Jon Sabo

Two words: 'CUSTOMER SERVICE!" That was a fun video to watch. Not just from a TPR perspective, but very enjoyable to watch how management is really enthused to cater towards special groups and even common guests. I really wish that attitude and hospitality could make its way over to the US. I mean, how hard is it to smile and you can tell the employees take the lead from how management acts towards its guests. The ride looked incredible and I hope to ride it someday. Most of all, TPR members rock and sure know how to represent true enthusiasm for parks/coasters. And..... I'll take beer from a hot chick anyway-including breakfast! Awesome Vid!

I think production cost for shows in general are really on the rise (as is everything else). While some (very few nowadays) parks still do production/development of shows in-house, many parks sub-contract the work out to design, develop, and produce the shows. Like one post was stated earlier, shows generally may have a life-cylce for about 1-3 seasons and then change the format. I wonder if there is just a dwindling amount of talent and creativity in the production of these shows or perhaps the costs are outweighing the quality. Some old time members from past BG production teams have retired (and sold the company). Ever since that happen, I noticed many shows in general appear rather "rushed" in how it is put together. That is why I don't attend too many shows in recent years. The general quality has declined and production costs have risen. Just my observation. A couple of BGE's new show (formats) have been terrible-at best. Especially the new one at W/C-USA. It almost appeared as if it was a high-school production (and the high-school would win too). According to A-T golden ticket awards, SFFT always wins in the 'best shows' category. But, if the record holds true, the company/team that produced most of those shows also did production on other shows that were all in the top 10.

Coming to a farm near you.. "Children of the Corn"-The Ride! *Some state fairs are even located on a farm (property). I actually think its a good mix, because it appeals to all types of people and age groups. Also, their is a wide-variety of things to do; such as: eating/rides/farm-events/people-watching...and so on.

The one that I wish(ed) to come alive is the Arrow 'Pipeline' coaster. I had the priveledge of seeing that ride up-close and personal at the old Arrow factory and I really wish they could have worked out the issues on that ride and get it into production/offer it to parks....Take note S&S.

Top 3: 1. Hades. Although I have only seen the video, the views look pretty intense (just keep the lights off). 2. Good 'ole Nessie-BGE. With ALL of the special effects on/operating as when it was during its anniversary. The stories (and strange articles) we accumulated over the years on Nessie was absolutley hilarious. I remember the very first-time (when it was my first maintenance assignment) we inspected the track those inside the tunnel the lights kept 'flickering' then it just went pitch-black. Thank-goodness I had my trusty flashlight with me. 3. Grizzly @PKD. The tunnel always gets me no matter how many times I have ridden this ride.

My top 3: 1. JP @IOA 2. Escape from Pompei @BGE 3. Kali River Rapids

Rest of story and credit link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5140766.stm

^Probably because the area supervisors tend to hang-out more at the Arrow-coaster locations; especially BBW, because it had a/c in the control room). Also, the ride systems were changed where if you 'stacked' the trains on Nessie and BBW an alarm goes off in the control room (and alerts the supervisors now). Just a thought why those crews tend to work harder than AC and Alpie. Great Trip Reports. Good to see PKD has much cleaner area now (as not the case in earlier years). Looks like the weather held up on most of the reports as well.

^That could have sealed their fate for awhile (during the changes that were already being made within the company), but the "Stealth" design and R&D really put the company in deep debt.

Vekoma had money troubles for awhile also. I don't believe it was a Chapter 11 type of thing, but I believe there was a long article written about the troubles both on Amusment-Business (not in service anymore) and several articles from Amusement-Today, ACE-issues, and Themepark magazine. There appeared to be internal issues with materials processing, manufacturing, engineering...etc. After Jac Houben left, the company partnered with another vendor/supplier and they infused alot of cash to update alot of management-procurement and other items to bring the company back on its feet. Marketing became a 'back-burner' issue, because the they generally felt that parks would come to them-rather than they needed to cater to the parks and listen to their clients. I would venture a guess that the company over-spend (especially on R&D) and became complacent with its clients. Similar to the experience with Arrow's 4D coaster, Vekoma developed a massive debt-load from its R&D-Flying Dutchman product (former Stealth-PGA). I believe now they are turning it around and new management/engineering/marketing is in place and I really believe they will suprise some people/park analysts in the near future.

