haiderodes

That was a great interview Robb. Mark seemed very enthused about the park and I can't wait to see all these improvements come to light over the next few years. His team's sense of humor was a nice change from the corporate speak you hear from so many other executive teams. As for Skytower, last Saturday I noticed a huge aerial photo from the 80's up there. Now I know what it's for! Although, I do wish they'd bring back that snack bar near the base of the tower. Oh ya, THANKS FOR ASKING MY QUESTION! I felt special for like 30 seconds.

^ I think there's still a little bit of fun to be had even if you don't go on the rides. When I was in the WDW College Program we went down there on Friday nights when they have the car show. Let me tell you the people that come to that are truly characters! Also the Skycoaster is next to, not part of, Old Town. All those attractions in that area are Fun Spot. The Slingshot and the other rides in front and in back of the "main street" are Old Town. Fun Spot even put up a sign saying that Old Town was to blame for adding that big ass wall that splits the two places.

These are great questions...wish I thought of them myself. I'm particularly interested in the answer to the first one. Whenever I tell someone that I was just at the park, they are like..."its sad its closing down." Then I'm like its not closing and they didn't sell it! That is a major issue that might hinder their advertising efforts in markets outside of SoCal. That said, I have another question... Are there plans to expand their target market? We used to get SFMM advertising up here in Las Vegas all the time, but now you don't see it aside from Coke cans. We have a large population along many tourists who make side trips down to Disneyland and whatnot. Do they plan to tap into this?

What do you feel is the biggest "piece of the puzzle" that SFMM is still lacking? What is the one thing you believe the park can't do with it out?

That's what I was thinking especially considering they still weren't loading it hours later.

^ I got back to Colossus around 1030a and it was all blocked off with black tape (including those boarding aisles). I came back around 2p and the boarding aisles were open, but the red train still had the tape on it.

One more thing I forgot to mention about the park on Saturday... The LA Kings Mascot was on Colossus around 1030a doing some filming. As shaky as the ride is, I'm suprised the head didn't come off. Also on Colossus, for some reason they weren't loading the 4th car on the red train.

As a former Main Banker at CC, I can tell you that Adventuredome is just that, a babysitting service. It will never have an admission price. Part of CC's success all these years has been free stuff where the kids can hang while the parents spend their college tuition. It's the market demographic that nobody else in Vegas has been able to capture. Everyone tried to copy it in the 90's, but they all failed. Why? Because they charged admission. Advernturedome (as far as the book$ were back in the 90's) NEVER made a profit. I would assume it's the same today. Putting in a new million dollar flat every couple of years (and I know, they don't cost a million!) keeps them coming back. The Million dollar loss from that one ride pays for itself when the parents give CC their Billion (with a B) Dollar revenue every year. The dome is a money-sucking machine. But when compared to the money the casino makes from the parents dropping their kids off there, it's like a pin-hole in Hover Dam. Having worked at the Adventuredome twice in my life (high school and a short stint during college), I understand what you are saying. During my time working in the park operations office, it was very clear that they weren't really out to be a premier theme park. They did just enough to keep it interesting. When they first opened they had the point system similar to Nick Universe/Camp Snoopy. You had to buy a minimum of a $3 ticket to get in (which could be used for a discount at the restaurant). With the whole free admission situation over the past few years, we have seen the park shift from theme to basically just an indoor carnival. I can't stand going there, and I can't believe I actually used to put up with it while working there! That said, the locals descend upon the park like vultures. Friday and Saturday nights are packed with plenty of non-paying teens who try and scam their way onto rides for free.

It looks like they also had test seats for Riddler (on the right) and Scream (to the left). Anyone know why they don't use these in the park? I'm sure they'd save a lot of embarassment for larger riders if they just put them in front of their prospective rides.

Originally they were waiting for the temperature to warm up. Then when they started testing they had an error. A ride op came out and told everyone waiting so most of the group dispersed. Me, being in the park alone and not really wanting to venture back up to the top of the hill again in the same day, I stuck it out a while longer. Ive always liked just relaxing in a nice shady spot on the hill (I miss the gardens!). During the next 20 minutes of testing a second group built up when Jahan went down into the station and came back telling us they were still doing warm ups. I eventually left and did some other rides and went back up around 2p and it was finally open. Sitting there was pretty funny because people get off Orient Express or walk up the hill and see that its closed and have this distraught look on their face. People were very upset that they could see it running but it wasn't open. Oh well.

