Going to places like Disneyland, where everything was designed to look beautiful, made me never want to leave.
In 2018 I joined the Facebook group, Coaster Appreciation Society (CAS). There I met Chris and we’d later go on to meet up in person at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW). We’d meet up again in 2020 and that’s when he invited me to join another group – Busch Gardens Williamsburg Insiders. Although I had been to the park numerous times since the early 90’s, I wasn’t sure if I qualified an “insider.” I remember walking around the park that day, with limited operations due to Covid-19. It felt like every person we passed knew Chris and was one of these “insiders.” This happened during each of the three visits we made that fall/winter.
During one of those three visits I met Randy for the first time. While we didn’t get to chat, I recognized him from the Insiders group. As a photographer myself, I always liked seeing his work. Unlike me, who sticks to mostly shooting roller coasters, Randy captures the entirety of the park in his work. In one photo you’ll see Loch Ness Monster curling up into its interlocking loops over the Rhine River. In the next, a zoo keeper will be holding out an owl where you can see all the texture from its thick feathers.
Randy truly is an amazing photographer. I knew he’d make for a perfect person to interview for the newest Creator Interview here on We Were Inverted. Like with the previous interviews in this series, Part 1 takes a look at how Randy came to love amusement parks. Next week, in Part 2, Randy will share his background in photography and how he’s come to combine these two hobbies. As always, follow Randy on his different social media platforms linked below and be sure to checkout the amazing communities in all the Facebook groups named throughout the interview.
Photos Courtesy of Randy Davidson
(except where noted)
West Coast Beginnings
Randy's First Parks
Q. Can you recall your first-ever amusement park visit?
A. It was Disneyland in Southern California. It was back in the day when they had the ticket booklets. Man, that dates me.
Q. What are some of your earliest memories of visiting amusement parks?
A. My earliest memories are going to Disney and riding the Tea Cups and Submarine Voyage. They were my favorites.
Q. Can you share the different parks you visited as a child? What did you enjoy most about each?
A. Living in SoCal, I was close to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain (SFMM), and Universal Studios Hollywood (USH). We would go to Disney and Knott’s a couple of times a year and Universal at least once. I loved going to Universal the most since I loved movies and TV shows. Seeing all the settings for my favorite movies and shows was amazing. Of course, Disney and Knott’s were always awesome trips too. I mean, it’s Disney! It was always magical. I wish I had a camera to capture those amazing times back then.
An Escape
Q. Was there someone in your life who you’d go to parks with regularly?
A. My parents divorced at a young age. When I would go spend time with my dad and stepmom, they loved going to parks. They’d take us to these amazing places, and we’d make great memories. I also had an aunt that never had kids. She would “steal us,” as she would call it, and take us to Sea World San Diego (SWSD) and Disneyland. She spoiled us to no end. So many good times and great memories.
Q. What were some of the biggest reasons you fell in love with amusement parks?
A. For me, it was an escape from everyday life. I got to go to a distant place where school and family life didn’t matter. I experienced amazing shows and exhilarating rides. Going to places like Disneyland, where everything was designed to look beautiful, made me never want to leave. It truly was a fantasy land.
1st Rides & Roller Coasters
Q. Did it take you long to warm up to getting on rides, or were you one of those kids that wanted to ride everything?
A. It took a while. I did have inherent fears. My dad or stepmom would always be there to encourage me to at least try the ride. I would mostly end up loving them too.
Q. Do you know the first-ever roller coaster you rode? Do you remember the experience?
A. The Matterhorn at Disneyland. Man, I was so scared. I didn’t want to ride it. As a kid looking up at that mountain… it looked huge! I knew for sure I was not going to make it back. I’d be the kid who fell off the mountain. Isn’t that part of the inherent thrill about coasters though, even as an adult? Looking at a coaster and saying, “Man, that’s a scary looking ride,” and go do it anyhow.
Q. Were coasters something that instantly hooked you, or did they take more time?
A. It took a long time to convince myself to ride a lot of coasters. My obsession with them came in more recent years.
Q. If you rode other coasters as a child, what were some of your favorites?
A. Space Mountain at Disneyland, Montezooma’s Revenge at Knott’s, and Ninja at SFMM.
Exploring the East Coast
A New Home
Q. You’re clearly someone who enjoys this hobby. What helped push you deeper into your love for amusement parks as you grew older?
A. My kids. Being able to take them to the places my wife and I loved growing up allowed us to relive things through their eyes. We could enjoy them all over again. We moved from California to Virginia when they were older, and we love it here. Being only 30 minutes away from Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW), we became passholders and we have not regretted that at all.
Q. Prior to BGW, did you have a home park?
A. In California we really didn’t have one. We’d go to whatever park we felt like going to at any given time living there.
Q. Let us in on your thoughts about your home park now.
A. BGW is so beautiful. It really transports you to somewhere different. It makes every trip there so amazing and exciting. It offers something different you can enjoy every trip. The animals, along with the amazing zoo team, the shows, food, and so much more are great. There are many times we go and just walk the park, and of course, take lots of photos.
