Holiday World: New Map

^An ugly map isn't a "non-corporate" indicator. There are plenty of non-corporate parks with very nice maps.

Personally, I took a look at the map, thought "wow, that's pretty gross" and then closed the window. I don't think anyone here is making decisions on whether or not to go based on the map, but I sure bet somebody who's never been and is thinking about going would benefit from a map that expresses a bit more of the park's personality and charm.

Ugly is subjective. I don't think its ugly, I think it serves its purpose and that's it.

The maps we see from PKI, CP or any SF park cost tens of thousands of dollars to generate.

What I really can't beleive is that I am spending time discussing the Holiday World map.

Have a good day.

What was wrong with their previous map? They could at least just 'fill' the Voyage in.

My major issue with it is that with most park maps the rides on the map look somewhat like the rides on the map. The squares and boxes don't help. If it says Liberty Launch and has a box who knows what kind of ride it is.

Is it a work of art? No.

Is it interesting to sit back and look at for hours? No.

Is it a usefull tool for navigating around the park? YES.

And since it is a map, then as long as the answer to that last question is "YES", then that is all that matters.

I've never been to holday world, but by looking at the map, I can tell just what route I would need to take to get to the attractions that I want to get to. I can easily tell what paths are through paths and what paths are dead ends, unlike many of the more "stylized" maps (i.e. CP's from last year).

Also, it gives a better idea of distance compared to some of the more "stylized" maps (wich tend to distort distances.

It may not be a "work of art", but as a map, it appears to be one of the most funcitonal I have seen.

I'm going to have to agree with ThemeDesigner on this one... I had a research project in college on exactly something like this - which has to do with abstract representations used in charts/maps/drawings and the ease of reading them without any existing knowledge of the subject. The more abstract a chart is, the more education/knowledge/experience it requires to understand it. Of course, that's not to say a pretty map with trees and everything is the way to go since those can become confusing in their own way, but a happy medium is probably best.

The problems I have with the map are what ThemeDesigner pointed out - but also, the biggest issue with the map I have is that I can find where to go if I start at the entrance... but plop me in the middle of the park and it would take me quite some time to figure out where I am, and which direction to go to get to another ride on the map. Which probably isn't a good thing considering I'm a visual learner :). I think simple maps like this probably work better for parks with symmetrical/simple layouts... but that's just me

Navigating the park isn't all that the map serves. It also communicates what is offered.

I thought the map was OK until I read Gonch and ThemeDesigner's comments. I think a first-time guest might not really understand what some of the circles are. So perhaps it isn't the most functional.

Also, for a park, the map is not very fun. It looks like a shopping mall map. Personally, I'd prefer a park map that also had topographic info (contour lines). But I'm weird like that. ;)

I must agree with the majority of the posts here. Love Holiday World. Hate this map. HW is a fun and unique park. Long before my first visit, I was in love with this place. Everything about the website, flyers, TV/Radio spots and the old map make you feel like you know the place before you visit. If I did not know anything about HW and was considering a visit simply based on this map, I most likely would not go. It does not have the personally of the park. The old map was fun. I actually had it saved as my computer desktop background for awhile. It gave me the opportunity to take a quick trip to the park when I would need a break from work. This thing reminds me of the maps I used to find my dad when he was in ICU last year after his heart attack. Not something that I want on my computer to be reminded of every day at work.

Mrs. Koch better hire a few extra teens this summer. She is going to need alot of help keeping these things picked up from the pathways. *** Edited 4/25/2006 4:50:40 PM UTC by Kraven the Raven***

I see so many complaints about the 'cartoony' kind of maps that I thought for sure I'd be in the minority when I posted way up there.

Interesting that a park map can draw this kind of interest and opinion. :)

It's one of those little things you don't really think of much, but really makes a difference (if this thread is an accurate indicator).

I like it. <<ducks>>

I personally prefer the straightforward and simple maps (kennywoods old xerox copies were my favorite ;)). Very functional and I never got confused about where there was and wasn't a path and how to get from A to B.

That said, I think the majority of patrons would prefer a little bit a personality.

