I wish I had realized earlier that I could just go to the park alone rather than dragging people along who weren't really into it. Both would end up frustrated, them because they'd feel pressure to ride things they might not like, and me because I didn't feel like I was getting to ride as much as I'd like. This was even before I moved out to California to be with my husband: neither of my long-term boyfriends or any of my family members are what one might call enthusiasts. When I went with my family as a kid I often headed off on my own (and really enjoyed it) but I didn't want to do that with a boyfriend or my husband. I'm angry with myself that it took me 15 years of barely going to parks to realize I could just go by myself.
Refusing to go alone prevented me from going to any of the parks while I lived in Cali (outside of a single Disneyland visit, which was a lot of fun). When we moved back about ten years ago, my husband and I got passes to KI one summer and visited a grand total of two times and rode, I think, one ride over both visits. Neither of us were happy.
I have enjoyed myself so much since I realized it was ok to go alone, and ride everything I want to my heart's content. It's made me a lot more bearable when I do go to the park with someone, because I can just enjoy being there and being with the person. I am happy to ride as much or little as they want, because I know I can go alone another time and ride whatever. Me going alone has made it so much nicer when my husband and I go together, paradoxically, that we got him a pass again last season and went a handful of times together, and renewed for 2017. Since he doesn't feel pressured anymore, he feels more free to try new things at his own pace, and has even found a couple coasters he truly enjoys, and thinks about wanting to ride when between visits.
If I had realized this back in 2005, I could have rode SoB and TR:TR which are my other regrets.