Parks that don't allow just anyone to enter...

[cathyJ]

Back in 1989 when I was in Denver, I stopped by Elitch Gardens. Of course back then they were still at their original location. When I saw the parking lot and noticed the many of empty spaces available I was like "..hey this cool...no problem with waiting to get on the rides !!"

 

Ah..when I went to the front gate I found out why Elitches was only half-full that day. The park was having "Colorado Day". Part of some promotion with a local television station. For that one day only those who actually live in the state of Colorado were allowed to enter that day and since I had a Maryland drivers license at the time I could not get in.

 

I know many of those so-called Indoor Family Fun Parks like Jeepers have some rule that adults aren't allowed to enter unless they have a child with them. Years ago we had a similar place like that in a town a few miles away from me and they too had a similar policy ( they claimed it was to keep out teenages and possible "perverts" ), but once they managed to get a Starbucks to open up inside their place, they had to change that policy to allow anyone in regardless of age.

 

But even places like Jeepers and the like, I have heard over the years they do make exception to ACE members to come in and ride the coaster for credit, though I do know the one Jeepers in Norfolk, Virginia did not allow that. I myself saw them chase two ACE members away who wanted to get in.

 

Stricker's Grove in Ohio I know is a private picnic park, but like Jeepers I have been told over the years, they too will allow ACE members to come in even on days when they are not open to the public. I also have been told they don't. Since I have never been there myself I can't say one or the other.

 

Sesame Place, I wonder if they have a Jeepers policy since that park caters to kids? Last time I checked their site it didn't say so I assume they allow anyone in.

 

Are there any other parks who for whatever reason have restrictions on who they allow to enter? And if they do, do they bend the rules for those who just want to walk in long enough to ride the coasters and check out the other rides and leave?

[robbalvey]

This treads on some interesting ground....

 

Some "kiddie parks" do have rules that you need to bring a kid or that you have to be of a certain age to be in the park, even if you want to just come in, ride the coaster for the credit and leave. For example I believe that Adventure City in Beuna Park either has or used to have this rule.

 

And other parks like Stricker's Grove are closed to the public (they do have 2 public days during their season) and only open for company picnics.

 

While there is nothing stopping you from asking very politely if you could just run in and ride the coaster, the question really is *should* you?

 

For me personally, I would feel a bit uncomfortable going to a place that is known to be "kids only" or "must bring a kid" just to ride the coaster.

 

Usually we will contact a place first to make sure it's ok. If not, I don't want to be the guy that feels out of place riding a coaster with a bunch of kids, or creating a scene at a park if they don't let you in. For example your "chasing away ACErs" story.

 

In my experience it seems like some ACErs have this "you built your coaster for ME to ride" attitude regardless of the rules. But park rules are there for a reason, not for ACErs or any other coaster enthusaists to ignore. So if a park doesn't allow adults in for whatever reason, IMO you should respect that rule, skip the credit, and move on. There is probably no harm in calling ahead and asking, but don't bother a park to the point of having to be chased away.

 

This is why we made sure that we took our MidWest tour to Stricker's Grove on their public day. I would feel *VERY* uncomfortable crashing someone else's corportate event. I just don't think it's right. I know if I was hosting my private company outing at a park, and a bunch of people not associated with our group were let in, I would be very upset about that.

 

In fact, we have had situations where we've hosted a private event at a park, and some local enthustaists that were not part of a trip or not invited to the event tried to crash the ERT session and we had to ask them to leave.

 

Your Elitch Gardens story sounds like it was for a private party or a promotion, which if that's the case, they have every right to turn people away who don't meet a certain requirement for that party. It's no different than any other company buy-out of a park. When I worked at Disneyland we had private company buyouts or special events almost every Friday night during the off-season and you had to have a special ticket to get into that. They did not sell tickets at the gate nor could you use your season pass. You had to get them through the company or organization hosting the buy-out. If you walked up to the gate, they would not sell you a ticket.

 

Anyway, that's my thoughts and experience on this matter. I hope it helps!

 

--Robb

[Carnage]

The moose out front says you're closed, I say you're open.