A quote from Paula herself on the Holiblog, "The new design is based on tons of feedback we've received from park Guests."

Looks like Holiday World did research before changing the map.

^^^Well there you have it. I still think it looks ugly as all get out but I'd much rather go with actual park guests as opposed to the peanut gallery that I am proudly a member of here. :)

this is funny, I printed it and I was like nah I like the olds one better. I showed it to some of my family and friends and they said what's dif. b/t it and atlas map you get from wal-mart. nothing. Go figure cartoon drawings out plain is in.

Im a professional Graphic Designer.

I have been working in the advertising and communcations field for 10 years. I have worked with the amusement industry in advertising.

This is a GOOD map.

It is clearly easy to read, follow and navigate through. It is well concieved and pleasent to look at. The map serves it's purpose.

Holiday Worlds Old map, however, was easy to read, follow and navigate through and also was well concieved and pleasent to look at.

However, the 3d maps tend to sometimes loose accuracy.
Landscapes and changes in elevation also play a part on confusion.

I prefer the 3d maps over the flat graphics since I like illustrations, and I can tell what the attraction is a little better.

It's just a matter of opinion.

I do agree that the maps made by Amusement Media Inc. do look the same, and there is power in that. I wasn't aware of the corporate promotion tie-in however, and that would explain the General Mills ads at Knoebels. What I really like about their maps is that the flat rides look like they do in real life. For example, looking at the 2005 Hersheypark map, Chaos and the Claw are pretty darn close to their real-life counterparts.

The layouts of the coasters are also pretty darn accurate as well when possible, and for the most part leave no confusion about what the coaster is (wood vs. steel) or its' height. I think Storm Runner is the only one that misses the mark somewhat, but seeing all the terrain changes it goes through, I think I understand. The only thing I could see as being negative is that the oval titles are a bit busy.

Now onto the Holiday World map. Count me in the negative category. There is no feel for what most of the rides do. A big purple/blue circle representing Hollowswings tells me absolutely nothing about the ride. I'd much prefer either a cartoon version, or a 2-D rendering.

I can respect that Holiday World got guests inputs, but what is it that they complained about or wanted that they didn't get out of the old map?
*** Edited 4/26/2006 5:05:47 AM UTC by ***

Here's an old one from '04 in case anyone hasn't seen it:

http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/maps/2004/hw2004.html

Personally, I think that map is great. Maybe guests thought it was too cluttered? Seems like that could have been solved with the numbering system Six Flags uses.

The only complaint is the lack of ride descriptions. First time visitors might know what exactly there is to do with this set-up. It reminds me of the maps that SDC and DW sometimes use between festivals.

Thanks PT300. I guess you can count me on the negative side as well. Park maps/guides serve as a reference to get around and all, and yes this can be functional, but I agree with the whole argument about how you can't tell really what a ride is.
Also, in this day and age, everyone wants free. I know they give you free drinks and everything and thats great, but what im talking about is to me and alot of people I know who go to and enjoy parks(so im including some "GP"), park maps and guides that come with them become free park souvenirs especially if it is a new park for them. Something to take home with you to remember your visit later thats completely free. The older map is alot more fun and Id be quicker to keep that with me after I go rather then just throw it into the garbage. *** Edited 4/26/2006 1:10:47 PM UTC by P18***

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Here's an old one from '04 in case anyone hasn't seen it:

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Okay... After seeing this old map and the new map, I am definately certain I like the new better.

The old map, like so many other 3 D maps to me, seem cluttered. It is more concerned about showing, graphically what is there... which is fine, except if I am looking at a map, I am not trying to see what a particular ride looks like, but rather how to get to that particular ride. The old map loses all sense of scale in my eye. The new map seems more in scale and also is seems easier to use as a navigational tool.. wich, as I said in an earlier post... is what the primary function of a map is.

All that being said... I think the best map out there is Kennywood's. The perfect overhead areal perspective combined with color. Almost like looking at a drawing of a satellite image.

*** Edited 4/26/2006 5:05:51 PM UTC by SLFAKE***

I'm with SLFAKE on the Kennywood map. Very cool map!