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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 · 12/06/2021 00:06

I don't do Colossus though. That one gives me a headache. Absolutely LOVE Swarm & Stealth

bubblebubblebubbletrouble · 12/06/2021 00:11

I love them and always have done since I was very young & am enjoying taking my 2 to them as they get taller.
Trying to find a time to leave dd2 at home and take dd1 to Thorpe.
I went to Thorpe Park for the first time in about 20 years with some colleagues & I think the responsibility of being a parent made me a bit more scared than ever before. Imagine if my kids lost me because I went on a ride (totally irrational since there are so few accidents but even so...

ohforarainyday · 12/06/2021 10:16

No because I hate rollercoasters, but I bloody love water parks.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 12/06/2021 10:22

I've never enjoyed theme parks. I get motion sickness. DS wants to go to Disney World and I'm baulking at the thought, I'd love to give him the experience but I hate rides!

FricasseeTurnips · 12/06/2021 10:30

I think the responsibility of being a parent made me a bit more scared than ever before. Imagine if my kids lost me because I went on a ride (totally irrational since there are so few accidents but even so...

I had to stop horse riding after having DC for this very reason - I had to leave right after my lesson to collect from preschool and I kept thinking if I fell off no one would be there!

Same for rickety fairground rides - i get The Fear on those and so stopped. I could cope with Thorpe Park because I didn't think I was going to die (and there would be a massive pay out if so!) but it just wasn't fun anymore.

Houseofvelour · 12/06/2021 10:55

@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 amazing!!!
underneaththeash · 12/06/2021 11:02

I love tamer rides - but most of trines at Thorpe park are just too fast abs jerky fur me (and the dodgy discs in my neck).
Love Disney.

Farwest · 12/06/2021 11:05

Love both theme parks and water parks! I'm a long way over 40... but they're still fun. I think I am less tolerant of them when very very crowded.

Camomila · 12/06/2021 11:40

I like them but I'm only 33 and my eldest is 5 so the scariest ride he'll go on is the little roller coaster with the dragon at lego land.

amusedbush · 12/06/2021 13:32

I’m 31 and I used to love rollercoasters but I’ve become more scared of heights as I’ve aged. DH (also 31) is horrified by them so we’ve never been to a theme park together. I really want to go to Disneyland when we finally travel to Japan but the entry fee will be wasted on him!

I took him on a tame ride at Coney Island a few years ago and he was green by the end of it Grin

AramintaArrowsmith · 12/06/2021 13:43

@QueSeraSarah blimey. And I feel all decadent by driving into the city centre on my own and sitting having lunch

DarlingWithoutYou · 12/06/2021 14:56

Oh, I LOVED them ten years ago and went to Thorpe Park loads of times. Then I got older and had DC and now have the absolute FEAR and would rather die than go on now. Literally.

ICanSmellSummerComing · 12/06/2021 15:07

Yes and no, it depends what theme park, I'm not keen on UK ones at all
I like places with proper theming and charm and magic.
I used to be nervous of rides but I've managed to get myself in some, big thunder mountain at disney is my favourite and I've been on some at efteling in Holland

hellskittens · 12/06/2021 15:47

Love Epcot. My favourite place on Earth

WotNoLoobrush · 12/06/2021 16:19

Love coasters, despite a group of girls at TP giving me a weird look as I queued alone at age 40🤷.

Interestingly, the only other middle age-ish women I saw there were accompanying children/teens. Saw a few men though.

SwimBaby · 12/06/2021 16:50

I used to love them, I had the Merlin Pass for four years so went to theme parks really often. I’ve been to Disney in LA, Florida and France. Then when I got to about 46/47 I went off the big rides, I’m started to feel nauseous. I think I’ll go back when I have GC more for the day out but for now I’ve overdosed on theme parks.

BeyondMyWits · 12/06/2021 16:59

I like theme parks - especially Disney/Universal - rather than just a collection of rides. I don't enjoy big coasters, I do enjoy a teacup ride or a boat ride, or a big wheel, or a target shootem up, or a skyline tram, or a 4D cinema show, or a character walkthrough .... a lot of those are lacking in the uk parks which seem to concentrate on thrill rides above all other...

itsamegladon · 12/06/2021 17:09

@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 😁
So jealous!
sourrain · 12/06/2021 18:04

I loved them as a teen, but haven't really been since. I think it's the atmosphere more than the rides. I spent so much time in theme parks as a child, particularly Alton Towers, that it's nostalgia for me. That said I do love a river rapid ride.

QueSeraSarah · 15/06/2021 22:58

@WotNoLoobrush I'll see you there... 😁

Kinsters · 16/06/2021 03:03

Haven't been for years. It wasn't something my parents were interested in at all so I only went with friends when we were old enough to drive ourselves there. Can't imagine myself going again tbh. When my kids are older I'll take them to kiddie theme parks but once they're old enough for Alton towers etc they can sort it out themselves.

Silkiecats · 16/06/2021 03:50

I love waterpark but less keen on theme parks. Not keen on lots of people and queues and can't do temperatures now. I also get dizzy so easily so can't do spinning rides. I do enjoy some of the rides though. Waterparks could do every day.

ShonkyCat · 16/06/2021 05:08

I hate rollercoasters, hate crowds, hate queuing and standing round in the sun. Theme parks are basically my idea of hell.

garlictwist · 16/06/2021 05:39

I have never liked them. I get motion sickness so hate rides. Can't stand crowds or queues and would much rather go for a good hike Grin

Afonavon · 16/06/2021 06:04

@Camomila

I like them but I'm only 33 and my eldest is 5 so the scariest ride he'll go on is the little roller coaster with the dragon at lego land.
This made me laugh,as this is my level of scariness! The dragon coaster at Legoland, Treetops at Oakwood, and Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal. Grin

I have always been scared, and have been on many scary rides hoping to overcome the fear of falling out/coming off the track, but it never subsides.

I reckon my survival instinct is stronger than the endorphins released therefore I have never enjoyed anything scarier than the above kiddy coasters.

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