Theme Parks, a place for a summer of fun

Amusement parks started in Europe, from fairs and pleasure gardens, that were created for peoples amusement. It is believed that the oldest amusement park opened in 1583 in Bakken, north of Copenhagen, Denmark. In the United States, County Fairs played a part in the development of the amusement park, which consisted of booths, entertainment and fireworks displays. Today's modern amusement and theme parks, have evolved far beyond those of the past.

Theme Parks are based around a distinctive style, based on a special theme. Some amusement parks incorporate more than one theme, and are often referred to as "themed amusement parks".

The modern amusement park is filled with varying degrees of excitement, height-defying roller coasters, exciting shows and extravagant entertainment; as well as places to shop, or have a bite to eat. With over 400 amusement parks, It would take a long time to visit them all, but by researching - we can find the ones whose themes appeal to us - and start with them.

Summer, being the most popular time, to take the family to an amusement park, my choices for the most popular, naturally included the ones with family appeal.

I chose my top popular parks, based, on their appeal to the entire family.

1. Pennsylvania's 40 year old Hershey Park, is not the largest amusement park one can
visit, it's appeal is it's theme, which is centered around candy, and certain to appeal to all
members of the family. Chocolate World's new "Create your own candy bar" is a hands on
experience, which is a definite draw, but, Hershey Park, consists of more than that. The 65
rides are categorized according to - candy height -
a. the little ones are desiignated, miniatures.
b. the kiddie rides as, Kisses
c. the Big Kids, as Twizzlers. This group gets to ride the scariests of the 11 rollercoasters.
The Boardwalk, located inside Hershey Park, is comparable to a "stand alone" waterpark, and offers the best of a family vacation - a day at the beach and a visit to an amusement park. The Boardwalk has 9 water attractions, among them - one of the largest water-play structures in the world; the Shore - a 378,000 gallon wave pool; and the coastal waterway, a lazy river stretching 1300 feet.

Another "theme park" which is very "family friendly - "Sesame Place" - took it's theme from the Sesame Street show, and is located in Langhorn, Pennslyvania. Spin, Slide and smile; swim and splash; dance and play with - Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie monster and all the other characters from Sesame Street.
1. hop in one of the eight balloon baskets, on the 40-foot balloon tower ride, and soar through the sky.
2. be the king of "cookie mountain", try to scale the bright blue vinyl cone, that seems to reach to the sky, slip and slide your weay to the top, then down again.
3. Strap yourself into a "unidentified furry object" and ride through the stars to Planet Elmo
4. take the challenge in "monster Maze" as you try to clear a path, through a forest of lightweight punching bags
5. inter act with the Sesame Street characters, in their own neighborhood - visit Bert and Bernie's house and Mr. Macintosh's fruit stand.
These are just some of the wonderful things kids can enjoy, along with, shows and parades, games and water attractions, dry fun and wet fun, all part of a day at Sesame Place.

Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio, opened in the late 1800s, and until recently had the most roller coasters of any amusement park. It is on a narrow peninsula that juts into Lake Erie, and is the only park that has - four roller coaster over 200 feet. Despite its age, the park has kept current with new rides and just added the Windseeker - a 301-foot tall coaster that spins riders around in an open two-seater, and giving them a grand view of Lake Erie, as they fly through the sky.

Over the years families have come here for the excitement, the defying roller-coaster rides, and the crowd pleasing entertainment. Among the many activities, that everyone can enjoy are -
1. Soak City, a outdoor water park that features speed slides, body and tube slides, a family raft ride, a water playhouse, and rwo lazy rivers.
2. Because of the popularity of Soak City, Snake River Falls was added, the 82-foot structure sends riders plunging down, at forty miles per hour, landing in the water it causes huge waves.
3. Camp Snoopy opened in the park in 1999, with eight themed attractions - all snoopy.
4. To continue the theme, Planet Snoopy was opened with family and kids rides, and a "kids only restaurant".
5. The Starlight Experience - a nighttime extravaganza, with floats themed to the four seasons - takes place on the frontier trail, nightly, beginning at twilight.
6. Also on the Frontier Trail, is the flume ride, where one can "shoot the rapids" on a journey throught a rustic western environment.

Rounding out the many things to enjoy - there are Dune buggies, bumper boats, Krazy Kars, and Sir Dub-a-dub Tubs.

Great Wolf Lodge operates eleven, year-round, indoor/outdoor water parks in different states in the USA. These water wonderlands are designed for families to have fun, in the form of enormous slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers; while parents can relax on the indoor deck chairs and cabanas. But let's see what makes this, so much fun.

1. There is Fort MacKenzie, a four story interactive tree house in the center of the indoor water park.
2. Or try the Howlin Tornado, swish and swirl, 30-feet up the sides of this 6-foot funnel, before making a safe landing.
3. Enjoy the River Canyon Run on a family raft.
4. Challenge each other to a friendly competition of "mat racer waterslides" which goes straight down the 4-story slide.
5. Use the twin three-story slides to escape out of the MacKenzie tree house.
6. For the little ones there is kiddie pool which has a maximum depth of 1"6".
7. and there is also Racoon Lagoon Outdoor Pool, which ranges from zero depth to four-feet and includes water basketball, floor geysers, spray features, and table and chairs to relax in.

But this is not all there is to do, visit Magi Quest gthe ultimate adventure as you enchant object, befriend pixies, batthle a goblin, and outwit a dragon. Then there is "gr8 space", a teen hangout filled with computers, mp3 dicking stations, playstation 3, Xbox 360, and much more.

There is much more offered at any of the Great Wolf Lodges, and the scoop is - a 12th park is going to be added, near Disneyland.