Ex-Theme Park Employees Dish Their Best Secrets, And We're Shook

Get life insurance for Disney World y'all!

As much fun as theme parks and roller coasters are we need to understand that regular, everyday Joes and Janes are running the roost. And they don't need a even a high school degree. That's not shaming anyone BUT... knowing a few things when lives are in your hands can come in valuable.

Reddtor u/MrYellow8666 wanted peeps to divulge some private thoughts we may or may not need to know... asking... Current or Ex Theme Park Employees, What are some dirty secrets that most people don't know about?


Seduction... 

The park I worked at the games were easier to win earlier in the day so that people would carry around the giant prizes and entice other people to play. Trogdor_a_Burninator

I hate balls!! 

Don't EVER go in the ball pits. Little kids track all sorts of food and grime into the pit and regularly pee in there since they confuse it for a pool.

The balls are only cleaned once a week, and even then they are just put in a net bag and hosed off. You just keep spraying until the water stops coming off brown. They are then air dried and not sanitized in any way. NewbieTwo

Maybe we need 7 flags! 

Former six flags employee, my park is the safest in the country because we call the rides down for rain, for vomit, for lost items (they could be obstructing the track). So if a ride is down, it's probably not for a mechanical reason. We even pulled an emergency stop while I was being trained on one rollercoaster because a military official lost his military ID and was threatening my boss if we didn't go get it for him. If people knew how small that issue was they'd be furious that we stopped the ride. Willow-Whispered

Baby I'm sorry... I'm not sorry! 

The claw machines are loosened so that they will never be able to grab that iPhone or xbox for you to win. Sorry. nutterysquirrel

It's Magic! 

My friend in high school used to work at Hershey Park and one day we went together. When we ordered lunch I was just planning on asking for a cup of water with my meal so I didn't have to pay an extra $5. My friend told me to ask the cashier for a cup of "magic" water instead of just a cup of water. I trusted this friend so I did what she said. When I received my cup of "magic" water, I took a sip and to my surprise it was sprite! So I got a free cup of sprite with my meal that day. kita29

Sticky & Sweet! 

Worked a churro cart next to a large pond in the park. At night it was impossible to keep the bugs out of the cinnamon and sugar bin. Trogdor_a_Burninator

Pee at home! 

About 8 years ago, I managed a whitewater rafting ride (the big donut tubes that can sit 6 people) as a side job while in college. One day, the water filter broke down. The managers kept the ride running for over 2 weeks anyway. The water smelled so bad and turned dark green/brown. The inside of the rafts smelled like a month old porta-potty. We were instructed to tell guests the water filter was broken but the water was clean, which I'm pretty sure was a lie. Thankfully, being a shift leader, I didn't need to go anywhere near the water, but I felt bad for my employees and the guests who rode despite looking obviously disgusted by the smell. Calvyno

Liquids are a no for "IDo's!"

Vomit (with no visible blood) is either cleaned up with a sawdust like material to soak up the liquid and then swept into a dustbin or hosed off with a garden hose.

The coaster seat or table is USUALLY not sanitized or anything. So, you are sitting in dried vomit particles. AlwaysAGroomsman

Have you change Sir?

My place use to say that any change/cash lost on a ride was donated to charity. If they meant the charity of their employees' pockets, then they weren't lying. Quarters were the good ones to find, since it was rarely bills. redwolf15

The truth shall set you free! 

A lot of scary, dangerous rides are operated by stupid teens.

Was a stupid 16-year-old, learned to operate rides at 6 Flags! elaxation

REDDIT

Teacher standing in front of a classroom
Photo by Taylor Flowe on Unsplash

It's a teacher's job to leave a lasting impression and set a good example for their students.

With this in mind, particularly in this age of viral videos and social media, teachers have to be very careful of what they say during class hours.

Even so, there are very few teachers who haven't said something they've regretted when teaching a class.

Sometimes to control unruly students, other times when they've simply had enough.

Then too, sometimes teachers leave their students baffled and perplexed by what they say in their classroom, well aware of what they were saying.

Always making for a memorable story.

Keep reading...Show less
woman in white crew neck t-shirt sitting on gray sofa
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

As a kid, I never raised alarm bells even when I started to feel sick. My mom got stressed easily and was busy taking care of my younger brother, so I never wanted to be a burden by making her take me to the doctor only to find out nothing was wrong.

However, in fifth grade, my ears started to hurt and I knew something was wrong. I told my mom, she took me to the doctor, and I found out I had an ear infection.

Now, an ear infection isn't serious at all, and it was easily treatable. Still, I learned something from that experience: no one knows your body better than you. You know if and when you're sick and how serious it is, even if you don't now exactly what is wrong.

Redditors can corroborate this. Many of them have experienced symptoms that told them they were sick in some way -- usually with a very serious illness -- and are ready to share those experiences.

Keep reading...Show less
A couple holds hands on a date, candlelit table and two glasses of red wine
Photo by René Ranisch on Unsplash

When in the beginning stages of dating, it's important to know as much as humanly possible.

The element of surprise is no longer a fun aspect of romance.

Ask the small questions. Ask the hard questions.

Interrogate. Grill. Investigate.

Of course, you should do it with a subtle hand instead of an interrogation lamp.

The truth is all we have.

Ask everything.

Keep reading...Show less
Woman letting go of boyfriend's hand
Photo by Everton Vila on Unsplash

As much as we always hop for our dating efforts to be worth it and for every relationship to work out, we all know that some relationships are not destined to work out.

But sometimes relationships end for totally valid reasons, and sometimes the reasons are painful, if not devastating.

Keep reading...Show less