Enthusiast Existentialism - What does being a theme park enthusiast mean to you?

[Bert2theSpark]

So I've been thinking about this a fair bit recently. I've been a theme park enthusiast for nearly 10 years now. I've always felt in some regards, a bit of an outsider to the theme park community something about the community always felt a bit weird to still be a part of, but I have a massive continued interest in theme parks.

I love the concept of theme parks and the rides, environments and spaces they represent and the operational complexity that comes within them. As a child I've always loved stuff like science books and TV shows such as Blue Peter that always presented the next whacky thing. I'm also a massive Social Sciences nerd, my best subject at school was easily Geography, where I'd get full-marks without having to do any revision because all the contextual information I already understood. From the physical elements, to the interaction between economic and political events, as well as the diversity of environments that they represent.

However, I don't find myself being a credit hunter or even regularly visiting theme parks at the moment. I feel like that phase felt very limiting in that sense of being an enthusiast that I don't really identify with. Some of the more public aspects of visiting theme parks I really do cringe at a little bit, and I wouldn't really want theme parks to be my defining trait about me. Whereas others in the community seem to make it their entire identity. I also don't really care about the minute details that occur with the micro elements of what makes up a good theme park experience. I feel like I prefer the macro 'VIBES' element of being a part of the community, I'm not really bothered about the specific details of everything.

I have a lot of interests beyond theme parks, which are all equally interesting to me, although the physical aspect and dimensionality of the interest having a physical space somehow makes it feel more prominent within my life. Something about this hobby really draws me in on a day-to-day basis, but more of a passing interest, whereas other interests seem to ebb and flow a lot more with a lot more intensity. I know there's always going to be a backlash in any community when things change because of nostalgia, but when nostalgic things change for me, as long as it's not a massive downgrade from before I'm usually fine with it. This is something I've noticed in other enthusiast circles, and I've definitely picked up of the heuristics of criticism. However, I admit I'm fairly self-aware when I look back to some of my older forum posts, or what people would think of me when I say I passively follow the developments of a theme park that I'd likely never visit and rollercoasters that I'd never ride (RIP Ka, in particular),

I've found that following the theme park scene for the past 10 years has provided a lot of anecdotal experience within the realms of the day-to-day and coming across other enthusiast communities. The drama, the events, the memes. All of which I've certainly noticed in an anecdotal sense of pattern recognition. Although one thing that I think the community really lacks is a relative sense of deep and critical thinking overall. There are always a few good forum posts on here and a few pockets elsewhere, but more widely, it's quite common to see the same "influencers" (and subsequently other enthusiasts) with the same opinions and don't really have an interesting informed perspective or 'take' on developments.

Something that has only occurred recently is that is specifically because of the interaction between different elements of the theme park industry that have peaked my interest at different times, I've developed my own distinct taste around my relationship with theme parks. I've seen theme parks from so many different perspectives now that my perspective on theme parks has matured and evolved past what I was interested in 10 years ago, and it will probably evolve further. I wonder whether if I started visiting theme parks nowadays if I'd still develop the same interest in theme parks and how my perspective would differ.

I'd be really interested in seeing how everyone else here feels about when examining their own relationship with theme parks and the wider theme park community. So, how has your relationship with theme parks changed since you first became an enthusiast?

 

[Matt N]

It’s an interesting question that I’m not entirely sure how to answer, to tell you the honest truth.

For me, theme parks are easily my most passionate and intense hobby, and are, I think it’s fair to say, a significant part of my life. I try and visit a selection of parks every year, and I actively engage with the community on here and other sites (mainly CoasterForce… I never really delved into social media) through at very least reading the forums on a daily basis.

With that said, I’d like to think that they aren’t my entire identity. I do have other interests and other things going on including a budding professional specialism that’s not even vaguely allied with the industry, and to tell you the honest truth, I’m actually not terribly forthcoming about the hobby outside my close family, as I, rightly or wrongly, have often been a tad embarrassed by it. Most people I know at university, for example, have absolutely no idea I’m into theme parks (with the exception of a group project friend who I discovered was also a theme park enthusiast through a completely chance conversation!). I can hold plenty of conversations without mentioning theme parks at all, and indeed, there are very, very few people I know in real life I who would talk in too much depth about theme parks with; the vast bulk of my park-based conversation occurs online!

In terms of what “type” of enthusiast I am, for lack of a better term; I probably do fall on the slightly geekier side of the fence, in all honesty. I do count coasters, I have multiple spreadsheets tracking the hobby, and I relish the discussions about things like throughput (and indeed do my own timings). And you only have to look at some of the longer data analysis posts that I’ve done in the past and will probably do more of in the future! I’d like to call myself a theme park enthusiast, but in my heart of hearts, I think I am probably a tiny bit biased towards the coasters over other attraction types, even if I do always appreciate other attraction types and aspects such as theming! I’d say I’m perhaps a little bit less nostalgic than some in the community, though; I’d like to think I’m not as averse to change as some, and am willing to accept the loss or change of a classic if I think the replacement will be as good or better.

