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  • Roller Coaster Theming | Weekly Topic

    Written by The Coaster Critic 5 Comments
    Last Updated: May 2, 2008

    Does Theming on a Coaster Matter? | Theme Park Round Table
    News Plus Notes provided this week’s topic. NPN posed the question: “Does theming on a coaster matter?”

    I’m going to surprise even myself and say no. My answer is really more of a ‘yes, but…’. Let me explain. Theming on a coaster is something that I’m quick to give points for. It can take a ride from mediocre to memorable. But, I can’t think of a time where it can take a coaster that would be a ‘5′ to a ‘9′ or even an ‘8′.

    While I really enjoy the Egyptian theming on Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa, it doesn’t completely affect my overall opinion of the ride. To me, theming is like seasoning a dish. If you start with a sirloin and add the perfect seasoning, you’ve got a winning dish, but the sirloin would still be quite tasty without it. And inversely, seasoning a gross dish usually doesn’t make up for its grossness.

    Also, my top 10 coasters are a bunch of great rides with just a pinch of theming. And in some there’s nearly none at all like in the case of Cedar Point’s Magnum XL-200. While I really enjoy theming, no amount of theming could equal Magnum’s wild, almost soulful ride. It’s like it has a personality. Theming can add a lot to the experience of riding a roller coaster, but in the end it all comes down to the quality of the ride.

    See what the other bloggers have to say on this week’s topic:
    Coasterdom
    A Walk in the Park
    Theme Park Village
    News Plus Notes

    What’s your take? Does coaster theming matter to you? Leave a comment below.

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    3. The End of the Record Breaking Roller Coaster Era

5 Comments

  1. #1 Matthew says:
    July 3rd, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    In my opinion, theming a roller coaster makes it a whole lot better. Take Alpengeist. It has what i think is the best theming in the world and its the number 1 inverted roller coaster. Also thats what Disney World is made of. Every ride they have there is themed and i like that. But Alpengeist is the best themed roller coaster in the world, well in my opinion.

    Reply
  2. #2 Tom says:
    November 30th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    I think it depends on the coaster. Space mountain, for exaple, would be a terrible ride without theming. But rides like Termanator salvation: the ride would still be a great ride without themeing.

    Reply
  3. #3 Quil says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 6:52 am

    I agree whith Tom on that one, space mountain is one of my favorite rides, but if you dropped the themeing, it would br plain boring.

    Reply
  4. #4 JaMeS says:
    December 1st, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    mummy is the best themed ROLLER COASTER

    Reply
  5. #5 Quil says:
    December 2nd, 2009 at 6:49 am

    What about Expedition Everest.

    Reply

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