Anyone who's ever taken a trip to Roswell, New Mexico knows one thing. It's a sleepy little town full of boutique T-shirt and souvenir shops. What's that you say? Tourist trap shops aren't enough to hold your interest? Well try out the UFO and alien themed Walmart and McDonalds. Still not enough? Unfortunately, you're not alone.
The top complaint by tourists during the city's annual UFO festival each summer is that there's not enough to do.
The town's biggest tourism attraction is the International UFO Museum and Research Center, which has drawn 2.5 million visitors since opening in 1992. Beyond that, it's largely boutiques.
The park, dubbed Alien Apex Resort, could open as early as 2010. The city has received a $245,000 legislative appropriation for initial planning, but the park would be privately built and managed. Requests for proposals will be advertised next month.
The proposed park initially will cover 60 to 80 acres with room to expand to 150 acres. It will feature other rides and attractions, including an exhibit hall with information on scientific exploration of the universe.
Roswell has been ripe for a theme park since 1947. Where is Walt Disney when you need him? Instead of spending his money in the 1950's buying up orange groves in Anaheim and swampland in Orlando, he should have been scoping out acreage in the New Mexico desert! Conspiracy theorists of the world, rejoice.
Being from that small little sleepy town, i love the idea, and i actually heard about it a long time ago. CockZombie brings up an interesting point. Whether or not the money will be there is a different story. I personally can't wait till this actually happens. *crosses fingers*
Super Sweet 16 was the worst thing to ever happen to this town. I mean, i know it's a small town, but it's more than what they showed... o well. Thats Mtv for you.
Oz_the_Vamp
Lorain, OH
June 2005
MAY 29, 2007 06:15 PM