I know ride have a lot to do with a park, but what else makes you like a theme park

The park needs a good atmosphere. There needs to be alot to do for everyone, including the kids and older people. Of course there needs to be a good collection of rides, and roller coasters. That's pretty much the basic things good parks have.

Mixture of rides and atmosphere... KI's rides are good but the atmosphere is great! Cedar Point's rides are awesome, but the place lacks atmosphere. Both are good in their own way. I myself would love to love a park with more atmosphere than rides.

Geauga Lake was my favorite park to go to... They had a nice collection of rides along with being next to a lake. It just felt great walking around there.

Holiday World is great too.

What I think makes a good park is mixture of ride's, atmosphere, and good food that doesn't break the bank. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is my favorite park, with Holiday World a close second. Both of them are not out to diamante in ride and coasters, they have a good mixture of everything.

Good music that sets that "magical" feel about a park.

Cleanliness, cleanliness, cleanliness!

In every aspect. The park cannot just look clean, it has to feel clean. It has to feel like a quality environment.

Unless you're going for that old timey historical amusement park feel in which case a little classic grungy-ness is acceptable.

Cleanliness and atmosphere.

But I'm a big person on theme and storyline, so a park must have some sort of theme for me to like it. I've never been to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but that park looks like my kind of park.

Also, it should have something for every one of every age to do.

Just a place where you can go and hang out and forget about your problems and have fun. And Trees.

Just a place where you can go and hang out and forget about your problems and have fun. And Trees.

Oh, yes, I forgot. A park needs trees. If it doesn't I will just drive past it.

Just take a look at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

For me the scenery is the biggest factor besides rides. Tree, shrubbery, and flora a make a park look nicer and add to the overall atmosphere. Which, in turn, makes for a better park experience. Also well rounded family entertainment makes it better.

EDIT: I almost forgot. The park must have a train. A steam train being the best.

A well rounded collection of rides. There needs to be a good variety of flat rides, family rides, kids rides, thrill rides and coasters. Something to suit every taste. No person of any height or age should be bored.

A good atmosphere. For me, this means friendly enthusiastic employees, clean midways and bathrooms, landscaping and trees, and a feeling of security (knowing that problems will be taken care of properly if they arise).

To me, the parks that have embodied this so far have been Busch Gardens Europe, Holiday World and Cedar Point. Many come close but not quite. Kings Island is lacking in ride variety (especially flat rides/family rides that young children and adults can both ride), Kings Dominion was lacking the enthusiastic employees, and both lack the sense of security.

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Atmosphere, the people, and the landscaping. Kings Island only has two of those. And one of them is only in a couple parts....

Just take a look at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

And Tampa too.

For an example of what makes a park bad see Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.

Cleanliness, rides, and atmosphere. Especially atmosphere. After going to KI, CP was actually kind of a disappointment for me this yeat... trees 'n' concrete ahoy!

I actually like CP's atmosphere better. It's much older than KI and pretty well maintained. I also love that you are overlooking Lake Erie on some of the roller coasters (MF, Magnum, Maverick)

Anyway, a great selection of rides, great roller coasters, good atmosphere, decent food, and friendly staff (cough Holiday World cough). Then I'll be happy.

This is a good question that made me think for a while - here is what I came up with (including my assessment of Kings Island against my criteria):

Parks need to have the following:

- A good variety of rides that can be enjoyed by the full age range of guests - KI gets a 8/10 on this one. Missing a few items like some "classic" flats (ferris wheel anyone?), family rides, and another high end steel coaster.

- Landscaping that doesn't overwhelm, but makes the place feel relaxing - KI gets a 7/10. It has some great spots and some barren spots

- General upkeep such that you'd notice the one or two exceptions - KI gets a 5/10. Its improved recently, but there are still a lot of opportunities

- Helpful, professional, and friendly associates - KI gets a 9/10. Sure there are one or two that aren't, but all-in-all, I think they do a great job

- Good security - KI gets a 6/10. Another opportunity here; While I feel safe, I don't think the rules are adequately enforced

The following aren't required, but can help a park become better:

- Fun Waterpark: BB helps KI

- Railroad: KI's is ok

- Observation Point: Eiffel Tower is one of the best

- Theme: KI has not maintained which hurts it in my opinion

- Good Food at reasonable prices: KI is average here

- Useful Website: No, just No

- Shows: KI's are good productions

- Events: KI's are ok (a lot of gimmicks)

In addition, I adore parks where you just get a sense you are in for a great adventure. The royal entrance to Kings Island induces just such a feeling...as does Dream Street at that Joisey place that numbers its flags.

I like good themeing, great selection of coaster, a selection of flats, thrres, flowers, shrubs, enthusiastic employees, security, cleanliness, a nice waterpark, good maintenance of the rides, and I'll get back to you later with some more .