tntornadox

Ugh, don't get me started on this topic... needless to say, great parenting putting your kids in jeopardy by wanting them to ride a ride they can't ride safely... we don't set these height requirements just for fun.

The two reasons (beyond maintenance) that stick out to me would be lack of staff to adequately run two trains (maybe some are on lunch or break) or it's too cold (this happens to us during the holiday season). My point is, not every ride op is lazy and is doing it on purpose, if I am not running two and it is legit needed (no, a 3 train wait does not constitute me adding another train) then I have a good reason for it.

As long as you are past the red line or exit gate (depending on ride, usually just a matter of feet off the ride dock) you are outside the ride perimeter, so I could care less if you stand there... I dunno how bad some parks are about it, but cross the line and you're cool with me. How about a ride op pet peeve? - "Why aren't you running two trains/more cars?" Trust me, I have my reasons... I would much rather put you through faster so I don't have to be asked this every few minutes... if I haven't already added another vehicle, I have a darn good reason for it. I have more, but that's just one...

^ But Dollywood DOES have a VP of Resorts... not Cabins or Vacations, but Resorts... makes me wonder if the DW resort hotel project is about to be restarted.

^ I think that is what many do, several people go in together and rent one out. There are several perks to renting a Dollywood cabin, including the park passes, free parking and more. Interesting note: Dollywood does not own the cabins, they are part of the Starr Crest Resort. Dollywood just rents them out and cleans them...

That was me! Yay me!

I am an Attractions Host at Dollywood currently... I am being promoted to a Team Lead position for next season. I am signed off to operate 6 different rides, so I am basically the glue that holds the place together sometimes... But I love my job and my employer.

It has to be one of the very few, the poor train conductors are asked all the time how they simulate the smoke and cinders that fly out the stack... when they tell guests it's real, they still don't believe them half the time... lol.

Awesome thread! I hope you covered some of the Tornado theming... it's backstory is amazing, but few people know it. I find myself explaining to guests all the time why our uniforms say 'Tennessee Mining Company' and how it all ties-in...

Update! Introducing Iron Man: View from inside Iron Man: And the Greenhouse food-court, featuring BK Whopper Bar, Subway, California Chicken Kitchen and Dunkin' Donuts: And with that, Marvel Universe is more or less complete: A construction wall has went up at the bridge to what ultimately will be Toon Lagoon: In other news, a few people mentioned that I had forgotten the clubs in CityWalk. Not so, they just hadn't been built yet. The Promenade level is now complete. Built over the Guest Relations building, The Promenade is accessed through the Hyatt Regency Universal City, the Guest Relations Plaza or from the second level of the Regal Cinemas building. The club buildings extend over the back service road: More to come, including The Backlot.

Quick update... I have decided on Marvel Universe as the name of the area: Spiderman building, with fake facade... (little theme park magic) Night shot. Current Marvel Universe overview. EDIT: I have just discovered an RCT3 bug that once you place a billboard with the 'queue image' option, it allows you to queue images on other boards as well, so all the LCD's throughout the park will now have live information and wait times. Also, each area will have a 'blue board' of information which shows the same. Comments are always welcome! Stay tuned for more.

Not always... Dollywood's Q2Q is very popular despite the fact it's near useless considering the ride lines are rarely VERY long, even during the Summer months thanks to efficient operations. Your experience may vary though.

Quick update: I have decided the park will soft-open later this season with three areas: Hollywood Boulevard, The Backlot and the Marvel area (Any suggestions for a name? I am not doing 'islands', per se, any input would be appreciated). Unfortunately, some attractions will not be 100% ready for the soft opening, but work is progressing as we speak. A few screens concerning what I speak of: And the reason for this rush to soft-open? Stay tuned.

Quick update: Introducing the Captain America project for the Marvel area of Universal Studios San Antonio. It includes a pre-show before the lift hill where the trains stop. This ride is based off the forthcoming release Captain America: The First Avenger: And lastly, here is a shot of the Administration building:

As with most of my projects, I ask that you let the area build up around the ride first, see it in its intended state.

Ask and ye shall receive: Hollywood Boulevard, directly inside the park entrance is really taking shape as are the immediate areas around it. Screens: And I am taking the liberty of having a Marvel area of the park, considering we don't know what the contract is... This shot is the coaster before Hollywood Boulevard was built up adjacent. Standby for further developments, including the Backlot.

