MARFleparks - Echenima Resort [RCT2]

[CalifolfI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

@Chris um...we already have a monorail, and I already have in mind on what to use.

@devol4 another local? Hey there!


No update? Well... I'm 800 miles away in SoCal typing this on my mobile, so nothing new until roughly Tuesday.

Hasta luego!

[CalifolfI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

Okay, I am taking a risk here with the duopost, but I do have something to post, so anyway...

The second of six hotels in the resort is the Putah Resort and Convention Center - one of the few hotels nationwide that not only hosts conferences and conventions in a built-n convention center, but also is exclusive to said attendees - unless you're attending an event, you can't stay here.




Assuming you're driving to the hotel, you will see this tall sign in front of you. Not only does it display the Hotel's name (in case you forget where you were), but also contains an electronic sign displaying anything relevant to the current event (or if there isn't an event happening, information about the next one as well as urging you to turn around and go back until next time).




As you walk towards the hotel, you'll see the giant pyramid-like structure inspired by a local building. Not only does this contain the open-two story lobby, but also four floors of suites.




If you're like one of many, you'd be coming from Sacramento International via an express monorail, one of the many new services provided by MARF, and exit on the rightmost track to this picture. Monorails provide service on the other two tracks to either park every 15 minutes, with Core and hotel trains arriving every hour (whenever the hotel isn't in use, then Putah serves as an express line bypassing Core).



Now, the hotel is separated into four quadrants: Ziggurat, Terrace, Convention Center, and Courtyard. For reference, Ziggurat is the...pyramid-looking tower.



Terrace is where the bulk of the rooms are, in 4-story wings. Technically on the second story, this section contains a nicely-themed pool (as well as a slide), and a miniature golf course for so leisure-within-leisure.



Up next is courtyard, home to two-story buildings with typical two-queen bedrooms (due to miscommunication in design, second story rooms lack balconies). While the pool has no slide, it does have a bar, as well as a laundromat and showers.




You can see why this section is called 'courtyard' as there is a wide, open area for performances or other outdoor events.



Alas, here's the whole point as to why you're staying here - the Convention Center! One of the largest of such combined facilities, it is also the most flexible - walls are designed to collapse or expand to create either large halls or small rooms, depending on the purpose. Combine that with natural lighting from glass windows (which can be closed with blinds) as well as large walkways to prevent traffic blocks, and you can see why this is, indeed, quite flexible. In fact, MARF took theme park design as a reference for building this hotel and its convention center.



Take that Swan and Dolphin! Unlike some other corporate resorts, this hotel is MARF owned and operated

Now, we know that you might be hungry, so we have 2 eateries - Fuzio's Universal Pastaa, which is one of the first outdoor chains (okay, a local one, but still) to be built in a MARF hotel serves a fusion cuisine of Italian, Asian, and Steak, and can be found in the Ziggurat section (to the right of this pic).



The other one takes inspiration from Futura - diners are given an electronic card with a number on it, diners go to that table and insert the card into the table, bringing up touchscreens from the table from which diners order from, and thus decreasing the amount of time it takes to dine and increasing convenience.



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Amenities for the hotel include:
Complimentary transport to either park.
Digital Cable
Free wireless internet
Free continental Breakfast delivered to room
Free/discounted access to either park during duration of the event (depending on event/organizer's choice)
Optional extended-stay to explore the resort (at, of course, another resort hotel)
Rooms range from single, to double, to king, to suite.

Rates vary depending on event, not all room types may be available during stay.
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Now then...after all, this is an event-only hotel, so MARF has gotten in contact with several organizations interested, and have gotten 6 (potentially) annual events booked as a result, with two being MARF-run. These events do have the option of having an opening ceremony at either park (in which said park would be emptied of guests by 4 pm). Here they are, in order from Jan-Dec:

Verde California* (Home, garden and apparently environment - Mid January)
ER Retreat (Medical Nursing, First week of February...very clever pun there, nurses -.-)
MARF CoMonth */** (MARF-ran event, entire month reserved for corporations to hold seminars)
Valleyfur** (Fan convention - last week of april)
Maintenance (Hotel shut down during may and June for maintenance and routine cleaning)
MARFest! */** (MARF's signature corporate event, takes place in late July)
Coast-to-Coast (Amusement industry, sometime around october)
Winter Maintenance

Legend:
* = Opening Ceremony in Echenima
** = Opening Ceremony in K9-Falliday Studios



Now, then...onto the parks...

In the Studios, construction is going on smoothly on the new area.



We're experimenting with faux-snow here...

And look at what has appeared!



Also, due to some guest complaints, and with added contruction all around, resort prices have changed:


1-day 1-park: $59 adults 16+/$49 kids -16
1-day Park Hopper: $79 adults 16+/$69 kids -16
2-day Park Hopper: $99 adults 16+/$89 kids -16
Add an additional $10 for every subsequent day, 5 days max.
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2-parks 2-days (explore one park for one day, and the other the next for the price of one, no park-hopping): $87/$77
Moonlight venture (Access to either park after 5:30 pm) $45/$36
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NorCal Access (Must reside ZIP codes between 93900-96100 - proof of residence required): $25 discount of any price on select weeks.
NorCal Exploration Pass (A tourist package that includes lodging in a MARF property (or partner) hotel, a day at either Echenima or Studios, a day in Sacramento, a day in San Francisco (with an optional tour of either the city, bay cruise, or Alcatraz), A day in San Jose (with option of Baylands ticket), and a day Napa. Transportation provided by Coach): $365/person, cost of lodging not included.
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Echenima MARFlepass -annual pass of the resort -
Alpha (Free Parking, free admission, discounts in shop and restaurants, priority seating for shows and parades, complimentary access to special events, early entry, no blackouts, free print or electronic newsletter): $645/year or $55/month
Beta (Free Parking, free admission, discounts in shop and restaurants, priority seating for shows and parades based on availability, discounted access to special events, blocked half the year, free e-newsletter): $434/year or $15/month
Beta-lite (Free admission, discounts in merchandise, 250 blackout dates, free e-newsletter): $225/year or $12/month
Omega (Discounted admission, acknowledgment that you have a pass): $150/year or $5/month -- To be discontinued


and that should do it, see y'all a little later!

