from
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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TOP GUN Rollercoaster Ride
Photo © 2005 Paramount Parks, Inc. |
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The United States is home to
more theme parks and Family Entertainment Centers (FEC) than any other country
in the world. From the large, corporate parks, like those in the Disney and Six
Flags families, to small family-owned and operated parks, the nation's landscape
is dotted with acres of thrilling rides and a wide variety of attractions.
When Disneyland
first opened in 1955, many people were skeptical that an amusement park without
any of the traditional attractions such as ferris wheels and boxed roller coasters
would succeed. But Disneyland proved to the world that it was different. Instead
of a traditional midway, Disneyland offered five, distinct themed areas, providing
visitors with the fantasy of traveling to different lands and times. Disneyland
was an immediate success and, as a result, the theme park era was born. Over
the next several years, there were many attempts to duplicate the success of
Disneyland's theme park. It wasn't until 1961, when Six
Flags Over Texas opened, that another theme park successfully attracted
millions of visitors in a year. Today, the amusement park remains an international
favorite attraction. Many developing nations are experiencing the joys of the
amusement park for the first time, while the older, more established amusement
parks continue to search for new and different ways to keep visitors happy.
It wasn't until the birth of water parks and indoor theme parks that the attention
of the nation was captured. Theme park rides are taking advantage of technology
to reach heights and speeds that thrill seekers only dreamt about not too long
ago.
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Accommodations at the Park
After a big day
of play, resting at a comfortable hotel with full amenities is as important
as dropping from a roller coaster or splashing on a water ride. Most,
if not all, themed-parks in the United States offer numerous lodging options
both inside and outside the parks. There are plenty of five-star hotels
that offer numerous amenities including outdoor pools and fitness centers
that visitors can enjoy. Those who prefer to rest in nature's setting
should take advantage of the RV Parks and campgrounds that are offered
by parks such as Silverwood
Theme Park in Athol,
Idaho. To assist visitors
in planning their stay, special accommodation packages are usually offered
through the combined efforts of the park and hotel. Paramount's Great
America offers the Great America package where park admission, meals and
accommodations are included in one simple rate. Disneyland's Resort Package
also assists in planning the stay at the park more convenient and enjoyable.
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THEME PARKS
Walt Disney World
Offering four uniquely themed parks and two invigorating water parks, Walt
Disney World in Orlando,
Florida, is one of the
most popular amusement parks in the world. Relive childhood memories at the
Magic Kingdom Park where Disney storybook characters come alive through rides,
games and live entertainment. Tour Cinderella and her Prince Charming's Castle,
ride Aladdin's magic carpet, or sail away abroad a flying galleon and follow
Peter Pan on a whimsical journey to experience Disney's land of adventure. The
attractions at the Magic Kingdom don't end with the rides—attend a live musical
act the the Galaxy Palace Theater or join the Disney Princesses Snow White,
Aurora, Jasmine and Belle on stage to celebrate as Cinderalla becomes crowned
a princess. For more of an interactive activity at the park, raft down the splashing
waters down the Chakranadi River through the Asian rainforest or venture into
an open-air safari to explore the majesty of nature and fascinating animals
at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends delight audiences
of all ages when they perform at an intimate stage show and Tarzan rocks to
a four-act 30-minute musical performance. Broadway-style productions are a favorite
at Disney World where visitors have the opportunity to sing, dance and play
along with Playhouse Disney pals Bear, Tutter and Pooh at Disney-MGM
Studios. Join Belle and the Beast at the Theater of the Stars for an
exciting night of extravagant costumes and special effects.
Numerous educational attractions and interactive experiences are also available
at this enchanting park. Mission: SPACE at Disney's Epcot provides an integration
of thrilling rides with a first-hand experience of being part of an astronaut
team. This exhilirating experience is a challenge that appeals to participants
of all ages. Through the numerous rides, live shows, interactive games and parades,
Disney World and its four themed parks makes it possible for visitors to explore
the world in a day.
