Inukaza

SeaWorld's Antarctica control booth, while resetting from a e-stop back in 2014. Posting to contribute.

I went to the Team Member preview a few nights ago. I enjoyed what the event has to offer this year, and I did 8 out of 9 houses. Obviously I won't go into it with my thoughts since it was just a test night, but it has me ready for Day 1 of the event.

Don't get me wrong, I get what you're saying. My point is that Universal isn't full of idiots managing it. If they decided that a net or a roof/awning would fix the issue, don't you think they would have done it? I don't see Universal adding metal detectors or other things as a first-step solution. I also don't think the Disney argument is appropriate when it comes to this situation as RnRC doesn't enter guest areas as spacious as RRR or Hulk. I'm also not suggesting that metal detectors are the best possible solution. You're right, shoes can come loose. A button down shirt might too. Basketball tearaways also. Ban clothes. On second thought, what if you have a pre op transexual on board with some unattached "equipment"? Perhaps we should at least mandate boxer briefs. Boxers, which have buttons, clearly pose some degree of risk.... If anything can become a projectile, and a guest was hurt by a projectile on the ride, why would the park ever risk legal action by dueling the attraction again?

Just pointing out that when it comes to theme parks in the United States, Safety ALWAYS comes before fun. There has to be a good reason to justify these test. I extremely doubt that Universal would implement or even test these procedures if they were not necessary. They know people are unhappy with the metal detectors, I'm positive people have complained to guest services. They have to know the GP's reaction to it, it seems impossible that they are oblivious to it. However, if they are still moving forward with testing more extreme ways to make sure no loose article get past and onto the ride, It's definitely an issue of safety. Some of you are acting like Universal is deliberately doing this to piss off their guests. Also, for those of you who are hopeful this signify Dragons will duel again, remember that shoes may be considered a potential loose article on that ride. Especially dueling the loop.

As a ride op for the Shamu Express at SeaWorld, I often get tons of thumbs up and cheers when the ride reenters. So many requests to re-ride. Does that count?

I can see them not checking it off, even if they suppose to. It happens most often because a lot of our quick queue entrances are not dedicated and the tasks of checking passes are given to rideops on platform or at greet dealing with ride restrictions/show breaks (for rides near shows). (For example, Universal/Disney seems to have employee positions dedicated to checking their express passes at merge points). I find that if things are super busy, and the quick queue entrance is the exit where platform ops are working, it might go unchecked. If it's not busy, and the op checking passes are at greet, they will be checked off. I wouldn't count on them not checking again. If you managed 12 rides on cheetah hunt and you didn't have a unlimited wrist band, I guarantee the ride operator at the greet position just didn't care. Source: was/is employed at a park with the quick queue program.

That seems logical. It would be cool to see that placed there. It might also push more shows into Nautilus, since that venue is only being used on weekends. (At the moment).

Wow, I got to say. That looks like a pretty impressive ride.

I'm totally not going to speculate and instead wait for the information that the park promised. Although..... I wonder if it has anything to do with the ride or instead the Pantopia area.

Went today, was topped off.

As far as Beer Band and BBQ goes, It looks like SeaWorld will not announce the lineups up front, and will announce them the Wednesday before to prevent the bands breaking contract. If they break the contract, they'll be forced to pay SeaWorld. Win/Win for SeaWorld, and we still have big acts!

I wouldn't consider it a coaster. Although, about 25% of the cycle time is spent on physical rails. The rest are free-floating segments, and those are from Station to Lift 1, Drop 1 Run-out to lift 4, and Drop 3 Run-out to station. (Previously a JTA Team Member.)

Normally feeding times are not listed online, you'll find that out in the park. Shamu Up Close is a 15 minute continuous show that goes on through the day. As long as you are not hitting the attraction 15 minutes before park close, you'll be able to see everything everyone else does.