New Friends
Q. Other than family, you also visit the park frequently with other park regulars, correct?
A. Yes.
Q. How did you come to meet them?
A. I was able to meet many different enthusiasts on my Instagram (@BGWPhotoFan) and groups like Busch Gardens Williamsburg Insiders. I also can’t forget James Williams, a.k.a. Mayor James, who runs Park Adventurers. He introduced me to quite a few people.
Q. How is it to meet other like-minded people and spend a day enjoying BGW together?
A. It’s life changing! You get to meet and spend time with people that come from all walks of life, who share the same love of coasters and parks, and even photography. I’ve spent days learning so much about others and doing the things we love so much together. There have been times when I was able to spend a day going shooting coasters and talking photography with others. It doesn’t get better than that.
Q. Are you okay with other enthusiasts introducing themselves to you if they see at a park?
A. Absolutely. It’s always great to meet new people in person and get to chat with them. I love getting to know them and finding out what they like and things that excite them. I’ve made some amazing friends this way.
Randy On Rides
Q. What are some of your favorite parks, other than BGW? What makes them stand out?
A. My wife and I just started visiting different parks here on the east coast. She didn’t ride coasters for 30 years, but she’s now a roller coaster junkie.
- Dollywood: We’ve come to love Dollywood. It’s a beautiful park and has some awesome coasters. My favorite is Lightning Rod. It’s one of my Top 5 coasters. And the food… It’s amazing! It is a close second to BGW when it comes to beauty. Being a photographer, I could spend all day there just taking pictures.
- Carowinds: Carowinds is a great coaster park with some fun entertainment. As far as their coasters you have Fury 325. Like wow! That ride is probably my number 2. It does not disappoint. After hearing all the hype for it, it deserves it. And I can’t forget Copperhead Strike. I had no clue how much fun this ride would be. Carowinds is also one of my favorite parks to photograph.
- Sea World Orlando (SWO): Mako and Manta are two awesome rides. I also love seeing all the amazing sea life throughout the park.
- Universal Studios Florida (USF) & Islands of Adventure (IOA): Only two things I need to say about these parks are Velocicoaster and Hulk. Velocicoaster is my Number 1 coaster.
- Kings Dominion: A park we started visiting last Christmas. We ended up getting passes for the park and really enjoy going there. This might not be the most popular opinion, but Twisted Timbers if my favorite coaster in the park. It’s a wild ride! And once again, I love shooting photos at Kings Dominion too.
Q. Are you someone who keeps track of the parks and rides you’ve experienced? If so, how do you keep track of where you’ve been and what you’ve ridden?
A. On the West Coast: Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, SWSD, SFMM, and USH. On the East Coast: BGW, Kings Dominion, SWO, USF, IOA, Carowinds, and Dollywood.
Q. How many roller coasters have you experienced?
A. I don’t really keep track. I do, however, enjoy getting on new rides and visiting new parks.
Q. What are some of your favorite wooden coasters?
A. I love Thunderhead at Dollywood.
Q. What are some of your favorite steel coasters?
A. I love all the coasters at BGW, but my Top 3 are: 1. Velocicoaster, 2. Fury 325, 3. Lighting Rod.
Q. Do you have any preference when it comes to wooden vs. steel?
A. Steel all the way baby!
Q. Seeing you visit BGW and Kings Dominion quite a bit, were able to experience any of either park’s now-defunct coasters?
A. Yes. I was lucky enough to visit BGW way back. I got to ride Big Bad Wolf. I loved it. I had never ridden a ride like it and the drop over the Rhine River was amazing. At Kings Dominion I got to experience Volcano: The Blast Coaster. That was a fun ride and again, very different.
Q. Any other defunct or rare coasters on your credit list?
A. Corkscrew when it was at Knott’s.
Q. Based on what you see other enthusiasts say online, or during conversations, are there any coasters (or rides) that you enjoy that most people same to dislike? If so, what do you enjoy about it?
A. Not really. I just try to get the credit and see if I enjoy it.
Launching Into 2023
Q. I’m guessing you’re pumped for the addition of DarKoaster at BGW in 2023. Is it safe to say that you’re going to be there for some of its first rides? (see Park Announcement)
A. Oh yes. I’m really excited for this ride. With the different elements and the theming of the castle inside and out. I assume it will be ride that can be ridden during colder days too. I cannot wait. I think it was a great choice for the park to build a ride like this and is one that’s much needed.
Q. Do you have any other plans for 2023 that you’re looking to do? New rides? Parks you need to visit for the first time, or maybe get back to again?
A. The bucket list is long, but the goal for next year are first-time visits to Hersheypark and Busch Gardens Tampa (BGT). I really need to get on the coasters at Hershey I’ve heard so much about. I hear that BGT has some ride named Iron Gwazi that might be pretty okay too. I so want that credit! And hopefully, a return trip to Carowinds to get my Fury 325 fix.
Q. Bigger picture… What are some of your bucket list parks and/or rides that you really want to experience one day?
A. Cedar Point. There’s so much to do there! And Knoebels. And Kings Island too!
Be sure to check back next week for Part 2, when Randy shares details about his other main hobby, photography. As you can see, he loves to combine his two passions.
