Why I'm no longer a roller coaster enthusiast

So much so that recently I went on a trip - a two week quest for roller coasters. Where? The USA. Across 15 days I visited 11 different American amusement parks, and in doing so, rode a lot of roller coasters. By a lot, I mean a lot. 101 of them. The entire thing taught me quite a lot about my own interests though; to the degree that I can tell you right now - I am no longer a roller coaster enthusiast.

VIDEOS:

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
02:06 Ride atmosphere
04:46 Theme parks VS amusement parks
06:46 Regional US amusement park rant
09:56 I'm a theme park guy

[gabet]

There definitely is a difference between Loving theme parks and loving coasters

[TheNinjaDC]

Park culture is an important part, and not just theming.
The employee friendliness, ride operations, food, layout, ride portfolio, etc all combine into one package.

This is why Holiday World, Kings Island, and Knoebels have such fans. They are run well with a pleasant vibe felt throughout the park.

[muudzi]

Prediction, you are now an amusement park enthusiast??
Edit: oops

[steveo]

I think it comes from what we grew up with. You come from Europe, parks littered with theming. I come from Ohio. Intense thrill coasters (with next to no theming) were part of my childhood. Our upbringing builds our expectations.

[ladyaries]

It's alright for our interests to shift as time passes! I'm not much of one either anymore, but specifically because I have a spinal injury that has changed a lot of things for me, and doctors have all suggested I stay away from coasters for the rest of my life.

[vincentfalcone]

Miserable queue lines with no theming or shade really do suck the fun out of most U.S. parks. Combine that with obnoxious patrons, overpriced trash food and almost no theming and really the only time I'm enjoying myself at most U.S. parks is when I'm on the actual rides and that's it.

[MaxThrills]

It’s actually crazy how much better a coaster can be when it’s immersive, well maintained, exciting air conditioned queue.

[Thrills_And_Chills_WQAQ]

Goodbye coasterbot hello just uhh..

Bot. Or HarryBot.

[GaryCresswell-ku]

Truthfully, if all of the rides are walk-ons, I don't care much about theming. But mostly, you spend most of your time queueing. And the difference between being in a park that makes queueing pleasant, and a park that just makes you line up in an open pen is huge.

[nguyenquanghonghoa]

Harry: riding roller coaster 15 days in a row isn't a common thing...
"Taylor from CS has entered the chat"

[greenrhinoguy]

I completely understand. I strongly consider myself to be a roller coaster enthusiast, but I still love it when parks go out of their way to immerse you. I still enjoy roller coasters without theming, but I totally get how it can be boring to someone who likes theme parks specifically.

[MattMcIrvin]

I think there are really *three* categories in the US. There are the large theme parks, which include the whole top tier: Disney and Universal, and some other players like Dollywood and Busch Gardens. There are the Six Flags-type large regional amusement parks, which do a lot of "ride plunked down on asphalt" and can be kind of unpleasant places aside from the rides. (I think the management of the companies that run these things all realize that plussing them into family theme parks is the way to go for future viability, but that takes money, effort and time.)

And then there are the *small* local parks, like Knoebels or Seabreeze or Canobie Lake Park, often family-owned (though some are now run by chains like Palace/Parques Reunidos), which may not have elaborate theming but can have an intimate, nostalgic vibe that the big parks don't. There used to be hundreds and hundreds of these; they used to be the dominant form of amusement park. Today, the bigger players have driven most of them out of business. But some of them survive, especially in markets like the US Northeast that the big boys haven't seen fit to completely saturate. Most of these, I would categorize more as amusement parks than as theme parks (though some of them do have theming, which is often quirky and homespun--many little independent parks with fairy-tale themes popped up across America around the same time Disneyland opened, and a few of them are still operating). But they have genuine charm.

Like you, I definitely prefer a good theme park over a big chain amusement park, even if the latter have some of my favorite rides. The last park I visited was Tokyo DisneySea, possibly the theme-iest theme park in the entire world; it's often said that you could spend a day at Tokyo DisneySea, ride *no* rides and feel you'd gotten your money's worth just from the astounding atmospheric theming, and it's really true.

But I think the little players may actually be my favorite category. I live just down the road from Canobie Lake Park and I feel blessed to be so close to that place. It's nice just to be there, too.

[StadiumofLOLMAPS]

I can relate to this.
When I was 16, I just wanted the most intense rides possible. Now I'm almost 30, and I appreciate theming, and smooth rides more

[bsdakuma]

It’s alright for interests to come and go! :)

[aderussell]

I found this video oddly surprising and illuminating but maybe because, even with the channel/podcast name, I had never really considered the idea that it was ONLY rollercoasters that were the point of interest and not wider theme park topics. Perhaps, also being a Brit, I am used to the heavier theming but I also just felt the theming was part of the package.
This has given me a lot to think about. Life has been odd and disruptive at the moment and something here has resonated with me (perhaps just in hope/cope) and I'm glad you have found a wider world to love & enjoy

[sheepje]

Completely agree. Atmosphere and theming matter more to me than pure airtime. A ride should be an experience for more than just your stomach

[WorldofThrills]

It’s the spaces inbetween the attractions that truly make a theme park. Excellent video!

[wildboy]

I call myself a theme park and rollercoaster enthusiast and that works for me.

I guarantee you will enjoy amusement parks more if you give more of a break between parks or reduce the number in your itinerary. I see it on vloggers all the time. Rollercoaster fatigue really is a thing. Like drinking too much coffee, the impact and excitement is lost if you do it too much in a short time. After I came back from a similar trip like yours I vowed to never plan for two parks consecutively and it really helps to maximize the enjoyment. Going to a theme park or amusement park one should give yourself the best chance of having an amazing time. The park deserves a fair shot at delivering and that might mean saving it for the next trip abroad.

[timhellmann]

That's why Phantasialand is so great among German parks. It not only has beautiful queue lines, it also gets you pumped with pre-shows, starting sequences, orchestra drums while leaving the station, well-made soundtracks matching the ride. I'm also very happy for you for taking that US trip. I'd LOVE to visit the US and its parks soon. Too bad none of my friends and family want to go with me. It's MUCH less fun alone (another factor btw.). :)

[ayowhatthedogdoinbruh]

It's quite crazy how different it is in Europe. In Europe almost every park is a theme park. Meanwhile in the US, you got stuff like Six Flags and Cedar Fair parks. Personally i enjoy theme parks a LOT more.