Meh, all lines have failed or came very close in the past. Cunard is managed by Princess Cruises and is owned by Carnival Corporation, so you better bet it will be taken care of. Probably already has been.

So, as of today I am employed once again by The Dollywood Company. I will be on Rockin' Roadway for the first bit, I hope to make my way back to Tennessee Tornado later this season and hopefully onto the 2012 coaster next year.

I always thought we did a good job when I was at Dollywood, our throughput on Tennessee Tornado was often higher than the other coasters in the park despite the fact they have more guest traffic and often more capacity. I can vouch that people can be stupid and that has alot to do with it, but it also has to do with the type of ride it is, the conditions of the day, etc. For example, on a slow day we could get by with 3 Attendants + 1 Breaker who would relieve the others at any one time, this would go down to 3 Attendants during the last hour of operation. There is no way to run two trains with this amount of staffing. On the other hand, If it's a busy day, it requires a minimum of 4 Attendants + 2 Breakers. Typically, unloading is the side of the train that needs the most supervision... as those attendants must collect loose articles, which the park REALLY clamped down on the year I was there... slowing down things even more. Don't argue with the attendant and hand it over.. no, you can't put it between your legs, down your shirt, etc...

Some new screens: Guest view of the entrance plaza. Overview of entrance plaza. Guest Relations at the top, the smaller building at the bottom of the shot is VIP Studio Services. On the opposite end is the Transit Center serving bus and drop-offs. Guests can walk to the entrance or take the boats. A new resort hotel takes shape along the river. Night shot. Hollywood Street will be the first area of the park. This area will invoke an early era of Hollywood. Buildings beginning to take shape. Guest view of Hollywood Street. The first soundstage is nearing completion on the backlot... the service road will service the backlot as well. Thanks for the comments guys, I realize the park is moving kinda slow, but I am big on realism so that means attractions grow organically and where they fit, thanks for understanding. As it stands, the Backlot Studio Tour should be the first 'ride'. Comments always welcome!

A couple of quick update shots... 'Equality is Universal' is just as impressive during the day. Beginnings of the Park Entrance itself. Alot more to come!

Some more screens and an unveiling of an attraction! Inside Universal Arena Arena exterior Arena box office This shot shows the service road that services the Arena and CityWalk. Admissions building Current overview. NBC Universal 'The More You Know' boards at CityWalk Guest Relations. -And now, unveiling the first attraction at Universal Studios San Antonio: A friend suggested a MixMaster show for the globe area, having just watched the 'It Gets Better' (Anti-Gay Teen bullying project) video made by NBC Universal employees on YouTube, I was inspired to create this show, 'Equality is Universal', featuring lasers, search lights, fireworks and fountains! The show is meant to wrap around all issues, not just LGBT. We are one human race and every man should be created equal, that's the inspiration behind this. Pics: And my absolute favorite shot of all: More to come! Please visit It Gets Better Project for more information on this very important topic in today's society. Also, here is the video I mentioned earlier, it is long but very touching:

Some additional screens from the development of CityWalk: A shot of Planet Hollywood, Hollister and Fossil stores. The beginnings of the Arena... I wonder what will showcase here? Hmm... (The walls haven't went up yet, haha) The Universal Globe at night. More to come!

Thanks! One quick additional screen, CityWalk is growing with the addition of a Subway and Regal Cinemas Universal CityWalk 20. It is three stories, hence the windows facing the corridors. This building is not 100% finished as of yet, but I did install the movie posters... More to come.

Introducing my newest RCT3 project: Universal Studios San Antonio, leveraging both the west and east coast properties with a central year-round complex in the center of the nation. I intend to fully merge both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure parks into one huge park, it also features a CityWalk area. Onto the first screens: The Park entrance plaza begins with the iconic Universal globe. Parking garage. Hyatt Regency Universal City, by day. The beginnings of CityWalk, minus theming. To the left is Guest Relations, Restrooms, Baby Care Center. To the right is Krispy Kreme and a Hershey's Chocolate World outlet with meeting space on the second level. Same shot at night. Hyatt Regency at night. That's all for now, more to come.