The main difference between amusement park and theme park is that theme parks have a unifying theme while amusement parks do not necessarily have themes.
An amusement park is a park that houses various attractions like rides and games, and other events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a kind of amusement park whose structures and attractions are around a central theme. Although both provide us with entertainment, they create different experiences.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is an Amusement Park
– Definition, Features, History
2. What is a Theme Park
– Definition, Features
3. Relationship Between Amusement Park and Theme Park
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Amusement Park and Theme Park
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Amusement Park, Theme Park
What is an Amusement Park
An amusement park is a large outdoor area with rides, games, shows, and other entertainments. Thy carter to a variety of age groups, ranging from children and teenagers to elderly adults. Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and water rides are three of the most popular entertainment options in amusement parks. In addition to various rides, games, and shows, amusement parks also house various restaurants, shops, and other entertainment outlets.
Figure 1: Amusement Park
If we look into the history of amusement parks, they started as fairy and pleasure gardens in Medieval Europe. Paul Boynton built the world’s first modern amusement park in 1894. It was called “Paul Boynton’s Water Chutes” and was located in Chicago. It housed various rides and admission to the park required a payment.
Amusement parks are stationary and are designed for long-term operation. Thus, this is how they differ from carnivals and funfairs, which are temporary and mobile. Furthermore, most amusement parks contain areas with different themes, but not every amusement park is a theme park.
What is a Theme Park
A theme park is an amusement park that has one or more specific themes. Therefore, its structures and attractions are around a central theme. Some theme parks feature multiple areas with different themes. Old west, fairy tales, and wildlife are some examples of themes you can see in theme parks.
Figure 2: Harry Potter Theme Park
Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Knott’s Berry Farm, California, and Universal Studios Hollywood are some examples of theme parks in the United States of America. For instance, if we look at Disneyland, it has several themed areas like Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Critter Country, Mickey’s Toontown, and Fantasyland. Moreover, some parks have areas themed after popular movies like Harry Potter, The Pirates of the Caribbean, and Avatar. The buildings, merchandise, staff, and even food in these theme parks revolve around a theme.
Relationship Between Amusement Park and Theme Park
- All theme parks are amusement parks, not every amusement park is a theme park.
- Moreover, some parks may be a combination of the two – may have some themed areas and some general areas.
Difference Between Amusement Park and Theme Park
Definition
An amusement park is a large outdoor area with rides, games, shows, and other entertainments while a theme park is an amusement park that has one or more specific themes.
Theme
Amusement parks are not built around a theme while theme parks are built around one or more specific themes.
Nature
Amusement parks usually have a random set of rides and games, but theme parks create imaginary places and give people a more immersive experience.
Conclusion
The main difference between amusement park and theme park is that theme parks have a unifying theme while amusement parks do not necessarily have themes. Although both provide us with entertainment, theme parks create imaginary places and give us a more immersive experience.
Reference:
1. “Amusement Park.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Sept. 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “An Amusement Park At Night” via Pexels
2. “31472” (CC0) via Pxhere
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