There is a time every year that every theme park enthusiast dreads (unless you're fortunate enough to live Florida). While there are seemingly more park holiday events, there is still no escape from...The Coaster Off Season (dun dun duuuuunnnn!)
Yes, the coaster off season is a long, sometimes painful, space that sends the intrepid park enthusiast to Christmas events, like those at Dollywood, Hershey Park, or the recent Busch Gardens Williamsburg event. Pick any one of these and you'll see the die-hards bundled up, wind-chapped, and with snot frozen to their gleeful faces. Why? The park is still open, and it's more of a chance to ride this year. So what if it's bloody cold and you can't feel your feet!
Yep, now it's time for the obvious trip to Orlando, Florida (or Los Angeles, California.) Both locales offer parks open year round with various rides down at random times for scheduled maintenance.
While the above traditions are the norm, there are also some new traditions popping up to beat the post season coaster and park cravings. Winter has become a prime time to take a holiday cruise or head off to the nearest indoor water park resort. Case in point, The Coaster Crew, has a long standing tradition of going to Kalahari around New Years to have some fun, even in a few feet of snow. And with new resorts, like Wilderness At The Smokies, which opened in 2008, along with old favorites like most anything in Wisconsin Dells, there are plenty of choices. Even Bloomington, Minnesota has The Water Park of America near The Mall of America, home to Nick Universe, a mini golf course, and Underwater Adventures aquarium.
For something closer to home and on a tighter budget, Theme Park Review's "Coasters in the Raw" series offers terrific PoV (point of view) rides of new, old, and dismantled coasters. Robb Alvey and company have even made iPod friendly versions to carry with you on a trip. Between high quality and convenience, this coaster video series really is worth a look and another good way to span the off season. The "Coaster Expedition" and affiliate videos are also worth a good mention here. Mr. Alvey also has a way of throwing in fun extras when you least expect it.
Yes, the haunt season is squarely in the rear view mirror, and one can already smell the hot coco of the holiday events. Even so, there's still plenty of fun to be had and a few ways to ride out that long gap until spring. Then, coaster nirvana begins anew, punctuated with the smell of funnel cake.
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3 comments:
Ahh, funnel cake! But we have so far to go, such melancholy.
I went to WDW last Thanksgiving, and not only did it satisfy my desperate craving for a theme park during the dreaded off season, it also ended up being one of my favorite trips to a park EVER (if not THE favorite). Disney is so magical as it is, but add CHRISTMAS decorations and music on top of that? I probably could have shot sparks out of my fingers and flown a broom if I wanted to.
Ha, I'm almost clinically depressed that I won't be back there this holiday season. Once you experience WDW for Christmas, it's hard not to do it every single year. *sniffle*
First, welcome Natatomic! :)
You do speak the truth when it comes to Christmas and Holiday park events. While I haven't experienced a Disney Christmas, I bet it's euphoric to say the least.
You're also correct on the downs someone feels on the years they can't make it back for those same events, especially after all the fun was had.
For those that don't know, Natatomic is a talaneted photographer and sister park enthusiast. She also writes some VERY funny captions.
Boutade, good to see you again and man, there are some days your unique take on life and your humor have really carried me through.
Thank you both for posting. :)
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