Sunday, June 24, 2007
Amusement Parks are Awesome! Take that!
Well, at least the good ones are.
But here's why "Fiacolet" says he doesn't like amusment parks.
1. Amusement parks are for poor people who cannot afford to travel more than 100 miles on a vacation.
Amusement parks are not for poor people. Look, anywhere that it costs $10 to park, $50 to get in and they still charge you $4 for a bottle of water is definitely not for those with little disposable income.
2 . Amusement parks are for socialists who refuse to drive more than 100 miles because they are boycotting the petroleum industry (i.e. Exxon-Mobil).
This is pretty funny. Basically the bungee jumping fans, because they can bike over and carry their cords in a backpack.
3. Amusement parks are for communists who don't have the balls to go on a "real" vacation (i.e. Yellowstone Park, an uncrowded beach, Vermont, etc).
I don't think that makes them communists, although standing in line for everything just might. In fact, those spots for "real vacations" sound like places hippies would go to commune with nature or something like that. The Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour in Vermont is pretty cool though, while Cabot Cheese doesn't put on nearly as much of a show (although they have more free samples).
4. Amusement parks are for irresponsible people who want to outsource parenting to Amusement parks (this generally to families who go more than three times a year, a lot of them do that).
Well, if you're gonna drive all the way over to the park, pay a parking fee, drop your kids off, leave, drive back, pay another parking fee, pick them up, and drive home, then sure. If the kids' parents actually go along with their kids, they'll generally be rather protective (this is where I see kids on leashes), and up until the kids reach at least middle school age, parents are generally going to stick around them. Besides, the kids will want their parents to keep buying them expensive theme park stuff.
5. Amusement parks are for city people who prefer to be in a smelly crowded place than anywhere outside of civilization (i.e. most of the country).
Fair enough, Kings Dominion's water park doesn't smell very good, and these parks are usually in populated areas.
****
The one thing about Amusement Parks that my friend here makes a faulty assumption about, I believe, is that people go there for a vacation, when in fact these parks are most frequently a source of local recreation. People will get season passes to Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion because it's something they like, and they want to go there often. Oftentimes the rides are a significant draw, as they should be for the controlled chaos they exhibit.
Those parks which people do make vacations of are either for enthusiasts who want to take in as many theme parks as they can or Disney World. The theme park enthusiast will travel the country, and you will often see quite a few out-of-state plates at a theme park. Disney World is itself a grand bit of American culture which draws tourists from around the world, and it's really really expensive. Staying on Disney property gets quite expensive.
There is much to admire about enjoying nature, but I don't see anything wrong with people enjoying theme parks, or even being obsessed with them. Roller Coasters are amazing when you consider how precisely controlled they are, yet they give you such a dramatic feeling that you are out of control. I don't see any reason to block people from such things, although it is good that there are options for those who want to get away from the mess.
But here's why "Fiacolet" says he doesn't like amusment parks.
1. Amusement parks are for poor people who cannot afford to travel more than 100 miles on a vacation.
Amusement parks are not for poor people. Look, anywhere that it costs $10 to park, $50 to get in and they still charge you $4 for a bottle of water is definitely not for those with little disposable income.
2 . Amusement parks are for socialists who refuse to drive more than 100 miles because they are boycotting the petroleum industry (i.e. Exxon-Mobil).
This is pretty funny. Basically the bungee jumping fans, because they can bike over and carry their cords in a backpack.
3. Amusement parks are for communists who don't have the balls to go on a "real" vacation (i.e. Yellowstone Park, an uncrowded beach, Vermont, etc).
I don't think that makes them communists, although standing in line for everything just might. In fact, those spots for "real vacations" sound like places hippies would go to commune with nature or something like that. The Ben & Jerry's Factory Tour in Vermont is pretty cool though, while Cabot Cheese doesn't put on nearly as much of a show (although they have more free samples).
4. Amusement parks are for irresponsible people who want to outsource parenting to Amusement parks (this generally to families who go more than three times a year, a lot of them do that).
Well, if you're gonna drive all the way over to the park, pay a parking fee, drop your kids off, leave, drive back, pay another parking fee, pick them up, and drive home, then sure. If the kids' parents actually go along with their kids, they'll generally be rather protective (this is where I see kids on leashes), and up until the kids reach at least middle school age, parents are generally going to stick around them. Besides, the kids will want their parents to keep buying them expensive theme park stuff.
5. Amusement parks are for city people who prefer to be in a smelly crowded place than anywhere outside of civilization (i.e. most of the country).
Fair enough, Kings Dominion's water park doesn't smell very good, and these parks are usually in populated areas.
****
The one thing about Amusement Parks that my friend here makes a faulty assumption about, I believe, is that people go there for a vacation, when in fact these parks are most frequently a source of local recreation. People will get season passes to Busch Gardens or Kings Dominion because it's something they like, and they want to go there often. Oftentimes the rides are a significant draw, as they should be for the controlled chaos they exhibit.
Those parks which people do make vacations of are either for enthusiasts who want to take in as many theme parks as they can or Disney World. The theme park enthusiast will travel the country, and you will often see quite a few out-of-state plates at a theme park. Disney World is itself a grand bit of American culture which draws tourists from around the world, and it's really really expensive. Staying on Disney property gets quite expensive.
There is much to admire about enjoying nature, but I don't see anything wrong with people enjoying theme parks, or even being obsessed with them. Roller Coasters are amazing when you consider how precisely controlled they are, yet they give you such a dramatic feeling that you are out of control. I don't see any reason to block people from such things, although it is good that there are options for those who want to get away from the mess.
Labels: Roller Coaster Tycoon
