chadster

^This.

Yes, the park re-opens on Feb 27th. In April they will be open Saturdays and Sundays, If I'm not mistaken, 11-7 on Sundays and like 10:30 to 8 on Saturdays

There are plenty of major parks that have not seen a new coaster in 5+ years, some of them comparable in size to WOF and some of them the same chain. The Great Escape, Darien Lake, Valley Fair, Michigan's Adventure, Beach Bend, (yes they are building one...10 years since their last!). A park doesn't need a new coaster every other year. Cedar Fair has dumped a ton of capital into WOF and continues to do so, some things you see, some things you don't see. For example, it wasn't until a few years ago that the parks POS system was finally all tied together to allow managers to monitor inventory levels, what was selling, what was not selling, and make adjustments accordingly without a physical hand count of product. That cost a good amount of money to do, but as a guest you wouldn't know it happened, hell the only reason I know it happened is because park management told me. Painting, plumbing, finish out of planet snoopy, and a new cheesy dark ride will round out the park's offerings. Parks spend a lot of money on market research, and what they have done has paid off for them and the company financially so they must be doing something right. So is 2018 the big year, who really knows, until the steel is cut, wood ordered, trucks roll in with the goods, they can always change their minds. It happens more than you think.

SFOT is way different than SFStl and SFMM. Drink holders are at each major ride platform. Runaway Mountain, Runaway Mine train and Justice League are take your crap with you rides. (Justice League you are required to dump your drink before entering the ride building, sink provided) Unless you have something super expensive you in theory don't need a locker, in fact they have pulled most of them out at this park, but if you do need one to keep valuables in them, they are available for $1 or like $6 unlimited use around the park. And to be quite honest, if you have crap you are afraid people will take, and they do, even on ride platforms, putting your crap in a locker is the safer better bet.

Whew, it's dusty in here...probably going to stay that way too. Dec 7, 2015 www.waaytv.com/appnews/no-movement-on-elaborate-theme-park-plans-in-the-shoals/article_f05a6912-9d32-11e5-8e4b-af7d311343bb.html

I saw this last week and pretty sure most of these rides are portable carnival models, some new, mostly used. But hey, whatever works. In reality it's probably smart to have portable models that can easily be liquidated if the community doesn't support it. Yeah, well, about that... www.waaytv.com/appnews/no-movement-on-elaborate-theme-park-plans-in-the-shoals/article_f05a6912-9d32-11e5-8e4b-af7d311343bb.html

The way the proposed 'law' is written it indicates Orcas can't be bred for entertainment purposes, so, you adjust a few things, call it education, and presto! A better experience for all! I'm sure that wasn't the intent, but that's what the reality will be. So now California 'lawmakers' will have a nice struggle in their efforts to ban only orcas from breeding in captivity. It will now be a much tougher nut to crack now without shutting down all zoos, aquariums, and pet stores.

At least they are re-working Ghostrider properly instead of pulling a Gwazi.

Agreed, at least it gives away 20 donuts a week.

SkyScreamer should be open however the entire Gotham area will be closed along with water rides and the Oil Derek. Saturdays are assess and elbows, the rest of time it's not too bad.

So I've almost got the HQ and the free donuts each week are starting to pile up for completing tasks. I am starting to get a little bored with the event with almost a week before the new stuff shows up. If there aren't any cool prizes I might take a few weeks off or slow play it. Not sure if anyone took advantage of the XP Collider, ended up in 24 hours getting 750k XP, I'm now two levels ahead. Cheated a bit since I still have some Mr. Burns Money Pile tasks left but at 5x pay each one of those yielded me about 175k xp x 3. At least I know if I ever get behind I can just pay a few donuts for a 3 days of 5x pay and I'll be caught right up.

I got to thinking about this and the same thing could be said for an employer who requires a note from your Dr. when you have a need to be off work for an extended period of time, some require a note for more than 1 day, some 3 days, and yet others trust the employee enough to not care unless it's FMLA. The employer isn't to be privy to your medical condition under the law, but they too could google your doctor and if it came up Oncologist, well there you go. Basically if it flys for one it flys for all and I'm pretty sure this subject has been raised before in the courts(in reference to privacy concerns when looking up the Doc on the note), I'm just too lazy to search Westlaw. The short version, I don't think one would win that argument in court.

