teacherkim

I know I'm late here but just been catching up. You always impress me with how thorough your trip reports are, I'm way too lazy to devote the time and effort I know goes into these. I am truly hoping it's been therapeutic to work on this. While I haven't ridden Ride to Happiness yet, if it was one of your favorites you really have to meet Joel and I at SDC sometime to ride Time Traveler. While it's my understanding that RtH is more intense they are the exact same ride vehicles and steampunk theme. TT doesn't have the slow roll out of the station but the station exit is pretty awesome in a different way! Also, small point of geography order. That was the North Sea you were enjoying on the coast of Belgium not the Atlantic Ocean. Sorry. It's the former teacher in me. I. Cannot. Control. It. You know I love you beyond words!!

Well it confirmed what we have basically known for a year, but now we will have to deal with a whole new round of "they're ruining the park/my childhood/things should never change" a la Splash Mountain, even though the decision is made. It's already starting on FB and I'm sure the change.org petition is coming soon. I can't take it, lol! If the new mystery building is FITH 2.0 I wish they would announce that asap in an attempt to quiet some of the inevitable ruckus. That being said we will use our free tickets from Coaster Christmas to stop by one day this season and say an official good bye. I wonder how long until Flooded Mine follows? It's probably in worse shape than FITH, although not as iconic.

No idea about VD, sorry, I would agree unlikely due to Mardi Gras. I will tell you to utilize single rider for Hagrid's (although that cuts out the pre-show) because there are no row requests anyway, but it isn't really helpful for VC. Have fun!

Gotcha. I was just curious.

Do you just hate pre-shows or that one in particular? And if it's just that one, why? No argument, I'm just curious.

Hmmmm, interesting. We rode it for the first time last Friday. Got two rides in with two different songs and I had just the opposite experience, fine on Ratatouille and F of P but bothered a bit both times by Cosmic Rewind. Frankly we were a bit underwhelmed but that may have been just due to it being overhyped. I like Guardians of the Galaxy and it was well themed but as far as the story I enjoyed Misssion Breakout at DCA much much more.

The park is starting to hire for the season. Potential hires can sign up on line or there will be a job fair this Saturday...........as you all know they were understaffed all of last year. They will hire as young as 15, although ride ops have to be 16....................so if you have teen family members or neighbors get the word out. Properly staffing the park is in my opinion the number one most important thing they can do right now to improve the guest experience. Training should begin in March.

Went to the OI meetup last weekend. The description is pretty self explanatory, basically had everything open other than the couple things down for refurb, the water rides in toon lagoon (which it was too cold for anyway) and some of the bigger shows. The tickets do get you in at 5, so 3-4 hours before park close. There was a crazy amount of food included and my son took it as a personal challenge to see how much free butterbeer he could drink over the two night event, plus each participant got a $15 food voucher card for each night to use in the parks or citywalk before the start of the included food which began an hour after close. Everything was a walk on during the entirety of the event with the exception of Pteranodon Flyers which was done by a lottery virtual queue so no guarantee on that for those of you without kids trying to get that credit and Hagrid's which ran about a 20-30 min wait. They were running the preshow for Hagrid's which is the first time in approximately 10 days worth of visits since it opened that we have ever seen it. I asked several team members why it didn't normally run and got a different answer every time, some contradictory of each other, so my conclusion is ......no one really knows, lol. Happy to answer questions if anyone has any.

Not rough but way colder than normal the first couple days. Although we did run into some rough seas for small craft in Roatan that messed with the fishing/snorkeling excursions. Royal Caribbean built a brand new terminal there that is pretty efficient, nice, and high tech. It was fine. Not going every year but we did spend New Years weekend there. It was socked in with fog much of the weekend but we got Iron Shark and Boardwalk Bullet while we were there, don't need to make a special trip for either of those again either although Bullet was by far the better of the two; ate at some great seafood places, toured a couple of really nice old homes, had some nice walks on the beach. I mean it wasn't the most amazing place I've ever been but it didn't suck for a few days. Still warmer than it was here.

Thanks! We did. Although took us two days cruising south out of Galveston before we found the warm weather

Well these two posts are kind of the whole point. Zach is absolutely correct that at the moment the park is pleasing enough people to not have to make big additions. Billie also has a point and that situation could change at some future point if they have evidence there would be a good enough roi......................time will tell. As I have stated before, I have it on very good authority that the RMC conversion was in the books until the virus that shall not be named hit. I still think they would get the most bang for their buck in guest satisfaction for the short term if they could improve staffing issues. I will be interested to see what if anything the new park President, whoever that poor sod is, does once they get the mantle of command. Anyway we are out of here to warmer climates tomorrow for about 10 days. Plane due to leave at 10 am so we will literally be getting out in the nick of time, fingers crossed. Enjoy arguing and speculating while I'm gone and I hope everyone has a Happy whatever holiday you do or don't celebrate!

