themeparkman25

Check that out! Very happy with this picture and very happy with that coaster. Definitely one of my favorites for sure!

This just keeps getting better and better! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/33342538#33342538 Just saw the video of the kid puking, its pretty funny! I think there is something more there on why the kid hid for so long in fear. The dad just seems somewhat "snappy".

^I didn't mean that in a condescending tone at all. I appreciate your comments. My comment back to you was more of a, "oh ya, I left talking about my jobs out, please be sure to check those out and let me know what you think about that." I didn't mean to sound bad. Plus my post back to you doesn't even make sense. ^^I appreciate your comments and opinions. I too agree that experience can be worth more than a degree. I'm actually leaning towards just the business degree with a minor in economics and then saying where that takes me. Thanks again.

^Ya it was a waste of "brain power", but you absolutely can't doubt that tip. What happens if it was true that the boy was in the balloon? At some point, it seems like the child entered the carrier, and without adequate knowledge about the crafts flight, the craft itself or how to get back to Earth, the boy COULD have potentially seriously injured himself or died. It is the possibility that he could have been there that made them go to the extent they did. it is the "if".

Part Trips-So is Six Flags. Well, they were, I'm not really sure where they are listed now. Wasn't it that if there stocked fell beneath a dollar for over a year they would be removed from that specific market? I'm still not even sure what they are doing with their Chapter 11 besides cancelling a ton of debt in exchange for equity. Oh well, that isn't what I want to do! Emiroo-Would you suggest and MBA though? I feel like an MBA is critical to be a big name, and I guess if I want to maybe start my own I would want that knowledge as well. See my comment too please at the bottom about where I stand currently with jobs. Free tickets for you for sure since you are helping me here. Chris-You as well, read my post at the bottom regarding my current job(s) in the industry. Then can you share your advice again. Sorry, I failed to leave that out of my original post. Haux-That is a very good idea and I definitely will do that. A couple years ago I spoke with B&M, Intamin, S&S, Vekoma, etc about working for them and that helped a lot. My tastes shifted though from engineering to business. As well, read the bottom! I don't mean any of those remarks in a negative manner to you guys, I mean only good by it. They are simply suggestions that you check out my experience and share your advice with the additional information. I apologize if I came off in a poor fashion. My current job(s) in the industry I worked for a solid year and a half about in a ski and bike shop and got excellent hands on experience with customer services, technician skills and tastes of management since it was a small shop. However, in retrospect I wish I spent less time there and more with theme parks. This last summer I started working at my local park, Elitch Gardens, as a ride operator. I was promoted not to long after starting to a ride trainer. I applied to a couple of job openings as an area manager, though my lack of years with the park is what ultimately got me the nix. Assuming I get rehired, and I feel pretty good about that haha, I would start this upcoming summer as a trainer and would be a contender for manager since I would have the year of experience under my belt. Now I am not guaranteeing that I would get promoted, and I am not trying to be narcissistic, but I believe I have what it takes to be a very good employee. In the upcoming weeks, I have been given the privilege of working as an ambassador at the annual IAAPA convention. I take this with high regard as it is a fairly competitive opportunity, or so I have heard. Either way, I should have the honor of meeting many of the executives at both parks and suppliers. I'm not saying that I will be given job opportunities from this event, as I have been told not to expect anything, but it will still give me the chance to dip my feet into the market. So on top of the major question, another huge question I face is what to do next summer. Cedar Fair offers internships in the business sections of their parks that require you to be a sophomore with good grades, good past, etc. So do I apply to one of those, and IF I get the job, do I take that? Or do I return to Elitches as a trainer and work my way up from there? My concern with Elitches is that it has little to do with Finance or Economics, and when I graduate I will have little experience to offer a future employer in the respect. New Questions: What major(s) should I choose to follow? Which job(s) would be the most beneficial and efficient way for me to get remotely close to achieving my dream? I appreciate everyones help so far, and would love to hear what anyone else has to say! Thanks a ton! Jordan

Oh Colorado... This story is all over the news here. Apparently someone saw something fall from the balloon, but it isn't confirmed what it was yet or even if it is true. But yes, hopefully the boy is alright.

I posted this in the "say something random thread" and got nothing, so I posted it here hoping to get some responses. I'm asking this to those who who know a lot about the (theme park) industry and can offer advice to me on what to do. I am currently a sophomore at the University of Colorado at Boulder and trying to decide specifically what major(s) I want to get before I get too deep in to my college years. I have taken plenty of economics classes and love them, but I have also taken plenty of business classes and love them too. So the question remains, which degree would be most beneficial to me? I, like so many people on this site, want to own a theme park in the long run, but to do that I believe I will need to work my way up some ladder (CF, SF, etc). To human resources, when I walk in or talk to them, which of the following options is going to look the best? Why? What would you advise I do? Option 1: A degree (BS) in Business. A minor in economics. A certificate in entrepreneurship. Graduation: May '12. Option 2: A degree (BS) in Business. A minor in economics. A certificate in entrepreneurship. A Masters in Business Administration (MBA) as post graduate work. Graduation with MBA: May '14. Option 3: A degree (BS) in Business. A degree (BA) in economics. A certificate in entrepreneurship. Graduation: May '13. Option 4: A degree (BS) in Business. A degree (BA) in economics with business emphasis. A certificate in entrepreneurship. Graduation: May '13. Option 5: A degree (BS) in Business. A degree (BA) in economics (with or without the emphasis). A certificate in entrepreneurship. A Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Graduation: May '15. I get fairly good grades (3.4 freshman year) and enjoy taking classes relevant to my major(s) so difficulty does not really phase me, but if I can get to the same place in the long run with less time and money spent in college then I should do that. I need help! I do not plan to stay in Colorado for grad school, if I should choose to do grad school. Does UCF have a good college of business that offers MBA's? I want a place that actually has a legit theme park and a good college I can attend. Let's say I go with option 1, is the single degree and three extra years of experience worth more than going with option 5? If not of those options seem to be fitting, is there another degree that you would recommend me taking? Thanks for your help! Jordan "I'm going to own a theme park someday, tell me otherwise, I'd love to prove you wrong" Darrington

