What would I do to make Voyage to the Iron Reef even better?

As the title suggests, these are the changes I'd make to Voyage to the Iron Reef - outside of re-animating the entire attraction - to make it a better experience for park guests.


Most importantly, I'd give guests plenty to look at in the queue. Right now, there isn’t much of a theme or story being presented to park guests indirectly through the environment. Just the queue video loop directly conveying the story to you. This would be the first thing I’d change. Forget the forgettable “steampunk” theming (if you want to call it that) you currently see in the queue, it makes no sense in the context of the story.

Instead, the building facade around the outdoor queue would be themed to the backside of a series of boathouses located on the Knott’s Boardwalk, with Captain McCallister’s destroyed ship right in the center of the outdoor switchback queue. If Cedar Fair hasn’t already disposed of it, they can just re-use the wrecked ship they had in front of Shipwreck Falls at Geauga Lake. All they have to do is tear off the metal parts of the boat to make it look like the mechanical creatures feasted on it.

The indoor portion would be themed to the second floor of Captain McCallister’s Boathouse, which would say “closed 'til future notice” on the fake door. Here, they would have a detailed set will all kinds of typical things you’d expect to find in a boathouse, from bed room to fishing gear, you’d learn a little about him through the environment. They’d also have faux windows give you a view of the ocean, to really sell the fact that you’re in a boathouse. Then towards the end of the queue, you’d come across McAllister’s desk with sketched plans for the freeze blaster and bathyspheres. Behind his desk would be a conspiracy wall full of all those pictures you currently see in the queue video with strings connecting them. In this room you’d also hear on a radio McAllister’s talking to you. He’d say he doesn’t know how you found this place but that he needs your help. He’d then grant you access see what he’s been working on.

It’s at this point that you exit to the bridge and onto the loading platform. The loading platform would be given more of a theming to look like the upper floor of an abandoned warehouse near a dock. Here they'd have the sound of seagulls and buoys as you load, to help emphasize what the mural already suggests, that you’re by the ocean. You’d also see "steampunk" equipment and gear that suggests this is where McAllister has been working on ways to put an end to the creatures. Of course, I'd make sure the ride vehicles are actually themed this time around, even if it's just paint.

The attraction would play out as it currently does only I’d change the ending. Instead of telling everyone their scores on the ride portion, I’d save that for after the ride, where people can gather around and view the scores on a wall at their leisure. This is also where I’d sell pictures with everyone’s score posted on it. What would replace the portion of the ride where the scoreboard currently is are some effects to make it look like you’re rising to the ocean’s surface and back to the warehouse. Right now it’s just too jarring a transition from the Kraken Queen to the score boards.

I feel with these changes implemented, you'd have a much more complete experience.