Big Bad Wolf

mlnem4s said:
Gonchar gets my point.

Uhh Great?

mlnem4s said:

To me I look at the big picture of removing BBW; they knew it was going to ruffle the feathers of coaster fans as well as fans of Busch Gardens Williamsburg in general.

Im going to go out on a limb and think that BGW has an even bigger picture than you will ever have.. Just sayin'

Dont get me wrong.. I grew up near the park (at times living 5 mins away). That BBW has meant thousands and thousands of fun rides to me.. But I just would never presume to second guess the parks decisions.. Their reasons are quite sound really.

Again I go back to Geauga (and I hate to use it but it is a good example)...

Least you were given notice..

Just expressing an opinion and my point of view...often creativity at non-Disney/Universal parks is one of those "missed opportunities" and I strongly believe it could have added to the bottom line in this instance during a difficult economic season.

Not gonna happen and that is fine. Still can dream, that is what the theme park industry is all about after all, fulfilling dreams and selling pleasurable experiences to the masses.

ridemcoaster said:
But im just guessing :)

I've never questioned the validity your info. I know it's good.

I only question the way it's often delivered.

I think you just like terrorizing me, personally. :)

IMO....needs to be a distinction made here. Some of us are "coaster junkies", some "amusement park junkies", and a select few of us are "Monday morning spreadsheet analysts". As a member of the former club, I'm going to miss the ride experience. As a member of the latter, I'm going to second-guess business decisions that I feel are bad for the bottom line...not necessarily THIS quarter's bottom line, but in the longer-term.

All that being said, I am certain that BBW as it stands now eats up maintenance time and money like a crazed Wolf in Grandma's house. And while I see the potential for BBW to be the ultimate Howl-O-Scream attraction, I am forced to recognize that Busch pays the salaries of the maintenance people, and the parts/equipment they need to keep Wolf operational....and they DO know what it costs to keep it running.

Am I bummed about Wolf going down "early" this season? Sure. Does it hurt the park's line-up to ME personally? Sure, but more than it does for the majority of their guests. Does it hurt the park moreso precisely because Wolf sported the lowest height minimum of any major ride in the park? Yes. Taking all that into account, was Wolf still costing them more than the park could justify in trying to keep it open another 7-8 weeks. Apparently so. Ken, you'd take less heat if you weren't acting as "the messenger". ;) :)

rollergator said:
Ken, you'd take less heat if you weren't acting as "the messenger". ;) :)

Sometimes it's possible to be too close to the subject matter. There's a reason certain people shouldn't be the messenger in certain situations.

Perhaps, but didnt realize you guys dictated what I could or couldnt say.

Like any topic that a person is knowledgeable about (pick a thread.. you will find one), you will find someone who is a bit more passionate about it more than others. Are they Marters?

I dont see the distinction personally.

As far as the heat.. It would only bother me if I took it personal, which I dont. I dont know most of you personally, to really take most of it personal. What I do admit taking personal is misinformation, but I dont see that any different than any other person in any other thread. If need be, I will start pointing it out like some insist on doing, but I find that counter productive to a thread.

But Im getting a sense of deja vu, and its involving nearly the same parties.

^LOL, I want everyone to feel free to say whatever they think/know...just thought some were "placing blame" at your feet for decisions that clearly weren't yours to make. You were just aware of more of the information used to make the decision...through your "connection". ;)

Nonetheless, variety of opinions is part of what makes the discussion...interesting reading? :)

rollergator said:
^LOL, I want everyone to feel free to say whatever they think/know..

Exactly. I appreciate the information Ken has shared. There's been some decent insight into BGW.

...just thought some were "placing blame" at your feet for decisions that clearly weren't yours to make.

See, I get the feeling that some of the replies are presented this way when no one has done that at all. That 'personal' connection thing I can't quite describe.

I apologize. Really, I do. There's just a vibe to some (not all or even a majority) of Ken's replies that is 'icky' like that to me...and being the guy I am, I don't shut up about things. I point at them and talk loudly.

I think when a park representative comes on here, there's a certain level of decorum that must be maintained. Someone like a Paula or a Tony can't really come on here and tell you you're an idiot and you're way off and explain why. We get park employee spin...and that's cool.

When us idiot enthusiasts that think we know it all start spouting (myself included) there's no rules. I can be as big a jerk as I like and declare the 101 reasons I think some park is doing the wrong thing. (yes, unfortunately, publically it's a one way street - a professional dealing with an idiot know-it-all customer)

How does the person who knows info first hand, but isn't held to representing the park in any official way, yet still feels a personal connection to the park handle any given situation?

I don't know. I just got that 'vibe' from Ken's reply that felt icky on this one.

That's that. I apologize for pointing out my own weirdness. I'd hate for anyone to stop sharing the info they have, it is appreciated 100%. I like to think I'd never try to dictate what one can post.

Aww, I feel a group hug coming on. Come on, guys, can you feel it? :)

(what, I like hugs...) ;)

I have been reading the thread, and maybe I just missed it, but who is making money off the Save the Big Bad Wolf shirt? Or is the money going to a good cause since the Big Bad Wolf will not be saved?

I dont like being the center of attention, really I do.. And even more so in the 3rd person. Sounds like I died.. :)

Hopefully no apology is directed towards me. Im a big boy. I wish you didnt get the "vibe" (sounds erotic), but is what it is. My intent is no more than anyone else who has some insight on an area. As I said, I see my remarks no different than anyone else who does. I ask people how they come to the conclusions they do, as a curious question. I dont blatantly say "your wrong". I think the discriminator between me and someone else who does this, is its common knowledge my background vs anyone else.

Anywho.. I hate being center of any attention (especially any semblance of negativity), so im going to leave this alone..

*cough* hug *cough*

I'll give you a hug, Carrie!

:) Thanks, Pal!

If it makes anyone feel better, even though Ken has explained why the park chose to kill BBW how/when they did, I still see the point minem4s was making and it seems like a missed opportunity for the sake of neat paperwork.

Singing, "I gotta be me!" :)

To follow up on the above posts, my point is never to say a park is right or a park is wrong...they do what they feel is best for them. I just know and have experienced at my employment with Six Flags, Paramount Parks, Cedar Fair and Funtime Inc that often they (ie.management) make decisions based on things that ultimately don't benefit the guest experience (or even worse, they simply don't care which is more and more common lately). Now that I and many of my close friends have left the business out of frustration or job loss we see that a lot of decisions made aren't "fun" for guests now that "we are the guests" or they simply didn't think things through well enough. That is the perspective I come from when I post comments here...plus my total disappointment with the industry as of late.

Ironically, I am being considered for a job providing services to the industry......go figure!

Wow, this thread changed directions a bit.

ridemcoaster said:
18 of the 24 spots are filled on the last ride of BBW..

Im floored that someone has bid $1000 for the top 2 positions already. WOW.. Now thats dedicated to a ride..

So you're telling us that Big Bad Wolf is being replaced with a B&M Floorless?

So did anyone bid and find out if they won? For some reason, they removed the bids from the website.