Volume 3, No. 12. June 27, 2003
Coaster Con Report
Survey
says
Al Weber, CEO and president of Paramount Parks, told the American Coaster Enthusiasts
during his keynote speech at their annual Coaster Con banquet that his company
listens to the market. “We listen to you, and to you, and to you,”
he said, pointing to individuals in the room. “Of course, you’re the
market on steroids.”
How true. Nevertheless, this is a market that patronizes many amusement parks
as often as possible. It comprises smart consumers who have experienced enough
parks and rides to know what they like and what they don’t, what works
and what doesn’t. Said Weber: “You are the most loyal and most passionate
of our users.”
With this in mind, THE LOOP conducted its first Amusement Industry Survey at
last week’s Coaster Con, giving both operators and manufacturers a window
into the likes and dislikes of park guests across the spectrum of the industry.
In keeping with Weber’s observations, we knew that these results would
not necessarily represent the feelings of the general public; however, in keeping
with Weber’s observations, we also know these findings are of value because
they come from passionate and observant veteran users. We also knew they would
be skewed toward roller coasters, so for a couple of questions, second place
finishes are the the most notable.
Of 300 surveys handed out randomly at the convention, we received 143 replies.
We broke these down into age groups: under 18 (11 respondents), 18 to 34 years
old (23 respondents), 35 to 54 years old (78 respondents) and 55 and over (31
respondents).
We started off asking “favorite type of amusement rides" and allowing
five selections. Not surprisingly, roller coasters were selected on 143 surveys,
but dark rides were not a too-distant second at 111. Coming in third were tower
rides (66) followed by carousels (56). Dark rides came in second for all age
groups. Youths prefer spinning/undulating rides third, while adults shifted
from tower rides to carousels the older they got. We concluded the survey by
asking “What kind of attraction would you like to see built at your favorite
amusement venue?” They could choose only one. Roller coasters were selected
on 97 forms, dark rides on 31, way ahead of simulator/motion theaters at 7.
Among youths, simulator/motion theaters got two votes, the only category other
than coasters (8) to get more than one vote, but among all adults dark rides
were a clear desire behind coasters.
“What are the most important factors toward having a good park experience?”
we asked, again allowing five choices. Cleanliness received 102 votes, efficient
ride operations 93, and friendly staff 87. Prices came in with 73, number of
coasters 71, and short queues 69. Among youths, cleanliness and friendly staff
tied at 7. Efficient ride operations came ahead of cleanliness and friendly
staff for the 18-34 age group, cleanliness was a runaway favorite ahead of efficiency
for the 35-54 age group, and the two categories tied among the senior members.
Separately we asked if they preferred children’s rides grouped or scattered
throughout the park: 102 favored grouped, 32 scattered, a gap consistent through
each age group. Among “favorite foods” the most often listed were
fries (60) and ice cream (50).
Of course, we asked about coasters. Woodies (101) were favored over steel with
no inversions (40) and steel with inversions (14), though youths favored steel
with no inversions (5) over inverted steel (4) and woodies (2). For the question
“What do you believe makes a good roller coaster?” with an allowance
to choose five, air time earned 138 total votes to speed’s 130. Type of
trains came in third with 95. Youths chose air time and speed (both with 11)
followed by height (9) and G forces (8), young adults followed air time (22)
and speed (18) with G forces (16) and trains (15), middle age adults followed
air time and speed (both with 75) by trains (55) and theming (38), and for seniors
air time (30) and speed (26) was followed by trains (22) and both G forces and
height (13).
For the complete survey results, click here.
THE LOOP is written and produced by Eric Minton, Minton Enterprises, LLC. To see more examples of Eric Minton's work and Minton Enterprises services, visit www.ericminton.com.
©2003, Minton Enterprises
LLC
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