GAcoaster

Kind of surprised that they haven't rolled Winter Fest out at Dorney yet. With all the parks around them (Hershey, Sesame, Great Adventure) all doing Christmas, it seems strange that they're not. It seems like it could be a great tie-in to all the Christmas events that take place in Bethlehem.

I guess they got rid of their old pirate ship at some point?

I wouldn't be surprised to see Joel Manby (former CEO Herschend and SeaWorld) mentioned, and I think John Reilly would be a likely contender (though I want him to stay with SeaWorld as the Chief Operating Officer).

Rumor is Runaway Railway is behind schedule. I'm just really shocked they are opening before both Star Wars attractions are ready.

They may be connected, using one for parts for the other.

There was also a rule that riders in the back row of Rolling Thunder had to be 14 or older (for a while). I believe that was so they could serve as witnesses.

I remember it there and bought a bunch of stuff! That was actually the second location for it (it had been over in Fun Fair the year before). I remember lots of crappy leftover merchandise, but every so often you'd find something awesome. At the time they were liquidating the patches, so I bought a Rolling Thunder patch, a Roaring Rapids patch and a Lightnin' Loops patch. I know I still have the Rolling Thunder one, not sure about the others...

I still remember as a waiter the smoking section was the worst place to work, but also made the most money. Smokers spend more money (look how much they waste on cigarettes), and have no problem spending money on food, drinks and casino games. It's a shame, but it's economic reality.

It really needed it. I'm guessing the white is primer for a new coat of yellow. When BTR at Great Adventure was painted yellow it got a coat of white primer.

Wow, that was fast!

I think that's part of it, but more than anything I think the original Arrow log boats are wearing out and need to be replaced, along with the fiberglass trough. Just look at all the rebuilds of the trough on the Log Flume at GA over the past few years. And I know several parks have either purchased used flume boats from other parks or had new ones built in the past few years.

I think the flumes are all at a point where they need a lot of upkeep and many parks are deciding it's time to let them go. It's a shame because they are still popular and fun rides.

But if it's done as a sponsorship the way it used to be, it's relatively unobtrusive. It's the coaster wraps, banners, and billboards in the parks that are too much. Just about every park has had sponsorships of attractions and food since the beginning of theme parks. It's generally been something that (when done right) works with the theme and isn't a blatant ad in your face.

They've been doing these after hours/pre-opening events for a ridiculous upcharge so people can do the new attractions with minimal waits and crowds. I'm expecting more of that rather than Fastpass upcharges. They've resisted that (highly lucrative) cash flow this long, I don't see that changing. The pre/after hours events make them even more money.