Park Hoppin’
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Park Hoppin’ With Marcus Gaines
Return of the smiles feels wonderful. W
It’s easy to forget the crucial role the amusement industry has in creating memories, bringing friends and families together to laugh and to scream, boosting everyone’s mental well-being. Something everyone needs in the current global situation. I’ve not been able to enjoy the usual film shoots at theme parks around the world, but what I have enjoyed is spending time in parks across the UK with my family. We’ve been spoilt in 2021 with so many wonderful new attractions to enjoy, from the stunning Flight of the Sky Lion at LEGOLAND Windsor to the colourful new lights of Luna Park Scarborough or the masterpiece that is Tornado Springs at Paultons Park to the confusingly surreal Black Mirror Labyrinth at Thorpe Park.
My kids understand the pandemic and the impact it’s having on the world, but that hasn’t stopped them feeling sad at what they’ve been missing out on. So, this year we’ve taken every opportunity possible to take them to a theme park or fun fair, and we’ve not been alone. You only have to look around the parks to see the huge demand, and how happy everyone is. I’m sure, and hope, every attraction is feeling positive for the future with guests excitedly coming through the gates again.
Certainly, when it comes to fun fairs the demand reminds me of 20 years ago when rides were always full and there was a rush to get in one last ride before they close for the night. Sadly though, many councils continue to ban fun fairs from operating despite the UK government authorising them to open and there being the same COVID safety measures found in theme parks. It’s one of the reasons that the community organisation Future4Fairgrounds have created World Funfair Month, throughout September, to raise awareness of their industry and celebrate the joy they bring to towns and villages around the world.
For us, this has very much been a summer of making up for lost time. As a family we’ve made 16 trips to attractions in the past three months, and we’ve loved every one of them. Personally I’ve come away refreshed and mentally prepared to carry on with the daily grind, but far more important is that as a family we’ve made some incredible memories that will last a life time. Sharing a ride with my youngest on his first “upside down ride” at the fair and seeing the joy on my eldest’s face as we entered Tornado Springs will be my most treasured memories of the past two years. As a parent, there’s no better feeling than seeing your kids’ faces beaming with the biggest smiles. So, thank you to every one of you in the amusement industry, for striving through the pandemic and continuing to make my kids, and the millions of others around the world, smile. We, your guests, appreciate everything you do.
ow!!! How good does it feel to be visiting amusement parks again. The pandemic may be far from over, but enjoying normal things, like a family trip to a theme park is the much-needed escape we all need, and it
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SUMMER PART 4 2021
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