[Shavethewhales]

Not to be rude or anything, but I don't understand why it's even an issue for FFC's to block older-folks without kids from entering. I mean, whose really that desperate to increment their 'credit total' by riding a tiny coaster with a bunch of kindergartens? It's just a bit freaky sometimes.

 

As for other parks with their specific people group days - unless the particular group actually buys out the park for a day, I think they are completely bull. What actual purpose was served by only letting Coloradans in? It's even worse when it's for a specific religion or organization. While I respect a given park's rights, I think it's bordering on abuse when a popular, public park uses it's resources to push an idealism.

[robbalvey]

What actual purpose was served by only letting Coloradans in? It's even worse when it's for a specific religion or organization. While I respect a given park's rights, I think it's bordering on abuse when a popular, public park uses it's resources to push an idealism.

A park is a private business. It's absolutely their right to be able to hold an event that is only open to certain people.

 

Now I believe there are certain laws that get into the whole "race/sexual orientation" thing, but aside from that, if there is a private party that is only hosting people from a certain zip code (Colorado Only) I believe they have every right to do that.

 

I mean, whose really that desperate to increment their 'credit total' by riding a tiny coaster with a bunch of kindergartens?

Jeff Johnson and/or Richard Bannister!

 

--Robb

[dougr]

I know it's private property and they can restrict access, but if that Colorado Days story is true, I believe it treads on discrimination.

[astroworldfan1]

For me personally, I would feel a bit uncomfortable going to a place that is known to be "kids only" or "must bring a kid" just to ride the coaster.

 

--Robb

 

Unless your name is Jeff Johnson.

 

-Tatum

[robbalvey]

I know it's private property and they can restrict access, but if that Colorado Days story is true, I believe it treads on discrimination.

 

I disagree. Saying it's "Colorado Day" is no different than selling tickets to only a specific organization, company outing, etc.

 

Disney sells certain discounts to California and Florida resident locals is that discrimination also? I know that Magic Mountain just hosted an event specifically for Santa Clarita local high schools to show their support for the kids in the community. Is that discrimination?

 

I personally see nothing wrong with a park hosting something like a "Colorado Appreciation Day." Especially when it was said that it was a "promotion" with a local radio station. I'm assuming that it was not on a regular calenday day and therefor a private party.

 

--Robb

[BarryH]

Well, Jeff Johnson can always say he's delivering mail so he can obtain the kiddie credits.

[YoshiFan]

Gulliver's Warrington has a policy of no adults being admitted without a kid

 

I am surprised that parks and FEC's have these policies and that they would be willing to lose business because of it. Especially because FEC's aren't just for kids and usually have arcade games and mini golf, batting cages that adults also like.

 

Sesame Place doesn't have that policy though I kind of feel funny going there (last time I was there was when I was 17 since one of my relatives used to be Elmo there and gave us free tickets)

[cathyJ]

Not to be rude or anything, but I don't understand why it's even an issue for FFC's to block older-folks without kids from entering. I mean, whose really that desperate to increment their 'credit total' by riding a tiny coaster with a bunch of kindergartens? It's just a bit freaky sometimes.

 

 

Starbucks Coffee were the ones that made a BIG issue on that one family fun center near me to drop their policy on banning those older folks without kids to enter. At the time the only Starbucks in the entire region was in that place and I believe Starbucks had some sort of rule that their place must be open to all. Starbucks pretty much gave the place a choice, either create a seperate entrance for them ( if they did that the entrance would have been in the back of the shopping center along the loading dock that was shared with a supermarket that was next door ) or just open the place for all. They did the latter only because it was cheaper.

[ebl]

"The moose out front says you're closed, I say you're open." (Carnage)

 

 

Last Friday, they had about a third of SFMM's parking lot roped off for "a later event." And the park closed at 6pm instead its usual 8pm or 10pm.

 

That didn't bother me personally, as I don't usually spend more than a few hours there anyway, but I'm sure some people were annoyed. But as Robb said, the parks reserve the right to open and close when they want.

 

Eric

[dammie16@vt.edu]

If a park closes for a special event then they close for a special event. I have no problem with this. Before I take a trip to any park I always check for special events so that I don't have a Moose tell me I can't go in!

