Theme Park Mania
Theme Park Mania Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
- Goal of the Game
- Box Contents
- Game Preparation and Items per Player
- Set Up the Game
- Phase 1 - Build the Theme Park Layout
- Connect Tiles
- Special Tiles and Actions
- Move the Marker
- Phase 2 - The Grand Opening
- Move and Event Cards
- Special Cards
- Special Events
- End of the Game
- Score and Count Victory Points
- FAQ
- Tips
- Alternative Gameplay with 20 Rides
- Overview of Actions
Goal of the Game
Together, players build the greatest theme park ever. During the first phase of the game, players build the layout of the park with paths and tracks. Each player gets paid for their contribution by the bank.
With the money earned, players buy and build their own rides and facilities. To build and operate rides, players need to hire employees. They can also hire additional employees to complete their team.
Depending on the scenario, a total of either 12 or 16 rides are built. When 4 rides are built, the park will open. Players can now also visit rides.
The game ends as soon as the first player clears their mini meeple queue. The player with the most victory points wins.
The number of rides mainly determines the duration of the game. This varies from 45 to 150 minutes.
First time?
Learn the basics of the game and discover how to build paths, rides and facilities. Also learn how to score victory points.
Play with 12 rides and use the starting tile without track. Leave all track tiles and rail stations in the box.
Box Contents
- Starting tile: 4x
- Card: 67x
- Ride: 20x
- Facility: 80x
- Path tile: 57x
- Employee: 16x
- Loan token: 4x
- Scenario ticket: 2x
- Track tile: 12x
- Rail station: 4x
- Player marker
- Progress marker
- Main guest: 4x
- Mini meeple: 64x
- Ticket booth: 36x
- Money $1: 43x
- Money $5: 28x
- Money $10: 7x
- Path tile: 5x
- Track tile: 5x
- Track (end): 5x
- Sinkhole
- Malfunction
Game Preparation and Items per Player
Place all items as shown in the example on the right page. Each player receives mini meeple, ticket booths, and the following items: main guest, 5 x $1, path tile, 5 move cards, track tile, and rail station.
Set Up the Game
Choose a starting tile and a scenario ticket (12 or 16 rides).
Build 12 or 16 rides
The number of rides mainly determines the duration of the game. This varies from 45 to 150 minutes.
- Playing with 12 rides? Remove 8 rides and also the 16 matching facilities from the stack.
- Playing with 16 rides? Remove 4 rides and also the 8 matching facilities from the stack.
Mini meeple and ticket booths per player
12 rides
| Players | Time | Mini meeple | Ticket booths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 players | 45 - 60 minutes | 12 | 7 |
| 3 players | 60 - 90 minutes | 12 | 5 |
| 4 players | 90 - 120 minutes | 12 | 4 |
16 rides
| Players | Time | Mini meeple | Ticket booths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 players | 60 - 75 minutes | 16 | 9 |
| 3 players | 90 - 120 minutes | 16 | 6 |
| 4 players | 120 - 150 minutes | 16 | 5 |
Deal MOVE cards
Sort the move cards with a white border from the other cards. Shuffle the move cards and deal 5 cards face down to each player.
Merge the remaining move cards with the other cards. Shuffle them well and place the deck face down on the starting tile.
All cards become active during phase 2 of the game once the park has been opened.
Placing the components
- Starting tile: Place the starting tile on the left or right side of the table. Place all other items next to the starting tile. If you play with a center starting tile, place all other items on the left or right side of the table.
- Rides: Place the rides in random order and face down next to the starting tile.
- Facilities: Place the facility tiles in random order face down, divided over 6 piles, next to the starting tile.
- Scenario ticket: Place the scenario ticket on the starting tile. Also place the progress marker on the starting point with 0 rides.
- Mini meeple: Place 12 or 16 mini meeple of each player in front of the park entrance.
- Main guest: Place each player's main guest on the star on the starting tile.
- Move and event cards: Place the move and event cards face down on the starting tile.
- Employees: Place the employee tiles, sorted by type, face down on the relevant circles.
- Path tiles: Place the path tiles in random order face down, divided over 2 piles, next to the starting tile.
- Track tiles: Place the track tiles face down next to the path tiles.
Phase 1 - Build the Theme Park Layout
Players take turns playing clockwise and perform one of the following 5 actions each turn during the first phase.
