Ex-Theme Park Employees Dish Their Best Secrets, And We're Shook

Seduction... 

The park I worked at the games were easier to win earlier in the day so that people would carry around the giant prizes and entice other people to play. Trogdor_a_Burninator

I hate balls!! 

Don't EVER go in the ball pits. Little kids track all sorts of food and grime into the pit and regularly pee in there since they confuse it for a pool.

The balls are only cleaned once a week, and even then they are just put in a net bag and hosed off. You just keep spraying until the water stops coming off brown. They are then air dried and not sanitized in any way. NewbieTwo

Maybe we need 7 flags! 

Former six flags employee, my park is the safest in the country because we call the rides down for rain, for vomit, for lost items (they could be obstructing the track). So if a ride is down, it's probably not for a mechanical reason. We even pulled an emergency stop while I was being trained on one rollercoaster because a military official lost his military ID and was threatening my boss if we didn't go get it for him. If people knew how small that issue was they'd be furious that we stopped the ride. Willow-Whispered

Baby I'm sorry... I'm not sorry! 

The claw machines are loosened so that they will never be able to grab that iPhone or xbox for you to win. Sorry. nutterysquirrel

It's Magic! 

My friend in high school used to work at Hershey Park and one day we went together. When we ordered lunch I was just planning on asking for a cup of water with my meal so I didn't have to pay an extra $5. My friend told me to ask the cashier for a cup of "magic" water instead of just a cup of water. I trusted this friend so I did what she said. When I received my cup of "magic" water, I took a sip and to my surprise it was sprite! So I got a free cup of sprite with my meal that day. kita29

Sticky & Sweet! 

Worked a churro cart next to a large pond in the park. At night it was impossible to keep the bugs out of the cinnamon and sugar bin. Trogdor_a_Burninator

Pee at home! 

About 8 years ago, I managed a whitewater rafting ride (the big donut tubes that can sit 6 people) as a side job while in college. One day, the water filter broke down. The managers kept the ride running for over 2 weeks anyway. The water smelled so bad and turned dark green/brown. The inside of the rafts smelled like a month old porta-potty. We were instructed to tell guests the water filter was broken but the water was clean, which I'm pretty sure was a lie. Thankfully, being a shift leader, I didn't need to go anywhere near the water, but I felt bad for my employees and the guests who rode despite looking obviously disgusted by the smell. Calvyno

Liquids are a no for "IDo's!"

Vomit (with no visible blood) is either cleaned up with a sawdust like material to soak up the liquid and then swept into a dustbin or hosed off with a garden hose.

The coaster seat or table is USUALLY not sanitized or anything. So, you are sitting in dried vomit particles. AlwaysAGroomsman

Have you change Sir?

My place use to say that any change/cash lost on a ride was donated to charity. If they meant the charity of their employees' pockets, then they weren't lying. Quarters were the good ones to find, since it was rarely bills. redwolf15

The truth shall set you free! 

A lot of scary, dangerous rides are operated by stupid teens.

Was a stupid 16-year-old, learned to operate rides at 6 Flags! elaxation

REDDIT