Finance: Gas prices may help parks

Posted at 5:44 PM EDT (2144 GMT)

May. 26th, 2004 -- According to a recent report in the Christian Science Monitor, some economic analysts believe that high gas prices in the past have meant more business for local, regional, and destination amusement parks as happened in the 90s. This may mean that we will see our favorite parks packed this summer, but it could also mean big returns in ride installments later.

The past few years have seen many drop-offs in attendance (which we have reported here). Parks have answered these drop-offs mainly by cleaning up the park facilities in general and also installing more family attractions.

"Amusement parks have finally realized that if they make a coaster that is just higher, faster, and turns everyone upside down, they immediately eliminate a significant chunk of possible parkgoers who are too afraid to use it," says Paul Ruben, editor of Park World. "This year we are seeing more hybrids that combine creativity and entertainment."

The article also includes information about park safety and new measures in place to keep patrons from having to carry cash, and is located at MSN.