I want to hear about your employment at a park

I have worked for 4 parks now I have work at 2 independant parks and a Six Flags Park and  A Cedar Point park.  I have found that alot of my experences have been good but are VERY differnt at each park I am curently getting ready to make my biggest move to work at a park and I want to hear your stories about park life.
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I have only worked at one park, a smaller (ok, little tiny) Six Flags. It is the weirdest job I've ever had.  I've worked in attractions (Skycoaster), retail, and I'm going to rides this year.... there's good and bad of course but I couldn't see myself doing anything else.

I would like to see how things run at a non-SF park... I have heard so many good things about CP parks, and some independent parks sound really interesting.

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-Robin
"Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand..."

ive worked at Valleyfair for 5 full summers... and i am working this downtime... to many great memories to list... i am working next summer out there for sure so i cant freakin wait... its sooo kewl...

<-- vf lifer!!!...hehe

I've worked in rides for six flags the last 2 years and it's been an absolute blast.  I could definately be getting paid more if I did something else but once the end of march comes, there's no other choice but to go back there and work again.  Still to this day I have never considered it actually working, because I have had such a blast and gotten paid to do it =)  I also have like a brand new family in everyone I have worked with!

i worked at...

Wet n' Wild Water Park in park rentals

Las Vegas Mini Gran Prix (FEC) as a track attendant

MGM Grand Adventures (Now called The Park) in attractions and as an attractions lead

The Adventuredome in attractions and as an office clerk

I like MGM the most (cause I still work there). Adventuredome rides was ok, but working in ride base was better.

I found that working at CP was the best park SF was not the best expereince but it was not bad I love working at parks and will work for a park un-till I die or thay just won't let me anymore.  I hope to work at CP this year but I live VERY far away so I don't know if it is possible.

I've worked at SFGAm for 3 years now (two in foods, one in rides).  I must say that rides is more fun; you're outdoors, have a lot more fun and make more friends.  It's rough on the wonderful July heat-wave days, but you get by and enjoy your breaks!  Overall, I love working a themeparks, I think it's just because I like pushing buttons for a living.

I have worked at SFGAm for 1 season in rides.  I primarily worked Roaring Rapids up until Deja Vu opened then I worked there.  But I loved it soo much.  I met so many new people.  It is like Chiller1472 said, it's like a new family.  You work with everyone for so long and having fun with them.  You get to know each other like it's a family.  I plan on returning to SFGAm every summer until I goto Boot Camp for the US Marines. 
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Rob

"The doctor said I wouldn't have as many nose bleeds if I could just keep my finger out of there!" -Ralph

I worked at SFGAm for 3 seasons so far. I love working there, it is soo much fun. You gain soo many new friends and gain experience in what working is like. At times it is challenging but  it's almost always fun. Everyone you meet ARE infact like family to me and everyone else. Working at sfgam has changed me. I used to look nasty and be very shy. The people at sfgam helped me become more outgoing and change my look. i'd say working at sfgam was one of the best decisions i've ever made and i don't care what other people say about working there. Alot of people make fun of me for it, but i just say hey, i love the job. I just tell them to work there and see how it is, until then don't critisize.

This actually surprises me, most of the ride ops I see look deathly board like they hate their job.  I wonder if its just the coaster enthusiasts who love the job for obvious reasons.

well, sometimes we do look bored..but thats because sometimes we put in 60 hour weeks...which means sometimes getting home from work at midnight (20 minute drive from SFGAm) and being back at work at 8 am the next morning.  And me personally I dont get to sleep right away (I would get to sleep about 1)so I was getting only about 6 hours of sleep..then working almost 14 hour shifts.  It can get tiring.  Plus having to be on our feet the entire time.
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Rob

"The doctor said I wouldn't have as many nose bleeds if I could just keep my finger out of there!" -Ralph

Ive worked at SFMM for exactly two weekends, and so far so good!  I couldn't be much happier in my current situation!  The people I work with and for are great, my shop location is great (no one comes there!), and having S:TE right next to you, B:TR going up the lift, and RRv going down the drop help too (such beautiful scenery!).

AMEN Rob I used to put in 12 to 16 hr/shifts at Silverwood TP in Idaho then drive 1hr 20min home I feel you man this must be love cuz I wouldn't have it any other way.

what parks offer housing for the help could any body tell me I would REALLY like to know!

I actually think Cedar Point has employee housing (I was trying to get out of Colorado for a while and looked in to it, but that was a while ago.)

I can agree with the hours being insane, my first season as a supervisor I worked myself into the ground.  I did better this time, but my average was 60-65 hours a week.  I also agree about the people and the "second family."  Maybe that's what keeps me coming back.  That, and I get to run around outside!

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-Robin
"Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand..."

my most hours per week was like 79.5 i belive... i know guys that got 107 one week... they were on a marathon to get the per week record though and got it...lol... my longest shift was punch in at 8 am... punch out at 1 am... that was a party...hehe... this is all at VF... :P

I want to work at SFGAdv SFEG or CP but I need more info first.

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My longest shift at CP this year was this: punch in at 5:55 am and punch out at 1:30 am.  gg Discovery Channel shoot.  That was after a closing shift on the day before, so I was away from CP for about 5 hours total that night.  It's a good thing I only lived right down the Causeway....

-Natalie
Who had 82 hours that week.

Ok, well...In case you haven't seen my signature before, I work at SFMM, and I must say I can't really see myself working anywhere else at the moment. Everyone I've worked with in my past 3 months (wow, 3 months today...weird...) has been absolutely awesome, and the experience has been incredible! Now, I don't know if that's because it's still "new" to me or what, but I'm having a great time working there.

For all of y'all that are wondering...I work at B:TR...

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Yeah, I work at Magic Mountain...What's your point?

I worked at SFWoA this year. It was my first summer working there. I also got the new ride which was a big learning experiance. Mostly learning how do deal w/ bulls**t people can give you. Which will be good in the long run. I plan on returning. Also, they didnt lie when they said it would be the funniest job you'll ever have in the beginning. It was, sure long hours and long days in heat and people screaming their heads off at you but all in all when people get off the ride smiling and you get compliments or get a scare silly kid to ride the ride and come off loving it and smiling and getting a big hug its all worth it.
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Don't mess with the X in 01
X-Flight team member 2001!