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With the long Fourth of July weekend coming up, I bet at least some of our _flossy readers are headed to an amusement park to celebrate with roller coasters, cotton candy and water slides. So to give you some food for thought while you’re waiting to ride the Scrambler, here are a few random facts about the parks that keep us entertained.
1. The word “fun” is used in more amusement park names than any other descriptor, at least according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (and if anyone knows, they would). Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are the first ones that come to mind for me.
2. Cary Grant was a stilt-walker at Coney Island’s Steeplechase Park for a while in the ‘20s. He learned the skill while touring with a vaudeville-style troupe in England; he also learned how to dance and tumble.
3. Disney World was nearly located in St. Louis, Missouri, which would have been awesome for me. But legend has it that August Busch, Jr., of Anheuser Busch, ruined it for me. Supposedly when he heard of Disney’s plans for a family-oriented park with no alcohol readily available for tired parents, he ridiculed Walt and said it was the dumbest thing he had ever heard. Walt shrugged and decided that maybe St. Louis didn’t want his business. Now, this is just a story. There are lots of reasons Florida was chosen to host Disney World instead of St. Louis, but you have to admit this one is more fun.
4. If a sex-themed amusement park sounds a little off-kilter to you, you’re not the only one: just last month, China shut down “Love Land,” a theme park with demonstrations, naked sculptures and enormous replicas of genitals, and a display about the history of sex. The park hadn’t even opened yet when it was mysteriously demolished over the course of a weekend in May.
5. Hershey Park in Pennsylvania started out as picnic grounds for employees in the early 1900s. Because of its spaciousness and electricity in a time when a lot of rural places in Pennsylvania still lacked electricity, people who weren’t affiliated with Hershey started to rent it out for events. The first ride opened in 1908 – a small, used carousel – and by 1910 it had amphitheaters, a baseball field, two bowling alleys, a swimming pool, a zoo and even a miniature railroad.
6. Dollywood had a different owner before Dolly took it over – then-Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell. At that time, the park was known as Goldrush Junction and was advertised as “Tennessee’s Million Dollar Fun Attraction” (as opposed to Tennessee’s Million Dollar Melancholy Attraction…?).
7. Tivoli Gardens in Denmark is one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the world. It opened in 1843 and is reportedly one of Walt Disney’s inspirations for his parks. The park’s first proprietor, Georg Carstensen, got permission from King Christian VIII to build the park by saying, “When the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics.”
8. Santa Claus Land in Santa Claus, Indiana, might be the first-ever theme park. It really depends on your definition of “theme park,” but it’s largely considered to be the first park ever that had some sort of recurring motif instead of just a jumble of randomly assorted rides and attractions. And, as you may have inferred from its name, “Santa Claus” was the theme. Even so, it was only open from May to October. These days it’s called Holiday World and it celebrates not Christmas, but also the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Halloween.
9. Carowinds theme park is located in North Carolina and South Carolina: it sits right across the state line. The name is a combination of “Carolina winds.”
10. SeaWorld started out as a marine-themed restaurant with a show. Four fraternity brothers got together to build the attraction in the early ‘60s, but when it proved to be too financially unsound, they changed course and decided to build a theme park instead.
What’s your favorite theme park? If I exclude Disney, I have to say my favorite is Worlds of Fun. I never have been a big fan of Six Flags. Of course, when Universal’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens next year, I might be changing my tune.
Comments (38)
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Mine would be Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun as well being a Kansas City native. I’m glad to see the park get some recognition as it never makes any list regarding coasters or things of that nature.
posted by ap on 6-26-2009 at 4:15 pm
Busch Gardens Williamsburg was the big treat of my youth. With plenty of beer for my dad. :)
But Lakeside Amusement Park in Roanoke, Virginia was where I was first bitten by the roller coaster bug. My dad’s employer rented it out for employees and families only every year in September, and we got to ride free all day. The Shooting Star was terrifying, and not just in a good way … I can remember the back car of the train bouncing up off the track at times. And the sky tram had no restraints as you meandered along, way above the parking lot. The only time I’ve ever gotten sick on a ride was at Lakeside, after rushing too quickly from the Cloud Nine to the Tilt-a-Whirl. Good times!!!