If we're choosing between making the location slightly less obvious and requiring a doctor's note, what do you think sounds more drastic and discriminatory? You're exact words were "Make it harder to find" now you are saying "slightly less obvious". What are you suggesting, an ADA passes only line? No park would staff that from open to close. You must have a Doctor's note to excuse you from work for weeks on end, if you are flying and have something embedded in you that might set off a detector, or for a handicap parking permit. Is that also drastic? No. It's to legitimize your need. If you're trying to project a sense of authority, age helps. Is hiring big guys to be bouncers weight discrimination? Weight discrimination is not covered under the law. But only hiring someone because they're larger can be, not hiring someone who is equally qualified only because they are skinny can also be considered hiring practice discrimination. One of the few exceptions to the rules under the law are in aviation, military, and law enforcement. To employ someone whose job is to embarrass a handicapped individual is an even bigger lawsuit and publicity nightmare waiting to happen. Unless you are the legal guardian of one with a disability they don't hand out passes anyway, so the argument of a bunch of kids getting a pass on their own is moot anyway. These are grown ass adults getting a pass so they don't have to listen to little Johnny or Jane whine about having to wait or go to the bathroom or that they are tired or bored. No wonder this country is #$&*ed. Despite what enthusiasts like to think, they do care about their reputation and public image just as much as they care about making a profit. Again, the potential to make maybe $50,000 off of increased qBot sales is a drop in the bucket and might cover running and maintenance costs for a day at one park. Do I think they will get sued? Sure, someone will do it. Will it be someone who thinks they are entitled? High chance. Other than the person who sues because they were denied a ride due to loss of limb and ultimately loses the suit due to ride manufacture specifications. I'd be willing to say some, if not many, who are legit handicap might even as much as welcome the policy change as it has the potential to flush out the lines and clear the paths. Been to Disney and seen the ADA line for Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain? It's insane at times. Would you not be pissed as a person who could barely walk 10 steps that others were taking advantage of system designed specifically for people with conditions who didn't have one? I sure as hell would be. Will the policy be tweaked? Probably, it's like anything, you gauge customer feedback and make adjustments accordingly. To me, if you have a legit handicap permit, bringing a copy of it or the documentation for it is all one would need. Those are typically not handed out like candy.

So these people who are cheating the system are getting something for free when they should be paying for it, and you don't think that factors into Six Flags' thinking at all? These things are preventable, they only happen because Six Flags employees are terribly under-trained and under-managed. I'm guessing that's the whole reason they're having this problem in the first place. If Six Flags is really having a problem on the scale some are suggesting then it's clear they're doing literally nothing to prevent it. It doesn't take a lot of brains to figure this out. Don't have the place where the passes are distributed at the front of the park. Make it harder to find. Don't have people wait in a line outside to get it. Have an employee managing it who's older and can conduct his/herself with some presence. If it's a gaggle of able-bodied kids with no adult in sight, look at them skeptically, ask who exactly the pass is for. Explain the pass is only for people who really need it and ask them, do you really need it? Kids are generally terrible liars, so if they're lying, you can make it clear with your body language that they shouldn't have it, and they probably won't be persistent enough to demand it. If you don't believe me that it's possible to solve this problem without resorting to discriminatory policies, then all I can tell you is the proof is in the pudding. Other parks don't have this problem, other parks don't have this policy. So wait. Your solution is to make it more difficult for a person with a legit disability to find the location to obtain an ADA pass? Isn't the whole point of ADA to make it easier for people with disabilities? Guest relations is not always located outside the park gates, and many have more than one location. So to confuse the legit users on where to go is not good customer service. Having an older adult manage who gets passes who who doesn't is reverse age discrimination, there are plenty of mature young adults in the world capable of performing guest relations functions. What factors into Six Flags thinking is the bad publicity a park gets by word of mouth when people who have legit waited in line to see those who are very much able bodied and not on a VIP tour enter through the designated entrance and take up a front or back row seat on every other train. In turn those waiting in line have their time extended repeatedly, become frustrated, and vent through various social media channels. Do you think park managers enjoy seeing their employees yelled at and listing to snide remarks all day by those pissed off that multiple able bodied people are skipping the line? I'll go ahead and answer that. No. Incidentally the qbot(flahspass) is not owned, managed, or operated by Six Flags. Much like how Kodak operates the onride photos and the dress up photo booths, Loqueue operates and staffs under an agreement and in turn gives Six Flags a %. The amount of money they *might* make by people who would be forced to stop taking the free route would be insignificant as the likelihood of even 25% of those people getting a flashpass is small.

