by Kimberly Rily
Although theme and amusement parks do not cater solely to people with children, they are an attraction for millions of people of all ages every year. So, while these parks draw both teenagers and young adults, it’s also important that parks cater to families and act in accordance with family values. No one wants to bring their kids on vacation only to be presented with unsafe, unattractive, unsanitary settings. If parks want to keep their more innocent clientele, then it should be their mission to organize a united front on the matter of family values – to get the employees to behave on behalf of the park and to encourage guests to behave just as well.
A section on Paramount’s Great America and Kings Dominion map sets the expectations for park behavior. It reads, “To provide a safe, comfortable and fun-filled experience for all of our guests, we need your help. Please be respectful of others, abide by all park rules and regulations (posted throughout the park and available at Guest Services), and help us maintain a quality, family environment by not using profanity; by wearing appropriate attire while you are in the park; and by smoking only in designated areas. We also expect that you will not engage in any illegal, unsafe or offensive behavior while you’re here. Please talk with any park employee or stop by Guest Services if there is anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable.”
Safety First
Far from being a minor detail, this should be the highest goal of every amusement and theme park – to entertain guests safely. I grew up not being allowed to attend those parking-lot carnivals set up over a weekend. My mother was sure that someone would forget to secure a pin or screw, and I’d fall to my death. But we gave our highest trust to institutions like Busch Gardens, Walt Disney World, Six Flags and Paramount’s Kings Dominion. Surely nothing could happen to me there. At least that’s what my dad kept assuring me over and over as I cried in terror before going on rides with him and my older brother. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. This will be fun!”
The mostly teenage cache of ride attendees and lifeguards take care of simple common sense safety tips. Don’t run. Keep your hands inside the car at all times. Don’t dunk your brother. Please stay off the handrails. Don’t stand up on the speeding steel thrill ride. Advanced engineering and design safeguards us on thrill rides. We trust our bodies to these contraptions of speed and force. We trust that all the safety measures put into these machines will protect us. And that trust is well-placed. Most of us have seen rides that were stopped at a top of a hill or reset after an initial swing because the machines caught something that wasn’t working, and while it’s a pain to have to wait, we all probably think something like, “Better to be safe than sorry.”
Did you wash your hands?
Healthconcernsarenowalsobeingattended to. Besides posted health warnings and first aid stations, some parks are taking that extra step towards a healthy environment. Much to the chagrin of many smokers, along with airports and restaurants, amusement parks have been added to the list of places where one cannot smoke freely. Shocking to some, since the majority of parks are outdoors, but smoking is now allowed only in designated areas at many parks. Although parks are pleased with the reduced number of stubbed-out cigarette butts littering the parks, it also helps keep children away from second-hand smoke.
At Universal Studios Orlando , designers equipped watery play-areas with several dispensers of disinfectant hand gel. This is a relatively new feature outside of bathrooms. But, as I recently attended one California park with a cousin who repeatedly applied her own disinfectant to her three children throughout the day, I think that other parks won’t be far behind in following Universal’s example. I must say it’s nice that they took that next mothering step in helping prevent the spread of germs in children’s play areas.
You’re a guest, follow the house rules
You see them everywhere – those warning signs that state, “Holding a place in line is not permitted” and “line cutting is cause for dismissal.” The Paramount’s Kings Dominion map states, “State law requires riders to obey all warning and directions.” So, at that park, by flaunting an attendant’s warnings, you are breaking state law. Even so, guests seem to break the rules all the time. How well are these rules really enforced?
At a recent trip to Paramount’s Kings Dominion, we were warned before riding the Berzerker (one of my favorite classic rides – a Viking ship that swings and eventually holds you upside-down for several seconds) not to drop anything from the car – including spit. The ride operator repeated several times not to spit from the ride. I really wonder if this just planted a mischievous idea in some riders’ heads. Wouldn’t you know it? A couple of the kids in the row in front of me decided to spit. I narrowly missed loogies as the white spittle appeared in front of my face and was pulled earthward by much-appreciated gravity as the ride held me aloft. I’ve never felt more like the irritable grown-up than when shouting “Stop spitting” while being held inverted on an attraction I rode when I was 8. We asked the ride operator how long they’d been announcing “do not spit,” and she said as long as the park had been open. Of course, she didn’t make it clear if she meant open this morning, this season, or since the park’s inception. I sure don’t remember having to be told, “Don’t spit at people” when I was younger. We noted that despite posted signs, the spitters were not ejected from the park.
