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Bob & LBF in the Morning

Bob & LBF in the Morning

Bob & LBF in the Morning

Amusement Park Nightmare Leaves Riders Hanging On For Dear Life

Author Lauren Beckham Falcone
A Colorful Looping Roller Coaster On A Beautiful Sunny Day

Amusement parks are supposed to be fun, right? Well, not for me. I have a deep-seated hatred for scary rides. Roller coasters, free-falls, pendulums—they all make me want to hurl. If you’ve ever felt your stomach leap into your throat, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

But my disdain isn’t just a random phobia. It’s rooted in real-life horror stories. Take, for instance, the recent fiasco at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon. Oaks Park, the oldest amusement park in Oregon, opened in 1905. Despite its charming age, its rides aren’t always so charming. Case in point: AtmosFEAR. This pendulum ride swings in a full 360-degree circle while spinning the unfortunate souls strapped in.

@abcnews

Emergency crews rescued 28 people Friday after they were stuck dangling upside down high on a ride at an amusement park in Portland, Oregon. No injuries were reported. The ride, called AtmosFEAR, has been in operation since 2021 and has not had any prior incidents, Oaks Park said. It will remain closed until further notice. #portlandoregon #amusementpark #news #abcnews

♬ original sound - ABC News - ABC News

Sounds like a nightmare, right? It became one. Last Friday, AtmosFEAR lived up to its name. It got stuck while pointing straight up. All 28 riders were left hanging—literally. Upside down. For nearly 30 minutes. Most were high-school kids who initially kept their cool. But calmness turned to panic as minutes ticked by. The park officials decided to close the park and announced it over the loudspeaker. Just imagine: you’re already dangling in terror, and then you hear, “We’re closing the park now.” Fantastic.

Eventually, workers managed to manually lower the ride, though it happened quite suddenly. Like, “Oops, sorry for the abrupt drop!” kind of suddenly.

Luckily, no one was seriously hurt, but one person did get a precautionary trip to the hospital. The ride, ironically, delivered a bit too much atmosphere.

So, why do I avoid these terrifying contraptions? Because I’d rather be the hero who holds everyone’s bags and snacks. Those people are the unsung champions of amusement parks. Think about it: you can stroll around, enjoy a churro, and laugh at the sheer absurdity of the adrenaline junkies screaming their lungs out. You get to keep your lunch firmly in your stomach and your dignity intact.

Plus, your friends owe you. Big time. You’re providing a crucial service, safeguarding everyone’s stuff while they flirt with gravity and death. Without you, where would they stash their $12 sodas and overpriced souvenirs? You are the rock, the steady hand in the whirlwind of their thrill-seeking insanity.

So next time someone tries to coax you onto a scary ride, just remember the chaos at Oaks Park. Politely decline and offer to hold their things instead. You’ll be the real MVP of the day, safe on solid ground, with your lunch where it belongs.

@evie_s_y

I was trapped with my 10 friends upside down for 26 minutes on the Atmosfear at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon. Multiple people threw up, we all still have a headache and are very sore. We still had to finish the ride once we got out of the ipside down position which was very hard on our bodies. Never go to Oaks Park! @ace #fyp #oakspark #portlandoregon

♬ original sound - evie_s_y

Lauren Beckham Falcone is the co-host of Bob & LBF in the Morning. Formerly an award-winning reporter and columnist for the Boston Herald, she credits her current success as a pop culture commentator to watching too much TV as a kid and scouring the internet too much as an adult. LBF is a regular contributor to NECN and is an honorary board member at the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Lauren lives in Canton with her husband Dave and her daughter Lucy. Lauren writes about trending topics, New England destinations, and seasonal DIY.

New England's Amusement And Water Parks - When They Open For The 2024 Season

The opening of New England’s Amusement And Water Parks. It’s definitely a sure sign of summer. And we have a pretty good selection to choose from. Whether you’re planning to be in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Maine, there’s something for everyone. So when is everything opening up? Don’t worry, we got you! But before we rundown when each of the amusement and water parks are opening, lets get into some fun facts about those thrill rides.

Amusement and Water Park Fun Facts

The Fastest Roller Coaster In The U.S. – As of January 2023, the roller coaster with the highest top speed in the United States was the Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure Park in Jackson, New Jersey. It has a maximum speed of 206 kilometers per hour (128mph). I think I’ll keep my feet on the ground.

