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Original poster

Do you still enjoy theme parks?

54 replies

MissCalamity · 11/06/2021 19:22

Took the kids to a theme park yesterday (still half term for us) and I was initially excited to go as I used to love them when I was younger, however I'm now over 40 and gained quite a bit of weight since last time I went to a theme park.

I felt wedged in seats, both ways, most seats seem to have a dividing bit in-between so I could just about get in, but then being jostled about and having to hug DD so she wasn't scared and not being able to hold the handlebars, I'm surprised I'm not covered in bruises today. Shock

I think even when I loose the weight, I don't think I would ever enjoy them as much as I used to, same with waterparks......

OP posts:
QueSeraSarah · 11/06/2021 19:24

I love them (51) live an hour from Thorpe Park and sometimes drop the kids at school, drive straight there, go on my favourite rides a couple of times (rarely any queues) then back in time for school hometime 😁

LubaLuca · 11/06/2021 19:26

Less as I've got older. I find it's more physically demanding post-40, rattles the old joints and fillings! Plus I have a fear I didn't have as a carefree youth - that's my almost adult babies climbing on that huge, death-defying contraption Shock

Thewinterofdiscontent · 11/06/2021 19:28

@QueSeraSarah

I love them (51) live an hour from Thorpe Park and sometimes drop the kids at school, drive straight there, go on my favourite rides a couple of times (rarely any queues) then back in time for school hometime 😁
That sounds much more fun than the gym to be fair!

I love a theme park (50). Never went to any as a child.
I just get fed up with the queues and especially the families of queue jumpers now.

WaltzingToWalsingham · 11/06/2021 19:31

I used to really enjoy the physical sensations when riding rollercoasters, but I don't any more. I tend to feel unpleasantly dizzy/nauseous afterwards. I also feel really tense, because I'm afraid of my DC (who is tall but very slight) falling between the safety bars in a freak accident.

Original poster
MissCalamity · 11/06/2021 19:32

@QueSeraSarah

I love them (51) live an hour from Thorpe Park and sometimes drop the kids at school, drive straight there, go on my favourite rides a couple of times (rarely any queues) then back in time for school hometime 😁
God, my days off seem so tame in comparison 😂
OP posts:
BonnyEm · 11/06/2021 19:36

We have annual passes to a safari park with rides so we get wristbands with our passes. I usually just sit on a bench while the dc go on the rides. Certainly don't enjoy the rides like I used to.

Crunched · 11/06/2021 19:38

@QueSeraSarah

I love them (51) live an hour from Thorpe Park and sometimes drop the kids at school, drive straight there, go on my favourite rides a couple of times (rarely any queues) then back in time for school hometime 😁
I want friends like you!
Ginisatonic · 11/06/2021 19:41

We usually had Merlin annual passes. Went regularly throughout my forties and early fifties. Stopped going because our DC went off to university. I would still enjoy some of the rides. Air for example is one of my all time favourites. But I wouldn’t choose to go to a theme park for a full day out now.

pabloescobarselasticband · 11/06/2021 19:41

I absolutely detest them! I have fears that were never there when i was younger! The rides don't make me laugh they make me want to vomit. The massive queues, wasps, and extortionate prices all add to my idea of hell!

FricasseeTurnips · 11/06/2021 19:44

Went to Thorpe Park recently and it was all queuing and £££ for food. Queuing for over an hour for a 90 second ride? I just can't be arsed. Used to love Alton Towers as a child but that was before I had to be the responsible one carrying the bag and paying for everything.

Northernsoullover · 11/06/2021 19:46

I ended up with whiplash the last time I went to one. I'm not blaming them. Just my old bones Sad

Toasty280 · 11/06/2021 19:49

I love them! Wish I was closed to one to drop the kids at school and go. I usually take the kids to Florida every year and Busch gardens is our favourite (youngest is 15 and not a fan of roller coasters, he will quite often sit them out but he's getting better) we have a day planned at Alton towers soon :)

idontlikealdi · 11/06/2021 19:50

Never did like . Chessington at half term quadruple confirmed it. Disney is my idea of hell.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 11/06/2021 19:52

I find most rides boring. Have done since a project on them I a level physics and it's just forces now.

Going on a ride with my children and watching their joy is fun though.

Abraxan · 11/06/2021 19:56

I'm late 40s and love coasters.

As I've got older I tend to get motion sickness more but combat that by taking a travel sickness pill before I go in.

Due to arthritis I do get a few more aches and pains the day after but unless having a flare up it's fine. I still can manage a week or so of Orlando theme park days.

Figmentofimagination · 11/06/2021 19:57

@QueSeraSarah

I love them (51) live an hour from Thorpe Park and sometimes drop the kids at school, drive straight there, go on my favourite rides a couple of times (rarely any queues) then back in time for school hometime 😁
I would love to do this!

I love theme parks, have been to them when both at my heaviest and lightest and still get enjoyment out of going on the rides. Currently praying I can go back to Disney World next year.

Floralnomad · 11/06/2021 20:00

I used to love them , then I had an unfortunate experience on a ride on Blackpool pier that my daughter wanted to go on but wasn’t tall enough without an adult . Sadly that ride has put paid to any ride that goes sideways , backwards or upside down , I can’t even face backwards or sideways on a train . So now I’m strictly limited to forward facing , forward moving rides which is very limiting .

Tubbyinthehottub · 11/06/2021 20:09

Love love love them. I'm in my forties. Not waterparks though, no way.

TwoLeftElbows · 11/06/2021 20:11

I enjoy them mostly, but will often skip the one or two most extreme. I've never liked waltzers though, they've always hurt my neck too much.

sociallydistained · 11/06/2021 20:15

I used to be a theme park junkie and loved the biggest scariest, fastest rides over and over and over again. Last few times I’ve been to a theme park I’ve really struggled with the day. The rides make me feel sick/dizzy and I hate the queues! I still enjoy some rides but not like I used to.

Went to Florida for my brothers wedding and my sister in laws mother was an absolute thrill seeker. she even did the sling shot (if you know you know) and I just couldn’t imagine doing that! Jealous of the fact she still loves rides so much though!

Figmentofimagination · 11/06/2021 23:23

@sociallydistained

I used to be a theme park junkie and loved the biggest scariest, fastest rides over and over and over again. Last few times I’ve been to a theme park I’ve really struggled with the day. The rides make me feel sick/dizzy and I hate the queues! I still enjoy some rides but not like I used to.

Went to Florida for my brothers wedding and my sister in laws mother was an absolute thrill seeker. she even did the sling shot (if you know you know) and I just couldn’t imagine doing that! Jealous of the fact she still loves rides so much though!

The sling shot! I love rides but my god that ride freaks me out.
britespark1 · 11/06/2021 23:29

No I hate them now but loved them when I was younger Blush scared of heights all of a sudden plus suffer from high blood pressure which is always mentioned on the warning for each ride…..

DramaAlpaca · 11/06/2021 23:35

I hate them now and I hated them when I was young. They aren't my thing at all, I can't bear the out of control feeling on rollercoasters. Fortunately DH loves them so he would take the eldest two DC on the rides, while I stayed on terra firma with our more timid DC3.

Kottbullar · 11/06/2021 23:48

I've developed 'The Fear' as I've got older. I can happily go on rides I've been already but don't really like going on new things. I think it's because I had a funny turn after going on Rita at Alton Towers for the first time Hmm

StormyLovesOdd · 12/06/2021 00:04

I'm 50, used to love huge roller coasters. Now I still enjoy the ride but need to have a sit down for at least 40 minutes after each coaster as it leaves me with a horrible spinning headache.

I read somewhere that it's something to do with changes in your inner ear