http://www2.bupipedream.com/mobile/op-ed/mass-commercialization-has-deteriorated-theme-park-allure-1.2567360

Oh well, can't please everyone.

Perhaps those ads are helping pay for the maintenance of those rides. Seems to me he was bound to be sour about something, and didn't want to do the research it took to cover a subject worth being sour about.

I believe it's entirely appropriate for rides to have sponsors. That adds incentive from a third party to keep a ride operating its best, and provides the amusement park with the opportunity to spend more to improve the ride. Disney has used sponsors from its earliest days. "Test Track, presented by General Motors." "The Enchanted Tiki Room, presented by Dole Food." Previously, "Space Mountain, presented by FedEx" and "Indiana Jones Adventure, presented by AT&T," usually with one simple logo places under the ride's logo and perhaps a small advertisement at the exit.

In my opinion, though, that's different than having a train wrapped in Stride Gum appliques. Once or twice on my trip to Six Flags Great America, I couldn't tell what ride I was looking at because the station, queue, and train all had advertisements for Skittles hanging over the ride's names and decor. That's a shame in my opinion, but perhaps Six Flags' financial situation requires that they forego guest experience to recoup lost finances for a period.

What's interesting to me is that folks are noticing, despite so many people's promise to the contrary. "A coaster is a coaster," so many said when I posted when this first started happening. But even the "general public" seems to be a little annoyed by it, and it just so happens that it annoyed someone in a media-based position. A few more of those and perhaps even more will take notice. You gotta do what you gotta do I suppose.

At this point, SIX is far better off financially than FUN.

The day that I see billboards along The Beast's track is the day that I stop going to KI. I would be kinda offended if they started advertising on the rides themselves.

About two years ago, Cedar Fair announced they were going to pursue just such opportunities. And then, nothing. Must have been the Apollo distraction....

One persons theming might be advertising to another. I mean what if they sold naming rights to rides and some movie studio bought some?

Keep it minimal and fairly inconspicuous, I'd be ok with it.

Putting movie names on rides? That could cause quite a face off, but it would leave some money in the park's drop zone...