[aoriole19]

TL;DR: I want to work at an amusement park this summer; please share experiences and advice! I want to go away from home so I need to consider housing also.

Hey all,

I'm thinking about applying to work at an amusement park this summer, because it feels like this summer might be the only time where I don't necessarily have a ton of pressure to get a "real job" or make a ton of money (though money is good), and I really want to do it just for the experience. (I'm in my second year of college) I'm most likely not interested in actually working at an amusement park after I graduate, but you never know. I just really love the industry and want to get a closer look into how rides work. I may not even end up doing this, because there are several other summer programs and things I want to work at, but I'm not sure I'll necessarily get hired for any of them so this is another option.

Has anyone worked at a park before? What was it like? Would you recommend it? Even if you haven't worked at one, I would still love to hear advice if you know someone who did or if you've looked into it a lot or if you've just heard things about it. Here are things I want/need/other info that can help you help me:

***I definitely need to go somewhere that has employee housing or cheap/discounted housing nearby and transportation to the park if the housing isn't within walking distance. I don't have a driver's license. The cheaper the housing is, the better
-I want to go somewhere new, so NOT Carowinds or Six Flags Great Adventure (maaaybe SFGAdv but I'd prefer somewhere else. It's a big country)
-I guess I haven't explicitly said this but I really want to work as a ride op for a roller coaster, as opposed to working in a restaurant or gift shop or something
-I don't really think going out of the US is an option, unless there's like a special program for it or something. I've never actually left the country /: It seems like it would cost a lot of money, and also I don't speak any other languages and I don't have a passport (of course I can get one in the Spring if necessary)
-I don't care about college credit/internship credit. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. I just want to have a job.
-I would prefer a larger more well-known park (think: CP, SFMM, etc.) rather than smaller parks, but I'd still consider working anywhere that has a roller coaster!
-Ideally, the more hours the better, and of course, the higher the wages, the better. I know I said I'm not doing it for the money, but I do have student loans to pay...

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[aoriole19]

Also, I know Jonathan worked at Cedar Point; I plan to go and re-read his post about it soon. But if you're reading this Jonathan, feel free to share any more insight you may have

[RollerBee]

I worked at Carowinds(Rides) and I loved it, I do not recommend Carowinds/Cedar Fair. Are you looking for full time or part time?

As far as advice, if a plant or trash can moves.....
Pretend not to notice, if you hear anything do not repeat it unless you are told to.

I also worked at Emerald Pointe(Sweep) and I loved it more than Carowinds.

[Jonathan]

Cedar Point or Disney College Program are probably the only things you should consider. I would not want to live in employee housing anywhere else. At Cedar Point most everyone lives in employee housing which is important for being able to make friends and have stuff to do outside of work hours. It also draws in a lot of people to work there who are really into coasters. The pay is obviously complete garbage but the dorms cost very little to live in so it balances out. It will be the best and worst summer of your life. Ripcord/Skyscraper crew is the best job because it's easy as hell and you get to fly all the time.

[coasterbruh]

I would look at the college program for disneyland being that its a totally different place than you're use to and you got all those southern ca park you can do on your off days! Remember, only the college program offers housing . . .

[aoriole19]

I suppose this varies depending on the park/program, but generally how long would I need to commit to being there? I would be able to start anywhere on June 12, but there's a camp I want to work at that pays really well and it starts at the end of July; Would any place hire someone for only 1.5 months? (During the time I'm there, im fine with working a ton of hours) If they need a larger time commitment I could stay as late as the end of August. Just wondering because you guys seem to know what you're talking about

[Jonathan]

Sending PM.

[FamousAmos]

I"m also planning to work at an amusement park of some sort soon, possibly over the summer of 2016. Not quite sure yet though.

[coasterbruh]

Well, that's nice famousamos but this thread isn't a roster of who wants to work at a park, she is looking for advice of where and how to do it. Not someone to hijack the tread with a "look at me too" post lol.

[tarheel1231]

I"m also planning to work at an amusement park of some sort soon, possibly over the summer of 2016. Not quite sure yet though.

I believe Kings Dominion has dorms.

[FamousAmos]

Well, that's nice famousamos but this thread isn't a roster of who wants to work at a park, she is looking for advice of where and how to do it. Not someone to hijack the tread with a "look at me too" post lol.

That wasn't my intention. . .

[aoriole19]

It's okay Josh! If you find out anything you think would be useful, let me know. (To you and others): feel free to ask for more personalized advice using this thread as well. I hope that in a future year, some little derpy person like me will be googling this issue and come across our forum, and find our questions helpful

Side note: I'm personally most likely not interested in anywhere within like 6 hours of NC because it feels too close to where I grew up. I'm probably interested in Disneyland most and then Cedar Point, but I'm not sure.

If anyone knows more about the college program at Disneyland, let me know. How expensive is the housing, and how well do you get paid? Do you have to take classes or something while you're there? The information I found when I looked into it wasn't really thorough. It said stuff about classes but I couldn't tell if they were optional, or required, or only if you wanted college credit for it, or what. It was all very overhwelming because I was looking at a ton of job stuff that day (2 days ago haha) and I didn't know anything.

[FamousAmos]

Quick question. Are you potentially looking to work in the Amusement park industry in the near future? If so, than any particular job/position there (for your first season at least) will work. At least, that's what I was told. I got the chance to talk to Mr. Decker during media day and I asked him how he got his start. I can't recall what job he started out with, but it was something simple. During college, he studied architecture and the like, then got contracted by Universal, and eventually wound up with Cedar Fair. Over a course of about 20 years (I think).

Also, something else. I was talking with Carowinds about working during the summer. Living arrangements were discussed, but not in great detail. I'm sure that the park would have been able to work something out. Maybe a nearby hotel would have been able to take out the cost from weekly payments? I have no idea. I also have no idea if the offer is still there.

[aoriole19]

I don't really think I am; I'm studying math and philosophy at school and realistically I'll probably end up in education though I'm not sure yet if that's what I actually want. I could maybe see myself one day doing some kind of statistics/data analysis or something like that for a park/company, but I just want to be a ride op for a summer because it seems fun and it's kind of been something I've wanted to do since I was 12.

[arby]

I know nothing about working at amusement parks other than what I have learned from talking to various full-time staff...

However, I do know that Cedar Fair has increased wages for the seasonal staff - at least some of their parks. While it appears to have been driven primarily by their difficulty in filling positions, it is still a nice gesture on their part.