Decide which player controls the bank. The player with the lowest-numbered move card is first to play.
1. Build 1 or 2 Paths
Build 1 or 2 path tiles and get paid for every path tile from the bank. Connect the path tile(s) to an existing path segment to create areas for rides and facilities.
See page 6 on how to connect the small path tile.
Bank reward: 2 or 3 players: one $1 coin. 4 players: two $1 coins.
2. Build 1 or 2 Tracks
Build 1 or 2 track tiles and get paid for every track tile from the bank. Connect the track tile(s) to an existing track.
See page 6 on how to connect the train station and the small track tile.
Bank reward: 2 or 3 players: one $1 coin. 4 players: two $1 coins.
3. Hire 1 Employee
There are 4 types of employees. Each player can hire 1 employee per turn. Players can hire only 1 employee per type. Every employee counts as 1 victory point.
You need a mechanic to build rides and facilities. When the theme park has opened, you also need an operator to operate your rides.
| Employee | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Mechanic | Required |
| Operator | Required |
| Security | Optional |
| Mascot | Optional |
Pay the bank the price of an employee and place the employee in front of you.
Note: The price of employees increases during the game.
4. Build Ride + Facility
Buy the top ride from the pile and also buy a facility. You may look at the ride theme first before choosing which facility to purchase with it.
Pay the total price to the bank. You always pay $4 for the ride + $1 or $2 for the facility.
Connect the large ride tile to a path tile and make sure you have enough free space for the facility, with future expansions in mind.
Place a ticket booth of your color on the ride and make the ride and facility accessible by a path tile.
5. Build 1 or 2 Facilities
Buy 1 or 2 facilities and pay the bank. Connect the facilities to your ride area to increase the ride fare. There are 2 types of facility tiles:
Generic facility ($1): There are different types of tiles as indicated on the blueprint.
- Restaurant
- Game stall
- Scenery*
- Shop
- Toilet
- Mascot
* A scenery tile has no effect on the ride fare.
Themed facility ($2): The blueprint icon indicates which ride matches with the facility. Every facility matching the ride theme counts as 1 victory point at the end of the game.
Facilities must be directly adjacent to either a ride or another facility within a ride area, and must always connect to a path (except scenery tiles). Diagonal connections are not allowed.
Connect Tiles
All basic rules of laying and connecting tiles.
Right way
- Create ride areas: Ride areas marked with a check mark are well laid and can still be expanded or completed.
- Completed area: A completed area, fully enclosed by path and/or scenery tiles, awards 2 victory points.
- Close railway track: Once all players have built their train stations, close all open railway tracks with end track tiles.
Wrong way
- Dead ends: Do not create dead ends by blocking paths with track or other tiles. Track tiles have priority over path tiles.
- Facilities: Facilities must connect to a ride tile or another facility within a ride area and must not block paths.
- Ticket booths: A ticket booth must be placed on a ride tile adjacent to a path and cannot face another ticket booth directly.
- Unique ride areas: Rides cannot be combined into one area. Use scenery tiles to fill gaps and maintain separation between ride areas.
Expand the park in any direction. The only limit is your table limit.
Special Tiles and Actions
At the start, each player receives a station tile, a small track tile, and a small path tile. Once all stations are built, all track ends will be closed.
Mascot tile
On this special facility, you can place your mascot to earn extra money with your ride. The ride fare of your ride will only increase if you also place your mascot on this tile.
When another player visits your ride, you will receive $2 extra ride fare.
You may buy and place multiple mascot tiles but you can hire only 1 mascot.
- Place your mascot: When connecting a mascot tile to your ride, you can immediately place or move your mascot onto that tile.
- Move your mascot: At the start of your turn, you can move your mascot to any of your mascot tiles for free.
Small path tile
You may place your small path tile during your turn as an extra action (without reward).
Note: This tile is double sided. This tile is very handy to connect your railway crossing or complete a ride area.
Small track tile
You may place your small track tile during your turn as an extra action (without reward).
Note: This tile is double sided. This tile is the only way to create a rail track corner connection.
Train station
You may place your train station during your turn as an extra action (without reward). There must be at least 1 track tile between 2 train stations.
- Double sided train station: The station tile is double sided and can be connected in any way using the crossing on the left, right or middle position.
