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Theme Park Design: A Helpful Guide for Beginners

I believe you will agree with me when I say:

Design a theme park is really hard!

Or is it?

Actually you can design theme park easily with a proper and clearly written out guide.

In this post, I’m going to show you the crucial information that you need to know about theme park design.

Let’s dive in.

To begin with:

Theme parks are leisure and entertainment hub that have peculiar theme, which are designed by people.

They are a major aspect of the entertainment sector.

Look:

The history of theme park is an interesting one. It’s beginning can be traced back to when Walt Disney designed Disneyland in California in 1955.

Here is the deal:

Generally, theme parks designs are divided into various aspects, often with based on subject or size.

1. Source Market and Traffic Conditions

1.1. Source Market Conditions for Theme Park Design

The truth is:

Theme parks generally are situated in cities with advanced economies, and considerably large population.

You might be wondering why?

It is so as to secure a good market condition.

Look:

A sizeable theme park would require at least 2 million people. This statistics is according to the Washington DC Urban Land Institute.

A lot of theme parks in various cities in China possess good customer base.

As an example:

Shenzhen and Beijing resident population reached an all time high 6 million in 1993.

That’s not all:

Shenzhen received more than 6 million overnight visitors in its hotel in 1993. This was in addition to the almost 2 million international, high-spending tourists.

1.2. Traffic Conditions of Theme Park Design

Here is the deal:

Apart from the source market condition, the location of the theme park must have good road network.

That is not all:

The city where the theme park is located must have a proper public transportation system.

Internal traffic in urban cities is a pivotal influence on theme park operations.

Large-scale theme parks are mostly situated in the fringes of large cities.

Why?

It is because theme parks often require a large area of land. And the fringes of urban areas have less strict land use rules and regulations.

That s not all:

The prices of these types of lands are also considerably cheaper.

If you intend to open a theme park, you should consider selecting a site along major highways.

Here is the deal:

First:

You should secure road investment.

Second:

Make sure that the transportation facility is easy to use.

Third and last:

The roads should be broad.

In order to maximize highway traffic, your theme parks can also show signs to attract highway users.

Why is this gesture important?

One feature that constantly strengthens the hold of tourism as well as attract tourists, is advertisement.

2. Regional Economic Development Level

Look:

The level of regional economic development can impact on the development of the theme park in two major aspects.

Firstly, it will determine the scale of investment.

Secondly, it also determines tourists’ level of consumption.

You should note:

Theme parks are high-investment tourism projects.

Generally, you can only initiate theme parks development of corporate magnitude in regions with relative developed economies. It is only then they can be party to high-value investment opportunities.

Now:

You can also estimate the level of economic development using the income capacity of residents.

That’s not all:

You can also use the spending power of tourists. The size of the spending power of tourists, local or international, is directly proportional to the economic benefits of the theme park.

As an example:

In 1993, the per capital income of workers in Shenzhen was ￥7,947 , while that of Kunming was ￥3,803. When it is compared, the per capital income of the workers in Kunming was only 47.85% of those in Shenzhen.

That is not all:

At the end of the year 1993, the per capital savings of residents, both in rural and urban Shenzhen was ￥139,000, while those of Kunming was ￥2,336. If this is again compared, Kunming saves merely 11.74% of Shenzhen savings.

Here is the deal:

Regionally, Shenzhen is more economically developed than Kunming. This deduction is made on the basis of the income of workers and savings of residents.

The Shenzhen Chinese Folk Culture Village and the Kunming Yunnan Ethnic Culture Village, were both inaugurated in 1993.

But here is the kicker:

While the theme, investment scale and opening time of the two theme parks might have been similar, the economic benefits were not. They were very different.

3. Urban Tourism Perception Impression

Look:

Every city has its peculiar tourism impression that is consistent with it.

This tourism impression is formed via the many interactions of people with the environment.

To put simply:

The urban tourism impression is the overall impression that visiting tourists have of the city that your theme park might be located.

