Magic Mountain 2/18/06---Sheep to the Slaughter!

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2Hostyl said:

I find it odd that when a coaster is razed, suddenly there appear all these misty-eyed comments about them. Even while living, these coasters were generally regarded as "bad" (e.g Steel Phantom, Drachen Frye). You have polls on this particular board where CP is regularly nominated for "Best Food", yet Disney parks such as Epcot are suprisingly absent. It's become a running gag on here that B&Ms are so "forceless" that even the biggest one in North America is compared to sleep medicine. And you have so many people on here talking about the GREATNESS of an at best mediocre flat ride: Flyers! (okay, maybe that last one is a personal vendetta =])

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Hostyl, why must you always say what is going on in my head? (and say it better too) Maybe its a brotha thing ;)

I do agree with Jeremy that people just don't want to "stick out" anymore, everyone agrees too damn much. No one wants to say they LOVE SFMM and that's that, or that they prefer steel to wood, or that they prefer SFGadv to Holiday World, or that they listen to Mariah Carey records. ;)

Where are all those people who don't give a crap about being an "exceptable" enthusiast.

I remember the old days over on URC when people liked what they liked and were willing to fight for it, back before the word "fanboy" sent everyone running for the closet.

I must say, coaster discussions were much more interesting back then, because everyone gave their perspective regardless of whether it were the popular choice or not. Now like the rest of the world, our community is filled with "yes men" who like Jeremy said, just want to fit in and not be ribbed for their opinions. When people have to start their posts with, "I'm not a CP-fanboy, but..." you know things have swung too far back the other way.

While it does keep the peace, it can also lead to very boring discussion. *** Edited 2/26/2006 4:20:42 AM UTC by DWeaver***

And we all know that I'm most guilty of posting just to "go along with the crowd!" My guiding principal is indeed to get along at all cost. That is why everybody likes me so much... :-)

...Jeff who is pretty sure this Jeremy fellow either was not talking about me for starting this thread, OR simply does not know me.

^^^ Well, in this case, it is not an "either/or" situation, but rather both. I cannot claim to know you, I've never met, you, and the limited things I have seen you post do not show enough for me to feel I have a good grasp of you. Also, my posting was not aimed specifically at you.

I *did* find it strange that you felt the need to preface your TR with a "disclaimer". But I'm willing to take most posts at face value, until given reason to believe otherwise. Other posters have given me reason to doubt the veracity of their post, but heretofore, JRS, you do not fall into that catagory.

And I generally make a point of specifically calling people out if I am talking about a singular indicent as opposed to a general trend. That is to say, that if I'm talking about you behind-your-back-in-front-of-your-face, you wont have to wonder. It will be clear. =]

And to DWeaver, while I cant say that I love SFMM specifically, I am a lover of corporate parks over independent ones, I generally think that B&M's and GCIs lord over Intamins and CCI/GGs, and I believe that Mariah Carey may be the most universally beautiful woman in the world (though I'd rather have Janet Jackson) and I may actuallly *PURCHASE* 'The Emancipation of Mimi' (provided I find it under ten bucks of course :)).

lata, jeremy
--everyone's so touchy these days...

You rock Jeremy.

That's what I'm talking about! ;)

kRaXLeRidAh said: Why don't you go back and reread that huge post of yours, very carefully (I know you wrote it, but reading it again afterwards it takes on a completely different face) and tell me your complains aren't the most petty and miniscule of nitpicking.

I was prepared to reply to your post point-by-point but then realized Gonch hit the nail on the head when he said to you, "You don't understand the concept of customer service...or maybe you do and truly don't care."

I have 20+ years of experience in customer service-related industries from department store sales to record marketing and promotion to advertising sales. ANYONE who, as part of their job, has contact with customers [i.e. park guests] regardless if they are a toll booth attendant, ride op, security guard, costumed character, or in food services ALSO works in CUSTOMER SERVICE. And it is the job of anyone who works in CUSTOMER SERVICE to make each and every customer feel welcomed and valued. The fact that Shapiro has acknowledged there is a CUSTOMER SERVICE problem chain-wide and has even stated he is instituing an employee re-training program validates what Gonch and I and others have been saying.

Maybe it would do you some good to check out this site. In case you don't here's the point I'm trying to make:

"...it is impossible to overemphasize the benefits of a customer-driven focus at all levels of your organization, from customer service staff to CEO. With each and every customer interaction, employees have the opportunity to lose or retain future business. Word of mouth is still the most powerful form of advertising. Successful companies know this. That's why they invest so much time and effort in providing their personnel with ongoing customer service training."

*** Edited 2/27/2006 4:03:29 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

"...it is impossible to overemphasize the benefits of a customer-driven focus at all levels of your organization, from customer service staff to CEO. With each and every customer interaction, employees have the opportunity to lose or retain future business. Word of mouth is still the most powerful form of advertising. Successful companies know this. That's why they invest so much time and effort in providing their personnel with ongoing customer service training."

Just thought it was worth reiterating, in BOLD, for added emphasis...it's nowhere NEAR a Six Flags issue, it's nationwide, the cost of looking out for the "quick buck" as opposed to understanding that you *grow* a business much like I do with my yard work...

Also, Antuan said: "Hostyl, why must you always say what is going on in my head? (and say it better too) Maybe its a brotha thing"

I went into the office restroom, and no, I still look amazingly pale...(well, for a Floridian).... :)

*** Edited 2/27/2006 4:22:25 PM UTC by rollergator***

Anyone get the idea that CD is a bit bitter about Magic Mountain, or is it just me ?

Ok I want to ask a couple of things. Since when is a spiel not part of a ride operator's job? Is safety of the guests using said attraction not part of their job?

