Misc GA Mumblings

[dougdrummer 62]

On 5/8/2018 at 1:31 AM, ericthewanderer said:

WTF is all this about a "no keys" rule for the rides?Usually when I go to a park the ONLY things I have on me is a season pass and my car keys.....is SF trying to force more people to pay for the lockers? 

With today's modern key fobs, you aren't just dealing with the keys themselves.  Many of those fobs are big and have a lot of mass to them.  My fob for my Ford Escape is massive since it has buttons for remote start and remote tailgate close/open.  I shutter to think of my keys and fob coming out of my pocket and hitting someone as I ride over 60 mph on a roller coaster.

 

That being said, my keys are buried in my shorts pocket, which has a velcroed flap to seal it, so I don't see any circumstance where the keys could come out, even under negative G loads.  But not every patron wears those type of shorts.

Edited May 10, 2018 by dougdrummer

[coliwood_studios 27]

I’m sick of handing over a dollar whenever I wanna Ride Ka, Toro, Joker, And now Nitro.  It’s ridiculous that certain people that can’t stay off their stupid phones while they’re in line, or on a ride.  I always wear zippered pocket shorts, which is the pocket I keep everything in.  I really wish that they wouldn’t make you buy a locker if you had zippered, buttoned, or Velcroed pockets.  I have seen people with their phones out on all four of these rides, and it’s a shame that they have to ruin it for everyone.

[dougdrummer 62]

15 hours ago, coliwood_studios said:

I’m sick of handing over a dollar whenever I wanna Ride Ka, Toro, Joker, And now Nitro.  It’s ridiculous that certain people that can’t stay off their stupid phones while they’re in line, or on a ride.  I always wear zippered pocket shorts, which is the pocket I keep everything in.  I really wish that they wouldn’t make you buy a locker if you had zippered, buttoned, or Velcroed pockets.  I have seen people with their phones out on all four of these rides, and it’s a shame that they have to ruin it for everyone.

 

Keep in mind you are an enthusiast who frequents amusement parks, and enthusiasts probably make up less than 10% of those that attend.   A large percentage of people only visit these amusement parks once a year, probably on a class or organization trip of some sort.  And having seen the outfits some of these people wear, I can guarantee you they are not prepared to secure their phones or keys on rides.

[Flyin Phil 25]

I was flying over the park this past Tuesday (5/8) and noticed a large swath of trees recently cleared from the back woods, adjacent to the safari area.  Does anyone know what this could be for?  I'm thinking a solar farm?  See the photos below:

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F92NfzMh4N_QO8TOBsq2sdxAD_INH7jy?usp=sharing

[Matt Kaiser 235]

45 minutes ago, Flyin Phil said:

I was flying over the park this past Tuesday (5/8) and noticed a large swath of trees recently cleared from the back woods, adjacent to the safari area.  Does anyone know what this could be for?  I'm thinking a solar farm?  See the photos below:

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1F92NfzMh4N_QO8TOBsq2sdxAD_INH7jy?usp=sharing

 

Yep, that should be the solar farm!

[Matt Kaiser 235]

On 5/6/2018 at 8:06 AM, Squidy2201 said:

I heard they said that the path would open when the area was developed more. Apparently a construction wall from where Liberty Snacks was built is not closing off an area near the KK side of the path. Maybe that is the new area for expansion next year.

 

The fence is just blocking off where the Bloodshed terror trail is.

 

However, Splashwater Oasis is also surrounded by a fence

Edited May 12, 2018 by Matt Kaiser

[Tbone112499 90]

20 hours ago, Matt Kaiser said:

 

The fence is just blocking off where the Bloodshed terror trail is.

 

However, Splashwater Oasis is also surrounded by a fence

Splashwater Oasis is removed from the Park app as well. Future expansion area definitely. An original themed coaster again?

[Lemur 72]

On 5/9/2018 at 2:03 AM, The Master said:

 

The park tried free lockers for one year before they switched to pay lockers. Even Universal offers free lockers for their no lose item policy. Money and greed are major motivations behind GADV's policy as well as their new membership program. Over regulation causes many more problems than it solves and consumers disliked being hassled. It is simply bad customer service and it keeps getting worse. 

 

No, they *licensed out the right to rent lockers to a third party vendor*.  SF already got paid.  They get paid whether you use their locker or not.  As for the rest of your rant ... it's a publicly listed company.  Their job is to make money for their shareholders first and foremost, make you happy second.  And I'm not sure how you're equating a locker policy with over regulation with the amusement industry has no Federal oversight and even in NJ - which has some of the toughest laws for the industry - there are no loose article laws stating that articles must be placed in a locker, merely that patrons must follow the safety directives of the park.  Do you know what's even worse customer service than making sure you lose neither lose your $700+ phone or the keys to your ride home?  Having someone's nose or eye socket broken on one of your rides.  

[Lemur 72]

On 5/13/2018 at 1:47 PM, Tbone112499 said:

Splashwater Oasis is removed from the Park app as well. Future expansion area definitely. An original themed coaster again?

 

Hopefully a family flat so there's something else to do in that area that appeals to a larger audience.

