There's a theme park or attraction to satisfy all your needs

Remember when you were a kid, and heading to a theme park made your adrenaline rush? Stepping inside, you would immediately feel smaller against the backdrop of this Big New World, where gee-whiz rides, magical shows and sugary treats awaited.

Years later, these parks may no longer hold quite the excitement they once did (few things do), but every adult knows the thrill is never really gone. The slow crank of a roller coaster in ascent still sends a tingle down the spine, while funnel cakes and cotton candy taste just as wonderfully bad-for-you as they did before.

Groups that head to amusement parks or attractions together can enjoy this exhilarating rush in tandem, a powerful way to break down walls and bond. If a collective primal scream or quest for an arcade prize won’t unite a group, what will?

These spots are also some of the easiest places to hold an event, since planners don’t have to worry about booking separate entertainment and attractions. And because everything happens in one place, they tend to be more budget-friendly, too. As David Mandt, vice president of communications for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, says, “You can’t beat the variety of entertainment experiences for the value you get with a theme park.”

This explains why the industry has continued to lure associations and corporate groups, despite the challenge of a faltering economy. While Mandt says that group business waned a bit last year as a result of the recession, the numbers are on the rise this year and looking up moving forward. In addition to the cost-efficiency of the parks, Mandt says this also “speaks to the popularity of the destinations for group events.” One appealing perk that keeps planners coming back year after year: Most parks employ professional group planners, who can help arrange for special entertainment, custom souvenirs or other memorable touches.

Luckily, there are plenty of options on the scene. Even better, the choices are incredibly diverse, with the quirky and hair-raising, large and small, kid-friendly and adult-friendly all available. Whichever choice you make, chances are your attendees will still get that adrenaline rush, just like they did so many years before.            

HIGH-OCTANE

It’s hard to imagine a more heightened sense of anticipation than the one you get upon sitting down at a roller coaster and lifting your arms up as a harness is strapped over your head. In just a few moments, you know the leisurely pace of your everyday life will give way to a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that takes you up, down and upside-down in a blur of minutes. According to the IAAPA, rides are the No. 1 reason Americans visit amusement parks, and nearly half cite the roller coaster as their favorite.

Groups can experience this popular, enlivening experience at several high-octane thrill parks around the country. The U.S. offers about 1,300 roller coasters, including a collection of record-breakers that are quicker, more daring and just plain cooler than anywhere else.


   Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio.

Want to get on board the fastest and tallest coaster in the world? Head to Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari in Jackson, N.J. The park is home to Kingda Da, a ride that zips you 45 stories into the air at a speed of 128 mph. Besides this thrilling feat of engineering, you’ll also find an assortment of superhero-themed roller coasters, a 350-acre wildlife preserve and the capacity to host 25–25,000 daredevil attendees.

Across the country in Valencia, Calif., another Six Flags property, Six Flags Magic Mountain, offers its own record-breaking beast: the groundbreaking X2. The coaster is the world’s first to offer a fifth-dimension experience, thanks to 360-degree rotating seats. Like its New Jersey sister, the property can also host up to 20,000 guests at picnic areas, pavilions and more.

In Sandusky, Ohio, you’ll find several barn-burning rides at Cedar Point, a.k.a. The Roller Coaster Capital of the World. The name isn’t hyperbolic: With its massive collection of gravity-defying coasters and carnival attractions, the park is a one-stop shop for thrill-seekers. It is also a great venue for extended stays, with six hotel properties on-site. Also in Ohio, King’s Island in Mason is home to the aptly named The Beast, the world’s longest roller coaster at an astounding 7,400 feet. It, too, includes ample on-site lodging and event space.

While roller coasters tend to hog the spotlight, there are plenty of other attractions that can give you that indelible bolt of excitement. One such option is Utah Olympic Park in beautiful Park City, Utah. The venue includes a bobsled track you can race down at speeds of up to 70 mph—a pulse-racing experience equal to competing in the Olympic Games. (Let’s just say they don’t call it “the most intense minute of your life” for nothing.) For more adventure, there’s also a zipline and an alpine slide, and the expansive site provides a series of facilities—including a ski museum, conference room and patio—for groups to get business done in between the fervor. It’s easy to see why the attraction was a huge success when it was recently utilized during our Smart Meeting in Park City.

