ChrisZer0

Hey all, Im hitting SoCal finally in early june for an extended weekend (arrive thursday, returning monday), Im looking at trying to hit DLR and SFMM while im there. Seeing that we have quite a few folks who work and cover the parks in Sunny Southern California, I was wondering if you had any wisdom you could impart on a texas hayseed such as myself

El Lay isnt that bad of a town, its all not plastic and fake like Paris Hilton. Theres alot of really cool neighborhoods, that depends on how much cash your willing to spend as well.

For a sec, I thought this was something that tied rob to some sort of hideous crime against nature (hanging out with ACErs, working, ect..), but I've seen this on HD Theater and Discovery as well. BTW kids, Its good to be back

1: 3 2: IE7 3: Yes 4: its alright

I was there in july and they were barely running it. Id rather see the spine crusher known as Manhattan Express pulled out alltogether than speed

Great piece! I like reading these "behind the scenes" articles...

Nice TR, but all other fairs dont hold a candle to the State Fair Of Texas, which hopefully this year I can TR, as my camera went out last year around this time

Not a bad title at all, sure theres the guns and the cursing, but its about the same you'd hear in most hollywood films today.

White Castle is greatness on a little steamed bun, 10 cheese sliders, rings and a coke is what its all about. Krystal is ok, they just dont taste the same as their cooked differently.

Another reason I dont ride parking lot carney rides.

I dont have a problem with all teens, most are very well behaved. I take issue with the little thugs whos mom/dad doesnt know 1/2 of what their doing. I always enjoy the "not my little bobby/suzie" song and dance when it comes to their own kid.

Tex, that was me. Im also on board with a age-limiting event once or twice a month throughout the season, as well as my other idea(17+ after 7pm). Hopefully when the liquor license goes through, we can start seeing events of this nature occure.

Im going to have to shoot this one down chief, Most theme parks who have adult beverages dont have many issues with underage drinking due to two things: A) Excellent education of staff on how to detect underage drinkers B) Swift penalties (i.e. removal from park, removal of pass media) for anyone who dares to break the rules.

As Im usually at SFoT mostly during the Spring, Fall and occasional summer evening, I think theres alot of ways this park, as well as the chain, could improve. 1) As a former employee in my HS and college years (during the TW era), we were focused on guest service first are foremost. During the Premier era of ownership, that changed to barely servicing the customer and avoiding assistance of any need. In addition, the quality of people hired for non-supervisory positions slipped dramatically. I would do things to bring those folks in: A) Increase base pay to a liveable wage(9-10/hr) for these persons (usually HS/College Kids) and B) Highly invest in proper training on not just the technical skills, but the human skills as well. 2) Food quality is quite frankly, piss-poor. The last time I ate at SF, I was physically sick for three days. As some of you (like fatty patch jacket robb and ACE'rs ) may or may not know, Your typical in-park food usually is prepped and left to sit for hours at a time. So the fries you ordered at 4p usually have been out since noon, which is atrocious. One possible fix for this is to get out of the food business altogether and outsource to chains or local restaurants, similar to whats done in professional sports. All restautant hiring, pay, ect would be handled by said parties. Another option would be to do something radical: Hire professional chefs, similar to what is done in other industries, to create a decent menu that uses higher quality product and serve the product in the parks. Good example of this is Dollywood and their selections. 3) SF has slid down hill when it comes to the "thug" element that has infiltrated the parks(why I dont go in summer). I know SFOT, as well as SFMM has been a hotbed for these little punks. One thing id do is start enforcing a "park curfew" (i.e. No minors under 18 after 7p unless accompanied by adult(s)) at all times, plain and simple. Unless they're with a sponsored youth/civic/school group, they go home. 4) Lastly, one thing with that has gotten me is that I have to purchase two passes (locally) if I wanted to access the theme and water park. One idea is to consolidate this and allow me to purchase the water park as an "Add-On". for the season. Also, something along the lines of a "rewards" program when you use your season pass (i.e. swiped at the gate, win a front of line pass or discount, ect..) to enter the park or use it throughout the day.

Update: Ok, so we're going in july (week of the 20th) and settled on NYNY(got a decent deal on a good sized room), it'll be hot I know and we decided to do a DIY type thing (people can come if they want, pay their own way), it'll be like a TPR tour, with more gambling, booze and boobs

Im going with a few friends and family members...still planing it out...

Hey guys, im headed to vegas come july, my gal and I are getting hitched...any advice on hotels, things to do ect..??

Rob and Elissa, you're an great financial example that should be followed, so thank you for sharing this information. Have you considered going on late-night infomercials to sell your "amazing money-making plan" to the masses??? One thing that alot of people in our generation (im 31) seem to not do is save money, since alot of us had it come to us easy or handed to us by mom/dad.

Ive been to Epcot a few times and one of the big detractors of some of their estabishments is the "Child Factor". Dont get me wrong, I think they should get some enjoyment out of the Disney Experience as well, but there should be, like vegas, kid-free zones(restaurants, bars, even hotels) where the grown folks can enjoy the "Magic" as well.

I bought BBS before the holidays, its worth the prices for the hardcore futurama fan....

Ok Girls, dont get all weepy. Futurama is only moving to Comedy Central starting Jan 1st. Plus, you'll be getting new episodes as well. BTW, anyone have Benders Big Score???

I saw this and I have to say something: America is the largest sue-happy nation on the planet. It seems that we've thrown away our common sense when it comes to taking self-responsibility. To blame the park for the idiotic actions of a few dumbasses is beyond me.

As a life long passholder, I have to say this is a good move. Seeing that Jerryland (New Cowboys Stadium) is moving in down the street, it make good business sense. It'll allow them to attract a more diverse group of vending to the park. Maybe we'll get some decent eateries for once. Purple: With beer sales and theme parks in the US, it depends on the region of the country its in. The part of texas where SFoT is based has a conservative bent, but I dont see a serious public outcry to sell beer as its available at other restaurants/bars in the area.

I'm laughing about it all the way...Louisiana and most of the south (for our foreign visitors), is full of mutants like this. You have the mothers who either try to make their daughter a beauty queen or just don't give a real damn, which in turn burns into the brains of the young women who go out and look for a "parent" figure when it comes to forming relationships, especially a young age. Add to the fact we have people in the south who aren't the brightest when it comes to sex-ed issues, blame that on the "moral contigent" who somehow believes its more feasible to teach abstinence than spend the taxpayers money to spend on or dare say the word "condom" in a classroom, as they think jesus christ himself will come and strike them down...

The Vengaboys wont die....Why God Why?!?!?!