Play-and-Stay Blog

After looking at a few articles over the week on this same subject, and having visited some parks recently I thought it might be fun to do our very own list on the typical theme park goer. There are of course, hundreds of different kinds of people that visit theme parks every day but our list is perhaps a more tongue in cheek look at what we saw while queuing at Thorpe Park a couple of weeks ago.

1. The Overexcited Dad.

So you’ve been at the park since it opened, at 10am on the dot. It’s now 4.30pm, the kids are tired, the wife has had enough long ago, but your enthusiasm remains fully intact as you march across the park determined to get your money’s worth and make damn sure you go on every single ride. Really the reason you’ve come to the park isn’t for the kids but for you, you love the rides and have to take every opportunity to grab a photo and remind everyone of some of the local history and how much fun you’re having.

I’m sure we’ve all seen him, dragging reluctant children and an even more reluctant wife onto yet another theme park ride, photographing everything in sight, seemingly just in case he forgets any detail. Personally I’m not sure who I sympathise with more, the kids or the wife who, invariably has to reassure the children that yes, it will all be over soon.

2. Water Lovers

The temperature really doesn’t matter. It could even be snowing for all they care, these are the people that just can’t get enough of water rides. For them it just isn’t a good day in a theme park unless they’re soaking wet. They’re the type of people that stand in the splash zones at Tidal Wave at Thorpe Park just so they can get drenched all over again. Personally I can’t really understand the mentality, but then, I’ve always really hated the water rides, guess I’m the polar opposite to these guys.

3. The Watcher

Ever been on a theme park trip with a group of friends only to have one of your party refuse to go on any of the rides? There always seems to be one person that finds themselves at a park but just can’t face going on anything. While I can sympathise with them to a certain degree I still have to ask, why go there in the first place if you aren’t going to go on anything?

4. The Theme Park Nerd

Admittedly I’m swinging dangerously close to this one by virtue of writing a blog about theme parks but then I’m sure we’ve all heard this guy. Usually found in the queue for the biggest ride in the park you happen to be in spouting all kinds of information about the ride. Top speeds, heights, manufacturer, the theme park nerd is like a walking pack of top trump cards. The usual topic of conversation seems to be about how he has always been on the ride you’re queuing for at least ten times already, and that some other ride in another park is better anyway. Inevitably nothing can really live up to the nerd’s expectations and he can’t quite enjoy the park to the full as he is too busy analysing it.

5. The Emo Kid

Cheer up, you’re at a theme park! Despite being at a place entirely designed for you to have a good time the emo kid only sees darkness in the world and just can’t enjoy themself. I’m not quite sure why they even go if they’re not going to have fun. It can’t be all that bad can it really? You’re at a theme park with a ticket that your mother has no doubt paid for, and if you’re affluent enough to be going to a theme park in the first place I’m sure you have a good enough life. So cheer up and enjoy the day!

6. Orange Girl

Fourteen years old, a fake tan, tasteless jewelry and clothes that are far too revealing I’m sure everyone has seen these girls wandering round theme parks. The fake tan is particularly cringeworthy, I mean, you can’t think you look good when you’re that orange can you?

So thats our list, got any to add? Be sure to let us know.

Technorati Tags: theme park, theme park nerd, theme park stereotypes, thorpe park

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 at 10:51 am and is filed under Theme Parks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.