This can come from the tourists’ appreciation of the city’s urban environment.

In addition:

The impression can also come from the experiences of the citizens, the resident customs, the wellness of the services rendered, to mention only a few.

Now:

When you talk about Beijing, tourists are more inclined to think of the Great Wall.

How tourists perceive the image of urban tourism in any city majorly affects their decision-making process, as well as their behaviors.

When tourist first here of a city, they are quick find out and choose national-level tourist spot.

For example:

In a city like Beijing, tourists will most likely settle for spots like the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, or other popular theme parks ranking among the best in the city.

It is a known fact that first timers in Beijing mostly pick the National Park.

While the image of urban tourism n Shenzhen may not as established as that of Beijing, it is, however, in the process of development and change.

Since the early 1980s, even up until 1993, the tourism development of Shenzhen has gone through two stages.

This is even as the tourism image of the city has also undergone two changes.

Back in the 1980s, the primary image of Shenzhen’s tourism were two hotspots.

The first one was the cityscape of Zhongying Street shopping, which was in Shatoujiao.

And the second one was the high-rise buildings of Guomao Tower.

Also:

Since 1989, the prevailing image of the urban tourism of Shenzhen has since been transformed into three new spots.

They are:

China Folk Culture Village, Jinxiu China, and the Window of the World.

Now:

It is quite easy to arrive at a preliminary conclusion.

Cities with strong urban image features, such as Beijing, will be of economic benefit when you want to create a theme park.

The theme park will also have a higher chance of quickly becoming the city’s new sensational spot.

4. Space Agglomeration and Competition

Look:

Space agglomeration refers to the securing of relevant economic objects, as well as social infrastructure within a certain space.

This phenomenon often produces beneficial effects.

Here’s the deal:

The two primary factors that can influence the competition for space for theme parks are the theme content and the scale of the scenic spot.

The theme is the practical basis for the theme park to attract tourists.

The bottom line is:

The theme content is a great determinant for the success or failure of the theme park.

The magnitude of the scenic spot is another important feature.

It can be measured by the size of the investment and the size of the land.

Researchers have often concluded that transnational tourists only settle for international and national tourist destinations.

If there are several high-input, high-ticket theme parks in the same area at a particular point in time, tourists will most often pick the ones with the highest reputation.

The theme parks with the lowest status are neglected.

See:

If too many parks are situated in the same area, it will increase the overall appeal of the area.

However, it will also increase space and capital competition as a consequent.

Theme parks with reputation and popularity almost always trump ones with low profile.

The bottom line is:

If these theme parks with low profile and status can sustain their space gathering scale to a decent level, they can also experience some level of growth and development.

5. Decision Maker Behavior Impact Theme Park Design

See:

There are two levels to the decision maker behavior.

The first is the decision making behavior of investors.

The second one is the decision making behavior of the government.

5.1. Investor Decision Making Behavior

Look:

The decision-making behavior of Investor is in preference of macro location.

On this basis, it will affect the development of theme parks in two respects.

The first respect is the scale of investment.

The other is the choice of theme for the theme park.

The economic strength of the investors directly influences the investment size.

This is also closely related to making a theme choice.

Here is the deal:

A major key to the success of theme park development is the choice of theme.

You might be wondering why?

The reason is that the attractiveness of the theme park is key to traffic for the park.

5.2. Government Decision-Making Behavior

In today’s world, various governments around the world have placed tourism in an important position in the development of their countries.

For instance, Disney picked Paris, France to open Disneyland. Apart from Disney’s own customer base, this move was also as a result of the effort of the French government.

The French government was willing to extend the suburban subway to the eastern suburbs of the city, where Disneyland was set up.

That’s not all:

The government also went further to build a number of roads in the highway system.

This was in the bid to enable and aid tourists to visit.

They also effected plans to invest the sum of 760 million francs in constructing high-speed train.

Here’s the deal:

Theme park development is influenced by both objective and subjective factors.

