This is crazy. I absolutely cannot figure out how to get gems. I have 14! And I've been playing for a week. Do all of the burger stands, etc. only give magic? My characters are all leveling up but I am getting at most 1 or 2 gems from those. And I don't think I am getting any from the attractions. What am I doing wrong?
The #1 way to get gems is to buy them. This is typical for "freemium" games, and how they make their money. I've seen games that are better and worse at dropping the most valuable currency, this game seems to be on the stingy side, but still feels doable.
I do not buy gems, so otherwise it's a very, very slow process, as you noticed they only give you 1-3 at a time. Without buying gems you get gems from:
1. Leveling Up
2. Leveling Up Characters
3. Broom / Raven Contest prizes (the current one gives out 15 for reaching a certain total collected)
4. Parade rewards (random)
5. Daily rewards (gems rewards aren't everyday, but looks like maybe twice a week)
I've been playing since the game started and only have collected a total of
Current: 60
Spent - parade slot: 5
Spent - Pluto House: 50
Spent - Parachute Drop: 175
Spent - oopsies: 11 or 18, wasn't really paying attention when it happened.
Total: 301 or 308