Inukaza

I thought it was a nice report. Also, I don't think Busch Gardens is what drives business to that part of the Tampa area. Don't forget it's a college town. I agree the area needs to be taken more care of, but that entire area of city is pretty ghetto. University Mall, that is all.

^I really disagree with your opinion on Blackstone and shows. They did plan to bring new show experiences to our Florida parks, especially at Busch Gardens. I.E. Iceploration, Madagascar, A is for Africa, the (6) Christmas Shows that have been revamped/created for Christmas Town, new street experiences, and more! While yes, they seem to be more adamant with creating more thrills for guests, they haven't forgotten how to make the park a full package. So, honestly, I actually think Blackstone has been putting equal focus on show experiences as the previous owners have, especially at BGT.

Personally, I think they might put in a permanent venue for shows inside gwazi field before they add another ride. Honestly, they use that area a lot now for a multitude of things, and it would be beneficial to add the venue for seasonal reasons and concerts. Just my 2 cents. Whatever they built, I hope the land is developed for a series of new additions. Gwazi field/Gwazi make up a HUGE area of the park. There is more than enough space for muti-year expansions. I still think a new permanent venue could be coming to gwazi field and a new themed area to the rest.

Wow, I'm very curious to see your full review. Honestly, I think I was at the complete end of the spectrum. Can't wait!

Robb was on ABC News putting some sense into the general public. Thanks Robb! http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/high-drama-roller-coaster-passengers-stuck-20536767

In my opinion, it's corporate folks who have no idea how a ride works, trying to provide changes that sound good on paper. In reality, they work horribly and are not efficient. The ones who make the policy changes normally know a lot about the ride as far as standard operating procedures (SOP) goes, but don't fully understand how a ride realistically operates during normal operations. I don't think it's always a result of insurance company relations, I just think it's more of a knee-jerk reaction among the higher ups in the amusement companies. I'm just speaking from my own observations/experiences from working at multiple rides and companies.

My understanding is that this particular complex is themed to Ben 10, there's another complex themed to Adventure time. Here's the park map. Park Map

Nice photos. I enjoyed looking at them.

That's pretty cool. I don't recall ever seeing a body bowl slide that didn't have the swooping drop into the bowl. It's refreshing to see a different start into the bowl.

As it turns out, they have always been extremely lax on that. Previous Megaplex's we've done the and . Granted, this is the first time we were allowed on the coasters. As it turns out, they were able to skycoaster this time around too. I would attach the photos, but it's just going to add to the clutter, so I'm deciding against it.

Believe me, I understand that most people in this world find us horrifying and disgusting. I'm not to worried about the forums stance on us. I've meet a lot of you at the Fun Spot filming session before and you're all cool. If there is a video, I'll post it anyway. Thanks guys! I just am loving Fun Spot more and more due to the things they are willing to do.

I am a staff member of a furry convention that happen in Orlando this past week (Megaplex at the Orlando Airport Marriott). One of my Con-roomies talked to Fun Spot America and they allowed him to organize a unoffical fursuit ride on White Lighting and Freedom Flyer. This is actually going on as we speak! Here is a photo he just sent me. Gotta say, I really love Fun Spot and what they do to get business! He says he should have video and more photos later on!

This isn't a issue of making the restraints accommodate larger guests than what they are currently able to handle. It's a issue of allowing those who shouldn't be on the ride in the first place ride. Currently, that isn't a issue either because we still have no freakin' idea what the accident was actually caused by. The speculation is way in space right now.

That's why adding the seat belts would be beneficial, I guess. Those would not only be the judge of if you could ride. (It would only permit a smaller audience, If you can't fit it on, you can't ride.) It would also be a redundant safety system. I know that Dueling Dragons is a totally different ride, but even if the restraints can lock out of reach of the seatbelt, we use it to figure out if the person is riding is too large to do so. If we can't buckle the seatbelt in, you can't ride. Even if the restraints can lock past 1 or more clicks. Using a seabelt for that reason for this ride could do the same principal, trying to weed out those body shapes that the actual restraints wouldn't work for, as well as providing that redundant safety system. This should work for seatbelts even if they are going around the waist instead of connecting two parts of the restraint. Sorry if my words were too far fetched. I can only compare to that because it's the only ride I've worked on with redundant safety systems.

