Size
It’s important for visitors to consider the size of the park they would like to visit. The size of the park will determine how much time visitors should plan to remain in the park. Share your reviews of the amusement parks located in the US to gain more views on Youtube, as it’s one of the biggest tourist attractions. Buy youtube views and connect with your audience.
- Multiple parks: The biggest names in the amusement industry typically have more than one theme park at a single location. These resorts offer more variety but may cost more since admission to each different park is often charged separately. These properties typically also have one or more water parks on-site.
- Single Attractions: Smaller and regional parks usually have only one main park. These parks may or may not be associated with a nearby water park.
Inclusions
Different parks offer visitors different perks included with the price of admission. Visitors should make sure they understand what is and is not included in the price of admission when they plan their trip.
- Water parks: Most amusement park companies also own water parks. In some cases, admission to the affiliated water park is included.
- Zoos: Some parks started as zoos or have acquired nearby zoos in recent years. Travelers who want to visit an animal attraction may want to consider these parks, where admission to the zoo portion of the park is frequently included in the ticket price.
- Line skipping: Almost all parks now have a program that allows visitors to skip lines or reserve a time to board a ride. While some parks give guests free access to these programs, others charge for them. When line skipping privileges are not included in the price of admission, visitors may be able to choose from several packages depending on their budget.
Ride types
Depending on their consumer base, different parks often feature different types of rides. Visitors should think about the preferences, ages and heights of all the travelers in their party when deciding which parks to visit.
- Thrill rides: Rides in this category include roller coasters as well as rides with excessive spinning or drops from extreme heights. These types of rides typically have height requirements and may not be suitable for young children or adults with certain medical conditions.
- Children’s attractions: Most parks have areas designed for children who aren’t ready for more extreme rides. These rides may be miniaturised versions of bigger rides, like very small Ferris wheels, or simulate something adults get to do, like driving.
- Family rides: These types of rides are designed for visitors of all ages, and entire families can ride them together. This category includes boat rides, bumper cars, swings and Ferris wheels.
- Dark ride: Rides in enclosed spaces that entertain visitors with different scenes or tell a story are typically appropriate for all age groups. These rides provide more of an experience than a thrill.
Ticket options
Ticket prices vary by the size of a park and whether or not it’s open year-round. Visitors should evaluate all the different options and decide which choice meets their needs and fits into their budget.
- Multiple parks: For amusement resorts that have multiple theme parks on the same property, guests can usually buy tickets for just one park or for multiple parks. They can also usually choose whether they want to visit multiple parks in one day or just visit one park per day.
- Dedicated day: Some parks offer discounts for visitors who choose a specific day for their ticket to be valid in advance. Travellers with a firm itinerary can save some money this way, while visitors who prefer a more flexible schedule can purchase an “any day” ticket to give them the freedom to change their plans.
- Season passes: Those who live close to a particular amusement park may be able to save money by buying a season pass as opposed to a single-day ticket. Visitors can easily estimate the number of times they would like to visit the park and then determine which option is less expensive.
Location
Visitors should consider what other attractions and entertainment options are near a particular amusement park when planning their trips.
- Beaches: Visiting an amusement park near the ocean or another major body of water guarantees that travelers will have the chance to take advantage of outdoor and/or sport-related activities.
- Entertainment cities: Cities like Orlando and Los Angeles are home to multiple amusement parks and other attractions. Visitors to these cities will have a wider variety of choices for their vacation.
- Regional parks: Many smaller parks across the US offer visitors the excitement of an amusement park close to home. These parks may be smaller than those located in larger cities, and they often reflect local culture or history.
Onsite accommodations
Visitors traveling more than a few hours from home may wish to stay at a hotel near the park, and, in many cases, the park will have hotels onsite.
- Convenience: Onsite accommodations usually have free transportation to and from the amusement park or are within walking distance, meaning guests won’t need to worry about parking.
- Price: Parks with onsite accommodations usually have packages that include both tickets and a hotel stay. Such special offers may make an onsite hotel more affordable than an offsite hotel.
- Extra perks: Guests staying in one of the park’s hotels often receive special benefits such as early admission to different attractions, discounts on dining and/or free line-skipping privileges.
What are different types of amusement parks?