Disneyland
An exciting, year-round visitor destination is Anaheim,
California, where the
famous Disneyland offers four separate park areas—Fantasyland, Tomorrowland,
Frontierland and Adventureland. Among meeting Mickey, Goofy and the rest of
the Disney characters, rides, mascots, restaurants, shows and games are among
the favorite attractions at Disneyland. Experiencing the thrills of theme parks
just wouldn't be complete without staying overnight at a theme hotel. Numerous
Disneyland packages, including airfare, accommodations and park passes are available
to help make a stay in Anaheim convenient yet enjoyable. The Disneyland Resort
offers numerous lodging options with special deals at hotels such as Disney's
Grand Californian Hotel and Disney's
Paradise Pier Hotel, both of which have spectacular views of the park.
Visitors will usually find affordable accommodations near the parks and Anaheim's
public transportation system, the Metrolink
rail system and rental
cars are relatively inexpensive and convenient. When visiting Anaheim,
attend a Mighty
Ducks hockey game at Arrowhead
Pond or enjoy a game of golf at Anaheim
Hills Golf Course for a variety of activities.
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Six Flags Over Texas
Photo courtesy of Arlington Visitors Bureau
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Six Flags
For more than 40 years, Six Flags has given children and adults the freedom to
discover captivating settings and thrilling adventures. Its legacy began with
Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and grew to transform the way families vacation.
Six Flags is the world's largest regional theme park company delivering fun-filled
experiences to visitors at over 30 parks in America. Six Flags Over Texas has
attracted thousands of visitors every year with its thrilling rides, great food,
entertaining marquee shows and underwater adventures. Featuring over 10 showcase
hotels and numerous rides and attractions, Six Flags offers an exciting, action-packed
vacation for all ages.
Visitors to Six
Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia,
California, are in for a scenic adventure as they are presented with 16 world-class
roller coasters and over 100 different rides and challenging games. Join the
Looney Tunes at the pavilion in the Six Flags Plaza or the Batman Begins Stunt
Show for a night of comedy and laughter. Offering luxurious guest rooms and
facilities, there are an abundance of hotels that are situated near the park
to accommodate visitors from both near and far. Guests can enjoy some sight-seeing
opportunities, a meal at a fine restaurant or shopping at the Valencia
Town Center for a variety of activities in Valencia.
Tourists in the east coast of the United States also have the opportunity to
share the same fun and entertainment as the rest of the country; Six
Flags New Orleans in New
Orleans, Louisiana,
now features a simulation attraction SpongeBob SquarePants: The Ride. This ride
simulator features an original 10-minute film based on the popular Nickelodeon
cartoon series and features a video introduction by SpongeBob SquarePants at
the start of each show.
Experience the excitement of Mardi Gras at the Jazzland
Theme Park that is also located in New Orleans. Recently acquired by
Six Flags, this theme park features a Mardi Gras area filled with parades, mini-carnivals,
crafts, dancing and numerous shopping centers. When staying in New Orleans during
the month of February, enrich the experience by joining the Mardi
Gras party where elaborate floats, costumes and masques are seen throughout
the city.
Among the parks with rides and comedic shows, Six Flags has also established
over 20 water parks across the United States with two in the Texas
area. Six
Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington
and Six
Flags SplashTown in Spring,
makes the summer heat more bearable with water slides and raft rides. The fun
also doesn't end there. Vallejo,
California, offers Six
Flags Marine World and Jackson,
New Jersey, features
bisons, elephants, rhinos, camels and more at Six
Flags Great Adventure. Visit any of America's Six Flags to find out
how this theme park earned the reputation as one of the most entertaining and
interactive parks in the country.
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Tubing down the waterslide
Photo © 2005 Paramount Parks, Inc.
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Paramount Parks
Paramount Parks has established numerous theme parks from California to North
Carolina to Ohio. The
World's Largest Nickelodeon Theme Park Area at Paramount's
Carowinds in Charlotte,
North Carolina, offers a thrilling four-minute ride on Azul, the train with Dora
the Explorer and her friends. Meet the rest of the Nickelodeon characters at Nickelodeon
Central where interactive phantom characters, rotating mini-pirate ships, helicopter-themed
cars and wooden roller coasters help to release an adrenaline rush. Northern California
also knows how to have fun, with Paramount's
Great America solidly established in the Bay Area of Santa
Clara, California. Earning the reputation as one of Northern California's
favorite places for family fun and thrills, this theme park offers an exciting
water park where visitors have the chance to take a break from the heat of the
sun. With an addition of two new body water slides, a heated lagoon and more,
Paramount's Great America is one of the first theme park in California that offers
a water park inside the premises. Visitors also have the opportunity to rock at
the numerous concerts and live performances or blast out a tune from Paramount
Pictures, Nickelodeon and TV Land Classics on the karaoke stage.