Spiels are part of the saftey instructions of how to ride a ride. If saying one makes the ride safer then it should be done EVERY time the ride is cycled. If there is some reason the spiel can not be done so as that all guests can hear it, then said attraction should not be in use until this issue is rectified.

Also watching the ride during operation should be done also. Since how can you tell if something isn't safe if you are not watching the ride during operation. By the way, Mom and Dad of the child hurt or killed during an accident while the operator isn't watching the ride in operation might win a huge lawsuit against the company if the above scenario ends up with Junior getting hurt because an operator wasn't watching the ride in operation.

Now I will ask, What is wrong with Moosh's reports of issues with those operators now? I see no problem with the issue Moosh took with those operators. As a matter of fact I would have the same problem with them.

As for "thank you"'s and "have a nice day"'s, they aren't needed but they do improve my day at a park. *** Edited 2/27/2006 6:22:38 PM UTC by dragonoffrost***

Customer service? Or just plain common coutesy? I think that's all most people want. And it not only applies to so-called service industries where the attitude has a direct bearing on the bottom line, but with plain old office jobs too. Common courtesy helps get the job done. Makes everyone more productive. Blah blah blah.

I think the main theme is that people don't want to be blatantly treated like cattle...that is unless it helps make the lines go faster. ;)

Good to see it's not just me who "gets it." ;)

Del Holland has amazingly few people left in his "camp". Maybe he shoulda left his *tent* unpainted too? ;)

/reference to previous Shapiro thread... :)

P.S. I'm glad that even though I kinda "get it", I don't get it in exactly the same way Moosh does.... ;)

*** Edited 2/28/2006 1:19:16 AM UTC by rollergator***

Word on the street is that Del is no longer employed by SFMM. No confirmation on that yet.

I have a gripe with the negativity of the term "Fanboy."

In a sense, aren't we all "fanboys." (or fangirls). That's why we're here and not basketweavingbuzz.com.

We just may be partial to different things of the experience.

I have posted a few trip reports about SFGad over the years, as it's one of my local parks. I always tried to be as impatial as possible. Those that know me, know that I try to fuse the human element or a comedic bent throughout my reports. That's just my style - my slant - my personal way of expressing myself. Maybe that's why nobody reads them.

If I had to single out the best TRs I've ever read on this site- it was CoasterPLaya's (including photos of the kid with the ice cream and the story of the magic show and GoodBear's side-trip of the Pennsylvania memorial on the side of the road and the freight train. The stories about people make it real for me.

Anyway - getting back to the point - While this thread initially was about Magic Mountain, (and was a pretty good read too as most TR's are), (Otherwise, why would we read them), I can say that like many 6 Flags parks there is a lot to like and a lot to complain about. Some crews are much better than others. Sometimes a paper cup is on a midway. Sometimes the trains are stacked. SOmetimes the ride breaks down when you are behind the airgate. Sometimes someone turns in your lost wallet (with money) to the the customer service desk.

Whether it's 6 Flags, Cedar Fair, Rye, Coney ISland, it doesn't matter. We are all Fan-People and we should respect the integrity of the trip report poster - or why bother reading them.

OK Excuse me - My Panda is boiling on the stove!

I think you are confusing "fan" with "fanboy."

The term "fanboy" -- as I and others have come to understand it -- refers to someone who is so fiercely a fan of something [park, coaster, manufacturer, whatever] they they are blind to any valid criticism and act as if they are personally offended when someone says something remotely negative about that which they feel so fanatical about.

We are all coaster fans. But not all of us are fanBOYS [or fanGIRLS].

At least that's how I see it ;)

Richie, it's important to note the origin of the word "Fanboy" to appreciate its use and context...

We are all (almost all, LOL) fans of parks, coasters, the industry. But there's a not-so-fine-line between those who *encourage* their parks to do better, and those who would cry foul at ANY criticism of a park's procedures, policies, etc. It's really a matter of seeing the forest AND the trees... ;)

The "integrity" of the poster...varies, sometimes WIDELY, from poster to poster...after a few years you get to know who falls into which *camp*...

What IS it with the "woodsy" feel of my posts lately? :)

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janfrederick said:
Customer service? Or just plain common coutesy?

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In my little world those are one and the same.

I could never understand people who suck at customer service type jobs. Just act human towards people and you're doing a good job.

Is it really that big of a mystery?

^ Apparently.

This does seem to be a generational thing. NOT picking on the younger kids as much as it would seem, I think they're just raised differently, their expectations of themselves and others in society is different than it used to be....

Wow, I *am* old...get off my lawn you kids! :)
*** Edited 2/28/2006 6:07:30 AM UTC by rollergator***

i thought the park policy was to still operate the rides no matter what the wheather was unless it was high winds or lighting i guess they need to changes the employees or the mangers or maintanice

RGW wrote:

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What IS it with the "woodsy" feel of my posts lately?

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Maybe because most forests are far away from the ocean and thus you dont have to worry about the ROLL of the TIDE? :)

As for the term "fanboy", in general I believe it is over used. I visit video game sites as well and if you say anything positive about Sony?Microsoft/Nintendo and dont *immediately* say something good about the others you are dubbed a 'fanboy'. It's almost used as a way of invalidating someones comments without debating them. Kinda like in the political areana when someone disagree with the current course of action they are dubbed 'unpatriotic' just for dissenting. (but I digress)

And I really dont get the "service" industry thing. It suprised me, when I started dating after college that it was considered "impressive" to women just when I held a door or pulled out a chair or walked on the curbside of the sidewalk. Personally, I was raised to consider these things the *minimum* not something extraordinary.

I wish I knew why/when this changed.