Post by gary on Oct 23, 2007 11:45:59 GMT -5
Small parks have dwindled in numbers greatly since the 1970's.
Few of these independent operations are left.
Instead, we're left with the big corporate-run parks.
The have the money and backing to get the $50mil
coasters installed. They have advisers, marketing
experts and safety professionals in their ranks.
Dark rides are still being made, but in a new way.
Sally Corp. is your major manufacturer now, with their
family-friendly, non-frightening displays and
interactive concepts.
With stricter laws concerning new amusement
structures and insurance costs, you can almost
understand why nobody has made a new
pretzel-car ride in a long time.
THEN there's the whole capacity bullnuts.
Would we agree that on an average ride,
cars of mostly two people can be dispatched
every 20 seconds? That's a paltry 360 riders
per hour. A new Sally ride boasts 800 RPH.
It's still low compared to a coaster, but it's
also a fraction of the cost.
Then there's image. Very important to the
superficial corporate machine. Old-school
dark rides do not look inviting to today's
parents with their young children. And the
teens of 2007 are way more jaded and just
don't have the attention span or appreciation,
unless they can get away with smoking a joint
first. What was thrilling and exciting 30 years
ago amounts to nothing today.
I really hate this trend, but it's what I
see around me and believe to be true.
Dark rides of the future need to evolve and
make use of new techniques. High-speed
drops into a cavern, more optical illusions,
high-tech sound systems, professional lighting...
It takes way too much money to impress
the riders of today.
Few of these independent operations are left.
Instead, we're left with the big corporate-run parks.
The have the money and backing to get the $50mil
coasters installed. They have advisers, marketing
experts and safety professionals in their ranks.
Dark rides are still being made, but in a new way.
Sally Corp. is your major manufacturer now, with their
family-friendly, non-frightening displays and
interactive concepts.
With stricter laws concerning new amusement
structures and insurance costs, you can almost
understand why nobody has made a new
pretzel-car ride in a long time.
THEN there's the whole capacity bullnuts.
Would we agree that on an average ride,
cars of mostly two people can be dispatched
every 20 seconds? That's a paltry 360 riders
per hour. A new Sally ride boasts 800 RPH.
It's still low compared to a coaster, but it's
also a fraction of the cost.
Then there's image. Very important to the
superficial corporate machine. Old-school
dark rides do not look inviting to today's
parents with their young children. And the
teens of 2007 are way more jaded and just
don't have the attention span or appreciation,
unless they can get away with smoking a joint
first. What was thrilling and exciting 30 years
ago amounts to nothing today.
I really hate this trend, but it's what I
see around me and believe to be true.
Dark rides of the future need to evolve and
make use of new techniques. High-speed
drops into a cavern, more optical illusions,
high-tech sound systems, professional lighting...
It takes way too much money to impress
the riders of today.