Seasonal
Smaller and regional parks sometimes close during the winter months. They may reopen on weekends or during the evening around different holidays, typically Halloween and Christmas.
Theme parks
Many parks have a theme that is associated with the company that owns them or a partner company. In addition to offering the usual amusement park attractions, these parks typically have themed areas and merchandise as well as costumed characters available for pictures and signatures.
Roller coaster parks
The largest proportion of rides in some parks are roller coasters or other thrill rides. These parks often cater to young adults, families with teens and thrill-seeking adults.
Children’s parks
Families with smaller children may enjoy parks that are designed specifically for younger visitors. These parks often have more spaces for children to play as well as rides suitable for younger guests.
Who would enjoy an amusement park?
Families
Whether it’s for a long vacation or a day trip, amusement parks are good choices for families because the parks have a wide variety of attractions.
Solo travelers
Those who choose to travel on their own can often do more at amusement parks than those traveling with larger groups since many parks have “single rider” lines that move more quickly than the regular lines.
Retirees
Whether on their own or with grandchildren, the 65+ crowd will find much to enjoy at amusement parks, including live entertainment, artisan demonstrations and animal attractions.
Thrill seekers
Anyone who loves the feel of zero-gravity that accompanies the twists and turns of roller coasters will enjoy the more extreme rides at amusement parks.
Amusement park author reviews
Walt Disney World has welcomed guests to its amusement parks and hotels for 45 years. Today, the four theme parks, two water parks and 25 hotels attract more tourists each year than any other vacation resort in the world.
Universal Orlando opened in 1990 and began expanding in 1994 to become a multi-day vacation resort. It now includes two parks, Universal Studios Orlando and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, on over 200 acres.
The first Six Flags park opened 55 years ago and has since expanded to include 18 amusement parks across North America, so there is likely a Six Flags relatively close to you. It is the largest regional amusement park company in the world, with more than 28 million visitors last year.
This Ohio amusement park, which sits on a peninsula on the south shore of Lake Erie, opened in 1860, making it the second oldest amusement park in the United States. The park is open May-September and select weekends in October and November. More than three and a half million people visit the park each year.
Located in Anaheim, California, Disneyland Resort was Disney’s original amusement park. It opened in 1955 with 18 rides and now has more than 80 attractions, including rides, shows and activities. Disneyland Resort includes the Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and three hotels.
When this park opened in 1959, visitors to the Anheuser-Busch attraction could sample beer, explore a garden with tropical birds and take the Stairway to the Stars to the top of the brewery. Now, about four million people a year visit the park, which features more than twenty rides and a variety of exotic animals.
This amusement park near Cincinnati, Ohio has 14 roller coasters, including the world’s longest inverted roller coaster, Banshee. It welcomes approximately 3.5 million visitors per year.
- Kid’s areas: Kings Island has won the Golden Ticket Award for best Kid’s Area every year since 2001 when the category was introduced. Planet Snoopy has rides for kids of all ages. Children can also meet Peanuts characters.
- Dinosaurs: Dinosaurs Alive! has 65 life-size animatronic dinosaurs in a variety of scenes. The area also includes a dig site for children. All activities and exhibitions are based on paleontological evidence.
- Movie nights: The Soak City waterpark hosts a summer movie series where patrons can watch recent blockbusters while floating in Tidal Wave Bay. Admission to Soak City is included in the ticket price for Kings Island.
- Coasterstock: Each summer Kings Island hosts Coasterstock, a multi-day event where visitors have exclusive ride time meaning they get to spend more time on the park’s most extreme rides. Tickets to Coasterstock include a special t-shirt and other exclusive souvenirs.
- Cirque show: Origins: A Cirque Experience is a 30-minute show featuring performers who demonstrate strength and balance. The show includes aerial stunts and is accompanied by music from hit bands like Aerosmith, Journey, Bon Jovi and Foreigner.
The first LEGOLAND opened in Billund, Denmark in 1968. The brand of theme parks has expanded worldwide, with two parks in the United States. The park in San Diego, California opened in 1998, and the park in Winter Haven, Florida opened in 2011.
This park sits on 150 acres in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The park hosts about 2.5 million guests per year and is Tennessee’s most popular ticketed attraction
