The unwritten rules of attending a theme/amusement park

[ECZenith]

Oh God those basketballs are a pet peeve of mine. Nothing like hearing 200 basketballs pound the scorching pavement for an hour and a half while you wait for Superman ride Of Steel.

 

Or at Cedar Point... a group of pink-shirted 50 cent wanna bees decided it would be a good idea to attack a goose and its goslings with several basketballs.

 

What the hell is wrong with people...

[FlyingScooter]

^Yeah, that's pretty damn dumb.

I hope every car they own gets covered in dung right after they wash them.

[Angry_Gumball]

Always be prepared (such as having kleenex) incase your nose seems to be runny that day. It would be all bad to have snot flung everywhere while going on a coaster. It would also be bad to have a bloody nose due to heat while half way thru the line for a coaster, which happened to me. I'm glad it didn't happen on the ride it's self otherwise there would have been a bloody mess...

[Wes]

This applies at concerts too...DON'T BE THAT GUY! The person who wears a shirt of the park they are at. Don't wear a Disneyland shirt at Disneyland. Don't wear a Cedar Point shirt at Cedar Point.

 

Of course, the best possible policy is to not own any amusement park related shirts at all.

[Meteornotes]

18. Take time to stop and see the shows and other attractions. There's a lot more than coasters in most parks!

 

Bah! My version would be:

 

"All shows should be avoided at all costs!!!!"

 

--Robb "NOT a show person!" Alvey

 

100% Agreement. Unless some park adds "The Stripper & Death Metal Show" I'll spend my time riding, thank you. I don't think I've EVER seen a decent show at a park.

 

Dave "still has nightmares about 'The Road Show' at SFA" Thomas

[benzo41190]

^That happened to me on MF at Cedar Point. When the ride was over, there was tears, snot, and drull all over my face and it went in my ears. Also when I was on it there were bugs stuck in the fluids all over my face. It was my first "fast" coaster that went over 75 mph so it was a real surprise.

 

Also do not flip off the On-ride photo camera. At SFGAm there was a girl who flipped off the camera and she ended up getting kick out of the park. This was on Viper.

[PhishyBrewer]

^It was Six Flags park after all. They don't usually attract the smartest folks.

 

And don't get down below the height stick and say "Am I tall enough?" to the ride op. They just might hit you in the ass with that candy cane.

[Gregory DG]

I don't think I've EVER seen a decent show at a park.

Have you ever seen the Indy Jones show at Disney-MGM? That's probably the best show I've ever seen...

 

The rule about wearing deoderant made me think of one:

 

* If you're a woman and haven't shaved your pits in a few days, don't go around in a tank top pointing up at everything. Ugh!

 

Another one came to me when I went to the newly reopened animal area of Cypress Gardens...

 

* If a new area has just opened and is obviously still in progress, don't go around complaining aloud that "it sucks." Be thankful it is open at all!

[RBOrrell]

Okay, here are four that happened to me last week at PCW when I was there with my 10 year old daughter.

 

xx. If you are a group of three, don't get into a coaster row as three and then when you get to the front and you're next, don't ask the person in the next row if it's okay if you single friend can go in front so that the three of you can ride together. I have been in the queue just as long as you, figure it out and prepare.

 

xx. If someone asks you if you want to go in front of them to even out the two rows so that they can ride together, check first to see if it messes up your sequence so you don't have to ask someone else if you can go in front of them.

 

xx. If you are going to chew gum, throw it in the garbage can and not on the ground. See all those black spots on the ground, that used to be gum. When PCW opened 25 years ago, they did not sell gum nor allowed it in the park. It was a good idea.

 

xx. I know you are in "love" and it's boring waiting in line, but please stop making out, grinding your crotches together or fondling each other's bodies. It is a family park and besides, you are only 15 years old.

 

There, that's my rant from an over-40 something.

[Wishmaster]

I don't think I've EVER seen a decent show at a park.

Phantasialand has a history of great shows. I haven't seen Arachnomé yet (I don't like shows eighter) but there previous show, L'Arctistique, was amazing! In 2001 it even got a "Big E-Award".

 

They also used to have a magic show with 2 german magicians and several white tigers. I heared they've ended up in some desert.

 

xx. If you are going to chew gum, throw it in the garbage can and not on the ground. See all those black spots on the ground, that used to be gum. When PCW opened 25 years ago, they did not sell gum nor allowed it in the park. It was a good idea.

Bobbejaanland has a great solution for that problem. They've put "gumball trees" all over the park.

 

Gumball trees are wooden boards with trees painted on. People are supposed to put their gum on the trees instead of on the ground. It may sound simple but it actually seems to work.

[Spookbaby]

Rule #?: When you arrive at a park you can play one of two games... if you arrive late try to sprint past all the park employees who try and stop you to get your picture taken at the front gate but if your early walk around and see how many photos you can get taken of your group!

 

Rule #?: Be orginal in your on ride photos... if you know where the camera is actually do something funny... (p.s. it is not "funny" to flick off the camera or pretend your sleeping)

[johnrose]

Okay, here are four that happened to me last week at PCW when I was there with my 10 year old daughter.

 

xx. If you are a group of three, don't get into a coaster row as three and then when you get to the front and you're next, don't ask the person in the next row if it's okay if you single friend can go in front so that the three of you can ride together. I have been in the queue just as long as you, figure it out and prepare.

 

xx. If someone asks you if you want to go in front of them to even out the two rows so that they can ride together, check first to see if it messes up your sequence so you don't have to ask someone else if you can go in front of them.

 

xx. If you are going to chew gum, throw it in the garbage can and not on the ground. See all those black spots on the ground, that used to be gum. When PCW opened 25 years ago, they did not sell gum nor allowed it in the park. It was a good idea.