For those who crave extreme thrills of roller-coaster rides, visit Paramount's
Kings Island in Mason,
Ohio, for the world's tallest, longest and fastest looping wooden roller-coaster.
Plunge 26-storys at a speed of over 61mph (98 kph) on the tallest Gyro Drop
in the world or ride The Beast through dark tunnels to explore the gripping
terror that Paramount has to offer. For the younger kids, join the Rugrats clan
for a day of twists and turns on the Rugrats Runaway Reptar or blast ghosts
in the Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle. Paramount's Kings Island is located
near the city of Cincinnati,
Ohio, which is the prime location of the Ohio
River and Coney
Island Amusement Park, both of which are also major attractions in Ohio.
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Dining at the
Parks
Theme parks are
filled with thrills and excitement but there are also numerous appetizing
adventures that can be equally as enjoyable. Besides the all-you-can-eat
buffets that are offered at most parks, juicy burgers, hot pizzas, crispy
french fries and smoked barbeques are also served at the concessions stands
throughout the parks. Churros, pretzels, cotton candy, corn dogs, mini-donuts
and ice cream are also among the favorite treats that are often indulged
at theme parks. Drinks are also plentiful as visitors have the option
of choosing between creamy milkshakes, fruit smoothies and soda pops.
For a healthy alternative, other non-carbonated drinks such as lemonade,
iced tea, milk and water are served at many locations along the midway.
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Cedar Point
Particularly known for its roller coaster lineup, since it has more coasters than
any other theme park in North America, Cedar
Point at Sandusky,
Ohio, holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the tallest, fastest and steepest
roller coasters in the world. Experience the Demon Drop where passengers are suspended
in cars on top of a 131-foot (40 m) tower before they are plummeted down 60 feet
(18 m) in less than two seconds. Besides the thrilling free falls and roller coaster
rides, Cedar Point also offers three water rides that are wildly refreshing for
hot summer days. Ride the 12-passenger rafts that are sent through 1,600 feet
(488 m) of churning rapids at the Thunder Canyon or splash down the 50-foot (15
m) drop at the White Water Landing.
Along with its wide collection of more than 68 different rides, Cedar Point
also showcases everything from karaoke for kids and the beat of rock’n’roll
to unique ice skating and daring high-diving shows. The park also features four
kid areas where interactive rides are offered at Camp Snoopy, PEANUTS Playground,
Kiddy Kingdom and at the Gemini Children's Area. For a relaxing stay at the
park, visit the Cedar Point Beach to soak up the sun or participate in competitive
sports such as sand volleyball, frisbee and shuffleboard.
With resort accommodations right on the peninsula, Cedar Point is an ideal
location for a mini-vacation or weekend getaway. The Cedar Point Resorts feature
adjacent waterfront hotels and lakefront cottages. Also located at Cedar Point
are several mini-parks including Soak
City, a Caribbean-themed indoor waterpark resort located just minutes
from the park. Next to Soak City water park is the Challenge
Park where interactive activities like the X-Treme Trampoline, the towering
RipCord Skycoaster, two high-speed go-kart tracks and two 18-hole miniature
golf courses entertain and challenge visitors. Challenge Park also offers a
popular arcade with state-of-the-art games, food stands that feature hot dogs,
popcorn and soft drinks. A merchandise shop is also located on the premises
for those who enjoy shopping for souvenirs and gifts.
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View
of Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
Photo courtesy of Cedar Point
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The parks listed here are a mere few of the many different theme parks available
across the nation. Theme parks in the United States are expanding faster than
ever since visitors now have the option of choosing between traditional outdoor
theme parks, water parks and indoor theme parks. The newer concept of indoor water
parks such as Splash
Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort in Erie,
Pennsylvania, also
attracts thousands of visitors each year. Theme parks have been part of the American
tradition for decades now and despite the minor changes of the traditional park
concept, visitors are still enjoying the speed of the roller coasters, the reliving
of childhood memories and, most of all, the thrills of entering a journey filled
with both laughter and screams.
