chadster

^ yep, I belive all of them offer all day lockers. The last time I went for an all day locker I thought to myself, why am I paying 12 dollars to walk up front everytime I want to get in it, which was only about 5 times. Should have paid the dollar and left my stuff in ride locker while I was "riding".

^^^ glad you got to take the tour and that you liked it. will be watching for photos.

^^ TSA pat downs in Australia? I'm sold!

^ Nice find and interesting read! Thanks! Some high points I found in the presentation courtesy of KI Kidd: Note - a few words may have been changed or added to improve the entertainment value. "Strong and distinctive brands known for high-quality, pristine parks with one trash can per 2 guests" "Significant barriers to entry" just ask Wild West and Hard Rock "Further reduce debt through the prudent use of excess cash flows" obtained by adding qbot "Grow revenues by 10% to 14% by 2015 " the economy has spoken "Q Investments has held FUN units for just one year" thinking they could dive in and make a quick buck "It has already sued FUN three times" losers. Thanks to them we have to spend more profits in lawyers "We believe Q Investments’ true intentions are to get in, make a quick profit and get out–with no regard for what’s best for long-term investors" no sh!t sherlock "Proposal 2: to consider and vote upon a proposal from Q Investments to amend the Partnership Agreement to require the General Partner to make dividend distribution a higher priority than debt repayment and to take every action possible, including seeking necessary amendments to loan agreements, indentures and other documentation, to implement such distribution with the goal of returning to close to historical distribution levels based upon earnings" haven't they heard the economy sucks right now? "Proposal 2: Favors Q Investments’ short-term hedge funds investors over the Company’s long-term investorsby preventing the Board from making prudent decisions with the Company’s capital" duh "While there is no set policy regarding Executive Chairman, the Board believes the most effective leadership model for the Company at this time is for Dick Kinzel to continue as Chairman and CEO through his contract term ending January 2, 2012" hell no he won't go! "Two directors designated by Q Investments recently joined the Board" what else do those greedy people want? "Q Investments’ request to mandate change in the Company’s proven fiscal policy is an apparent effort to create more short-term cash flow at the expense of long-term value creation and sustainable growth, which we believe is not in the best interests of all unit holders" afterall you can only choke the chicken so long "Cedar Fair is targeting a long-term capital structure that provides a low cost of capital, cushion against downside scenarios and ample liquidity to finance future growth and distributions" take that beeatch "Four out of five equity research analysts recommend FUN with a “buy” rating" so buy Q's units up now! "Cedar Fair’s Board Unanimously Recommend Unit holders Vote AGAINST the Proposals Submitted by Q Investments" what else would you expect us to do? Other items of note: "Text message offers when inside park" now we're talking! "Market competitive renovations to existing hotels" movin' on up! "Trademark new rides and attractions" except that water ride thingy that's been giving us hell "Consideration of accommodations / resort development at other parks where appropriate " Disney watch out, here we come!

How about prices at the major chains creeping upwards? Disney, Busch, Sea World, Universal, oh, and SF's has been "adjusting" flash pass prices at several parks. SF's getting rid of the funatic's program. Sure it was cheesy, but it did what it was designed to, brought people back in to the park while giving away free or upgraded parking, free beverage, bring a friend, discount on next year's SP (off the regular price we found out, not the buy it ahead of time price) Rewards programs do work when ran correct and they for sure weren't losing much money with it, but it was a cost, so out it went. People who complain about people who complain about people who complain who complain about getting hung with a new rope. *Edit* Being lied to by Kat and Harrold

I'm surprised Elissa hasn't listed Legoland Florida for making Pepsi their official drink partner. Ahh, here's another. SFOT and SFDK Halloween events. Lame.

The firing of Mark Shapiro

It met the same fait as the old Texas Giant. Oh wait, we are getting something better than what it was. Sorry, wrong analogy.

The overall point is that lockers or other storage bins on ride platforms waste disptach time. Is it nice to feel secure, sure, but the only effective way to retro fit free lockers at several rides that currently don't have the storage space is off the platform (El Toro, Top Thrill, MF, etc) Nothing says you have to put something in it to take the key, and like I said, it's market dependant. And yes, people will be that stupid. I've seen people put in their fifty cents and throw the key in the trash or in a lagoon. No crap in your lap, that's my motto. Again, there is no easy answer.

