Amusement Parks--What do you like best?

@kareng (59050)
United States
August 19, 2007 10:40am CST
We were discussing going to amusement parks as kids/teens the other day and remembering all of our favorite things to do there. There are rides, games, gift shops, sometimes concerts, etc. I always loved roller coasters. There was one at a small park in San Antonio years ago that my cousins and I would ride over and over again. We loved it and since this was a small park, wouldn't even have to get off and back on. We could just sit and ride until we had enough. We all screamed and put our hands and arms up on each big dip. Do you have a favorite event/ride at amusements parks? I'd love to hear your stories!
12 people like this
28 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
19 Aug 07
Roller coasters are typically my thing as well. The scarier, the better. Get that adrenaline pumping! The only one I can remember not liking was this old wooden one that I rode a long time ago, I think it was at the Six Flags in Kentucky... and it wasn't because it was scary, but the bumpiness made my butt hurt. I love those roller coasters that are inverted, where you have nothing under you. Those are so much fun. =)
2 people like this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
20 Aug 07
*giggles* What can I say, I just have to have my thrills. At least I get them in legal ways these days. =)
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
5 Oct 07
I have to agree that I don't like the upside down thing. It's one thing to be off the ground so high but I can't do the way up high and upside down at the same time. LOL. You are brave and have my admiration for sure!
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
20 Aug 07
I like rollercoasters, the big giant swings, and the ferris wheel. I remember being terrified of the rollercoaster at the amusement park, and looking at it for years before I got up the nerve to go on it. My parents never even noticed I was scared - I usually went with daycamps and stuff, and when we went as a family, it just never came up because my sisters were too small for a really long time. I went on the 'baby' rides with them and then we progressed to the bigger rides like the log ride and the big swings. The big rollercoaster always had a line, and so my parents didn't suggest it, because they didn't like lines? Or maybe they thought we were afraid of it. At any rate, one year, I decided to go on the rollercoaster. My sister and my dad went on it at the same time. It was so fun! I went on it 13 times in a row, there wasn't a very long line up, and I kept running around to the end of the line as I got off. My family just went to the games and I met them up there - I couldn't eat for the rest of the day, my stomach was so upset.
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
6 May 08
That's a great story! Thanks for sharing!
@mkup30 (494)
• United States
20 Aug 07
oh wow for sure the thing I loved the most are the rollercoasters. I also liked playing those games and trying to win cute dolls but my favorite are the coasters. I like thrilling rides. But now I am married and my husband is scared to go on them so I always invite friends when we go and he stays and watches me
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
5 May 08
Ha, my husband is the same way! He hates most rides unless they stay on the ground!
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
20 Aug 07
Strange as it may sound, I like the atmosphere! The sounds of people having fun, seeing children's faces, smelling the wonderful (although ususally unhealthy!) foods is really what I enjoy most! I like strolling without a care and forgetting all the work and problems that I left behind at home!
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
5 May 08
I agree, we all need a place to forget the normals for a change!
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
20 Aug 07
I love roller coasters! I love thrill rides. I also like to go to the shows and just walking around and people watching.
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
5 May 08
I love amusement parks in general. There are lots of fun things to do!
• United States
20 Aug 07
Well the best amusement park around here is six flags and there are tons of great rides. Superman is one of the best because you actually kind of feel like your flying it's awesome. I went on this one the year they built it was great ended up going on it like 10 times in a row. Then Red Bull is great too. It's like your normal roller coaster taken to the extreme. You go high, fast through the dark and you don't really know what happened. Batman is great it hurts if your don't try keep your head in the middle because there are a lot of turns and spins and when you do them you bang your head on the side things (their padded but still). Then the water park they added great because it get hot and it's nice to cool off. I didn't get to go on many of these rides though because theres always a storm when I start doing things on the water park.
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
1 May 08
You have a great variety to choose from!
• United States
5 May 08
I've noticed through the years, the rides I enjoy most have changed. LOL I used to love anything dare-devilish and crazy but now tend to lean towards mild and relaxing. At one time I would have answered that any roller coaster ride was my fave, but alas old age sets in and now in my 40's I stick with things like the train ride, the slow boat rides and carousels. LOL
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
Funny how that happens, huh? I can second that motion!
@cwilson26 (2735)
• United States
25 May 08
I have been to Kennywood and Cedar Point and would love to go back. I love roller coasters! The water rides are awesome too. I love the demon drop and found out recently that they have a smaller version of it at a carnival they have every spring at our mall. I wanted to go this year just to ride the Demon Drop but things came up and we couldn't go. I can ride any and all roller coasters all day. My husband and my mom are afraid of them and they both think I'm crazy for riding them but I don't care. I love the adrenaline rush. I want to go to Six Flags this year. I haven't been there yet and would love to go. :)
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
27 May 08
I'm envious that you have been to Cedar Point! I bet it is an awesome park!
