Better Theming or More Track

[maliboomer]

Its's not very easy to describe what I mean in the title, but I'm asking which do ypu prefer? A great themed attraction (like BTMRR) or a more extreme over-your-car-space ride (X)?

 

I personally prefer a themed ride, which is one of the many reasons I would rather go to WDW or DLR to SFMM. E-Tickets are better to me then a ride with a slogan "Ever wanted to ride a rollercoaster over a parking lot!"

 

You?

[Shadowforce]

I do not think there is a simple answer to the question you ask. Personally, I'd love if more manufactures would see the potential in the combination of good theming and a thrilling ride. Only thing that comes to mind that combines them both are Nemesis. And look! It's still a top ten coaster after 11 years of operation!

[maliboomer]

^Rarely the maufacturers have anything to do with the theming, they just build it, and that was the case for Nemesis.

[robbalvey]

I'd much rather have a kick-ass ride, like Expedition GeForce or a theme ride.

 

But if you can make BOTH happen, like Nemesis and Dueling Dragons, I'm cool with that too, but I'll take a kick-ass ride over theming anyday.

 

--Robb

[CoasterCrazy]

I rather have a good ride than have a good theme. A park can decorate a ride as much as it wants to but it doesn't make the ride any better.

[YoshiFan]

I'd rather have a good ride. Theme is nice but the ride is more impotant to me than how much of a theme the ride has.

[kalvin]

I chose good ride.

[TPDave]

Wow, dragging this up from the dead!

 

Yeah, it's all about a good ride for me, but I think immersive theming makes a good ride great. If I can get both, then that's an awesome bonus!

 

Dave

[downunder]

I'll take a high thrill ride in a parking lot over a highly themed moderately thrilling ride any day.

 

But its great when a park can combine a high thrill ride with great theming like Duelling Dragons or Superman Escape (Movie World).

 

I really like the theming on Top Thrill Dragster. While it's hardly immersive or extensive - the Christmas lights, the announcements, the revving engine / screeching tire sounds are a really great build up to the actual ride and make every launch feel like an event. The sign with speed coming up and the spectator bleachers are also nice touches.

[netdvn]

A good theme will automatically take a mediocre ride and turn it into a grade-A world class attraction. Just look at Space Mountain and BTMRR. Without the theming, they're just mediocre, boring rides, but the extensive theme and storyline completely enhance the experience. So I prefer the more extensive theming, than just a good ride...

 

So as long as there's a good theme, the ride is always much better...

[FeelTheFORCE]

You know, I was always a "thrill first, theming second" person, but after going to Universal recently and riding coasters such as Revenge of the Mummy, Hulk, and Dueling Dragons, I now realize that theming greatly enhances the experience.

 

While I still prefer the thrill aspect over theming (although not as much as I used to), I think that coasters with both aspects, such as Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Terminator Salvation: The Ride, and the new Bizarro coasters, are (seem to be, for those I haven't ridden) my ideal and preferred type of ride.

[cal1br3tto]

I agree with netdvn with regards to Space Mountain. The theming definitely makes the ride. (Especially considering how slow it actually is, which is something that really surprised me!)

I'm not overly enthused about Disneyland coasters (and Space Mountain is my favorite), but I love the park as a whole for its top-notch theming.

For rides, though, I want a thrill. I can't think of a coaster that I wish had theming, because I just don't think in those terms.

[ghost007jas]

As of late, I have become a much bigger "Theme fan" than a "thrill fan". You know it's happening when you find yourself loving Revenge of the Mummy more than Maverick, and the Matterhorn more than Tatsu.

[Satchboogie3]

The coaster is WAY WAY more important in my book. I go to an park for thrills, not theming. Theming is a great plus, and certainly can make an average park, coaster wise, great or even amazing. However, I would still rather ride intense, unthemed coasters than bland, amazingly themed coasters. ie, Even though I hate the fact that Cedar Fair is horrible with theming (ok, other than trash cans and cement), I much prefer their parks/coaster than, say, Disney.

 

I think Islands of Adventure, Busch parks, and Alton Towers are almost perfect parks in the respect that they coasters that are both terrific/intense and well themed. Six Flags is getting better with theming... but I'm still a bit nervous about their plan ahead.