^I feel so stupid now. Gravity pulls at 9.8 m/s no matter the object. Thanks for correcting me.

Edit: I am too embarrassed by my stupidity to leave this comment up. Why can't I delete this post! I'm not bashing your stuff Jack, I make my own models and just wish that I could make mine work!

Anyone going to be at Universal/IOA this Saturday and Seaworld on Sunday? From watching the first tree get cut down for Manta, to watching it be built at every stage and to watch the first rides enjoy her, I cannot wait to get wrecked by her this Sunday! I don't know why, but I don't think I have been this excited for a coaster since, well, Maverick.

Jarmor- Does it pass clearances with ten across seating? I don't really know how you can do that, but maybe there is a way. It does look pretty awesome though.

^^Cool. By no means am I bashing your ride, I think it looks fantastic and I cannot wait for the download, I just thought the it looked a little weird at first. I'm sure you will do a great job.

Maverick doesn't have a solid piece of steel though, you can still see through it. If you look at the youtube video, it is largely just in the middle of the track, and is diamond shaped. I'm not saying what you have is bad, cause this coaster looks epic, I am just giving you my opinion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzjxjqNOR-c

Looks very good! A question though, why make the track a solid piece of steel? If you look on the launches, you put a 3D on top of the track, PAX style, why?

^ Thats what you said! Not adults. And it's *their* not *there* haha.

I don't know where to post this, so it goes here. To all those that are working their way up in the industry, experienced college, smart people. I am deciding what to do with my college education. I want to get in to the industry and start working my way up the financial ladder. To do that, I have (I think) three options on degrees. Which is going to be the best looking on a resume? Which would you recommend I take and why? And any other advice you may have. Option 1: A degree (BS) in Business. A minor in economics. A certificate in entrepreneurship. Graduation: May '12. Option 1A: A degree (BS) in Business. A minor in economics. A certificate in entrepreneurship. A Masters in Business Administration (MBA) as post graduate work. Graduation with MBA: May '14. Option 2: A degree (BS) in Business. A degree (BA) in economics. A certificate in entrepreneurship. Graduation: May '13. Option 2B: A degree (BS) in Business. A degree (BA) in economics with business emphasis. A certificate in entrepreneurship. Graduation: May '13. Option 2C: A degree (BS) in Business. A degree (BA) in economics (with or without the emphasis). A certificate in entrepreneurship. A Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Graduation: May '15. I love economics and I love business so I want to do both, but if it isn't going to pay off or yield a huge return I shouldn't waste my time. I want to own my park (que quote "we all do"), and I am going to stop at nothing to do it (tell me otherwise, I will prove you wrong). So with that in mind, what should I do. As of write now, I want to do Option 2C, but I don't know if it will yield me any more than, say, Option 2B or 1A. Let's say I go with 1, and just starting working and proving my worth. The extra three years could prove to be worth more than an MBA, or no? Who has an MBA, and if you do would you advise it?

On a much more positive note (^) I think you have done a great job with this coaster. I really enjoy the layout of the coaster and think it has a nice selection of hills, turns and low-to-the-ground sections. Great job. In addition, I think that you have done a brilliant job with the supports. I also like the midway that is next to the coaster and the water, made the coaster really interactive. My advice though, would be to add some more buildings and a couple fewer trees and then submit! I don't see why not (^), you have to start somewhere and you have done a great job so far.

^I don't know if I would say that. If they just picked on a single group of people then I would agree, but when they are making fun of everybody then I don't see a problem. SNL makes fun of a lot of groups of people too. ^^Number 3. Where Mark talks to the Nazi character. Watch it!

Then how did McNabb end up on his back with a cracked rib with nothin' yet touching Brady yields 15?

Oh my. Who watched FlashForward?! Spoiler alert: The Intamin Drop Towers are behind it all!

It is coming.... Nuff said. TTD top left, DB top right, La Ronde bottom left, i305 bottom right.

FlashForward- Tanight! So excited! Fun fact, I went to the same high school and college that Matt Stone and Trey Parker (makers of South Park) went to.

^That looks awesome! How long did it take you? My only advice is make both support columns at an angle, since they both are in real life. Keep up the nice work! http://www.rcdb.com/3613.htm?p=19132

The first of the two lift hill supports is being erected. Only a little more time now until my mind can rest. It still boggles me how they are going to lift the hill pieces in to place.

Not necessarily true. GCI announced that they would put MF's on any wooden coaster as long they could more than likely retrack the coaster and it didn't mess up the forces. http://www.greatcoasters.com/?p=trains