Close railway tracks
When every player has built a station, all railway tracks are closed with the end track tiles. From this moment on, it is no longer possible to build tracks.
- Never block railway track: Track tiles have priority over path tiles and may never be blocked in any way by path tiles. If somehow a railway section got blocked, close this section using 1 end track tile.
Move the Marker
Game progress is tracked with the marker on the scenario ticket.
A. Number of rides: The number of rides determines the entrance fee of the park and the price to hire employees. Move the marker according to the number of rides that are built.
B. Entrance fee: Once 4 rides are built, a player collects a $4 entrance fee from the bank for visiting a ride. With 8 or more rides, a player receives $5. With 12 rides, a player receives $6.
C. Employee price: As long as the park is not yet opened, a player pays $2 to hire an employee. With 4 or more rides, a player pays $3 to hire an employee. With 8+ rides, it's $4. With 12 rides, it's $5.
Phase 2 - The Grand Opening
When 4 rides are built, the park will open. A 6th action is now available: players can also play move cards to visit the park.
6. Play Cards to Visit the Park
Play a move card from your hand to move your main guest on the game board to visit rides.
Visit a ride by entering through the relevant ticket booth and place your main guest on the ride tile. Place 1 of your mini meeple on the ride to mark that you have visited this ride.
When you place a mini meeple on a ride, the mini meeple will enter the park and you collect the entrance fee from the bank. You may place a maximum of 1 mini meeple per ride.
Pay the ride fare to the ride owner. If you own this ride yourself, you don't have to pay another player and you keep the entrance fee yourself.
Operator required: Every player is required to hire an operator. Without an operator, players cannot receive guests on their rides. Note: The price of employees increases during the game.
Collect Entrance Fee
If you visit a ride, one of your mini meeple enters the park and you will collect the entrance fee from the bank as indicated on the scenario ticket.
Place the mini meeple on the ride your on [sic: "you are on"] and pay the ride fare to the owner of the ride.
Pay Ride Fare
Pay the ride fare to the ride owner. The ride fare depends on the number of facilities within the ride area.
View the calculation example below to determine the ride fare.
Calculate Ride Fare
On each ride and facility, there is a ticket that indicates the value. The total value of the ride and all connected facilities determines the ride fare.
Example: +$2 (ride) + +$1 + +$1 = $4.
Calculate the value of the ride and the facilities to determine the ride fare.
Example receipt:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 x Ride | $2 |
| 2 x Facilities | $2 |
| 0 x Mascot | - |
| Total | $4 |
Train and Crossing
Travel by train: If you want to travel by train, visit a train station with your main guest.
Walk your main guest until you reach a train station. The remaining number of steps are lost as soon as your main guest is placed on the station tile.
During the same turn, you move your main guest to any station on the route. Pay $1 for each station to the appropriate player on your route, including the departure station and the destination station.
From your next turn, you may continue your way.
Railway crossing: Want to pass a railway crossing? Pay $1 to the owner of the railway crossing. You may also wait 1 turn at the railway crossing to pass for free on your next turn. If you own the railway crossing yourself, you can always pass for free.
Bank loan: In case you need extra funds, you can take a loan from the bank at any moment during your turn. Take $5 from the bank and take 1 loan token. Each loan token will cost you 1 victory point at the end of the game.
A bank loan is only available during the second phase of the game.
Move and Event Cards
With move cards, you can move your main guest on the game board to visit rides. At the end of your turn, fill your hand to 5 cards from the draw pile. Do you draw an event card? Perform this event immediately!
Walk the park, visit rides
Play a move card from your hand and move your main guest the amount of steps indicated on the card in the direction of the ride you want to visit.
You enter the ride through the ticket booth, which also counts as one step. The remaining amount of steps is lost as soon as your main guest is placed on the ride tile.
Place a mini meeple on the ride. Collect the entrance fee from the bank and pay the ride fare. From your next turn you can leave the ride by playing a move card.
Play multiple move cards
If you end up exactly on a card space, immediately play another move card from your hand. This also applies when you end on a card space using a special move card.
Tip: Plan your route strategically to move faster through the park.
Fill your hand to 5 cards
Only at the end of your turn, fill your hand to 5 cards from the draw pile.
Do you draw an event card? This event must be performed immediately. Other types of cards are added to your hand and can be played during your next turn. Keep drawing cards from the draw pile until you have 5 cards in your hand. It is possible that you draw several event cards and have to perform them immediately.