Just received the following press release: Silver Dollar City’s ‘An Old Time Christmas’ Presents NEW Rudolph’s Christmas Town, Plus Light Parade, Musical Productions and 5 Million Lights November 7 - December 30 (Branson, Mo. 10/2015) Silver Dollar City lights up its brightest season beginning November 7, presenting the new areas “Rudolph’s Christmas Town” and “Santa Claus Lane,” plus the $1 million light parade featuring the beloved Christmas character Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for An Old Time Christmas. One of the nation’s most acclaimed holiday festivals, An Old Time Christmas also features a 5-story Christmas tree with a light and sound show, Broadway-style musical productions, holiday foods and five million lights, November 7 – December 30 at the Branson, Missouri theme park. Rudolph’s Christmas Town features characters from the popular television special “Rudoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the longest-running, highest-rated Christmas special in television history. Kids can meet Rudolph and Clarice, and Rudolph’s friend Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster. The area also presents activities from Reindeer Games to cookie decorating. Santa is available to talk with kids in an all-new area, Santa Claus Lane. One of the festival’s most popular features is Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade, led by the most famous reindeer of all. As Grand Marshal, Rudolph leads the evening parade of nine musical, lighted floats – one featuring Sam the Snowman -- as it winds through the streets of the City. The floats, illuminated with 200,000 ultra-bright LED* lights , were designed exclusively for Silver Dollar City, with animated features from huge drumming bears and cymbal-playing penguins to a cowboy doll rocking on a hand-carved wooden rocking horse. The parade is accompanied by 33 colorful costumed characters, including Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, 14-foot moose characters, 12-foot tall elves and 10-foot candy canes, plus penguins, elves and a troupe of marching wooden soldiers. The parade follows the lighting of the 5-Story Special Effects Christmas Tree on the Square, a towering icon with over 350,000 colorful LED lights that is the centerpiece of the Christmas on Main Street light and sound shows beginning at dusk each evening. The massive tree blazes in synchronization to the musical movements of Christmas songs -- up to 100 light changes per second -- while lights around the Square flash along with it, accompanied by surround-sound. The new $8 million themed area Fireman’s Landing is fully decked out for Christmas with dozens of decorated trees, lighted buildings and light-wrapped trees with animated starburst lights. Fireman’s Landing’s rides are open, weather permitting, and the indoor interactive play zones provide temperature-controlled fun, all with theming that salutes the spirit and training activities of community volunteer firefighters. The festival also features two popular musical productions, It's a Wonderful Life and A Dickens’ Christmas Carol. It’s a Wonderful Life presents a musical interpretation of the inspirational story that was voted the #1 “Inspirational Film of All Time” by the American Film Institute, and features unique special effects and a talented cast of 14 singer/actors. A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, also an original musical adaptation of a famous classic story, includes elaborate sets and visual effects, flying spirits, pyrotechnic special effects and a talented cast of 15, accompanied by a live band. Since its debut more than two decades ago, Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas has become one of the country’s most recognized events for spectacular lighting and world-class entertainment. Profiled as one of the nation’s top holiday celebrations by USA Today, CNN Travel, The Travel Channel, Good Morning America, AOL Travel, Yahoo Travel and MSN.com, the festival transforms the entire 1880s-style park into a glowing wonderland with 1,000 decorated trees and five million lights. Guests can view the park’s lights from high above the ground too -- in temperatures down to 42 degrees, guests can soar into the night on the park’s coasters and rides, including the ground-breaking top-rated wood coaster Outlaw Run**. Fine craftsmanship is also showcased, as the park’s 100 demonstrating craftsmen create one-of-a-kind handmade holiday items, from blown glass ornaments and angels to pottery dessert platters. The tastes of the season are in abundance throughout the park, including a prime rib buffet and traditional favorites such as turkey with apple-raisin dressing. Festive holiday treats from apple dumplings to hot wassail can be found throughout the park, and the bakery cooks up fresh homemade fruitcakes. For kids, there’s a lunch with Santa, available on weekends, and classes at the Midwest Living Culinary & Craft School feature holiday specialties. During An Old Time Christmas, Silver Dollar City is open Thursdays through Sundays through December 20, plus Wednesday, November 25 and Monday - Wednesday, Dec. 21-23, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and open daily December 26-30. Hours are 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. most days, with extended hours on Saturdays and Thanksgiving weekend – check the website for exact schedules. Information: 800-831-4FUN(386) or visit http://www.silverdollarcity.com.

