incomplete theimng - CoasterBuzz

Do you know of any coasters that were supposed to be themed, but were not? For example, when Gwazi was announced, Busch claimed that each track would have distinct riding experiences. One side would race through a tropical, steamy environment with waterfalls, and the other would race through an arid desert. And we all know the ending of THAT story . . .

Dragon Mountain - Marineland, Niagra Falls, ONT. The station was the only part of that ride's theming package that was done. They had plans for a volcano and mini version of the Falls for the train to travel through, but alas, all that is there is structure. However, still probably one of the best old Arrow loopers out there.

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Scott W. Short
mailto:scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

I don't know if DCA could fit this catagory as a whole. It was supposed to have great themeing on everything along with great rides but it doesn't(granted i have never been there only talked with people who have been).

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Where has the magic gone in the name Disney?

Brendan w said:
I don't know if DCA could fit this catagory as a whole. It was supposed to have great themeing on everything along with great rides but it doesn't(granted i have never been there only talked with people who have been).
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Where has the magic gone in the name Disney?

Mabe you coud be a bit more specific? And what exactly do you mean your sig?

You know, I hear people disappointed with the DCA themeing, especially in Paradise Pier. But I ask you, what sea-side amusement park do you know of that has themeing? From my *far away* observation, it seems like PP is really true to the Cali beach parks (sans the requisitte dark ride)

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Besides, if we were really shutting down people we disagreed with, would Jeremy (2Hostyl) still be around? :) I think not. - Jeff 1/24/02

I'd have to agree with Jeremy on the Disney theming on DCA. It's really good, especially the Paradise Pier section. For a few minutes while I ate there, I felt I was in Santa Monica, but then noticed "wait, where are the seagulls?"
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Bow Down to...The Sleeping Smiley!!
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Brendan w said:
I don't know if DCA could fit this catagory as a whole. It was supposed to have great themeing on everything along with great rides but it doesn't(granted i have never been there only talked with people who have been).
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Where has the magic gone in the name Disney?

Actually, the theming at DCA is breathtaking. I guess because YOU ALREADY ARE in California, it doesn't seem that much amazing to see sights of it in a theme park within that glorified state. Of course you've never been there but hearing things isn't a good way to go. As for me, I did not like the park that much because there is nothing to do, but the theming took my breath away. Standing looking at Paradise Pier over that LARGE ocean with actual pounding waves and barnacles on the pier support made it so realistic. Same with the sounds of the cawing sea gulls and natural beach-side sounds through hidden speakers Wow.

BINGO and the answer to this thread (or one of the answers at least) is Knott's Perilous Plunge. As most of you know, the ride was supposed to sport a vintage oil derrick from the Pacific, but a rushed opening and constant delays caused the drop of plans for that prop. The 90 foot high oil derrick was supposed to straddle between the base of the drop and the lift hill above. The boats would have actually plunged right through the oil derrick structure. Other things not carried out included themed photo booth made to look like a 19050s Boardwalk shop, a soundtrack blasting seaside sounds in area surrounding the ride, underwater lights that illuminate the splash wave at night, a 50 foot billboard-like entrance with the ride's name projecting from it as if like a freeway ad of the 50s. Yes, that IS A LOT of stuff they left out of the original theming plans for Perilous Plunge. Sadly, even after the ride opened, they still did not incorporate the very detailed and splendid thematic elements originally planned for the ride. And we all know that Knott's was the first and foremost themed amusement park in the world, and they have many other classic themed rides world reknowned.

I thought the theming and rides at DCA were spectacular! I thought each section was themed very well and I really think of it as a best of the Florida Disney parks, that already hasn't been featured at DL. I was especially surprised at the look of Grizzly River Run, because I was kind of disappointed in Kali River Rapids at AK, but it was a great ride and had very fun twists in it. The entire park was above and beyond my expectations, because of their poor reviews early on, but IMO, it's the park I thought Knott's was going to be... minus the great performance of Ghostrider. So, from now on, I think I'll skip some TRs from places I'll visit soon, and just form my own opinion beofre I judge it in my head one way or the other. The theming at DCA will never be complete, because I'm sure there will be many more additions. Especially with the next phase including TZToT!! I can't wait!

