Niles: Universal Studios embraces theme parks’ nemesis

What are the most hated words in the theme park industry? I suspect that they are “back to school.”

The start of the school year means the end of summer vacation and with that the end of the high season for most theme and amusement parks. The Halloween season provides an extra financial boost for many parks, but scream season does not start bringing in the big crowds until next month. That leaves August as a time to wind down and say goodbye to many summer friends at most theme park across the country.