Jon Sabo

Um, I pick both since I worked for both..lol I love BGE the most because of the following: 1. Landscaping (many trees/shade is heavenly during those hot VA. summers) 2. Quality coasters (who cares if they only have 4. Their 5th will arrive in '07..lol). 3. Ride selection and location. 4. Food and Shows. 5. Staff (more helpful than BGA). BGA has some good qualities as well: 1. Kumba 2. Montu 3. That is about it..lol

Im not sure if there is a POV floating around on this site or if Robb has posted one on their DVD collection, but there is one (POV) on the Worlds Greatest RC Thrills 3D series. (Goldhil Video). I think you can find various sites that sell them or email the site admins for a site.

I have already posted my top 5 on an earlier post, but did wish to comment on Alpengeist. I actually dropped it off my #1 selection. I recently visited the park again and its hard to believe how "rough" the Alpine ghost has gotten. Even in almost every seat selection. The ride will celebrate its 10th Anniversary (already!?) next year and she has seen quite a bit of neglect in my opinion. The original maintenance contractor is apparently gone and a new procedure/company is in place. I know the park has undergone quite a bit of changes since I have stopped working there, but it appears also (from behind the scenes) that maintenance on the ride has changes as well. Even with the heavily trimmed braking (expecially after lift), the ride heading into the Cobra-roll, entry into the MCBR, and the 'flatspin' at the ending of the ride are the most noticable areas. Anyone else notice these issues as well?

Over the weekend, an apparent issue with the BBW transformer had a 'mind-of-its-own' and caused a power outage on the ride. One of the trains was reportedly stuck on the #2 lift and evacuated. No injuries were reported. The ride is still in operation under the back-up system and an upgrade/replacement may take place within the next 2 weeks or so. If anyone else notices any downtimes within this timeline, this would be the most likely reason. I have personally worked on this ride (operations and maintenance) and if this has occured, then it (transformer) has gotten more mileage than its life expectancy. I believe the last time an upgrade/replacement was done was back around 89 season. Any other known reports about the ride (I believe it is still operating under the back-up system)?

Ahh...DINNER TIME!

Looks like another debate on the traveling fair scene as a 6 yr old boy plunges to his death. Question now would be: Who is to blame? The fairgrounds/operator apparently acted in good faith according to the state & mfg. guidelines, but is there a bit of common sense (or lack of) on the parents part ? Link: http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_170104357.html

I read in other posts that 'many' people were disappointed in the ride(s), especially the endings. Are they both that bad as a ride (in general)? The videos I have seen have some incredible scenery. The storyline appears somewhat dull, but one of the rides (FL?) appeared to use real propane-fire (similar to effects on Pompei @ BGE) and the CA one used light-effects for the fire. Is the ride not intense? Would the ride be better with an improved ending? *Edit-perhaps they may do upgrades on both when the Mummy 3 (or 4 if you count Scorpion King) is released.

3 BGE bird incidents (lol) Nessie: Peacock got a new makeover when we were 'green-tagging' the ride before morning operations (around 1990). Another one we had a bird crap on the photo-eyes (out-dated sensors..lol) and the ride set-up. BBW- a bird around the lake area hit the 2nd axle and feathers covered the wheels/axle and the coach. A funny noise kept occuring around the axle and apparently some of the feathers got stuck in the wheel material and we had to remove it...ugh! DF-early morning (about 5am) we had a peacock get run over as the train exited the station (the peacock was sitting just along the track near the lift-speed sensor) and kaplat! she was gone.

Has the "mountain" on DM been enclosed yet? I haven't seen any recent pics, but would assume it must have been completed by now...(?) *Edit: If so, anyone have current pics of the completion>? Thanx!

The foundation for a(nother?) hydraulic launch coaster? Ohhh. Say it isn't so! Recent filing for construction permit on the '07 attraction. http://www.pointbuzz.com/news.htm?id=947

bottom line-----> lawsuits/litigation/higher prices..lol

great photos. *Best management decision at most parks??? -Adding/installing those air-conditioned-type fans! I recently seen one of those at DK-que (BGE) and it's amazing how much cooler the guests are on a hot and humid day. It actually makes guests less irritable while they wait..lol

These articles were from news media reports. Some of them had not been posted on the SF website(s). If the mods think the posting is not relevant, they can close this thread. Sometimes the news media articles is more rapid news than the actual park website..lol

^ I am curious on the comment you made. IS it park policy? If so, where are the sign postings? That would be the argument between its guests and park employees. It would be a similar situation regarding obese riders and/or if a person were pregnant (it appears signage for those instances are present). I'm not agreeing/disagreeing with you, but I think the parks would need to institute some sort-of 'consistent' policy if there is one and guest(s) adhere to it. It just slows down the ride capacity and would begin to irritate guest(s) waiting in line over an (apparent) inconsistant rule or policy.