*edit* Did I miss the "world reknowned" theming on Supreme Scream and Windjammer? I guess the whole park is themed around Supreme Scream to give that great view, and then Windjammer was themed around.... McDonald's?

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Danny

*** This post was edited by Koaster King on 1/29/2002. ***

Batman Knight Flight has nice Gotham themeing on the outside, but one you're inside the station it's just another Butler building.

For a few minutes while I ate there, I felt I was in Santa Monica, but then noticed "wait, where are the seagulls?"

The funny thing is, there actually ARE seagulls that have been coming to the lake area recently. Makes DCA look even better. IMHO, DCA looks great. Some of the rides could be better, but the theming of the park itself is really really good. Plus it's the prettiest park at night! I love the Hollywood section and my favorite thing is the Zepher train with Burr-Bank ice cream in it.Doesn't mean I wouldn't change some things, but I could say the same about anyplace.

And my contribution to incomplete theming would be Ghostrider. It was supposed to have waterfalls running underneath but for some reason the water effect was never put in.

...not really "incomplete", but didn't they take the guns away from the "captains" of the boats on Disney's Jungle Cruise...pretty sure I had heard that, but haven't been there in a few years. Also, I think I remember some different theming on BGT's extended shoot-the-chutes, Tanganyika Tidal Wave. Does anyone else remember that?
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Off-season coaster blues got you down, stop by the 'buzz and turn your frown upside-down...
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

If anyone has ever been on the Dragon at Adventureland I think you'd all agree that the theming there is incomplete. Inside the station sits the line and a cement wall with 4 or 5 hand made shields and that's it.
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Just wait till next year!

Say it with me people....Nitro!!!

The theme is not the problem at all with DCA. It just doesn't have enough rides. But they are working on it, so theres not much more you can ask there.
I for one actually like Paradise Pier. Granted, its in no way like traditional Disney theming, but it is the only Boardwalk themed area that I have seen to really capture the seaside park feeling.
Or maybe its just because California Screamin is awesome.
I didn't even know that Perilous Plunge's theme was meant to be so extensive. With the neon colors, the whole oil derrick theme doesn't seem like such a good idea. Now it has a more tropical feel to it, rather than an industrial harbor.
By the way Koaster King, I'd like to see you theme a 300+ foot turbo drop...
And in defense of windjammer (that sounds wrong), the ride had a pretty decent theme. Those cars were good looking, the control tower was a lifegaurd tower, and the ride had sand and water under it. Unfortunetly, these elements couldn't make up for the actual ride...
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*** This post was edited by CoasterFanMatt on 2/6/2002. ***

sigmagammarho said:
Say it with me people....Nitro!!!

Nitro's theming isn't incomplete. Its just non-existant.

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Idle hands were orient to her.

well of course we could site the drastic change in theming on Disaster Transport at CP or Top Gun at PKI but i'm going to bring up a major alteration in theming that occurred on the Beast at PKI. Originally there was a small pond under the front part of the station on the ride but was removed if i'm correct, after the installation of the vortex. what an interested in knowing is how the station looked and all. are there any pictures circulating of the station, the ride exit, etc that illustrate the previous ride exit and the pond?

I've wondered that same thing, Johnathan. I clearly remember the pond, but i would really like some pics of it. *nostalgic sigh*
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Idle hands were orient to her.

CoasterFanMatt said:
"By the way Koaster King, I'd like to see you theme a 300+ foot turbo drop..."

Well Dr Doom is a well themed space shot and Apocalypse @ Drayton Manor is a themed giant drop. While neither is *technically* a 300+ foot turbo drop, I think the theming is adaptable.
jeremy
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Besides, if we were really shutting down people we disagreed with, would Jeremy (2Hostyl) still be around? :) I think not. - Jeff 1/24/02

Alright jeremy, I can't resist any longer...if you honestly want to theme a turbo-shot, there really is a "best" way. Theme the ride like the sledgehammer game (where you ring the bell or whatever). Have an animatronic "strongman", Noriega perhaps, LOL, come out and strike the mighty hammer blow that sends riders rocketing skyward...
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Off-season coaster blues got you down, stop by the 'buzz and turn your frown upside-down...
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!