Theme Park Of The Year

[Irishman]

Behind the Thrills is currently holding voting for the theme park of the year.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is in the final voting, as well as Dollywood, Universal Studies-Hollywood and some others.

Voting ends on December 15, 2013

So Go Vote!

Link: http://behindthethrills.com/2013/12/thrill-weekly-poll-2013-park-of-the-year-finals-vote-for-the-best-of-the-best/

 

[Franco]

Wow, Dollywood has a commanding lead. I'm not sure if the Universal Studios Florida choice encompasses Islands of Adventure (I would think not), but I think IoA is the best theme park in the country. It's strange that it isn't explicitly included on this list, yet a couple of obscure parks are.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

Yea because this is for best theme park. And our theme is becoming a jumbled up mess. Just wait until next year, we probably won't even be in the top 6.

 

[Party Rocker]

And our theme is becoming a jumbled up mess.

The parks theme is still very clear and present. Europe. Can't get any more clearer than that.

 

[Mushroom]

Yes, PR, but it is a far cry from the class and authenticity the same theme used to bring. An immersive, emotional, true-to-life experience is what wins awards. Stereotypical "Europe" theming attempts at appealing to those who care nothing about classiness or authentic themes does not. It's still a theme park, yes. A wonderful one, yes. But is it still the best? Probably not.

 

[Hoopla]

Just be happy that actually made it into the top 6.

 

[Mushroom]

^Exactly! I still love Busch Gardens, it just might not be the very best anymore. But it's still a great place.

 

[Zachary]

This poll has me confused all-around. Are we talking about the best park in the country overall? Are we talking about which park has displayed the best this year? Where on earth is Islands of Adventure or Epcot? How the hell did Idlewild end up on this list?

 

[Party Rocker]

Yes, PR, but it is a far cry from the class and authenticity the same theme used to bring. An immersive, emotional, true-to-life experience is what wins awards. Stereotypical "Europe" theming attempts at appealing to those who care nothing about classiness or authentic themes does not. It's still a theme park, yes. A wonderful one, yes. But is it still the best? Probably not.

The theme is just Europe. Do we still display the theme? Yes. Is it done in a way that most people (not just enthusiasts or mindless unknowing people) are satisfied? Maybe, just off a bit. All I am saying is regardless of whatever theme the park does to pull off the Europe theme, you can win awards regardless. You just have to be able to please most people. An immersive, emotional, true-to-life experience does win awards most of the time; however, you can still win awards without classiness or authentic themes.

In the end, awards mean nothing other than you were able to please the right people at the right time.

 

[Ben]

God is Dollywood the most overrated park ever?

I didn't think it was that special and would gladly take BGW in its current form over it

 

[I305Evan]

I loved Dollywood when I was there the opening year of Wild Eagle. Such a beautiful place. It's nice and elegant and the paths flow so well with the land. I hope to go back there in the next couple years because I feel like my visit was rushed the day I was there.

 

[Jonathan S]

I loved Wild Eagle as well. Would love to go back to Dollywood.

 

[Nora]

Busch Gardens would catch up when the social media team gets the word out on FB and twitter.

 

[Imaginique]

If they do. They really need better social media reps.

 

[Jrbgwfan06]

The theme is just Europe. Do we still display the theme? Yes. Is it done in a way that most people (not just enthusiasts or mindless unknowing people) are satisfied? Maybe, just off a bit. All I am saying is regardless of whatever theme the park does to pull off the Europe theme, you can win awards regardless. You just have to be able to please most people. An immersive, emotional, true-to-life experience does win awards most of the time; however, you can still win awards without classiness or authentic themes.

In the end, awards mean nothing other than you were able to please the right people at the right time.

This is coming from the person who started a fight over a sign just a couple of weeks ago. Now you're saying that the theme they have is enough?! You have to pick a side, are you either on the side of quality theming, and entertainment, or on the side that theming that is "ok" is good enough.

 

[Pretzel Kaiser]

I don't think anybody could honestly vote for BGW best park after the Illuminights Animals.

 

[Party Rocker]

I never said the theme they have is good enough. Maybe you should read better? Glasses do wonders I hear.

Anyways, I just said the European theme is there and that many awards are won even if they are not deserving of the award. I never said the park should or shouldn't get the award.

Also, I find it very ridiculous you would call it a fight, others would call it trolling. Nonetheless, I prefer to keep my ideas about theming out of these forums. My own thoughts and opinions would drive you all mad.