Retrotalk : Places : Carnivals

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Retromaniac Member Since: September 2005 Contributions: 7508 Gold Stars: 153 View User Posts	Carnivals Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 12:01 am Central Time I just got back from a carnival. I went on two thrill rides, and was too dizzy and nauseous to go on any more. Didn't try any of the games, they're rigged. There was even a big guy who looked like a basketball player, and he couldn't win at the hoop shooting game. I bought an all-beef hot dog for dinner and a can of Coke, for $5 total. I also got a caramel apple with nuts for just under $4. First one I've ever had. The biggest ripoff, however, was the House of Horrors. The rides varied by tickets (3 for a kiddie ride, 4 for a family ride, 5 for a big ride). Tickets cost $1 apiece. The House of Horrors was 4 tickets. Your car goes through a dark room filled with maybe four grotesque mannequins, you might feel some cobwebs, and there are times when you hear a loud buzz. However, the ride lasts maybe 45 seconds! Total ripoff. I also rode the carousel. _________________ Oh Gloria, with hair like granite.
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Railyn Member Since: November 2005 Contributions: 693 Gold Stars: 12 View User Posts	Re: Carnivals Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 4:45 pm Central Time I think you're expecting far too much. Carnivals, by nature, need to be able to be set-up and torn-down in a very short time. Therefore, they can't put up majorly complex rides like you'd find at a theme park, where they are up all the time. Yes, food is expensive, but think of it like a convenience store. No one is making you eat there, but because you're already there, you probably will. And yes, the games are indeed rigged, but once you know the tricks, they can be done - much to the chagrin of the carnies. My grandmother worked in a travelling circus for a few years, and she knew every single trick. When the carnies know you know the tricks, they'll either let you win, or give you your money back and shoo you away. Some games (like the one where you place the metal discs on the red dot) simply can't be won. They'll let a token person win occasionally so as not to appear crooked. Others, like the basketball games can be done if you know the tricks (underinflated balls and smaller hoops - just adjust your throw - my husband is good at this). Lower your expectations, and you might enjoy the next carnival. I love them. Our state's biggest fair is going on right now, and I'm really looking foward to going next week. Heck, I worked in my cousin's fair concession for a few years.
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Tom1956 Member Since: December 2005 Contributions: 1343 Gold Stars: 34 View User Posts	Re: Carnivals Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 5:51 pm Central Time One thing I've heard about carnival games that may be true is that you're more likely to win when the midway is busy that when the carnival is less crowded. The logic is that if they let you win when there are a lot of people around -- and some of the games that are rigged can easily be set to favor the player -- is that seeing someone win will encourage others to give it a shot. Of course, they will then rig the game against the player. If few people are watching, there's little incentive to let someone win. I suppose a corollary to this theory is that when the game promises a bigger prize for winning three times than for single wins, they may let you win the first two, in hopes you'll see how "easy" it is to win, then make it harder for you to win the third to trade up to the big prize. By then, they've got you hooked in, and certain that you can do it again, and you may spend more dollars to get that prize (which if you ever do get it, is probably worth less than you've paid out, and is of lower quality than you'll find in the mall). One example is the game where you toss balls at a pyramid of bottles. The fix here is that one bottle is heavier than the others. If the carny puts it on top, it virtually assures a direct hit on the lower level will topple all the bottles. If he places it on the bottom, however, a major league pitching ace would have a hard time winning. _________________ "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -- Ferris Bueller "A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid ones that need the advice" -- Dr. W.H. Cosby, Jr.
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CairnTerrier Member Since: November 2005 Contributions: 1438 Gold Stars: 148 View User Posts	Re: Carnivals Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:59 pm Central Time I actually enjoy carnivals....up here in New England in the Fall, they ARE the thing to do, as some of the state or town fairs are centered around some form of carnival. Yes, they can be expensive, but alot of the fun comes from the sights, sounds, and smells. Can anything smell better than BBQ ribs and fried dough? When the "Big E" fair runs up here, most of the fun comes from going through all the various barns to see the 4-H animals, the horse and equestrian events, as well as some of the better living/home/craft items offered. As for riding the rides, occasionally I'll do one or two...like you I just can't do the round and round stuff any more. If I want big rides I'll go to a theme park and ride the roller coasters. As for carnivals, I see them as fun diversions for an afternoon or weekend, where a whole town can get out and enjoy the day. _________________
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H2IZCOOL Member Since: November 2005 Contributions: 3305 Gold Stars: 70 View User Posts	Re: Carnivals Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:11 am Central Time The thing that used to bother me about the carnival games was that even if you DID win, it wasn't worth it. Say that you play a game that costs $1. If you lose, you lose. If you win, your prize is something worth fifty cents. I became disenchanted with carnivals and amusement parks many years ago. Bah! Humbug! _________________ The spammers are taking over. It's the end of the world as we know it!
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