Sure, some of the Orlando and Southern California theme parks, notably Disney's, might welcome bigger crowds at Christmas. But around the rest of the country, theme parks sleep in their winter hibernation. On the Fourth of July, though, everyone's open for business and the regional theme parks will welcome their largest crowds of the year.
Especially in years when Independence Day falls on a weekend, as it does this year. The industry's been in a bit of a slump over the past two years, as the Great Recession has decimated many families' ability to afford a vacation. Others have hit the road, but been forced to "downsize" their vacation plans, substituting a weekend at a regional park for a week in Orlando, for example.
I'd like to get your report on what you did this holiday weekend. Where did you go? If you went to a theme park, whose did you visit? How were the crowds?
Please take a moment to vote in the poll below, and if you'd like, leave a comment with a short report on where you visited and how were the crowds.
In the poll, we're asking which companies' parks you visited this weekend. The Disney, Universal and Six Flags parks' ownership is obvious, since they all have their parent's name in their names. But for folks who aren't hard-core regulars on the website, here are the top parks owned by other chains in this week's poll:
Cedar Fair: California's Great America, Canada's Wonderland, Carowinds, Cedar Point, Dorney Park, Kings Dominion, Kings Island, Knott's Berry Farm, Worlds of Fun
Herschend: Dollywood, Silver Dollar City, Wild Adventures
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment: Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Sesame Place, plus the SeaWorld parks
You can pick multiple chains, since some theme park fans in Orlando and Southern California hit parks from two or more chains during their visit.
Thanks for your comments, and I hope you're having a wonderful Fourth!
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Headed off to the park today to mostly relax. Don't think I'm going to do much.
For those poor souls in rainy Florida, it's 94 degrees and sunny here in northeast Pennsylvania. Happy Birthday America!!!!
Heading to Six Flags Great Adventure in a few hours. It's gonna be beastly hot, but a friend and I are gonna split a Flash Pass and try to make it out by 3 or 4 pm. I don't know how the crowds will be with people finishing up their Holiday weekend.
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I guess all the blocked out APs helps though.