Scaparri Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 ^Because most of the time, its not just a bad movie name. Sure you have the Drop Zones and Face/Off and the Supermans, etc. But take a look at all of the Batman inverts, Mr. Freezes, Italian Jobs, Flight of Fears. All done by seasonal parks (with the exception of SFMM that runs for the most part year round), and the theming dramatically enhances the experience. It makes the park more fun and more of a fantasy. Sure, its definitely possible to have great parks without much theming, but its definitely a debatable subject that these parks would all be better if they themed their rides more.
Jew Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 ^26 million dollars a year? Where is that figure coming from? BTW, Cedar Fair caring about history? LOL!!!!
cjeagle35 Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 ^Out of all the rides you named, I think only the Flight of Fears rides are the only ones were the themeing is actually very well done, and that didn't replace a much more classic and better looking attraction. You can call me old fashioned, but I just don't think some of these themes add much to the park experiance. Like I've mentioned before, I would much rather have the parklike atmosphere of the Antique Cars at KI than all the concrete, steel, and gravel of Italian Job. On the Batmans and Mr. Freezes, I just don't think there themeing adds all that much to the ride experiance. I think they are good rides because they are good rides, not because themeing made them better. Now there are rides were the themeing is very well done and it adds so much to the ride experiance, like Flight of Fear. But I just don't think you need great themeing to have a beautiful park. I think suttle themeing, like most parks do with Western themeing, that is not over the top, really makes a park more beautiful. Like Frontier Trail at CP, or in Dollywood. So I guess its not themeing that I have a problem with, just the type of themeing that Six Flags and Paramount put all over their parks.
cjeagle35 Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 ^This article http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060620/BUSINESS06/606200357 Which ironically shows that GL only made 7mil more than Michigan's Adventure, and people think GL is getting screwed by losing a coaster And as for a park caring about history, name one park chain that does. The only parks that I've seen that put history above making a buck would be Kennywood, Idlewood, Knoebals, and the other small family parks. This is a business and history doesn't mean much.
Jew Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 That's revenue. Doesn't say what the profit (or lack there of) is.
Dailey Enterprizes Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 Uhh theme doesn't always makes things perfect. Kennywood did the theme thing for The Exterminator and it worked out well because they tied it in with Pittsburgh, but theme sucked for Volcano Valley and Garfield's Nightmare. Now we got Aliens comming into the park, god help us...
kraxleRIDAH Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 That's revenue. Doesn't say what the profit (or lack there of) is. That's very, very true. Revenue hardly means anything if operating expenses and all deductible costs afterward cut that down to a bare minimum profit. $26 million in revenue a year for an amusement park is HARDLY ANYTHING. Just for comparison's sake, according to the Toledo Blade, Cedar Point raked in $210 million in revenue and Knott's brought in $186 million in revenue. Compare those numbers to Geauga Lake's $26 million.
kraxleRIDAH Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 ^Yes but there are plenty of good parks without much themeing. Cedar Point, Kennywood, and Hersheypark are great examples of parks without much themeing that are very enjoyable. You sort of have a point. Although Cedar Point does not have truly distinct themed areas, a lot of their attractions are individually themed that would not be as great as they without them. Take for example, Top Thrill Dragster, Disaster Transport and Maverick. I don't see how exciting an-out-in-the-open bobsled ride could do better with one that's enclosed and themed to outer-space, no matter how tacky the queue decorations are. It makes the environment and pre-ride experience more entertaining. Dragster. It's whole drag-racing theme with the station architecture, train decorations, and stadium viewing area very much enhance the ride experience. Maverick. I see this being Cedar Point's crowing theme jewel. Artificial rockwork interwined into the ride experience and a rustic western theme really make this ride a stand-out. Without it, it's pretty much just a California Screamin' with a 95-degree drop. I just don't see how slapping a Batman logo on something or giving a ride a bad movie name, and calling it themeing makes the park a better experiance. It does make it a better experience, you just aren't grasping the concept of theme and what it can do for a simple amusement experience. A Batman logo or blockbuster movie is simply at first brand and licensing recognition that is more marketable for the attraction. A theme or storyline is usually what's to be executed afterwards.
