robbalvey

There's at least one Facebook Group, one private page, and a number of threads/boards on other forums. Oddly enough, it all seems to be pretty much the same people. It all started out, and this is like 10+ years ago, of people we had banned from the forums for a variety of different reasons. Mostly people that just didn't know how to control themselves or were horrible people. If the stuff I quoted in my first post is any example of their behavior, it's pretty clear why they were banned. Now it's turned into people I have never met or have had little to no interaction with that I think just feel the need to hate on something because their lives suck. The rest of them, well, some of them have been on this TPR hate crusade for an many as 10-15 years. Not sure where it's getting them as TPR is today bigger and more popular than it ever has been. That probably makes them even more upset! So congrats to all those people who have wasted all that time trying to prove to the world what a bad organization we are, we just keep getting more and more successful! lol

You're two for two getting threads locked here. Not much longer now and we'll just have to ban your account for making terrible posts. We have a search function. And if you use that search function you will find your question has already been answered:

I think it's pointless to have a poll about a ride that hasn't been announced yet and there is really no information about. Thread locked.

This right here. Also correct. And we do both of these things. In fact, just posted some stuff in the Club TPR thread recently asking those members for some feedback. It was fun writing this article. And while it no means do I recommend engaging haters on a regular basis, it was certainly entertaining to me to show off to everyone some of the crazy stuff we put up with, and why we feel it's important to just laugh it off and ignore it.

This was just posted to one of the TPR hate pages... I'll take "things that aren't grounded in any sort of reality at all for $500, Alex..."

Thanks! I added a few more that I found. Glad you guys like the commentary!

You're welcome!

