Is a Summer Theme Park Job worth it?

[Mr. Freeze]

Will be doing it soon

If you plan on working in the theme park industry in the future, then yes, take a job at a theme park. I am currently 6 months into working as an RO at Knotts Berry Farm and I absolutely love it. You truly get to see a whole other side of the park what I never knew existed when I was just a guest. It is true, you do not get to pick what ride you want to work at. Well for us, you are put in a starter area (flat rides) and after a couple months, you can be cross trained up to a roller coaster. I was crosstrained to Ghostrider after 3 months (got to dispatch the last train before the renovation ;p) and now I am currently an RO for Montezooma's Revenge. It is really cool seeing how the coasters operate and how the entire park functions in general. You do meet a lot people and deal with a lot of guests, but at the end of the long and tiring day, you do have those genuine nice GP who came to just have fun, and you get to be a part of that. So all in all, yes I would 100% recommend getting a job at an amusement park.

^ I have to say welcome to this board and thanks for sharing such a fantastic experience in your first post. I always like to see how people become skilled ride operators!

[Mr. Freeze]

Here is what I have to say about the RO at a different chain of theme parks

titanrocks01 wrote:

My favorite, but also worst one would be operating Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast at SFOT. Reason behind it being both is that the ride would know that I was going up to operate and it would shut down as I was getting situated behind the panel. The favorite part of it would be the fact that I have some of my best friends at the ride, as you really get to know each other. Another favorite memory is when I first got moved to Freeze from Batman, and needless to say that was a major change of style and personality of not only the crews, but also of the ride as Freeze's personality was far more complicated and complex than that of Batman's.

Just curious, since I decided I'm going to go ahead and apply for a job at a park for next season, would mentioning that I'm a coaster enthusiast or a big fan of theme parks in the application or the job interview be beneficial for me, or should I avoid that altogether?

Nah, I wouldn't on the application. Maybe in the interview bush by it but don't make a big deal about it.

(Coming from someone who interviewed a few people for CP)

[Mr. Freeze]

^completely agree there. I haven't interviewed any future employees, just talent people, and don't make a big deal about it, cause it will make you seem like a big know it all, and then they might not hire you.

[Coasterkidmwm]

VF15 wrote:

Just curious, since I decided I'm going to go ahead and apply for a job at a park for next season, would mentioning that I'm a coaster enthusiast or a big fan of theme parks in the application or the job interview be beneficial for me, or should I avoid that altogether?

Say you really like THE PARK. Enthusiasts are garbage employees sometimes (and prone to leaking secrets/intel).

Also if it asks if you enjoy children that's a trap to try and con you in the kiddie area, which has the worst vermin of all in it.......parents.

I have a job interview at Valleyfair coming up later this week. Anyone have any tips for a theme park job interview, especially if you've worked at a Cedar Fair park before?

[Coasterkidmwm]

Say you hate children in some eloquent way in whatever context they ask about them. Saying you're "great with kids" gets you stuck in a children hellhole land. CP had an online survey that prevented since I picked up on where they were going with it. I have no idea how Valleyfair does it.

Your interview is probably going to be something like:
"Tell me a time when you did something difficult"
------
What they want is:
"I did the thing without blaming other people for it and didn't get any felonies"
------
Some other BS to ensure you're not a serial killer and showing up on time to places regularly.
------
"Are you willing to pee in a cup and get a background check?"

Ta-daaa you're hired.


Don't be nervous about it. You don't need intelligence or people skills to be a ride op, you just need an attention span.

Amusement parks are probably the worst place to be at any given moment when you consider the people that visit them. Don't work at an amusement park.

[Coasterkidmwm]

GerstlCrazy wrote:

Amusement parks are probably the worst place to be at any given moment when you consider the people that visit them. Don't work at an amusement park.

Maybe people always act poorly around you for a reason.

If by "poorly" you mean "profoundly uncoordinated, confused, and incapable" then yes there must be a reason everyone at amusement parks behaves that way.

I'm happy to announce that I've been offered a ride attendant position at Valleyfair, which I plan on accepting . Don't know which ride I'll be working yet, but anyway, it should be fun getting to experience an amusement park from the perspective of an employee. Thanks to everyone who offered input!

[Coasterkidmwm]

I bet Steel Venom is the best ride to work there. Hope you get something cool like Wild Thing or the woodie!

^^ Congrats and I fully hope that your really good luck holds!

I'm officially a part of the 2016 Wild Thing crew. Should make for a fun summer.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Ah congrats you dodge dealing with little children! Let us know what the stupid ride quirk is. They all have one.

Make this happen!

VF15 wrote:

I'm happy to announce that I've been offered a ride attendant position at Valleyfair, which I plan on accepting . Don't know which ride I'll be working yet, but anyway, it should be fun getting to experience an amusement park from the perspective of an employee. Thanks to everyone who offered input!

congrats!

Coasterkidmwm wrote:

Ah congrats you dodge dealing with little children! Let us know what the stupid ride quirk is. They all have one.

Was told that I might have have to work some Planet Snoopy rides every once in a while, but thankfully I'll be at Wild Thing most of the time.

tiepilot35 wrote:

Make this happen!

I wish.

[Coasterkidmwm]

HAHAHAHAHA Planet Snoopy lol parents

^^ You Can... in the (very) near future! That's all I can say!

I know it's way too early to be thinking about this, but I'm already considering applying for a ride op job at Cedar Point next summer since I've enjoyed my experiences working at Valleyfair so far. Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, but is it possible for me to interview for a CP job without going all the way out to Sandusky?

[Paradox]

VF15 wrote:

I know it's way too early to be thinking about this, but I'm already considering applying for a ride op job at Cedar Point next summer since I've enjoyed my experiences working at Valleyfair so far. Sorry if this sounds like a dumb question, but is it possible for me to interview for a CP job without going all the way out to Sandusky?

Tristen did it on Skype. Be careful or you might be opping a horrible ride like Valravn.