Another unique option to quicken the pulse is the Calgary Stampede in Canada. Every summer, this 10-day event thrills visitors with the world’s largest rodeo, a parade and concerts. Groups that can’t catch the horse show can convene at Stampede Park, where the festivities take place, anytime of year. On-site options include the BMO Centre, with 250,000 sq. ft. of exhibit halls.

UNIQUE

At the end of the day, theme parks make an impact because they transport us to another world, where adventure reigns and there’s no such thing as mundane. The best way to experience this sensation is by heading to a unique or wacky attraction. By emphasizing the unordinary, these parks make us feel unordinary too—and that’s a powerful feeling, if only for a day or two.

Arguably the most iconic unusual attraction in the country is Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., a spot that pays cheeky homage to country legend and plastic-surgery queen Dolly Parton. Plenty of attractions on the property are Dolly-centric, such as a show where her family members talk about growing up with her, and an emporium with the kind of sparkly, glitzy outfits she’s become known for. But the park, surprisingly, offers a lot more, including rides, tons of (mostly deep-fried) dining options and even a bald eagle sanctuary. There are a variety of programs available for groups, and if you have 100 or more attendees, each of them can receive a pass that’s good for the rest of the season.

Dolly isn’t the only celebrity to get the royal treatment in Tennessee; in Memphis, The King gets his due at the world-famous Graceland (see our Tennessee story). Besides being the site of the white mansion where Elvis once lived, Graceland also offers an Elvis Presley Car Museum, a fashion exhibit and a Heartbreak Hotel to stay in. Discount rates are available for Elvis-worshipping groups.

In Hershey, Pa., Hersheypark is a great spot for chocolate lovers (and really, who isn’t?) The property is filled with cocoa treats and chocolate-themed events. But as Jill Cecala, director of northeast sales and marketing for Hershey Meetings, says, there is much more to the site than tasty treats. “People have the perception that we’re either an amusement park or chocolate company,” she says. “They don’t know about our complete destination offerings.” Those offerings include two elegant meetings hotels on property, Hershey Lodge and the recently renovated Hotel Hershey; four golf courses; a massive pool complex; a year-round ice skating rink; and a ropes course. It’s no surprise that, as Cecala says, “When we get people to us one time, the return business is extremely high.”

HISTORICAL

There is also something decidedly, and refreshingly, throwback about going to an amusement park. Before computers or televisions, it was attractions that provided escapist entertainment. Today, biting into a wad of cotton candy while strolling past carnival games feels like stepping back into another time, when things were just a little bit simpler.

In Atlantic City, amid the sparkling modern casinos, you’ll find Steel Pier, an attraction with a long and fascinating history. After debuting in 1898, it made a name for itself thanks to exhilarating rides and A-list shows from such legends as The Three Stooges, Mae West and Frank Sinatra. Then, in 1976, the park fell victim to Atlantic City’s waning popularity, and was shuttered. Nearly 20 years later—after Atlantic City made a comeback—none other than Donald Trump reopened the park, and it has since become the go-to spot for old-school fun, with go-karts, a tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars and other iconic rides. Plus, says Sales and Marketing Director Sharon Franz, “We are an amusement pier that extends over the ocean with spectacular views that you will not experience at any other venue in Atlantic City.” And the price is just as nonmodern as the park: Admission to get in is scot-free for visitors and groups of up to 2,000.


   The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort, Florida.

If you want to experience America’s very first theme park, head to Knott’s Berry Farm, the quirky neighbor to Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. What began modestly in 1920 as rented farmland has since developed into one of the most-visited attractions in the country, with roller coasters, water rides and a resort hotel with 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. It’s known for being the birthplace of the boysenberry, which Walter Knott developed in the 1930s, and for being the home of the world’s largest chicken dinner restaurant. In fact, it was the chicken dinner that prompted the park’s development: The Knotts opened the first of their eventual six themed attractions on the property to entertain hungry customers waiting in the restaurant’s line.

While Knott’s Berry Farm is the country’s first theme park, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington is regarded as one of the original modern theme parks. Built nearly 50 years ago, it was the first to allow complete park access with one ticket, and is the home of the world’s first free-fall ride and main-train-style roller coaster. Like the other Six Flags properties across the country (there are 21 total in North America), it is very group-friendly.