Great! If you see us in the parks, don't bleach your eyes out! lol

As someone once told me.... "When you have complete strangers start hating on you, that's when you know you've made it!!!" I take that to heart and I would absolutely pass that on to anyone else dealing with haters! I do not get offended by haters, in fact, it's just the opposite. I find them very entertaining and after a long day of doing what we do, sometimes it can be very amusing to sit back and read the amazing stories that they post about you! For example here's some of my thoughts and musings on things I've seen written lately. Enjoy the commentary... Oh really??!?! For what??? And when?!?!!? LMAO! I haven't been to Hersheypark since 2015 and last time I was there it was because I was invited to their media event. I still get all the press releases and emails from their PR department (just got one the other day!) But it's awesome reading stuff like this! lol Wow, really??? Because it sure seems like we get a LOT of media invites and early embargoed announcements from Six Flags! Sounds like someone might be a little bit jealous of our relationships with the parks! Hey, lady, you can make fun of my appearance as much as you'd like! lol If that make you feel better about yourself, go for it! Your words don't bother me one bit and certainly won't impact my enjoying life and living well at all! Posts like these always make me laugh the most. People who talk about social media as though they are some sort of expert in the field but they have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what they are actually talking about! lol This stuff is great! You couldn't ask B. J. Novak to write better conversational comedy dialog. We have built up our social media channels from nothing in 2010 to now having nearly 2 million people follow us. I think we know what we are doing! We went on a VIP Tour at Cedar Point? Really?!??! WHEN??? That sounds like amazing fun! He's right about us "contaminating" the park, just didn't do it with a VIP Tour Guide! (but I'm guessing he probably didn't actually see us at the park and is just making this story up) Wait...they are saying *I* need to move on??? Hey guys, I'm not the one that started an entire Facebook page because I got butthurt that I got banned from some stupid roller coaster site. Thinking it might not be ME who needs to move on here! It's a real shame they didn't stop and say hello. Then they might have actually found out I'm a really nice guy when people aren't saying horrible and rude things about me. But then again, that would mean they wouldn't have something to complain about and some insecure unhappy people NEED bad things to say about other people so they'll feel better about their own lives. This doesn't even make any sort of intelligent sense! lol How am I supposed to get offended by this??? All it makes me fear is that Idiocracy is coming true even sooner than I thought! Yep, they know. If fact, they gave me the video. All the parks give us videos to post to our socials. Because that's what they do. Try to give their videos out to as many social media outlets as possible, especially those that have nearly 2 million people following you because there isn't any other theme park site out there who can get them better coverage. Great detective work there, pal! And when the haters start fighting amongst themselves, that's when you sit back, have some popcorn, and laugh your ass off! And make sure it's the GOOD high quality popcorn because once you've gotten to this point where you have haters and then you have haters fighting each other over how to hate you, you know you can afford the good popcorn! This right here might be my favorite thing that the haters all try to do. When they band together to organize "letter writing campaigns" to the parks. First of all, they make the assumption that out of all the guests that come to the park, out of all the different news media, celebrities, and everyone they have to deal with that somehow *I* am the worst most offensive person with the worst reputation! LMAO!!! These people have clearly never worked for a park before and never worked in Public Relations! Even when we are at our very WORST that is *NOTHING* compared to some of the totally crazy stuff parks have to deal with. I mean, have you read some of the just HORRIBLE comments day-to-day people leave on parks Facebook pages??? I couldn't even come close to being that rude and I can be a downright bastard sometimes! lol And trust me, the relationship we have with the parks we work with is fantastic! Secondly, I love how they post their "big plan" publically! How dumb can you be? So let's just say in the total off-chance that I got a call from a park questioning me about some stuff written online all I have to do now is pull up these screenshots and be all "Oh, yeah, it's a group of haters. Here's all the stuff from them where they said how they are going to band together and try to slander us...so when is the next media day again? Can't wait to get you guys another million views! lol" (oh, and ps Rob Vaccaro whom I haven't seen in probably ten years but for some creepy reason you're still hating on me, that's weird, right? Anyway Rob, the parks LOVE when we do our Bag-O-Crap giveaways because it puts their brochures in the hands of people who may not be thinking about their park at that moment in time and best of all I'm paying for it! So many of the parks not only mail us boxes of maps but also encourage us to take them when we visit (it saves them on shipping!) in fact, here's a box of Holiday World maps sitting on the shelf right next to me in our offices.... I'm pretty sure this borderlines on criminal activity. I don't know about the rest of you, but when there is something I don't like, I just don't bother with it. For example, I'm not a huge fan of country music. I don't go around trying to figure out how to hire hackers to take down Garth Brooks' website! lmao Taking this a bit too far, aren't we? How very kind of you to pay attention to how we operate at a trade show. Nice to see you are a fan. Maybe a bit creepy, yes. But still a fan! I wish I had the time to explain how things work in television, but I'm sure it would go over most people's heads. I'm flattered by all the work Travel Channel has asked us to do over the years. We love working on shows with TV networks (and you may see some of our footage coming up in new shows soon) but I can tell you that there isn't anything sketchy or malicious going on here. They just like working with us! And someone apparently is very jealous of that fact. Really? This is what we've resorted to? Crank calling and ordering sandwiches? Are we 12 years old? Again, people can make fun of my appearance as much as they want. That still won't change the fact that we are very successful on social media, have a great life, a wonderful family, and we enjoy what we do. The only thing posts like this show me is that there are a lot of very insecure people in the world. Then when we get comments like this. Wow. I'm not even sure what to say. This is about as low as someone can get. It's insulting and rude on so many levels. But still, you just have to brush it off. Because there wouldn't be someone out there writing horrible things like this if they weren't so unhappy and insecure about their own lives. And that's what you have to remember. Keep doing what you're doing and just let people hate. It makes them feel better about themselves when they hate on others because they can't stand to see others being successful with their lives when they are not. Brush it off, ignore it, laugh about it as much as you can. Well, I wouldn't say I don't have anything else to do but stalk their page, but let's be honest, it's soooooo much fun to toy with them! I mean, if someone is going to go out of their way to start an entire page dedicated to you, why not have some fun with it? Nothing they post offends me in the slightest, but man, it really does make me LOL when they get so worked up when they post something that gets deleted. Like, I don't know, maybe Facebook thinks posting horrible mean and rude things about some guy, his family, and his business isn't appropriate because maybe it isn't? Who knows. Either way, I just know it's DAMN FUN to get their stuff rightfully deleted and then watch them all go into a tizzy about it. Actually, my FAVORITE thing is to have one of their posts deleted, and then they go back in and post AGAIN more horrible disparaging stuff and I get that deleted again! lol It's like the lab rat and the feeder bar. It's all just too easy and predictable. And then of course, when Facebook ends up nuking their account completely it will be MY FAULT, right? As though somehow I forced them to write stuff that was against Facebook's community standards! lol Anyway, you asked how I deal with haters and that's how. I have fun with it, laugh it off and ignore the rest of it. I mean, you pretty much HAVE to because it's all so absurd! I admit there was a point in time when this stuff used to get to me, but that time is long past. But now all of that stuff above is just funny as hell to me now because I know that none of this would exist if it wasn't for that fact that we are successful. And that's what you have to remember. If you've got haters, embrace them...have fun with them... because they are a sign that whatever it is you're doing is working well and people love it. Because in order to have haters, you NEED to have a lot of lovers, too! Broken_[R]_(Real).nlpack

Really, it just started as a place for me to post random pictures of stuff and "blog" about things before the term "blogging" even existed. It started off as a Geocities site in 1996 and the only real snapshot I have of what that looked like is a version of the site from 1997: www.themeparkreview.com/tpr1997 And it just sort of took off from there...

Did someone ask you??? No. I don't think so....

