Now, THIS takes the Theming-Cake

I am an absolute theming JUNKIE...even in a 12-step program for it...

IoA and Disney *are* safe, but they're in Orlando....this place totally freakin' ROCKS! :)

It’s great to see a park taking theming with thrill rides to the next level. This type of park, like IoA, has the potential of blowing the competition of the water here in the U.S. Better thrill rides than Disney, including grander theming, and it leaves Six Flags and Cedar Fair looking a little boring.

I mean if a park like this was in the Northeast, why would folks prefer to go to their old standbys like Doney, Great Adventure, or even Hershey? BGE still would have an edge because you can't buy that kind of landscape. But even those who aren't big fans of theming can't say this doesn't look fun.

Maybe someday when parks look to be profitable in the U.S. again some big new corporate player will invest in this grand, over the top theming, thrill-park strategy which I predict will be more successful than even Disney. Then we may see these types of parks popping up in the states.

Then again I bet labor costs are quite a bit cheeper in China than here. Too bad theme parks can't be imported.

Looks like a blast! Very jealous... *** Edited 7/26/2006 3:09:51 PM UTC by rc-madness***

Very nice, although I do think TDS is the best themed park IMHO....

check out their version of Tower of Terror.....

http://Miceage.skyfirehosting.com/gu072406pics/gu072406x.jpg

http://Miceage.skyfirehosting.com/gu072406pics/gu072406y.jpg

http://Miceage.skyfirehosting.com/gu072406pics/gu072406z.jpg

It looks great. But I wouldn't say they are out-doing Universal or Disney. Look closely at the facades. The rockwork in particular. It just doesn't compare to the likes of Everest, or most other Disney mountains. And I think the design is very busy, the layout just doesn't seem to flow like IOA. Just my opinion, this is still a wonderful move for theme parks and tourism in China, and I hope to see more.

The flying coaster theming...OH MY! Now that's impressive!

Pretty neat way to take off-the-shelf rides and turn them into something special. I feel the same way CarolinaCaniac does...

I agree that the quality and the detail may not meet Disney or Universal standards (probably because they are paid more) but I'm not sure I've seen the scale of theme to be so huge. As themed as Hulk and Dueling Dragons is, it's mainly the gates and lifts of the rides that are themed. I've never seen a coaster of this size so engulfed by artificial rock walls and castle structures.

Well, Expedition Everest maybe on this scale; such the cool ride. *** Edited 7/26/2006 6:14:17 PM UTC by rc-madness***

Black Mamba and Nemesis are up there (though I haven't ridden either)

True, oh so very nice and unfortunately far away.

What do you think are the top themed coasters out there?

http://themepark.nl/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB5&Number=1035795&page=0&fpart=1

http://www.rcdb.com/ig776.htm

http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mg060201mg

http://www.rcdb.com/ig474.htm *** Edited 7/26/2006 6:59:09 PM UTC by rc-madness*** *** Edited 7/26/2006 7:01:16 PM UTC by rc-madness***

Actually you can get around pretty well without knowing Mandarin. The park itself has most of its signs in English also. Most decent hotels will have a concierge that speaks passable english and can write down for you the name of the place you want to go in Mandarin for the cab driver. With food and other things, there's always the point and mime method of shopping :).

I spent almost 4 weeks there on the controls for the flyer. If not for that darn work thing everyday, I'd say I actually really enjoyed Beijing.