Does a coaster have to have good theming/a good story for you to enjoy it?

[Sandman]

Best example is Temple of the Nighthawk at Phantasialand.
It's a very fun and long ride and there is almost no great theming, but atmosphere is created with the Station and the music.

Hmmmm! Of all the coasters, this is the best example?

 

[ImagineerTim]

Hmmmm! Of all the coasters, this is the best example?

Yeah it shows that there hasn't to be theming all around the track to create atmosphere

 

[mouse]

It doesn't need theming, although I will probably rate a well themed coaster higher than a slightly better coaster with no theming. For me part of the ride experience is the build up of excitement from first seeing a coaster, queueing, and waiting at the station. Sure this excitement can be built up from a decent looking coaster with no theming, but I definitely prefer some good theming and theatrics to get me invested in a ride before I'm even on it.

 

[EndlessWire]

For me, almost not at all. It's rare any theme is enough to make me feel like I'm doing anything other than riding a rollercoaster - I don't feel like I'm battling a monster when I ride Nemesis, I don't feel like I'm racing a car on Red Force or Stealth. Oblivion is an exception because its clinical feel and uncanny climb do seem sufficiently *other* to make you buy the theme, but for the most part, I don't need theming - a coaster should stand and fall on its own terms for me.

I would say that this is distinct from a coaster's setting - there's no question at all that Nemesis' pit etc heightens the experience, and 'car park' coasters to me feel somewhat lacking. Bits of scenery to function as near misses etc work in the same way, but it's the rides' locations ultimately that affect the rides for me, rarely any storyline or theming.