TV report says there's no proof that DreamVision exists

Wait... Bernie Sanders hasn't promised everyone free admission to theme parks yet?

But would a boom result in more parks? With each economic boom, I'd argue that the number of parks have decreased as a result of people being able to travel more freely. Call it a consolidation if you will.

For example, once Geauga Lake closed I can see three (maybe four) parks the benefitted from its closure: Cedar Point, Kennywood, Waldameer, and maybe Darien Lake. Waldameer has grown at a crazy pace since GL's closure and Kennywood has expanded somewhat as well. While Cedar Point isn't breaking attendance records like they did in the 90's they are still refreshing attractions and holding their own. Aside from that, there are other entertainment options that now exist that has taken its place of amusement park visit. If GL were to reopen at its present location, I think we would be sorely disappointed with how the park would fare. Kind of like what happened to Americana/LeSourdesville Lake.

The only way I could see new amusement parks opening is if there is a population shift to another area and only if there isn't a major park already serving that area. Right now the population shift is to the Southeast US, and Carowinds is responding to it. I just don't see how a new park will open anytime soon. Instead, I think we will see a further consolidation where parks that are trying to compete in an oversaturated area could close.

I think that's why Kentucky Kingdom reopening was such a huge surprise. Kings Island and Holiday World are nearby, and HW continues to expand and add guest numbers that it'll be interesting to see how KK turns out and if HW can continue to draw those numbers. I think HW adding Thunderbird was a major strategic move to draw those numbers. Only time will tell.

~Rob

I think your points are valid on a micro level but I was mostly referring to an amusement park boom in the macro sense.

Do you mean to the level there once was during the "Golden Age"? I know Columbus at one time had 6 amusement parks. Most of them weren't grand affairs, but they were trolley parks catering to the locals. It's as far as anyone ever went without packing a trunk.
Every town of any size in Ohio had a park of some sort, and I just try to imagine what was going on in Pennsylvania. But to Rob's point, back then a trip to the outskirts of town or to the nearby lake was a day trip excursion. So I'll say no, that will never happen again.

Do you mean like we saw in the 70's? Once again, things were different then. Many small local parks had fallen out of favor, and racial trouble and economic disparity was hanging on from the 60's. Most parks weren't nice places to go to.
Angus Wynn came along with a re-invention to save us all. Six Flags popped up outside three major metro areas catering to folks seeking a day's worth of diversions that they could reach by car. Interstate travel by then was easy. Everyone had a car and 7 bucks.
The big boom you refer to came as developers in other metro areas cashed in on the craze and there was finally a saturation point. Most visitors, even then, were local/regional, and we can all think of the few metro areas left without a park.
The point has been pressed many times here that the majority of the US population doesn't travel to do this unless it's a destination. Disney, Busch, Dollywood, places like that get the travelers. ACE, once again in the 70's, sought to identify enthusiasts and parks that we as a subset would and should travel to. It's why we are what we are and why we think of these things.

I apologize for this little history lesson, maybe it's not necessary, but I'm trying to illustrate that Rob and other responders may be offering "micro" examples because there aren't any "macro" examples left.
As he points out, and as history proves, something has to change, socially or economically in order for a boom to re-occur. Our best bet for a huge building boom would be for the nature of amusement parks to change drastically and the places as we know them would go away. And that's fine, as long as I'm dead and gone. I'm perfectly happy with the way things are, I think we've got it great right now.

Looking for the vote up x 1,000 button. RCMAC picked up the hammer and hit the nail square on the head.

RCMAC beautifully orated what I was trying to say. Thank you!

If you want to see a boom on anything on a macro level, look no further than China. My field is in the Automation World and at the trade shows and events, the focus on China is astounding. So many companies are looking into that country as a new emerging market and a major untapped resource. For the first time in their history the majority of the population will become the middle class over the next couple of decades. This is because of the companies that have used them for cheap labor for so many years and now that population is making the money to sustain a lifestyle on a level closer to the US and Europe. They are enjoying amenities for the first time that we've been enjoying for decades. The stats I've seen from shows put the economic boom from post WW2 US as a mere flea jump compared to what they are predicting.

If you check out the video in the Intamin Speedboat Ride Thread, the video cited that China has 65 new amusement parks under construction. 65!! That's your boom!!

Now look to the US that has a mature infrastructure and small population shifts that occur over a long period of time. You aren't going to see a boom. And its going to be extremely difficult just to see a new park open. Think of the parks that have opened in the 90's-00's that are not part of a large chain and how many of them are still operating today. It's insanely difficult to get a new amusement park off the ground. That's why I think Kentucky Kingdom is such a unique situation. The park was closed long enough for many changes to happen in its area. Only time will tell if the park is successful.

The world is NOT Roller Coaster Tycoon.