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Everything posted by imdrunk
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Thanks for the walk back in time. My first job was at Opryland USA when I was 15. I worked the games in the State Fair section of the park back in about 1995. One day I was working the electronic 'hit the silver stump to send the light to the top of the tower' thing (forgive me for not knowing what the heck this thing was called). This large man reminiscent of 'Bald Bull' from the PunchOut video game hit the stump thing and the hammer bounced back and busted his head open. I flagged down my supervisor and the bloody guy was rushed away. A crew of people came to spray bleach water on everything and I was up and operating an hour later. Crazy! I think most Nashvillians did not want to see the park dismantled - especially knowing a mall was going to take its place. By the way, the sign with the Hangman logo that sat above the Hangman entrance is now sitting over the door of a bar along US Hwy 41 around the Smyrna / LaVergne, TN area. Next time I'm down there, I'll take a picture and post it.
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Opryland USA Remnants 2007
imdrunk replied to TheRapidsNerd's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
That sign and ramp behind the sign did lead from the employee uniform building (which is still there as it serves the hotel) to the park's rear entrance near Chaos. I walked it many times, but I don't remember what it said years ago. -
Opryland USA Remnants 2007
imdrunk replied to TheRapidsNerd's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
I lived in Nashville toward the end of Opryland's tenure. My first job was there. I worked in the games in the State Fair area. I can remember spending many afternoons at Opryland. It wasn't the best park, but it was still very special to most Nashvillians. I know that the locals were very upset to learn they were plowing down the park to put up a mall. As a side note, my high school is located about five minutes away from the Opryland complex (McGavock HS). -
Photo TR: Derek, Nicole, and James do SFNE
imdrunk replied to DerekRx's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
^My experience this season spanned three different days (two of which involved me bringing out of town guests to the park). Each of my three visits were marred with crap from guests mostly, but definitely slow ride operations. It was embarrassing that I brought visitors there and we had such a bad experience. I haven't been to the water park there yet, though. Perhaps things there are toned down. -
The Official Nintendo Wii Discussion Thread
imdrunk replied to MiamiBoii4392's topic in Random, Random, Random
I just had to send my Wii to Nintendo to fix. I was having these vertical static crackly lines in all of my games and in the background of some Wii channels. The Nintendo tech on the phone hadn't heard of this problem and didn't know what to tell me, so he is having me send it in (for free) for them to look at it. We'll see what happens. -
Photo TR: Derek, Nicole, and James do SFNE
imdrunk replied to DerekRx's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Exactly. I wonder how the higher ups at these places allow this to be okay. This is a service industry and they should run it as such. Maybe if an unofficial group posed "Anti Golden Ticket" awards where people could vote on the worst that parks offer, it would embarrass them to the point of actually doing something about it. They wouldn't want to be part of this list. It is too bad that some parks might need this kick in the pants to improve guest experience. Perhaps implementing a camera system for the queue lines and busting each and every person who cuts a line will be the only solution to line cutting. If someone cuts a line, it can be proven with video, and the person can be shown the door. It is as simple as that. If I ran a park, I'd want it to be known that the park inforces the rules and visitors are just about ensured of a positive, fun experience. This isn't brain surgery. After a short time of earning a reputation for the balls-to-the-walls approach to line cutting, the number if idiots trying to cut will drop dramatically. Okay, I'm done complaining. I need to visit a different park . . . .soon. -
Photo TR: Derek, Nicole, and James do SFNE
imdrunk replied to DerekRx's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
First, cool pictures. SFNE is my home park as of last season. My wife and I went toward the end of their 2006 season when the temperature was cool and we loved the park. This is marks our second that we have purchased season passes and I can tell you I regret it. I've been three times this season and each time I've left completely disappointed. The staff (except for Tim at the Thunderbolt) couldn't care less if you were in line for five minutes or five hours. I was in a "1 hour" line for S:ROS and it took over two hours. During those two hours, I witnessed two different fights in the queue line. Ironically, the 'lifeguard chair' they put in the queue was empty even though the queue was really busy. The patrons really were very rude. Besides the two fights (one involved a stolen wallet), a group of unruly teens heckled the ride op. to her face at the Houdini ride (they made fun of her hair and her makeup), line cutting was rampant, and the foul language was everywhere. SFNE is NOT a place I would bring my kid. My wife was with me on one of my trips there and a ride op. pissed her off so bad she filled out an incident report on her behavior. It is such a shame that with a such a nice park with an awesome coaster that the atmosphere would easily garner an R rating. It is time that these parks ENFORCE rules on unruly behavior (bad language, fights, line cutting, smoking) and not be apologetic about sticking to the rules they make. Does anyone want to buy my SF season pass? -Dean PS - just kidding about selling the pass. PSS - Thunderbolt rocks! -