That’s just a few thoughts of mine about my own enthusiasm. It’s a really interesting question, and as I say, I’m not entirely sure how I’d necessarily answer it.

 

[rob666]

Been riding coasters for fifty odd years now.
Still don't consider myself a real thoosie, I don't travel, tick boxes, or spreadsheet.
I just like visiting my local parks on occasion.
For fun, especially when rained off work.
Not as much fun as it used to be, season passes have killed off fun and created queues, that just didn't happen in the past.
Far too much hanging around.

 

[Bowser]

Been riding coasters for fifty odd years now.
Still don't consider myself a real thoosie, I don't travel, tick boxes, or spreadsheet.
I just like visiting my local parks on occasion.
For fun, especially when rained off work.
Not as much fun as it used to be, season passes have killed off fun and created queues, that just didn't happen in the past.
Far too much hanging around.

I'm closer to this too i think.

Loved theme parks when i was young (35+ years ago) with multiple trips per year but dictated by family holidays. And of course loved playing Rollercoaster Tycoon and Theme Park.

Didn't go much in my 20's and 30's, probably one park every few years and would coincide with a work trip. Was much more interested in other things.

When my son reached about 5 or 6 and discovered how much he enjoyed them (and little else), since then it has become rather all consuming. That's only been the last 3 or 4 years.

Don't collect any data or anything but visit as often as possible and spend a lot of time researching and posting on here. I wouldn't say i feel part of a community per se, it's just a thing i do with my family but i do enjoy and appreciate the people i communicate with on here.

My job is far more associated with my identity but i have increasingly noticed myself garnering a reputation among friends and family as the theme park guy, which considering how often we go isn't unjust.

I've always appreciated the theming aspects as much as the rides themselves, there's something fascinating about the immersion and thought that goes into that creatively.

Have no shame in my interest. Part of it is perhaps because it reflects onto my son so any claims of it being "childish" would bounce off but tbh theme parks are quite an ageless interest so don't ever encounter that anyway. Everyone likes theme parks!

 

[Mick]

I have far too many interests to make theme parks an all-out passion, as such you could probably call me an Alton Towers enthusiast rather than a theme park enthusiast! Being the local park that I was taken to regularly as a child, watching it evolve for better and worse as I’ve grown into adulthood is definetly something that I don’t feel embarrassed about and will talk to anyone about.

However I don’t feel any great motivation to get out and plan trips to other parks beyond one or two days at other Uk parks a year. I’ve never visited a theme park outside the UK though watch vlogs and follow the updates - would love to get out to Florida or even DLP but when I weigh it up against my other interests and other holiday needs, as well as finances and finding someone to go with, it’s never happened to date and may never happen and I’m cool with that. I get just as much satisfaction from reading about and watching other’s experiences.

I do track my theme park visits and rides though, it would be completely out of character for me not to given I track just about everything - football games attended, films watched, tv shows watched, books read etc, if you can track it then I’ll track it!

 

[BooMT]

My interest in parks/coasters has been present for over 30 years now, spurred by my first visit to Euro Disney in its inaugural year - it was pure magic and I continued to crave it. Have worked in them, spent many years glued to the games, have travelled to visit European parks etc but I don't keep any formal tabs on creds and wouldn't consider myself fully integrated in the social community as such - it's only since I joined TS that I've connected in any way with other people who have the same interest.

Months can pass without me stepping foot in a park but I will, without fail, check what's going on in coaster land online every day; There's just as much joy in reading about, watching and following construction/operation of Parks & rides as there is visiting them for me. In fact, I can often follow a construction in detail from conception to completion with no intention of ever riding. I'm nowhere near as intelligent, clued up or technical as most of you on here so I've learned a substantial amount from this forum!

All said, I'd consider this my special interest and a big part of who I am. Parks are truly my happy place, joyous escapism (depending what park and what time of year ) Even without having close friends in the community, being part of it, near or far, has always given me a sense of belonging I've struggled to find elsewhere.

 

[Itgoeshowhigh]

For me it all started out as a bit of therapy I suppose. A few years back I was having a bit of a blip with depression and anxiety (had this on and off over the years). One day I just sat there and thought “I don’t think I’m depressed, I think I’m just bored stiff with my life” and promptly booked a 3 day trip to Towers with the kids.

Having never really gone to theme parks as a kid, I didn’t really know what I was missing. Anyway I kind of fell in love and that was the start.

I just love the escapism, the theming and the general VIBES and of course the coasters. With coasters, I was a really nervous rider to start with and that first year or two, gradually building up and getting more and more confident was probably the best “journey” I’ve ever been on. It felt so good to gradually tick off things which had scared me to start with. I also love the feeling of going somewhere new and experiencing a place for the first time.

