ajfelice

Millennium Force slipping to #2 was more heartbreaking for them. Possibly a couple dull boos in the back of the room. I tripped over a few jaws on my way out of the ceremony.

I'm not losing any sleep over the thought parks will first consult the Golden Ticket Awards when making capital decisions. Parks buy what brings people to the park, what people ride, and what makes people return. They also buy something that is reliable and easy to maintain. B&M is pretty good at this right now. Companies such as RMC are up and coming, and I'm sure as they continue to master their great attractions and more people ride current ones, you will see more listed highly in the polls.

^Looks like you had a blast. Ravine Flyer II like any wooden coaster is not as smooth on wheel-seats except for the very back that rides extremely well. Unfortunately PTC trains do not handle any form of extreme banking or transition well. Personally and with shared opinion from others in the company, I would like to see the PTCs replaced down the road. But the good news is for those who mention roughness this that the day after the park closed, work began on several sections of track.

In recent years, Mantis did not open for Friday evenings until it's closure was announced and it was open for a couple Friday evenings. While Rougarou is a much better ride, and probably has somewhat better ridership than Mantis did, I believe there are other attractions worth opening instead. Besides lower than normal attendance, I'm sure staffing is a major reason why so many attractions are closed on Friday nights.

As someone who manages operations, efficiency doesn't mean ride operator should be rushing to achieve the fastest dispatch every time. However, ride operators should be working briskly. For example, once the group of riders exiting have left the ride area, there should be an immediate transition to the next ride cycle. Small talk between employees between ride cycles is unprofessional and substantially adds time onto dispatch intervals/ride cycles. Another example is loading a coaster train, and the amount of time between guests entering the train and beginning to check restraints. Getting that amount of time reduced as much as possible will decrease dispatch times significantly as well. As for checking seats, ride operators should work briskly at a steady pace in which they are not dragging their feet or slowly meandering around the train. All of this is my main critique of Kennywood's operations in which ride operators will allow personal conversations to delay allowing guests to enter rides or delaying procedures such as restraint checking. All of it is capped with a slow walk where most of their feet do not even leave the ground. Fortunately, I have never seen any guest put in harm's way at Kennywood as attention to safety seems adequate, but the lack of any sense of urgency is painful to observe and experience. EDIT: My context of small talk is small talk instead of checking restraints or beginning to admit guests. Small talk while working productively is fine as long as nothing said is inappropriate.

A person is within their right to claim discrimination if they truly believe it took place. But what bugs me is that this situation has no need to focus on the person's background. The accusation/debate is over whether or not a safety restriction is discriminatory, and not about the person's who was allegedly discriminated against's background. Discrimination is just as much of a problem for average Joe as well as average Joe who happens to be a Veteran. I guess to make a story more appealing or have a higher sympathy factor for the person accusing discrimination, the news source needs to emphasize the person is a Veteran.

Small people arent really a concern for these restraints, they would have to be very very noticeably loose to be a risk for the rider, not just a few inches... The ride operator would definitely notice a situation where someone had it so loose. Im trying to think, are there ANY incidents of small people falling out of rides with modern hydraulic t-bars/u-bars? The closest I can think of is the unfortunate incident at Holiday World in 2003 with a lap bar minimally lowered, and a seat belt that was unbuckled at the time of ejection. While PTC lap bars are certainly not hydraulic, this is an example of a lap bar being minimally lowered and still putting rider in danger when the backup restraint was not in use.

To continue the sarcasm...The day RMC is going to convert a coaster like Mean Streak by May of 2017 starting in late September with a Lake Erie Winter, is the day my 5'7" self can dunk a basketball.

Can't place much blame on Darien Lake. Speaking from experience, water rides are an easy cut from the lineup when staffing is tight. In my experience, the log flume I manage requires four operators minimum. When I find myself in the predicament of having to close rides, the log flume is number three on the list that starts with two low-ridership flats. Closing a high staffed ride becomes a net gain of other rides since operators can be dispersed to open more single-operator or low staffed attractions. Critics may say Human Resources should be hiring more older/non-student workers, but the reality is that the very few people who roll in for interviews at the end of a season are usually the least qualified candidates. Speaking from experience, lack of staff in mid-late August is a fact of life for any park.

Even on it's roughest days in the past ten years, I can recall several wood and steel coasters that feel more rough or uncomfortable than Mean Streak. However, Mean Streak is easily one of the most boring coasters out there that is slightly rough. Nothing about it really stands out at all. I have been treated to two trim-less rides thanks to a cool connection, but the difference was hardly noticeable to even think the trims are what hold the ride back. Of course the mid-course brakes still applied, but I still can't see the ride being much better if those were reduced or eliminated. It's time for Mean Streak to go. The amount of work CP has put into it over the years for a boring ride with minimal popularity can't be justified any longer. A year or two with an open field or possibly a SBNO coaster (cough Hurler cough) wouldn't really be a loss for CP.

