Posted
Knott's continues to prepare for Xcelerator's opening day. The ride's purple train has recieved a new paint job and has begun testing. Meanwhile, a red flame has been painted on the third car of the yellow train, which is also being loaded with water dummies. Flames are being painted on the housing around the PLC. The restrooms near the ride's entrance have been re-painted.
In other news, Perilous Plunge has re-opened. Initial reports say that the ride has not changed much, but that capacity is horrendous.
The old VertiGo building is now used to "make your own bear".
Link: America Coasters Network
- The old VertiGo building is now used to "make your own bear".
Bear or Beer? Are you sure that isn't a misprint!?!? :)
And I don't know who said Cedar Fair can't do theming - i think Cedar Point's theming is awesome. Much better than Six Flags, where everything looks hokey and every park looks the same. At least CF tries to be creative, and most of their rides are just plain gorgeous to begin with.
~me
Actually, I'd say that it looks better than anything from Disney or Universal.
Sure, it isn't to the extend Disney or anyone would go with such a theme, but that's what makes it so great.
It isn't trying to say "look, we've got everything possible from the 50's and jammed it into one area" as other parks do.
They have successfully turned the area into a truely 50's looking area. It hasn't got replicas of every piece of momentum and nostalgia from back then, it has captured the spirit perfectly.
I've never visited any Disney or Universal park, or Knotts. So this is all from photos etc. But really, if I were to go and read an old Marvel comic book, the setting is never as "wacky" or over-the-top as the parks do.
Sure, you can spend x million dollars on the whole works, jamming in everything remotely relevant to the theme in mind, but does it work?
I'll direct you to my local Burger King (called Hungry Jacks down here, but that isn't the point :)). Any store built within the past 5 or so years has been done trying to make it look very 50's, with lots of chrome, red puffy seats, black & white tiles, and every possible replica sign from Coca Cola or with pictures of Elvis and Chevys on the walls. You'd think that it'd work, but it is done to such a ridiculous extent, that it is just stupid the way that every possible space on the wall is filled with this stuff.
Meanwhile, look at Knotts - correct architecture, plants and the odd nostalgic item such as the cars or the petrol station gift shop. It isn't trying to overwhelm you with so much junk that it is just stupid as other places do, it gives the impression of a true 50's style area.
I guarentee you, if any other park tried this, especially those known for excellent theming, then they'd stuff it. You'd see 'Enjoy Coca-Cola' signs with pale-looking 50's girls, and silly items everywhere Heck, I'd even wager that they'd stick a giant Wurlitzer juke-box right in the middle that sells popcorn and Coke in glass contour bottles.
Theming, as far as I remember, isn't about capturing everything that the viewers mind associates with the theme. It is about the mood and feeling of the area that could be mistaken for the real thing.
-----------------
So what if the best coaster in Australia is a second hand Arrow?
You must be logged in to post