^ http://lmgtfy.com/?q=king+of+queens+six+flags+episode

They were open, not much in terms of crowd, weather had most people at the malls today, we aren't use to this cold weather sh!t. Not totally ashamed to admit that I sat on NTAG for almost 2 hours last night

They sure waited along time to make the declaration.

I'm not seeing the innovation in this new flat ride, it actually leaves me with more questions than answers.

KDFW reports 2.87" and the sun is breaking through in Frisco. Lewisville hit close to 5, like 4.5 or something. Somehow we've managed to turn this into the weather channel thread

If someone forges a doctor's note just to get an ADA pass, well, there's a special place for them. At least at OT it has become a bigger issue, especially on the weekends. I've met several out of town friends at the park over the last few months and the number of people who are able bodied running up to Justice League or Texas Giant with 5 of their friends in tow, or whatever ride, and getting straight on was astounding. These are people who clearly didn't have a return to ride time and were told to wait a few minutes and they would slide them in. Um, hey, the line is an hour long, wait the hour like everyone else! So in that respect, Six Flags is at fault, to an extent. Now it would be easy to assume this rash of line cheating (look there are legit people who need the pass, i.e. walking disability, wheel chairs, etc so we aren't talking about those guys) was due to the influx of Californians to Texas who have gotten away with this at Disneyland for years, and that assumption is likely correct. I've overheard some of these people saying they had moved from California, so there you have it! Its not about selling more flash passes, I mean let's face it, at OT there are only about 5 rides the flash pass is even worthy on. It's about people the number of people who have slowly started to cheat the system and get a pseudo flash pass by getting a ride time (well sometimes anyway!) and running off to ride something else and coming back. Here is a prime example! Shockwave's main queue is ADA accessible, it's a freaking ramp! People were walking up the exit stairs trying to get on with an ADA pass! The ops were like, um, the regular queue is the accessible entrance and the guests got pissed! So in order to refrain from a disturbance, they allowed them to ride. To me the better solution is having those in need of a pass actually wait for the ride at the ride, problem solved! (if you can work out the staging details) And for those complaining about ADA violations, well, you have to have a handicap permit to park in a handicap spot right? A Doctor must sign the required documents to obtain the permit otherwise you risk the tow truck and the need to make a sizeable donation to the local community's general fund.

I noticed they also fixed the latency when visiting towns and dropping off the tazmanian devil (that's what I'm calling him) making it not as painful to piss off your neighbors who then have to chase that bastard down all over town. I think I'm at camp level 15, when Act 2 came out I crafted all of the upgrades instantly. The daily tasks for 20 free donuts is cool, the extra 2 days to complete them each week is a win. The only price I didn't get in Act 1 was the last one, and after the Kang double, I didn't really care.

Yes, but for an added fee, there's a fast lane system in place for the impatient or out of town children to get their candy faster. Don't forget about the ADA passes for those trying to beat the system.

My spidey senses tell me the weatherpeople have over exaggerated once again and we will see pockets of light to moderate rain for short periods of time.

Heck, I'm thinking Friday Just got the flash flood watch alert on my phone. Now the question is, where in the hell are we going to put all this water that's coming over the next month.