What is the purpose of theming?

[SaiyanHajime]

I thought I made a topic similar to this, but search ain't finding it. Maybe it was a dream. I worry myself.

Anyway ... What is the purpose of theming rides, attractions and spaces within an amusement park? Or anywhere else for that matter, such as restaurants, arcades, museums, malls, zoos, etc.

What is in it for the park? Assumably it causes guests to visit more often and spend more money... But HOW does it do this?

 

[robbeal]

To me, theming adds an extra dimension to a ride. It gives it that something else that makes it stand out above something similar that is just plonked in a field. I think that works on all levels too, not just from an enthusiast point-of-view. It just makes a ride that bit more exciting and interesting if its built around a mountain, or the queue has some element of back story to it.

 

[herbinator]

I guess it just adds an extra element to the ride an will attract people that like the theme, not just the ride. If you like effects and art you may go just for the theme! Almost everyone would rather go on Nemesis than nemesis inferno. I know the ride are not the same but hopefully you can see what I am getting at.

 

[Pierre]

Its aesthetically pleasing.

 

[Snoo]

^Yep. Makes some things look better. Also, Marketing wise, having characters/areas in which are popular in the minds of the general public can help spark interest.

 

[jayjay]

Obviously it makes the ride look better. One of the things I think about theming is that it makes a ride more memorable and gives it a unique character/feeling. If no roller coaster had theming, they'd be more difficult to remember. Sometimes when I try to remember rides I've been on, one of the first things I remember is what the queueline was like or what the theme was like. Obviously, I'll remember the ride as well, but the theme sticks in my mind almost much, if not more.

And theme parks are supposed to be entertainment. Adding a theme makes it a bit more like fantasy and away from the real world. It's definitely more fun, but I'm not sure why.

 

[A-Kid]

To look good, Marketing, and Escapism into a new, immersive world. Adds a bit more depth and appeal to the ride.

 

[Xpress]

Its aesthetically pleasing.

That is about the only reason theming exists, otherwise rides would be a lot of plain, dull colors with not much interesting to look at.

I305 didn't need to have just 2 support columns on the lift- they could have supported it in a more conventional/common manner, but they decided to give you something to look at.

Also, without theming, we wouldn't have anything to pick at... :?

 

[Hixee]

^True, but:

I305 didn't need to have just 2 support columns on the lift- they could have supported it in a more conventional/common manner, but they decided to give you something to look at.

That's not theming.

As everyone has said above, it's all about the immersive experience and marketing. It just makes the ride more interesting etc.

 

[CMonster]

Plus, like in the case of Disney, theming can transform a mediocre family ride (aka Space Mountain or BTMR) into a pretty fun, popular coaster.

 

[Hyde]

Takes your mind off of how sucky the ride is.

 

[Xpress]

^What about the good rides?

^True, but:

I305 didn't need to have just 2 support columns on the lift- they could have supported it in a more conventional/common manner, but they decided to give you something to look at.

That's not theming.

Well true, but it could technically be "theming" somehow, in someway that's beyond my level of explanation.

 

[Hyde]

^ That was more a matter of cost-efficiency. It make be intimidating (har har) to have such seemingly little support, but the purpose was having to do with money.

Theming is often used to make a ride aesthetically pleasing. E.g. Top Thrill Dragster's racing theme.

Theming can take a more important role in the ride experience, but more often than not is icing on the cake, the cake being the actual quality of the ride.

 

[Xpress]

^Regarding cost efficiency:

While it may be cost effective to try out a new, and cleaner method of supporting a ride, I'd be willing to bet that someone out there is willing to do the math to figure out the exact cost of supporting I305's lift, and MF's lift, to show that MF method would be less expensive.

Now, that doesn't mean I'm saying that it IS more cost effective to use the column structure like on MF. In ANY matter, they both look GREAT at night. Seems like rides are a lot more pleasant to look at against the night sky

 

[Hyde]

^ Not really. There is a 10 year gap between the two coasters, and in that time Intamin has created more cost effective means of construction, such as the new track design that requires less support structures.

 

[SaiyanHajime]

You guys are all boring with your replies. :lol:

Looking nice doesn't explain how it benefits the park... Does it really make a difference to most people? I'm not sure it does.


Jayjay is the only person who's commented on brand.

I think one of the most important things about theming for the park, however slight said theming is (even as little as colour scheme, name and connotations given by those) is creating a brand. Oblivion, despite it's very minimal theming, is one of the best branded roller coasters in the world. It says everything it needs to say visually and with it's name. It's thus memorable and gives you something to apply to Alton Towers.


There are different types of theming though. One important kinds is 'admiring the fake', something that parks which go the extra mile provide such as Disney. They create attraction made entirely out of theming.

Insane levels of theming are thus understandable, it's the parks that lie somewhere between no theming at all and great theming that are baffling.

I often wonder if Nemesis stood above ground it would be MORE popular with the general public because it would look larger.