I definitely expect some attempt at theming for it to be a Theme Park; just naming an area doesn't count. You need to at least do some work to make a coherent setting that even if people can't name it, they can piece it together, even if it's a simple as a boardwalk or a "main street". Just landscaping wont cut it, unless you're really going out, like with an Alice in Wonderland topiary theme.
As I said, there's a gray area sometimes between a full-fledged themed land or attraction and a functional midway or mechanical ride. The Six Flags parks often straddle the line.
I tend to agree with your assessment. For my personal definition of theme park, either the entire park needs to fall under a coherent theme, or each individual section in that park needs to be themed. This is the reason I think my home park of Carowinds falls into that gray area. There are themed lands in Carowinds (Camp Snoopy, Aeronautica Landing), but they sit along sections that aren't themed at all. I hesitate to call something a "theme park" in which theming is only partially implemented.
That said, I don't get too caught up in the semantics. They all exist to entertain, and it's great to see regional parks getting into more elaborate theming. Going back to Carowinds, I've been particularly happy with their attempt to correct some of their hopelessly mish-mashed theming of the past and moving towards a general "Carolinas" theme.
Also wanted to say that I very much enjoyed your appearance on CoasterRadio as always, Arthur. Every year I look forward to your take on all the new rides. Your enthusiasm and fandom for the industry always shines through.
Sure, it can be argued that all parks, regardless of thematic intent, exist to engage and entertain us. But it’s helpful, I think, to define industry terms.
Thanks so much for the kind words Tim. That means a lot!
I definitely expect some attempt at theming for it to be a Theme Park; just naming an area doesn't count. You need to at least do some work to make a coherent setting that even if people can't name it, they can piece it together, even if it's a simple as a boardwalk or a "main street". Just landscaping wont cut it, unless you're really going out, like with an Alice in Wonderland topiary theme.
As I said, there's a gray area sometimes between a full-fledged themed land or attraction and a functional midway or mechanical ride. The Six Flags parks often straddle the line.
You are very kind to Six Flags and their theming "straddling the line" (and are totally right) :)
Six Flags can surprise. Some of the DC lands are nicely evocative. As another example, the Screampunk District at Magic Mountain is well done.
I love that your avatar is Bob from the Black Hole movie!
I tend to agree with your assessment. For my personal definition of theme park, either the entire park needs to fall under a coherent theme, or each individual section in that park needs to be themed. This is the reason I think my home park of Carowinds falls into that gray area. There are themed lands in Carowinds (Camp Snoopy, Aeronautica Landing), but they sit along sections that aren't themed at all. I hesitate to call something a "theme park" in which theming is only partially implemented.
That said, I don't get too caught up in the semantics. They all exist to entertain, and it's great to see regional parks getting into more elaborate theming. Going back to Carowinds, I've been particularly happy with their attempt to correct some of their hopelessly mish-mashed theming of the past and moving towards a general "Carolinas" theme.
Also wanted to say that I very much enjoyed your appearance on CoasterRadio as always, Arthur. Every year I look forward to your take on all the new rides. Your enthusiasm and fandom for the industry always shines through.
Sure, it can be argued that all parks, regardless of thematic intent, exist to engage and entertain us. But it’s helpful, I think, to define industry terms.
Thanks so much for the kind words Tim. That means a lot!