Lakeside has been long since gone, but it will never be forgotten.
posted by Karen on 6-26-2009 at 4:23 pm
Adventureland in Altoona Iowa. Hands down, the best theme park around!
posted by mudface on 6-26-2009 at 4:26 pm
I really enjoyed Cedar Point in Ohio! I will be heading there again this summer!
posted by Mavis on 6-26-2009 at 4:33 pm
Rochester, NY has an amusement/water park right on Lake Ontario called Seabreeze. I always giggle when I hear the name, because it’s obviously nowhere near the sea. Otherwise, it’s a really fun time, and the tickets are way cheaper than nearby Darien Lake (another amusement/water park).
posted by AmyD on 6-26-2009 at 4:45 pm
Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun, Great Adventure, Rye Playland, Riverside (now Six Flags New England), Busch Gardens Williamsburg…for a kid who didn’t get to go to theme parks a lot, I sure lived near a lot of them.
recaptcha: Orleans declines…too soon recaptcha, too soon.
posted by melly on 6-26-2009 at 4:47 pm
You mentioned Carowinds being in two states, but you didn’t mention the roller coaster that goes back and forth across the state line. It’s a rather uneventful coaster, but you can ride it backwards, which makes it more fun. And hey, you’re in NC, you’re in SC, you’re back in NC in a very short period of time.
posted by cp on 6-26-2009 at 5:14 pm
Schlitterbahn Water Park, in San Marcos, TX. I’m going in a couple of weeks and cannot wait. One of the best water parks in the world, Schlitterbahn lets people bring in food and non-alcoholic beverages. That alone makes it a pretty awesome place, but the rides are fantastic.
posted by nutmeag on 6-26-2009 at 5:39 pm
My favorite is King’s Island in Ohio. Beast and Son of Beast are probably my favorite rollercoasters. One time, I went on both with 15 minutes of each other (the wait time being how long it took me to walk across the park and through the maze of stantions).
posted by Marial on 6-26-2009 at 5:43 pm
Disney World was also almost located outside of New Orleans, but, from what I recall, the state leaders were making it hard on Disney (wanted too much of a cut), so he took it to another swamp, Orland.
posted by Lindsey on 6-26-2009 at 5:43 pm
Kennywood in Pittsburgh, PA is one of only 2 amusement parks listed in the National Register of Historic Places (according to wiki). This was one of my favorite places to go when I was a kid growing up in the ‘Burgh.
posted by Lori on 6-26-2009 at 5:47 pm
magic mountain is by far the best. but as far as awesome theme park experiences go, my last trip to disneyland/adventureland was the best ever! it was cold and rainy in february, but there were little to no lines… no line for the matterhorn?! space mountain in under 5 minutes?! we did every ride we had any desire to (even the 3D movie), then hit up california adventureland. rode every good ride there (some 2 or 3 times), had lunch, a couple beers, and were done by 4:00. awesome!!
posted by tiffany on 6-26-2009 at 6:46 pm
I’m going with Everland in Seoul, South Korea
posted by Steveo on 6-26-2009 at 7:04 pm
Disney World, when it was in the planning stages, was a secret project, and the land in Central Florida was purchased over several months using a variety of dummy corporations to keep would-be speculators from jacking up real estate prices. Walt never leaked word of the project to anyone– corporations or local governments alike– until nearly all the land was purchased and word leaked out accidentally. Is it possible the New Orleans and St. Louis stories apply to the original Disneyland, in California?
posted by Coriolis on 6-26-2009 at 7:37 pm
Just this week, I was at two different amusement parks… Sunday I was at Kennywood in Pittsburgh and Tuesday I was at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio. They’re both incredibly awesome amusement parks and I definitely recommend them!
posted by conanismyidol on 6-26-2009 at 8:11 pm
Disneyland! Born and raised in Los Angeles, after that Knott’s Berry Farm.
posted by Claudia on 6-26-2009 at 8:41 pm
Geauga Lake. My dad worked there as a security guard and for a few summers, we went (snuck) in free every day…also, at night my dad would sometimes let us come in and ride bikes or look for change under the wolf bobs. Very cool, very eerie.
posted by Rachel on 6-26-2009 at 9:16 pm
Universal Studios. I adore the Backlot Tour! That’s only if you don’t count Disneyland, of course.
posted by Heather on 6-26-2009 at 10:25 pm
Kinda disappointing that Disneyland didn’t make it in St. Louis. But hey, Branson is close enough! LOL
Six Flags Over Mid-America is what we got instead; not a bad park, but familiarity breeds contempt, as they say. I remember when the Screamin’ Eagle opened up in the 70s, it was one awesome roller coaster (still is!). Held a Guiness Book World Record for biggest drop, which was quickly outdone by the next year.
I even got a commemorative pin that declared: “I’m not chicken, I rode the Screamin’ Eagle!” and it even had my name on it! Memories….!
posted by Marty on 6-26-2009 at 11:52 pm
Rachel, Raging WolfBobs was my most favorite roller coaster ever! Too bad it’s gone now, since Geauga Lake is closed and RWB flew off track the last season it was open. :(
That being said, Cedar Point is by far the favorite park I’ve ever been too, but that MIGHT change when I head out to Magic Mountain one day.
posted by Tim on 6-27-2009 at 12:47 am
I live close to Kennywood in Pittsburgh. It’s great – historic, shady, all kinds of coasters.
