That is a shocking title, right? We're aware that the the project for the park has recently been rejected, but the company that is behind this project (dubbed OTP Group, LLC,) has still time to find another piece of land that would be more suitable for their project, which includes, as you may know, almost 15 thrill rides, including large coasters.
But, why have we changed idea? Why don't we want this park anymore? Well, an Orlando Sentinel article opened our eyes. Indeed, the article "Retooled Star Tours to draw a crowd", other than talking about Disney's Hollywood Studios' new ride, includes some tidbits about the Orlando Thrill Park, and quotes some statements made by one of the co-owners of the OTP Group LLC.
Here's the part of the article that really captured our attention, as it sounds complete nonsense:
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Thrills versus theme
The developers [of the Orlando Thrill Park] said.... that, because they're going for thrills, they're not confined by themes, which can also add to the cost of an attraction.
[....] "The thing that's different between us and Disney is we don't have to outlay the capital that Disney does to keep their standards going," Doug Rutledge, of OTP Group LLC, said prior to last week's planning meeting. "We don't have to live within those thematic environments."
This excerpt was taken from the article "Retooled Star Tours to draw a crowd", in the CFB Magazine, of the Orlando Sentinel. All rights reserved. 2011, the Orlando Sentinel.
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Before we explain the situation, we want to remind you that it was already known that the Orlando Thrill Park was going to be a largely un-themed amusement park, but this statement really shows how this place, if built, would have been another "Hard Rock Park" (later known as "Freestyle Music Park), which had to close just some months after it opened! It is true that the Orlando Market is absolutely good for any new attraction, but again, this park had no vision.
When Mr. Doug Rutledge says "The thing that's different between us and Disney is we don't have to outlay the capital that Disney does to keep their standards going," I can't help but to think "then, you mean that your standards are going to be very low, right?" Eveybody knows Disney, and how successful it is, and that result has been achieved also thanks to its high standards. Therefore, it make no sense to me to say that Orlando Thrill Park's standards would be different from Disney. Saying that, you've already lost my interest.
Also, the phrase, "We don't have to live within those thematic environments" to our hears sounds very sad. Many of you know how we love theming, and we believe many of you like theming too. It makes a world of difference, even in a coaster. Can you imagine Expedition: Everest without any theming? It would still be a good coaster, but without a storyline, and all the fabulous things to look at. Also, Orlando Thrill park would have fell in the "Amusement Park" category. It would not be included in the theme park category, as by definition, a theme park "recreates an atmosphere of another time and place". Orlando Thrill Park would have done absolutely nothing like that. Just plain, extreme coaster. Nothing more, nothing less.
In our opinion, Orlando Thrill Park was going to be a huge failure. If the OTP Group LLC. is going to look for another place here in Orlando, they should really change the entire project. It wouldn't work here in Orlando.
What do you personally think?
