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We had a discussion in class yesterday about "mindless entertainment" in the guise of theme and amusement parks and "amusing ourselves to death" an idea by Neil Postman due to reading Fahrenheit 451. My students listed all the things we have around our area of Florida (the Mickey Mouse Capital of the East), and why do we continue to build theme and amusement parks (Lego Land just opened), and why people go? A student then asked whether other countries have as many as we do, and my response was I didn't think so, for we have tons of tourists who come here just to go to them, but I did know of some strange ones out there like in Dicken's World, Bon Bon Land in Denmark, Diggerland in the UK, Ocean Dome in Japan, EuroDisney and even Loveland in Korea (where it is porn in statue form- but I didn't share this one with my students!)
So my question to all of out there, is how many amusement/theme parks does your country have, have you ever been to one and what are the general opinions of them??
It's not all mindless entertainment in Orlando, and there's nothing wrong with a bit of mindless entertainment.
That said, now that my daughter has grown up I won't be going back to Orlando again. By the way, last time I was there I went to the Science Museum and to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, both being enjoyable and educational.
It's not all mindless entertainment in Orlando, and there's nothing wrong with a bit of mindless entertainment.
That said, now that my daughter has grown up I won't be going back to Orlando again. By the way, last time I was there I went to the Science Museum and to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, both being enjoyable and educational.
I don't put museums into that category. Plus, traveling to another country and going to these parks is a bit different, I think, from regulars/locals who go there continually. And thanks for coming to Orlando, though! Oh...and have you gone to those that are in the UK?
I don't put museums into that category. Plus, traveling to another country and going to these parks is a bit different, I think, from regulars/locals who go there continually. And thanks for coming to Orlando, though! Oh...and have you gone to those that are in the UK?
Orlando had its place when our daughter was of a certain age but over here I wouldn't dream of going to a theme park, though we did meet up with (American) friends at one- I think it was Thorpe Park, a totally forgetable experience as far as I was concerned.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Amusement parks are fun for people of all ages. I used to not really be into them because I got sick on rides, but I don't seem as bad anymore.
In Australia the Gold Coast is the 'theme park capital' of the country, with Dreamworld, Warner Bros. World, Seaworld, Wet'n'Wild and another one I think. I think Sydney had one pretty big one too, but it might not be there anymore. There used to be a Fox Studios in Sydney but that closed down. I don't recall there being many rides there though. The one in Perth, Adventure World, isn't really that 'world class' and is mostly visited by locals. Sydney and Melbourne have their much-loved 'Luna Parks' which are small places easily identified by the big scary clown face at the entrance. I've been to the ones in the Gold Coast and the ones here...during holiday season they can be packed and waiting in line for up to an hour isn't uncommon.
The major cities also have 'Royal shows' which began as agricultural shows and are similar to US state fairs. They are a pretty big deal for the young ones, I think hundreds of thousands of people go each year in each city. Lots of rides and entertainment.
Amusement parks are fun for people of all ages. I used to not really be into them because I got sick on rides, but I don't seem as bad anymore.
In Australia the Gold Coast is the 'theme park capital' of the country, with Dreamworld, Warner Bros. World, Seaworld, Wet'n'Wild and another one I think. I think Sydney had one pretty big one too, but it might not be there anymore. There used to be a Fox Studios in Sydney but that closed down. I don't recall there being many rides there though. The one in Perth, Adventure World, isn't really that 'world class' and is mostly visited by locals. Sydney and Melbourne have their much-loved 'Luna Parks' which are small places easily identified by the big scary clown face at the entrance. I've been to the ones in the Gold Coast and the ones here...during holiday season they can be packed and waiting in line for up to an hour isn't uncommon.
The major cities also have 'Royal shows' which began as agricultural shows and are similar to US state fairs. They are a pretty big deal for the young ones, I think hundreds of thousands of people go each year in each city. Lots of rides and entertainment.
Wow... I didn't know American parks reached there...and even others having American company names that I haven't come across! And that then makes me wonder if they had not started here, would something similar be there?
I am glad to see some true Australia ones though and smiled at your mention of the "Royal Shows".. Are they named that after the crown? And not too sure that would be "mindless pleasure" since they come only once a year and have competitions and live entertainment.
Thanks for sharing...and you are one of the few who got less sick on rides as you got older as usually it is the other way around (but then I am thinking MUCH older than what you are ).
....So my question to all of out there, is how many amusement/theme parks does your country have, have you ever been to one and what are the general opinions of them??
I am an older American residing in Portugal, and I personally have zero interest in these types of parks. However, many of my Portuguese friends have younger children, so I have some idea of what's on the menu.
I live on the SW coast and there is a water amusement park near me, though it is not on the seashore. Most local people either go to one in Seville, Spain or they go to the Parque das Nações in Lisbon. The former is an American-style creation, and the latter has a great aquarium. My friends with kids seem to go to one or the other once a year. There may be more amusement and theme parks, but I am not aware of them.
Sports and the seashore play a big part in entertainment. Most of the population lives along the coast, and there are beaches without end, and they are free. Swimming and surfing are immensely popular with young people. Cycling is also very popular. With my friends with teenage kids, their offspring very frequently travel to music events in groups for the weekend where they camp out.
As for theme parks, many of our towns and cities have extensive remains from earlier eras; thus, they are something on the order of "passive" theme parks. However, buskers, food vendors, sidewalk cafes, craft stalls are usually abundant in these places (at least in the summer) and the towns put on musical shows and folk dances. My friends pack up their kids about twice a year and head for one or the other of these towns.
Sofia Land, Bulgaria
Gorky Park, Russia
Wonder Island, Russia
I hear Germany has quite a few also.
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