First:

The objective factors majorly include the three aspects; the source market, the traffic conditions, and the level of economic development in the region.

This factor is related to the size of the tourist market, the infrastructure conditions, the investment capacity, as well as the consumption level of tourists.

Second:

Subjective factors majorly have to do with the decision-making behavior of investors and government.

The decision-making behavior of investors will relate to activities such as the determination of macro location, the selection of micro-site, determination of investment scale, and choosing theme for the park.

The government’s decision-making behavior is linked to the preferential conditions of the micro-site selection of the theme park, and the infrastructure.

The bottom line is:

Your theme park can meet with critical success and development.

The chances, however, would increase if there is a well coordinated and properly sustained relationship between the objective and subjective factors.

6. Safe Operation of Large Amusement Rides

Look:

In the structure of our theme park, large ride operators occupy a very important position.

So, how well they operate the amusement rides in the theme park, especially in emergency situations is highly crucial.

Why?

It is because it directly affects the safety of people and facilities in the theme park.

You should make sure that operators who tend the amusement facilities, indirectly or directly, should undergo proper training.

Make sure that the theme parks have operation procedures at the start.

Strict adherence to operational procedure by operators should be ensured.

This way, there is guarantee of safe operation of the amusement facilities.

6.1. Theoretical Knowledge Requirements

Operators of large-scale amusement facilities must be made to undergo rigorous professional training.

Special equipment operation personnel certificates can then be awarded after they must have passed the examinations.

The bottom line is:

At the end of their training, operators must have the following theoretical knowledge:

*Basic knowledge: this will include the stipulated responsibilities of operators of such large-scale amusement facilities.

It also includes having knowledge of the structural principles of large-scale amusement facilities, safety voltage, passenger notices, to mention only a few.

*Expertise: Operators should ensure that they first understand and gain mastery of the mechanical, electrical and hydraulic transmission principles of amusement facilities.

When this is ensured, the theme park can then be correctly and skillfully operated. Any emerging problems can be duly handled in a proper and timely manner.

In addition:

The following must be also be ensured:

Safety knowledge: this should include the knowledge on safety protection device setting, safety pressure bar, safety belt, safety handle, locking device, limit device, speed limit device, buffer device, overvoltage protection device, etc.

Operating system knowledge: this should include the knowledge on the control button color identification, emergency button, audio and signal, amusement equipment, Operating procedures, etc.

Safety inspection knowledge: this should include the knowledge on safety warning instructions and warning signs, pre-operation inspection contents, daily inspection items and contents, operation records, etc.

Knowledge of emergency measures for large-scale amusement facilities: Identification of common faults and abnormal conditions, common emergency rescue measures, basic methods of accident handling, etc.

6.2. Specification Operation Requirements

Once the amusement rides are officially operational, operators must do the following:

Daily safety inspection should be conducted before the operation of the amusement facilities.

This inspection should cover seat belt check, cabin door, safety device, and the bolt. After three empty runs, confirm that the operation is normal before it can be officially operated.

Before daily operations commences, confirmations should be made to ensure that no passenger is sited on any of the amusement facilities.

There should always be operators on constant watch once the amusement facilities are running. This is to prevent the escalation of emergencies.

The main power should be turned off once the park is closed.

It is crucial to ensure the safety of visitors and tourists.

So:

Before any of the facilities are operated, the following should be done:

The entrance of the amusement facility should be fitted with prominent warning signs.

Safety tips and tourists regulations should be properly explained before the start of the fun activity.

Tourists, while they are at it, should be watched closely to prevent accidents. Do well to remind visitors of the safety rules and promptly correct behaviors that do not meet safety requirements.

In case of accidents, prescribed procedures should be followed to ameliorate the situation.

During the course of the operation of the amusement facilities, it is necessary to carryout inspection. From time to time, the amusement facilities are intermittently stopped. The operator should check for safety, before continuation.

6.3. Post-opening security check

Finishing, cleaning, checking of the amusement facilities and playground should be enforced.

