Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

As a seasoned rollercoaster enthusiast and self-proclaimed park design expert, allow me to share my hard-earned wisdom with you fellow thrill seekers!


In the game Planet Coaster 2, there are numerous factors to take into account while planning a park. This is particularly important when playing Sandbox Challenge mode as it involves managing the park and ensuring guest satisfaction. However, before you can decide where to install your first ride, it’s crucial to initially focus on establishing the foundation of your park.

In the game of Planet Coaster 2, designing a theme park can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly if you don’t have a preconceived layout, style, or other ideas for your park. This tutorial provides eight strategies to enhance your park planning skills, such as techniques for effortlessly arranging your park layout in Planet Coaster 2, tips for boosting guest satisfaction and the overall visual appeal of your park, and suggestions for improving the initial maps provided in sandbox mode.

Look To Real Examples For Inspiration

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

A fantastic method for brainstorming a concept for your new park’s overall style and layout is by examining actual examples. Visiting real-world theme parks can provide valuable insights when developing ideas for the entire park as well as individual attractions.

When examining Alton Towers in the U.K., consider using the entire park blueprint as a source of ideas for your design, and draw inspiration for individual attractions from well-known rides such as Oblivion or The Wickerman.

Before laying down the first path in your park, consider the overall theme that will guide your design decisions for the entire layout. Examining real-life examples can make your park more authentic, but remember to be creative and not just replicate them exactly. Gather inspiration from various sources to develop unique ideas based on your newfound knowledge.

Use Terrain Editor To Create An Interesting Map…

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

If you’re not satisfied with the pre-set terrains in each sandbox setting, take a moment to customize them using the Terrain Editor for a more engaging landscape. Draw inspiration from real-life landscapes or scenes from your preferred media. For example, if you’re a fan of Skyrim, attempt recreating Thousand Steps and Whiterun in a Taiga map. If you’d like to create an Islands-Only map, delve into the Tropical environment and design your ideal archipelago.

After deciding on the theme for your park, shape the layout to establish a base for that theme throughout your entire park. The options are virtually limitless, but it might require some time to develop something that suits your preferences.

…Then Use Terrain Paint To Plan Your Park Layout

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

After deciding on a theme for your park and shaping your terrain as a strong base, it’s now time to design the detailed layout. Elements like paths, attractions, buildings, and scenery all occupy space and require funds to install; however, you can utilize the Terrain Paint tool to sketch out your proposed layout for your Planet Coaster 2 park at no cost.

In your Customization interface, ensure the Terrain Editor is activated. Pick a terrain that contrasts well with your park’s base texture. Designate your paths, visitor meeting points, employee areas, scenic spots, and undeniably, your attractions using distinct textures to clearly show their locations.

After arranging your objects and rides, you can camouflage the textures using the Terrain Edit tool once more. Simply adjust your custom brush to match the standard park terrain, then apply it over the area.

Create Scenic Locations In Between Ride & Guest Hubs

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

Enhancing your park’s appeal significantly could be achieved by incorporating striking architectural landmarks or scenic elements. Countless, perhaps even countless thousands, of diverse scenery items are available in the Planet Coaster 2, ranging from tiny pebbles to intricate construction materials, which can help you create a wide variety of designs.

It might be appealing to cluster all your rides and income generators in one area, but this approach lacks realism and aesthetic appeal. Instead, consider designing multiple large hubs with a mix of Guest Facilities and rides spread throughout the park. Don’t forget to leave ample space for scenic beauty along guest pathways as well.

By varying the landscapes along their journey between hubs, your visitors will find greater enjoyment from the diverse scenery. Let’s design these scenic spots to align with nearby attractions and zones – an enchanted forest could complement a Viking setting, while a majestic statue of Poseidon surrounded by ruins would fit perfectly in a Mythology-themed area.

Avoid Congestion By Widening Your Main Paths

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

A common blunder among new players when designing their first Planet Coaster 2 park is creating paths that are too narrow. In the game of Planet Coaster 2, congestion is indeed a significant issue since large groups of guests can clash on busy pathways, causing traffic to come to a complete halt.

To ensure smooth movement for your primary routes, which are frequently used by visitors to travel from one hub to another, aim to make these paths as spacious as feasible to prevent bottlenecks. By maintaining a width of approximately 12 feet or more, congestion will be minimized and the traffic flow within the park will remain uninterrupted. This not only enhances the guest experience but also boosts your income by ensuring visitors are never hindered by any obstacles.

Place Guest Services Next To Pools & The Entrance

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

The amenities offered by the Guest Services help enhance the experience of our visitors, but they aren’t essential for all retail and guest service locations. The Guest Services department offers practical items such as sunscreen and umbrellas for rainy weather, along with Pool Passes that grant guests access to swim in our park’s pool areas and water slides.

Place one of these near your park’s entrance for guests just coming into the park in bad weather, then be more sparing with other placements. You need at least one by all of your Pools for guests who just wander up and fancy a dip, but you don’t need to place them in most other shopping hubs.

Create A Guest & Staff Hub For Every 3-4 Rides

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

To ensure smooth operations across all your attractions and effectively handle staff assignments, construct a Central Visitor Center that links the entrances to several rides. These centers should house Eateries, Beverage Stalls, a Souvenir Shop, Restrooms, and occasionally a Guest Assistance Building (if there’s a swimming area nearby).

As you expand the variety of rides in your amusement park and improve its overall rating, you’ll attract more visitors who will expect a high level of service. Group your rides into clusters of around three to four attractions, ensuring each cluster is equipped with easy access to essential amenities for guest convenience. This also gives you an opportunity to develop unique themes for different areas within the park, creating distinct “zones” that reflect varied design aesthetics.

To add diversity to your park, consider designing some structures that resemble Viking huts within the Viking district, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Don’t Forget Benches & Bins For Guest Happiness

Planet Coaster 2: 8 Park Planning & Layout Tips

A common oversight among novice players of Planet Coaster 2 is neglecting to include adequate seating areas or waste disposal facilities. Guests require regular Energy replenishment through rest periods, and they can develop a disdain for your park if it becomes overly messy.

To ensure there are sufficient benches and waste bins in your park, activate Path Extras while designing your pathways. Then, choose either the ‘Bench’ or ‘Bin’ item from the options. Once you lay paths with this feature enabled, benches or bins will automatically be placed along its length.

Strive to install approximately one bench and trash can for every 12 meters of pathway laid. While it may appear substantial, it significantly enhances guest satisfaction – do keep in mind to hire sufficient janitorial staff.

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2024-11-20 01:54