Do you have any park rituals saved for the end of the night?

[Samuel]

If I'm at a park that I don't visit too frequently, I often just say "OK, I'm going to do my favorite ride one last time and then hit the road." At home parks and those I visit more often, however, I've noticed that I've developed more nuanced rituals for how I spend my time before the park closes for the night. Like the grand finale of a fireworks show or an encore at a concert, it's more fulfilling to leave the park satisfied and on a high note.

 

So, I thought it'd be an interesting topic to invite the sharing of stories of what everyone like to do at the end of the night, perhaps for personal or sentimental reasons, or to recommend great night rides, marathon-able empty lines, or good places to get food/merchandise on the way out the door.

 

- At Cedar Point, I always close the night on Raptor. Being right by the main gate, it's easy to hop a quick ride before you leave. Even though I've read that many people like to do this, I've never waited beyond the station when I approach near closing (5 min max). In addition, Raptor was one of the first big coasters I ever rode, and my dad taking me on was a major catalyst for me developing an interest in coasters. After a few surgeries over the years, my dad decided to play it safe by "retiring" from riding coasters, which was a big blow to him -- he's the original aficionado before me. So, taking that last spin on Raptor is also a nod to my dad, and gives me a chance to reflect with gratitude on being able to have a great day at the park.

 

- At King's Island, it's always Beast and then fudge. Night rides on the Beast probably need no introduction here. The candy store on the main midway has very good fudge! I strongly recommend the peanut butter -- there's probably no magic to it, but it's been very fresh and some of the best I've ever had when I get it.

 

- At Kennywood, I always ride the Merry-Go-Round and then get popcorn near the Jack Rabbit before I go home. Another thing I used to do with my dad when I was little, I now get to take my nieces on the Merry-Go-Round. Being enveloped by the atmosphere provided by the great lighting package, beautiful Wurlitzer music, and awesome Dentzel horses, it's as classic an amusement park experience as it gets. As for the popcorn, it's salty and tasty, and since they fill it up past the top of the box, you can get some serious snacking done as you make the long walk back through the tunnel and into the parking lot!

[ThemeParkJunkie51290]

My end of the day routine is weird. LOL. As I'm leaving from the parks I like to take a look back and stare at the coasters. I stand for a few mins, or just keep looking back as I walk off. The reason I do this is because I want ever be back again. I visit a theme park only once because this gives me a chance to visit other theme parks that I haven't been to. So, that's my ritual. Sort of. LOL.

[gerstlaueringvar]

When the park is about to close, I usually go to my favorite ride to marathon as many times as I can.

[larrygator]

My day at Knoebel's always ends on the Skooters.

 

Hersheypark days ends with me buying a giant bag of kettle corn.

 

Busch Gardens Williamsburg usually ends with my playing skeeball by Apollo's Chariot. I usually win something there and if I play at the end of the day, I don't have to carry anything around all day.

 

I don't have any other set endings for other parks.

[ajfelice]

End of the Night Ritual as a Guest: Ending with the ride I had the most "fun" on. Whether that means it was the best ride experience or a ride that is run by a great group of operators.

 

End of the Night Ritual as a Park Employee: After taking a tongue lashing from guests once the queue is closed, one of my favorite things to do after a day my operators performed exceptionally well on Ravine Flyer II is letting them hop in the final train to take the last night ride. I'll take the helm at controls and make sure the lift lights and station flood lights are out to ensure an extra dark ride. A very rewarding time of the day to celebrate a job well-done by the team, and the pure excitement and terror of guests as I dim the lights is a priceless memory.

[bert425]

 

Hersheypark days ends with me buying a giant bag of kettle corn.

 

 

Both our days at Hershey ended this way

 

 

and we ended Knoebel's with Facination marathon

[DBru]

I love ending my night at Cedar Point watching Luminosity, then as soon as it's over, running over to Millennium Force and riding on one of the last trains of the night. CP is the only park I know of that keeps the lines open a few extra minutes after closing so that guests definitely have an opportunity to get in one last ride. That's probably one of my favorite procedures in the park.

