RaptorBoyASU

I need to go again too, it's been a whole 4 days since I've gone. We should go.

If they add a soundtrack and smooth up the ride, I would love it. Currently, I love DL's, and really like WDW's. But it's all because of the show element at DL, WDW is just too quiet.

I hope Bouncy Bouncy survives a big themed park so close.....

Ugh, I guess I'll have to finish this. Maybe later tonight after I get done cleaning Edit: NOPE, not tonight

I'm going to SFMM in the morning, then off to some friend of a friend's place for dinner around 3pm. Sit around and play games that night. The rest of the weekend will be spent helping the sig other move into my apartment.

^A high paying job after college....... I could have never afforded one during school. I went to Europe for a study abroad program for 2 months, but it was only $5k and included 6 credit hours of class.

^No, I mean there are very good churrascarias for about $10-12. They aren't big name places like Fogo (we have one of those here in L.A., soooo good), but apparently still amazing food. Maybe he was in a different area of the country. Either way, my mouth was drooling at your review

Why pick the international chain when you can go to a multitude of places just like it for MUCH cheaper. I mean, you're in the right country to find churrascarias. My brother-in-law hits as many as he can when he's down there on business. He said they were around $10-12.

If that's the case, why limit yourself to breakfast foods? I often have a turkey sandwich or something similar for breakfast. Outside of cereal, I've never been a huge fan of breakfast food.

Little disappointed in the layout as well. I would have figured there would be some more low to the ground S-turns or something......

I'm not sure about $10, but $5 probably. I took my niece's to Wannadoo City at the Sawgrass Mills mall, and they had a wristband locating system. Everyone had to have a wrist band on to enter, and there were kiosks that you could check to see where the rest of your party was within the facility. Really neat idea, especially at a place like that where you can let your kids out on their own a little bit.

About 10 minutes ago........ When was the last time you ate so much you didn't want to move?

I'll join you Robb........I was doing really well for a while, down from 280 to 235, but then have gained 10 back since I came back from Spain. I need the incentive to be good, because I get lazy about keeping on track otherwise.

Airtime is my number 1, but out of control feeling is right behind it. My favorite coasters are the ones that have decent airtime, and lots of "OMG, what's going on" feeling. I do love the airtime, thus why El Toro, Phoenix, Dania Beach Hurricane, and BPB's Wild Mouse make my top 10, but the love of "out of control" with a little bit of air is the reason that Twister, Tonnere de Zeus, and GhostRider are right behind my #1 (El Toro)

SHit, I'm tempted to pick it up now. Maybe I'll give it a day or two to continue falling......

^One of my good friends became ATL at Demon Drop her first year as well. Oh, I would echo that Raptor, DT, WT, and Power Tower are the easiest on your back. No bending over to check restraints. Of course after a few weeks, you don't notice that stuff anyways. Probably the same with MaxAir and Skyhawk now as well. AVOID SKY RIDE. It eats people. Saw so many people get injured on that ride (dislocated shoulders, broken arms, etc...) because you have to catch the weight of the cabins when they come in, and it's really easy to get crushed in between them if you're not being careful. Especially during a shut down. I worked WWL, and the Chaos/Troika/Himalaya triangle when I first started. I was contracted for WWL, but they were overstaffed and the flat ride triangle needed help. So I spent 2 weeks there, and then went to WWL. But I was hating it, the hours sucked (opened late, fully staffed, meaning 45-50 hours/week if lucky), and it was boring (1/2 your day just watching boats float by). So I talked to my manager, and the zone 1 manager (since I already knew him) and managed to get transferred over to Raptor. I loved it there, and went back to work it again my second year. Like Hector said there's plenty of opportunity to cross train and pick up extra hours, and there's also a good chance you'll be sent to other rides on occasion for a day when someone is missing. I subbed in at Snake River Falls, Antique Cars, Blue Streak, Sky Ride, Power Tower, Sky Ride, and Disaster Transport over my time there. Going to another ride is a nice change of pace, but I much preferred staying the same place. You get to know those rides REALLY well. Even to the point where I could guess error codes when the ride went down.

^Yah, this is true, but are snowbirds and people going to a spa likely to want to visit an amusement park? I don't know that there will be a lot of crossover in those tourists.

I worked on Raptor crew for two summers. And I'll echo what everyone already said......do it for the experience. They pay is barely above minimum wage (was $6.25/hr in 2002, got an extra $1/hr for every hour worked if you stayed the length of your contract), but the long hours make the paycheck decent. Unless things have changed, the average was closer to 54-60 hours/week. With weeks in early summer being as much as 74-80 hours (depending which ride you worked and when you could leave if you closed). You only get 1 day off a week. I met some of my best friends those two summers, and I still keep in contact with many of them, and visit them whenever I can. Some of my fondest memories come from times spent in the park after work, sitting at Louie's, going out to the X, and being at Steak 'N Shake until way too late. Oh and 1am trips to Meijer's. (If this doesn't make sense, don't worry, it does to those that worked there). If you interview, you should have a good idea where you'll be working by the time you hang up. It usually take them a few weeks to first call you, but after they do, the interview happens right then and there. They'll send you a contract shortly after with which ride you'll be working. If the interview goes well, and you mention rides you'd most like to work, you may very well get your choice. Dorms are SUPER cheap. But my advice is to go with Commons dorms. The apartments are more spacious, but only the living room is air conditioned, and you have to deal with a lot more personalities. I would only suggest the apartments if you already know a lot of people working there, and they're holding a spot for you. Commons dorms are limited to 4 people and most of the buildings have A/C now I think. Plus, the bathrooms don't get disgusting since CP cleans them instead of your roommates and yourself. Food and Booze are the only big expenses once you're there. If you can limit your spending on those, you can save a nice chunk of change. The cafeteria was very reasonably priced, and drinks at Louie's were dirt cheap. You just can't go eat out and head to the bar every night if you want to save money. It's hard to resist since the plethora of college students working there makes it like a dorm party all the time. My checks were usually around $250-300 per week after taxes and housing were taken out. My bonus at the end of the summer was like $700. So you could easily take home $2-3k if you budget yourself. Hope that all helps.......... (P.S. Raptor Crew is where it's at)

I don't call 118 good weather. They have good weather from Sept-March. But that might be the right equation, since it's when the other parks are all closed.

^That line is still probably only 20 minutes with the way they pump people through. I love PPP, and can't wait to go again next year. GReat TR Derek. It makes me miss it. Is there any video out there of Flying Turns cycling? Well videos where you can actually see the cars, and not just hear them?

^ Maggiano's > Carraba's > Macaroni Grille > Olive Garden > Fazoli's That's how I see the hierarchy

I went to ASU (Arizona State) and majored in Computer Systems Engineering. Why did I pick it? 1. The weather was great 2. They had a a good engineering program 3. They had a great honors program 4. Large school 5. IT WAS FREE thanks to the tuition waiver and scholarships that paid my room & board 6. Did I mention the weather?

Looks like Six Flags has put quite a few rides from their parks up for sale. http://www.irmpri.com/product.htm Interesting things to note, only 2 Deja Vus are listed. Does that mean SFMM is keeping theirs? Flashback is listed for sale..... Some newer flats from other parks are going too. Were these problem children? I'll be sad to see CP's Chaos go. I love those rides, and they're becoming harder and harder to find.

I love food posts. This post makes me much less scared about going to Japan.

I'm not sure your mom would be too happy with you using a metal utensil in a non-stick pan either...... LOL, not as good as the funnel cake, but still comedy gold.