FOR THE FAMILY (OR THE KID IN YOU)

Whether it’s thrills, quirks or history you’re after, what theme parks and attractions ultimately instill is that powerful sensation of being a kid again, when the world was fresh and your biggest worry was being tall enough for that ride you really, really wanted to go on. This, of course, makes them a great spot to bring the family along for a group outing—not only are kids sure to enjoy their time, but attendees get to experience it through their eyes. But this hardly means only kids can find something to love. “Amusement parks are certainly popular with groups with young children,” says the IAAPA’s Mandt. “But there are also plenty of opportunities for adults to be like kids.”
   
Of course, the shining examples of kid-friendly theme parks are Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., and Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. (Impressive fact: Disney World is the largest theme park in the world, spanning 47 square miles). While every child dreams of meeting Disney characters and seeing, in-person, that famous fairytale castle, adults are equally drawn to the parks’ thrilling rides, charming Main Street and breathtaking shows. (There’s a reason they make those iconic mouse-ear hats in kid and grown-up sizes.) For planners, these resorts can satisfy pretty much any size or type of group—Disneyland offers 186,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, while Disney World includes more than 600,000 sq. ft.

Besides the Disney resorts, the other most popular theme parks are Universal Studios Hollywood, Calif., and Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. Both spots infuse movie magic into the mix, with attractions based on Jurassic Park, King Kong, Shrek and more, in addition to rip-roaring water rides, high-speed coasters and the entertainment hotspot CityWalk. The Florida property also has a snazzy new attraction generating near-deafening buzz: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which recreates the magic of J.K. Rowling’s blockbuster books. Muggles of any age will enjoy the wand choosing them at Ollivander’s Wand Shop; purchasing Chocolate Frogs or Bernie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans at Hogsmeade sweetshop; or sending letters at an Owl Post. Both Universal parks include intimate and expansive meeting options, or an entire park buyout can be arranged.

Another large and popular option, up north in Canada, is West Edmonton Mall. While a mall may not seem like a likely spot for attractions, this one—the largest in North America—is home to a collection of expansive, first-rate amusement parks, including the world’s largest indoor theme park and largest indoor waterpark. With 25,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, it’s the place to be for young-at-heart fun and memorable meetings.

You can also rediscover that youthful spring in your step by checking out one of several Bowlmor bowling properties across the country—the chain includes locations in Cupertino, Calif.; Orange County, Calif.; Bethesda, Md.; Long Island, N.Y.; and Miami (while some of these venues were once called Strike, they are all in the process of being renamed Bowlmor). As a kid, bowling alleys were the place you went with your friends to knock down pins and play arcade games. Bowlmor venues keep those essentials intact, while also offering adult-friendly hip décor and dining from celebrity chef David Burke. “Guests and clients that come to our properties, especially for the first time, are surprised that it is so different from the bowling alleys that they had gone to as children,” says Kyle Hulcher, director of public relations for the chain. “They are used to cold food and warm beer, but when they come to our venues, they get food from one of the country’s top chefs, quality equipment [shoes and balls] and a sexy and exciting environment.” New to the scene is Bowlmor Lanes Times Square, a 90,000-square-foot venue that occupies two floors of the former New York Times newsroom. It provides 50 lanes divided among seven New York-inspired areas, as well as a swanky nightclub. The Bowlmor properties can accommodate 500–1,213 attendees.


   Bowlmor Lanes Times Square, NYC.

Another popular attraction option is an arcade game venue. Who can forget those hours spent in youth, desperately trying to beat a high pinball score or defeat an opponent in air hockey? To return to those roots, there’s Dave and Busters, a national restaurant, bar and arcade chain with all the classic games of yore (Centipede, Pac-Man) and popular games of today (Dance Dance Revolution). Despite the child-friendly atmosphere, the property caters to the adult crowd with Happy Hour drinks and a full menu of dishes for a grown-up palate. Depending on location, the venues can accommodate 20–2,000 attendees.

No matter which type of amusement park or attraction you choose, the experience is sure to make your attendees let loose and rediscover their inner kid. And that’s something every grown-up sometimes needs.