[CoasterCreator9A donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

I love that Convention Center and the surroundings! The tram is also a nice addition!

[braztazDon't make me kick you in the donkey!]

Wow! The convention center is AMAZING!

[djbrcace1234TPR Game Exchange Moderator and RCT/RCT2 hacker]

Agreed. You remind me of James (RCTNW) on New Element. He builds crazy structures and what not. This is looking great, Mike!

[dmaxsba2408TPR's RCT2 Expert]

Wow! The convention center is AMAZING!

That's about all I wanted to say, so thanks braztaz for doing it for me.

[CalifolfI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

Wow... a month of putting this aside and we have an update! Very light, but it's still something after being across the pond for a while.

First off, we have a bit of a promo if you happen to be taking a vacation to the resort, we now have an added convenience for you!

Now, then, how about a look at the lovely tram station in the Tinseltown section of the Studios:




In the original Echenima Park, Storm Searchers came out of it's rehab nothing major done, though mist has been added to enhance the illusion of getting wet (and, for some odd reason, the new vehicles we ordered disappeared along the way in Fresno):



Come to think of it, this ride could do with some cosmetic changes.


Bond is still popular with the guests, as obviously shown by the extended line:



And Futura has gotten a new ride inside a formerly empty glass building:



And that should do it for now...

Also, if you happen to be an Echenima MARFlepass holder, or a member of amusement press, you may have received this poster revealing a bit about what MARFleparks has in store. But what is it for... third park, or Orlando? That shall be revealed later.

Until next time, Hasta Luego!

[CoasterCreator9A donkey is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family.]

Once again, amazing detail with the posters and advertisements. Can't wait for more!

[dmaxsba2408TPR's RCT2 Expert]

Everything just fits so nice together, amazing.

Love the little extras (poster) you do along with your park. Very nice!

[CalifolfI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

^Thanks, I plan to do more art for the parks, really makes doing this a lot more fun! =^.^=

Not an update, just figure I'd post something I've long neglected about the resort - Echenima Partner Hotels. These are hotels 'owned' by 'outside companies' (in actuality, other forum members). The story behind this was that MARF lacked enough rooms for potential guests that would come with the opening of the studios, but said park drained funds. Now that I think about it, I think it was just an excuse to let people tell me to build stuff.

There were 6 plots, (as shown here) located next to the core complex. Only two out of the six plots were developed into hotels, the rest remain blank. And here they are in order of opening:

The CDI Palms (pardon the random black mark):



This 280-room hotel features similar amenities found in the MARF-owned Manhattan Suites, but at a much lower price. Room types include:
* Normal - Contains one 2-bed BR, and a full bathroom. Basic cost*: $180 a night.
* Deluxe - Contains one 2-bed BR, and full bathroom. Also includes a kitchenette and living room. Basic Cost: $250 a night.
* Top Suite - Contains one 3-bed BR, a master bedroom, and a full bathroom with spa bath (and dedicated balcony). Also includes a full kitchen and living room. Basic cost: $310


Overview.

This Tropical-themed hotel, owned by Creative Designs Inc (ironically, a MARF competitor), is perfect for any large family who wants to be in the center of it all at an affordable price. Enjoy a nice dip in the pool, or grab a bite at Mar Paraíso - Casual by day, high-class by night.

Guests get a discounted entry to the park of their choice for that day, and can access the parks by either taking a complimentary shuttle that runs every 30 minutes, or by walking to The Core conveniently next door and taking the monorail.


Across from it is the REBA City resort.



This high-rise hotel operated by an asian leisure company offers 'grand' views (much of Echenima Resort property is still farmland - we only plant trees where it is visible...from the ground...which is why you seldom see MARF high-rises as well as rides above treeline) with an eastern feel. Two round-trip shuttle lines take you to the parks. If that's not up to par, then you can walk on over to the CORE and take the Monorail.

The Hotel Residents can obtain a discounted 3-day Park Hopper, which must be shown to the REBA shuttle bus driver for a complimentary shuttle to the park.Otherwise, the shuttle is adult $3.00/ childen & elderly $1.70.

*You must have a reservation at the hotel to be able to purchase a 3-day park hopper.

Hotel packages:

Tour package
Four day Family room
"Three Day Pass" for every one
Buffet meal / Chinese restaurant free $100 meal.

Business package
three day Single room
One area ticket for every one you choice.
Chinese restaurant free $100 meal.

Room price:
The Single: 2 Bed BR with TV & a bathroom. Basic cost*: $170 Per Night.
The Double: Double Bed BR with TV + PPV & a bathroom. Basic cost: $260 Per Night.
The Family: 2 Double Bed BR with TV + PPV & a bathroom, also have a kitchen and living room. Basic cost: $300 Per Night.
The Suite: 2 Double Bed BR with TV + PPV & a bathroom with spa bath, also have a kitchen and living room. Basic cost: $380 Per Night.


And that should do it. I'm kinda unsure about bringing back up this idea and opening the remaining spots to TPR, but it does add another extra to the resort.

Next update? Next week.

Hasta Luego!