First, you don't need to register with the website in order to vote in front page polls, vote on attractions, restaurants and hotels, submit or vote on tips, or to comment on the front-page blog. (Comments from non-registered readers are held for editor approval before going live on the site.)
You must register in order to comment on attractions, restaurants and hotels, and to participate on the discussion board. You must be 13 years of age or older to register. That's actually U.S. federal law, and I swiftly delete information from anyone found to be under 13 who lies on the registration form and tries to register on the site.
Also, I encourage people to register under their real names, since using real names encourages civility and polite discussion on the site. I recognize, however, that theme park companies do not allow their employees to speak publicly about the parks, so we do permit park employees to register under pseudonyms, to help them share insider information with the rest of us without fear of losing their jobs.
Finally, I've written up some rules for writing on the website that mostly have to do with money issues. In short, don't take freebies from parks in exchange for coverage. If you do ever attend a media event, or otherwise get into something for free, note that in your report.
Readers are the heart of the website - your first-person reports help thousands of other readers make more informed decisions about their vacation planning every day. Our policies are designed to encourage participation while preventing the spam and flame wars that have crippled too many online communities. Be helpful. Be informative. And if you can do it, be funny. In that order, please. :-)
Thanks for reading Theme Park Insider!
Just kidding, here here on the age! And noted on the rest. ;) always looking to improve.