^ I had to take a second look myself. What gave it away was the fact that the metal plates were still attached.

I was at SFMM on Saturday as well. Took my first trip ever to the top of Skytower. It was myself and about 8 other ride ops (most of them training). Didn't stop by the job fair though, looks better than any job fair I have ever attended. I did notice something while on Orient Express. If you look to your right as you go up the mountain, you can see stacks of track from Psyclone. Looks like they are using some of it to "brace" the ground in the area around the track. It was pretty crowded. Not only with locals but with busses for Physics Day. Saw a bunch of schools from Vegas roaming the mountain. I was thinking the whole time, "I wonder if Robb and Elissa are here today?" Of course I didn't see either one of you, but I did see Jahan. And of course I felt wierd about going up to someone I dont really know especially when that person is trying to explain to a mob of people wondering why Ninja is running but the line is closed off.

^Spin Out wasn't operating when I was there three weeks ago. It's also been removed from the website...so as you say its days are numbered.

It irriates me that some people on these boards take themselves so seriously that when someone posts something that may or may not be correct, that they jump down your throat. Its really a turn-off from posting. To have to sit and think about each word you type in hopes that it wont excite someone's ego. It gets rediculous, especially when its 15 year olds!

^ So if they did speed the lift motor up, why is it that Six Flags coasters still do the whole slow down to a crawl thing at the top?

While I have havent been to Blackpool yet, I imagine that charging a fee could help to keep the "undesirables" out. I just wish they would do that at the Adventuredome. Maybe then it wouldn't seem as much as a babysitting service.

^ That picture reminds me of Universal with the damn backpacks for the credit card. GOOD LORD!

The ads dont bother me at all. I do work in marketing afterall...its my job to get people to come and spend money. As a matter of fact I think the Starburst and Home Depot ones add something to the park. Especially considering how much they have taken out at SFMM, I am thrilled we have something even if its a commercial. I just wish the glass was clean enough to see the TV's when they are working. Actually, the last time I remember seeing a working TV at the park was back in 1997. They were showing ads for the then under construction Riddler's Revenge interspersed with cartoons. Kinda fun. If they can make the commercials more related to the parks, even better! Sponsorship is something that is evident everywhere these days. Remember when pre-merger America West Airlines started putting ads on the tray tables?

Its funny how people never seem to complain about Disney and its sponsorships. Epcot is one big commercial if you think about it.

^ Haha thanks. That last sentence is like a riddle.

Out of curiousity... How accomodating are the B&M flying coasters for "larger passengers". Not only as far as seat size and comfort, but also for weight limit. Think about it, the ride is hurtling you through the air with your body pressing on the harness and leg restraints, but how much force can they take? I guess its not that big of a deal. We have yet to hear about any instances of people falling off of them. A lot of people talk about issues with Intamin rides, but have you noticed many people getting turned away from the B&M flyers?

^ I know. I remember hearing it was something like 55 degrees minimum. It was definately below that for most of the day and seeing how low attendance was, once it did warm up I doubt it would have been worth it to open. It rained the night before and was forcasted to rain later on, and we know those pouches fill with water, so perhaps that also played a role. Forecast for this Saturday is Sunny and 70!

^ I know, when they first built it, everyone around here kept calling it "The Xtreme" I was like...um no!

Good to hear they have the coupon books. I'll have to get mine when I'm down at the park this weekend. Just wish I had it already so I could get free parking! When I was there last month it was DEAD. Goliath was doing its "15 passenger minimum" thing. So even though we had to wait a bit to ride it at first (about an hour after park opening), we did stay on for two rides. Seeing as how this weekend is President's Day weekend, I wonder if it will be any more crowded. I attribute the light crowds last time to the cold weather and potential for rain, this weekend is looking to be a nice one. Should be fun! I just hope Ninja is open, I was really bummed about it being closed last time.

After watching the video I was thinking that those sounds are just the normal sounds the trains make at low speeds. These would be covered up by all the atmospheric noise they pump into the station during regular operation. If you pay close attention, it only makes that noise when the trains are being pushed not when they are moving on their own. I'm thinking it has something to do with the lubricant in the wheel bearings. Reminds me of how you can hear squeeky brakes on a car moreso when at a lower speed than at high speed.