5 Perks of Living in a Roller Coaster Desert

Last year, we wrote about roller coaster deserts, or sizable areas where decent roller coasters (read: not the “kids only” type) are nowhere to be found.

The map below illustrates where these “deserts” exist in the United States:

But keep your chin up, roller coaster desert dwellers. It’s not all that bad.

Below I’ve outlined five perks to living in a roller coaster desert:

1. No Home Park Fatigue

Living down the road from a large amusement park last summer, I now know that “home park fatigue” is a real thing. Visiting the same park week after week, year after year, can rob your appreciation of the thrill and adventure of roller-coaster riding.

Now don’t get me wrong, I was grateful to have 13 roller coasters at my disposal. But by the end of the summer, going to the park had somewhat lost its “wow” factor. I had memorized all the twists and turns. The loops didn’t quite, ahem, throw me for a loop like they once did.

2. Unbiased Outlook

When you’re not tied to one park or even a cluster of parks, you’re better positioned to keep an unbiased viewpoint on the amusement industry. While you may have an arsenal of favorites that you’ve visited, you’re probably not fanatically dedicated to “central Florida parks” or a similar area. Every park is on an equal playing field. You have no ties pulling you in any certain direction.

3. Forced to Explore

When you need a coaster fix and there isn’t one within a short driving distance, you’re forced to explore. You make the most of a roller coaster excursion, or you try every which way to incorporate a roller coaster ride into your travel. You likely branch out to a variety of parks rather than defaulting to the same local parks.

4. Make Coaster Rides Happen

One thing I’ve gained from living in a mid-sized coaster desert is a fine-tuned ability to fit roller coaster rides into travel. Business travel, school travel, leisure travel — if time permits and a coaster is relatively close, I’ll do everything I can to squeeze in a few hours of coaster time. Sometimes I’m successful. Other times I’m not. The “mission to ride” is a fun pursuit.

5. Coaster Rides Are More Fun

The human body is an incredible machine — one that is very adaptable. I’ve found that the more often I ride coasters, the less exhilarating they become. The adrenaline rush lessens with each coaster-riding marathon. Having longer gaps in between coaster rides provides you with a “reset” of sorts, so that next coaster ride will likely be more exciting.

Sure, having some coasters nearby to get your “coaster fix” is great. But living several hours (or more) from a roller coaster isn’t a death sentence.

What do you think are some benefits to living far away from roller coasters? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Tags: roller coaster desert