Word on the street from several of my industry connections is that the RMC trains are not so well received by maintenance departments. Almost in the category of Intamin train disdain.

Conneaut Lake Park has reported in bankruptcy court a $388,330 net profit loss on operating revenues for January through July of 2016. In other words, Conneaut Lake Park has grossed $388,330 less than they have spent in upkeep and general operating costs for the current year. This does not include costs incurred with the ongoing bankruptcy process, but simply what it takes to keep the place operational.

Cedar Fair looks to be really focusing on the resort and accommodations aspect of the Cedar Point property. Recent capital such as the Breakers renovation followed by an expansion along with a renovation and expansion of the former Breakers Express are the easy indicators. Overhauling and re-branding Soak City to Cedar Point Shores is really pushing the added value to longer multi-day stays at the resort. Combine that with the Cedar Point Sports Center, and Cedar Fair is building quite the empire in Ohio. Makes a bunch of sense to get more people to stay longer and travel from longer distances considering the stagnant markets of Ohio and Michigan. While I love a great coaster over a water park, my single day ticket isn't driving the next capital expenditure as much as the family who is visiting the resort and staying on property for multiple days. A new roller coaster isn't always going to tip the scale of accommodations as much as a new full-day experience to be had. As for that RMC Mean Streak, I guess it is still possible for 2017. I would love to see it happen ASAP. But then again, Cedar Fair seems pretty content letting Hurler sit idle over at Kings Dominion. Perhaps RMC is on the radar in 2018 and beyond, and the Cedar Fair decided to temporarily mothball these rides instead of committing financially to the high amount of upkeep that at best delivers mediocre ridership?

I agree. Trying to compete with Darien Lake directly could end very badly. A small, family park with very reasonable prices, and a nice selection of attractions for all ages should not try to become Darien Lake who attracts close to 1 million annually with more thrilling attractions, on-site accommodations, and concert venue. Martin's would probably lose even with the array of imperfections of Darien Lake. Martin's should continue to explore their unique niche that has great potential for younger families. I chuckle as employees and guests go on about their big fantasies for my small park of employment. If we tried to become "more like Cedar Point with big steel coasters" as our market tries to compare, we would cease to exist. The market in the region (same applies for Darien Lake's and Martin's region) is not getting any bigger demographically, so parks in a crowded market must try to get as much out of their target market as possible.

Kennywood's operations will more often than not make you want to bash your head into a concrete wall. What is really strange about it, is that almost every ride operator seems to move in the exact same slow manner. Almost like being incredibly slow was trained. The rides themselves are pretty awesome overall which kind of makes up for it.

The facts have said that the park has lost money for every month since filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. The jury is out on July and August, and the warm weather probably has been a huge help. But even with a possible small profit to be made in July and August, is that enough to offset losses every other month of the year? I personally do not think a periodic $5 wristband day along with a weekend only operating schedule will get enough people through the doors to make up for 10 months of significant losses.

Looks like they siphoned water from the lake using a string of garden hoses borrowed from the neighbors since they can hardly pay for any utilities.

Could very well be waiting on a part, or one or a few individuals could be working behind the scenes (or even remotely) on programming. I'm sure there are several people who pretty much haven't truly rested for many months until they can get this ride running consistently.

This, and probably a feeling of defeat as July is now drawing near. While Lightning Rod is by no means a confirmed failure, the feeling of defeat will probably linger in within park employees, especially full-time, until the issues are resolved. From an operations viewpoint, you have a great team assembled and trained and are ready to be the ambassadors to the new ride, but are only met with one roadblock after another after small teases of success. From a marketing view, I can't imagine the feeling in Dollywood's marketing and PR departments as they have worked so hard to promote such an awesome ride, but must wait to fully launch a significant amount of content or campaigns in addition to ongoing damage control of the situation. For everyone else in the park, you can bet many of their projections and forecasts for 2016 included the "Lightning Rod effect" on attendance and revenue. While no official numbers are out, I can guess that some people up high are wondering what numbers could be with Lightning Rod having opened earlier. Seeing historical numbers for my place of employment, there is a very noticeable difference in revenue before and after a new attraction opening after Opening Day. Of course bumps in the road are to be expected in any prototype project such as this one, but the gut feeling of defeat is never easy to overcome until the ride is up and running more consistently. While we are behind a keyboard speculating or going to the park feeling disappointed, there are park employees who are scrambling making adjustments and changes they probably didn't think they would make in late June. I think if anyone has the most reason to be disappointed, it would be Dollywood.

