With Adventureland opening this weekend, we're feeling nostalgic for those warm weather trips to the amusement park. It doesn't matter how old you are, they're always a sure shot for a good time. That is, if you enjoy scaring yourself half to death on roller coasters, mid-air swings and other rides that seem to defy physics. And no matter how crazy the ride is, most of us just hop on and cross our fingers, hoping that nothing goes wrong.
According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the chance of an injury occurring in a park is 1 in 9 million. Not bad. But if you wanna be even safer, we've come up with five precautions you should take before you go on your next amusement park ride. Learn about some past amusement park accidents below so you know what not to do. Don't say we didn't warn you...
IF YOU'RE SOFT, STICK TO SKEE-BALL
In 2007, a 68 year old women fractured both of her legs and one of her arms while trying to get off Peter Pan's Flight at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. While it's endlessly unfortunate that the lady had to suffer such injuries, we can't help but wonder: if your body is that fragile, what are you doing on the ride in the first place?
HOLD ON TIGHT
Amusement park rides are built to be used a certain way. 99.99% of the time, when you follow instructions you'll have an enjoyable time. If only this kid would have sat up straight and held on to the bars like his mom.
BE EXTRA WARY OF CARNIVAL RIDES
The big name amusement park rides scare us enough, so why would you trust one that moves from town-to-town every week and is operated by a chain-smoking Carny? If it looks sketchy, skip it.
STAY ON THE BEATEN PATH
We've all lost things while riding roller coasters: keys, phones, shoes, lunch. But most of us have never risked life and limb by trying to retrieve those items while the ride was still active. That's what the park workers are for. A 17 year old was decapitated when he hopped two six foot fences to get back his fitted that was lost while riding the Batman ride at Six Flags over Georgia. We hope it was one of those super-limited New Era's Jeff Staple designed.
MATTER FACT, JUST DON'T GO ON ANY RIDES
Hey, ya never know when the shit could just break, like this ride in China. You're better off trying to win your girl a teddy bear in the shooting gallery.
Hearron April 4th, 2009 at 03:54 AM
Your statement "BE EXTRA WARY OF CARNIVAL RIDES " is false. Your average carnival ride is taken apart and put back together weekly. Therefore each part of that ride is actually inspected. These rides don't go together without all their parts, like a puzzle. Most states nowadays have ride inspection laws, thus most carnivals not are only inspected by the person who put the ride together, most carnivals have their own ride supervisor/inspector and gives his look before the state inspector does their inspection and finally the person operating that ride inspects it daily and is usually the same person who put it together. But in the end, park or carnival, these two are still one of safest forms of entertainment out there, your child has a better chance of getting hurt at the local park, then on an amusement ride. The majority of the accidents on the rides are from not following the posted rules. Other then that, Great Write Up....=)
irv April 6th, 2009 at 03:42 PM
party pooper^
Beestaful June 2nd, 2009 at 09:46 PM
man hold up!!! that's why i don't get on rides now... I think i'll just stick to getting served up on the ferris wheel.
StephanJade October 21st, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Great post as for me. I'd like to read more concerning this topic.
laurawelch July 23rd, 2010 at 12:32 AM
Thanks for giving such a wonderful ways to avoid a accidents in amusement parks. All the photos shows how to avoid accidents.. Thank u for that... media