 

xx. I know you are in "love" and it's boring waiting in line, but please stop making out, grinding your crotches together or fondling each other's bodies. It is a family park and besides, you are only 15 years old.

 

There, that's my rant from an over-40 something.

 

Two things I love about your post:

 

1. Speak thje gospel on the grinding/PDA thing... geepers, get a room!

 

2. The curling-related avatar!!!!!!!!!

[ChrisFL]

I've also seen the PDA's/ tounges down each others throats as hands down each others pockets way too often, and they ALWAYS seem to be directly in front of me in line.

[WillMontu]

Do offer extra seats in your row to singles or pairs of riders, especially on Beemers. It makes the wait shorter for both those guests and the ones behind. Even better if you do it before the station gates open.

 

Don't sue the park if you injure yourself while doing something stupid, such as going into an "Employees only" area or climb out of a restraint

 

Do put down the cellphone. It's okay to use it keep in contact, but keep it out of the lines and rides

 

Don't trash the bathrooms. Other people have to go too, and most don't want to see what you had for dinner last night.

[Stitch]

1: Don't get in to a queue line with an over sized stuffed animal, give it to a friend to hold on to.

 

2: Don't eat a messy food in the line, most people don't like getting food dropped on them while waiting to ride.

 

3: When at a water park make sure your suit isn't showing more of yourself then people should see.

 

4: Watch your language and behavior in the park becuase there are others at the park, primarily familes that don't need to hear or see vulgar behavior.

 

5: Never get in line and then have five of your friends cut the line to get to you.

[Spookbaby]

Amen on the swimsuit at the water park rule. I was at Hurricane Harbor the other day at Six Flags St. Louis and this guy in front of me in line for "Tornado" was wearing WHITE boardshorts. Oh, yeah white ONE LAYER board shorts that he bragged about how me made them himself in line! One word.... EWWWWWWWWWWWW

[Gregory DG]

5: Never get in line and then have five of your friends cut the line to get to you.

That ought to be a written rule. If you think you're above everyone else who is waiting in line, don't ride.

[Chadley]

To add to what PGAThriller said,

 

"If you win one of those obnoxiously oversized stuffed animals...take it to the car!! Don't carry it in line, and don't joke with the ride operators about letting the thing ride with you."

 

Also...

 

"When at a park that has a pond(s)...don't spit in the pond to watch the Carp (Sewer Bass) fight each other to eat it"

 

and please, please, please!

 

If you're part of a gang, good for you! "But leave your weapons at home or in the car, (at least)." I've already seen two occasions where kids have either had knives in the park, or have had one confiscated at the gate.

[Angry_Gumball]

Rule #346:

Speaking of gangs, please don't go wearing that stuff either...who wants/cares to see a whole crew of people wearing red/blue/whatever color they claim and their gang markings exposed in a family environment? My cousin had to be careful on what he wore to SFMM because of the type of crowd there.

Rule #8764-(3x8)^2: Don't think you know it all or talk stupid at a themepark. It's pretty bad if you're in line for a Boomerang and someone says "Yea, this Intamin Boomerang launches off at 100mph up 1000 feet and goes upside down 10 times while riders stand up on these floorless inverted trains"

[CoasterFanatic]

"When at a park that has a pond(s)...don't spit in the pond to watch the Carp (Sewer Bass) fight each other to eat it"

 

Who am I to deprive the Mantis and Iron Dragon fish of a decent meal.

[Sir Clinksalot]

I totally forgot:

 

13. Never, ever, ever dribble a basketball in a park

 

Sorry, didn't see this topic earlier.

 

But yeah, this is WAY annoying. Our day at SFOG was plagued by kids with basketballs ... EVERYWHERE!!!

[Twister II]

"When at a park that has a pond(s)...don't spit in the pond to watch the Carp (Sewer Bass) fight each other to eat it"

 

Who am I to deprive the Mantis and Iron Dragon fish of a decent meal.

 

OMG! Ive seen that happen SOOOOOOO many times in line for ID and Mantis, it is gross. Just, eww, ick.

[Angry_Gumball]

Please do not stick your old gum on the walls or the trees. That's just plain gross. I've seen PGA's infamous gum tree that wasn't any longer green as well as Medusa West's Wall O' Gum...it almost looked like a ride op's control panel. Lastly, don't stick your change to the wall either to try to hide it.

[RC_dartarro]

* Don't throw food (especially candy) at each other in line.*

 

While waiting in line for POTC at DL, some kids behind us decided to throw nerds (that had been in their mouths! ) at each other. One kid missed, and it landed on my friend's mom's cheek...needless to say a long lecture broke out.

 

*Don't stick your arms and legs outside the vehicle* Especally when there are TREES less than 3 feet from the car. Some kid ended up with a bloody hand after being stupid.

 

and please, for our mental well being, *If you are over 300 pounds, please, PLEASE do not wear a speedo to a water park* Especially if you decide to play frisbee with your child :shock:

[timetrial3141592]

Please do not stick gum on walls and then put pennies on it. That is just disgusting. If you decide to take the pennies off on SROS at SFNE, please drop them off the LEFT side of the lift. The right side has track.

 

Rule #8764-(3x8)^2: Don't think you know it all or talk stupid at a themepark. It's pretty bad if you're in line for a Boomerang and someone says "Yea, this Intamin Boomerang launches off at 100mph up 1000 feet and goes upside down 10 times while riders stand up on these floorless inverted trains"

 

Thank you. I hate it when people do that.

 

Oh yeah. Please look around to see if you are holding up the line by talking.