It’s About Theme Parks’ anniversary

But the gifts are for you

I’ve been at this so long, the Internet itself wasn’t really a thing when I first started writing about parks and attractions in the early 90s, let alone Google, Facebook, or Twitter. (And the way things are going, Elon’s social media crap show seems destined to implode just like his SpaceX Starship.) It’s hard for me to fathom what has become of traditional media like the newspapers and magazines for which I have written. And it’s disheartening to see the online outlets that have largely taken print media’s place often vying in a race to the bottom. In a bid to attract clicks and dwindling advertising revenue, many (most? pretty damn near all of them?) sites engage in infuriating clickbait headlines and other SEO silliness.

That’s why I am grateful for Substack–and for you.

It’s been just about a year since I started my About Theme Parks journey and what a ride it has been. I get to write about anything I want without having to worry about pleasing the Google gods or some godforsaken algorithm. My goal is simply to write for subscribers and readers like you. Giving Imagineers a forum to reflect on what Disney means to them on the occasion of the company’s 100th anniversary? Sure. Reviewing a spellbinding, trippy night walk at a mountaintop adventure park in Tennessee? Why not? Celebrating a classic, 96-year-old roller coaster? Yup. I’ve been able to share my thoughts about these topics and so much more over the past 12 months.

Astra Lumina night walk experience at Anakeesta in Gatlinburg, Tennessee (Bruno Destombes, Anakeesta)

I sincerely thank you for joining me on this adventure. I like to think of us as a merry band of like-minded pranksters who love parks, coasters, and other attractions. How wonderful is it that we have found one another? It makes me proud to lead the charge here at About Theme Parks.

If, by chance, you’ve wandered onto this page, and you are not a subscriber, please join us. We always have room for more passengers on our coaster train. Kindly consider subscribing.

Okay subscribers, back to you. In case you haven’t noticed (and surely you must have noticed), you are able to read my articles without any intrusive ads. No banner ads, no AdSense ads, no maddening pop-up or pop-under ads, no video ads playing on a loop, nada, nothing, zilch. I am truly thankful for all of my subscribers. But, the only way I make any income here is from paid subscribers. It’s part of the Substack model that respects writers and readers. It fosters quality journalism and community by encouraging users to pay journalists directly (rather than the tired model of gathering eyeballs and data for advertisers). That’s where you come in.

Want some anniversary swag?

So, if you can afford it (and it’s only $6 a month or $60 for an annual subscription, less than half the cost of a ticket to a Disney or Universal park), please make the switch and become a paid subscriber. To help entice you, I have a special offer on the occasion of ATP’s one-year anniversary. A certain other company is in the midst of its 100-year-anniversary celebration. And I have some of its swag to share with you.

Here’s the deal: The next five people who sign up for a paid subscription will have their pick–first come, first served–of one of the following items:

1. A Mickey Mouse 100 Years of Wonder plush dressed in his dapper anniversary tux

2. Mickey and Minnie Disney100 platinum ear hat

3. A Disneyland Disney100 water bottle plus Disney100 kettle corn

4. A Disney100 platinum tote bag plus a Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway notebook and pen

5. (Going off-topic here) A 1-day pass to Six Flags Magic Mountain

All paid subscribers get exclusive bonus ATP content. Once each month, they receive a “Rode It! Loved It!” review of a ride or attraction I experienced through the years, an “ART Talks” audio narration of one of my articles, and the opportunity to participate in a “What’s the Attraction?” discussion thread.

There are additional ways you can help me mark the first year of ATP. It’s likely you know other folks who share our passion for parks and attractions. Please invite them to join the gang. I really want to grow my subscription base and would appreciate your outreach.

Do you have a special occasion coming up? Or maybe you just want to surprise a friend or family member who is a park fan. Here’s a unique gift idea: Send them a subscription to About Theme Parks.

And please, please remember to click the “like” heart, which is located at the top and bottom of my emails and online pages, each time you receive one of my articles. Go ahead, do it now. We’ll wait. Also, don’t be shy about leaving a comment (by clicking the word bubble next to the “like” hearts) whenever you get a post. I really enjoy your feedback and welcome your insights and thoughts. That’s the community part of ATP. You can start by joining the conversation right here during the anniversary shindig.

We are only getting started ATPers. I have some great trips planned and will be reporting about some of the incredible new attractions opening. I expect to be writing a lot about Epic Universe, the mind-boggling new park quickly taking shape in Orlando, over the coming months. And there is so much more on the horizon. This is a dynamic, exciting industry that leverages brilliant and wildly creative minds who employ bleeding-edge technology and masterful storytelling to create engaging, thrilling, and fun experiences for us to marvel over and enjoy with our families and friends. It brings me so much joy to share the news about theme parks with you.

Happy anniversary to us and onward to year two!