Outdoor Recreation - Amusement And Theme Parks

Theme and amusement parks, in general, saw a drop in attendance in the early twenty-first century. According to Amusement Business magazine, attendance at the nation's top fifty parks fell 1.6% in 2003, to almost 168 million people, following a slightly smaller decline in 2002. Factors cited for the drop included the depressed U.S. economy, the war on terrorism and in Iraq, and bad weather during the early part of the summer season.

Many adults may also be wearying of the very things that give young adults such a thrill: high-tech, action-packed adventure. In addition, theme parks are becoming increasingly expensive to attend. According to Amusement Business, the average price in 2004 for an adult admission to a park was $44.99, up by $1.59 from 2003. An online poll conducted by the same magazine in April of that year found that 84% of respondents believed amusement park prices were too high.

Several theme parks reported attendance increases between 2002 and 2003, including Walt Disney World's EPCOT in Florida, up 4%; Disney's California Adventure, up 13%; SeaWorld Florida, up 4%; and Cedar Point and Paramount's Kings Island, both in Ohio, up 3% each. Attendance at most amusement parks, however, declined during 2003, according to data compiled by Amusement Business.

Those experiencing drops included Disney MGM Studios in Florida, down 2% from 2002; Universal Studios Hollywood, down 12%; and Busch Gardens in Florida and Adventuredome at Circus Circus in Las Vegas, both down 4%. Knott's Berry Farm in California also experienced a 4% drop, and Morey's Piers in New Jersey had a 5% falloff.

Because children are generally accompanied by adults to theme parks, the parks have begun seeking novel ways to appeal to adult visitors. The parks of the future will likely anticipate the needs and preferences of their older customers. They may feature fewer thrill rides and place greater emphasis on serene, comfortable surroundings, such as fountains, seats, and garden settings.

Similarly, parks are expected to cater to families' preferences for wholesome pastimes rather than competitive or violence-oriented activities. Legoland, a Carlsbad, California, park that debuted in 1998, invites visitors to build structures with plastic blocks and appeals to families seeking lively, creative recreation.