The Oldest Amusement Parks In The U.S. – Two of the top three oldest amusement parks are New England’s Amusement And Water Parks.  Lake Compounce Amusement and Water Park in Bristol, Connecticut has been around since 1846. Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA has been around since 1870. It also has many other names that it’s gone by before Six Flags New England: Gallup’s Grove, Riverside Grove, Riverside Park, and Riverside: The Great Escape. And tied with Six Flags is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, around since 1870.

Lost Change For Charity – Speaking of Cedar Point in Ohio, they have a great thing they do for charity. Every year, they collect the change that falls out of people’s pockets on roller coasters. They also collect money thrown into fountains, and around the park, and donate it to charity. The amount varies from year to year, but is usually around $2,000.

The World’s Largest Water Park Can Hold 40,000 people – As an introvert who doesn’t like huge crowds, this freaks me out a little. World Waterpark in Edmonton, Alberta is not only the world’s largest water park, it also has the honor of being the world’s largest tourist attraction. It’s 655,550 square feet, and attracts 560,000 visitors every year.

New England’s Amusement And Water Parks

If you’re looking for an adventure this summer, somewhere fun to take the whole family, a place to cool off in the scorching summer sun, here are when some of New England’s Amusement And Water Parks.

  • Six Flags New England - Currently Open

    Six Flags New England is located in Agawam, MA. It it currently open with their opening day taking place recently on April 6th. Head to their website to check out the pass options they have to offer. And for a limited time (until April 21st), you can get a free upgrade to a Diamond pass when you purchase a Platinum pass. Besides all the different rides, food, and fun, there are also lots of special events you can check out. Educational events, performances, and more.

  • Canobie Lake Park - Opens May 18th

    Celebrating 120 years of family fun, Canobie Lake Park opens for the season on May 18th. Located in Salem, New Hampshire, Canobie offers family, kids, thrill, and water rides. They also offer tons of games, and a variety of food options from pizza and burgers to fried dough and fried clams. There’s definitely something for everyone!

     

  • Story Land - Opens May 25th

    Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire gets their season underway on May 25th. Located in the hills of the White Mountains, Story Land has been creating magical moments for parents and kids to share together for over 70 years. One of their new attractions is the All-New Moo Lagoon Water Play Area! There are shows, special events, otters, and more. According to the website, “you can find a variety of food options. From crispy chicken tenders and slow simmered barbecue pork, to our sweet treats and snacks, there is something for the whole family!”

  • Funtown Splashtown USA - Opens May 25th

    Funtown Splashtown USA in Saco, Maine opens on May 25th. The park features Northern New England’s tallest and longest wooden roller coaster called Excalibur. It also has New England’s longest and tallest log flume, Thunder Falls. And if you’re a fan of dropping from huge heights, then check out their 220-foot-tall Drop Tower, Dragon’s Descent. Get all the details about tickets, prices, food options, games and more HERE.

     

  • Palace Playland - Opens May 25th

    Palace Playland opens on May 25th. The park has been open since 1902. It’s located in Old Orchard Beach, Maine where it’s been since it originally opened. It’s also New England’s only beachfront amusement park. Their Arcade at Palace Playland has over 20,000 square feet of games with dozens of crane games. You can win anything from squishies to Apple AirPods. There’s also the classic Skee-Ball, and the brand new Tic-Shaq-Toe basketball game. And if virtual reality is your thing, try the King Kong of Skull Island game. Get all the info HERE.

  • Santa's Village - Opens May 25th

    You don’t have to wait until Christmas to visit Santa’s Village. The park in Jefferson, New Hampshire opens for the season on May 25th. Some of the featured attractions include: Santa’s Home, Reindeer Rendezvous, Elf University, and the Reindeer Shoe Blacksmith Shop. There are also rides, a water park, entertainment, food, and more. Find out everything you need to know to plan your visit HERE.

  • Water Country - Opens June 1st

    Water Country is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and opens on June 1st. It’s New England’s Largest Water Park and has one of the most iconic commercial songs ever. The park features 18 family-friendly water attractions, including the Giant Wave Pool and Adventure River. Plan your trip HERE.

  • Water Wizz - Opens June 10th

    Straight out of my hometown of Wareham, MA, it’s Water Wizz. The water park opens for the season on June 10th. I’ve taken the kids there several times and if you can swing it, definitely get a cabana. I always get one that’s way in the back. Less traffic and a little more peace to sit and read my book, as well as provide a home base for the kids to come back to. Water Wizz is Southern New England’s Largest Outdoor Water Park and you can get all the info you need, including early tickets HERE.

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Author Lauren Beckham Falcone
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