Out of the many amusement parks, Kennywood will always be number one to me, but a close second is Busch Gardens in Florida, then a close third being Magic Mountain in SoCal.
posted by Zoe on 6-27-2009 at 2:51 am
the big dipper at geauga lake was my first roller coaster back in the early ’90’s. that said, cedar point is an amazing place for roller coaster lovers. cedar point is one of the places i miss most since leaving ohio for montana 5 yrs ago!
posted by Scott on 6-27-2009 at 6:19 am
Enchanted Forest/Thrillville combination just outside Salem, Oregon. Its a combinations of a theme park and an amusement park that are right next door from one another. Dwarves, Witches, Yeti plus Giant Waterslide, Kamikaze, GoKarts? Seriously…
posted by Kate on 6-27-2009 at 9:33 am
I too have fond memories of Geauga Lake. For years, Raging Wolf Bobs was the only coaster I’d ride, because it was wooden and therefore didn’t loop. (I was traumatized at a very young age by a backwards-looping coaster.)
Later, still operating under the assumption that wooden coasters don’t loop, I made the mistake of riding the original Son of Beast at Kings Island…
posted by DW on 6-27-2009 at 10:54 am
I really used to enjoy the Opryland Amusement Park in Nashville when my kids were younger. They could do the things kids do at amusement parks, and we adults got to see some exceptionally talented young performers. It offered a lot more musical diversity than traditional country as well. I and my kids (now much older) still miss it.
posted by Old-Timer on 6-27-2009 at 12:59 pm
Since I live near Ohio, I would have to say Paramount’s King’s Island.
posted by Bill on 6-27-2009 at 4:20 pm
Is it just me or is there an abnormal amount of Missourians in this discussion? I ask because I myself live about 20 minutes from Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun.
posted by dijital101 on 6-27-2009 at 9:02 pm
Woohoo!! Worlds of fun rocks!!! I haven’t ever heard mention of it outside KC. Thanks for the nod.
posted by Rob M on 6-28-2009 at 12:23 am
There is an excellent display of Cary Grant’s acrobatic skills in the movie “Holiday” with Kathryn Hepburn. I love it!!
posted by Kelli Rae on 6-28-2009 at 1:14 am
I live about 45 minutes from Carowinds & I’ve never been there, but it was nice seeing it in an article! My favorite theme park is Disney World..for me, there is no competition.
posted by Kimberlee on 6-28-2009 at 3:04 am
When I was young, Los Angeles had two awesomely creepy seaside parks, The Pike in Long Beach and POP in Santa Monica. The rides at The Pike were so shoddy, you did risk your life when you rode them. The roller coaster shook and trembled. The Twirl a Whirl was unbelievably fast. The hot dog stand ran out of buns, so the guy split the hot dog, fried it and put it on a hamburger bun. The fun house had a mermaid that was a taxidermist’s dream- a real little person attached to a fish tail. I miss it so.
posted by Catherine on 6-28-2009 at 3:31 pm
Cedar Point by far (and I live in Florida). If you are a roller coaster enthusiast and haven’t been to this Ohio themepark, get there fast. If it’s just a mildly busy day you will find yourself having to leave off some of the roller coasters before the park closes. Definitely a two day visit if you can.
posted by Steven on 6-29-2009 at 8:12 am
Knoebel’s Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pa. Amazing rides, award winning food, in a beautiful setting. Free admission too! Sometimes we go for some dinner, do a few rides and go home. Can’t beat it!
posted by DD on 6-29-2009 at 8:26 am
Dollywood was also known as Silver Dollar City.
posted by Jason Burson on 6-29-2009 at 9:05 am
Nostalgia favorite – Cedar Point because it was my first park. They do have the best roller coasters, and a lot to choose from (if you must choose).
Family favorite – Hershey Park because it was close by and affordable when my kids were young. Their first park experience.
When our kids were younger, we set a goal to hit at least one new park each summer. We experienced Six Flags (various locations), Universal, Disney, Dollywood, Dutch Wonderland, Libertyland, Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom, Busch Gardens, Hershey and Cedar Point.
LOVE roller coasters!
posted by Hyacinth on 6-29-2009 at 11:20 am
Jason Burson, I was wondering if anyone would have spot that about Dollywood. I don’t recall the place ever being Goldrush Junction, but for the longest time of my youth, it was known as Silver Dollar City. You can still use the SDC refill mugs even today.
I have no evidence for this, merely speculation, but I wonder if Walt put out rumors of the St. Louis/New Orleans deals to focus attention away from the Orlando land grab?
posted by That Jeff on 6-29-2009 at 11:20 am
Zambezi Zinger at Worlds of Fun was the first coaster I ever went on.. Sadly they tore it down.
posted by Adam on 6-29-2009 at 2:27 pm
So cool to see so many Kansas and Missouri natives posting here! I love WoF and OoF but cant wait for the Schlitterbahn to open here soon.
posted by jplanet on 7-1-2009 at 2:04 pm