Better Theming or More Track

[Tanks4me05]

I can go either way. Being the Mechanical Engineering student that I am, I appreciate a bare-bones, unthemed ride more than most people, as I see the beauty and the art behind the machine.

[bottom_feeder_13]

Save money on both and add a flat with the money saved (*cough*SFMM*cough*).

[RCT3Bross]

Is to discuss, I believe both are quite important. I've been on both, Good rides with crappy theming and crappy rides with good theming, and those gave me a view on both importance. Good rides are just good rides, they have no overall experience to give. On the other hand if they are themed great and have a crappy ride experience that is just a wast of money, you ask yourself the question: "Did I only queued up for the theming?"

If I had to pay for a great ride with crappy theming or a crappy ride with great theming, I guess I would pay for the ride.

[ArundelHigh Coasters]

It really depends on what kind of ride it is. The Mummy roller coaster at Universal Studios isn't much of a big coaster, but it sure scared the living shit out of me the first time I rode it. But honestly, if both were combined that would be amazing. imagine if the creepiness of The Mummy coaster and I305 were combined , that would be awesome.

[rcdude]

In general, I'd prefer a longer ride over a better themed one. The only time I'd prefer more theming is if the ride is not designed to be a thrill coaster and/or the theming is Disney or Universal quality. Of course, the ride has to be good in the first place. If the ride is good, good theming will increase the ride experience but poor theming won't detract from it. If the ride is just okay then good theming can save it, but bad theming may ruin it. If the ride is truly awful, it could be the most heavily themed ride in the world and it would still be a bad ride.

[JJLehto]

Obviously a good ride.

That's what it's about. For example, if the ride is good it will be good, even if its stuck over a parking lot.

If its not very good, well theming can improve the overall experience but if we wanted to pay for scenic rides, well nevermind because I can hike for free through the wilderness!

 

Obviously though if you can get both great ride and theme...well you've won!

[GeorgeT]

For me...I find my self having loads of fun on coasters that are good without any theming...I really enjoy them a lot.

 

But I find myself LOVING the themed ones...that`s the difference.

 

It`s exactly the same with parks : I like the little themed a lot if the rides are good...but I LOVE the heavily themed ones...and I `m willing to travel and pay a lot more for the places with that kind of atmosphear that you`re just getting by lots of theming.

 

Greeds...George

[_IntaMAN_]

I prefer both (I will narrow it down to one at the end), my reasons? Here ya go:

 

THEMEING: To me themeing is cool and very interesting. One of my favorite ride themes at ANY park is Indiana Jones: Temple of the Forbidden Eye (DLR), it really make you feel like you're going on an adventure, Indy style. BTR's queues are pretty cool too (not saying it's the best), but it's really cool walking through those queues themed to the Caped Crusader. Radiator Spring Racers also has kick-ass themeing and IMO, is the best work Disney has done on any of their attractions in a while.

 

TRACK: A good kick-ass ride like Robb mentioned in the beginning is awesome. One of my favorite coasters is California Screamin', simply because it's long and gives you the impression that it'll be over soon when it keeps going on. Same with Maverick, especially when you hit the second tunnel and get launched again, you barely get a break to breath!

 

Narrowing it down to one, I'd prefer a longer, awesome ride.

[CpBluestreakCp]

Well, in my opinion, you have to start with a good ride. Even if it has amazing theming but is rough and bad re-rideability, it won't make it a memorable experience. Theming is always an added touch, but with both a good ride and theming together, well that makes a great ride.

[jray21]

I would pick a good ride over theming. Thinking back to Apocalypse at SFMM, they went with more theming versus more track. I definitely would have preferred more track.

[Moose]

It depends in the park. For something at six flags or cedarfair where their theming is mediocre at best a better ride is the way to go. But a park that does theming well like Disney, universal, or Europa, theming all the way. Would we all love Europa as much if their coasters weren't as awesomely themed?

