Just a Thought Looking For An Opinion.

Okay,

I obviously know most of you are going to have biased opinions on this, but I wanted to just "get it out".

My girlfriend, who has absolutely no interest in the difference between Intamin and B&M, or could care less about Cedar Fair's quarter profits, recently brought up a point to us "scholarly experts" on the theme park industry.

She wonders how I even have fun at theme parks. Of course I was puzzled, and demanded an explanation. She said that I (us) am (are) so critical about theme parks, so technical and wanting to critique every immelman and launch out there, that I don't have "just plain fun". She says I don't enjoy theme parks for what they are supposed to offer, fun. A day to relax and get away from the world (minus those $10 chicken fingers of course).

I just want to know what you think. I am an understanding person and I completely see her point. I guess this is how "experts" (if some of us even are) go about things.

Just don't bash on her, I want to know opinions.

University of South Florida....literally across the street from pretty much the best place ever....BGA

She definitely has a point. Of course it's a different place on the spectrum for everyone, but she has a point.

Your girlfriend sounds about as much fun as riding an 80mph RCCA woodie running B&M trains in a swarm of muffleheads while missing the Coastercon gravy buffet.

lolololol j/k

She would ask if that is a different language..lol

"RCCA??? HUH??"

University of South Florida....literally across the street from pretty much the best place ever....BGA

I am extremely critical of parks, but it doesn't mean I don't have a good time. In general, it seems like many people are too forgiving of the sterilized park experience all too common today. Plus, when you find that gem of a park, you enjoy it that much more. :)

So using your girlfriend's logic...

...chefs don't enjoy eating.

...film critics don't enjoy going to the theater or watching a DVD.

...music critics don't enjoy listening to music or going to concerts.

...art critics don't enjoy going to museums.

I happen to think it is my love of coasters and my ability to be critical of them that enables me to enjoy them MORE! If I were not critical I'd just be some poor slob who didn't know the difference between Intamin or B&M...or GCI from CCI...or Vekoma from Gerstlauer...or....

^ Good point Mamoosh.

Wasn't there a thread a few months back that asked the same thing? I mean as to why we love coasters/parks or something?

It was a pretty good one too.

I'm too lazy to look, plus I realy haven't been in the archives before.

I suggest finding that thread and have her read it.

Thanks for another great season, VF!

It's a addicting thing to do. What I do is if I'm around people that are not into that sort of thing I keep my comments to myself untill I'm out of the park. What people have to realize is that being a coaster buff is addicting. Once this hobby is in your blood it's hard to quit. It's very simalar to doing a sport. My issue is worst. I love waterparks as much as coasters. So I have two problems. And in my opinion it's alot better to talk about a theme park then about the mall, by far better.

I see it this way.

When I'm at the parks, I've having the time of my life.

When I'm online, I'm overly critical of things like rides & operations and discuss things like quarterly results and the business benefits to corporate decisions.

I don't see why she thinks you can't have it both ways.

If this forum were nothing but, "OMG!!!! That Ride was so great!!!11!1 I like roller coasters!!!! This park is my favorite!!!!!!" - I'd be forced to shoot myself in the face.

coasterimage - lordgonchar

I look at it like this, and its not just amusement parks, its everything from My vehicles I drive to WWE wrestling. All I want is the most bang for my buck. The only time I start becoming overly critical of something (wether it be dinner at a resturaunt or a ride op at an amusement park) is when I feel like I am being short changed so to speak.

gary b

Thanks for a good laugh Gonch...

I can see where she is coming from, but I have a blast at parks especially when I get to ride the kiddie coasters with my kids. They have so much fun and we even have a new word for coasters in my house thanks to my 2 1/2 year old daughter. She calls them "Coe-Coes!"

I never said I agreed with her now...

I have explained that enjoying a theme park is my passion, of course if you are not personally involved in something you do not understand it. That goes for anyone and anything.

University of South Florida....literally across the street from pretty much the best place ever....BGA

For every bit of complaining we do about parks and certain coasters, I think we can all say that we would rather be riding one of those coasters we complain about than being at work or living our normally routine lives :)

Going to parks is more than just the rides. Its hanging out with friends and family and having a good time. Like Gonch said, we just complain about it when we get home ;)

Certain victory.

Bruno H. said:
My issue is worst. I love waterparks as much as coasters. So I have two problems. And in my opinion it's alot better to talk about a theme park then about the mall, by far better.

I love both carnivals, and amusement parks. I don't know about the rest of the people here, but I complain about some things that make my experience less enjoyable. Closing rides down early is one of them. It's just one particular instance I don't agree with it. This doesn't mean I'm not having tons and tons of fun at the amusement park, or carnival. Obviously, if that was the case, what's the point of going to the carnival, or amusement park??

It's like a baseball game. You feel you know something that the manager should have done such as sent that runner to third base (steal the base), but they didn't do it. So, you wish you could tell the manager to send the runner, but he doesn't. You still enjoy watching the game, but that one part you complain about.

I am with Mamoosh here.

Instagram, Ryan Rides on YouTube

Mamoosh said:

...chefs don't enjoy eating.
...film critics don't enjoy going to the theater or watching a DVD.
...music critics don't enjoy listening to music or going to concerts.
...art critics don't enjoy going to museums.

Well given those points, there is a major difference between us and them. They are supposed to be critical, they get paid for it. Whereas in our world, we pay to be critical.

IMO, those on any type of coaster/ amusment park site are just like a sports enthusiast. We can yell, cheer, boo all we want. It doesn't make that much of a difference, and we will continue to do it no matter what.

^^browntggrr: you can easily substitute "fan" for "critic" in mooosh's post and the message is still the same. For example, read video game forums for a while. You'd think the people there dont even like games anymore and that the industry is doomed.

It's funny because there they practice elitism by calling themselves "hardcore gamers" as opposed to "casual/mainstream gamers" much like the "enthusiast/GP" split seen here. Quite comical.

eightdotthree said:
I am with Mamoosh here.

Hey, wait in line! It's *my* turn to be with 'Moosh. ;)

Seriously though, 'Moosh is right in that people who really love any particular thing are usually the harshest critics, but that doesnt mean they dont enjoy it. I have the unique opportunity as while I am a coasterfreak, my wife is a (borderline) wine snob so we go to wine events as much as park stuff. We she reads these and other boards, she thinks coasterdorks are tools. When I see the winepricks, I think they have their panties twisted. It pretty much boils down to perspective.

But if she has any doubt that us "crittics" dont enjoy things, she just needs to see us when we are at out respective "favorite" rides. We tend to gush practically orgasmically when we feel we have found "The One" (not necessarily the Pepsi Max Big One :)).

lata, jeremy

They are supposed to be critical, they get paid for it.

I was speaking in generic terms ["film critic"], not professional ["Film Critic"]. Not that getting paid for an opinion makes one iota of difference in the discussion.

Only those who truly *appreicate* the subtleties can see past the forest to get to the trees? ;)

LOL, honestly, what can a park or chain *gather* from a post that says "Park X sucks", or "Park Y rocks"? Not a lot.

But when I say "those parks with Xcelerator (sp?) hand-dryers certainly have a leg up on the paperless restrooms that have *standard* hand-dryers"....then that's specific and informative. Some parks that have gone paperless in the restrooms and have *other* hand-dryers might even take note... ;)

With second-rate hand-dryers, I'd almost prefer to go back to paper...and I'm an environmentalist! Just one that likes dry hands, LOL... :)

Gator, "OMG!!!! That post was so great!!!11!1 I like roller coaster forums!!!! This message is my favorite!!!!!!"

Gonch, it was nice knowing you. :)