[Ccron10]

I have several different routines for Hersheypark. The most common one for me is taking several rides on Skyrush to finish the night then grab some ice cream before heading out. If I decide to venture to the back of the park, I usually re-ride Lightning Racer a couple of times since it has no line at all during that time. This makes for a nice walk to the front of the park.

 

For Knoebels, this past year has been spending the last part of the night getting a peanut butter sundae from the stand near the Skooters and hopping in line for a night ride on Flying Turns.

[Yamez]

I always look for the nearest open funnel cake stand. Always want one for the walk back to the car!

[YoshiCraft2011]

"Attention guests waiting in line, the park will be closed in five minutes," says the Pony Express ride operator on August 16, 2014.

 

At Knott's, when the park was about to close for the night, my sister and I decide on what last ride we should ride on. One time, it was Linus Launcher, and the next time, we took a ride on the bumper cars before getting a ride on Pony. After this, we take the hike back to the entrance, seeing the lights of Camp Snoopy being shut off, and all of those guests flooding the exit. Then, we just go to sleep at the hotel.

[coasterbill]

We just marathon our favorite coaster until they tell us we can't anymore. The only exception is at Great Adventure where we get in line for Kingda Ka 30 minutes before park close, that way we get a front seat ride which won't happen if you show up any later. We always ride this last because once Zumanjaro finishes cycling it's riders Kingda Ka is finally able to operate normally. Combine that with the lack of Flash Passes because the park is closed and you end up with a line that moves pretty well.

 

Unfortunately Great Adventure closes ride lines whenever they want now so if that policy comes back next year I'll just go back to marathoning El Toro... or just visiting parks like Dorney and Knoebels that don't have such idiotic policies.

 

I know of that keeps the lines open a few extra minutes after closing so that guests definitely have an opportunity to get in one last ride. That's probably one of my favorite procedures in the park.

 

I agree. I thought they only did this for major rides but earlier this year we rode Iron Dragon right at park close and were happy to see that even they had the grace period.

 

Don't judge us, they had passholder ERT on Maverick that started once the line ran through so we didn't want to get in line for something like Millennium Force that might cut into our ERT because of it's long line. We didn't really make Iron Dragon the last ride of the night. lol

[mike541x]

I usually have rituals /routines for both the start and end of my day at theme parks. At Kings Dominion I usually start out on i305 first unless it's down for some reason. After getting all the rides I can in the Safari Village, I head over to the rest of the park. The day will usually end in riding i305 a bunch of times before getting one last ride on Dominator before the park closes. At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the first and last rides are usually on Loch Ness Monster since it's closest to the entrance.

[boldikus]

I guess it isnt something I really think of but Im going with marathoning whatever we are close to that we like before close. Thinking back it always seems to happen that way. If I'm at GAdv, and it usually is, its usually Toro or Nitro a few times before we leave. At Hershey it was a few final laps on Skyrush, @ Dorney it was Talon, and Ride of Steel @ SFA like 5 times in a row before we left.

 

However, I do kinda have a ritual upon arrival @ GAdv, I always go to El Toro and ride it a bunch first thing in the morning as a line never forms until at least a half hour to an hour after the park opens because everyone goes toward S:UF and KK/Z:DOD. There is nothing like a back car/magic seat ride on Toro as a first ride of the day - wakes you right up! Also because rides later in the day are that much better after riding it in the morning when its just warming up.

[BugEyed]

Great topic!

 

For as long as I can remember I have always tried to end my night at Canada's Wonderland by first riding the 'Swing of the Century' and then playing the ring toss. I don't normally play games at parks (and I can't recall how or why this ritual began) but I've been closing my CW days this way since I was a child.

 

Also, the handful of times that I've been to SFGadv I've ended my day by sitting adjacent to the Grandstand in the Lakefront area and eating a slice of insanely expensive pizza. After a few moments of peaceful reflection I then head to Nitro and get one last ride before leaving the park. Nitro's setting at dusk is one of my all-time fav things.