^ good point. Returning to the sporting goods store to exchange strap for cup.

According to this the Hate to Wait pass is only good for one time on 8 rides. Five bucks for each ride when broken down sounds reasonable enough, but when compared to other offerings by their competitors, and the rides offered, or not as it seems, I hope they continue to refine it.

I think it would be better financially if they sold off properties and put a little cash in their pockets so that their investors are happy and stock looks better. Just ask Madooooofus. Looks are everything. (not suggesting they are doing anything illegal, so no one get unhappy)

while that would be the way to go, replacement keys cost money, if everyone would actually return the key and not play "let's take all the keys" it might would work. But, in certain markets, that little game would be played everyday, while other markets, it probably wouldn't. While charging .25, .50. or 1.00 per rental with a key isn't much, it's enough to discourage most from playing the game. Now if they used the system of getting a paper slip with barcode like is in place at SF's, parks could probably justify the small cost of the paper. In the end, there is really no good answer other than don't bring in a stroller full of crap and expect the ride op to watch it for you. Bins or lockers. I prefer to put my 1k camera in a locker and not leave it at the station unless it's a one train wonder, and then I have.

With trees growing through the track, would Prince Desmond even still want to save it? hmmmmm Considering he is a man of great power and of his word, probably he would still want to try.

PSA - NOTED! I will now go to the nearest sporting goods store to purchase a jock strap for future TPR events.

Rode it for a straight 1.5 hours earlier this year during SP ERT I'd guess 30 cycles easy. Only problem I had, is after an hour, it started to get old and I was ready for something else.

I know going in to SF's or other parks that if I bring my all of my camera crap (some of which was used to bring you those cool first shots of the TG Train on track, thank you) that at some point I'm going to need a place to store it. At BGT it cost me fifty cents, yep, two quarters, 5 dimes, 10 nickles, that's it. A large one cost me a buck. My crap fit for fifty cents, worth every penny to not have to lug your crap up to the ride. Remember the girl at BGT who had her iphone stolen from Sheikra's bins? Sure they found it, but is it worth the risk? No. One thing I think all parks could use to encourage people to buy more crap is to hold it at a pre-determined location in the park. If you win a giant bear, it's eligible to either be taken there by the park as a courtesy or you can drop it off. Same with shirts, mugs, classes, umbrellas, pens, pencils, pins, stickers, coloring books, models, die cast, hats, underwear, small boys in tights, shot glasses, or whatever else type of crap you buy. The park would have scheduled pick ups from the stores with the understanding it would be available at the pre-defined pickup area at X time. Other than that, my only issue is with the souvenir cups. I think Robb mentioned back in the summer on the middle america tour that a SF park had cup holders. That is a GREAT idea. I hate to spend money on a refill only to drink a small portion of it and then have to dump it and pay money to store it. I do it mind you, but don't like too.

^^ It's worth it for sure. I believe you have to buy the tickets 24 hours in advance, at least you used to. *Edit - the BGT site has them available for noon tomorrow, says you have to be 14 years old to participate.

^^ not saying it's not a kick ass ride, just for the show, it's kinda lame, but then again, the show is well, you know.

Titan was filmed today, and yes Mr. Freeze is being filmed tomorrow. Am I the only one who just cannot stand this show? My biggest beef with it is that it's called "Bert the Conqueror", but he's not "conquering" anything that's impressive. Like, when he did the Stratosphere tower rides, or the SCAD Jump, ok. That's fine. But Mr. Freeze? Canobie's Space Shot??? I'm sorry, but millions of people every year "conquer" Millennium Force. It's one thing if you're going to make a "roller coaster show", that's fine, but you're not a "conqueror" when 8 year old kids ride the same things as you are. The show is garbage. Just my opinion... I can't stand the show either, that was sort of what I was getting at originally. Titan? come on. Superman Tower of Power, sure, it's the tallest, but Mr. Freeze? lame.

So how is six flags Mexico doing? never hear much out of there

this is very disturbing, and at such a young age too

^ HUH?

^ but when did you ride it? If it was in the last five years, I can see why, if it was the first five years, it was awesome!

^can't argue with that, of course I usually stay closer to cleveland, newer hotels, cheaper pricing, short drive.