Fall Affair at Holiday World cancelled

Just in case you don't check the news section, the Legendary CoasterBuzz Fall Affair at Holiday World has been cancelled.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Pray that your country undergoes recovery!" - KMFDM

I really hate to say this, but after what happened this past weekend, I would not be suprised if HW doesn't have enthusiast events for a while...

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--George H
---Currency tracking experiment... http://www.wheresgeorge.com (Referring to The "George" on the $1 bill - Not Me)

Deep dismay, but figured it would come to that. Too bad, but probably the right call.
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I have been arrested more than you
*** This post was edited by nasai 6/4/2003 5:10:56 PM ***

I agree, redman822, I also doubt Holiday World will have events for a few years, or strictly enforce no 1, 2, or even unessacry 3 click rides. Now is the time where there ary many accidents involving rider error, and I think it is a wake-up call to the industry to make even worse (but safer) restraints. Heck, I wouldn't even be suprised if Whizzer lost it's seat belts and they got replaced with Lap Bars or Harnesses.

I have to say I'm disappointed but not surprised. The enthusiast community is going to be getting pretty close scrutiny right now, and deserves every bit of it.

Is that a regular operating day? Are they generally crowded on those early fall days? It seems like it may be worth it for those of use who were planning on going to have a non-official get together and still plan on being there that day. Granted, the night rides are a more compelling reason to make the trip, but it could still be a great time.

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Maihama, Maihama Desu

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this accident did not occur during an enthusiast event; it occured during normal park operating hours.

Why would/should HW quit having events?...Because she was an enthusiast?...Would it have made any difference if she wasn't an enthusiast, but a member of the GP? Would that then make it o.k. to continue events as normally scheduled? No, it wouldn't. The park wouldn't have handled the situation at SRM any different, enthusiast involved or not, and shouldn't handle future events different either.

And as far as the "1, 2, 3 click rides", I would continue to attend SRM no matter how much I was stapled in; for me, it's not about the coasters anymore, it's about the sociality of the event.

I have a wide range of emotions about the future of enthusiast events at HW, but I will save the rest of them for now, pending the conclusion of the current investigation.

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"This mode is difficult!"

Given that, essentially, the park's business is at stake right now, I don't think it's particularly appropriate to be questioning their decision right now.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"Pray that your country undergoes recovery!" - KMFDM

I am deeply sorry for all those affected by this tragedy, but instead of mourning a death, why not celebrate the life of someone who obviously loved to ride rollercoasters. I think that canceling an event would be just that. I'm sure the lady who died would not want an event to be canceled. Why not use some of the money to go to one of the foundations listed by Paula. We shouldn't let this tragedy break up the coaster community, it should bring us closer together.

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It's my time to Fly! - URGE - Titan A. E.
Is it yours?
Superman: Ultimate Flight
SFGam 2003

Im not surprised by this decision at all. If you held an enthusiast event only to have people break your rules and essentially threaten your business, would you really be jumping for joy that you were holding another one in just a few months?

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You're at a party and see a beautiful woman. She walks up to you and says, "I hear you're fantastic in bed." -- That's Brand Recognition.

I like the idea of holding an unofficial enthusiast event at the park the same date as the original event. We all go to the park as normal guests, no ERT, no extra benefits. We go to the park and show our solid support for Holiday World and give back to a park that has given so much to us...

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Bob Hansen
Resident Airtime Whore

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Jeff said:
Given that, essentially, the park's business is at stake right now, I don't think it's particularly appropriate to be questioning their decision right now.

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I really dont think the park's business will be tarnished in the long term. They have been around long enough and built a solid reputation.

Its already been stated by the inspectors that the ride has no defects. Most people "IMO" will just look at this as a freak accident and return to the park to have a good time. Of course some people will stay away but that number wont cripple HW.

Tragic events happen, time passes, wounds start to heal, and normalcy usually bounces back.

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Arena football has arrived in the Windy City. Go "Chicago Rush"

...what may be potentially dangerous, however, is if the family of Tamar Fellner brings a lawsuit against Holiday World as a result of this?

