Matt N
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Shambhala (PortAventura Park)
Hi guys. On Saturday, Paultons Park announced their heavily hyped-up Vikings area after months of speculation. The new land generated a lot of excitement... but the choice of a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter, Drakon, for the area's headline coaster has heavily divided opinion, to say the least. Some (myself included) have been fairly critical of the choice, while others are excited and think it will be a brilliant fit for the park. One common thread I noticed among those who are happy with the addition is that they seem to infer that those who aren't are being overly picky and overly critical. There's a lot of talk along the lines of things like "cut them some slack", "can't people be positive for once" and "let's not criticise Paultons when they're trying their best". With this in mind, it got me thinking; are theme park enthusiasts too picky? Do we pick at the minute flaws a bit too much and fail to see the wood for the trees a little when it comes to reviewing things?
Personally... I'm going to be awkward and say yes and no. A few years ago, I would have emphatically said yes, but I think my stance has changed somewhat on this as I've grown older and experienced more.
On one hand, I would say yes, I think theme park enthusiasts can have a somewhat pessimistic, picky side to them at times. On these forums, I do sometimes think that some of the issues and critiques raised with regard to certain parks are exaggerated at times. Things that I would personally argue are minor flaws or points for improvement are sometimes made out to be major park-ruining issues, and I do sometimes think things can be blown out of proportion. At times, I do also think it's very easy to criticise parks when you are not in a position of power and don't have access to their wide range of data and KPIs. It's all too easy to play armchair critic or armchair theme park manager when you're in no position of power to change anything, and while some decisions made by parks may look ludicrous to enthusiast eyes, many of these decisions may well have an explainable rationale behind them that we as guests aren't privy to.
At the same time, however, I would say no... because I think enthusiast critiques are very often more than simply picking at flaws for the sake of a good moan. In many cases, enthusiasts pick flaws because we care so deeply; we want these parks to do well and have some level of investment in them doing well. When you care about something, you are bound to have stronger opinions on it, for better or worse. Also, many people around these parts have accumulated a vast wealth of park visiting and coaster riding experience, which will naturally give us our own personal idea of what works and what doesn't. Sometimes, people might criticise a new addition or park decision because their wide breadth of experience has shown them that there are better options out there.
But I'd be interested to know; do you think theme park enthusiasts are too picky? Do we as a community pick at the flaws of these rides and parks too much and fail to see how good we actually have it?
Personally... I'm going to be awkward and say yes and no. A few years ago, I would have emphatically said yes, but I think my stance has changed somewhat on this as I've grown older and experienced more.
On one hand, I would say yes, I think theme park enthusiasts can have a somewhat pessimistic, picky side to them at times. On these forums, I do sometimes think that some of the issues and critiques raised with regard to certain parks are exaggerated at times. Things that I would personally argue are minor flaws or points for improvement are sometimes made out to be major park-ruining issues, and I do sometimes think things can be blown out of proportion. At times, I do also think it's very easy to criticise parks when you are not in a position of power and don't have access to their wide range of data and KPIs. It's all too easy to play armchair critic or armchair theme park manager when you're in no position of power to change anything, and while some decisions made by parks may look ludicrous to enthusiast eyes, many of these decisions may well have an explainable rationale behind them that we as guests aren't privy to.
At the same time, however, I would say no... because I think enthusiast critiques are very often more than simply picking at flaws for the sake of a good moan. In many cases, enthusiasts pick flaws because we care so deeply; we want these parks to do well and have some level of investment in them doing well. When you care about something, you are bound to have stronger opinions on it, for better or worse. Also, many people around these parts have accumulated a vast wealth of park visiting and coaster riding experience, which will naturally give us our own personal idea of what works and what doesn't. Sometimes, people might criticise a new addition or park decision because their wide breadth of experience has shown them that there are better options out there.
But I'd be interested to know; do you think theme park enthusiasts are too picky? Do we as a community pick at the flaws of these rides and parks too much and fail to see how good we actually have it?
