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Explore the transition of amusement parks from ancient European festivals to today's modern attractions, highlighting their history, operations, safety, challenges, and impact on society.
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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. O.H. 26.1
“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. 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. O.H. 26.4
Organization Chart (Major Departments) in Large Theme Park 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 O.H. 26.6