When amusement parks are mentioned, most people in the United States immediately think of Disney World and Disneyland, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, or Knotts Berry Farm. Actually, of these five, Disney World and Disneyland are actually theme parks. A theme park is an amusement park with a distinctive theme, or themes, to its layout, rides, shops, and attractions.

In medieval times, wandering minstrels in any open field could be considered an amusement park. Indeed amusement parks, as first conceived, were most often bands of entertainers and musicians who would gather in a town field or park to wield their skills for the amusement of the townsfolk. At the conclusion of a number of days or weeks, these performers would move on to the next town. However, Bartholomew Fair, begun in England around the year 1133, is often cited as the first dedicated amusement park.

The amusement park as we know it is merely the latest incarnation of this ancient concept. In its early stages, amusement parks were bucolic public parks with tents, buildings, and stalls, erected to offer various forms of music, food, entertainment and amusement. The entertainment often ranged from circus acts to portrait artists. The Ferris wheel was the first amusement ride.

Today’s amusement parks are profit-generating conglomerates of shops, rides, and restaurants, usually spread over several acres. In contrast to carnivals or fairs, many of the larger amusement venues are sprawling, permanent conglomerations that take up a number of square miles. Many amusement parks are more amusement complexes than parks.

Reaching their zenith in the U.S. in the mid to late 1920’s, amusement parks have been in decline ever since. One of the more well known vestiges of the amusement park heyday is Coney Island in New York City. Another is the Navy Pier in Chicago.

Roller coasters, Ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, and various other mechanical thrill-rides and amusements, are a staple of modern amusement parks. In a theme park, these thrill-rides are devoted to a particular theme, for example, the jungle, or outer space. In the case of Disney World and Disneyland, the various themes are taken from Disney cartoon characters and movies.

An amusement park is designed, as the name implies, for amusement of young and old. A roller coaster is intended as a ride for adults and adolescents, the merry-go-round for younger children, and the Ferris wheel is suitable for just about anyone. A word of warning; those with a fear of heights, speed, or seemingly uncontrolled descents may want to stay away from the roller coasters.