We were there Dec 18-22 last year. It was packed. While I appreciate anyone living within their means, truly not being snarky, IF there is anyway you can swing express for even a day it will make for a much better experience. However, if you just can't do it then like others stated prioritize your top 5 or so rides. I would rope drop VC if you need that credit, most people will run to Hagrids first and then if you do Hagrids later, use single rider. There are no row requests on it anyway. If you haven't seen the Bourne Stuntacular show go, even if you aren't a show person. Express not really needed there anyway. And I would be prepared to go balls to the wall from open until close with minimal breaks.

I get that you weren't making a direct comparison to SFGadv I was just trying to make a point that being further south didn't guarantee better weather and that a number of factors go into making an event worthwhile. I personally think they would be more likely to bring it back to SFAM before St. Louis since A) they have a much bigger population and B) they are much more equipped for the cold, IF it was happening here this year I can assure you based on predicted temps they would NOT be open on Dec 22 & 23. Two days that should be high attendance being right before the holiday and all schools out by then. And while ATL may have unpredictable weather, as does 90% of the country, it still runs a solid 10-15 degrees warmer than STL. Sorry I still don't buy that they will run an event that loses money on the possibility they will make up the difference in pass sales. The GP may care but they were not showing up in huge numbers and/or staying for very long per more than one park employee I have spoken with. I do agree that they are at a crossroads as to what to do regarding more pass holders and better attendance. I can tell you that hours were cut because of lack of staffing. The park cannot get enough workers. I said before, and still believe, that increasing staffing (and therefore being able to offer longer hours, less closed rides, and more dining venues) would be the quickest way to increase guest satisfaction. But like the park itself I am at a loss at the moment as to how to solve the problem.

I'm happy for the Texas folks but yeah that would be nice for St Louis. Sigh. Could easily fit in our stupid derelict paintball field.

Well I would assume a world class operation like Universal will have thought of these things.......but assuming is always dangerous, lol.

I'm super curious to see how much move around room you will have. Like will there be screens on both sides and if you're fast can you go back and forth? And if so how much havoc are the kids that are running around going to wreak on everyone else's stability? I mean you know some stupid teen is going to try and find a spot to get off the walkway and/or try to go backwards and/or stay in there for an indefinite amount of time. I taught middle school for almost 30 years, they're extremely devious, lol.

I assume you're implying that means our weather is more cooperative? You do realize that weather is way more complicated than just how far north or south you are right? Jet stream dips, mountains, humidity, etc all have an affect. For example if you look at the weather forecast for Eureka, MO vs Jackson, NJ for the dates of 12/16,12/17,12/18,12/22, 12/23 (days SFSTL would almost certainly be open if having HITP) you will see that in STL it is predicted highs in the 30's lows in the 20's and the two days before Christmas highs in the 20's and lows around 10. Same dates in NJ are 10-15 degrees warmer. Plus the fact that NJ has the resources to add heaters to warm some of the trains and run more rides (at least that has been my understanding) to mitigate colder temps. I mean they just have more visitors and that makes it worthwhile. Also it's hard to justify running an event that loses money for the possibility that it generates enough pass profit to overcome that deficit AND be profitable beyond that. While it might matter to some people it doesn't factor into my pass buying decisions and I can't believe I'm the only one. Putting money into infrastructure may not get people in the park BUT it does indicate an intention to keep the park in good operating order for years to come. And your statement about them losing money on your legacy diamond elite VIP pass doesn't mean anything. You are one person. For everyone like you there is a legacy diamond elite VIP member like me that has it for convenience and because the perks for other parks make it worth the price to me. I used it maybe 4 or 5 times in the last two seasons at SFSTL, my home park, but visited at least 5 other SF parks in that same time frame so I'm not sure what that has to do with the discussion. THIS! There are a whole lot of people that just consider it a regular local thing to do and never ever go to parks outside the area. I can't tell you how many people in my daily life are just astounded that we take trips just to visit other theme parks, much less an event like CoasterCon. I'm lucky, I love to travel and have the ability at this point in my life to do theme park trips as well as travel to other destinations, but most people can only do a vacation once a year or so and with the exception of maybe the obligatory Disney trip once with their kids just aren't going to spend their limited time and money just going to theme parks, unless one they've heard of is in the location they are going to. To them if you want to go to a park SFSTL is right here.

