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EVE OF DESTRUCTION
Bulldozing amusement parks that are more Macho than Mickey
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While
operating heavy machinery might not be your idea of "amusement," there
are a growing number of people out there (you know who you are) that
get their biggest kicks from digging, hauling, crashing and crushing.
If you're the type that still has your old Tonka dump trucks, G.I. Joe
vs. Cobra tanks, or a motorized mini Jeep, there are several places
that cater to your juvenile fantasies of construction and destruction.
Now, you can bypass rattling roller coasters for thrills at theme parks
that let you get behind the wheels and haul a$$ on some of the largest,
most powerful utility machines in the world (or maybe just in Europe):
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Tanks-A-Lot:
You don't have to join the armed forces to test out these monster
machines. In the UK's Northamptonshire lies a farm where no flesh and
blood animal roams. Instead, for a fee, you can drive one of over 90
massive, 50+ ton beasts of steel. You can also crush cars, fire 18th
century muskets, and "offroad" through various courses. And for those
corporate execs who think a little heavy metal will bring their staffs
together, Tanks-A-Lot offers company team building packages. (Trust falls
are so yesterday anyway.) There's nothing like a little camo and some
ancient firearms to get your employees cooperating. At the very least,
parks like this may allow them to release their aggressions on a
machine other than that Xerox that seems to be jamming all the time.
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Diggerland:
Fusing conventional theme park rides with large construction vehicles, Diggerland
is a unique UK amusement park where attractions are based not on
animated characters or the latest action flicks, but rather dirt. Not
only can guests get their dig on by driving, excavating and racing in
various machines, but they can also buckle up in traditional
lunch-losing theme park rides that more closely resemble The Big Dig than Disney's latest. The Sky Shuttle,
which thrusts brave souls high into the air, is definitely not for
those inclined toward vertigo. And for those who don't turn green at
the idea of the spinning teacup ride, the Spindizzy
is like a giant digger version of the teacup, in which daring patrons
sit in the shovel at the end of a tractor arm spinning like a rogue
sprinkler.
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Männerspielplatz:
The name of this German adventure park translates to "man's
playground." But here, both men and women can race quad bikes, go
offroading in Unimogs (four wheel SUVs that seem most appropriate for
jungle exploration or snowplowing), jackhammer giant boulders, shoot
things with a bow and arrow, hang glide, and, with a nod to Diggerland,
excavate dirt in a gargantuan Komatsu backhoe. If you idolize Mike Rowe or Bear Grylls,
this action sports/construction site/adrenaline junkie paradise may be
a better getaway than that all-inclusive Caribbean resort you were
considering. Just don't forget to pack your hard hat.
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* References to products and services in trendcentral do not imply our endorsement, but rather are intended to provide objective insights into emerging trends and examples of those trends. trendcentral is published by The Intelligence Group, a trend research and consumer insights company focusing on youth culture. For more information on our services, or to subscribe to our syndicated Cassandra Report studies, please contact Noelle Weaver at 212-277-5244 or via email at nweaver@intelg.com.
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