The amusement park industry started in medieval Europe when "pleasure gardens" began to spring up on the outskirts of major European cities. These forerunners of today's modern amusement parks featured the basic attractions that now make up the modern theme park. In these pleasure parks, dancing and live entertainment were present, and even fireworks shows were put on to entertain the guests. Although obviously quite simple, "rides" were also offered as another form of entertainment. The rides consisted of horseback riding, and other simple structures built for the sole purpose of entertainment. In such a manner, the amusement park industry was offset. After the primitive beginning of the modern theme parks during the late 1800s, the growth of the industry shifted to America, following the increased urbanization of the country, subsequent to the modernization following the Civil War.
Urbanization in America gave rise to electric trolley companies. Needing money, the trolley companies urged customers to ride the trolleys on weekends by forming them into entertaining "rides" instead of simple transportation services. This stimulated the formation of dancing halls, picnic and game facilities, and restaurants, as well as many other attractions close to the trolley park. Soon citizens came to enjoy the entertaining trolley rides, and later stayed to enjoy the picnic facilities and live entertainment. Slowly, but steadily, these parks transformed with time, and with the development of advanced technological methods of constructing modern attractions.
American theme parks have been around for quite some time now. Today's American amusement parks were modeled after one of the first American theme parks, established in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Slowly, different parks around the country evolved, introducing a variety of themes in order to match the customers' tastes. Walt Disney opened Disneyland, perhaps the world's most well known theme park, in 1954, in Anaheim, California. This park was one of the first to differ from traditional American amusement parks in regard to theme; Disneyland based its theme upon stock characters (Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, etc.), in order to draw the attention of children, who then begged their parents to take them to the park. After experiencing sheer success with the newly developed theme, Disney opened Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 1971. As time passed, many other less conspicuous theme parks began to open their doors to the public. Thus in such a way many theme parks established themselves, and began the rapid climb to popularity, particularly in the temperate South.
After the Great Depression in 1929, about only 400 parks remained, struggling frantically to hang on. The strongest survived; the weak were wiped out with the further onslaught of World War II.
Today's major amusement parks, although international favorites, compete and constantly develop new, interesting ways in which to keep their guests entertained, amused, and happy.
Here are some interesting sites regarding this month's topic:
This is just a good overall site that focuses on the more popular theme parks (Disneyland, Magic Mountain, etc.). It gives direct links to (usually) the official home pages for various parks, and lists the attraction, live entertainment available, and ticket prices.
This is a great site for locating roller coaster parks around the world. With the available search engine you can search for roller coaster parks in England, Mexico, Canada and, of course, the U.S. Here, amusement parks are named, and the attractions (roller coasters) are listed and often rated. This site offers informative rumors regarding upcoming attractions, and an extensive review page on dozens of roller coasters. Some interesting statistics are also readily available (the tallest, fastest, oldest, most famous, and the roller coaster with the most loops). Take a look at this site to find out!