From Concepts to Concrete!

Create A Theme Park!

In our APHG class you have experienced units on population, culture, politics, and agriculture. We are now exploring urbanization. With that in mind, and combined with all the other units we have studied, you will be constructing a theme park from beginning to end. You will put into practice some of the information you have learned from previous units to create a model that will reflect an element of urbanization – the awesome theme park!

A theme park is more than just an amusement park, although they have many elements in common. Amusement parks usually contain a collection of diverse attractions, such as games, rides, concessions, and exhibits. A theme park typically has a more elaborate scale than an amusement park does, and attractions revolve around a common theme. Ordinary amusement park attractions are often transformed to fit the theme of a theme park. For example, a common amusement park ride is a roller coaster. Most theme parks also contain roller coasters, but they are altered to fit a new theme. Roller coasters might become sea monsters, arctic polar coasters, or space voyages. Many theme parks also contain large, luxurious constructions in which participants ride through the structures and pass through lavish, often interactive, displays designed to entertain or teach

What is involved? Read the following information and begin to put together your product.

You will:

  1. Prepare a portfolio of the information you will need.
  2. Create a map of the park.
  3. Construct a model of your product and be prepared to present it to investors! (That would be me!)

Before you begin creating your theme park examine the theme park maps that are available at the following sites:

Purpose:

What is the goal for your theme park?

Who will be your target audience?

What do you need to know before you plan the actual park?

Where will your park be located?

Planning and Proposal:

Part I.

1. Choose a theme and a location for your park and defend your choice.

2. Who will be your target audience? What are your demographics?

Give specific information here. Break the information down in

terms of gender, age, etc.

3. What do you think the average income of the people who will come

to your theme park will be?

4. What transportation networks are nearby?

5. What large cites/population clusters/etc. are nearby?

6. What industries are nearby? Why is this important?

7. What will your theme be? What culture(s) does it reflect? How?

8. How much land will your theme park cover?

9. What other industries will you approach to coordinate with your

park?

10. Where will you recruit your workers?

Part II.

  1. What are your sections in the theme park? Give specific names to the areas.
  2. Plan each attraction, show, food stand, restroom, etc. How many of each will you need?
  3. How many people do you plan to accommodate?
  4. Design your final product to show your research.

Part III.

Answer the following in a formal written answer:

How is planning a theme park similar to planning and maintaining a city? What is necessary for success?

Rubric

Portfolio/Proposal

Map

Model

Why You Need Maps

The obvious reason to need an amusement park map is to avoid getting lost among the wild lights and meandering paths of a park’s layout. A map can actually help guests in a number of ways, however, such as allowing them to plot the best route to major attractions and save time getting from one ride to the next. Maps detail where to find essential services such as restrooms, first aid stations, cash machines, and lost and found offices. Some guests may use maps as checklists for their favorite rides and attractions, and others may keep theme park maps as souvenirs of their theme park getaway. No matter how a map is used, it can reduce guests’ stress by ensuring they can find their way around the park with minimal effort, which will help them make the most of their visit.

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Park Map Characteristics

All theme and amusement park maps share certain characteristics, including:

  • Easy to follow directions and layouts
  • Icons to indicate guest services and other necessities
  • Proper ride, restaurant, and gift shop names
  • Important park information such as parent ride policies, operating hours, or visitor tips
  • Entertainment options and show times

While not every map will have every piece of information a guest will need to make the most of their visit, most parks offer a range of map styles to help guests plan their stay effectively.

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Types of Maps

There are several types of park maps available at most parks. Smaller parks may only offer basic maps, but larger parks typically have several specialized maps for interested visitors.

  • Brochures: A basic brochure map folds out to show the park’s layout and includes visitor information, tips, and other details as well as the basic map.
  • You Are Here: These large, freestanding maps are often scattered around the busiest areas of a park to help guests orient themselves.
  • Souvenirs: More colorful, larger maps may be offered as souvenirs. Poster-size Cedar Point park maps are an example of souvenir maps.
  • Specialty: Small maps may be offered for specialized purposes, such as showing all the park’s restaurants or where different shows are performed.
  • Resort: Large theme park complexes may offer resort maps that show the park in relation to nearby hotels, other parks, and additional attractions. A large map of Disney World, for example, will show all the major parks, Disney resort hotels, Disney golf courses, and other related attractions.