Make a record of the operation of everyday amusement equipment.

Amusement equipment should be regularly repaired and maintained, and safety inspections should be carried out.

7. Amusement Park Planning and Site Selection

Look:

Amusement equipment are important component in amusement business.

Why?

They serve as a major tourist attraction in playgrounds of theme parks.

They are also important device for aiding the development of chain brands.

The bottom line is:

The amusement equipment should be able to meet the requirement of the theme park planning, as well as operation and chain brand development.

That’s not all:

As much as possible, its features should be based on the characteristics of the immediate environment.

In addition:

It should also be based on the economic development level of the theme park.

Other determinants could be the spending habits of tourists, planning of the medium or large amusement equipment.

Also:

The layout, location, scale and volume of the amusement equipment should be based on what is obtainable of the scenic spot.

The selection and planning of the site for the theme park, as well as the selection and packaging of the amusement equipment should be done properly.

It should fully leverage on the relationship between the tourists stream, the road to the theme park and the overall area.

The overall number of amusement equipment in the park should be put into consideration.

The park should be designed in tandem with the overall theme planning of the park.

There should be enough developed land to make room for future land use projects.

The theme park project should be strictly adhered to in line with the overall planning of the park.

As soon as the park organizes the amusement project as a whole, make sure you secure a space.

This will be for the collection, viewing and photographing of the tourists using the amusement equipment.

7.1 Theme Park Design

Theme Park Design should be comprehensively considered from

• Economic indicators
• Technical performance
• Environmental factors
• Supporting factors
• Economic indicators

In economic indicators, factors such as equipment purchase cost, equipment operation cost, and number of  riders should be considered.

For the selection of amusement rides, the well-known foreign or domestic qualified manufacturers shall be selected, and the products that have been finalized shall be selected as far as possible.

When selecting new amusement facilities, safety analysis and safety assessment shall be carried out.

The purpose of safety analysis is to identify the possible damage to riders and facilities caused by the defects of amusement facilities.

Once a danger is found in a certain spot, the consequences should be evaluated, especially the degree of risk caused by riders.

7.2 Theme Park Design Site Selection

The site selection of amusement park should be comprehensively considered from factors such as economic indicators, project characteristics, geographical environment, and tourist behavior habits.

Large amusement rides should be based on the overall planning of the park, regional theme planning, landscape features of the park, and installation requirements.

Using existing geographical locations or buildings to maximize the effect of the landscape, and facilitate the evacuation of personnel and vehicle access.

Small and medium-sized amusement rides should be sited according to regional theme planning, regional landscape characteristics, and project installation requirements, using existing geographic locations or buildings to maximize landscape effects.

7.2 Project Queuing Area

• The hourly capacity and actual geographic location should be considered when constructing the viewing areas.
• The capacity of the queuing area should be slightly more than the hourly reception volume of the theme park project.
• In the queueing area, the height of the fence should be between 1.1 and 1.4 m. The gap between the fence and the distance from the ground should be 0.12 m.
• The fence should be of vertical orientation. Horizontal and diagonal fences are not advisable.
• At the very least, a fast track should be set up in the queuing area. This is to enable easy entry and exit for both visitors and rescuers.
• The queuing area should be built in such a way that it provides covering from rain or sun. This should be followed by necessary shading, ventilation and cooling equipment.
• The entrance to the queuing area should be situated as far away as possible from the main road of the theme park. Prompt and clear guidelines and information should be placed appropriately.
• The exit of the queuing area should be flat and open. The distance of the exit from the main road of the theme park should be as short as possible. Intersection between the exit and the entrance should be avoided.
• The prominent exits and entrances of the queuing area of ​​the theme park should be fitted with “Guide to Tourists” cards. This should be written both in English and Chinese.

Conclusion

Theme park design is a system work that includes a series plan from Positioning, Business Analysis, Market Research, etc.

If you have any questions on theme park design, you can get our expert’s advice by contact@sinorides.com based on your unique needs.