Jul 31, 2023 - Economy

Theme parks forced to adapt to record temperatures

Hope King

Illustration of a hand holding a tiny, melting ice cream cone — Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios

Theme parks are battling record temperatures with misters, more iced drinks on menus, water balloon fights and extended hours, WSJ reports.

Why it matters: Extreme summer weather is starting to reshape the industry — prompting more investment in construction, water parks and indoor rides too, according to the report.

Premier Rides, a company that has built roller coasters for Six Flags and other amusement parks, is using more steel in designs to make them last longer in hotter and more extreme conditions.
At SeaWorld San Antonio, staff set up kiddie pools for otters and are giving other animals frozen Jell-O. They're also keeping their chilling equipment on overtime to maintain a 55°F water temperature for orcas.

The big picture: Heat waves that keep people indoors are thwarting a recovery in attendance for amusement parks, which has yet to bounce back from pre-pandemic levels.

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Destinations once ideal for summer travel are now on the decline because of extreme heat and other effects of climate change

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Theme parks forced to adapt to record temperatures

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