While we understand the tragedy, as much as one can understand tragedy, and while we understand the different circumstances that may surround such an event, it's likely that her family does not.

I wouldn't be surprised if her family, in the end, tried to hold Holiday World at fault for this accident, no matter what cause is ultimately determined.

That, I fear, is what could be most damaging to Holiday World. Six Flags, Cedar Fair, Disney, etc., can afford to settle a lawsuit or fight in court. Can Holiday World manage the same expense?

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--Maddie--

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Foiled again.

I'm right there with those who wish to keep riding. I'm still planning to go that day, and I can't refuse another chance to visit my favorite family park. I support their decision to cancel the event, but that won't keep me home. I'd like to be there supporting them in person. I will always remember this incident when I take flight on Raven Air.....the 5th drop will never be the same.
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Brad Sherman
Arrowed!

You can count on me being there on that day as well. I'd do anything to help support the park at this point and if I didn't live 8 hours away, I'd visit several times.

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Joe Cernelli
Shedding off one more layer of skin, keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within.
-Bob Dylan

I can say that I am not the least bit surprised. As long as there is a Holiday World to visit, I will go there irregardless of whether or not they have any enthusiasts events again. I am sure in due time we will find out what the outcome will be. Unfortunately we will have to be patient. I just hope that the park does continue to thrive despite this tragedy. I will likely try to get there for what would be the Legendary Fall event this year, as well as try to get to what would have been SRM 2004 (in the event that they dont have one next year). I do think though that it is too early to tell and it would not be in anyone's best interest to look further ahead into the future than tomorrow. I am sure Holiday World right now can realistically only plan that far ahead until they find out more about what might have caused the unfortunate accident. I sure would not be even prepared to think about the Fall event let alone next year until the air was cleared if I was in their shoes.

My prayers are with the Koch family as well as the Fellner family and the family of her fiance.

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Zero G Thrills - Moved and Improved

My question is, what can we do as enthusiasts to improve a possibly tarnished reputation. I've never been one to spout off that I'm an ACE member anywhere, but I'd like to do what I can do improve what seems to be a growing bad reputation.

Regardless of whether or not she stood up (nothing is conclusive yet, it seems), it has called attention to those of the enthusiast community who *do* defeat safety mechanisms. Is there anything we can do to try to set a good example and make parks that are obviously following this story trust us enough to be good riders and not be nervous about having events? I mean, who is going to want to hold an enthusiast event if they feel like they run a higher risk of having a rider fatality and the ensuing dent in their park's reputation?

I've seen other enthusiasts misbehave on rides quite often. The parks are concerned with the safety of ALL their visitors. Having a coaster club membership does not give one special permission to disobey the safety rules at ANY park. The clubs are meant to bring us together and share what we love--coasters! Parks have been kind enough to recognize our clubs and offer special events with ERT and more--we should be thankful. Sure, most of us follow the rules and ride the way we are supposed to ride, but there are many others who do not and make all of us look bad. I wouldn't be surprised if more parks cancel their enthusiast events. Instead of being respected as "experts", we are on the verge of being blacklisted. It is very tragic that this incident at Holiday World occurred. Let's learn before it's too late.

Loop D-

Amen.

MrScott

I guess I can understand the knee jerk reaction in canceling the fall event. But it needs to be recognized as exactly that. The majority of us ride safely and should not be penalized for the actions of a few (or in this case one).

Also, it's a fact that these events are safe, since despite assertions that people have been pushing limits for years, nothing has ever happened...until now. Further...the safest time of all to have an event would be now...right after an incident where proper riding is in everyone's minds...as opposed to say 10 years from now when everyone has forgotten and there are a whole new generation of people behaving inappropriately.

On top of that...Peer pressure is a powerful thing. I don't think anyone will get away with anything for a LONG time without everyone yelling at them and calling for their removal.

It's my hope that those things will be considered when deciding on whether to have events in the future.

While I agree, Greg, it's my understanding that the park requested the event be cancelled, not Jeff.

mOOSH

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Vegas -- June 7-9
ACE Con-Quest -- June 11-22