Nice photos (damn that brings back memories when driving from VA-to FL). Some of those rides look like they were in fairly good condition. Hmmm I remember those fireworks stores all over the area there too. Replying to your post on the worst park? Well, hard to say...but, AT least the employee was "Standing" unlike some other park(s).

I personally enjoy subway, but these "deli-style" fast-food places are really getting expensive in Hawaii. Example: 1. Subway-avg. cost $7.50+ (meal deal: $10.00) 2. Quiznos- about the same 3. Pizza Hut (avg. $20+) 4. McDonalds (avg. meal deal $7.50+) 5. Burger King ($5-9) You get the idea. Pretty soon, I would have to do a second mortgage on my home just to eat out.

^TPR's 'exclusive' Stud puppet extraordinaire

I'll bring the hot dogs and marshmellows! Not too bad today in Hawaii. 89'F, but the tradewinds are gusting to about 18-25 mph.

Today's update article: Credit link: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5805956

^^^I hope that picture isn't posted at any of the parks. They will surely have security on code 3 alert then!

^This is a depressing sight to see (so far). Credit Link: http://buschadventure.com/?page=BGWC-150706-p3

That is the new ride at BGE now. The John Deere Classic bumper car ride (staring Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman). Great Update on the pic 'ye rebel hunter. They sure did not waste any time in getting the land prepped for its newest beast. I'm curious how the feeling was riding Nessie when you first come out of the station. It has to be a sort-of eerie feeling seeing all those trees missing. Still somewhat saddened that LMR is gone, but it ran its course (and mileage). I really can't wait to see how the ride will utilize the terrain and the landscaping that follows. Awesome update.

Those are some serious welding issues. Almost looks like they heated the metal too much and deformed the connections. I wonder if there was an inspection on that.

^That wasn't a bear. That was my mother-in-law. Oh wait. Sorry! 'Jaws'- Ho'okiipa Beach Park, Maui. Can't wait for the winter time!

Screen name version sucked, so my full name resulted in the following: beanos jole jane oboles joles beano ole banjoes obole jeans Sounds like names for a new Mexican Salsa and Jeans Co.

Phew! I was going to post "Heathers" also, but at least I have seen 4 or 5 other posts. Other notables in no particular order (during my days at least): 1. Hooper & Cannonball Run (Burt Reynolds) 2. Arthur (Dudley Moore)-RIP! F**@# Hilarious 3. The Saint (Val Kilmer and the Yummy Elisabeth Shue) 4. Son-in-Law (Pauly Shore-what a Weaaasel...) 5. Wolf (Jack Nicholson and the Yummy Michelle Pfeiffer) 6. Christmas Vacation-one of my ALL-TIME favs! (Chevy Chase).

If that guy is from the show "Lost" you can come visit him here in Hawaii (Oahu-island). They change hotels several times during each month, but they now stay at one of those plush bed-n-breakfast retreats near Diamond Head. I have seen that show being filmed on the West-end of the beach on several occasions. The actors/actresses are nice, but the crews are extremely-friendly (good thing for the Aloha spirit).

He "has" to be innocent, until proven guilty in the court of law. There appears to be a wide majority that feels he is guilty, but there has been no proof/evidence put forth to actually put him into jail or suspend him from the game. But, according to the latest investigation reports, perhaps the government (cough) has found something against Bonds. This was (and still is) the same scenario with Lance Armstrong and why that conversation was brought up earlier (and on radio shows). Lance has been tested more than most people can count (sarcasm) and he is STILL tested to this very day. He has yet have provided a positive test result. The French are really trying to pin him with a positive result and each time it ends up in court and they loose the battle. And a similar situation with Barry Bonds. There has yet to be any damning evidence that he has yielded a positive test result. Even though the 'assumption' is he did take steroids. Another person we could add towards the discussion (and I believe testified before Congress) is Rafael Palmero. Now, he was found positive in a test result. What does that do to his credibility now?

Honolulu (Day-work): Maui (Home): [/img]