[The Master 152]

Just now, Lemur said:

 

No, they *licensed out the right to rent lockers to a third party vendor*.  SF already got paid.  They get paid whether you use their locker or not.  As for the rest of your rant ... it's a publicly listed company.  Their job is to make money for their shareholders first and foremost, make you happy second.  And I'm not sure how you're equating a locker policy with over regulation with the amusement industry has no Federal oversight and even in NJ - which has some of the toughest laws for the industry - there are no loose article laws stating that articles must be placed in a locker, merely that patrons must follow the safety directives of the park.  Do you know what's even worse customer service than making sure you lose neither lose your $700+ phone or the keys to your ride home?  Having someone's nose or eye socket broken on one of your rides.  

 

 

As I said, one year they did have free lockers up in the stations that only opened for the matching train, next year they were replaced with pay lockers. Plus the 3rd party must make money, or they won't renew their lease which means SF stops getting money.  If a company fails to make consumers happy, they won't be making money for long with WOM which is more powerful than ever with the internet. Plus there are business and marketing ethics against bait and swich tactics and not disclosing full details prior to an exchange. 

 

I was referring to corporate overregulation. Overregulation in general is a very bad thing, as is under regulation. Finding a balance is tricky. But yes, at SF, I do feel like I am being needlessly burden with excessive and trivial regulations and rules. When I go to Hersheypark, I don't have to worry about having keys, wallet, or soda unlike with GADV which reduces my satisfaction with the park. In general, overregulation is a band aid for poor management and leadership. The number one goal of an ethical company is to provide all stakeholders (consumers, shareholders, business partners, etc) with maximun value. Unethical firms harms consumers and the entire market to make a quick buck and dash off. 

 

Consumers need to take responsibility too. Such as not taking a stupid overpriced phone into a park and pay for any damages they cause. People can and still do spit on rides and they can transmit dieses into other guests that way. Should the park force all riders to buy and wear anti spiting mouth gags? Opps, just gave SF another money maker. 

Edited May 15, 2018 by The Master

[Urklore 4]

Last weekend i just got hit in the face with someones hat from skull mountain.  Sometimes i think they focus on the wrong things and the the obvious ones. 

[The Master 152]

Was at the park on Sunday and they did a couple of strange things. First they did not have any of the no bag express lanes open at security. Everyone had to wait in a big airport style queue for the bag lanes, even if they did not have bags which sucked. Second thing is they started a no eye glasses policy on El Toro, but at least they have a free bin for glasses up in the station. 

Edited May 22, 2018 by The Master

[coliwood_studios 27]

I bet they started the no glasses policy due to the video recording glasses, there are quite a few recent p.o.v. videos on youtube and I understand park management is not to happy about it.

[SAM527 1]

5 hours ago, The Master said:

Was at the park on Sunday and they did a couple of strange things. First they did not have any of the no bag express lanes open at security. Everyone had to wait in a big airport style queue for the bag lanes, even if they did not have bags which sucked. 

 

I wonder if that has anything to do with the new xray machines which I think are multiplying every time I go to the park. I think at some point everything will have to go through a better scanner/xray and they need to fire whoever thought having a solid color dining pass drink cup was a good idea this season. 

[APeX3181 0]

I don't know why anyone would wear their glasses on Toro without straps anyway tbh. I always have straps on my sunglasses while riding and no one has ever said anything, including this past Sunday.

Edited May 23, 2018 by APeX3181

[IBOK 28]

Think I’m going to pull the old “car trouble” gimmick a few times over the next few weeks now that daily operations are starting. Haven’t been to the park yet this season. Need to resolve my coaster withdraw symptoms without my kids. Still furious I’ve been to Dollywood 3 times now and lightning rod has been down every time. Some nitro will put me in a better mood.

[gafreak 24]

anyone know if they are replacing the canopy on the blue tent arcade? or are they demolishing the bldg finally?

 

[Matt Kaiser 235]

They are replacing the canopy, they're installing it right now.

[Yoshi 283]

Looking at Queue Times, I'm kind of surprised at the wait times today. Almost hour waits for many of the coasters and Sky Screamer. 

[GAcoaster 375]

Cool pic someone posted from today:

 

 

Looks just like when they were built in 1974!

http://www.greatadventurehistory.com/ConstructDrStTents.htm

[Matt Kaiser 235]

4 hours ago, Six Flags FUN! said:

So I might going to the park on this Saturday, is the weather is going to be sunny or rain? If it's gonna rain, I might going to the park on Tuesday or Wednesday instead.

 

https://weather.com/weather/5day/l/USNJ0232:1:US

[Mr.Six 75]

It looks like Mama Floras is back on the dining plan again.  Theres a lot of unique items that can’t be found anywhere else in the park.

 

[rj1972 15]

On 5/29/2018 at 7:31 AM, Mr.Six said:

It looks like Mama Floras is back on the dining plan again.  Theres a lot of unique items that can’t be found anywhere else in the park.

 

 

Do we think they might actually release the 2018 season pass dining guide before 2018 is over? 

[Pineracer 36]

On 5/9/2018 at 2:03 AM, The Master said:

 

The park tried free lockers for one year before they switched to pay lockers. Even Universal offers free lockers for their no lose item policy. Money and greed are major motivations behind GADV's policy as well as their new membership program. Over regulation causes many more problems than it solves and consumers disliked being hassled. It is simply bad customer service and it keeps getting worse. 

I thought that was for only the first 45 mins, but still-i was there in early December 2014 and didn't have to pay in the end (got one of the first rides on Hulk that day and ended up mueling Gringots). But that's coming up for 3.5 half years and Hulk's been retracked and i'm going to be attending Rowan in the fall (little over an hour south from the park).

[The Master 152]

As of last fall, Universal still had free lockers for a time period that is adjusted to current wait times.