Orlando Thrill Park: Why it Should Not Happen
That is a shocking title, right? We're aware that the the project for the park has recently been rejected, but the company that is behind this project (dubbed OTP Group, LLC,) has still time to find another piece of land that would be more suitable for their project, which includes, as you may know, almost 15 thrill rides, including large coasters.
But, why have we changed idea? Why don't we want this park anymore? Well, an Orlando Sentinel article opened our eyes. Indeed, the article "Retooled Star Tours to draw a crowd", other than talking about Disney's Hollywood Studios' new ride, includes some tidbits about the Orlando Thrill Park, and quotes some statements made by one of the co-owners of the OTP Group LLC.
Here's the part of the article that really captured our attention, as it sounds complete nonsense:
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Thrills versus theme
The developers [of the Orlando Thrill Park] said.... that, because they're going for thrills, they're not confined by themes, which can also add to the cost of an attraction.
[....] "The thing that's different between us and Disney is we don't have to outlay the capital that Disney does to keep their standards going," Doug Rutledge, of OTP Group LLC, said prior to last week's planning meeting. "We don't have to live within those thematic environments."
This excerpt was taken from the article "Retooled Star Tours to draw a crowd", in the CFB Magazine, of the Orlando Sentinel. All rights reserved. 2011, the Orlando Sentinel.
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Before we explain the situation, we want to remind you that it was already known that the Orlando Thrill Park was going to be a largely un-themed amusement park, but this statement really shows how this place, if built, would have been another "Hard Rock Park" (later known as "Freestyle Music Park), which had to close just some months after it opened! It is true that the Orlando Market is absolutely good for any new attraction, but again, this park had no vision.
When Mr. Doug Rutledge says "The thing that's different between us and Disney is we don't have to outlay the capital that Disney does to keep their standards going," I can't help but to think "then, you mean that your standards are going to be very low, right?" Eveybody knows Disney, and how successful it is, and that result has been achieved also thanks to its high standards. Therefore, it make no sense to me to say that Orlando Thrill Park's standards would be different from Disney. Saying that, you've already lost my interest.
Also, the phrase, "We don't have to live within those thematic environments" to our ears sounds very sad. Many of you know how we love theming, and we believe many of you like theming too. It makes a world of difference, even in a coaster. Can you imagine Expedition: Everest without any theming? It would still be a good coaster, but without a storyline, and all the fabulous things to look at. Also, Orlando Thrill park would have fell in the "Amusement Park" category. It would not be included in the theme park category, as by definition, a theme park "recreates an atmosphere of another time and place". Orlando Thrill Park would have done absolutely nothing like that. Just plain, extreme coaster. Nothing more, nothing less.
In our opinion, Orlando Thrill Park was going to be a huge failure. If the OTP Group LLC. is going to look for another place here in Orlando, they should really change the entire project. It wouldn't work here in Orlando.
What do you personally think?
I still kinda like the idea of a roller coaster based thrill park in Orlando because it would be similar to the Fun Spot attractions only more geared towards the bigger kids and adults rather than younger kids. Granted attendance wouldn't compare to the amount of people Disney brings in, but I still think it would do well.
ReplyDeleteUhm... I dont' know how to think!!! Here In Italy we have Mirabilandia that is for the most part unthemed and isn't so bad because there are so many think to do that you forget the theming problem.
ReplyDeleteIf the will use a great amount of green and plants maybe we can close an eye on theming problem!!!!
If you think that many Roller Coaster are thamed just inside the queue (Hulk, Kraken, sheikra ecc..), maybe we can close 2 eyes about it!!!
cedar point is un-themed, six flags over Georgia is un-themed yet these are great parks
ReplyDeleteif they follow the blueprint that cedar point has put forth then its going to take big dollars away from the existing parks. Cedar point is a clean pretty un-themed place with all their main dollars put into the rides and its amazing
The main reason, for me, that it won't work: Islands of Adventure and Sea World already cater to the "thrill" market. In other words, these parks have huge coasters. And what's the most popular thing in each park right now?
ReplyDeleteIslands: Forbidden Journey and the merchandise shops
Sea World: One Ocean
Even Busch Gardens, which has more thrill rides, still pumps money into shows, animal exhibits, and special events (Halloscream and concert series), instead of standing alone on coasters.
Orlando attracts a lot of families, young and old. I'm not saying it wouldn't be a success, but there needs to be a balance. What happens when families with young children show up at the gates to Orlando Thrill Park? Are they going to want to parent-swap all day? Even Six Flags and Cedar Point, used as examples above, have live entertainment (Cedar Point has a fantastic indoor ice show), children's areas (Six Flags over Georgia has two or three), family-friendly activities (dark rides/water play areas), and a lot of other touches that make it a unique experience. Orlando Thrill Park only will offer big, expensive-to-maintain coasters and thrill rides. It's not going to work in Orlando. Las Vegas, maybe, but not Orlando.
