Different kinds of amusement and theme parks PART II

As I mentioned, from the time that amusement parks began to develop all over the place, designers began to compete for public interest. They would develop more and more outrageous ideas to attract publicity. From Bill Mehers’ documentary “Religious” I learned there is even a theme park dedicated to Jesus Christ. That such park, named “The Holy Land Experience” is located in Orlando, Florida. Pilgrims from around the world travel there to experience the world known from the Bible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM0_7PcG7hk

In 1881, a town by the name of Calico was established in California. The town's name is derived from many different colors visible on a nearby mountain side. King Mountain at the time was commonly said to be "as purty as a gal's calico skirt." The establishment of the town was in direct response to the largest silver strike of the state that had occurred. The word “strike” is used as a term in reference to the sudden discovery of land, which contains high concentration of a precious material, such as silver in this case. It resulted in result the flood of people moving to the area seeking work. The local population and economy of Calico hastily grew and was stable from 1881 to 1896. However, when the silver rush ended in 1896, the population and economy declined to the status of a ghost town. Completely abandoned and deprived of the valuable silver the nearby mountains once contained, the town would serve no purpose until years later.

Today the town has became something of an attraction, and is considered historical. Despite no longer being a source of silver, it has become a destination to visit for both entertainment and historical education. One-third of the mining town's buildings are original, while the remaining others have needed restoration over the years. They've been restored in such a way as to mimic the true appearance of buildings during their original time. In contrast to most other theme parks, there are no adrenaline thrills, elaborate, extreme rides in Calico. A different form of entertainment can be enjoyed there. Should you ever visit Calico, you're met with the ability to experience life as it was when the town flourished originally. I think it would be very interesting for parents to watch their children interact with townsfolk from a much different era.

Photo by me.

Now I’d like to present to you Universal Studios Hollywood. This park is dedicated to one of the oldest still working studios in California. It’s huge and located on the hills outside Los Angeles. It consists of couple of separated parts. Before you walk in you can visit the Universal City Walk. There are bars, restaurants, there is the biggest neon-guitar of Hard Rock Coffee, cinema, LA Dodgers Club House and much more. It’s crowded 24/7.

http://images.travelpod.com/users/sugarstar/7.1186084296.1_universal-citywalk-after-dark.jpg

In the next section (Apper Lot) just next to the entrance there are different shows and movie experience. In my opinion the best one is Terminator 3D experience, or a scene from the “Water World” placed in a water scenography. It’s also worth seeing King Kong 360 3-D, created by Peter Jackson. It’s the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experience.

http://www.seleb.tv/uploads/article-images/king-kong-360-3d-20100630165533.jpg

There is also Gibson amphitheatre where many rock stars had played. In next part of the park you can go for Universal Studios Tour where you go across movie sets or popular movies and TV series scenography. You can also see movies actually being filmed.

http://mt41-blogs.universalstudioshollywood.com/ush_photo_galleries/assets_c/2010/10/MainShot-ST-Tram-flat-thumb-540xauto-669.jpg

Next part is Lower Lot which is more like amusing park. Among others, there is a roller coaster inside a pyramid from the movie “Mummy”. Or amazing water ride across tropical Jurassic Park. You can also take part in a lesson about how special effects are made.

Let's go back to Disneyland for a while... The Magic Kingdom in the center of Walt Disney World is a home to children's favorite Disney characters. Costumed actors readily entertain and interact with the children. There are several themed rides and attractions, specifically catered to children of various ages. At its center there is the Cinderella's Castle. The entire area is supported by a functioning industry which provides visitors with provisions such as hotels and restaurants.

http://purc.psych.ucla.edu/images/locations/disney.jpg

Apart from just characters from Loony Toons and Disney - The Simsons, Hello Kitty and Sesame Street characters also have their place in the entertaining world of amusement parks (Crusty Land, Sesame Place and Hello Kitty theme park). There is even a theme park devoted to fear. Frightworld is called America’s screampark and everything there is about horrors.

http://images.travelpod.com/users/davidandross/1.1249949743.krustyland.jpg

http://www.uwishunu.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sesame-place-bucks-composite1-680uw.jpg

In some places you don’t even have to worry about weather because
there are indoor amusement parks. Like this one in Colorado:

In Germany there is a huge dome in which there is an almost real tropical island. There is an imitation of a southern sea, Bali lagoons, a rain forest as well as a spa. You can stay in a tent and experience a very authentic tropical hiking adventure. Just as in Europe people are now allowed to lay on a sunny beach all year long, in hot Dubai there is a possibility to ski.

http://www.truedubai.com/homepage-ski-dubai/ski-hall-total-ski-dubai.jpg

Is any of those parks anything that interests you?

Which one would you like to visit?

What is it about amusement parks that people find so appealing?