, the president told everyone he would work with local government to make sure the traffic (and even water) issues were taken care of. He said (and I quote) "we don't want the neighbors unhappy with us; that would be bad for business."

Legoland is worth millions of dollars, and I have a pretty good feeling that they will expand Route 17, or at least make some major alterations to handle the traffic. Years ago Route 17 was supposed to become a part of 86, but I'm assuming that idea was scrapped or they're just dragging their feet, lol.

That makes more sense to me! We visited Lake George once in a while when we lived in the area--any open-air parks (Great Escape, Water Slide World) were basically open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Great Escape did have Halloween themed stuff, but that was it--and nothing with water.

Usually when companies come in to build something bit like this, road improvements are negotiated in as part of the package. It's on a much smaller scale, but we have a new grocery store going in, literally yards from our house. The whole process will take over a year, and we've been watching the daily construction. Technically, the store entrance is off a small side road--they've widened that to put in an additional lane between the entrance and the main thoroughfare, and I know the stop light will have to be re-programmed. Now, it's a quiet road, and you wait forever for a green light. Luckily, it's just far enough away from us that the traffic won't impact us, except when I need to get out to that main road. But, it's interesting to watch the construction and see all the different parts coming together. I'm sure something similar would be going on for a new theme park. And probably, the company did studies ahead of time, to be sure that there was room for adequate parking, a sufficient water supply, fairly easy access from highways, and so forth.

 

[Shmily1]

I'd be excited! More attractions for me to go on.

 

[DSMVP]

Yes, it is Legoland in Goshen.

And there is going to be a water park, because we are in NY doesn't make a difference, we do have water parks here. (there's one in Dutchess county & one not far from us in Vernon NJ which borders NY) Hershey park has one where their weather in PA is similar to ours. The "water park" will be inside the theme park like it is at Hershey Park. (the water park was included on the plans shown and they did say it is being built) The "discovery center" portion would be open in the "off season" like it is in the small Lego place they have in Westchester county now. This is slated to be the largest Legoland in the world. And I will be able to walk to it from where I live lol

They have been saying for years they will enhance route 17 because of the already heavy traffic but nothing has been done other than create an exit for the new hospital we have.

We have Woodbury Commons 15 mins south of us and you have to go on the same highway, rt 17 to get to both. I cannot tell you what that outlet does to traffic in the area and it has gone on since it was built years and years ago. They finally just announced a separate lane and exit off the highway that will go directly into the outlet. I'm sure it will take years to complete.

My biggest worry is how my small beautiful quaint town is going to change so drastically. I moved here from the city to get away from that hectic lifestyle. ok, that may have sounded snobbish lol I don't mean to come off that way, it's just such a great town I want it to stay the way it is.

Edited to add... My kids are older and this park is mainly for the younger crowd, the rides are geared for kids 12 and under. Maybe I would be more excited if my kids were younger & I would have a new place to take them. So I can understand young families with young children being excited about it.

And I just read that they are holding off on the water park portion for now. They are building the aquarium & theme park & hotel first. Should be complete by 2019-2020

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

I'd rather see a theme park built than more farmland being turned into cookie-cutter housing plans. But I'd really rather keep my town rural, so I guess a theme park would be the lesser of two evils. I don't feel strongly enough about it to fight it at a council meeting, I'm a go-with-the-flow sort of person so I'm sure I'd learn to live with it.

My concerns about a theme park would be traffic; inebriated people doing stupid things; more cars on the road = increased danger to pedestrians, especially kids, and pets; and I guess I'd be concerned that our town doesn't have the infrastructure to handle a sudden increase in population--our fire fighters are volunteers and I think we only have 3 ambulances to cover a huge area, and I'd be real surprised if we had more than 20 cops, and some of those cops are part-time. We also don't have local 911 dispatching. And I would be worried about tourist-town syndrome. Probably a third of the population couldn't afford a substantial increase in cost of living, even if it was only for part of the year, and I think that would be the death knell for the local farms. My husband (ex? I'm not sure how to refer to him anymore, sorry) and I both come from families that farmed this area for generations and we've discussed something similar to this before so I already know that we side with the farmers.

