Thursday, August 03, 2006
Cedar Point. The first one I ever went to, and still the best. We started going in the late 60s, when I was too small to ride the most exciting rides. Later when I was in college, I went a few times with friends. And there was the memorable trip when I took my cousin camping and to Cedar Point, locking our keys in the car, forgetting matches, getting sick on frozen bananas, and riding in the front car on every roller coaster they had, over and over. Then when I conned Carl into letting the Army send him to U of M for his masters, we had season passes and went every couple of weeks.
Elitch Gardens (Elitch's). I spent way too much time looking for a decent picture of this. We went on a family vacation to Colorado sometime around 1970, and part of that included a visit to Elitch's. It's since been moved, and taken over by Six Flags.
Walt Disney World. A family trip in 1980--my mom, my aunt, my cousins, and me. The summer I couldn't find a job, so my mom gave me $20 spending money in addition to paying for the trip. My first plane trip, and I was a bit mortified wearing matching outfits with my 9-years-younger cousin. Not to mention that mine was red, which I didn't like, and hers was purple--my favorite color. My new white Converse tennis shoes were ruined at the park, too. I loved Space Mountain, loathed It's a Small World, and all in all thought it was a long way to go for less fun than Cedar Point.
Busch Gardens. Sadly, I don't remember all that much about this park. I have the impression that back in 1980, it wasn't quite as elaborate as it is now, but that could be due to the situation.
Märchenland. This was a kind of creepy little park we took our daughter to when she was about 3. I'm not even sure this is the correct website, but the few photos available look familiar. You walk on a path through the woods to various settings from fairy tales, and push the big red button to make the animatronic characters move and listen to a recorded voice tell the fairy tale.
Smurfland. This one took me forever to find, too--mostly because it no longer exists. The link gives a little explanation. Smurfland was my daughter's first field trip. She was almost 4, and her preschool went on an all-day field trip across the border to Metz, France, to go to Smurfland.
AstroWorld. Boy, this is sad. Another closed park. Anyway, back in the U.S., we went to Houston with our 5-year-old daughter and newborn son, armed with lots and lots of water. This trip was most remarkable for the fact that our daughter rode (was allowed to ride) the Viper--a rollercoaster with a loop. She loved it, and rode several times, but it was a long time before she'd brave a looping coaster again.
Sea World Ohio. Darn, this is getting depressing. Yet another closed park. What is up with this? 1991, I believe. Middle of the first Gulf War. Carl was in grad school, we were in Ann Arbor, and Sea World had free passes for servicemembers. Our then-6-year-old daughter was traumatized when she was told that she couldn't play in the empty playscape because she was a year too old.
Holiday Park. Back in Germany. I'm not sure when we first went--it might have been before we went back to the U.S.--but we've been a few times. I mostly remember our older son, who was a train fanatic, refusing to get off the train ride when he was about 3. It's not that big, but it's not bad, either. We haven't been since we've been back. I'm thinking we really need to go.
Europa Park. We've only been there once, with two small kids and a mother-in-law along, and what I remembered of it didn't impress me much. Looking at the website, though, I'm thinking that perhaps I ought to reconsider.
Michigan's Adventure. This is what I remember: we went the summer of 1997, while visiting my mom when we moved back from Germany. I remember her saying it was a new amusement park, and that certainly seemed to be true--it was fairly small, and there were no lines, even in the middle of summer. However, the info online says it's been around since the 50s, and it also says the Shivering Timbers rollercoaster that I know I rode (it's a pretty distinctive name) didn't open until 1998. Huh. Further investigation reveals that it used to be the Deer Park Petting Zoo, which I remember visiting as a child.
Sea World San Antonio. When we moved back to San Antonio, we bought season passes our first year there. The Lost Lagoon was the best part of the passes.
Fiesta Texas. We lived in San Antonio while it was being built, by our insurance company, but we missed the opening, and the initial free tickets for USAA members. Darn. We kept talking about getting season passes, but haven't yet. Maybe when we move back.
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Cheeky's singalong
2. The saga of Karen's hair
3. Carmen in Vegas
4. Shannon on working at home
5. Something's Missing's domestic disasters
6. Laura eavesdrops
7. About MinervaJane
8. Doug increases our vocabularies
9. When the human's away, Zeus will play
10. Pissed-off Mysterious Lady
11. Raggedy tells how to I.D. a bad day
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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OK so I am a slacker cause I have only been to one on your list (and I thought I had been to quite a few...haha)
I did go to Smurfland at Carowinds (NC/SC) before it was bought out by Paramount....
I played too
I did go to Smurfland at Carowinds (NC/SC) before it was bought out by Paramount....
I played too
Smurfland, OMG!
I love amusement parks...there used to be (could still be) a really hokey one in Illinois called Santa's Village...
My Thursday Thirteen is up!
Happy Thursday!
I love amusement parks...there used to be (could still be) a really hokey one in Illinois called Santa's Village...
My Thursday Thirteen is up!
Happy Thursday!
I;m afraid of roller coasters, so amusement parks are hard for me! My TT is up too--www.goddessinthecity.blogspot.com
I have fond memories of Sea World San Antonio, of bringing along a spray bottle so my wife and son wouldn't get heat stroke . . .
Mine's up, as you know. Thanks for the penises.
Mine's up, as you know. Thanks for the penises.
# posted by 
: 8/03/2006 10:02 PM
: 8/03/2006 10:02 PM
Hmm, Sea World would be fantastic to visit if I were allowed to devour the cast! I guess that won't be happening any time soon though. (Shamu - you're a buffet waiting to happen!)
Happy Thursday!
Happy Thursday!
Awww why does everyone get all the fun?! I don't even recall going to any amusement parks when I was kid..okay so I went to Six Flag, but that it. Cool they had Smufland, that I didn't even know exist!
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