There are actually two nets that are permanently up right behind the unload area where the water and land meet, they where re-themed to match the surrounding. They've been cemented to the ground, as they look like. I can take a photo next time I'm there. You can see the nets to the right. They only extend two links where the penguins where jumping out. (unintentionally). I'll take a better photo later, this is one a friend of mine took for me today.

I really love Wild Days. It was planned way before Blackfish was released though. Throughout yesterday all of the shows (only during select showtimes) where doing a extra 5 minute presentation about Wild Days. I'm not sure if this will go on throughout the event, or if it was just a one time thing. I'll see if it's going on today. Robb, I saw you in the park yesterday, didn't want to say 'Hello' since I thought it would just end up being awkward since you may not have remembered who I was. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Haha.

Contrary to what the activists want you to believe, the park was insanely busy today (And this past week). 60 minute wait for Paddle Boats, 75 minute wait for Skytower, 80 for Antarctica, ect. Operations were decent as well. Of course, I know this is a busier week than normal, but still. Good luck and have fun at the park! It goes to show that most people in the world don't give a crap about Blackfish. It's not going to hurt attendance to the point where SeaWorld will panic or even miss it. Source: Was at park today.

Trisha Yearwood canceled her scheduled appearance for BBQ at Sea World. It's said she hasn't seen Blackfish, however, she wants to distance herself from the controversy. Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/12/showbiz/seaworld-trisha-yearwood-cancels/

There were a great deal of successful Change.org campaigns to get the bands to cancel. Fans are pressuring the bands to quit.

Ah. Well, my mistake. I'm curious to see as well when the next quarter results are posted. I don't think it will be anywhere as bad as Blackfish supports want it to be at.

Have there been attendance drops? I've been a few times since Blackfish came out and I haven't noticed a difference in attendance during this same period in previous years. If anything would contribute to lighter attendance right now it's that there is ALWAYS lighter attendance at the parks this time of year. Yea, they announced it during the quarter calls, Sea World announced lower attendance than normal. However, they also announce higher profit than normal. To be fair, this is a chain-wide statistic, not just the Orlando parks. I don't think it's enough of a decrease to visually impact how crowds look, though. Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-13/seaworld-s-profit-beats-estimates-as-drop-in-attendance-slows.html

I don't think the concerts bring that many extra people to the park. I worked at the park during the 2013 event and most of the crowds were British tourists and spring breakers rather than concert fans. Of course, I worked on the other side of the park, so my perspective might be misguided.

Honestly, I doubt this will fade for a long while. I feel as though there will be incidents that continuously remind everyone on Blackfish. It doesn't help that it was broadcasted nationally throughout the United States. Yes, sometimes the GP decides that they don't need to do research. Regardless of what they think, they still influence people not go to the parks. Incidents like this won't let this Blackfish issue die. We'll see if it's effecting the parks in the long run. However, I don't think the buzz will die anytime soon.

I really want to see the inside of the sphere slide. I think that just looks cool. Thanks for the update!

I don't see that happening at all. SeaWorld is pretty happy with the intensity and aspects of the ride since it appeals to families. As always though, SeaWorld could surprise me.

Well, I think the reason why the area isn't as booming and well-kept is because Busch Gardens/USF is only on the far end of a developed area. Behind University Mall/USF are more under-developed areas, I personally feel the entire area is just a facade to help tourist and families of college students feel more comfortable in the area. I figure the hospitality issue is because Busch Gardens isn't normally more than a "one-day" attraction. While there are a few other attractions in the area like MOSI, that area of Tampa isn't carrying a resort-like atmosphere. Like I was stating, the hotels around that areas normally cater to families of USF students. (You may have notices signs on hotels offering deals to those families). I see a lot more people visiting Busch Gardens as a side-trip from Orlando than visiting just for BG/AI. This is just my opinion after living in the area after five years before moving to Orlando, and working for the Company. I think you should think about it in a different light. From reading your report, it seems your idea of themeing is "Go big, or it isn't there." The ride is stuck into the middle of the Congo, and there isn't much to theme too. If a parking lot coaster can have minimal themeing, this ride has more than enough.