Theme parks reinstate chaperone policies ahead of summer
In response to a rise in incidents involving teenage guests, several U.S. theme parks have implemented and/or reinstated chaperone policies in anticipation of the busy summer season.
Following a fight involving more than 100 teens last week during the opening weekend of the park’s 50th anniversary season, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City immediately issued a statement that they would implement a chaperone policy, effective April 15, 2023, under which all guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old from 4 p.m. to close.
Today theme parks operated by Cedar Fair, including Carowinds in North Carolina, Kings Dominion in Virginia, Kings Island in Ohio, California’s Great America in Northern California, and Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California, all announced they would implement similar chaperone policies beginning April 22, 2023.
The statements from the Cedar Fair parks read:
Over the past two years, there have been increasing incidents of unruly and inappropriate behavior across our industry and at other major entertainment venues. We are committed to keeping [our park] a place where families and friends come together to enjoy a one-of-a-kind park full of experiences and immersive entertainment.
Kennywood Park in Pennsylvania, the location of a shooting involving teens on Sept. 24, 2022, has continued to enforce a chaperone policy that states guests aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age with valid ID to enter the park after 4 p.m.
April 21, 2023 UPDATE: Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Pennsylvania (also operated by Cedar Fair), has announced that a chaperone policy will go into effect on May 7, 2023. Under the policy, all guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who’s at least 21 years old from 4 p.m. to close
We don’t know whether or not additional U.S. theme parks will implement chaperone policies as summer vacation approaches. If you’re planning to visit a theme park this spring and summer with teens, be sure to check the official park websites for the most up-to-date information.