This is my greatest fear as a attractions operator. If I was working the ride when that happen, I wouldn't know what to think. Thoughts go out to the family, and the guys and gals working the platform on the ride.

Well, I know turtle trek is not open entirely during park hours. It's currently only open from 9:30am-9pm. (Opening 30 minutes after and closing 1 hour before park close.) Oh, also, Antarctica is now included in Quick Queue Unlimited.

I've worked in too many. I've worked at WDW before, but not counting that since I worked at a resort rather than a theme park.... I've worked at IOA at Dragon Challenge, and then worked quite a few at Blutos. At Seaworld I'm currently cross-trained working both Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin (as opening team), and Journey to Atlantis. There's not much else to say, but being able to see a service animal that was a pony was a highlight for me. That and being able to watch someone breakdance on Antarctica's ride floor while we were cleaning it. EDIT: OH RIGHT; also the idea of ECV Mario Cart around Antarctica and Seaworld. We still get denied by management when we bring it up.

Obviously the source was messing with the guy in the comments. My favorite one to tell people: "It's actually 100 degrees in the exhibit, however, the extremely-low humidity makes it feel like it's below 30." Oh boy, the people who believe that.

I don't know where you heard that, but that is 100% not true. It stated that in a news article, that the penguins were very desperate to escape and were sneaking out under the net. The news could just be hearing rumors, but they quoted a worker at the park saying that I believe. I'll keep looking for the link. Geez, I wish people wouldn't assume that the ride ops/education/photo are experts with the penguin situations. We don't even touch them. I wish they would get their information from the aviculturists so we wouldn't have this misinformation issue. >.>

I don't know where you heard that, but that is 100% not true. Personally I think that would be more difficult than said. In order to replace any glass you'd need to drain all the water in the exhibit and relocate the penguins for a good amount of time. With Summer Nights coming up soon, I figure they will just keep the nets up until aviculture fixes the issue via training.

^I think that would be a bit more difficult than that video done for Mystic Manor due to the 16 different ride layout possibilities.

If you worked in Antarctica, you'd know this wasn't the case. (You have access to a trove to information that the public shouldn't know about! Just ask Brian Marrow a question when he walks by!) They knew how much these trackless vehicles cost up front. It's not just a ride. And that's the main reason people are getting ticked off; because it's being marketed like a ride. It's a experience that includes a Show, a ride, and a exhibit that will bring you right into the action with Penguins, showing how they bond as a family. It's a 30 minute experience from the minute you get into the show building. I understand that people are disappointed about the ride, but honestly, as Robb pointed out, the main attraction is the Penguins. Also, when it's not possible to operate rides in extreme cold around united states, it's understandable why they needed a trackless ride system. When you say you work in a area, then throw out information, that how rumors get started.

The penguins are still getting use to their habitat and once they are fully accumulated they won't be doing this. (According to aviculture.) I'm pretty sure the exhibit will not be changed one bit. The birds jump out, we have procedures to get it back into it's area. It's not like we didn't assume this could happen.

The actual reasoning (That we tell guests who ask in the park) why this will most likely never happen is that the queue line (starting from the first pre-show) is a dehumidifying process. Since you are inside of the penguin exhibit, and the Air Conditioning system is on overdrive, moisture in the air will freeze the cords on the machines, causing a safety issue for the penguins. In the "storm" scene after the pre-show, you'll see fans blowing trying to accomplish that process, as well as the gradual temperature/humidity change from the point you get unto the show building. It's one of the things that just has to be done when bringing guest RIGHT into the habitat of animals that live in the driest, coldest part of the world. Or at least, that's what we are led to believe. Not allowed for reason above, and we try to have people there to prevent it from happening.

My opinion: It's not a thrilling ride. However, it's a fun one. If you can keep in mind that this is a family experience and it's made for the general public, and that it's not designed for thrill seekers, you'll enjoy it. The Wild Experience is just a added upgrade for those in the family who would find sitting slowly spinning boring. When you're in Rainbow Room, dancing around each other, with near misses with the ice, it's all about Puck discovering the beauty's that surround him. He's exploring with you. (I know that could have been shown better in the ride, but ha). When I rode last week, I was pretty impressed with everything. Granted, I've been working in the ride for months at the time, which was the longest wait time I've ever waited.