 

[aprilchem]

There is a major theme park 7 miles from my house. It's been there since the 1970s, so not a new thing. The cons are the fact that my kids get woken up at 10 pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday in the summer because they shoot off fireworks, traffic jams on the interstate, and that the amusement park draws groups of unsavory people sometimes -it's a Cedarfair park and for a while they were doing a great job in keeping the atmosphere more of a family environment, but they've recently had some issues with gangs and such. When we go there we have to be alert for people with really offensive t-shirts (I've got small kids), cursing, etc.

One pro I can think of is because it's close to where I live we get discounts on season passes & such. And occasionally they have good concerts.

 

[dashofsunshine]

Yes, it is Legoland in Goshen.

And there is going to be a water park, because we are in NY doesn't make a difference, we do have water parks here. (there's one in Dutchess county & one not far from us in Vernon NJ which borders NY) Hershey park has one where their weather in PA is similar to ours. The "water park" will be inside the theme park like it is at Hershey Park. (the water park was included on the plans shown and they did say it is being built) The "discovery center" portion would be open in the "off season" like it is in the small Lego place they have in Westchester county now. This is slated to be the largest Legoland in the world. And I will be able to walk to it from where I live lol

They have been saying for years they will enhance route 17 because of the already heavy traffic but nothing has been done other than create an exit for the new hospital we have.

We have Woodbury Commons 15 mins south of us and you have to go on the same highway, rt 17 to get to both. I cannot tell you what that outlet does to traffic in the area and it has gone on since it was built years and years ago. They finally just announced a separate lane and exit off the highway that will go directly into the outlet. I'm sure it will take years to complete.

My biggest worry is how my small beautiful quaint town is going to change so drastically. I moved here from the city to get away from that hectic lifestyle. ok, that may have sounded snobbish lol I don't mean to come off that way, it's just such a great town I want it to stay the way it is.

Edited to add... My kids are older and this park is mainly for the younger crowd, the rides are geared for kids 12 and under. Maybe I would be more excited if my kids were younger & I would have a new place to take them. So I can understand young families with young children being excited about it.

And I just read that they are holding off on the water park portion for now. They are building the aquarium & theme park & hotel first. Should be complete by 2019-2020

My point is that Legoland has millions of dollars - all those plans to enhance route 17 that have been pushed off and delayed/ignored would be quite a bit more likely to happen once the company gets involved. They have said they will work with the local government to make it happen. They need route 17 to be large enough to bring in their customers - which is a win for Goshen, because yay, improvements to Route 17!

I know the water park was pictured on the slide for the park plan, but isn't in the immediate plans, as you said. And it is a great town, but this will help with some much needed improvements that have been pushed to the wayside - Legoland has already stated they will work with the city to replace water systems that badly need updating. Local businesses will thrive and tax revenue will be great. My in laws live 2 exits down from where it is proposed to be, and they're actually fine with it.

Another good thing to think about is if Legoland doesn't move in, KJ will. Sooooo....lol. I know there are people going both ways in the decision, but it seems like so many see the benefits and are excited about it. And hey, you may get a grocery store! WOO!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Two words. Residents pass! I would be happy. Jobs, security, better restaurants, stores. So,ewhere to take vistors. Places our town on the map.

 

[sarah4770]

My town does not even have public transportation. So, in addition to jobs, I wouldn't have to own a car. I would love it.

 

[MickeySP]

I thought Boston WAS an amusement park.

Yeah but most people don't make the height requirement

 

[dotfurio]

It wouldn't bother me if it wasn't right by me (because of traffic issues). It might be nice to have something interesting to do in town for a change. It'd never happen, though. Our summer temps are insane, we have no other draw for tourists, and the LA area is a couple hours away so I don't think anyone would bother to come.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I already live 20 minutes from one theme park, and a half hour from another one ºoº. There is also a professional soccer stadium right outside my neighborhood where they also hosts concerts. I can live with all that. But, I sure am glad they decided NOT to put a football stadium in our city, and are putting one a couple of cities away. As for a theme park, it would be fine with me, but no chance since there are already a bunch of them in our basic area.