Here are some recent news articles regarding the themepark chain. 1. Kingda Ka-reliability issues? What's new...lol http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-06-17-fast-coasters_x.htm 2. Another park(s) on the chopping block? http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Symbol=US:SIX&Feed=AP&Date=20060613&ID=5791269 3. New A&E sponsorship deals and features NHRA champ-John Force? http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Symbol=US:SIX&Feed=PR&Date=20060615&ID=5799074 4. A step in the right direction. A new strategy may play a key-role in helping the park chain out of its massive debt-load. http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?feed=PR&date=20060612&id=5789772

*Did CF bite off too much they can chew? With the recent purchase of PP, it would appear that management over at CF may have bit off a bit more than they can chew. Article Link on recent developments: ** http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Symbol=US:SIX&Feed=FOOL&Date=20060615&ID=5800254

Did management post any signs around the ride area regarding 'no glasses"? If not, then I would either go directly to GR department or speak with management themselves. One thing that is annoying is the apparent lack of consistency with ride operators letting one ride and another not allowed to ride. If management was wise, I would post a rules to: 1. No cell phones allowed (no exceptions). 2. No slippers/sandles (shoes must be closed-toe type). They have to be put on the side. 3. If the rule of no glasses, it should apply to all or NONE at all (no if's/and's/butt's). I feel that riders should be allowed to ride providing that they are secured as in Shepp's case. *When has it been a "rule" from a manufacturer that glasses are no longer permitted?..LOL Ask for a sign or posted rule that states that "in writing". I would venture to guess that opinions and interpretations greatly vary from employee-to-employee (that would be considered a form of discrimination in technical terms).

Awesome PTR. Couple of curious questions. Is WOF 'really' that bad as a park? I was planning on going there near end of summer. The lines looked rather long, or operations/staff appeared really slack on ride capacity (similar to my recent BGE trip..lol). SDC-looks like an awesome park. Is it similar to Dollywood? If I am not mistaken (correct me if I am wrong), but I think Mel Bilbo is the GM (or VP) of SDC. He used to be with A-B and was GM at BGE when I was in management/operations. I wonder if he is still there (at SDC). I thought I read somewhere recently that Wyandot Lake is up for sale. There was a recent business news article on 6 Flags (Mark Shapiro interview) and it was discussed. Great PTR and notes!

This may be a stupid question, but is the water heated? Some parks are beginning to add heated water to their water-rides and was just curious (based on the pics-or was that steam a special effect?). That 'monster' pic looked similar to NEssie (I wonder if BGE could steal that and somehow put in Nessie's helix-tunnel..lol). The chic on the website is hot (she has to be a Canuck!..lol). Interesting website also, do they offer those sled-type rides during the winter time?

There were quite a few from BGE in operations and in management roles. Perhaps the one that really sticks out to me was from the LNM. A group of riders in the back car 'appeared' to be somewhat intoxicated, but it was really difficult to not let them ride, because they weren't acting in a manner that could be a safety issue. As their train came back within the station, I notice quite a BIG smile on the woman passenger and was somewhat confused why. As the train came to a stop it was quite clear what had happened. She had no panties, no bra, her shirt was ripped and her skirt was almost completely OFF of her. Well, they (LNM ride ops crew) informed me that the guests had requested that she get her bra, panties back (apparently 'discarded' within the helix-tunnel, and if we (BG-park) offered discounts on merchandise clothing (lol). It was quite hard to remain professional without breaking out with a laugh and rolling along the station floor...gawd!

I'd like to build one of those out of my "garage"..lol Looks like a great 'starter' park for kids! Nice PTR

^ I believe the park gave up on that attraction. Apparently there were reports about pending lawsuits between HP and the mfg. (perhaps they settled the lawsuit), but I doubt they will install one now. Too bad, that ride looks quite interesting.

BBW & A/C in the rain (especially with a trainloaded with a bunch of cheerleaders wearing white t-shirts)..lol

^That may have been a bit high, but I am including both delays (in the air) due to weather and we actually made 4 transfers (perhaps the reason for the low airfare we paid..lol). I would estimate about/close to 15hrs total flight time.