Rides you won't do again
imdrunk replied to spaceace12's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
Any drop tower (completely unrelated to the SFKK incident). -
Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread
imdrunk replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
I'm about to leave to go to CP. It is a 10-hour trip from here. I'll be sure to take as many pictures as possible of any construction activities around Mav. I'll report back next week. -
Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread
imdrunk replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
The system on TTD is fail safe. The default position is up, they need to apply force to pull the brakes down. So if the ride loses power, the brake fins will always return to the up position. Yep . . . true. Did anyone make it over to Cp for opening weekend? If so, how was it? I'm headed there later this week for my second ever CP trip. I will be going Thursday and Friday, when are you going? I'll be getting into Sandusky on Thursday and will be at the park on Friday and Saturday. -
Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread
imdrunk replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
The system on TTD is fail safe. The default position is up, they need to apply force to pull the brakes down. So if the ride loses power, the brake fins will always return to the up position. Yep . . . true. Did anyone make it over to Cp for opening weekend? If so, how was it? I'm headed there later this week for my second ever CP trip. -
Opryland, USA. Nashville, TN. My first job was there. I was working the 'hit the thing with a hammer and see if you can get to the top' game. Forgive me for not knowing the name of the game. Anyway, this big bald guy came to play. He hit the silver pedestal and the hammer came back up and gashed his head open. There was blood everywhere. Everyone passing by stopped to look. I got the medics on the scene and they took him away. They hosed down the entire area with water and chlorine bleach. Ahhh . . .the memories. . . .
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Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread
imdrunk replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
I hope it is open when I go in mid-May. After moving to New England, you can't find those just anywhere. Maverick looks awesome. I can't wait to be one of the first to ride. -
I'm headed to CP the weekend before Memorial Day in May. Any experiences with crowds during the time before memorial day? I'm not expecting much.
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Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread
imdrunk replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
I'm headed to CP the second weekend it is open. I'm really excited. I've not experienced TTD or (of course) Maverick. Too bad it will still be too cold to enjoy the water park and the water rides, but it will be fun. It shouldn't be too busy since it is before Memorial Day. -
I'd like to be added to the Midwest email list to receive more information when it is available. I emailed Robb according to the directions on the first post, but I see others are just posting their interest in the trip in this discussion. If I'm not already added, please do so!! dean.chauvin@gmail.com
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I totally agree! Reno911 is so damn funny. My fav episode is from season two when Kenny Rogers comes into town. Good stuff . . .
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Lake Compounce Discussion Thread
imdrunk replied to robbalvey's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
I'm excited. I'm moving to CT in two weeks from LA and can't wait to Vist Lake Compounce and hit Boulderdash. -Dean -
You're right about the parking. $15 is ridiculous. I wish I would have known they'd offer this new pass - I bought a regular pass back in May when I visited SFNE. I haven't been back to any SF since. I've been too busy to travel. Once I move to Connecticut in two weeks, I'll be at the park all of the time. I could have saved a few bucks (probably only one day's parking).
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Best Drop Ride!!!
imdrunk replied to coaster_shorty's topic in Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, & Donkeys!
. . . I'm not much of a fan of the drop towers. I've ridden a few and they all seem the same to me. I know there are variations on the idea, but I'd rather take on a coaster.