Today I am going to take a more personal look at theme parks. Actually, in this post, we’ll more than likely be looking at amusement parks. Though very similar, there is, in fact, a difference between the two. Amusement parks are like theme parks, but with less of an emphasis on thematic immersion and more of an emphasis on thrill seeking excitement. It is these amusement parks that are more common at a local level due to their less taxing costs. The budget required to design, build, and operate a highly immersive, multi-faceted theme park can sometimes be astronomical. Most of the time, this lower cost allows amusement parks to be owned by smaller, locally owned companies, instead of the massive corporations in charge of the most intricate tourist destinations. These small fun parks are the origin of themed entertainment in the United States, and thousands of these parks still exist nationwide today.
I mention this because, in our childhood, we each likely have a first encounter we recall from an amusement park. For most people, that memory is of their first ride on a roller coaster. For me, I will long remember the hot summer days at Dorney Park in the Lehigh Valley. Its carnival games and looping coasters will always hold a fond place in my heart. It was there that I first won a grand prize at the water gun game. It was there that I first braced for the rolling hills of a wooden coaster. It was there that I first mentally prepared myself to experience an inversion mid-ride. My mind will always trickle back to the fun times I shared with my family and friends. To the birthdays celebrated there. To the faces of those I love.
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The point is, each of us has this home park. This capsule of cherished memories, lost in time, but held firmly in the confines of the park grounds. A place where dreams came true, where impossible challenges were conquered, where our childhoods played out. This is the significance of themed entertainment. May they sense of wonder live on in adulthood for each of us.
I really enjoyed reading this post! I too have memories of visiting theme parks with my family – we used to go to Disney every February with my grandparents and cousins. I loved being able to take a week out of school and spend time with the people I loved. I remember some of my own “firsts” and the “firsts” of the people I was with, which is fun to look back at. I really liked the personal connection in the post. I look forward to the next one!
I very much enjoyed this post. Reading about your experience and the detail with which you described it put me in your shoes. Personally, it not only reminded me of trips to Six Flags Great Adventure with friends, but my first amusement park. A small one that a farm near my house used to host every year. This post was a very nice personal aside to describing the magic of Disney, reminding us that this magic does not only exist in California and Florida. It exists with our loved ones in the fun moments at places closer to home.