I do wonder if it is an entirely healthy interest for me. I do think I use it as a bit of a crutch and I do think it’s a bit of an obsession for me. I do find my mood starting to suffer if I haven’t been for a while.
When I book a trip it’s an instant lift and I’m most happy when I’ve got some trips pencilled in.
I’m a bit of a control freak and when I’m at a park I have this freedom from trying to be in control and it’s a bit of a naff cliche but I feel most “alive” when I’m at a park.

I have a child on the spectrum and I do think I have some autistic traits myself. I like the way there is this whole categorisation thing to do with parks and rides.
I do like to talk about coasters to anybody who will tolerate me for 5 minutes.
I loved learning the “thoosie” language. It’s something I notice in my work life as well. I like the language and words associated with my job. Something about having a conversation with someone about B&Ms and SLCs and whatnot just scratches an itch for me.

I like watching vlogs of parks and I like watching other people talking about thoosie stuff but I wouldn’t say I’m part of the community.

It’s a great hobby, you get to go to new places, have fun. You get to learn a new language, you get to categorise things. You get to enjoy family time. Then when you’re not actually doing it you can watch you tubers doing it and talking about it. You can go on forums and see other people thoughts and opinions. You get to plan trips and go places you probably wouldn’t have gone to otherwise. And this sounds really sad but you develop an affection for certain rides and they hold a fond place in your heart. And you get to bond with other people who also like talking about this stuff.

At the moment, I can’t really do the parks due to health stuff so I’m pretty pee’d off. I’m feeling very sorry for myself and the doctors just give me a funny look when I say that the biggest impact right now on my life is that I want to get on some roller coasters!! I need to find a thoosie doctor who understands my plight!

So, I don’t know what sort of thoosie I am, I just know it’s my main source of joy in life.

 

[owenstreet7]

For me, I would say that theme parks were an escape for me when life took a downturn for me a couple of years back.

That was a time when I felt a bit lost after a falling out with a very close friend and for me, taking the step to go to Thorpe Park solo, ride to my hearts content and do a few laps on Tidal Wave too was what made me happy.

I have started to count my credits however stats wise, that's as far as I'll go.

Even before then, I was going to theme parks but it was mainly a once a year visit or a trip away to a UK park like BPB or Towers.

Since, I have started visiting the European parks, been to a couple of events at a rollercoaster club and booked my first trip with a coaster tour group. I am regularly at my local park (Thorpe Park) with Hyperia being a highlight of the visit.

I have started to make a few friends in the community and I'd say that being an enthusiast has really helped me with my own mental health, confidence and with living authentically.

What interests me the most about theme parks and the community is discussing the different rollercoasters, rides and attractions at different parks in the UK, Europe and around the world and aspiring to ride those world class rides in the future.

Being an enthusiast to me is enjoying the theme parks

With that said, I’d like to think that they aren’t my entire identity. I do have other interests and other things going on including a budding professional specialism that’s not even vaguely allied with the industry, and to tell you the honest truth, I’m actually not terribly forthcoming about the hobby outside my close family, as I, rightly or wrongly, have often been a tad embarrassed by it. Most people I know at university, for example, have absolutely no idea I’m into theme parks (with the exception of a group project friend who I discovered was also a theme park enthusiast through a completely chance conversation!). I can hold plenty of conversations without mentioning theme parks at all, and indeed, there are very, very few people I know in real life I who would talk in too much depth about theme parks with; the vast bulk of my park-based conversation occurs online!

I can relate to this previously and I'm very much of the idea that being a theme park enthusiast is nothing to be embarrassed about anymore.

It is something that makes you who you are and I'd say that being authentic is the best way forward.

I'd say that it is possible that there's people who you know that are enthusiasts that you didn't know were part of the community and at the same time even if people are not part of the community, they may enjoy going to theme parks and riding rollercoasters.

To be honest, some of the dating app conversations I've had where I've connected the most with someone was because of theme parks. It helps that most or all of my photos on those are in theme parks

I know some people may not be as interested in the in depth and more nerdy side of things but I'd say theme parks are a very common interest that could help you connect with a lot of people. The nerdy side of things I'd say is no different to the likes of comics, gaming and TV/film which a lot of theme parks use the IPs from those for.

For me, I'd say theme parks are almost my entire personality now although that is me and I enjoy it. I'd advise it could be good to allow the enthusiast in you to come out in a healthy way as it could be common ground to connect with others

 

[Benzin]

I dunno, but having my 2 year old shout "ride on" at me demanding ride POVs to be put on YouTube isn't something I would've anticipated over 20 years ago.


Being involved in the community has made me friends and enemies. Rather apt really.