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
19 Aug 07
This is going to sound silly but the carousel is my favorite. Never cared much for speed or heights but I love the ups and downs and round and rounds, the music just screams 'amusement park' to me. Next on my list would be the food - for some reason amusement parks seem to have the best junk food in the world.
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
20 Aug 07
Carousels are fun too! We have a really cool one here at one of our malls. Keep trying to get hubby to ride it with me! Oh well...one day :) Oh yeah, gotta have a Funnel Cake!! And cotton candy...yummm!
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
16 Feb 08
I've went to a few over the years but I was never real big on them. I love the gift shops and some of them have old time stores and such...really cool to see. I went to one years ago, where you could go to a general store (completely set up), the old time post office, saloon and homestead. It was so cool to see all the old timey stuff and see how much different it is now. I know it was here in Missouri but I can't think of where off the top of my head. If I remember, I'll let you know. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
That sounds like my kind of place! It's interesting and also educational.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
27 May 08
I love places like that too. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Aug 07
I'm a rollercoaster fanatic! I have to hit every major rollercoaster at an amusement park, and I always sit in the very front car which adds to the experience. At some of the parks I've went to, I've waited in lines for hours for one ride, and I've met many interesting people over my years while waiting in line. Needless to say, my favorite amusement park is Cedar Point!
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Cool, you sound like you really love roller coasters! Thanks for sharing!
• United States
19 Aug 07
I used to love amusement parks. If I could still walk for any distance I would still go. Everything about them is fun to me. They always have so much cool stuff that is hard to find anyplace else. My favorite rides are the roller coasters too. Ferris wheels are great too. I don't like spinning rides because they make me sick to my stomach so I avoid those like the plague. Puking in public does not appeal to me... LOL
@kareng (59050)
• United States
8 Oct 07
That is how I feel about those upside down rides! I can handle some of the spinning rides though like the Tilt a Whirl. Those are fun to me. I guess I can handle them so well cause I loved them as a child. You are so right about being able to find interesting things. There are also interesting sites there :)
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
25 May 08
My absolute favorite amusement park is Disneyland. My favorite ride is Splash Mountain. Unfortunately, the last time we went the ride was down for maintenance! :(
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
Awesome! I've been to DisneyWorld but not DisneyLand!
@Romie06 (74)
• United States
20 Aug 07
My favorite rides have all been roller coasters. I love the thrill of the ride. Specially when you ca'nt see anything in fron of you, EVEN in the fron seat. WhEEEEE!!!! WHEEEE!!!!!
2 people like this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
1 May 08
I can't take them like I used to! I can remember riding over and over again, just for fun!
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
22 Nov 07
I haven't been to an amusement park in ages! My favorite things have got to be the animal shows (Marine World), and games. I also like certain rides, though not the ones that go upside down or spin around and around fast. :P The gift shops are okay, but too much money can be spent in those store. :P
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
I love animal shows too! It's amazing at what animals can learn. The gift shops are a fast way to drain your pocketbook along with the food places in amusement parks! Enjoy your summer!
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
22 Nov 07
The best thing that I like about the amusement parks is the rides. I love the roller coasters and anything else that could make my heart pumps faster than usual. LOL! i sued to go to the one in Houston when I studied in the US many years ago. it was really fun.
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
Awesome!
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
16 Feb 08
I absolutely loved the roller coasters and the spinny rides. I still do. It's harder to find people that love the spinny rides anymore. My husband can't handle them or else he will barf afterwards. It's sad really lol! Ahhhh....old age.....
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
Yep, that sounds like my hubby! The kids even made fun of him when we went on vacations. I think if he had done those sort of things when younger, he would of been able to handle it. I grew up going to the fair every year and loved all the rides. He never went to any fairs and his parents didn't vacation at amusement parks. And old age...fairs in too! Hahaha!
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
23 Nov 07
I like going to the amusement parks. Of course my favorite is trying all the exciting games there, especially the coaster roller:)
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
The games are fun but you seldom win. It's a good way to waste money.
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
1 May 08
Roller coasters are my favorite! I also like water rides and water parks as well. A few others are okay, such as ferris wheels and other rides, like the Scrambler and such, but my true favorite has remained roller coasters year after year! I love them. I'm not really into the concerts because I like rock, and there is not typically that type of music featured. If it is, that's always a nice plus. I don't tend to play the games or shop for gifts in the boutiques either. If I go to a theme park, I want to ride at least a few good roller coasters!
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
I'm going to have to go to a water park. That's one thing I've never done! Will have to schedule a trip with the grandkid or wait for more!
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
1 May 08
I'm not a fan of rides..make me dizzy so i stick with the calm ones..like the train ones with my grandbabies..used to like the carousel but another dizzy one for me, but i do enjoy watching it go around!
1 person likes this
@kareng (59050)
• United States
26 May 08
I've always liked carousels! They are really neat if kept up. Of course some are more elaborate than others.