Will Cedar Point's New Coaster Be Themed?

Everybody already knows what the layout of the coaster will be like... nothing to be ashamed of, and definately something to brag about because of the sheer height & speed.

However... to really grab the public's attention... do you think that this ride will actually be themed, or will it suffer the same fate as other Cedar Point's rides, such as Mantis, Raptor, Mean Streak, and the such?? Sure, they all got great names and a great sign... but what actual theming do they have?
Millennium Force actually has a cool futuristic station house with music, but aside from that, there's nothing. No props, no nothing.

Will No. 16 (aka: "Dragster") have some sort of theme with such props & a nice station house not unlike Xcelerator's 50's theme? Or will it be the same plain old standard "ride in the park with a catchy name"??
I'd personally think that from a marketing point-of-view... to theme the ride like mad to really grab the public's attention (not that the height/speed won't...), is really the way to go. Anyone else think different?

Cp really isn't known for their themeing. That being the case, I think it will receive as much themeing as Magnum, MF, Corkscrew, Mantis, Iron Dragon, or Raptor. That means no themeing. Of course, that doesn't mean I think any less of the ride.

Well, Since it's Cedar Point, I'd think they'll have the ride stand on its own and not rely on theming. None of the coasters there have much theming, but I really don't mind. Actually, by not being themed, CP sticks to its original theming - an Amusement Park with a lot of great rides.

-----------------
I sing sometimes for the war that I fight, 'cause every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right. -Ani Difranco

I've said this for years:

"I'd rather ride a great coasters sitting on a pile of manure then a subpar ride with amazing themeing"

I don't mind the lack of themeing at CP. I've ridden very few coasters (if any) where the themeing made the ride a better experience. CP has some great rides and the addition of themeing probably wouldn't make the rides themselves any more entertaining...

...it might make the queue more bearable, however. (see Orlando)

-----------------
www.coasterimage.com

"Suffer the same fate"??? I'll consider it a *blessing* if it doesn't get a spot of theming. I hate theming in all its forms. I don't even put it in RCT2.

-----------------
A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

IF they do decide to do some theming I think they could go with the "dragster" or '50's type look Knott's has. Only reason I say this is the restuarant right on the other side of the Iron Dragon lagoon is themed to that and it would tie in.

-----------------
Wood Rules!

In all its forms? How could anyone hate the Dragons? I don't know if you've been to IOA, Den, but the Castle is what separates Fire from the other inverts, IMO. To steal a phrase from another theming ho, YMMV...

-----------------
http://www.rockandrollconfidential.com

Dueling Dragons has the only coaster I've seen anywhere that the theme makes any impact on me, and even then, it's largely lost everywhere but "the wall" on Ice.

Theme shmeme.

-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED!

Never been to IOA, so I'll withhold judgement on that.

The only theming that ever made an impact on me was the UFO in the Flight of Fear line, and only then because I admired the way they used mirrors to create a cool illusion. Didn't add to the ride at all.

-----------------
A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

Theme it to the old rocket sled G-testing devices. They could show the old films with the test subjects having their faces stretched. Of course we'll then have to worry about some politician looking for a cause.

Unless you are on a slow ride (ie Splash Mountain) or an immersive ride (ie Superman) I don't think theme has much impact on the ride experience. Queue line and station, sure but the ride itself, no.

When I ride Dueling Dragons I am not thinking about a dragon once I descend that first hill.

Four words: TR:TR

-----------------
It's Giant, it's Inverted, it's a Boomerang, Beeyatch!

Thank you.

-----------------
Wood Rules!

Boomerang: that's one word. Even though it stands for four words.

And I don't get your point, because TR:TR's theming did nothing for me. In fact, I thought the movie part of it was intolerable, and most of the theming during the ride was lame. The ride itself was excellent, though.

-----------------
A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

DawgByte II gets my award for overuse of the bold feature this month.
-------------
2003-Gotham City @ SFA presenting Bathroom the Ride-Please remain seated at all times

DawgByte II said:

I'd personally think that from a marketing point-of-view... to theme the ride like mad to really grab the public's attention (not that the height/speed won't...), is really the way to go. Anyone else think different?

I disagree. I think that the best way to market the ride and grab the public's attention is to do what they always seem to do - emhasize the extreme proportions of the new coaster, and have the theme simply as, 'a rollercoaster'. I don't reckon attempting to theme the ride would really add anything in terms of its marketability.

Thanks for the kind words, Intamin Fan! ;) :)

Seriously, though... when you do advertise the ride, CP's going to have some concept picture, whether drawn or computer printed, and it's going to have some landscaping by it... but when I saw Xcelerator's concept, the 50's theming really grabbed my attention. I loved the diner used as a station house, and the classic cars outside the ride.

It's not really the ride itself that they would theme per sa... so as much as the queue line & station house, which adds to the experience, and builds up excitement to the ride (it also cuts down on the boredom of waiting in a plain old open line with gravel on either side of you!!).

Just take a look at Disaster Transport in its hay day. It basically adds to the immersion of the ride. I don't expect the ride itself to be themed as much as the name attached to the ride having some special props, station house, and other little features or effects, and as someone has posted already.... Tomb Raider: The Ride!
(whoops, there goes that bold thing agian!)

I dont think theming will mean much at 117 mph.

-----------------
My K'Nex Coasters
Coming to Wyandot Lake in 2003: Hi-Striker's Revenge

LOL! Cedar Point seems to be the only amusement park that gets a "theme free" pass.

-----------------
Superman:The Escape(1997-2002) May he one day fly again.

A free pass? Are parks obligated to theme their rides?