Why do you think STL would be first in line? Not trying to be argumentative, I'm just curious why you think that. The ride op that lives in my house said that rides were not all that popular most nights and they just didn't appear to be getting the crowds to make a profit.

We legit got lost in the Dollywood parking lot once (we were there for an early entry event and had to park in a specific lot) and I use to teach Geography.............

That's a fun tradition! They should still be doing Mardi Gras then as well. We are doing our first ever OI meetup Feb 3 & 4, it's the 19 year old's Christmas present since nothing I actually can buy and wrap up impresses him at this point, lol.

At the presentations at SDC over this past weekend he did compare their 50th celebration to the one at KI. Now will that come to fruition or not? No idea but he did specifically state that. Of course to be fair what they think is a big deal for a celebration, others may not but they apparently are planning quite a bit of retheming and celebrations, along with the new coaster. Guess we will found out in 5 months.

Second week of April is a little late, guessing it will be Easter weekend which they have done in the past. That's April 7 - 9 next year

We were at the ACE Coaster Christmas event last weekend. Unfortunately, a cold snap AND a surprise little snow storm late Friday night meant that it never got above 35 on Saturday so only Thunderation and Fire in the Hole were open. They did have flooded mine going and a handful of the kids rides. Also, no giant swing. Of course the train is still closed and obviously no water rides, so.......it was not the best day for an event which was exactly no one's fault. Since there are only so many hours you can fill up with shows, food and Grandfather's mansion we left a little earlier than we normally would have on Saturday. With all those rides down the midway on the big hill that leads to the Opera House and therefore the lines backs up there was so crowded you almost couldn't get through. But huge Kudos to the park. We had presentations with coffee, hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls in the morning and since I am sure they could see it was not going to be a good day for rides every attendee (and I think it was around 200) got a free ticket for next year, some Christmas ornaments and a freebie raffle with various tchotchke's. We also had the Trailblazer pass that gives you 8 skip the lines. That we were always going to have since ert is usually impossible at this event due to, too cold before park open and too late/cold after park close. For the event tickets and trailblazer's were good for Sat and Sun. The presentations included Worlds of Fun and they gave us a nice preview of Zambezi Zinger and some of the 50th anniversary plans for next year. Brad Thomas gave a small presentation for SDC. Taking a book out of Universal's "it's just a churro stand" playbook he insisted the new building going up is a Dollar General, but he did indicate that it would not be open for customers until 2024. He also talked a bit about the big land purchase and that there would be work done on parking and road into the park. Not sure if he was connecting those two or not. He did mention that maintenance had made a path between the park and new territory that and ATV could navigate. Announcements about what would happen there to come at a future date. Our group speculated that the new land might be hotel and/or water park and/or new parking lot and entrance. Or the other option which is we have no idea whatsoever. Shockingly, no one from SFSTL showed up to present anything about future plans. Went back on Sunday armed with extra Trailblazers thanks to several people that had to leave for home first thing on Sun morning. We had a very narrow window of opportunity, approx 2-4 to get rides in while the temps were cooperating. Hit Outlaw Run (one train ops), Powder Keg (two trains), Time Traveler (also two trains) as many times as we could. Wildfire never opened, although it did test. Not sure if it was temps or mechanical. We had to leave about 4 to drive back to STL anyway and just about that time the coasters started to shut down again as the temps dropped. Gifted all the leftover Trailblazers to families with kids in the hopes they could use them that evening on kids stuff. Plan to use the tickets on a nice warm summer day next year and if I do anymore ACE Christmas events I think I'm heading down to Texas to chase the warm weather

Hey even though I was surprised at how strongly so many people claimed HITP affected their pass buying decision, if it makes you all happy then great. I mean I don't dislike it, just wasn't a factor in my pass buying decision. I am surprised they would promise it again since that is what got them into trouble in the first place, offering it then taking it away. Hope it makes money this time. I am super curious about the particulars of the deal with the company doing the parking lot drive through this year. Is SF getting a cut? OR charging them a flat rate for the space? Does it go directly to our park or just to corporate to use as they want?

I actually agree with you on that, I think real world work experience is super important. I wasn't denigrating those types of jobs just making a point in response to SF is not a fun place to work that you can say that about many places. I have found that it isn't the kids avoiding work so much as the parents wanting them to "pad" that college resume with sports, extra classes, clubs, unpaid internships, etc. The funny thing is when you talk to college admissions officers those things don't mean any more to them than work experience but for whatever reason there is a misconception amongst a lot of parents. Can't tell you how many were shocked that I would let my son "waste his time working a job like that"; the implication being that it is demeaning work and my kid is above that. Ridiculous in my opinion.