Late March 2016
The sun had just cleared the treeline when Lucas stepped into the small conference room beside the Globe & Griddle. Walter was already there, leaning over a table covered with printed reports, visitor feedback sheets, and a large map of the park.
"Morning," Walter said, sliding a fresh coffee across the table. "You're going to need this."
Lucas chuckled and sat down. "That bad?"
Walter shook his head. "Not bad—just… a lot."
Over the past two weeks, attendance had been steady—sometimes higher than expected on sunny days. Families seemed genuinely impressed by the transformation, and certain attractions were emerging as clear favourites. Explorer's Landing was praised for its vibrant atmosphere, while Elysion Expedition: Cursed Ruins had earned its place as the park's top thrill experience. The Global Explorer's Delight carousel drew kids in endlessly, and Max Around the World still had its loyal crowd.
But there were recurring notes in the feedback.
"Too few shaded areas in the central and side paths."
"Some walkways feel plain once you leave the entrance."
"Food lines are long during lunch hours."
Lucas leaned back in his chair. "They're not wrong."
Walter tapped the map. "We can fix this. More benches here, planter boxes along this path, and decorative elements in front of the balloon ride and playground. Also—portable shade sails until we can plant more mature trees."
Lucas opened the system in his mind, pulling up the Theming – Small-Scale Enhancements menu. New lampposts, themed trash bins, extra seating, faux stone planters, and even climbing vines for fences. These were the sort of upgrades the crew could install without slowing down larger projects.
"Alright," Lucas said. "We'll green up the park, give guests more places to rest, and make those empty areas look intentional. And on the food queues—can we get an extra kiosk up before summer?"
Walter nodded. "We'll make it happen."
Lucas smiled faintly. "Good. Let's make sure that when people come back for the log flume, they notice the difference."
Early April 2016
The faint smell of fresh-cut wood and curing concrete lingered in the air as Lucas walked past the construction walls. Beyond them, the towering structure of Jungle Splash Adventure was almost complete. The rockwork on the temple façade was in its final stages, crews brushing pigment into carved cracks to give the stone an aged, weathered look.
From where he stood, Lucas could see the flume channel snaking through the jungle setting, waterfalls already trickling in some sections. The first drop—backwards, a surprise element—gleamed under the spring sun. Mack Rides had kept to their schedule; all that remained was the water testing, safety checks, and the final landscaping touches.
Walter joined him by the wall, hands in his jacket pockets. "They're telling me we're on track for mid-April."
Lucas nodded. "Perfect. Gives us just enough time to get the marketing rolling."
Back in the office, Lucas opened his laptop to a folder marked Launch Campaign. Inside were drafts for press releases, social media posts, and an email newsletter. The system had already helped compile a media contact list—regional newspapers, family travel blogs, and influencers who specialised in theme park content.
The main headline was bold:
> COMING THIS APRIL – JUNGLE SPLASH ADVENTURE
Take the plunge on our brand-new log flume with thrilling drops, immersive theming, and a backwards surprise you'll never forget!
Walter leaned over his shoulder. "We should add a teaser video—slow pan over the temple, maybe the sound of drums, rushing water."
Lucas grinned. "I was already thinking the same."
By the afternoon, they'd scheduled filming with the media team. Drone shots would capture the scale of the structure, while close-ups would show off the intricate carvings and set pieces. Lucas made a note to also include glimpses of the surrounding jungle zone, hinting at the new immersive area it would anchor.
As the day wound down, Lucas checked the schedule. Over the next two weeks, they'd release behind-the-scenes photos, short teaser clips, and finally an opening date reveal. The goal wasn't just to draw locals—it was to make Elysion Park a must-visit destination for the season.
He closed the laptop, satisfied. Soon, the sound of rushing water and screaming riders would echo across the park.
The late morning sun cast a warm glow over the freshly painted stone archway. "Secrets of the Silk Road" read the carved letters, flanked by banners in deep red and gold that fluttered gently in the breeze.
Lucas stood with Walter just outside the entrance. Workers had been through the area since sunrise, giving the final path sweep, checking the ambient speakers, and making sure the torches would flicker at just the right brightness. From inside the walkthrough, faint sounds of camel bells, distant market chatter, and soft flute melodies drifted outward.
"Looks like it's ready," Walter said, giving the archway an approving nod.
Lucas smiled. "Let's open the gates."
The first wave of guests stepped in, their pace slowing almost immediately as they entered the winding passage. Canvas tents, stacked crates of "spices," and racks of colourful fabrics filled the first scene. A few stopped to run their hands over the wooden texture of the stalls, murmuring about how real it all felt.
Halfway along, the path opened to a "Persian courtyard" with a trickling fountain in the centre. From there, a tunnel led them through "Central Asia," where flickering oil lamps cast long shadows across carved stone walls. The exit brought them out near the towering rockwork of the Jungle Splash Adventure site.
Construction walls still blocked the ride entrance, but the view over the barrier was just enough to catch the station roof, shaped like a jungle temple. Workers could be seen moving in the distance, welding railings and arranging props. The faint splash of a test boat echoed across the area.
"Oh, that's gonna be amazing when it opens," one guest whispered, snapping a photo over the wall.
Another grinned at a friend. "If this walkway is the warm-up, the ride's gonna be insane."
By the time Lucas and Walter circled back to the entrance, the queue for the walkthrough stretched almost to the plaza. Social media was already filling with photos of the archway, the fountain, and tantalising glimpses of the unfinished flume ride.
Walter chuckled. "Well… I think they like it."
Lucas glanced toward the jungle zone, a quiet satisfaction settling in. "Yeah. And they haven't even seen the best part yet."