I play on Harder mode, I'm up to 40k with about 8 rides now,
How I started!
Get the 1,500 loan, build a wild blue and carasoul. Price of wild blue 17 (and add a main sequence) and carasoul to 6 (and add a main sequence),
make sure you have 100 scenery, if things break down hire a engineer once its fixed fire him and repeat if it keeps happening, them slowly research the family and thrill, rides.
When you hit about 2.5k repay the loan,
Always keep and eye on thoughts about your ride, and when it starts to age, if people say its too expensive, take the hit and just replace the ride with the exactly the same, (you'll easily make back the profit)
I had 3 wild blues at one point, and 2 whirly rigs (if you add 2 more sequences you can charge 10 for these)
Then research a food, drink and gift shop, you'll have about 200 people in your park by now, im in year 3 (I have fastest simulation on)
Keep replacing the rides so they are new and you will make profit every month
Good Luck!