Where is this law or standard? ASTM which guides most PA laws and regulations has nothing about clearing platforms before letting the next group into the station. If Knoebels is being forced by anyone to modify loading platforms on Phoenix or possibly Twister, it would most likely be their insurance provider.

Should be a pretty slow day in the park based on projections. You will have time do be lazy or marathon as much as you want. Ravine Flyer II should only be a couple train wait for most rows. Must Do's: Ravine Flyer II, Comet, and Steel Dragon of course. Both Bill Tracy Darkrides, Whacky Shack and Pirate's Cove. Thunder River is an underrated flume. Ferris Wheel and Sky Ride have great views (remember, No Single Riders on Ferris Wheel). XScream for the view and its an A.R.M. Music Express is much faster than many parks. If George is the Train Conductor for the day, he gives a great tour of the park. As for food, concessions are greatly improved over recent years. If you head into Water World, you can't go wrong with Waveside Grill. Also, the new Carousel Sub Shop is reasonably priced for an amusement park, and is almost as good as Jimmy John's and leaves Subway in the dust.

On most Fridays you can do everything and then some in five hours. Ravine Flyer II will be ten minutes give or take depending on which seat you want to wait for. Not sure which Friday you are planning, but be advised that Friday June 10 the park is only open until 7:30.

^I wouldn't worry too much about any negative feelings guests or enthusiasts are expressing about Lightning Rod's delay (or in many belief circles, Lightning Rod's demise). "Few weeks" or "We do not know at this time when it will open" are pretty much the same response in my opinion. Some companies are more open about the nature of delays, with Dollywood being one of them, and some are more cryptic by never offering a hint as to the extent of a delay. Guests will be disappointed and talk negatively when given either response, because they are excited and want to ride. I do not think this delay will in any way tarnish the brand and experiences Dollywood is offering in the short or long term. With the horse beaten to a pulp, truer words can't be spoken that once the ride opens, almost all the negativity of the delay will be forgotten. Unfortunately for me, after waiting for eight years for the coaster of my dreams to be built, I still ride it thinking, "What it could have been if it didn't open a week late, after eight years of construction red tape?" That week still haunts me. Just as the people of Knoebels continue to scorn their coaster that was under construction for almost a decade. Oh wait...

As said earlier, many are teens and young adults who are working there as seasonal jobs. Seasonal park jobs are also fairly popular with retirees and teachers as extra money in the summer or fun money. While most do enjoy what they do, the bottom line that drives their work is usually the pay and the amount of hours available compared to many summer jobs that are only 20-30 hours per week. There is the usual mix of good and bad employees just like in any service industry. As for enthusiasts and fanboys, it is a ratio similar to that of the ration between GP and Enthusiasts as guests. Many employees take interest in the industry after they have worked it for a season or two, but by no means are they becoming enthusiasts. I even venture to say that a place like Cedar Point has a lot of people whose interest in attractions was fostered by working there as a summer job. With full time employees, I say from experience that many of them took interest in the industry through working in it. While they become fairly knowledgeable, they are hardly what I would call an enthusiast as well. A significant amount of full-time employees are those who started as a seasonal worker and did the old fashioned move up the ladder. As for the enthusiast full-timers,most have done an excellent job of separating work and enthusiast stuff to the point you would have to ask them to even know if they were an enthusiast.

My dream until the end of my Freshman year of college was to design wooden roller coasters. Unfortunately my dream got shot down in a three month span of barely getting a C in Calculus I and dropping physics before I could fail it in a craptacular way. I had a "Come to Jesus" moment realizing that my mind wasn't programmed for those kinds of mathematics. So come Sophomore year I was a Marketing major excelling in academics thinking I will someday be promoting products for a company selling rides. Summer of 2011 I worked as a Ride Operator just to get my feet wet in the industry to make sure that working in the industry didn't make me hate it. I ended up ascending the Operations ladder and eventually making a career out of it. In the meantime I got an MBA to make myself more well-rounded in business as I was clearly not headed for a marketing degree field. Finally, I turned out to have a job title that focuses on Operations, with seasonal duties of Sales/Marketing. Yes I did think I was going to design roller coasters, but I realized in the early stages of college that I just didn't have the skill set to become qualified for the job. My bit of advice for anyone seriously considering a career in attractions engineering is to understand their skills and keep all options open. As they explore the industry, internships are available through organizations like IAAPA, ride manufacturers, and various parks that will put someone in contact with the right people to open doors to future careers. The industry is small, so staying close to it and working within it (even in non-engineering roles) will lay the foundation to the dream engineering job. If someone realizes (like me) that designing attractions isn't their forte, their experiences gained in the industry will keep doors open to other rewarding careers. The educational background is just one element of becoming an attraction engineer.