Now, if they want to build a park, something along the lines of Holiday World or Knoebels would work, as long as it's priced and promoted correctly as a half-day park experience. Themeing isn't a problem as long as you have some balance and something for everyone. Sure, build huge thrill rides, but don't forget the families... after all, families will spend the most to come in a park, and will stay on site to eat and buy merchandise, as opposed to teenagers and young adults who will eat elsewhere and be very stingy with spending money. If a new park can aim to be the Downtown Disney of I-4, or CityWalk for families (that just so happens to have rides, shows, and restaurants), that could work.
It probably wouldn't have been a failure. People love coasters. But the idea of an unthemed park sounds incredibly boring. There's no quality in lack of creativity. This statement made the project sound very lazy and very cheap. But that's my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWHAT DO YOU WANT TN A THRILL PARK THIS IS WHAT ORLANDO S BEN NEEDING FOR A LONG TIME THE ONLEY THING THAY SHOOD DO IS MOVE IT TO THE WESTERN END OF I DRIVE MSJ
ReplyDeletePersonally, I like the idea. I could care less if a park had a theme or not. I think that why I hate Disney. Where are the thrills? Where is the fun? I would love to have a park based on Coasters, because coasters is what I do best. But Florida is getting boring because no coaster is over 200 feet. Yawn. People are craving for something more thrilling. When I heard about Busch Gardens new roller coaster Cheetah Hunt, I was so excited. I was anticipating for it to be over 200 feet, and have it go faster than 60 mph. But what did they build, a 100 foot 60 mph hunk of metal. I feel they are caring more about the theming that is going around it rather than the ride itself. I'm sorry if I'm sounding rude, but if I'm going to be paying $75 to go to an "amusement park" I want to be amused to say the least, not be bored to death. I want the pants scared off of me. I'll admit that they need to find a better zone to build it in. Trust me I would hate it if someone built a theme park near my neighborhood. But if they do find a better spot to put it on then I would defiantly go if it opens.
ReplyDeleteI say HELL YEAH! I'm so sick of Disney and all these other parks that are aimed towards families. I want a park that is aimed toward the people who love thrills, don't care about motifs, and obviously are aimed toward teens and young adults that don't have children. As to the people who are complaining about it being boring; well you know you don't have to go, so you have nothing to complain about in the first place. The only people who have the right to complain are the people that are going to be in the neighboring areas of the park. That's the only thing OTP should be doing, finding a different spot to build. Although it may not be as popular as Disney, it will generate a lot of jobs for people. I also agree with the person above me, if I'm going to put a hole in my wallet, it better be worth it. Am I the only one that thinks this? I guess Floridians don't cares about fun. Sigh.....what a shame. At least when I lived in New Jersey they knew what fun really was.
ReplyDeleteYOU GUYS DON'T WANT IT BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR PRECISE DISNEY AND UNIVERSAL. YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T ALL MONOPOLIZE THIS INDUSTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat last comment made me laugh, but it is true. People don't understand how much Disney is monopolizing the Industry down here. Most people down know that Disney owns a lot of property. Even hotels that are around that area that aren't associated with Disney, has to pay Disney property taxes because they are on Disney soil. I don't see the bad in having a theme park based on thrill rides. I've always wanted to go to Cedar Point, but its just to far away. But now I might actually have a chance to visit something similar. People should be open to new ideas, but I guess the society is too stubborn.
ReplyDeletePERSONALLY, I THINK YOU SHOULD LOOK AT IT FROM BOTH WAYS AND NOT JUST YOUR SELFISH INSTINCTS.
ReplyDeleteTHemeing is overated. Give me a good coaster, and you can keep the themeing. Themeing is for Kiddies and Babies.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE a purely thrill park in Orlando. I have a season pass to Sea World/Busch Gardens and one to both Universal parks and...I never go! Why you ask? Because the "thrill" rides get old after a while. How many times can you do the Hulk or the Mummy (both excellent I admit) without getting bored? I would very much welcome a new park that is chock full of nice, tall, fast, scary roller coasters. If they build it, we will all come! Themes be damned!
ReplyDeleteOhh I really hope they build it. Any news on if they found a better zone to build it on?
ReplyDeleteWELL IF YOU HAVE TO ASK MY OPINION I SAY THAT YOU'RE A FAILURE "OTPN Administrator." ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT ARE THE REASON NO BODY GIVES ANYTHING A CHANCE IN THIS WORLD.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure if enough people want it to be built, they will build it, because with all the college students and adults that visit here, which one will they want to go to: Disney or Orlando Thrill Park? The choice is obvious.
ReplyDeleteI just want ot ride some great coaster I couldn't care less if they are "themed." I live in Ohio near Cedar Point..no theming there and it has been named best park in the world for more than a decade. The editors of this site need to get over themselves!!!!
ReplyDelete