If theming means they spend less on the actual ride, then I'm not for it. I'd rather have a $20 million intense, ground breaking or innovated coaster than a $10 million "good" coaster with $10 million in theming.

 

Sea World spend $50 million on Manta, including the theming, right? If so, they probably could have build 2-3 amazing, unthemed coasters for the same price. Is that money worth it?

 

Is the $100 million Disney spend on Expedition Everest worth it? For that much money, they could have added 5-7 top notch coasters. 1 vekoma vs A B&M invert, a floorless, Intamin Hyper, Intamin rocket, and Intamin wooden coaster. I'd take the later 5 without theming.

[the ghost]

I chose theming simply because I agree with Netdvn in saying that theming can make a badly themed ride much better. For example, if you have ridden any rapids ride such as bigfoot rapids at knotts, and then read Grizzly at DCA, it is clear what ride is better. It is a fun ride, but the theming makes the ride.

[PKI Jizzman]

I chose theming simply because I agree with Netdvn in saying that theming can make a badly themed ride much better. For example, if you have ridden any rapids ride such as bigfoot rapids at knotts, and then read Grizzly at DCA, it is clear what ride is better. It is a fun ride, but the theming makes the ride.

 

Grizzly not only has theming...it's one INSANE rapids ride. I felt like we were going to capsize everytime I rode it! I don't think it can compare to any other rapids ride I've been on. As far as the ride. Theming...Animal Kingdom's rapids is kick ass.

 

I'm torn in two. I like both! Theming and a good ride.

Theming - Indiana Jones, Maverick, Scooby Doo, Space Mountain (DL)

Non - Voyage, Goliath, Diamondback, Drop Rides

[rawrtotheargh]

I think it also depends on the park.

At some parks it is expected that a ride is themed VERY well. For instance if Disney built a ride over a parking lot many would immediately check to see if the shy is falling. However with Six Flags it is just noted.

 

I personally would rather have an amazing ride with slight theming. Or eve better amazing ride and amazing theming. Just off of photos I have seen Manta looks like this kind of ride. The theming looks impeccable as well as the ride looks pretty kick a$$.

[Thelegendarymatthew]

I'll take the big parking lot coaster over the medium sized themed one any day.

-Matthew K.

[DBru]

I think theming makes the experience of riding a mediocre coaster better than riding a good coaster with nothing extra to add to the experience.

[Movieguy]

I personally like them both, and can't really a pick a preference.

 

I suppose I'd have to give the edge to more track. I've always loved a good, tall, and fast coaster, no matter where it is, to really get my heart pumping. The thrill factor more than makes up for the lack of theme.

 

On the other hand, I also agree with the power of theming to improve an otherwise uninteresting coaster. In my opinion, both approaches have their major pluses and minuses.

[Homeboy23]

A good ride. But I love a good ride with good theming.

[Emiroo]

I gotta pick ride over theme. Don't get me wrong, great theming can spruce up an old favorite (X2, Bizarro). As well, it can make an already awesome ride amazing (Crystal Wings, The Mummy).

 

But great theming can't save a bad ride from itself (Dark Knight). You can dress it up all you want, but a pig is still a pig. If you have a great ride to start with, theming is unnecessary. Remember, truly hot chicks don't need makeup.

[netdvn]

Don't get me wrong, great theming can spruce up an old favorite (X2, Bizarro). As well, it can make an already awesome ride amazing (Crystal Wings, The Mummy).

 

If you have a great ride to start with, theming is unnecessary.

 

What?

[Emiroo]

Sorry, I tripped over my tongue.

 

What I was trying to say was that while I do enjoy theming, a truly great ride needs no theming to be successful/popular.

[SharkTums]

Like others have said I really think it depends on what KIND of ride it is.

 

Some examples:

 

- A Wild Mouse - I'd rather have this more themed then just more wild mouse type boring track.

 

- A GCI Woodie - I'd rather have more track then random signs, audio, and tunnels. Terminator (for example) is a great ride, but SOOO short...if it was a bit longer I think that would make a big difference.

 

- A B&M - I think they're all sooooo similar by this point that I'd rather have some theming thrown in to try and make a difference.

 

- Most Intamin Coasters - MORE TRACK!!! These rides are amazing. You don't need to theme Ge Force or Kawasemi, but can you imagine if there was even more to them...Mmmm AMAZING!!!!