Brief History of Amusement and Theme Parks They began with festivals in Europe to sell/barter/trade goods and to celebrate harvests (500 AD–1500 AD). The earliest amusement park still in business (in Denmark) dates from the mid-1600s. In the United States, amusement parks became popular because of: The concentration of people in cities. The need for ridership of electric railways on weekends. By 1920, there were about 1,400 amusement parks in the United States. The introduction of radio, talking motion pictures, and a worldwide depression reduced the number of parks to less than 400 by 1938. 26.1 O.H. 26.1

26.2 O.H. 26.2

“Basics” of Theme Park Operations Parks must provide a safe, clean, and happy environment. Most are very large. A significant capital investment is required for land, buildings, rides, and infrastructure. Theme parks yield many jobs (large parks have several thousand employees) and boost tourism to an area. Operating details must be carefully thought out. The estimated number of visitors drives planning; after revenues are considered, operating costs can be forecasted. 26.3 O.H. 26.3

Safety and Security in Theme Parks Crowd and traffic control are important concerns. First-aid stations must be conveniently located. Full-time safety inspectors may be employed, but all staff members require security-related training. Electronic surveillance equipment is widely used. Procedures for weather alerts are needed. Risk management and theft prevention controls are required. All rides must be maintained, and safety procedures must be followed. 26.4 O.H. 26.4

Organization Chart (Major Departments) in Large Theme Park 26.5 O.H. 26.5

Amusement and Theme Park Challenges Recruiting/retaining employees Increasing use of technology Competition Development of new rides New marketing strategies Need to become more cost-efficient 26.6 O.H. 26.6