Behave decently (or, Pee-pee in the potty)
Although these fall under the category of rude park guests as well, there is a slight (but doubtful) chance that there aren’t enough bathrooms at some parks, or that the guest didn’t know (or want to take the time to find out) where the bathrooms were. I was once an unwilling eyewitness to a grown man who either could not “hold it” or just didn’t want to lose his place in line, when he felt he had to relieve himself in the wooded area just outside a winding queue. Although there were several snickers and gasps in the rest of the line, no one reported him to ride operators, and he was not ejected. (An added note to anyone tempted to try this in the future, some parks have a policy where you can get a “bathroom pass” where you can get a slip from a ride attendant, go take care of business and come back to the attraction without losing too much time in line and without the embarrassment of illegal exposure to minors.)
I’ve also witnessed people lay their children down anywhere from a manicured flowerbed to a park bench to change a diaper. While I’m sure it might save time from the walk to the bathroom, there are more comfortable accommodations (for both babies and onlookers) in restrooms. Even the men’s rooms are now equipped with changing tables. No excuses! No one wants to peek at poopy panties in the park! Although as a former park employee, I’m not sure I would have had the authority to do anything but kindly point out where the restrooms are located.
Dress appropriately
Oneofmyfavoriteamusementpark“games” – or at least a way to amuse myself – is to note people who are dressed inappropriately and see other onlooker’s heads turn. No, I’m not talking about those who show up at a park in 90-plus degree heat in a mini-skirt, silk blouse, and heels, although I think that attire is not quite appropriate for an amusement park. I’m talking about the women whose bikinis do not quite cover as much as a parent might like. These scantily-clad ladies (in my experience) are just slightly more prevalent than the gentlemen who have graphic t-shirts with less-than-family-friendly vocabulary or things that weren’t covered in your sex ed. class. So far, I’ve been told that I can’t ride a water slide due to certain bathing suit details, but I’ve never seen anyone thrown out of a park for their attire, although many parks have signs posted about this.
Even park employees can be the perpetrators of a marred visit. On one trip we were greeted at a children’s roller-coaster by an employee whose pants were around his knees and shirt was untucked, so that while he was standing, his appearance was disheveled but acceptable, but when he bent over to check the safety restraint of each guest (safety first, you know) we were shown a delightful view of his posterior. Luckily, he wasn’t “going commando.” I can’t begin to imagine how you’d explain that to a child.
Be efficient (or, Patience is a Virtue)
Okay, so it’s not the Boy Scout motto, but it should be right up there. I’ve been frustrated to observe a 20-passenger ride being filled with 14 people because two riders sat in the middle of a four-seat row. It’s exasperating to see rides and shows start without being filled to capacity, and still have a long line twisting out into the sun. At least one thing that all parks teach with their lines for admission, lines for bathrooms, lines for rides, and lines for food, is patience. Sometimes you can only take that lesson so many times in a day.
Actions have consequences
So, what can you do when guests or employees are being objectionable? The only thing to do is, well, object! Report offending guests to ride attendants or guest services. But unless you get a name, description, and license plate number, it’s difficult to get a specific person kicked out unless a park employee sees the activity, and the unsuitable behavior is serious enough to warrant dismissal. The resulting question is: Do guests really want to spend their precious time reporting other guests to the authorities? Or would they rather just try to ignore idiots interfering with their vacations and get on with their day? Because of this, guests behaving badly are not very likely to be reprimanded, and often get away with bad behavior. However, offending employees are easier to report than fellow guests. For one thing, they wear nametags; for another, they tend to stay at one location. They may not be ejected from the park, but are more likely to acquiesce to your requests, seeing that they are monetarily tied to your wishes.
Encouraging responsible behavior
What I really like best is when a park tries to encourage positive family values, such as respect, honesty, and kindness. Yes, I know that amusement parks are not responsible for raising families or parenting. They’re only responsible for safety on rides and the condition of merchandise and food sold on the premises. Parents need to be with their young children at all times, and even teenagers need a little supervision occasionally. However, it’s great when a company takes that extra step to be part of that village raising a child. In Fievel’s Playland at Universal Studios Orlando, there is a sign that states, “Welcome. Use caution, respect, young visitors and such.” At the neighboring Islands of Adventure, the Lorax encourages children to recycle in the middle of Seuss Landing. It’s an above-and-beyond way to encourage family values in parks, and I, for one, like it!
Regardless of whether or not your facility is aiming to attract children, families or teenagers, it likely has to appeal to the sensibilities of Mom & Dad. By providing a clean, safe and efficient atmosphere, you are already halfway there. Encouraging responsible behavior among your staff and guests will easily make your park more valuable to everyone.