No more cards available from the draw pile? Shuffle the discard pile and place it on the starting tile as a new draw pile.
You may only refill your hand at the end of your turn!
Exceptions
Do you draw an event card that cannot be performed immediately? Place it on the discard pile and draw another card from the draw pile.
Not a single playable card in your hand? Place all cards from your hand on the discard pile and refill your hand to 5 cards from the draw pile. Your new cards can only be played during your next turn. Event cards must be performed immediately.
MOVE cards
The standard move cards can be recognized by the white border and vary in value from 1 to 10.
On some move cards, there is no number but an icon of a die. With this card, you may choose whether to move 1, 2, or 3 steps on the game board.
EVENT cards
If you draw an event card, you perform this event immediately. Event cards directly affect a player or the game board itself.
Some event cards count as an extra victory point if you have also hired the type of employee indicated on the card.
Special EVENTS
Various event cards trigger special events on the game board.
- Ride malfunction: Place the malfunction marker on a ride of your choice.
- Sinkhole: Place the special sinkhole marker on a T-junction or intersection.
Special Cards
Certain cards can be held in your hand and played later in the game.
Direct MOVE cards
With a direct move card, you move your main guest directly to a specific location on the game board.
Move your main guest next to a restaurant, shop, or game stall of your choice as indicated on the card. Or run to the nearest toilet.
Note: A sinkhole does not hinder a player from moving the main guest to that location.
Build or travel FREE
The game contains several cards that allow you to build a free facility or scenery tile. You can use this card to cover costs during action 4 or 5.
There is also a card that allows you to make a free train ride, allowing you to pass multiple stations.
DEFENCE cards
With a defence card, you can deflect an event card once.
You can also use a defence card to remove the "ride malfunction" or the "sinkhole".
Place a defence card on the discard pile after use.
Special Events
Ride malfunction
If you draw an event card where you have to choose which ride has a "malfunction", place or move the marker on the ride of your choice.
A ride in malfunction cannot be visited. If there are 1 or more main guests on the ride tile, they cannot leave the ride. It is also not possible to expand the ride with new facilities or scenery when the ride is in malfunction.
By paying $1 to the bank at the start of their turn, a player with a mechanic can either move the marker to another ride or remove it from the board. This action can be done in addition to performing another action during the turn.
The marker may not be moved during 1 round of play, except in the following cases:
- If a player draws a "ride malfunction" event card during this round, the marker must be moved to another ride.
- When a player immediately plays a defence card on any players turn to deflect the event, the marker will be removed from the game board.
Sinkhole
If you draw an event card that creates a "sinkhole", place or move the marker on a T-junction or intersection of your choice.
Players cannot pass a sinkhole with their main guest.
By paying $1 to the bank at the start of their turn, a player with a mechanic can remove the sinkhole marker from the board. This action can be done in addition to performing another action during the turn.
The marker may not be moved during 1 round of play, except in the following cases:
- If a player draws a "sinkhole" event card during this round, the marker must be moved to another T-junction or intersection.
- When a player immediately plays a defence card on any players turn to deflect the event, the marker will be removed from the game board.
End of the Game
The game ends immediately as soon as 1 player clears their mini meeple queue. Players cannot place multiple mini meeple of the same color on the same ride.
The player with the most victory points is the winner of the game.
In case of a tie
In case of a tie, the respective players play a final quick round: The first player to return to the starting tile, wins the game.
Players may only use move cards with a white border and must remove all remaining cards from their hand. Players fill their hand from the draw pile to 5 move cards and discard all other type of cards.
The game continues in normal order.
Score and Count Victory Points
Players can score victory points in several ways. At the end of the game, all players count the victory points together.
- Build rides: Score 1 victory point for each ride you build. Count the number of rides with a ticket booth in your color.
- Visit rides: Score 1 victory point for each ride you have visited. Count the number of mini meeple in your color on the rides.
- Matching facilities: Score 1 victory point for a matching themed facility within a ride area. Count all matching themed facilities in your ride areas.
- Completed areas: Score 2 victory points for each completed ride area. Count all your completed areas. A ride area is completed when it is completely surrounded by paths, tracks and/or scenery tiles.
- Employees: Score 1 victory point per type of employee in your team. If you employ all 4 types of employees, you score 1 extra victory point.