[grsupercity]

I try to end my day with a last ride of my favorite coaster at that park!

[BugEyed]

My end of the day routine is weird. LOL. As I'm leaving from the parks I like to take a look back and stare at the coasters. I stand for a few mins, or just keep looking back as I walk off. The reason I do this is because I want ever be back again. I visit a theme park only once because this gives me a chance to visit other theme parks that I haven't been to. So, that's my ritual. Sort of. LOL.

 

I do something very similar at parks I know I'm unlikely to visit twice. It's like I'm trying to permanently imprint the visual into my cerebral cortex. I recall leaving Knoebels and just turning and STARING at it for several minutes like a complete idiot.

[Philrad71]

It depends on the park for me...

 

If it is a new park, we always look for a Christmas ornament and golf ball (if they have them) as well as any other souvenirs that we may want in the gift shops.

 

Parks with multiple visits:

 

* Hershey: Agree with Larry - you absolutely HAVE to get a bag of the kettle corn on your way out!

* Cedar Point: Agree with Daniel...get that last ride on Millennium Force - preferably in the front seat if you don't have to wait too long!

* Knoebels: Again, agree with Larry - Skooters. I get to laughing so hard that my gut literally hurts once the ride is done. I'm usually done after that.

* Epcot - After drinking your way around the world and feeling good about yourself that you really don't feel all that buzzed! Who's ready for a nightcap?

* BGT - Usually an epic night ride on Montu - preferably in the front seat.

* Waldameer: Front row seat on RFII - no question.

* Canada's Wonderland: One last look at the awesome fountains and Wonder Mountain with all of the lights on.

* Kennywood: Night rides on Phantom's Revenge and Thunderbolt

* Kings Dominion: End it with a gray out on I-305 and call it a day, or hit Dominator on the way out.

* Kings Island: Front row seat on The Beast at night (simply the best)

[parkjunkie]

If its a new park, I hit up whatever our favorite coaster was and marathon on it til they close it. Then its off to the souvenir shop to get a shot glass.

 

SFSTL - we always marathon Screamin' Eagle and get our waffle cones at First Cone

HW - Voyage marathon until they close or we can't handle it anymore

WoF - used to marathon Patriot, but now its Prowler

KI - Marathon Diamondback

CP - depends on our mood, but we usually end the night with MF or TTD

Mt. Olympus - if we stay til close, which is rare, my ritual here is praying thanking God I didn't die at the park and usually putting in a complaint or 2.... sad isn't it

[VF15]

At VF, my last ride of the day is almost always on Steel Venom, except for my last trip of the season, when it's Renegade. I also tend to take a lot of pictures while I'm on my way out.

[Mater]

I like to stop in the Main Street Cinema on the way out of Disneyland and cry for 5-10 minutes before heading back to the hotel.

[bill_s]

At my home park, the first thing I do during the last 60-90 minutes is arrive at the park. Once there is evidence a lot of people are leaving, I head deeper into the park. If fireworks, prefer to ride through them. Then once they're closed, I look around and go, I'd buy some food if they hadn't just closed everything 5 minutes ago except for near the front of the park.

[rcdude]

At my local parks, I have an opening sequence of 4 or 5 attractions that I do in the same order every time I visit (at least when visiting by myself). At the end of the day, I repeat this sequence for my last 4 or 5 rides, but in reverse so I end with the same ride I started with. At non-local parks I always end with my favorite ride. At TPR events with night ERT, I usually ride the ERT attractions in reverse preference order, starting with my least favorite and ending the night with my favorite.

[WFChris]

I tend to walk out of the park, wait for the parking lot shuttle, ride it to the appropriate stop, walk to my car, and drive home.

[ajfelice]

I tend to walk out of the park, wait for the parking lot shuttle, ride it to the appropriate stop, walk to my car, and drive home.

 

Touche.

[IronWolfman]

My friends and I tend to ride the Ferris Wheel as the last ride whenever we go to Elitch Gardens.