SIGHTS
Amusement rides (a giant spinning Ferris wheel, colorful looping roller coasters, a two-story haunted house painted in gloomy colors, a log ride racing down metal rails to land with a giant splash, a tea cup ride, a swinging pirate ship see-sawing back and forth against a bright blue sky, a slow moving airplane ride for kids, pony rides, paddlewheel boat rides), long lines for rides, bumper boats firing water gun cannons at other boaters in a man-made pool, bumper cars throwing off sparks where the metal roller makes contact with the metal mesh ceiling, a merry-go-round, bumpy slides, a kiddie ball pit and climbing area, rows of carnival games (ring toss with giant stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling as prizes, floating duck games, a basketball-through-the-hoop toss for prizes, a dumbbell strength meter, a shooting gallery with pop-up targets and flashing lights, hanging tires one must throw a football through, dart and balloon popping games), people carrying off their prizes (long stuffed snakes, glittery hats, giant bears, cheap toys and small-sized stuffed animals), mazes filled with fun house mirrors and laughing teenagers, smiling employees in uniform manning the rides, food vendors (selling pizza, giant turkey legs, ice cream and slushes, burgers and fries), fast food restaurants where customers can sit down to eat, litter in the gutters (wrappers, tags from toys, cigarette butts, receipts), gift shops selling park-themed merchandise (stuffed animals and dolls, books, picture frames, key chains, coffee mugs, pens and pencils, toys, decks of cards), overflowing garbage cans, people sweeping up trash, ticket booths and ATM machines, people carrying cranky toddlers and pushing strollers, water bottles forgotten on benches, crushed pop cans lying near a recycle bin, the wind blowing around flyers and other litter, balloons drifting up into the sky, crowds gathering around food booths, benches crammed with people resting in the shade, birds swooping to eat dropped food on the ground
SOUNDS
Loud music, screams, laughter, cheering, bells dinging to signal the end of a game, clanking ride chains, the whoosh of air brakes, chugging machinery, squealing brakes, feet running on hot pavement, people calling out to each other, fries or doughnuts sizzling in vats of oil, the dinging sound of pinball machines in an arcade, balls rolling and thudding down game chutes or hitting the booth backdrop, balloons popping, the jingle of change, cash registers sliding open, till tape spitting out, clapping and cheering after a stage show, the click of seat belts on rides, doors snapping shut or safety bars thudding into place, spooky theatrical noises coming from the haunted house (evil laughter, creaking, bats squeaking, ghosts moaning), tired toddlers crying, the splatter of vomit against the ground, the scrape of a broom as trash is swept up, the distant sound of a musical number from a live show, fireworks going off at night
SMELLS
Cigarettes, deep fry oil, hot pavement, oiled machinery, babies with full diapers, hot garbage, body odor, sweat, bad breath, sunscreen, vomit
TASTES
Amusement park food (burgers, corn dogs, doughnuts, ice cream, chocolate, French fries, popcorn, chips, rock candy, dipping dots, elephant ears) and drinks (pop, slushes, water, lemonade, snow cones, milk shakes)
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
A paint-chipped safety bar on a ride, cracks on a padded cushion seat scraping or pinching one’s skin, a seat belt tugging tightly across one’s lap, jamming a foot against the gas pedal in a bumper car, the smoothness of a ball in the hand before throwing it, grease sliding down one’s palm from a juicy burger, ice cream that drips onto one’s skin in cold blobs, swiping dry paper napkins at a smear of ketchup on one’s shirt, crinkling up a hamburger wrapper or chip bag, the numbing sensation of holding an icy cold water bottle or pop, holding a child’s sweaty or sticky hand to keep them close, brushing up against strangers on a crowded ride or in line, feeling a back pocket to make sure one’s wallet is still there, water-soaked clothes sticking to one’s skin after the log ride, water dripping off one’s hair and face after a blast from a water cannon, the bottomless feeling in the stomach on a rollercoaster, light-headedness and nausea from too much sun and fast rides
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Losing a child in the throng of people
Witnessing corruption or a crime
Having one’s money stolen by a pickpocket
Feeling one-upped by a rival who wins all the games
A child getting lost
Feeling watched or stalked
Being abandoned by one’s friends
Wanting to stay but having someone in one’s group feel sick and need to be taken home
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
Amusement ride and game operators, attendees, drivers and mechanics, janitorial staff, park management, performers, security personnel, show performers
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
Rural Volume: County fair
Urban Volume: Carnival funhouse, circus, waterpark, zoo
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Some amusement parks may follow a specific theme or have mascots (Walt Disney World comes to mind), while others are a hodge-podge of rides and games for all ages. Amusement parks are different from carnivals in that they are stationary; they also may open seasonally or be available year-round, depending on the location and climate.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
Joel shoved his broom against the dirty concrete, collecting crumpled napkins, cigarette butts, and bottle tops. After the rides were grounded and the music silenced, the park showed its true colors. Not many saw it as he did, when the wind brushed hot dog wrappers up against dirt-smeared tent flaps and the moonlight gleamed over peeling paint. But that’s what the public never understood about this world. Once the laughter disappeared and the park wiped its makeup off, it wasn’t so pretty underneath.
Techniques and Devices Used: Contrast, personification
Resulting Effects: Establishing mood