[josephcissell]

I would generally prefer a longer and better ride. There are some exceptions in cases where a ride is decent and the themeing is done very well. Personally though, I tend to have a considerable appreciation simply for the beauty and fluidity of the rides themselves. So I don't necessarily count a lack of themeing as an inherent flaw in a ride if its a good ride. In some cases excellent themeing can save a sub-par ride, but there is only so much that can be done, and unless its a Disney or a Universal caliber park, the necessary themeing to save such a ride virtually never happens.

[cfc]

Well, in my opinion, you have to start with a good ride. Even if it has amazing theming but is rough and bad re-rideability, it won't make it a memorable experience. Theming is always an added touch, but with both a good ride and theming together, well that makes a great ride.

 

I think a good case in point here are the coasters at Disneyland Paris. Their version of Big Thunder Mountain would be good without the theming--but the theming adds a lot to the experience. But the Space Mountain and the Temple of Peril coasters, despite their excellent theming, are still just bad rides (and would be even worse without the theming).

[rcjp]

^ I wouldn't say they're "bad" rides, just weak ones. But it does illustrate that theming by itself is not all.

Everyone, including me, likes good theming. Personally, though, I like a good ride better. Like Robb said, if they can put those two things together, great. Still nothing beats a kickass ride.

[SFMMGeek27]

More track and better ride. I don't really care about the theming. Even Scream! Doesn't bother me.

[cfc]

More track and better ride. I don't really care about the theming. Even Scream! Doesn't bother me.

 

Now, to me, Scream is a ride that desperately cries out for something to make it better.

[Oryp]

Although I love themed rides such as RotM and others, there's a reason they don't crack my top 10. Can't beat rides like El Toro and I305. That said, I prefer great rides that at least look nice, like Dominator at KD where they landscaped the former parking lot.

[MJNemesis]

More track and better ride. I don't really care about the theming. Even Scream! Doesn't bother me.

 

Now, to me, Scream is a ride that desperately cries out for something to make it better.

 

To me, Scream is a massive joke. It looked like a stunt performed by Six Flags to keep their MM coaster count up at the time and I'm shocked they haven't even attempted to theme the parking lot. Unless of course the parking lot was supposed to be the theme!

 

It's annoying to me in the UK because our best parks are crippled by height restrictions and there isn't as much money to throw about but on the other hand this resulted in the creation of Nemesis at Alton Towers. Still seen as one of the best coasters in the world (perhaps the best B&M inverted). It was built in a pit to reduce it's outside visibility and is so small (in height terms) that it doesn't really have a main drop... it builds up speed right to the end as a result of the huge thought that had to go into the design. The theming is also great so you can enjoy it while you ride.

 

Number 1 on my 'want to ride list' is Alpengeist. I do think better theming is key but I haven't experienced the opposite properly. Going to a US park where building big is the main attraction will be a welcome break for me.

[cfc]

^There is one benefit to the restrictions that Alton operates under--they have to be more creative. Nemesis is a perfect example of this.

[cfc]

Hanno's photo thread just reminded me of another ride that would be "solid," if unremarkable, on its own, but is definitely raised to a higher level thanks to theming: Black Mamba at Phantasialand.

 

I think that without the beautiful "African" setting, this would be an "average" B&M inverted.

[jray21]

^I agree, the theming there absolutely makes the ride.

 

I like theming more, but it has to be done well. If it's just a cardboard sign, I'd rather have more track. If it's like Black Mamba, I'd rather have the theming.

[cfc]

^Exactly. Of course, in the case of Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom, more "cardboard signs" might be preferable to more track. It's been good to see Disney doing it up big again with coasters like Everest, Grizzly Mountain, and the new Seven Dwarfs coaster in Florida.

[necoastergp]

I'd say a good ride, but great theming does increase a rides appeal. Everest is fun ride, and the theming makes it so much better. Theming adds to the experience which is always a plus.

[Gay:The Ride]

Hard decision... Theming made Tower of Terror a good ride.

[Midgetman82]

Most of my favorite coasters I've ever ridden are without theming aside from the colors of the track. I love a great coaster with an amazing layout, but I'm more for being immersed in a setting than amazingness. So I'm for theming over layout. I'm pretty sure everybody can agree a great coaster has both aspects, which is why I have a special place in my heart for many indoor roller coasters.