Last night we got invited out to STK at Disney Springs to try out some of their new "fall seasonal entrees." I'll be the first one to admit that, aside from sushi, I'm not the biggest "fish person" but I have to say that the dishes we had last night... OMG... the sauces and flavors they have created, maybe I need to re-think that "I'm not a fish person" thing after all! When we go on our own to STK, I'm a HUGE FAN of their steaks, quite possibly the best I've ever had, and the sides & sauces for those are just fantastic as well. But, this was focusing on some of the new offerings, so let's check those out... Tonight we are at STK Orlando at Walt DIsney World's Disney Springs to try some of their new fall seasonal menu items! Love this place! Here is a sampling of what we are trying tonight. This is cool. We've never been featured on a menu before! Tonight's Food Porn pics start off with the Seared Tuna! So tender and flavorful! Who would love to take a bite of that? Next up: The Harvest cocktail w/ bourbon apple cider cinnamon pumpkin & Scallops! Soooo good! If there is one thing that is better than "normal sex" it's a good plate of burrata cheese! And this was OMG fantastic. The creamy smoothness and all it's juicy goodness. Stop me! I'm going to need a cigarette! The grouper at STK. Holy cow! This is the dish right here that made all "what do you mean I'm not a fish person? I'll take another, please!" Next up is the grilled lamb! Sweet potato purée & date chutney. Damn good!!! Who's up for dessert? How does Apple Crumb Cake with caramel sauce & ice cream sound to you? Cheers to STK Orlando for another wonderful meal! We will be back again soon! (and yes, I totally licked all the caramel off the rim of that Poisoned Apple drink. Who wouldn't right? Yes, it's a classy place and there I am licking my glass!) lol Seriously, though, if you are a fan of high-end steak & seafood restaurants like we are, and you love Disney Springs as much as we do, you *HAVE* to check out STK on your next visit! We love it!!!

Hersheypark's PR staff sent us a press release about the new company President! The Board of Directors of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company (HE&R) has announced the promotion of John Lawn to the role of President of the Company. Lawn’s new role became effective September 30, 2016, and is in addition to his current role as Chief Operating Officer. This announcement is the culmination of the succession planning process that current Chief Executive Officer and past President, William F. Simpson, Jr., and the Board initiated when Simpson notified the Board last June of his intention to retire on January 5, 2018. “Since joining our Company in 2004, John has a proven track record of developing high performing hospitality teams that continually provide world-class service while producing outstanding financial results. Regardless of whether a guest is at one of our lodging properties, restaurants, golf courses, or enjoying the Hersheypark Entertainment Complex - John's focus on hospitality does not waiver,” said Simpson. Lawn began his career with HE&R in 2004 as Food and Beverage Director at Hersheypark and became Assistant General Manager of Hersheypark in 2005. In 2010 Lawn was promoted to Associate Vice President of Operations, and then to the role of Vice President of Operations later that year. Lawn was elected Chief Operating Officer in 2015 and is responsible for management of all the Company’s operating divisions. “It has been an incredible privilege for me to be part of this remarkable team and outstanding organization – and its core purpose to help children in need,” said Lawn. “I owe so much to the unbelievably dedicated people here at HE&R and the support of leaders like Bill Simpson and our Board of Directors. I look forward to doing everything within my ability to further enhance and develop our outstanding team and continue to provide unparalleled experiences for our guests.” Prior to joining HE&R, Lawn spent more than a decade working in a number of management roles in the sports, entertainment and hospitality industries, including General Manager of Centerplate at FedExField in Landover, Maryland and Executive Director of Major Events for Ridgewells, in Bethesda, Maryland. Lawn currently serves on the Board of Four Diamonds and The Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance. He was previously on the Board of Children’s Miracle Network and Junior Achievement of Central Pennsylvania.

Wonderful to watch... [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew]

So beautiful!!!!

Oh please let there be more pics!!!

Personal comfort levels has a lot to do with it. Nothing they did made me personally uncomfortable, but I'm also very desensitized to this kind of stuff. That being said I could see where others could be made to feel very uncomfortable, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the whole thing. If you're talking about "Alone" that was at Busch Gardens Tampa, yes, this reminded me a lot of that, which was not a bad thing.

They posted the pics of "Total Package Tom" aka TPTomTom on the Catharsis Facebook page today! Yes this happened...

I honestly think it's because your standard theme park haunts are getting a little "tired." I mean, look, I like going to events like HHN, HowlOScream and Scary Farm, but I'll be honest, a lot of the haunted houses *feel* the same year after year. Yes, you see some great sets, cool visuals, and different themes every year, but they all go back to some very basic scare tactics and when you've going through literally HUNDREDS of mazes like this over the last 20 years, and while I still do appreciate them today, sometimes I'm looking for a different more unique experience. I really liked mazes like "Alone" that Howl-O-Scream did and the idea of stuff like "Trapped" at Knott's. Even the new VR thing at HHN sounds pretty cool. I wish we would see more unique things like this at haunt events. So an experience like Catharsis was exactly what I was looking for. Different and interesting from your normal haunts, but not some sort of weird violent or gross-out haunt either.

