Coasting Into Theme-Park Adventures

Every family is divided into two kinds of people: roller coaster lovers and roller coaster haters.

Unfortunately, I fall into the crowd that would rather get a root canal than ride the latest-fastest-scariest coaster. I go on them anyway, gritting my teeth most of the time, just so my kids won’t think I’m a chicken.

With nearly 40% of vacationers heading to the nation’s 450 theme parks this summer, from Disney World in Florida to Indiana’s Holiday World, there’s no better place to watch that eternal push-pull of conflicting family desires.

Families can use all the help they can get, especially when the kids start whining in those hot, crowded theme parks and after you have spent big bucks. (On average, a family of four is spending a record $151.44 this year for admission, lunch and two souvenir T-shirts, the trade publication Amusement Business reports).

It’s likely you’ll be fighting record crowds this year too. About 309 million tickets were sold to theme parks last year, mostly in the summer, and the attendance numbers are expected to be higher this season, reports the International Assn. of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

The good news is that, whether you’re a coaster lover or coaster hater, there’s plenty to get your money’s worth this summer. Theme parks across the country have spent $500 million for about 900 new attractions.

There’s Stealth, the first “flying” roller coaster at Great America in Santa Clara, Calif. Riders are tilted to a reclining position and feel as though they’re flying through the air. Call (408) 988-1776, Internet https://www.pgathrills.com.

The littlest park-goers will love “Bugsville” at Wild Adventures in Georgia, a new area just for kids under 12. “We’ve got the thrill rides, but we didn’t want to forget about the little kids,” explained marketing director Jim Holmes. Call (800) 808-0872, Internet https://www.wild adventure.com.

The thrills bring the crowds, though.

Certainly Ohio’s Cedar Point is pulling in bigger-than-expected crowds with Millennium Force, the “tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.” This ride is for you if your idea of fun is dropping 300 feet--at a heart-stopping 92 mph. “We wondered if this coaster would intimidate people because it’s so high,” said Cedar Point spokesman Janice Lifke-Witherow. “But they can’t get enough of it. The gates open, and they literally run down the midway to get in line.” Call (419) 627-2350, Internet https://www.cedarpoint.com.

That’s also the case in Orlando, Fla., at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, where visitors are braving long lines to take a ride through a life-size video game, helping the legendary “Men in Black” save New York from aliens. “The guests zap the aliens. The aliens fight them back,” explained Universal’s Tom Schroeder. “People seem to love the interactivity.” Call (888) UESCAPE (837-2273), Internet https://www.uescape.com.

For those who prefer their thrills in water, Paramount’s Kings Dominion in Virginia has just added Pipeline Peak, a water slide complex in which riders on the Pipeline are pitched into total darkness. Call (804) 876-5000, Internet https://www.kingsdominion.com.

California’s Knott’s Berry Farm, meanwhile, has added an entire water park, Soak City, with high-speed slides and a four-story water playground for the littlest surfers. Call (714) 220-5200, Internet https://www.soakcityusa.com.

But even the hottest new rides and splash zones can’t keep everyone happy all day at a theme park--especially when coaster lovers and coaster haters vie for more time at their favorite areas.

That’s when parents have to divide and conquer. Let the older kids go off on their own, as long as they know there will be severe consequences if they don’t meet you at the appointed place and time. Motorola’s pocket-size TalkAbout two-way radios and others like them ensure that those young teens won’t be out of touch for an instant. Call (800) 353-2729 or Internet https://www.motorola.com/talkabout for a retailer near you.

Don’t shame anyone--parent or child--into getting on a ride he or she would prefer to skip. If you can’t stomach those rides, but your 10-year-old lives for the excitement, invite a coaster-loving friend along to share them.

Most important, quit while you’re ahead. Even the best theme park is no fun when the gang is tired, cranky and hot. You’ll know when it’s time to go. Don’t let them talk you into an hour longer than you can stand.

There’s always another day--and a bigger roller coaster.

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Taking the Kids appears the first and third week of every month.