 

Its a BB gun!!

[FeelTheFORCE]

It is ordinary for parks to close for special events. Even big-name parks, as already stated. Even Cedar Point is closed a day this summer for a private event. Saturday, September 6th to be exact. By the way, what exactly is going on, on that date? Is it some enthusiast event (or something of the nature...charity event, school, etc.), or just some private event where someone rented out the park for a day?

[CoasterComet]

^Come on guys, don't bash ACE.

 

I mean, its like getting on Coasterbuzz.com and bashing TPR. I mean, you can find any fault from anyone and bash it.

 

ACE was the first big coaster club. Sure, many members had *cough cough* problems (like me, I'm an addict) but where would coasterdom be now?

 

I mean, there are lots of faults of current 'big coaster geek' groups. The biggest one I can point out is snobbishness and the whole 'corporate mind' thing.

 

Really, anyone can look a fool if their faults are highlighted

 

Such is american (north american, that is) culture. I mean, American Idol, all that crap.

 

Lets just ride some coasters and peace and love and all that stuff...

[robbalvey]

ACE was the first big coaster club. Sure, many members had *cough cough* problems (like me, I'm an addict) but if it wasn't for ACE, where would all that gravy be now?

FIXED!

 

We've poked fun of ACE for years. Why? Because it's funny!

 

And this is nothing like the weird anti-TPR issues that CB has. They block our links and delete posts from TPR members. We actually feature ACE events on our calendar. BIG difference here!

 

--Robb

[CoasterComet]

^Good point Robb!

 

ok ok... I guess if you can't make fun of yourself, you can't make fun of anyone right!

 

I find TPR to be MUCH more forgiving, accepting and just plain fun that CB (has NOTHING to do with me being banned from the site, including NOT even being able to LOOK at that page).... I mean, that is so cowardly and very um.. how do u say... strong arm?

 

But I do love ACE And now, TPR.

[DCody]

Weirdly enough, I grew up within 2 miles of an ACE Coaster Classic and never even knew about it because it wasn't open to the public!

 

Hillcrest Park in Lemont, Illinois is a private park that housed the Little Dipper for years. It drives me nuts that as an enthusiast, I was blithely unaware of such a treasure in my own backyard. Now it's at Little-A-Merrick-A, and I'm very jealous of the TPR members who got to ride it on the last trip! Lemont is a small town, and yet I don't know a single kid who ever got to ride the Little Dipper. It was like a state secret.

[astroworldfan1]

DCody, I think you should do a roadtrip across America! I bet it'll be fun!

 

Making ACEr jokes are fun!

 

-Tatum

[Erik Johnson]

Wow, I had no idea that The Little Dipper (The Meteor) was an ACE Coaster Classic. So I guess Little Amerricka has two really special coasters since the toboggan is actually the prototype model.

[astroworldfan1]

^ And I would count the Kiddie Coaster of Death for the most unique view! How many coasters are located by a graveyard?

 

-Tatum

[downunder]

I'll have to post my point of view video of Little Meteor for all those people who desperately want to ride it. That was awesome Little A opened it for us that day, it was the snoothest woodie on the trip.

 

That kiddie coaster at Little A just about snapped my spine, well everything there except the woodie was lethal, I'm surprised I didn't have to sign a waiver to ride some of those things.

 

Neverland Ranch, now not everyone can go there, maybe you could borrow McCauley Culkin's season pass.

 

Does Memphis Kiddie Park in Cleveland have restrictions?

[thrillgeek]

It seems some people might fight that it would be against the constitution. I don't know that might just be me. It's definitely a bit odd to restrict access to a theme park. I could see it for season pass holder nights or ACE day type of gatherings but just because you live in the state It's like Eliches was asking for a decrease in popularity.

[Noxegon]

Jeff Johnson and/or Richard Bannister!

 

Ah now, that's a bit below the belt. Talk to Martin Valt or Lisa Scheinin if you want a real credit whore

[robbalvey]

^ Yeah, but we don't know them as well as we know you two! So it's only fair you and Jeff get the brunt of it.