Yeah, it was certainly not the "mean hostage simulator" which I find that stuff also not fun and only for "shock value" which is IMO sort of dumb. This was (for me) not "scary" but I also am very desensitized to most haunt events. I can see where it may make other people nervous. It scores high on the "weird" factor, which I personally find far more interesting than jump scares because to be really "weird" you actually need talent. Anyone can bang a wrench against a wall and try to startle you. Again, I won't give away any spoilers but for anyone who did "Alone" when that was at Busch Gardens Tampa, this reminded me more of that, and I really liked Alone!

So tonight we experienced "Catharsis" which on their website is described as "an all-new immersive haunted experience unlike anything florida has ever encountered" which is most certainly accurate! The website goes on to say the following... "this experience is not about simply startling you. this is not an "extreme" haunted house. catharsis is about reaching you on a deeper level. it's about the chill that runs down your spine. it's about the involuntary feeling of dread that consumes you as you step out into the unknown." And yes, that would also be correct. This is *NOT* the style of haunted house where you go through close corridors greeted by "jump scares" or startles. In fact, we didn't encounter any of that at all, which is a nice welcome change from many haunt events that I've grown a little bit jaded of over the years. This was more of an "interactive theater" experience set to the seven deadly sins, and while I won't go into much that happen actually in the experience as to not give too much away, we did have a really good time interacting with the characters. At no point would I consider anything too "scary" and there were no "gross out" gags, but it was all really interesting, fun, and very creepy depending on the type of person you are as it was more of a "psychological" fear than a physical one. I personally prefer this. The actors are allowed to touch you but not in a mean way, it's all meant to play into the creep factor of it, and while things like this don't scare me or make me feel uncomfortable, others might, but really it's just a good time in some one-on-one settings with the actors in small sets playing out their parts and you enjoying it. I know it's hard to describe because I don't want to give much away, but check out their website: http://www.fearcatharsis.com/ Here's a few photos from tonight and some of the images from the website that give you an *idea* of what to expect.... We have just checked in to the Deadly Sins Bar to experience Catharsis! I have taken the liberty to underline my favorite deadly sin! We go down this hall and we may never be heard from again! The "Deadly Sins Bar" is the waiting area where you hang out until you are called to experience Catharsis. Tonight they had some very sinful acts going on which I did not mind one bit! Here's some of the vibe of the Deadly Sins Bar before Selena takes you back to experience Catharsis. Was a great freaky night! So we survived Catharsis. Cannot tell you what we experienced but Tom made some new friends! Here's some of the images & videos from the website and you can take away what you want from these.... [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew][fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew]

Some of my favorite items I've collected over the years of my travels...

If you listen closely you can actually hear the sounds of the TPR haters feverishly clicking their print screen buttons to document their outrage that anyone could be celebrating the demise of such a classic, timeless and unimaginably mediocre, forgettable coaster that nobody cared about while it was operating.

WONDERFUL NEWS FOLKS!!!! CHECK IT OUT!!!! http://www.wkyc.com/features/cedar-fair-big-dipper-to-be-demolished-at-former-geauga-lake-park/329889341

Since we personally weren't able to come out for the Fright Fest media event that SFFT invited me to, we WERE able to stop by the park during our "Final Newsies" weekend to check out the event along with doing some filming for the park in the morning! Check out some of our pics and we'll have lots of video out there soon! Stopping by @SF_FiestaTexas for a couple of hours! Of course the Fright Fest monsters are having a "blood drive!" Some of the @SF_FiestaTexas Fright Fest theming! We will be back tonight to check out the event after dark! [twitter] [/twitter] Just got in a ride on Iron Rattler! Still one of the top steel coasters in the country! The streets look at bit different at night during @SF_FiestaTexas Fright Fest! The "spooky train" brings the monsters into the park for Fright Fest! Here's a look at some of the frights @SF_FiestaTexas "Fright Fest!" Everyone loves a park covered in fog! Just one of five haunted houses to scare you @SF_FiestaTexas Fright Fest! The effects being used around the park look GREAT!!! Roller Coasters in the dark! My favorite! Checking out one of the scare zones tonight! One of the new haunted houses @SF_FiestaTexas #FrightFest this year! Great scares and good theming! Be sure to check it out! Parks at night are great. Parks at night during Halloween are **AWESOME!!!*** Next day I went back in to do some filming.... My office this morning looked something like this! Awesome shot this morning from our Iron Rattler shoot! And here is some of the videos we shot. More still coming soon! Huge thanks to Jeffrey Siebert & Jeff Filicko for all the hospitality during our visit! Thank you guys!