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ParkBloggin’ by Dennis Speigel
Thoughts on Theming
We are often asked by clients at International Theme Park Services how much theming should be given to an attraction. I believe the answer is easy …keep it simple and do not over-theme. Theming is necessary but also expensive. All too often, new projects try to compact too many themed elements
As well as his track record in Kentucky, Hart also enjoys ongoing success with Magic Springs, which his team reopened in 2000 after five years of closure. Preliminary plans at Kentucky Kingdom call for a reconfiguration of the
property’s use including consolidation of existing rides, adding new rides and an expansion of the adjoining Splashwater Kingdom waterpark. KKRC will continue to develop an exciting, safe, well managed and well funded family attraction to complement the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Bobbejaanland founder dies
Bobbejaan Schoepen, the founder of Bobbejaanland in Belgium, passed away on May 17, the day after his 85th birthday. Born as Modest Schoepen on May 16, 1925, the blacksmith’s son forged a
musical career, meeting Elvis and making several trips to Nashville. A keen whistler and yodeller, he represented Belgium at the 1957 Eurovision Song Contest. Tired of touring, Schoepen built his own theatre in
1960 on marshland near the town of Lichtaart. A year later Bobbejaanland was born. Over the years it grew to become one of Europe’s most popular amusement parks. Bobbejaan continued to perform at the park regularly
until his latter years, and encouraged three of his children to work there. Son Jacky, who eventually became general manager, left soon after his parents sold out to the Spanish Parques Reunidos group in 2004. The park retains Bobbejaan’s name to this day, and just two years ago he recorded a comeback album.
www.bobbejaan.be
Bobbejaan Schoepen in 2000
Orange county carousel returns
California's Orange County Great Park Board has approved a recommendation to purchase a carousel that was removed last year from Fashion Island. The 38ft diameter hand-painted ride was
built by the Barrango Manufacturing Company in San Francisco and is projected to open later this summer, in the same area of the park as the Great Park's Kids Rock playground. The 36-seater (or 40 children) carousel
features 30 jumping horses and menagerie animals, two chariots and two standing horses, plus 12 murals.
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into areas that would be much better off communicating only one story rather than confusing with too many. Selecting themes for attractions should relate to the nature of the entity. A theme can take many forms. They can be geographical, social, historical, whimsical, serious or futuristic. My reccomendation is to take one or a few themes and execute them properly and completely rather than, again, trying to take many themes and distort the guest experience, causing confusion. Having design and operational capabilities, the ITPS team draws on experience of attractions large and small. It is, of course, always easier to start with a clean slate when developing theming rather than adapting or retrofitting it to an existing attraction. Nevertheless, common sense and wisdom in relation to theme design seem to always win out. Don’t get me wrong – we do not want to stifle the creative process or design, rather make sure it is sufficient to meet guest expectations. There are many design considerations that need to be explored when building a themed attraction. It has always amazed me as to the construction and theming expense surrounding a leisure attraction. Remember, multiple themes can compound budgetary issues. So as the plans for an attraction develop, the developer needs to ask first how much theming is appropriate and then do more themes really enhance the experience? Keep in mind each theme needs to have an underlying storyline easily communicated and recognisable by the visitor. If the theme is too complicated, the guest becomes confused and the money spent on this expensive aspect of design is wasted. Keep it simple, keep it quality; keep it direct. Extremely important during the design phase is for the client to engage operations planning support. It is necessary to consider all aspects of operations during the planning/design process. On many projects we have worked on, we have found that significant time and money could have been saved by the client if operations planning had been included at the beginning of the design process. It is of paramount importance that these two disciplines work harmoniously to achieve the end desired result - a great guest experience. By dovetailing planning, design and operations support, necessary end result issues are brought forth in a timely and orderly manner, preventing costly “re-dos.” In summary, the correct amount of theming, including operations planning from the outset, will provide better a project flow process culminating in an on-time and on-budget result.
Keep to a single theme where possible to avoid confusion
Dennis Speigel is president of International Theme Park Services (ITPS) in Cincinnati, Ohio. ITPS is the industry’s leading, independent management/consulting firm, offering services including feasibility analysis, design/masterplanning, pre-opening operational planning, on-site management, sponsorship & marketing, executive search and business audits
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