Lessons from the Amusement Park Era and Cautions for Today's Theme Park Industry

Over the past several years, I along with others have watched with growing concern as a troubling pattern has re-emerged across our amusement and theme park industry. For many of you younger industry professionals, the recent increase in teen violence, gang-related disturbances, large-scale fights, shootings, and unruly behavior may seem like a new phenomenon. For those of us who lived through a similar era, it is anything but new.

I remember firsthand the difficult years during the 1950s and 1960s when many traditional amusement parks faced increasing problems involving large groups of young people, gang activity, racial tensions, and violent disturbances. These incidents created fear among families, damaged public perceptions, and contributed significantly to declining attendance at numerous parks throughout the country.

Among the most frequently cited examples were Riverview Park in Chicago, Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey, and Pontchartrain Beach in New Orleans. However, they were not alone. Similar challenges affected Freedomland U.S.A. in New York, Glen Echo Park near Washington, D.C., Olympic Park in New Jersey, Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland, Idora Park in Youngstown, and several urban trolley parks and amusement facilities throughout the Midwest and Northeast. Many of these parks became gathering points for youth groups whose confrontations often overwhelmed management's ability to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.

It is important to note that these parks did not close solely because of violence, gang activity, or racial tensions. Multiple factors contributed to their eventual demise, including suburban migration, changing leisure patterns, rising land values, urban decline, and evolving consumer preferences. However, the highly publicized disturbances and public-order issues that occurred during this period undoubtedly damaged public confidence and accelerated attendance declines at many urban amusement park facilities.

While every park had its own unique circumstances, the common denominator was clear. Families increasingly became uncomfortable attending facilities where fights, intimidation, and public disorder became regular occurrences. The resulting loss of public confidence had lasting consequences for many parks, some of which never recovered as pointed out in the park closures above.

The irony is that these problems surfaced only a few years before the modern theme park era began to flourish. The emergence of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and the regional theme park movement helped redefine the guest experience through greater operational control, stronger security, cleaner environments, and a renewed focus on family entertainment.

Unfortunately, during the past five years, the post-COVID era, we are witnessing some of the same actions/warning signs.

During the past five years, numerous theme parks and entertainment venues have experienced highly publicized fights, gang-related confrontations, flash-mob gatherings, and disruptive teen behavior. Unfortunately, the trend has not shown signs of diminishing. Quite the opposite, it appears to be escalating, with incidents becoming increasingly frequent and more violent across the entertainment industry. 

Incidents have occurred at Disney World, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags St. Louis, Kings Island, Carowinds, Worlds of Fun, Hersheypark, and other major facilities throughout North America. In many cases, social media has served as a huge accelerant, promoting and enabling large groups to coordinate gatherings that quickly escalate into disorder.

The industry's response has been significant and increasingly widespread.

One of the most visible changes has been the rapid adoption of chaperone policies. What began at a handful of parks has now spread across much of the industry. Today, many Six Flags and former Cedar Fair parks require younger guests to be accompanied by adults, particularly during evening operating hours, special events, and peak attendance periods. These policies generally require a responsible adult over the age of 21 to remain on property and be available throughout the visit.

The implementation of these policies did not occur in a vacuum. Operators recognized that guest expectations had changed. Families want assurance that parks remain safe, enjoyable environments where children can focus on rides, entertainment, and shared experiences rather than concerns about violence, intimidation, or unruly behavior.

Equally important has been the increased visibility of law enforcement and private security personnel. Today, it is common to see uniformed police officers positioned at entrance plazas, parking lots, security screening checkpoints, and throughout park operating areas. This highly visible presence serves two critical purposes. First, it reassures guests. Second, it communicates clearly up front that disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

And, as we are seeing, the need for such measures extends well beyond amusement and theme parks.

Recent years have seen violent incidents at fairs, festivals, concerts, sporting events, and other large public gatherings. One particularly troubling example occurred at a city fair in Toledo, Ohio this weekend, where a crossfire shooting between two individuals resulted in twelve (12) people being wounded! Such incidents remind us that crowd management and public safety concerns are no longer isolated to any single entertainment sector. They have become a challenge for virtually every venue that attracts large gatherings of people. We are seeing these happenings every week.

As someone who has spent more than six decades in the attractions industry, I believe operators must continue to strongly take a proactive rather than reactive approach. Security begins long before guests arrive at the front gate.

The message must be communicated aggressively through social media, websites, ticket confirmations, mobile apps, and advertising. Expectations regarding behavior should be clearly stated before a guest ever enters a facility. Guests should understand that fighting, harassment, gang-related activity, weapons, and disruptive conduct will result in immediate removal and potential prosecution.

At the same time, visible security measures must continue to expand. Guests should encounter a strong security presence at entrance points, parking areas, queue lines, restaurants, transportation hubs, and throughout the venue. Security personnel should not be hidden. Their visibility itself is often one of the most effective deterrents available.

Queue lines, midway areas, food courts, concert venues, parking lots, and exit corridors have historically been flashpoints for confrontations. These areas require particular attention, enhanced monitoring, advanced surveillance technology, and rapid response capabilities.

Operators should also continue investing in behavioral detection training, improved camera systems, social media monitoring, intelligence sharing with local law enforcement, and enhanced guest communication systems. These tools are no longer optional. They are becoming essential components of responsible venue management, and readily available for implementation.

Those of us who witnessed the decline of those many traditional amusement parks during the 1960s understand how quickly public confidence can erode. Once families begin questioning whether a venue is safe, attendance patterns can change rapidly and dramatically. Rebuilding that trust can take years.

History teaches us that parks rarely fail because of a single issue. However, when guest perceptions of safety and security begin to deteriorate, the resulting loss of family attendance can become one of the most damaging challenges any park operator faces.

The amusement and theme park industry has spent decades creating some of the safest and most enjoyable entertainment environments in the world. We cannot allow the mistakes and social challenges of the past to undermine that achievement.

As someone who has spent a lifetime in this business, I view this issue not simply as a security challenge, but as a business essential. The success of any park, fair, festival, concert venue, or public gathering place ultimately depends upon people feeling comfortable, welcome, and safe. The moment that confidence begins to weaken, attendance, guest satisfaction, and long-term loyalty are placed at risk.

History has already educated us on the effects and impact of an escalating crisis of this type. No reason not to learn from it.

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