It’s time to kick off the third season of Top 3 Thursdays. This week I’ll countdown the Top 3 Official Theme Park Blogs. Since the increase in popularity of blogs, a number of theme parks have started utilizing them as a way to communicate to their hard core fans and potential visitors. Today, companies have to realize that they’re already a part of Web 2.0, it’s just up to them whether they want to be an active participant or not. This week’s Top 3, features three parks that are interacting with their fans.
3 – Waldablog – Waldameer’s Blog
Waldameer started their own blog, Waldablog, about a year ago. Last year it was great to see all of the Ravine Flyer II updates and the site even had a rare look at the original Ravine Flyer (1922 – 1938). Currently, the blog is featuring construction photos of their new Mega Disk’O ride.
2 – OnPoint! – Cedar Point’s Blog
OnPoint! has been around for quite some time. It definitely gets credit for being one of the first theme park company blogs and for its longevity. The blog’s writers, Tyler Adams and Tony Clark, have been teasing new Cedar Point attractions for years.
1 – HoliBlog – Holiday World’s Blog
Holiday World is way ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting new technologies and reaching out to its fans. This is especially impressive when you consider the size and location of the park. The small to medium-sized park is in the middle of nowhere in Southern Indiana. It all goes back to the leadership at the park, the Koch family. Holiday World is known to be one of the most enthusiast-friendly parks around. Their use of YouTube to make announcements, Twitter to tease Pilgrim’s Plunge, and the HoliBlog, all exhibit the park’s openness and friendliness.
Honorable Mention – Recently, Kings Island launched an official blog. Kings Island Insider is packed with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates of their new Diamondback hypercoaster.
For more theme park blogs, both official and fan-based, visit my other site: CoasterPortal.
Also, check out past Top 3 Thursdays.
What’s Your Take?
Do you frequent any theme park’s official blogs? Leave a comment below.
April 17, 2009 at 02:07
Well, shucks … thanks so much. Can't believe we're in our 5th year of blogging already.
April 17, 2009 at 08:40
Your blog is a great resource for HW fans and those looking to plan a visit. I loved those free soda fountains by the way. Congrats on your 5th year of blogging. I've been blogging for 3 years now.
Thanks for reading!
April 17, 2009 at 08:44
Um, I believe OnPoint! has offered comments since the very beginning. I remember it was one of my favorite features because Tony and/or Tyler could respond personally to each comment.
April 17, 2009 at 08:50
I stand corrected. You're right Alex, OnPoint! has had comments all the way back to 2006. (Thanks Wayback Machine!) Maybe it was the corporate look of the site as the posts looked like letters with signatures. Or, maybe they just didn't tend to have a lot of comments. Either way, my mistake and thanks for pointing that out.
June 7, 2012 at 12:29
hey CC, how about a top 3 unofficial blogs (other than coaster critic) that you enjoy reading?
June 8, 2012 at 02:46
That's a good one Dillon.
August 21, 2012 at 21:36
I think cp is #1 because it has on ride videos