jamesdillaman Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 Theming is good if you have a sub-par ride and you don't want everyone to notice how mediocre it is. Slap some theming around it, and voila, instant gratification of most enthusiasts and guests who eat that sort of thing up. If you have a good ride (Expedition GeForce and Goliath at SFOG for example), it can stand alone as a good ride witout any theming. I like themed rides, don't get me wrong, but I appreciate coasters "themed" to a rollercoaster. -james dillaman
cjeagle35 Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 It does make it a better experience, you just aren't grasping the concept of theme and what it can do for a simple amusement experience. A Batman logo or blockbuster movie is simply at first brand and licensing recognition that is more marketable for the attraction. A theme or storyline is usually what's to be executed afterwards. You don't seem to be understanding my point. It is not that I don't think themeing adds to the overall ride experiance. If it is very well done, themeing can make a park or ride much more enjoyable. Just look at Dueling Dragons, Flight of Fear, or anything at Disneyland. My point however is that just adding some themeing doesn't necessarily mean a better ride and a better experiance. Like I've said before, it is just that some themeing can take away from the beauty of a park, like at KI with Italian Job. While Cedar Fair doesn't theme their rides like Paramount or Six Flags does, it does't make their attractions any less fun. For example, I would much rather ride Skyhawk, by all the grass, tall trees and lake of Frontiertown, than Tomb Raider at KI. It has a theme, but its boxy building clashes with the beauty of Rivertown. The actual ride is themed pretty well, but that doesn't make it a more enjoyable ride than Skyhawk.
Jew Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 ^^Even Expedition GeForce is somewhat themed. The whole area around it and the queue are themed to a base camp. It's simple but it works.
ParkTrips Posted February 1, 2007 Posted February 1, 2007 I highly doubt they want to kill a park who's history extends back to the 1800's. I just wanted to read that again... moving on...
taytig Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 I think that there is a possibility that this coaster may end up in Canada. I was on their site today and it has changed - there was a new for 2007 section, which was not there before. It was empty though Tonight, it is back to normal, so they are working on something. I also looked at the other Cedar Fair Properties and the only other one that was like this was WOF. So I think it will be either of these two. The fact that the site was being updated brings me a glimmer of hope (I actually enjoyed the ride too). So fingers crossed - PCW may actually get something new!
coastrfreak2000 Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 I think that there is a possibility that this coaster may end up in Canada. I was on their site today and it has changed - there was a new for 2007 section, which was not there before. It has been like this for several weeks.
Carnage Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 ^ The website has been like that for awhile. If you click the "media center" link on the mainpage there's a "new for 2007" tab that is empty. I'd like if it were to come here, but I think that's wishful thinking. I wouldn't read much into that, as PCW always gets something new. Whether it be a flat ride, or a show or something.
taytig Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 I realize the link was in the media centre, but it was on the main page today as well - around 1:30pm. That's what made me think that a press release is coming. But hey, who knows, we'll just have to wait and see!!
Carnage Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 I see what you're saying. And it could very well be true in a way, as we're getting to around the time that PCW would normally announce their plans. But there's no indication that the 2007 announcement is for Steel Venom. It's just as likely it's for a new restaurant or show or something. Though I can still hope.
coastrfreak2000 Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 Do you think if PCW did get Steel Venom, Cedar Fair would be able to get it here and have it ready and running for opening day 2007?
Carnage Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 "If" Steel Venom is indeed leaving GL, it's highly unlikely it'll be ready for opening day wherever it's going. Considering that it hasn't even been dismantled yet. (I assume) If it's moving it'd be mid to late 2007 at best I figure.
rishbob Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 I'd pretty much say if they're going to relocate it, it would be going to Dorney, but I would be really happy if it went to PGA. The layout of SV fits the layout of Greezed Lightning, and Great America is LONG overdue for a new thrill ride.
trustkill22 Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 ^Good Point. Both with extremely skinny layouts and PGA with the lack of thrills.
RollerC Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 Do you think if PCW did get Steel Venom, Cedar Fair would be able to get it here and have it ready and running for opening day 2007? It wouldn't. It's going to be operating at GL for the 07 season. Also, they haven't even begun to work on the broken lims. That could be one of the reasons why it isn't on the map and that could be a reason why it isn't on the list of coasters for ERT.
kraxleRIDAH Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 ^ The thing is, if Steel Venom is to be up and running at Geauga Lake in '07, what would be the point in editing it out of the park map for 2007? They would have just left it on there if they planned to fix it and reopen it.
RollerC Posted February 2, 2007 Posted February 2, 2007 Thats almost like asking why they didn't remove it when they removed X-Flight from the website and why they said that it was to open at GL in 07.
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