Biggest misnomers in the theme park industry

[Matt N]

Hi guys. Normally, things in theme parks have a name that suits them and makes it clear to the guest what they are, or aligns with the guest's expectations about which rides are named what. For instance, in the case of somewhere like Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the tallest roller coaster in the park is called "The Big One"; this is a name that makes it quite clear to the guest what the ride is and aligns with their expectations of the Big One being, well, "the big one". But sometimes, things aren't named in quite such a fitting way. Sometimes, names for things in theme parks are misnomers. Sometimes the park does it as an attempt at irony, other times the park does it unconsciously, but misnomers, or misleading names, certainly exist and are used within the industry. So I'd be keen to know; in your view, what are some of the biggest misnomers in the theme park industry? What things have the most misleading names, in your view?

I'll get the ball rolling with two of my suggestions:

• Icon at Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Given that you can't even see it from the road directly outside the park unless you squint, I'll admit that I do find Icon to be a slightly odd name for this ride... as much as I do love Icon, I'd argue that The Big One is a more "iconic" ride within the same park.
• "Comfort collars" on Premier Rides launch coasters - Most who've experienced these restraints say they're rather uncomfortable, so I'll admit that I do find the name "comfort collars" somewhat ironic...

But what are some of the biggest misnomers within the theme park industry, in your view?

 

[Rob Coasters]

Zooom! at Flamingo Land hits a top speed of about 10mph but I'll give it funny points because I think it's a hilarious name

 

[Inverting_Thrills]

One that always makes me chuckle is the now defunct High Speed Thrill Coaster at Knoebels. The ride is only 12ft tall!

 

[Edward M]

I've always loved Goliath at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, currently 7th tallest coaster in the park.

 

[Hyde]

Ravine Flyer III was built before Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer.

Oh, and Thunder Run came before Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom!

 

[RcTmix]

Flight of Fear
Especially the one at Kings Island during the Firehawk years, when it sat right next to a flying dutchman. For awhile the park had five coasters that hung below their tracks, but Flight of Fear is/was not one of them.

 

[JoshC.]

 Stealth is, in fact, not stealthy.

 

[AidanCKY]

The Ultimate, was in fact, not The Ultimate rollercoaster.

 

[Pokemaniac]

Italian Double Loop Coaster, located at Ajwa Fun World and Resort in India. It's not Italian, and it doesn't have any loops.

Italian Double Loop Coaster - Ajwa Fun World & Resort (Baroda, Gujarat, India)

Looking for statistics on the fastest, tallest or longest roller coasters? Find it all and much more with the interactive Roller Coaster Database.

rcdb.com

 

[JoshC.]

Italian Double Loop Coaster, located at Ajwa Fun World and Resort in India. It's not Italian, and it doesn't have any loops.

Italian Double Loop Coaster - Ajwa Fun World & Resort (Baroda, Gujarat, India)

Looking for statistics on the fastest, tallest or longest roller coasters? Find it all and much more with the interactive Roller Coaster Database.

rcdb.com

I particularly enjoy the rcdb entry reiterating the fact that it has no loops.

 

[Steely Dan]

Universal's Islands of Adventure has no actual islands.

They should have called it "Universal's Man-Made Lagoon of Adventure".

 

[emoo]

Zadra: Wood Coaster. Steel track and a mix of steel and wood supports. A very nerdy irk for a tremendous ride.

Cliffhanger could be a great name for a dive coaster. But if a park just so happens to have a cliff of some kind you'd hope it would interact with it in some way. Maybe go with a company that has experience building off any cliff or working round obstacles and other rides .

Does Leap the Dips make complete sense? Surly you would leap the hills.

 

[Peet]

I used to love the many "Exit" signs on the way out of "X:\ No Way Out" .

 

[Howie]

The Smiler.

'Nuff said.

 

[Heth]

Maybe not a complete misnomer as it is fast, but Speed at Energylandia. When I think of a water coaster, its speed isn't the defining characteristic I'd choose to name it after.

 

[Lori Marie Loud]

I used to love the many "Exit" signs on the way out of "X:\ No Way Out" .

You should have read the small print.

Xit:\ No Way Out

 

[Sandman]

The speed of sound: approx 767mph

Speed of Sound (Walibi Holland): approx 47mph

 

[oriolat2]

Any coaster with the name 'Escape' in it. I mean, you are basically escaping, just to be back to where you escaped from in a matter of 2 minutes at best. Good job!

 

[Heth]

Suspended Looping Coaster Over Water - Century Amusement Park (Guancheng, Zhengzhou, Henan, China)

Looking for statistics on the fastest, tallest or longest roller coasters? Find it all and much more with the interactive Roller Coaster Database.

rcdb.com

'Suspended Looping Coaster Over Water'

...is not over water.

 

[Niles]

Nemesis Inferno, Unlike the original there is no ancient creature and on top of that i do not catch fire, instead we get a damp tunnel in a hill with occasional mood lighting.