Wild West World Craps Out

[Taco Dog]

In regards to the earlier comment about All4Fun being busy, actually their overall attendance is much lower than expected. They are cutting back on staff, because of poor attendance. They are also doing some price discounts to try to bring people through the gates.

[Qwert]

Originally Posted by Detector

Also, it was Dodge City that made Gunsmoke famous.

Although I respect what you said, I have to disagree with. Granted there would be no Gunsmoke if there was no Dodge City. But there would have been no Boot Hill tourist trade if there was no Gunsmoke. Once Gunsmoke went off the air, then people slowed down in wanting to come to see it.

I remember when that parking lot was packed every night and people hung over the fence just to see the gunfights. It still is full, but only because Applebees and the tourism bureau is taking up parking spots. And still not like it was 20 some years ago.

Here is a similar example away from Dodge... In the 1990's one of the bigger tours in NYC was called Kramers Reality Tour. Then a little show called Seinfeld went off the air. Although the tour still is going on, the show it is based on is not. And now it does not have the customers it did.

It is all related to the media and how they publicise something. Unfortunately, the old west is not something that most people romantisize. In todays society I think people associate it with gunfights and saloons. Not something a lot of parents with the money to spend want their kids to be a part of.

[jackknife]

FYI, Westerns are making a come back in Hollywood.

[Detector]

Granted there would be no Gunsmoke if there was no Dodge City. But there would have been no Boot Hill tourist trade if there was no Gunsmoke.

I would say its safe to say we both agree Gunsmoke made Boot Hill famous but Boot Hill did not make Dodge City famous.

Do a Google on Wild West and see how many times Dodge City appears in a site with no reference to Gunsmoke. In fact the references will refer to a Dodge City long before the 1930's movie Gunsmoke.

Wikipedia, one of the top picks for Wild West, gives a description under American Old West that lists well known topics about the Old West. Take note that the only city in the list and at the top is Dodge City. Also take notice to the fact Gunsmoke appears nowhere in the description.

All one need do is read any book written about western settlement to see Dodge City owes its fame to no one but itself. From the early 1870's dodge was the focal point beyond the Missouri. It was known as "The Wickedest Little City" from the east coast to the west coast well in to the 1880's.

Why do you think dodge has played host to many famous western names such as Earp, Masterson, Wild Bill, Custer and Doc Holiday. Many of these people gained their fame AFTER coming to Dodge City. Who was Wyatt Earp before coming to dodge?

Dodge City sealed its place in the western history books long before Gunsmoke was even a thought. In my opinion those who think some movie from the 30's made Dodge City famous hasn't read their history.

Dodge City was destine for fame due to its location. It could have been called Buffalo City and still be as well known. Its not coincidence that even 300 years before Dodge City this very spot was being visited by famous people. Coronado's famed first Christian service in north America just happened to have been in the very location that would see the rise of the most well known western town.

Its no coincidence we sit at the most traveled and camped spot on the famous Santa Fe Trail. The very spot that has seen the rise and fall of not 1, not 2 but three forts meant to protect this special location in the west. Look in any other direction for hundreds and hundreds of miles and show me any other location that has had 3 forts. This location was special not only to settler's but to the Indians that lived here before the European invasion.

I believe the people that would want to visit the most famous western city aren't looking for a carnival ride painted up like Wild Bill. They want to relive Dodge City's past. They want to engage in a gunfight, shoot at wild Indians and be present at a slug-fest at the Longbranch Saloon. They want to camp out on the open prairie, witness a train/bank robbery, participate in a real western cattle drive and brave the famous Jornada(valley of death).

LIVE THE LEGEND

There is a gold mine to be recovered in potential tourism if its done right. Not some cheesy amusement park but a real visit to the old west.

[hoarsewhisperer]

Maybe Park City should have name the Park BTK World...

ride suggestions: The BTK Strangler, BTK Cross Dresser....the BTK Killer Roller Coaster


just a thought

[Qwert]

Originally Posted by Detector

but Boot Hill did not make Dodge City famous.


I believe the people that would want to visit the most famous western city aren't looking for a carnival ride painted up like Wild Bill. They want to relive Dodge City's past. They want to engage in a gunfight, shoot at wild Indians and be present at a slug-fest at the Longbranch Saloon. They want to camp out on the open prairie, witness a train/bank robbery, participate in a real western cattle drive and brave the famous Jornada(valley of death).

Detector:

I apparently was not clear and my apologies if that is the case. "What I said was there would have been no Boot Hill tourist trade if there was no Gunsmoke." Once Gunsmoke went off the air, then people slowed down in wanting to come to see it.

I agree there are people still wanting to re-live the old west and Boot Hill still is picking up the people who want to see it. What I meant though was those tourist numbers are down from when Gunsmoke was on. It was a very popular show that drew the curious in to see what Dodge City was all about.

But Westerns are not a big thing right now.

Originally Posted by jackknife

FYI, Westerns are making a come back in Hollywood.

. If you do a search on google look to see how many Westerns are scheduled to be released during 2007, from what I found, there will be 3 major releases by years end. I bet if Westerns really did start making a comeback in Hollywood, Dodge would see an increase in tourist trade. Maybe someone needs to contact Dan Glickman?

This is my last thought and I am going to leave this discussion. My original post was not directed at the visitors of Boot Hill. My original post was directed at the incoming casino(s). I am not for gambling, I think a casino in Dodge City is a bad idea. But, I am also not a resident and did not have a say.

My point was if Dodge is going to put in a casino, do it right. Don't half a$$ it like we saw in Wichita with WWW. There was an interesting article on this very topic (WWW) in the Wichita Eagle today. Take time to read it. It makes sense on why WWW failed.

Kansas.com | 07/11/2007 | Experts say Wild West World was doomed from the start

[Flying Dutchman]

Lack of funds was and is the reason for it's demise. Timing did not help it any (worst weather in decades, Greensburgh disaster and such) but those issues could have been dealt with if they had set aside enough operating capital.

[Detector]

That and I saw on the news the story about the Chinese Acrobat's that were hired to perform at www are now SOL. Now I don't claim to be a Wild West market expert, but just why would you hire Chinese Acrobat's to perform at a Wild West Theme Park? I think it was more than just the weather.

[Highwayman]

There were a lot of Chinese involved in the old west but I see your point.

[pootsy]

I drive by Wild West World quite often and I have got to say one of the dumbest thngs they wasted their money on was the Wild West World Hotel right next to the park. Oh man talk about Cheesy. They should have seen how the park was going to go before they spent mega bucks building the hotel. Good idea about putting a casino there though~!