News Plus Notes took care of the Weekly Topic this time and the topic posed the question, “Does theming matter on a coaster?”

At a quick glance my reaction was yes. Theme adds a ton to a coaster, or so I thought. Then I thought about it a bit more, and of all of the themed coasters I have ever been on, I really just remember the ride. The theme might help to stir some memories, but the ride experience doesn’t change all that much.

Ride quality is about the actual ride, not the theming. A themed park adds charm and gives a lot of great photo opportunities, but does it really change the park itself? If a park offers terrible rides, but great theming does that make it a great park? If there is a bad ride, its going to be bad no matter how it is themed. I think this applies to coasters as well. Theming doesn’t make for a good ride, the ride makes for a good ride.

Jake:

I have to respectfully disagree with Nate. Rides such as Expedition Everest, Revenge of the Mummy, Space Mountain and many more would be absolutely pointless without the theming. While rides like Millennium Force may be perfectly enjoyable without theming, just imagine how superior such a ride would be with theming to the scale of Big Thunder Mountain! And, why do you think that Disneyland is superior to parks like Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm or Cedar Point? Theming and the atmosphere that it creates.

So, while theming may not always be essential it can and generally does give more excitement to any ride or park.

Other Responses:
A Walk in the Park
The Coaster Critic
Theme Park Village