- Connect train station: Score 1 victory point if your train station connects to a path that is connected to the entrance of the park or if your train station is accessible by a path from another train station.
- Event cards: You may keep some event cards if you have met the conditions. These event cards count as 1 victory point per card.
- Money counts: Every $10 counts as 1 victory point. Every loan token will cost you 1 victory point. For example: If you have $34 in cash, you score 3 victory points.
Count score per player
Note the score per player on the score block and count the total number of victory points. The player with the most victory points is the winner of the game.
In case of a tie: If several players have the highest score, then the respective players play a quick final round.
Score 50+
Score 50 or more victory points and you may call yourself a real Theme Parc Maniac. You can also score 50+ victory points in a 3 or 4 player game?
Score ranks (printed on the score chart): Maniac 50+, Imagineer 40+, Novice 30+, Rookie 20+.
FAQ
Can a player pass their turn? A player cannot pass during their turn and must always try to perform an action. If no actions are available, the player's turn will automatically end.
When can a player refill their hand to 5 cards? A player can only refill their hand at the end of their turn.
What if a player has played all their cards? If a player has played all their cards, their turn ends immediately, and they refill their hand to 5 cards.
Tips
Tips during the first phase of the game: Work together! Don't forget your train station, small track tile and small path tile. Hire your employees in a timely manner. Employees are cheaper to hire during the first phase.
Focus on themed facilities and ride areas: If you connect a ride to the game board, make sure you have enough free space for future facilities. You can also close off an area with paths or scenery tiles.
Tips during the second phase of the game: Plan ahead! Strategically visit rides using the cards from your hand. Don't overprice your rides. Players will maybe skip your ride if it's too expensive.
Alternative Gameplay with 20 Rides
The game contains 20 rides with a unique theme. When playing with 3 or 4 players, you can optionally play with all 20 rides.
We recommend using the alternative starting tiles as this gives each player greater control from the start to construct ride areas.
Place the alternative starting tile in the center of the table. Set up the other components on the left or right side of your table.
Game setup with 20 rides
Mini meeple and ticket booths per player:
| Players | Time | Mini meeple | Ticket booths |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 players | 90 - 120 minutes | 16 | 8 |
| 4 players | 120 - 150 minutes | 16 | 6 |
Overview of Actions
Players take turns performing 1 of 5 actions and work together on the layout of the park. As soon as 4 rides are built, the park will open. From now on players can also perform a 6th action: visit rides.
- Build paths: Build 1 or 2 paths and get paid for every path tile by the bank. Connect the path tiles to an existing path. Reward: 2/3 players + one coin; 4 players + two coins.
- Build tracks: Build 1 or 2 track tiles and get paid for every track tile by the bank. Reward: 2/3 players + one coin; 4 players + two coins.
- Hire employee: Hire 1 employee and pay the price to the bank. See the scenario ticket for the actual price.
- Ride + facility: Buy a ride + facility and pay the price to the bank. Place the items next to each other and connected to a path. Also place the ticket booth of your color.
- Build facilities: Buy 1 or 2 facilities and pay the price to the bank. Place the items to an existing ride.
- Visit rides: Play a move card from your hand to move your main guest to visit rides. Visit a ride through the relevant ticket booth and place your main guest + 1 mini meeple on the ride. You receive the entrance fee from the bank and pay the ride fare. At the end of your turn, fill your hand to 5 cards from the draw pile. Do you draw an event card? This event must be performed immediately. Other types of cards are added to your hand and can be played from your next turn.
End of the game: The first player to clear their queue of mini meeple will end the game directly. The player with the most victory points wins the game.
Example score card (as printed)
The printed example card lists four players (Mike, Ava, Oliver, Jade) with these lines: total mini meeple 14 / 15 / 16 / 13; total rides built 4 / 3 / 4 / 5; matching themed facilities 2 / 4 / 8 / 7; completed ride areas 1 / 0 / 2 / 1; total team members 4 / 4 / 4 / 4; team complete bonus 1 / 1 / 1 / 1; connected station 1 / 1 / 1 / - ; other victory points - / 2 / 1 / 2; cash bonus 4 / 3 / 5 / 4. The printed totals are 31 / 33 / 42 / 37.
Note: the printed example totals as written do not equal the sum of the listed lines in every column; they are transcribed as printed and not corrected.